Nintendo Predictions for 2026: What’s Next?

1. GameCube games will be announced for the Nintendo Switch Online service.
   1. ✅ Yep, we finally have GameCube games on the service.
2. A new Mario Kart game will be announced in 2025, hopefully releasing this year too.
   1. ✅ Yep, Mario Kart World was announced and released in 2025
3. 2024 was a rare year without a new Pokémon game (not counting Pokémon TCG Pocket, even though I have been enjoying it myself). I think we’ll see Pokémon Legends ZA release in 2025 and maybe a tease at another Pokémon game.
   1. ✅ Yep, Pokemon Legends Z-A released in 2025 and we got a tease for a new Pokemon game called Pokopia
4. I think we’ll see a new Kirby game this year – it could be a port of an older game but here’s hoping for a follow up to Forgotten Land.
   1. ✅ Yep, a Switch 2 Edition for Forgotten Land was released as well as the surprise announcement of Kirby Air Riders
5. (Switch 2 related – Carry over from 2024) – The Switch successor will be announced AND released this year. I could see it being called simply Nintendo Switch 2 to be the least confusing on everyone.
   1. ✅ Yep, the Switch 2 was finally revealed and released. And they even went with the easiest name: Nintendo Switch 2
6. (Switch 2 related – Carry over from 2024) – We are due for a new 3D Mario, I could see it launch with the new system.
   1. 🚫 Nope, Donkey Kong Bananza was Nintendo’s choice for 3D platformer this year and it didn’t disappoint! I say let ’em cook for the new 3D Mario a bit longer.
7. (Switch 2 related – Carry over from 2024) – Nintendo will continue to sell the original Switch alongside the successor.
   1. ✅ Yep, in fact the Switch 1 is still selling well thanks to the higher cost of the Switch 2
8. We will see an announcement about a new Smash Bros. game whether that’s moving Ultimate from the Switch up to the Switch 2 with new characters/stages (like the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass) or a whole new game entirely.
   1. 🚫 Nope, nothing on the Smash Bros. front yet but with Sakurai done with Kirby Air Riders, who knows what he might do next!
9. (Switch 2 related – Carry over from 2024) – Nintendo made good strides with 3rd party support with the Switch. I think that will continue and I think we’ll get a major franchise announced for the successor that even the Switch missed out on (think franchises like Madden, Grand Theft Auto, Call of Duty, Battlefield, Far Cry, etc)
   1. ✅ Yes, Madden officially came back to a Nintendo platform for the first time since the Wii U oddly enough back in 2012. I was certainly hoping for more but I think 3rd parties are just getting started on Switch 2.
10. (Switch 2 related) – I think the Switch 2 will launch at $399.
    1. For context:
       1. GameCube price at launch: $199
       2. Wii price at launch: $249
       3. Wii U price at launch: $299 (deluxe version at $349)
       4. Switch price at launch: $299
       5. Switch OLED price at launch: $349
    2. 🚫 Nope, thanks to a trade war / tariffs, $399 wasn’t to be and the Switch 2 launched at $449. I think Nintendo planned for it to be at $399 but had to adjust late for all the tariffs.

Wild Cards (2 points each)

1. It hasn’t been that long since we’ve had a Zelda game but I feel like Nintendo will at least announce a Zelda game for the Switch 2’s first year, even if it’s just the oft-rumored Twilight Princess HD and/or Wind Waker HD ports.
   1. I’ll just do 1 point here instead of 2 — these were just Switch 2 Editions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom which isn’t really what I was thinking of when I made this prediction
2. A new Wave Race will be announced.
   1. 🚫 Nope

That’s 8 points for Justin

For Trev in 2025:

1. The Nintendo Switch will be the first console to hit 160 million, surpassing both the DS and PS2 in the process. Will Jim Ryan move the goalposts again and claim the PS2 actually sold 170 million?
   1. ✅ We don’t actually know this 100% yet as Nintendo hasn’t given out their Q4 results but at the end of Q3, the Switch 1 was at 154.01 million units so I’m thinking this is a lock
2. We’ll get a movie-themed Direct for the upcoming Super Mario Bros. 2 and/or Zelda film(s). The vocals will generate chatter, Mario voiced by Chris Pratt in the former, and Link voiced by (likely) nobody in the latter.
   1. ✅ Yep, they held a Direct for the 2nd Mario movie which is called ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’
3. I predict Nintendo will discontinue the original Switch models, with only the Lite and OLED remaining at retail. Expect bundles for each pushing Switch Online, with free offers. Along those lines…
   1. 🚫 Nope, Nintendo decided to still sell the base model, possibly because of tariffs so they still had some lower cost options for consumers.
4. Nintendo Switch Online will see a sizable alteration. Whether it’s the addition of new consoles like GameCube, changing the price structure, or merging plans, expect a change to come with the introduction of new hardware.
   1. ✅ Yep, GameCube was added and the service is now named ‘Nintendo Classics’, no other pricing adjustments have been made
5. Speaking of new hardware, Switch 2 (or whatever it’s called) will have a pack-in game at launch, unlike its predecessor. Will it be a Mario game like the SNES had? A family game like Wii? Or one highlighting whatever the unique hardware features are a la Wii U.
   1. 🚫 Nope, although it arguably should have had one
6. At least one launch window title for the new hardware will incorporate motion controls, leading to decry or delight depending on if you’re a fan or not.
   1. ✅ Yes, Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour had some motion control mini games
7. 2025 will bring a new console, but I predict some older hardware features will return. I’m thinking along the lines of Nintendo Badge Arcade or some of the Wii channels (which have come back into awareness thanks to Nintendo Music)
   1. 🚫 The closest I can think is some themes being added to the Switch online service but that’s been there for a while I think
8. Not only will popular amiibo keep seeing re-releases, but new ones will be introduced to tie in with at least one launch window game.
   1. ✅ Yep, some new Zelda amiibo launched with the Switch 2 Editions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom
9. More in the gaming industry will continue to flee Twitter for Bluesky. Perhaps Nintendo will even reintroduce screen-sharing integration.
   1. 0.5 point More people thankfully have moved towards Bluesky but Nintendo has largely stayed put. Not sure on this one but I don’t think anything happened on the screen-sharing front.
10. Despite new hardware, Nintendo will keep supporting the Switch. Expect sizable updates to some popular games (new content fee DLC updates) plus ports of older hits (Metroid Prime 2 & 3, Super Mario Galaxy 2, etc.)
    1. ✅ Yep, Super Mario Galaxy 1 + 2 launched this year and there were also other Switch 1 games announced.

Wild Cards (2 points each)

1. Nintendo hasn’t been known for traditional sports games for quite some time, but in the past, they’ve worked with stars like Ken Griffey Jr. and Kobe Bryant. Will 2025 be a year where we get a first-party sports sim? It might be a long shot, but I’ll say yes.
   1. 🚫 Unfortunately no
2. 2025 will be ten years since Tri Force Heroes and twenty since Four Swords Adventures. I predict some multiplayer Zelda love in one form or another.
   1. 🚫 Unfortunately no
      

That’s 6.5 points for Trev

Justin took back the 👑 this year but it was still a solid year for both of us predictions-wise!

Justin’s Predictions

1. The 10th generation of Pokémon games will be announced and released this year for the franchise’s 30th anniversary. I can hear it in the wind and waves 😉
2. I think we’ll finally get the original Pokemon games ported to the Nintendo Classics online service and/or just released as eShop standalone versions with Pokemon Home compatibility. This would be a great way for those who missed out on the initial craze to catch up with the originals.
3. I think we’ll at least see an announcement this year for what Monolith Soft (Xenoblade devs) is working on next. I’d certainly be up for a new Xenoblade but a new IP would be exciting too.
4. Also, on the topic of Xenoblade, I think we’ll get some Switch 2 editions of some or all of the previous games. 
5. Star Fox will get some sort of love this year, even if it’s just Star Fox Adventures and/or Star Fox Assault on the GameCube Nintendo Classics service. 
6. Zelda has its 40th anniversary this year. I think we’ll see some new remasters announced (hopefully the long rumored Twilight Princess HD and Wind Waker HD get the 4K treatment as full Switch 2 Editions). We might even see the next, new Zelda game teased.
7. It’s Animal Crossing’s 25th anniversary. I think we could see the reveal of a new one for Switch 2 this year but possibly not releasing this year. 
8. Samus is celebrating her 40th anniversary as well. With the recent release of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, I think this year would be a great time to release a Metroid Prime 2 Remastered and confirm development of a Metroid Prime 3 Remastered treatment too.
9. We’ll see more support from Microsoft this year on the Switch 2 as they’ve effectively ‘gone third party’. I wouldn’t be surprised to see some of their major titles from recent years get ported and maybe even some of their upcoming 2026 releases as well (this would be in addition to their already announced port of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle).
10. There are several 40th anniversaries this year, one of which being Kid Icarus. Maybe it’s time for a Kid Icarus Uprising remaster to release.

Wild Cards*

1. Castlevania has its 40th anniversary in 2026, I could see the long rumored revival announced this year and since it debuted on Nintendo platforms all those years ago, I think we’ll see it have a Switch 2 version.
2. GTA VI gets announced for the Switch 2 (this would certainly be a crazy get for Nintendo on the 3rd party front)

Trev’s Predictions

1. We’re already aware that the original Switch is going to get first-party games in 2026, like a new Rhythm Heaven (happy 20th anniversary to that series). With this in mind, I’m predicting that the next Tomadachi Life entry, Living the Dream, will join its 3DS predecessor in the million-seller club.
2. Even though we already know of a couple (including a game in my next prediction), I expect to see fewer Nintendo Switch 2 editions of previously released Switch games in the console’s first full year. Wishful thinking, admittedly, but I’m going with it.
3. The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of Super Mario Wonder (+ Meetup in Bellabel Park for a mouthful) might tide us over in the Spring, but I’m confident by autumn, we’ll at least get a tease for Mario’s next 3D adventure. Speaking of Mario…
4. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie will be a success at the cinema, but my gut tells me it won’t quite match its predecessor’s box office take, although I hope I’m wrong. And one last mention of Mario…
5. Mario Kart World DLC seems like a lock. I’m hoping for some new characters, tracks, and a music player. Whatever gets added is sure to inject some exciting life into the launch title.
6. Despite the average reception for Drag x Drive, I predict we’ll see another first-party mouse-controlled game, probably a lower-priced eShop-only release. Hopefully, its reception will be stronger.
7. A couple of years ago, I predicted that we might finally get more info on the Detective Pikachu film follow-up. But given the long passage of time, and the commercial and critical underperformance of the last game, I think the Pokémon 30th anniversary will come and go without us learning much (if anything) about the Ryan Reynolds sequel.
8. Following up Rosalina’s Storybook, we’ll likely see at least one other high-profile physical goodie from Nintendo in 2026. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was overpriced (but still sold out).
9. And speaking of overpricing, amiibo prices are skyrocketing, due to tariffs, or simply the complexity and size of recent ones (Kirby, Metroid). With this in mind, I think we’ll see more amiibo cards, a la Animal Crossing, Mario Sports Superstars, and most recently, Street Fighter 6.
10. I’ve made Zelda predictions three years in a row with minimal success. I’ll go the safer route this year, and predict that Twilight Princess gets ported to Switch 2 to celebrate the game’s 20th anniversary. (The safest route would be predicting a movie trailer, but that’s a given, right?)

Wild Cards*

1. Our new NOA president, Devon Pritchard, was introduced to us holding a Pikmin plush. I predict this glimpse into her personality is a tease for something Pikmin-related in 2026. Maybe a new Pikmin short to follow up “Close to You”? Or a port of the underrated 3DS game, Hey! Pikmin?
2. If the Virtual Boy and its small library can return with gimmicky hardware, why not some of the Game Boy motion-controlled tilt games? How neat would it be for the GBA’s 25th anniversary to have an accessory model to play Kirby Tilt ‘n’ Tumble, Yoshi Topsy-Turvy, WarioWare: Twisted!, and maybe the Japanese exclusives?

*Wild Cards are worth 2 points

What are your predictions for 2026? Let us know in the comments!