With the Switch 2 Direct just a short time away, the speculation about the event has been growing louder and louder. With no games confirmed for the rest of the year, Nintendo will likely be laying out their release schedule for the remainder of the year. In this article, we’ll be discussing what Nintendo might showcase at the upcoming Direct.
While it’s not likely that all of these will be featured at the Direct, here is just a small list of games that we could see at Nintendo’s upcoming presentation.
Mario Kart 9
The next Mario Kart was the first officially confirmed first-party title for the Nintendo Switch 2, and there is no doubt that we will be seeing it at the upcoming Direct. We know that this entry will be deviating from the series norm by having 24-player races, and this Direct will likely showcase more of the game. We’ll probably learn more about these new 24-player races, along with seeing some of the roster on display.
Along with revealing more information about the game itself, I think we’re likely to learn the game’s release date. It will more than likely be a launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2, so we can expect it to release around May or June of this year.
Metroid Prime 4
Nintendo fans have been eagerly awaiting the release of the next installment of the Metroid Prime series, and it seems the time has finally come. We got the first trailer for Metroid Prime 4 at Nintendo’s June Direct last year, complete with a vague release date. Now with the Switch 2’s release imminent, Nintendo is likely ready to show off the final trailer for the game.
The trailer likely won’t show us too much more about the game, but we will probably get a release date. Much like Mario Kart 9, Metroid Prime 4 will more than likely be a launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2, so we’re looking at a May or June release. On top of that, much like Breath of the Wild before it, it will probably be a cross-platform title for both the original Switch and the Switch 2.
New Yoshi Game
While not as likely as some of the other games mentioned, a new Yoshi game isn’t out of the realm of possibility. The last Yoshi game, Yoshi’s Crafted World, released in March 2019. With all of the Mario games that have been released recently, along with the other titles releasing in adjacent series, a new Yoshi game is all that’s really missing. It could be a game in a similar vein to Yoshi’s Crafted World, or it could be a return to the Yoshi’s Island series. Either way, if a Yoshi game were to be released this year, July would be a prime month for it.
Kirby: Planet Robobot Remaster
Though the chances of this remake being announced have gone down considerably, there’s always that chance that it’ll be revealed at the upcoming Direct. It’s been a while since we’ve had a Kirby game, so one releasing in the launch year of the Switch 2 doesn’t seem that far-fetched. I do believe that of all the games that we’ve mentioned here, this one is the least likely one to be announced.
If they do announce a remaster of Planet Robobot, however, I imagine we’ll see a glimpse of whatever new features the game might have. As for its release date, it would probably be July, releasing instead of a new Yoshi game. Whether the Yoshi game or the Planet Robobot remaster is more likely is up for debate, and we’ll have to wait and see if either one will become a reality.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A
While we got to see more of the upcoming Pokemon game in the recent Pokemon Presents, there’s still a lot we don’t know about Pokemon Legends: Z-A. It’s quite likely that we’ll be getting one last trailer for the game in the upcoming Direct that’ll show us more gameplay and, at last, give us a release date. Based on the window given in the last Pokemon Presents, Pokemon Legends: Z-A is more than likely going to be released in November.
It’s not likely that Z-A will be a Switch 2 exclusive, and I doubt that it will be a cross-gen title. That being said, I think with Z-A we could see the introduction of Switch 2 enhanced titles. Z-A’s trailer could be a lead in to a reveal for other Switch games that’ll be enhanced on the Switch 2. Games like Tears of the Kingdom and Mario Odyssey are likely contenders for games that could be enhanced for the Switch 2, making some of the Switch’s greatest hits even better.
Fire Emblem Remake
A new Fire Emblem remake has been discussed online for several years now. There have been numerous rumors and leaks about the next Fire Emblem remake, and I think we’re about due for it now. As for which game would be remade, there are two likely options. The most likely option is for a remake of the fourth game in the Fire Emblem series, Genealogy of the Holy War. The last Fire Emblem remake we got was Echoes back in 2017, so remaking the next game in the series without a remake makes the most logical sense.
The other option would be a remake of Binding Blade, the sixth game in the Fire Emblem series. Roy has become quite a popular character in the franchise, so remaking his debut game seems like a no-brainer. While I personally believe that a remake of Genealogy of the Holy War is far more likely, a Binding Blade remake would still be a great announcement.
As for the release date of the remake, it would probably be sometime in September. September doesn’t usually have the biggest game releases for Nintendo, and I think it would be a good, quiet month to release the game in. It’s not likely that it’ll be a Switch 2 exclusive, and it probably won’t be a cross-gen release either. I could see it being another Switch 2 enhanced game, but only time will tell.
New 3D Mario
I think that the big reveal for the Direct, besides the Switch 2 itself, will be a new 3D Mario game. Super Mario Odyssey was one of the biggest titles released in the launch year of the original Switch, but we haven’t seen a 3D Mario since. A new major Mario title would be the best way to cap off this long stretch of new Mario releases and would kick the Switch 2 off to a great start.
We likely won’t get much gameplay, as this would likely be a headliner in a possible September Direct, but we will probably get a good first look at the game. It’s up in the air whether we will get a release date or a release window, but I predict that we’ll see this new 3D Mario around October of this year.
Other Predictions
Besides just games, we will definitely learn some more information about the console itself. We’ll likely learn some of the specs, such as how much storage the console has, the type of display it’ll have, etc. We’ll probably also learn about some of the console’s gimmicks, specifically about some of the JoyCon’s new functionality.
Most importantly, though, we will learn the pricing for the new console and its release date. A lot of speculation about the Switch 2’s price has been floating around, with predictions being between $400 and $500. I firmly believe, however, that the console will be closer to the $400 range. Nintendo has always undercut their prices amidst rising costs in the industry, and I don’t think the Switch 2 will be any exception.
As for the release date, it probably won’t be too long after the direct. While there hasn’t been a true consensus on when the console will be released, it’s safe to say that we’re looking at a mid-May to early June release. I think early June would be more likely as school wraps up around the world, but only time will tell what Nintendo has planned.
When do you think Nintendo will release its next console? How much will it be? Let us know in the comments and on our social media!
