5 games we need to see on Nintendo Switch 2, from Zelda to Mario
With a successor for the Nintendo Switch now confirmed, I'm looking at the games that need to launch alongside the console, from a new 3D Mario to a classic Zelda.
Daniel Megarry
10th May 2024 17:01
Images via Nintendo
It's an exciting time to be a Nintendo fan, as the company has finally confirmed rumours that a successor to its wildly popular Switch console is on the way.
Although we don't know when the untitled Nintendo Switch 2 will be released (if that is what it's called), that's not going to stop me from loudly sharing my opinions on which games should be released alongside the shiny new console.
1. A new 3D Mario game
By the time the Nintendo Switch 2 is finally released, it will have been almost a decade since Super Mario Odyssey dropped. Let that sink in.
Although there have been plenty of Mario titles like Paper Mario: The Origami King and the excellent Super Mario Bros. Wonder released since then, cravings for a brand-new 3D Mario game are at an all-time high, so I'd be shocked if the new Nintendo console didn't launch alongside one.
Some fans have been calling for a Super Mario Odyssey sequel, but I want to see something completely new that pushes the boundaries, just like the classics Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Galaxy did.
2. Pokemon Black & White remakes
Following on from the divisive Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, the next stop on the Pokemon remake train is Black & White. The games, which first dropped on the Nintendo DS in 2010, have remained well-loved among fans despite there being no way to play them on the 3DS or the Switch.
It'll be interesting to see how they're brought into the modern era. Will they go down the same chibi route as Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl? Will they incorporate the Black & White sequels? Maybe we'll even get a third iteration of the games... there are just so many questions!
While there's always a chance Black & White remakes could get a surprise release on the Switch, I'd prefer to wait and have them optimised for the new console - I've heard enough complaints about Pokemon Scarlet & Violet's performance and visuals to last a lifetime, so let's not have a repeat of that, please.
3. A 'classic' The Legend of Zelda game
Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom both received universal acclaim, and the first one remains my favourite game of all time, but I know I'm not the only one suffering from open-world fatigue right now.
How great would it be if the next The Legend of Zelda game took us all by surprise and returned to its roots? I'd love a more linear 3D adventure like Ocarina of Time, or another classic top-down dungeon explorer like Link's Awakening. The latter could even be a smaller project to tide us over until the next big Zelda game.
4. Metroid Prime 4
It's been seven years since Metroid Prime 4 was revealed at E3, but we've yet to see a single snippet or screenshot of gameplay. At this point, why not just save it for the Nintendo Switch 2?
With the extra boost in hardware power, it'd no doubt be the best-looking Metroid game ever. Releasing it as a launch title would also be a nice way to introduce newcomers to the iconic franchise while giving existing fans a reason to make the jump. I adored Metroid Dread, but now I'm ready for some 3D space-faring adventures.
5. A proper Super Mario Sunshine remake
Hear me out.
It may be the unloved sibling in the 3D Mario family, but Super Mario Sunshine absolutely deserves a proper remake. The sunny beach setting, the loveable characters, and the banging soundtrack are all firmly lodged in the nostalgia department of my brain, and I can't think of anything better than a ground-up rebuild.
I know it appeared in the Super Mario 3D All-Stars package on Switch, but that was just an upscale - and it was also a limited release, meaning you can't actually buy it anymore. I'm going to (naively) keep my fingers crossed that this is because Nintendo has bigger things in mind for Sunshine's Isle Delfino in the future.
What games do you want to see appear on the Nintendo Switch 2? Let us know over on @GGReconGaming! Also, check out the best Mario games you can play on Switch and all the new games coming out this year.
About The Author
Daniel Megarry
Daniel is GGRecon’s Deputy Guides Editor. He graduated from university with a degree in Journalism & English Language before covering video games and LGBTQ+ culture at publications including Gay Times and Dexerto. His favourite games include Pokemon, Kingdom Hearts, Resident Evil, and anything Nintendo. You can reach him on [email protected].
