Nintendo Predictions for 2026: What’s Subsequent?

1. GameCube video games will likely be introduced for the Nintendo Swap On-line service.
   1. ✅ Yep, we lastly have GameCube video games on the service.
2. A brand new Mario Kart recreation will likely be introduced in 2025, hopefully releasing this 12 months too.
   1. ✅ Yep, Mario Kart World was introduced and launched in 2025
3. 2024 was a uncommon 12 months with no new Pokémon recreation (not counting Pokémon TCG Pocket, though I’ve been having fun with it myself). I feel we’ll see Pokémon Legends ZA launch in 2025 and possibly a tease at one other Pokémon recreation.
   1. ✅ Yep, Pokemon Legends Z-A launched in 2025 and we acquired a tease for a brand new Pokemon recreation known as Pokopia
4. I feel we’ll see a brand new Kirby recreation this 12 months – it could possibly be a port of an older recreation however right here’s hoping for a observe as much as Forgotten Land.
   1. ✅ Yep, a Swap 2 Version for Forgotten Land was launched in addition to the shock announcement of Kirby Air Riders
5. (Swap 2 associated – Carry over from 2024) – The Swap successor will likely be introduced AND launched this 12 months. I might see it being known as merely Nintendo Swap 2 to be the least complicated on everybody.
   1. ✅ Yep, the Swap 2 was lastly revealed and launched. They usually even went with the best title: Nintendo Swap 2
6. (Swap 2 associated – Carry over from 2024) – We’re due for a brand new 3D Mario, I might see it launch with the brand new system.
   1. 🚫 Nope, Donkey Kong Bananza was Nintendo’s selection for 3D platformer this 12 months and it didn’t disappoint! I say let ’em prepare dinner for the brand new 3D Mario a bit longer.
7. (Swap 2 associated – Carry over from 2024) – Nintendo will proceed to promote the unique Swap alongside the successor.
   1. ✅ Yep, actually the Swap 1 remains to be promoting nicely because of the upper value of the Swap 2
8. We’ll see an announcement a few new Smash Bros. recreation whether or not that’s transferring Final from the Swap as much as the Swap 2 with new characters/phases (just like the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Go) or an entire new recreation solely.
   1. 🚫 Nope, nothing on the Smash Bros. entrance but however with Sakurai finished with Kirby Air Riders, who is aware of what he may do subsequent!
9. (Swap 2 associated – Carry over from 2024) – Nintendo made good strides with third get together help with the Swap. I feel that may proceed and I feel we’ll get a serious franchise introduced for the successor that even the Swap missed out on (suppose franchises like Madden, Grand Theft Auto, Name of Responsibility, Battlefield, Far Cry, and so on)
   1. ✅ Sure, Madden formally got here again to a Nintendo platform for the primary time because the Wii U oddly sufficient again in 2012. I used to be definitely hoping for extra however I feel third events are simply getting began on Swap 2.
10. (Swap 2 associated) – I feel the Swap 2 will launch at $399.
    1. For context:
       1. GameCube worth at launch: $199
       2. Wii worth at launch: $249
       3. Wii U worth at launch: $299 (deluxe model at $349)
       4. Swap worth at launch: $299
       5. Swap OLED worth at launch: $349
    2. 🚫 Nope, because of a commerce conflict / tariffs, $399 wasn’t to be and the Swap 2 launched at $449. I feel Nintendo deliberate for it to be at $399 however needed to modify late for all of the tariffs.

Wild Playing cards (2 factors every)

1. It hasn’t been that lengthy since we’ve had a Zelda recreation however I really feel like Nintendo will at the least announce a Zelda recreation for the Swap 2’s first 12 months, even when it’s simply the oft-rumored Twilight Princess HD and/or Wind Waker HD ports.
   1. I’ll simply do 1 level right here as an alternative of two — these had been simply Swap 2 Editions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom which isn’t actually what I used to be considering of after I made this prediction
2. A brand new Wave Race will likely be introduced.
   1. 🚫 Nope

That’s 8 factors for Justin

For Trev in 2025:

1. The Nintendo Swap would be the first console to hit 160 million, surpassing each the DS and PS2 within the course of. Will Jim Ryan transfer the goalposts once more and declare the PS2 truly bought 170 million?
   1. ✅ We don’t truly know this 100% but as Nintendo hasn’t given out their This autumn outcomes however on the finish of Q3, the Swap 1 was at 154.01 million items so I’m considering this can be a lock
2. We’ll get a movie-themed Direct for the upcoming Tremendous Mario Bros. 2 and/or Zelda movie(s). The vocals will generate chatter, Mario voiced by Chris Pratt within the former, and Hyperlink voiced by (seemingly) no one within the latter.
   1. ✅ Yep, they held a Direct for the 2nd Mario film which is known as ‘The Tremendous Mario Galaxy Film’
3. I predict Nintendo will discontinue the unique Swap fashions, with solely the Lite and OLED remaining at retail. Count on bundles for every pushing Swap On-line, with free provides. Alongside these strains…
   1. 🚫 Nope, Nintendo determined to nonetheless promote the bottom mannequin, probably due to tariffs so that they nonetheless had some decrease value choices for customers.
4. Nintendo Swap On-line will see a large alteration. Whether or not it’s the addition of recent consoles like GameCube, altering the worth construction, or merging plans, anticipate a change to return with the introduction of recent {hardware}.
   1. ✅ Yep, GameCube was added and the service is now named ‘Nintendo Classics’, no different pricing changes have been made
5. Talking of recent {hardware}, Swap 2 (or no matter it’s known as) may have a pack-in recreation at launch, not like its predecessor. Will or not it’s a Mario recreation just like the SNES had? A household recreation like Wii? Or one highlighting regardless of the distinctive {hardware} options are a la Wii U.
   1. 0.5 level for the Mario Kart World bundle at launch, not fairly a pack-in however they selected to at the least have a launch title bundled
6. No less than one launch window title for the brand new {hardware} will incorporate movement controls, resulting in decry or delight relying on if you happen to’re a fan or not.
   1. ✅ Sure, Nintendo Swap 2 Welcome Tour had some movement management mini video games
7. 2025 will deliver a brand new console, however I predict some older {hardware} options will return. I’m considering alongside the strains of Nintendo Badge Arcade or among the Wii channels (which have come again into consciousness because of Nintendo Music)
   1. 🚫 The closest I can suppose is a few themes being added to the Swap on-line service however that’s been there for some time I feel
8. Not solely will fashionable amiibo hold seeing re-releases, however new ones will likely be launched to tie in with at the least one launch window recreation.
   1. ✅ Yep, some new Zelda amiibo launched with the Swap 2 Editions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom
9. Extra within the gaming trade will proceed to flee Twitter for Bluesky. Maybe Nintendo will even reintroduce screen-sharing integration.
   1. 0.5 level Extra folks fortunately have moved in the direction of Bluesky however Nintendo has largely stayed put. Undecided on this one however I don’t suppose something occurred on the screen-sharing entrance.
10. Regardless of new {hardware}, Nintendo will hold supporting the Swap. Count on sizable updates to some fashionable video games (new content material price DLC updates) plus ports of older hits (Metroid Prime 2 & 3, Tremendous Mario Galaxy 2, and so on.)
    1. ✅ Yep, Tremendous Mario Galaxy 1 + 2 launched this 12 months and there have been additionally different Swap 1 video games introduced.

Wild Playing cards (2 factors every)

1. Nintendo hasn’t been identified for conventional sports activities video games for fairly a while, however previously, they’ve labored with stars like Ken Griffey Jr. and Kobe Bryant. Will 2025 be a 12 months the place we get a first-party sports activities sim? It is likely to be a protracted shot, however I’ll say sure.
   1. 🚫 Sadly no
2. 2025 will likely be ten years since Tri Drive Heroes and twenty since 4 Swords Adventures. I predict some multiplayer Zelda love in a single kind or one other.
   1. 🚫 Sadly no
      

That’s 7 factors for Trev

Justin took again the 👑 this 12 months but it surely was nonetheless a stable 12 months for each of us predictions-wise!

Justin’s Predictions

1. The tenth technology of Pokémon video games will likely be introduced and launched this 12 months for the franchise’s thirtieth anniversary. I can hear it within the wind and waves 😉
2. I feel we’ll lastly get the unique Pokemon video games ported to the Nintendo Classics on-line service and/or simply launched as eShop standalone variations with Pokemon Dwelling compatibility. This is able to be an effective way for many who missed out on the preliminary craze to meet up with the originals.
3. I feel we’ll at the least see an announcement this 12 months for what Monolith Comfortable (Xenoblade devs) is engaged on subsequent. I’d definitely be up for a brand new Xenoblade however a brand new IP can be thrilling too.
4. Additionally, on the subject of Xenoblade, I feel we’ll get some Swap 2 editions of some or the entire earlier video games.
5. Star Fox will get some kind of love this 12 months, even when it’s simply Star Fox Adventures and/or Star Fox Assault on the GameCube Nintendo Classics service.
6. Zelda has its fortieth anniversary this 12 months. I feel we’ll see some new remasters introduced (hopefully the lengthy rumored Twilight Princess HD and Wind Waker HD get the 4K therapy as full Swap 2 Editions). We’d even see the subsequent, new Zelda recreation teased.
7. It’s Animal Crossing’s twenty fifth anniversary. I feel we might see the reveal of a brand new one for Swap 2 this 12 months however probably not releasing this 12 months.
8. Samus is celebrating her fortieth anniversary as nicely. With the current launch of Metroid Prime 4: Past, I feel this 12 months can be a good time to launch a Metroid Prime 2 Remastered and ensure growth of a Metroid Prime 3 Remastered therapy too.
9. We’ll see extra help from Microsoft this 12 months on the Swap 2 as they’ve successfully ‘gone third get together’. I wouldn’t be shocked to see a few of their main titles from current years get ported and possibly even a few of their upcoming 2026 releases as nicely (this is able to be along with their already introduced port of Indiana Jones and the Nice Circle).
10. There are a number of fortieth anniversaries this 12 months, considered one of which being Child Icarus. Possibly it’s time for a Child Icarus Rebellion remaster to launch.

Wild Playing cards*

1. Castlevania has its fortieth anniversary in 2026, I might see the lengthy rumored revival introduced this 12 months and because it debuted on Nintendo platforms all these years in the past, I feel we’ll see it have a Swap 2 model.
2. GTA VI will get introduced for the Swap 2 (this will surely be a loopy get for Nintendo on the third get together entrance)

Trev’s Predictions

1. We’re already conscious that the unique Swap goes to get first-party video games in 2026, like a brand new Rhythm Heaven (completely happy twentieth anniversary to that collection). With this in thoughts, I’m predicting that the subsequent Tomadachi Life entry, Residing the Dream, will be part of its 3DS predecessor within the million-seller membership.
2. Although we already know of a pair (together with a recreation in my subsequent prediction), I anticipate to see fewer Nintendo Swap 2 editions of beforehand launched Swap video games within the console’s first full 12 months. Wishful considering, admittedly, however I’m going with it.
3. The Nintendo Swap 2 Version of Tremendous Mario Surprise (+ Meetup in Bellabel Park for a mouthful) may tide us over within the Spring, however I’m assured by autumn, we’ll at the least get a tease for Mario’s subsequent 3D journey. Talking of Mario…
4. The Tremendous Mario Galaxy Film will likely be a hit on the cinema, however my intestine tells me it gained’t fairly match its predecessor’s field workplace take, though I hope I’m flawed. And one final point out of Mario…
5. Mario Kart World DLC looks as if a lock. I’m hoping for some new characters, tracks, and a music participant. No matter will get added is bound to inject some thrilling life into the launch title.
6. Regardless of the typical reception for Drag x Drive, I predict we’ll see one other first-party mouse-controlled recreation, most likely a lower-priced eShop-only launch. Hopefully, its reception will likely be stronger.
7. A few years in the past, I predicted that we’d lastly get extra data on the Detective Pikachu movie follow-up. However given the lengthy passage of time, and the business and important underperformance of the final recreation, I feel the Pokémon thirtieth anniversary will come and go with out us studying a lot (if something) concerning the Ryan Reynolds sequel.
8. Following up Rosalina’s Storybook, we’ll seemingly see at the least one different high-profile bodily goodie from Nintendo in 2026. I wouldn’t be shocked if it was overpriced (however nonetheless bought out).
9. And talking of overpricing, amiibo costs are skyrocketing, as a result of tariffs, or just the complexity and measurement of current ones (Kirby, Metroid). With this in thoughts, I feel we’ll see extra amiibo playing cards, a la Animal Crossing, Mario Sports activities Superstars, and most not too long ago, Road Fighter 6.
10. I’ve made Zelda predictions three years in a row with minimal success. I’ll go the safer route this 12 months, and predict that Twilight Princess will get ported to Swap 2 to have fun the sport’s twentieth anniversary. (The most secure route can be predicting a film trailer, however that’s a given, proper?)

Wild Playing cards*

1. Our new NOA president, Devon Pritchard, was launched to us holding a Pikmin plush. I predict this glimpse into her character is a tease for one thing Pikmin-related in 2026. Possibly a brand new Pikmin brief to observe up “Near You”? Or a port of the underrated 3DS recreation, Hey! Pikmin?
2. If the Digital Boy and its small library can return with gimmicky {hardware}, why not among the Sport Boy motion-controlled tilt video games? How neat wouldn’t it be for the GBA’s twenty fifth anniversary to have an adjunct mannequin to play Kirby Tilt ‘n’ Tumble, Yoshi Topsy-Turvy, WarioWare: Twisted!, and possibly the Japanese exclusives?

*Wild Playing cards are value 2 factors

What are your predictions for 2026? Tell us within the feedback!