Like these Nintendo Switch Near the end of its life, Nintendo seems to be ready for its next main console – a prospective Switch 2. Whereas the original Switch, launched in 2017, was able to receive a strong library of games not long after launch, it could be a Major gap in the Switch 2’s launch lineup, potentially depriving it of a major system carrier. With Nintendo typically forgoing power in favor of other aspects, like the Wii’s motion controls or the Switch’s portability, the company’s consoles have typically relied on strong first-party lineups.
Although there has been no official confirmation of the Switch 2’s capabilities, features or games, rumors about the console have been popping up for years – originally about the existence of an upgraded “Switch Pro,” but eventually changing to an entirely new console like The switch. Life wore on. At Gamescom in 2023, Nintendo reportedly gave private demos of the Switch 2, but no official announcement was made until a brief announcement confirming the Switch 2 would be revealed this fiscal year.
The Switch 2 (probably) won’t have an open-world Zelda at launch
Long development times mean that TOTC sequel probably won’t be ready
Unfortunately for the Switch 2, it’s unlikely that its launch lineup will include an open world Seldom Game like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wildwhich acted as the primary launch title for the original Switch in 2017. While other first-party Nintendo titles, such as Splatoon 2 And Mario Kart 8 Deluxewere released in the month of the Switch’s release, BOTW was the only major title available immediately at launch, and its subsequent breakout success, being by far the best-selling Seldom game ever released, was a major factor in the Switch’s early popularity.
Related
however, The open-world nature of the game also came at the cost of extended development time for 3D Seldom Games – from the time of Skyward sword In 2011, the development of BOTW It would take another six years, eventually making it the Switch’s main launch title, despite being available on the Wii U, which it was originally announced for. so too, Tears of the kingdomDespite being a direct sequel set in the same world as BOTWTook another six years to develop and release in 2023, due to its complex physics and building mechanics.
Although only two releases are not necessarily indicative of a pattern, The extended development times would set the next open-world Seldom Sometime in 2028 at the earliest, but more likely in 2029 – Well after the Switch 2’s release window, commonly assumed to be in 2025. While Nintendo has many other flagship franchises to pick up the slack, losing out on an open-world, or even a more linear 3D Seldom Right at the launch of the Switch 2 would mean that the console is missing one of the original Switch’s biggest advantages.
What games could be in the Switch 2’s launch lineup
Switch 2’s launch will need other Nintendo games in Zelda’s place
of course, There are many other possible launch titles for the Switch 2 – A completely new 3D Mario Game, for example, has not been released since Super Mario Odyssey In 2017, with the Bowser’s Fury Addendum to the re-issue of Super Mario 3D World In 2021 possibly be a hint on what a new 3D Mario Could look like. OdysseyAlthough not available immediately at launch, was released just five months after the Switch, making it one of the console’s earliest major titles, and a new 3D Mario This could be a true launch title for the Switch 2.
Although not many other franchises can pull the same weight as Mario Or SeldomThere is still some interesting potential for Switch 2 launch titles. The long-awaited Metroid Prime 4: NextFor example, which was announced in 2017, is scheduled for a 2025 release, potentially making it a cross-platform title between the Switch and Switch 2, similar to BOTW With the Switch and Wii U. A prospective Splatoon 4 Might as well be at work, mirroring the short wait between Splatoon on Wii U in 2015, and the sequel, Splatoon 2Releasing on Switch just two years later.
By far the biggest possible announcement, however, would be a new one Smash Bros. – LastThe latest entry was released in 2018, four years after the Wii U entry, meaning that there was plenty of time for development on a new game to begin. Although there are multiple question marks surrounding a potential “Break 6“, as the list of the game may look like after Last brought back every fighter in the franchise’s history, and if long-time series director Masahiro Sakurai will be involved, it’s almost certain that Nintendo will continue the Break up Series.
Related
While Nintendo certainly has plenty of franchises for a strong Switch 2 launch lineup, it’s almost certain that the console won’t be able to repeat the original Switch’s feat of an open world. Seldom Available immediately at launch. While several other flagship Nintendo franchises are almost certain to pick up the slack and possibly become system sellers in their own right, the lack of a game like Breath of the wild Or Tears of the kingdom is still a great loss for the successor to the Nintendo Switch.