Celebrating Milestones: The Most Anticipated Nintendo Game Anniversaries of 2025

Resident Evil 4 (20)

We’ve seen a remarkable remake in the years past; however, on 11th January, it will mark two decades since we first encountered Los Ganados in their village. A ‘Cloud Edition’ of the remake on Switch might not please anyone, but let’s keep our fingers crossed that Capcom has something special lined up for later in the year.

Ice Climber (40)

Not exactly Nintendo’s most acclaimed franchise. In fact, it’s not truly a series at all — it only has this one entry, unless you count the NES and VS. Arcade versions separately (which we might be tempted to do since, well, they’re distinct!).

Ice Climber celebrates its 40th birthday on 30th January, and both versions are available on Switch through NSO and Hamster’s Arcade Archives release.

February

Donkey Kong Jungle Beat (20)

We’re bending the rules slightly with this one, as its twentieth anniversary was last year (it debuted in Japan in December 2004), but Europe received it on 4th February 2005, so let’s squeeze its bongo-bashing platforming in here, shall we? If Nintendo decides to revive this classic and bring some Bongo-Con to Switch, we’d be all for it!

Ridge Racer 64 (25)

Sure, among all Ridge Racers, Ridge Racer 64 may not stand out as the most beloved title. Still, we’ve been yearning for Namco’s series to make a comeback on a Nintendo console for years now, and if getting NST’s entry on Nintendo Switch Online is the best we can hope for, we’ll take it. It would make for a charming little Valentine’s gift on 14th February.

Star Fox: Assault (20)

Also referred to as ‘The Star Fox You Probably Forgot’, Star Fox: Assault was released on 15th February 2005 and, while it seems unlikely, we would relish the chance to see a re-release of Namco’s take on the Nintendo series should the opportunity arise.

March

Chrono Trigger (30)

A powerhouse in the RPG genre, Chrono Trigger made its debut in Japan on 11th March 1995. You might also anticipate some announcement coinciding with its 30th anniversary, so let’s hope for the best.

Itoi Shigesato no Bass Tsuri No. 1 Ketteiban! (25)

Ah yes, the most significant gaming anniversary on the calendar!

Now, bass fishing with Shigesato Itoi (EarthBound) may not be particularly captivating in the West, but this Japan-exclusive N64 game, a ‘Definitive Edition’ remake of the Famicom release, has always piqued this writer’s interest — enough for him to acquire a copy and an ASCII fishing rod controller.

Maybe the 25th anniversary on 31st March is the opportune moment to finally sit down and play the game while wearing a silly hat and enjoying some cold drinks.

April

Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance (20)

Turning two decades old on 20th April, Path of Radiance has remained on nothing except GameCube, so what better way to celebrate its twentieth anniversary than with a cheeky re-release, right?

While we’re on the topic of the series, Fire Emblem Fates may have been slightly contentious back in 2015 — it had quite a lot going for it! — but we’re looking for a reason to revisit it a decade later (it launched in Japan on 25th June 2015) and see how it compares to everything Radiant Games has accomplished with FE since.

Nintendogs (20)

That it hasn’t made an appearance on Switch in any form is a question we’ve asked before, and with it turning two decades old on 21st April, perhaps it’s time that this beloved canine series made its way to a Switch near you, don’t you think?

The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask (25)

There’s nothing stopping you from diving into this on Switch right now, and you certainly should. Majora’s Mask turns 25 on 27th April; this surreal time-loop adventure in the Zelda franchise is always worth revisiting.

And as we continue…

we’re talking about Zelda, Majora’s Mask 3D (the 3DS remake) celebrates its tenth anniversary on February 13th, while the less widely recognized Tri Force Heroes also marks its first decade on October 22nd.

Final Fantasy III (35)

It was only with the DS version that this game was released in the West, and currently the Pixel Remaster is the best option available to enjoy. The fresh Famicom version celebrates its 35th anniversary on April 27th.

Metal Gear Solid (GBC) (25)

Metal Gear Solid (conveniently subtitled Ghost Babel in Japan to distinguish it from Metal Gear Solid) launched over 18 months after the PlayStation classic on April 27th, 2000. Although it is quite a different experience, this top-down rendition of the series’ stealth gameplay is undeniably one of the most intriguing Game Boy Color exclusives.

Excitebike 64 (25)

A somewhat overlooked treasure in the later stages of the N64 lineup, Left Field’s Excitebike 64 was first released in the US on April 30th, 2000, and it is available on Nintendo Switch if you subscribe to NSO at the Expansion Pack tier. It’s high time we witnessed a revival of the Excite series.

May

Gargoyle’s Quest (35)

Gargoyle’s Quest is a charming little Game Boy adventure and is easily accessible on Switch via NSO. If you haven’t experienced it yet, what better year to try it out? It turns 35 on May 2nd.

Perfect Dark (25)

It feels like only yesterday we were celebrating the two-decade anniversary of Perfect Dark. No, that was actually May 22nd five years ago—time truly is a flat circle. Check it out if you have NSO + Expansion Pack.

Super Mario Galaxy 2 (15)

Notably missing from the Super Mario 3D All-Stars lineup, we are hoping that the game’s twentieth anniversary is the right occasion for a little celebratory re-release for Galaxy 2. Make sure to mark May 23rd on your calendar.

Please note that some external links on this website may be affiliate links, meaning if you click on them and make a purchase, we may receive a small percentage of the sale. Please read our FTC Disclosure for more information.

Splatoon (10)

The only Splatoon title currently unavailable on Switch, Splatoon launched on Wii U on May 28th, 2015. While the chances of a re-release seem slim, we believe Nintendo has plans for the squidy shooter franchise’s tenth anniversary.

June

Killer7 (20)

Rumors of a Switch port have yet to materialize… but could the twentieth anniversary of Killer7 on June 9th spark new hopes that Suda51’s cult classic could also come to Switch? Stranger things have happened.

Trauma Center: Under the Knife (20)

Do you remember this one? What a delightful little game. Don’t tell anyone it’s two decades old on June 16th, though, as they might get dizzy, dazed, and more than a little confused about how the last two decades have been skillfully extracted from their memories by Dr. Time.

Advance Wars: Dual Strike (20)

This was released in Japan on June 23rd, 2005. Advance Wars: Dual Strike may not be quite as famous as its GBA predecessors, but if the next Switch can play DS games, this will be near the top of our first-party wishes list. Alternatively, if Wayforward is interested in giving this a remake treatment like Re-Boot Camp, we would gladly support it.

Yoshi’s Woolly World (10)

June 25th, 2015 marked the release of Good-Feel’s Yoshi’s Woolly World, one of the few final Nintendo-published Wii U titles that hasn’t (yet) been ported to Switch. The 3DS received a version with some added Poochy, but we would love to see Good-Feel give this cozy game another chance for its tenth anniversary.

July

Dr. Mario (35)

Debuting on Game Boy on July 27th, 1990, Dr. Mario also launched on Famicom on the exact same day, with both games reaching the US later that same year, followed by Europe the following year.

Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan (20)

The game that transformed into…

Elite Beat Agents in the West, 28th July 2025 commemorates twenty years since Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan introduced its catchy rhythm-based tunes to a DS near you. Well, that is if you imported it. Or if you happen to be in Japan, of course. So many fantastic DS titles celebrating significant anniversaries! Nintendo really should bring them to a contemporary console.

August

Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island (30)

5th August 1995. That was the date Yoshi’s Island debuted in Japan, with North America and Europe following in October – a more prompt global launch compared to the staggered release of Super Mario World.

We still can hardly believe Yoshi’s Island is hitting the 30-year mark, though. Are you certain there hasn’t been some administrative blunder in the spacetime continuum?

Journey To Silius (35)

The game that could have been the best Terminator title ever, had the licensing not fallen through, will mark 10th August with 35 years of that amazing soundtrack. Enjoy!

Paper Mario (25)

Mario’s initial venture into the RPG genre followed Super Mario RPG on SNES. Paper Mario launched on N64 on 11th August 2000. Or it is available on Switch with an NSO + Expansion Pack subscription.

And Yet It Moves (15)

A WiiWare marvel that younger readers may not remember, And Yet It Moves is deserving of recognition! Released on 23rd August 2010, Broken Rules’ puzzle platformer had you rotating the levels themselves to guide a paper-constructed figure named Fido Dido to an exit. It’s better than it sounds, we assure you.

Ghosts ‘n Goblins (40)

The Famicom version did not arrive until the following year, but Capcom’s Ghosts ‘n Goblins hit arcades in September 1985. Anyone with an NSO subscription can play the NES edition on Switch.

Super Mario Maker (10)

We have had Mario Maker 2 since then, of course, but the exceptional GamePad controls of the original Mario Maker, which turns 10 on 10th September, makes us yearn for a third iteration that combines the best of both worlds, along with a new Wonder game style. One to add to the wishlist, but for now, we might need to dig the Wii U out of storage.

Okamiden (15)

The recent announcement of an Okami sequel that is currently in development brought our thoughts back to this essential DS sequel, which debuted 15 years ago on 30th September 2010. It is definitely worth revisiting before the ‘big’ sequel arrives. You still might have a couple of years to wait.

October

Terranigma (30)

Quintet’s epic action RPG celebrates its 30th anniversary on 20th October, and it’s a title we would love to see get a broader release someday. Interestingly, Terranigma was localized and released in Europe but never made it to North America, meaning there are likely countless potential fans who have never experienced it.

Metroid Prime Pinball (20)

Metroid Prime Pinball may not be the most famous title in the Prime series, but with Prime 4: Beyond on the horizon for 2025, we’d love to see this spin-off receive some recognition for its 20th anniversary on 23rd October.

And speaking of Metroid, Other M will turn 15 on 31st August. Time for a little re-evaluation on that one, perhaps?

Rock Band 3 (15)

Plastic peripherals come and go each generation, but on 26th October, it will mark 15 years since one of the most remarkable rhythm games ever made launched on Wii. Just writing this makes us want to grab the drums and break out the keytar…

That settles this weekend’s plans, then.

November

Mario Kart DS (20)

It may seem hard to believe, but on 14th November, it will have been two whole decades since we first raced online in Mario Kart.

WWF No Mercy (25)

There’s no chance of this one getting a re-release due to all the rights issues involved, but that doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate one of the most beloved interpretations of wrestling in video gaming on 14th November as WWF No Mercy turns 25. The absence of Big Daddy was truly the final blow.

Shadow

The Hedgehog (20)

Has there ever been a video game character that recovered from a devastating low quite like this? Shadow the Hedgehog (the character has experienced a resurgence in 2024 due to the stunning Sonic X Shadow Generations and his role in the Sonic 3 movie) is a far cry from the critical drubbing he faced two decades ago when Shadow The Hedgehog (the game, 15th November) was panned.

Could we have missed something back then? Might it be deserving of a significant reassessment? Hello? Is anyone there?

F-Zero (35)

Ah, Formula 0 – how we miss you dearly. This title was once a flagship release for the Super Famicom, launching on 21st November 1990, nearly 35 years ago. Time to dig out that Matt Damon gif if there ever was a moment!

Super Mario World (35)

This game is definitely not 35 years old as of 21st November. We absolutely refuse to acknowledge that. Why would anyone fib about something like that? Unacceptable behavior.

Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest (30)

20th November 1995 marked the release of Diddy’s Kong Quest, merely one year after the original DKC. Players who may have lost their cartridge but still wish to celebrate three decades of Rare’s iconic simian platformer can do so with a Nintendo Switch Online subscription.

Additionally, while we’re on the subject of DK, Donkey Kong Land will also turn 30 in 2025 (26th June) and is also available via NSO. Plenty of DK joy on Switch!

Uh, we mean… erm. Is it warm in here? Moving on swiftly…

Sin and Punishment (25)

Available to play on Switch through NSO, Sin and Punishment was a shining example of its genre. It was released on 21st November 2000, and the sequel titled Star Successor made its debut on Wii a decade later. Since then, we haven’t seen much from the franchise (or Love for that matter).

Animal Crossing: Wild World (20)

The franchise’s handheld introduction launched in Japan on 23rd November 2005. Its portability opened this Wild World to commuters and public transport users, captivating the imagination of the DS generation.

Mario & Luigi Partners In Time (20)

28th November will mark two decades since this beloved DS installment in the Mario & Luigi franchise. One of the main reasons we hope Switch 2 will feature some sort of backward compatibility with Nintendo’s inaugural touchscreen console.

December

Mario Party 3 (25)

Mario Party 3 debuted on 7th December 2000, just under a year after its predecessor, which will commemorate its 25th North American anniversary next year.

Moreover, Mario Party 7 also celebrates its 20th anniversary on 7th November. Indeed, Hudson Soft was busy churning out these parties back then!

SaGa 2 (35)

The second installment in the SaGa series, originally marketed with the FF title in the West, also turns 35 this year – it was launched for Game Boy in Japan on 14th December 1990 before arriving in the US the following November.

Star Wars Episode I: Battle for Naboo (25)

Not many people at the time embraced the idea of piloting an N-1 Naboo Starfighter when Rogue Squadron let you fly an X-Wing, but on 14th December, it will have been 25 years since we had the chance to dive into the Battle for Naboo, and the years have been kind to the prequel trilogy. We believe this will evoke strong nostalgia for fans of a certain age, so let’s mark the date on our calendars.

Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine (25)

And now it’s the 3D Indy game that everyone is talking about!