Talking Point: Which Nintendo Series Are You Most Excited To See Return On Switch 2?
By We’re on the brink of a fresh console generation, and naturally minds are shifting towards both confirmed games and those we anticipate. Here’s the scoop: Nintendo is gearing up for another installment in the Mario franchise. They appear to be quite popular, don’t they?
To date, Mario Kart and Donkey Kong have been officially announced for new Switch 2-specific titles, titled World and Bananza. Additionally, Metroid Prime 4‘s cross-generation launch will allow Samus enthusiasts to resume their bounty-hunting adventures on Nintendo’s upcoming hardware. Moreover, we can expect a new Kirby adventure along with a revisit to a Forgotten Land.
Even with these major titles, there’s still an abundance of possibilities — plenty that Nintendo must be hiding. News will emerge in due time, but we’ve been contemplating which franchises we’re most eager to see reimagined on Switch 2.
Which Nintendo franchise do you cherish the most? Which one are you most excited to see a new installment for on NS2? Are those two the same? Let’s touch base with Team NL before we dive into the poll at the conclusion…
A Fresh Horizon (Alana Hagues, deputy editor)
I might be overstating a bit, but Animal Crossing is essential to my life. Even prior to the year-we-prefer-not-to-mention, Animal Crossing captivated me. New Leaf was my escape during college, and Wild World allowed me to connect with my mother, starting from a US-imported version of Animal Crossing on the GameCube, where I dedicated three memory cards to various towns. Indeed.
New Horizons shattered all expectations for this cozy franchise, making me incredibly eager for a Switch 2 installment. I envision two potential paths Nintendo could pursue — a return to basics, emphasizing a single town, where you act as mayor (or perhaps even as a simple villager), or something even more expansive, allowing you to create your own town.
I’m quite serious; while I thoroughly enjoy the serene life of Animal Crossing, I would genuinely love the option to personalize my own mini-town similar to City Folk. Incorporate that Happy Home Designer style directly into your actual living space, enhance online features, eliminate breakable tools (please). Maybe allow us to take vacations or something similar. And how about mouse controls for terraforming, constructing, or decorating?
No matter the shape Animal Crossing takes on Switch 2, I’ll be there on day one.
Choice Pik (Gavin Lane, editor)
Pikmin often feels like an underdog within the Nintendo lineup; every time I (re)experience one of the games, I’m taken aback by my affection for it. The more commercially successful, iconic franchises occupy so much attention that their best moments can overshadow points that lagged or entries that didn’t quite shine.
However, Pikmin games (the mainline series) are simply exceptional and uniformly delightful. A recent playthrough of the original reminded me once again that it ranks among Nintendo’s finest. Even Pikmin 4, which features a painfully slow tutorial, almost topped my personal list of 2023’s games. It’s incredible, just like its predecessors.
Pikmin may not seem like a flashy choice, but when it comes to steady quality, could it be outmatched? I consistently find myself surprised by it, but it is my absolute favorite Nintendo franchise. Bring on Pikmin 5.
Inkling Inspiration (Jim Norman, staff writer)
Since finishing the single-player mode of Splatoon 3, I can’t stop pondering ‘Splatoon 4’. It seems we’re still in the early days of this squid shooter franchise, yet everything continues to improve — and you know Nintendo is brainstorming something remarkable for the next installment.
Switch 2 seems tailor-made for Splatoon. Enhanced social features with the camera and GameChat, shooters appear to be the genre that will benefit the most from Mouse Mode, and the upgraded capabilities offer even greater opportunities for vibrant colors and thrilling explosions.
What I desire most from the next installment is expanded single-player content (just include Side Order, please!), but even if Splatoon 4 is similar to its predecessors while utilizing the new hardware’s capabilities, it still holds great potential to be the finest Octoling experience yet.
Let’s Goo-igi (Ollie Reynolds, staff writer)
Even more than five years after its launch, I still believe Luigi’s Mansion 3 ranks among the most visually impressive games on the Switch. It’s absolutely breathtaking. Next Level truly elevated its game with the 2019 sequel, and I eagerly anticipate what the team can create with enhanced power.
I’ve already discussed where I believe the next title should evolve, but I see a significant opportunity with ‘Luigi’s Mansion 4’ to explore more ambitious environments. A hotel with uniquely themed floors was a brilliant concept within the constraints of the original Switch, but let’s get a bit more adventurous this time.
It’s amusing to think that for nearly a decade, it seemed Luigi’s Mansion might be a one-off. Nevertheless, I feel confident that the series’ growing popularity ensures a new installment is in the pipeline — it’s only a question of when!
From F-Zero To F-Hero? (PJ O’Reilly, staff writer)
Yes, I’ll be a bit blunt here, especially as someone who’s seen many years – I genuinely require a new F-Zero soon, folks, so let’s make it a reality on Switch 2, pretty please.
It has been ages since we last enjoyed a fresh F-Zero (the remarkable 99 aside), and honestly, going back to the classics is becoming a bit tiresome, no matter how fantastic they might be. Switch 2 could serve as the ideal platform to revive this cherished (and often neglected) Nintendo franchise.
Just imagine all the multiplayer excitement we could experience with our GameChat and sleek new cameras as we compete for first place on revamped 4K versions of classic F-Zero tracks. Actually, they might even include a 120fps/1080p option for serious competition. We are elevating it to the major leagues! Alright, just deliver the game first, and then we can discuss tournament funds.
Now, I’m off to revisit F-Zero Climax. 2004 was over 20 years ago, folks. We need a new installment.
Of course, it goes without saying that we’re thrilled for the new 3D Mario, eager to see where Zelda will head after TOTK and Echoes of Wisdom’s interpretation of the top-down format, and we have all our fingers crossed for a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of Rhythm Heaven Groove, as only the power of Switch 2 is worthy for that iconic series.
So those are our personal “most anticipated” titles. And you can assume that any series not specifically mentioned is something we genuinely dislike and wish to never see again on a Nintendo console.*
Let us know which series you’re most eager to see return in 4K/60 with Mouse Mode mechanics and intriguing twists on NS2.
*This is entirely true. Star Fox, Yoshi, Wario, Xenoblade, Fire Emblem… cannot tolerate any of them.