As theNintendo Switchnears the end of its lifespan, Nintendo seems to be gearing up for its next main console - a prospective Switch 2. Whereas the original Switch, launched in 2017, was able to accrue a strong library of games not long after launch, there could be a major gap in the Switch 2’s launch lineup, potentially depriving it of a major system seller. 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.
While there’s been no official confirmation of the Switch 2’s capabilities, features or games, rumors regarding the console have been popping up for years - originally regarding the existence of an upgraded “Switch Pro,” but eventually changing to an entirely new console as the Switch’s lifespan wore on. At Gamescom in 2023,Nintendo reportedly gave private demos of the Switch 2, but still no official announcement was made until a brief announcementconfirming 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 TOTK Sequel Probably Won’t Be Ready
Unfortunately for the Switch 2, it’s unlikely that its launch lineup will include an open-worldZeldagamelikeThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of Wild, which acted as the primary launch title for the original Switch in 2017. While other first-party Nintendo titles, likeSplatoon 2andMario Kart 8 Deluxe, were released within the month of the Switch’s release,BOTWwas the only major title available immediately at launch, and its subsequent breakout success, which saw it become by far the best-sellingZeldagame ever released, was a major factor in the Switch’s early popularity.
The Latest Nintendo Switch 2 Rumor Is The Most Exciting One Yet
The latest rumor regarding the so-called Nintendo Switch 2 is great news for those who have already built up a massive collection of games.
However,the open-world nature of the game has also come at the cost of extended development times for 3DZeldagames- from the time ofSkyward Swordin 2011, the development ofBOTWwould take an additional six years, eventually making it the Switch’s main launch title despite also being available on the Wii U, which it was originally announced for. Likewise,Tears of the Kingdom, despite being a direct sequel set in the same world asBOTW, took another six years to develop and release in 2023, owing to its complex physics and building mechanics.
TOTK was originally planned for release in 2022, but was delayed by a year for additional polishing.
While only two releases aren’t necessarily indicative of a pattern,the extended development times would put the next open-worldZeldasometime in 2028 at the earliest, but more likely in 2029- well after theSwitch 2’s release window, commonly assumed to be in 2025. While Nintendo has plenty of other flagship franchises to pick up the slack, losing out on an open-world, or even a more linear 3DZeldaright at the launch of the Switch 2 would mean that the console is missing out on one of the original Switch’s biggest advantages.
Which 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 plenty of other possible launch titles for the Switch 2- an entirely new 3DMariogame, for example, hasn’t been released sinceSuperMario Odysseyin 2017, with theBowser’s Furyadd-on to the re-release ofSuper Mario 3D Worldin 2021 possibly being a hint at what a new 3DMariocould look like.Odyssey, while not available immediately at launch, was released only five months after the Switch, making it one of the console’s earliest major titles, and a new 3DMariocould one-up that by being a true launch title for the Switch 2.
While not many other franchises can pull the same weight asMarioorZelda, there is still some interesting potential for Switch 2 launch titles. The long-awaitedMetroid Prime 4: Beyond, for 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 toBOTWwith the Switch and Wii U. A prospectiveSplatoon 4could be in the works as well, mirroring the short wait betweenSplatoonon Wii U in 2015, and it’s sequel,Splatoon 2, releasing on Switch only two years later.
Aleaked codename suggests aBOTWremaster is coming to the Switch 2, but even if this proves to be true, it would likely not draw as much interest as a brand-new title.
By far the biggest possible announcement, though, would be a newSmash Bros.-Ultimate, the latest entry, was released in 2018, four years after the Wii U entry, meaning that there’s been plenty of time for development on a new game to begin. While there are multiple question marks around a potential “Smash 6,” like what the game’s roster could look like afterUltimatebrought back every fighter in the franchise’s history, and if longtime series director Masahiro Sakurai will be involved, it’s almost certain that Nintendo will continue theSmashseries.
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While Nintendo certainly has plenty of franchises to lean on 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 having an open-worldZeldaavailable immediately at launch. While some 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 likeBreath of the WildorTears of the Kingdomis still a big loss for the successor to theNintendo Switch.
Nintendo Switch
The Nintendo Switch is the successor to 2012’s Wii U console. The Nintendo Switch allows gamers to easily switch between playing on a TV to a handheld console. The first model was released in 2017, followed by the Nintendo Switch Lite, which is strictly a handheld console. In October 2021, Nintendo released an upgraded Switch console with an OLED screen.
