With theNintendo Switch 2finally officially revealed, it’s time to guess what games will join it when it launches later this year.
We have a few months before the April 2nd Nintendo Direct when we’ll see the upcoming lineup games. That’s plenty of time to guess and hypothesize about what the Switch launch lineup will look like.
As a frame of reference, here are the day-one launch games for Nintendo Switch in North America back on March 3rd, 2017:
With that out of the way, here are our Nintendo Switch 2 launch game predictions.
Analysts Predict Nintendo Switch 2 to Sell 20M+ Units Within a Year
Nintendo Switch 2 has finally been announced, and predictions say it’s going to sell more than 20 million units within a year.
10Mario Kart 9
The only confirmed Switch 2 game
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
The only game that appeared in the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal,Mario Kart 9feels like a shoo-in as a launch game.
Despite not being a day-one title,Mario Kart 8 Deluxe wasreleased during the Switch’s launch window. It remained a top-selling video game for Nintendo Switch and the industry as a whole since its debut.
Our brief glimpse at the newestMario Kartgamehints at the possibility of 24-player races, which is exciting regardless of how chaotic they will be. I imagine we’ll learn more about the nextMario Kartgame in just a few months.
9Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
Back in style
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
WhileMetroid Prime 4: Beyondis still labeled as a Nintendo Switch game, this is not the first time a Nintendo game has launched for its new console at the same time as its predecessor.
BothBreath of the WildandTwilight Princesslaunched on two consoles simultaneously.
Given the lack of concrete details aboutMetroid Prime 4beyond its brief trailer during a Nintendo Direct last year, don’t be shocked if Samus Aran pulls double duty on two consoles.
There’s a chance it’s a swan song for the Nintendo Switch, but it makes too much sense to also appear on the Switch 2, taking advantage of its hardware.
8Legend of Zelda Remasters
Is it finally time?
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD
One of theworst-keptsecretsis that Nintendo is sitting on remasters forWind WakerandTwilight Princess.
Fans were shocked not to see them released as part of the 35th anniversary of theZeldafranchise. With the surprise shadow drop ofMetroid Prime Remasteredin 2023,Zeldafans were waiting for the same to happen withWind Waker HDandTwilight Princess HD.
It’s possible that they’re released before the Switch 2’s launch date. Given the strength of theZeldafranchise today, I’d be shocked if they don’t cash in with a launch dayZeldareleases two consoles in a row. It’d also be three out of the past four, dating back to the Nintendo Wii.
7Pokémon Legends: Z-A
A world of adventure awaits
Pokemon Legends: Z-A
Despite a 2025 release date,Pokémon Legends: Z-Aisn’t listed internally under upcoming Nintendo Switch games.
The second game in thePokémon Legendsspin-off,Z-Atakes place in Lumoise City in the Kalos Region, introduced inPokémon X and Y.
Nintendo also wants to make sure they have a big tentpole franchise to help sell Switch 2 systems. They have no bigger name at their disposal thanPokémon. Plus, they can take their time when releasing the follow-up toSuper Mario Odyssey.
6Hollow Knight: Silksong
Time to huff the copium
Hollow Knight: Silksong
It seems like wishful thinking, but hear me out here. The Nintendo Switch launched withShovel Knight: Treasure Trove, a hugely popular indie game from the mid-2010s. Therefore, the Switch 2 will launch withSilksong, a sequel to a hugely popular indie game from the late 2010s.
Yes, it seems like I’m huffing some serious copium, but withTeam Cherry actively responding to a fan’s requestabout the game still being in development, maybe it’s a sign that it’s finally nearing release.
5Halo: Master Chief Collection
Master Chief for Smash next, please
Halo: The Master Chief Collection
If Microsoft wants to bring their first-party games to other consoles, what better way to put their money where their mouth is?
The launch of the Master Chief Collectionon the Nintendo Switch 2 proves that Microsoft is serious about its “this is an Xbox” strategy and that Nintendo is serious about embracing modern gaming.
The Switch 2 is reportedly as powerful as a PS4 Pro, meaning it will have no trouble handlingMaster Chief Collection. Their online gaming stability has improved with the Switch, thanks to the success ofMario Kart 8 Deluxe. AddingHalowill make the Switch 2 an attractive option as the handheld gaming market grows.
4Elden Ring
I doubt you could even imagine it
Elden Ring
The Nintendo Switch sawDark Souls Remasteredrelease in 2018, so this wouldn’t be the first time a FromSoftware title would appear on a Nintendo console.
CombiningElden Ringwith theShadow of the ErdtreeDLC to launch alongside the Nintendo Switch 2 is an excellent step forward for its third-party support.
3Madden and EA Sports College Football
It’s in the game
EA Sports College Football 25
WhileMadden NFL 25appeared on Steam,EA Sports College Football 25did not, which means there’s no dedicated way to play it on the go.
EA Sports has supported Nintendo consoles at launch in the past, withMadden NFL 07featuring motion controls for Nintendo Wii. While their support of Nintendo hardware has since dropped, the franchise still appears on Xbox One and PS4.
I’ve said it already: if the Switch 2 is as powerful as a PS4 Pro, it will have no problem running a game likeMaddenorCollege Football. And with the Nintendo Switch expected tosell like hotcakes, you better believe EA wants to attempt to tap into that market.
2Call of Duty
It’s been over a decade
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
WhileCall of Dutyskipped the Nintendo Switch entirely, the anticipation for the Switch 2, combined with superior hardware, means the stars are aligning for the juggernaut FPS franchise to return to Nintendo hardware.
We haven’t seen aCall of Dutygame released on a Nintendo console sinceCall of Duty: Ghostson the Wii U in 2013. If the Wii U, of all things, can see aCall of Dutygame, especially following the franchise’s support of the underpowered, motion-control-focused Nintendo Wii, then a PS4 Pro-equivalent Switch 2 can 100% be a home forCall of Duty.
This one seems like a no-brainer becauseBlack Ops 6is available for last-generation consoles.
1Just Dance
Yep, they’re still making these
Just Dance 2024 Edition
This one makes too much sense. It may not be exciting, it may be boring and predictable, but then again, we’re here to predict launch games for theNintendo Switch 2.
Just Dancewas a launch game for the Nintendo Switch. If the series had existed when the Nintendo Wii was launched, I reckon it would have also been a launch game for that system.
With Nintendo presumably keeping gyro controls in the Switch 2’s joy-cons,Just Danceseems like a perfect fit to deliver a motion-control-based game that can sell to a more casual audience interested in the Switch 2.
