My Predictions for the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct

 

With the Nintendo Switch 2 direct coming closer, and Nintendo's next chapter opening, I want to offer some of my predictions for the Switch 2's first direct. I won't give my predictions on the technical aspect of it, as it's not my area of expertise, but I will have a seperate article on the finance aspect in the future. 

Confirmed:

New Mario Kart

As we saw briefly in the initial Nintendo Switch 2 reveal, there will be a new Mario Kart game, likely a Mario Kart 9, and if the support cycle for Mario Kart 8 is gonna be an indicator, Mario Kart 9 will be here for a long time. What we know now is that the game will have updated character designs, my favorite of which is for Donkey Kong. 

Likely:

Switch Prices are pre-decided with global tariffs in mind

To say that the global economy is stable is pretty much false, and I'm willing to bet that tariffs have been pre-factored in the pricing decision, and so the price should be $399.99, just a hundred dollars more expensive than the first Switch. I say this as a Finance undergrad with some proficiency in economics that Nintendo might expect to struggle in its first few years until the economy stabilizes. 

3D Mario Game

The last 3D Mario game is Super Mario Odyssey, and that was in 2017. It is about time we get a new one, and it would make a compelling case for the Nintendo Switch 2's launch titles. 

The "C" stands for "Chat"

I have a hunch that the "C" button on the right joycon is a form of a push-to-talk button for the Switch 2, meaning that the Switch 2 would also come with voice chat, but knowing the usual anti-consumerism practices of Nintendo, this would be a feature locked behind an NSO subscription.                                   

Sizzle reel of third-party games, showcasing updated graphics and compatability

I mean, this is a given, with the Switch 2 already promising better specs and capabilities than its predecesssor, there is almost guranteed a section of the direct dedicated to third-party publishers. I think the likely candidates are Bandai Namco, Capcom, 2K, EA, and possibly, Ubisoft. 

Switch games will have a permanent price increase

I have a strong feeling that the $70 price tag for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of The Kingdom won't be an anomaly, but rather a part of the start of a worrying trend in AAA gaming. It is a worrying direction, given moreso that Nintendo does not lower the prices of their games, and rarely go on sale.

New IP That utilizes the Switch 2 features

Whether it be Arms, WiiSports, or 1-2-Switch, there's a gurantee that there will be some sort of new Nintendo IP that aims to utilize the new hardware features of the Switch 2. 

New Zelda game, but it's a remaster or a warriors game

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of The Kingdom was only released two years ago, and we won't be getting another mainline 3D Zelda game in the near future, likewise with The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom with mainline 2D Zelda games. The only viable options are a remaster of an older game, or a warriors game in the vein of Age of Calamity, perhaps based on TotK just to milk the installment a bit further. 

New Fire Emblem content

A new Fire Emblem game comes once every two-three years, and surprisingly, were always among the first games to release in any given handheld console, whether it's a remake, remaster, spinoff, or a new entry. It's long overdue for a new entry in the series, and it should be getting a new game either this year or the next, and with better graphics too. A remake of Fire Emblem: Geneology of The Holy War is a long anticipated and speculated next entry, but I'd say that any Fire Emblem game is a fair contender. 

Wild Guesses:

PC games being ported

With it being confirmed that the right joycon can be doubled-up as a mouse, it would be a no-brainer more PC games will be ported to the Switch 2. I know for a fact, that Civilization VII will utilize this feature when it gets ported. I'd expect other PC games to come along as well. I can't think of any at the moment, probably some Paradox Interactive games. 

Animal Crossing

I'm sitting on the fence on this one: on one end, it's been five years Animal Crossing: New Horizons came out, and yet the game feels like it has so many missing features and components, and on the other, Animal Crossing is a seasonal series where players definitely take their time, (the game will only be supported until 2061), and it will definitely be a long while until we get a new one. I feel like the only palatable new content would be a content update to the game. 

Super Smash Bros?

It has been 7 years since Super Smash Bros. Ultimate was announced, maybe it's time we get another. Like an Avengers movie, A new Smash is inevitable, but I do not know if Masahiro Sakurai will return to direct the game. On the other hand, it seems a bit early in the system's cycle, and Smash would serve as a sales boost sometime in the middle of its lifespan, so I won't expect Smash sometime this year. 

New Kid Icarus

I'm only putting this here because why not. The last Kid Icarus Game came out in 2012, why not have another one.

Hollow Knight Silksong

The sequel to the beloved game was announced in 2019, and since then no news was ever heard from again. It's been 6 years, 12 MCU films and two elections since then, let's give the fans something.