The 10 Games Sequels That The Switch 2 NEEDS

A New 3D Mario

Alright, let’s get the big, obvious elephant in the room out of the way first. There is no way that Nintendo isn’t working on a new 3D Mario game. I mean, come on, it’s Mario. The Switch got the fantastic “Super Mario Odyssey,” as well as “Bowser’s Fury” packaged in with the “Super Mario 3D World” port. Just like his other 3D adventures, we have no doubt his next would include an awesome, as-of-yet unheard of gimmick that delights the senses. However, with “Bowser’s Fury” being smaller, yet completely open, it seemed like a great testing ground for something similar, yet grander in scale. Mario doesn’t need to go completely open world. But something of a middle ground between that and “Odyssey’s” large sandboxes would be excellent.

A New “Punch-Out!!”

This is somewhat of a darkhorse pick, since there hasn’t been a new one since 2009 on the Wii. But “Punch-Out!!” is due a new entry. That title itself was a comeback, the first one since 1994’s Super Nintendo installment. And it was a decent hit, commercially and critically. When the Switch was released, with JoyCons featuring enhanced motion controls that fit in the palms of your hands, we got not a new “Punch-Out!!,” but “ARMS.” While that game sold well initially, it has long been left out of the conversation for must-have games. With the Switch 2, it seems a prime time to bring Little Mac back, with improved JoyCons, visuals, and framerate that could help its cartoony art style soar.

A New “Fire Emblem”

To be fair, it hasn’t been long since the last “Fire Emblem,” 2023’s “Engage.” But in comparison to the other Switch installment, 2019’s remarkable “Three Houses,” it left a lot to be desired when it came to its characters and story. It seems highly likely we’ll get a new entry with the Switch 2. Not only did the first Switch get a ton of various JRPGs, but “Fire Emblem” has received consistent releases since it began back in 1990. It has grown increasingly popular over the years, but we’re also eager to see how it would utilize the console’s new features. Graphical upgrades and increased framerate would be great for the anime-inspired visuals. But the mouse controls of the new JoyCons could also lead to a new gameplay hook for the tactical battles.

A New “F-Zero”

Another one that seems like a longshot, “F-Zero” has been absent since the days of Game Boy Advance. We did get “F-Zero 99” in 2023, but that essentially took 16-bit assets and put them in a battle royale format. And it wasn’t exactly the brand new installment diehard fans were craving. Nintendo has commented in the past about why “F-Zero” has never returned, citing lower sales and a lack of innovation. But with the Switch 2 supporting up to 120 fps, those lightning-fast races have the potential to look incredible. As for no innovation, Captain Falcon is a bounty hunter. If a new game were to factor in those elements, maybe even feature a gameplay hybrid of races and bounty collecting, it would likely grab more attention. The Switch also saw lower selling franchises soar to new heights, and the Switch 2 could do the same.

“Resident Evil 4” (2023)

The Switch 2 Direct showed the system will receive a lot of third party support. And while Capcom did show off a new version of “Street Fighter 6,” another release from the studio would be a welcome sight. Several “Resident Evil” titles were released on the original Switch, like “Village” and the remake of “RE 2.” But those were Cloud versions. With the vastly improved tech of the Switch 2, it doesn’t seem outside the realm of possibility that the “RE 4” remake from 2023 could actually run on it. The new mouse controls could also lead to new gameplay, letting us point, click, and annihilate the undead. Plus, “Resident Evil 4” originally launched as a GameCube exclusive. It just feels right.

“Luigi’s Mansion 4”

If Next Level Games isn’t going to develop a follow-up to their work on 2009’s “Punch-Out!!,” it seems more likely they’ll produce a new installment for “Luigi’s Mansion.” The third game was a notable hit after launching in 2019, being both a delight to play through solo or in co-op. Nintendo actually purchased the studio in 2021. With the additional funding and support that could come from that, a potential fourth game could be even stronger. We wouldn’t be surprised if there were new gameplay features to take advantage of the mouse controls. But so long as the team tapped into the same creativity for level design that was in “Luigi’s Mansion 3,” which it had in spades, we’d be happy.

A New “Animal Crossing”

2020’s “New Horizons” was the perfect game at the perfect time. And while it got several updates with events, and sizable DLC, many fans were disappointed that Nintendo didn’t continue to support it, which the game almost seems like it was designed for. Still, with a hit as big as that, we’d be shocked if there wasn’t something new in the pipeline. We’re eager to see what it would look like, and how Nintendo would keep the style fresh. One obvious way, which we’ve mentioned in several entries, is through mouse controls. Those mechanics would fit nicely with gameplay that leans into designing, which “New Horizon’s” DLC definitely did. We would expect that would be the main selling point, not that they need one other than a laid back life with adorable critters.

A New “Star Fox”

As of writing, “Star Fox” ended on a sour note. 2016’s “Zero” was rightly criticized for its weird control scheme. The Switch version of Ubisoft’s “Starlink: Battle for Atlas” featured shoe-horned-in story content with “Star Fox” characters. And neither of them sold well. But man, knowing what we know about the Switch 2, a new game for the series could be monumental if done right. The visual enhancements and increased framerate would make the planets and space battles of Fox McCloud’s universe look phenomenal. With the new focus on GameChat, co-op could make the game even stronger. Imagine taking on galactic warfare with a group of friends, or screensharing to explore the far reaches of space and share what secrets you’ve uncovered. It could be huge, and I am begging Nintendo to give it to us.

“Super Mario Maker 3”

Of all the games we’ve mentioned that could benefit from the Switch 2’s focus on mouse controls, a new “Super Mario Maker” seems like the biggest no brainer. Millions of players fell in love with designing and sharing their own Mario levels in previous games. It was a breeding ground for creativity. We’d be willing to bet that the intuitiveness of the series’ UI would only become stronger with the simple joy of clicking, dragging, and manipulating different assets to design to our heart’s content. That’s not to mention that we’ve gotten a new 2D Mario game since the release of the second game, 2023’s “Wonder.” Include assets of that game, along with updates to controls, and Nintendo would have another undeniable hit.

A New “Super Smash Bros.”

Look, I’m not even sure what a new “Smash” would entail, or how Nintendo could possibly top the glory that was “Ultimate.” That doesn’t stop me from wanting it, though, and I doubt I'm the only one. Ever since the N64, “Smash” has been a glorious celebration of Nintendo history, eventually including multiple other video game icons. It doesn’t seem like we’d get another ‘Everyone is Here’ scenario, but there are still ways the roster could expand and evolve. It isn’t just the characters or addictive mechanics. It’s the stages, the music, the items, all of it which comes together to create this fascinating look at gaming history. And let’s be honest, every “Smash” game is one of the biggest to launch on its respective console. Sooner or later, we’ll get another one.

What’s a game you hope to see launch on the Nintendo Switch 2? Let us know about it in the comments. And if you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe to MojoPlays for more great gaming videos every day!