Most Anticipated Nintendo Switch Games Launching In 2025

Summary

• It’s an exciting year ahead for Nintendo Switch with new hardware and game announcements.
• Highly anticipated titles for 2025 include Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition and Pokemon Legends: Z-A.
• Expected new launches include Mario Kart, Pokemon, Metroid, and more for Switch 2.

With the Nintendo Switch successor due to be announced before March, 2025 is already shaping up to be an exciting year for the Nintendo Switch. On top of new hardware, there’s bound to be plenty of new titles to look forward to, especially considering Nintendo loves to shadow drop game announcements completely out of nowhere.

2024 was stacked for the Switch, despite it seemingly being near the end of the console’s life cycle. We got The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, Mario & Luigi: Brothership, and plenty more, so can 2025 top that lineup? Let’s see what our editorial team is most excited to play on Switch in 2025.

Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition

Rebecca Phillips, Executive Editor

Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition is one of my favourite games of all time, but I never had a Wii U, so I didn’t have a chance to play Xenoblade Chronicles X. When Nintendo randomly announced the definitive edition, it immediately became the Switch game I’m looking forward to most next year.

I’ve heard mixed opinions about it, so I’m excited to play it for myself and see how it stacks up against the first game in the series.

Lunar Remastered Collection

David W. Duffy, Database Editor

It’s been a long, long time since we’ve been able to play Lunar: Silver Star Story and its sequel. Lunar 2: Eternal Blue, in any official capacity, and this collection is the kind of RPG remaster that’s perfect for the handheld Nintendo Switch over big-screen consoles.

While the Lunar games aren’t necessarily considered among the best of all time, they have a ton of charm and wit. I’d have loved a proper remake in HD-2D style, but this collection will still have plenty to offer those seeking a 16-bit fix in the early part of the new year.

Whatever Launches For The Switch 2

Stacey Henley, Editor-In-Chief

Nintendo’s weird way of operating works, with massive sales across the board year after year, decade after decade. But it’s a little odd that we know a Switch 2 is coming fairly soon, but don’t even know its name or any games it will have. As a result, the Switch’s upcoming roster looks pretty thin.

However, we know that’s going to change. I expect a new 3D Super Mario, a new Animal Crossing, a new Mario Kart, and possibly a new Kirby to join the confirmed releases of Pokemon and Metroid. Sword & Shield and Scarlet & Violet have me burnt out on Pokemon, even if Legends: Arceus felt like a step in the right direction, so my most anticipated Switch game is whatever Nintendo is yet to announce.

Holy Horror Mansion

Meg Pelliccio, Executive Editor

Is it even guaranteed to launch in 2025? No. Am I going to hope it will until the very last day of December anyway? Yes.

As a longtime fan of the Yo-kai Watch series, I was ecstatic to see its spiritual successor announced, and I’m intrigued as to how they’ll mix things up. While it doesn’t seem familiar Yokai will be appearing, Holy Horror Mansion maintains that cute and quirky design of silly ghosties and there’s a whole camera element. I’m up for it. I might even be up for collecting far too much merch for this too, just like Yo-kai Watch.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A

Ben Sledge, Features Editor

It’s not often that I look forward to a Pokemon game these days, but Legends: Arceus was one of the better recent entries in the series. In creating Legends: Z-A, I hope Game Freak has allowed itself to get lost in the alleyways of Lumiose City and emerge reinvigorated and creatively fulfilled.

If Arceus was anything to go by, this spin-off series could make Pokemon interesting again. I want interesting mechanics, cool new Mega Evolutions, and a fresh take on the monster-catching experience.

A New Mario Kart Title

Helen Ashcroft, Evergreen Editor

Has Nintendo announced a new Mario Kart? No. Am I trying to will it into existence? Absolutely. It’s been ten years since Mario Kart 8.

Surely Nintendo can think of some new things to add to this friendship-breaking racing series? In fact, I can help out. Bring back the Double Dash formula. Two players, one kart, ultimate mayhem. You’re welcome.

All The Switch Games I Own, Just On A Switch 2

Joe Parlock, Editor

I loathe playing on the Switch. It was an interesting console five years ago, but even at launch it was behind the other consoles performance-wise. As the years go by, the games look rougher and rougher, to the point where I gave up on Tears of the Kingdom because it looked like a blurry mess.

I’m looking forward to backwards compatibility on the Switch 2 so I can go back to Tears of the Kingdom, Echoes of Wisdom, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 (and the upcoming X remake), and every other Switch game I’ve dropped for better-running games on less ancient platforms.

Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition

Quinton O’Connor, Staff Writer

As such a radical departure from Xenoblade Chronicles and its numbered sequels, this little-played second entry in the series – thanks for not selling well, Wii U – is a dark-horse must-play that’s finally coming to Switch. In de-emphasizing its core narrative, Xenoblade Chronicles X thrives first and foremost on its setting. Mira, the game’s brilliantly beautiful alien world, is its main character in the sense that Hyrule is The Legend of Zelda’s.

It won’t be for everyone. I love the intricate plots and overarching themes of Tetsuya Takahashi’s other Xenoblades, and I’ll understand if fans who haven’t sampled X don’t quite take to this strange quasi-spinoff. But if you’re looking for a memorable journey piloting mecha from one jaw-dropping vista to the next, strap in for a thrill ride.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A

Andrew Scariati, Staff Writer

The Pokemon formula has been called into question after Scarlet & Violet’s less-than-stellar launch left us wondering if Game Freak can innovate meaningfully without sacrificing quality. Legends Arceus was an enjoyable divergence from classic Pokemon adventures, and the new catch mechanic breathed life into your interactions with Pokemon like never before.

However, if Legends: Z-A can remedy the performance issues that plagued S&V and deliver an experience similar to Arceus, it will easily eclipse the main series entry. When nostalgia isn’t enough, fun mechanics and reliable performance are what we’re craving from Pokemon right now; hopefully, this entry sorts out the basics above all else.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

Hilton Webster, Staff Writer

A few years ago, I got into Metroid. Like, really into Metroid. It became my life’s mission to play every game, even the bad ones (Other M really is not as bad as everyone says), and the Metroid Prime games came last, just in time for the launch of the remaster. The word ‘diegetic’ is overused sometimes, but there’s really no better word for Metroid Prime.

It is claustrophobic and alien, immersing you in its world in a way few other games have achieved. And finally, after years of silence, Metroid Prime 4 has finally been announced. Nintendo’s been on a bit of a winning streak with Metroid lately, so I’m more than ready for Samus’ first-person return.

The Next 3D Mario Game

Sam Woods, News Editor

With the Switch 2 set to launch next year, I’m fully expecting the next 3D Super Mario game to be a launch title. The gap between Super Mario Galaxy 2 and Super Mario Odyssey was around seven and a half years, and by the time the Switch successor is out, that amount of time will have passed since Odyssey.

The 3D Mario Games are the pinnacle of platforming, and I genuinely cannot wait to see what Nintendo has been cooking up for the last seven years.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A

Joshua Robertson, News Editor

Yep, we’re quadrupling down on Pokemon, but I’m going to be a little different in that I couldn’t stand Legends: Arceus. It was far too big, empty, and ugly, but I feel like Game Freak could eradicate any problems I had with Arceus by setting Legends: Z-A entirely within Lumiose City.

It will be much more dense, the map will most likely be smaller, and Mega Evolutions are coming back, which is just a massive plus in general. I like the concept of the Legends series, and I’m very excited to see what Game Freak does with it in a smaller, city setting.