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This week looks like it could be a big one for Nintendo fans, as several reports have claimed that the Switch successor will be officially revealed on January 16. While this first look at the new Nintendo console is reported to be focused entirely on the hardware, several games for the system have also reportedly been leaked so far.
According to Podcaster NateTheHate, a brand-new Mario Kart game will launch alongside the Switch 2, while a 3D Mario game will arrive during the holiday season. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is Nintendo’s best-selling game of all time, having sold 64.27 million units as of September 30, 2024. The next game in the series has some big boots to fill, but with an established fanbase and a “new twist” on its gameplay, it’s likely that there’ll still be plenty of interest in it.
Meanwhile, Mario fans haven’t exactly been starved of games starring Nintendo’s plumber, but it has been eight years since we last saw him in a proper 3D adventure. Super Mario Odyssey earned rave reviews when it was released in 2017, and since then, Nintendo has scratched the itch for 3D Mario games by remastering his older GameCube and Wii U games for the Switch, while also releasing Bowser’s Fury in 2021.
On Nintendo’s official upcoming games page, it also lists as Metroid Prime 4, Pokemon Legends: Z-A, and Professor Layton and the New World of Steam for a 2025 release, so this looks to be a stacked year for the Switch. While these games aren’t confirmed to be cross-gen titles, the Switch will be backwards compatible with Switch games, in case you purchase these titles and want to enjoy them on newer hardware.
On the third-party side, Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth are rumored to be making an appearance on the Switch 2. Both games are visually impressive on PC and PS5–Final Fantasy 7 Remake was released first on PS4–so it’ll be interesting to see how they run on the newer Nintendo hardware if these leaks turn out to be true. Even Konami is said to be preparing Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater for the Switch 2, so it looks like several genres will be covered.
Ubisoft is also reportedly bringing several of its games to the Switch 2, starting with ports of its Switch Mario + Rabbids games and including other games like The Division, Assassin’s Creed, and Rainbow Six Siege. Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot previously mentioned that Nintendo suggested that Ubisoft should have waited to release the Mario + Rabbids sequel on the Switch successor, as the game reportedly had poor sales despite being critically acclaimed.
The Switch 2 could also be home to even more Microsoft games, following the release of Pentiment and Grounded on the Switch recently. NateTheHate added that Microsoft will be a “very big supporter” and that games like Microsoft Flight Simulator, Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Sea of Thieves, and Hi-Fi Rush will find their way onto the system. We’ve gathered up all the leaked games so far, but until Nintendo, Microsoft, and various third-party partners officially confirm them, you might want to remain skeptical.