With the first full calendar year of the Switch 2 approaching, 2026 is bound to be an intriguing year for Nintendo. We already know that certain fan-favorite titles, such as , are scheduled for later in the year. Nintendo also has significant non-game cultural events in store for 2026, like the release of the second Super Mario film and Pokémon’s 30th anniversary. All indications suggest that Nintendo will continue its momentum.
With success nearly guaranteed in the months ahead, let’s examine some of the ways we hope Nintendo keeps its fans satisfied in the new year.
A New Mainline Mario Game
It has been over eight years since Mario last graced a Nintendo platform with a mainline sequel, and the release of the Switch 2 means there’s no better time than now. Most of Nintendo’s major franchises, including Metroid, Zelda, Pokémon, Kirby, and even Fire Emblem, have seen a new installment in the past three years. Given that a new Nintendo console doesn’t truly feel cemented into the canon until the Italian plumber weighs in, it certainly seems he’s long overdue to make an appearance during Nintendo’s current era of dominance.
Looking at history, mainline Mario games typically come out within a year of a new Nintendo console. With another film on the way, releasing a new game in the same year seems like an obvious way to capitalize on the character’s popularity.
More Free Switch 1 Game Updates
The first six months of the Switch 2 were a mixed situation. While highlights such as kept fans occupied, the rest of the library consisted of older third-party games and cross-platform indie releases. Fortunately, the console’s ability to play Switch 1 games nicely filled those gaps. Even better was the wave of that gave these older Switch games a new look.
The ability to run games like Super Mario Odyssey in 4K or Xenoblade Chronicles 3 with a more stable frame rate went a long way in building goodwill with early adopters as Nintendo gears up for the months and years ahead. In 2026, we hope this customer-friendly trend continues, updating the rest of the original Switch’s incomparable library.
Complete The Metroid Prime Trilogy
The end of 2025 marked the conclusion of the 18-year wait for Metroid Prime 4. And while this most recent installment the series’ legacy, it still served as a reminder of just . That’s why it’s so regrettable that half of the series isn’t easily accessible on modern consoles.
While the original game received an excellent Switch remaster a few years ago, Metroid Prime: Echoes from 2004 and Metroid Prime: Corruption from 2007 can only be played if you own hardware old enough to drive. Re-releasing these forgotten classic titles on Switch would allow a new generation to better appreciate these influential works firsthand.
Pokémon Deserves Some Love For Its 30th
For as significant as Pokémon is, it has certainly gotten the short shrift when it comes to quality assurance. Most major Pokémon games in the Switch era have . At its worst, it represents some of Nintendo’s weakest, most output. It’s a noticeable contrast when games like Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey have propelled their respective series forward in some remarkable ways.
In 2026, which happens to mark 30 years of Pokémon, we hope to finally see Pokémon get the love and attention it deserves. This goes beyond announcing or releasing a new mainline game. The addition of some exciting new features that shake up the formula, as well as promising a level of polish that has been sorely lacking in the series, would mean a lot for getting the series back on track.
Mario Kart World Gets Even Bigger
With the dust settled, it’s safe to say that didn’t live up to the hype. Even with its vast open world, large roster, and new racing mechanics, it still fell short compared to ever. But that doesn’t mean the dream is over.
In 2026, it would be great to see Mario Kart World expand. Give us new areas to explore and P-switch challenges. Finding ways to improve the ho-hum Free Roam mode could finally bring it to its potential. Instead of gradually improving the game’s online suite, a proper “2.0” type relaunch would be a smart way to build hype. And that’s before we talk about inevitable additions like 200 CC speed and new characters.
Mario Kart World laid a solid foundation at launch. And Nintendo would be wise to steadily build on it.