With the release of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, that pretty much wraps up Nintendo’s year with the Switch and Switch 2. However, there are plenty of AAA sequels coming down the pipeline in 2026, which will launch on the Switch, Switch 2, or both systems. As is tradition, Nintendo will probably update the list of upcoming games around February with a Direct.
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For now, these are the known upcoming games to get excited for. Some are direct sequels, while others are more spiritual sequels to games of the past. It also might be fun to predict what could be announced at the upcoming Direct based on past knowledge, so let’s get to it.
Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave
Olympian Tactics
Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave
- Released
- 2026
- Developer(s)
- Intelligent Systems
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Tactical
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch 2
- Planned Release Date: 2026
- Planned Systems: Switch 2
Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave is a brand new tactical entry in the series, which has been going strong since 1990 via the NES game. It’s set to launch sometime in 2026 for the Switch 2, and aesthetically, it looks unlike other entries in the series.
There’s a Roman coliseum or Olympian vibe to everything, so it could be a good one. Fire Emblem fans haven’t been waiting too long for a new game, as Fire Emblem Engage was a 2023 Switch release, but it’s always good to get something sooner rather than later.
Mario Tennis Fever
What A Racket
Mario Tennis Fever
- Released
- February 12, 2026
WHERE TO PLAY
- Planned Release Date: 2/12/26
- Planned Systems: Switch 2
Mario Tennis Fever is going to be a Switch 2 exclusive, which does have a release date for February. It looks like the big gimmick for this entry will be powerful rackets that can change up gameplay, like a fire racket that can heat up balls.
The series began with Mario Tennis on the N64 in 2000, and the last entry, Mario Tennis Aces, was released for the Switch in 2018. For anyone who loves Mario sports titles, Mario Tennis Fever could be a fun one to play with the family.
Professor Layton And The New World Of Steam
Math-Based Detectives
Professor Layton And The New World Of Steam
- Released
- 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Level 5
- Genre(s)
- Puzzle
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch
- Planned Release Date: 2026
- Planned Systems: Switch and Switch 2
Professor Layton fans have been waiting a long time for a new game, with Professor Layton and the New World of Steam set to premiere sometime in 2026 for both Switch consoles. Not much has been shown about the game, but players can expect a gripping mystery and mathematical puzzles for sure.
The series began on the DS with Professor Layton and the Curious Village in 2007 in Japan and a year later in North America. The last game, Layton's Mystery Journey: Katrielle and the Millionaires' Conspiracy, was more of a spinoff in 2017 for various mobile devices and the 3DS, so fans have been aching to see Layton and Luke in a proper adventure game again.
Rhythm Heaven Groove
Get Into The Groove
Rhythm Heaven Groove
- Released
- 2026
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo SPD
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Genre(s)
- Rhythm
- Planned Release Date: 2026
- Planned Systems: Switch
Rhythm Heaven Groove is going to get mad hyped by the franchise’s niche but mighty fans because it has been over a decade since the last game came out. It’s a bit of a shame this new release is only going to be on the Switch, meaning it can’t take advantage of the Switch 2’s inputs, like mouse controls, but it still looks like a good set of rhythm-based mini-games that will turn into earworms.
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The first game was never released outside of Japan: Rhythm Tengoku, which was released for the GBA in 2006. The last game was more of a collection, Rhythm Heaven Megamix, which was released in 2016 in North America for the 3DS, and that was a year after Japan.
Tomodachi Life: Living The Dream
Animal Crossing With Miis
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream
- Released
- 2026
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Genre(s)
- Life Simulation
- Planned Release Date: 2006
- Planned Systems: Switch
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream is another game that is going to have a Switch-only release. Like other games in the series, it will be a silly life-sim akin to Animal Crossing games, but with a little less to do. The series started on the DS with the Japanese exclusive title Tomodachi Collection in 2009.
Tomodachi Life for the 3DS was North America’s first taste in 2014, which was the last main game released. However, the 2016 mobile app, Miitomo, is technically related, and that service was shut down in 2018, making the wait for Tomodachi Life: Living The Dream incredibly long.
Yoshi And The Mysterious Book
Take A Look, It’s In A Book
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book
- Released
- 2026
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Genre(s)
- Platformer, Puzzle
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch 2
- Planned Release Date: 2026
- Planned Systems: Switch 2
Yoshi has been a part of the Mario franchise since Super Mario World debuted on the SNES in 1990 in Japan. Yoshi and the Mysterious Book will be his latest solo adventure, which looks like a whimsical 2D platformer. It has most in common aesthetically with the N64 game, Yoshi's Story, which was a 1998 release for North America.
That game and the upcoming title both revolve around storybooks. The last Yoshi-led game was Yoshi's Crafted World in 2019 for the Switch, so it has been a while since the green dinosaur got to show off his platforming chops.
The Next Zelda
Will It Be Link Or Zelda?
It’s safe to assume that Nintendo is hard at work on the next entry in The Legend of Zelda franchise. The last main game was The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom in 2023, and before that, there was The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild in 2017.
The gap was six years, so it’s safe to assume the next 3D Zelda game probably won’t arrive until 2029, but maybe it will get teased in 2027. Regardless, it’s obvious to assume Nintendo is working on a new Zelda game, or several spinoffs on the scale of The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom or Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment.
Pikmin 5
Close To You
The last Pikmin game wasn’t that long ago, as Pikmin 4 was a 2023 release for the Switch. Pikmin has never been Nintendo’s hottest-selling franchise, but it’s a favorite among developers like Shigeru Miyamoto.
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The reason why it’s safe to assume a new Pikmin-related project is in the works is because of the YouTube short Nintendo released in October 2025 called “Close to You,” which did tease the appearance of Pikmin creatures. This could have just been a way to keep Pikmin in the cultural zeitgeist, or it could have been a clever way to tease a new game for the Switch 2.
Pokemon Wind/Wave
The 10th Generation Games?
Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet were the flagship games in the ninth generation, which were released in 2022. There have been plenty of Pokemon games since then, like Pokemon Legends: Z-A, but the new generation of Pokemon titles are always treated as the bigger deals.
Most generational leaps happen between three years, meaning the next rumored titles, Pokemon Wind and Pokemon Wave, should have arrived in 2025. Given the leaks and franchise’s history, it’s almost certain that Pokemon’s generation ten games will probably launch in Fall 2026.
Luigi's Mansion 4
It’s Luigi’s Turn
Luigi's Mansion 3 was released for the Switch in 2019, and Luigi's Mansion 2 got a remaster in 2024 for the Switch. So, it hasn’t been that long between releases. Unlike the main Mario titles, Luigi’s Mansion hasn’t been as popular, but it keeps going strong thanks to fan support.
The original game for the GameCube did make it into the Switch 2’s online service, so that could have been a clever tease. Nintendo doesn’t have that many first-party horror franchises, which is why they are probably developing a new mansion for Luigi to explore on Switch 2.
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