Gaming Forums => Nintendo Gaming => Topic started by: Order.RSS on January 02, 2026, 12:38:34 AM
Title: What will Nintendo release in 2026?
Post by: Order.RSS on January 02, 2026, 12:38:34 AM
Welcome to the 2026 predictions thread, where points are only barely less discontinued than Gold eShop Coins! How it works: please post 1-10 Nintendo related things you think will occur this year, that's it! Previous threads: 2020 (https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/forums/index.php?topic=64274.0), 2021 (https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/forums/index.php?topic=66289.0), 2022 (https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/forums/index.php?topic=67868.0), 2023 (https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/forums/index.php?topic=69649.0), 2024 (https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/forums/index.php?topic=71240.0), 2025 (https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/forums/index.php?topic=73248.0).
(https://www.vooks.net/img/2025/12/2026.jpg) I will try to update this thread with all the major Nintendo releases of the year. Here's what we know so far:
2026 Games/Software - Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Switch 2. January 14th. - Mario Tennis Fever Switch 2. February 12th. - Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Switch 2. February 19th (digital) April 16th (physical). - Pokémon FireRed Switch 1+2. February 27th. (TPCi publishing). - Pokémon LeafGreen Switch 1+2. February 27th. (TPCi publishing). - Pokémon Pokopia Switch 2. March 5th. (TPCi publishing). - Super Mario Bros. Wonder + Meetup In Bellabel Park - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Switch 2. March 26th. - Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream Switch 1+2. April 16th. - Pokémon Champions Switch 1+2 (April 2026) & Mobile (2026. Likely in July/August). (TPCi publishing). - Yoshi and the Mysterious Book Switch 2. Spring 2026. - The Duskbloods Switch 2. 2026. (Nintendo co-publishing). - Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave Switch 2. 2026. - Rhythm Heaven Groove Switch 1+2. 2026.
2026 Hardware/Major merch - Hardware: Joy-Con 2 (Light Green & Light Purple) Switch 2. February 12th. - Hardware: Virtual Boy - Switch adapter Switch 1 & 2. February 17th, 2026. - Merch: My Mario product line for young children. February 19th. Western release. - Hardware: Pokémon Red/Blue Song Collection Music Players February 27th. - amiibo: Meta Knight & Shadow Star (Kirby Air Riders) March 5th 2026. - Merch: Talking Flower March 12th. - amiibo: Ratha (Monster Hunter Stories 3) March 13th. - amiibo: Ratha V (Monster Hunter Stories 3) March 13th. - amiibo: Rudy (Monster Hunter Stories 3) March 13th. - amiibo: Elephant Mario (Super Mario Bros. Wonder) March 26th. - amiibo: Poplin & Prince Florian (Super Mario Bros. Wonder) March 26th. - amiibo: Captain Toad & Talking Flower (Super Mario Bros. Wonder) March 26th. - amiibo: Mario & Luma (Super Mario Galaxy 1 & 2) April 2nd. - amiibo: Rosalina & Lumas (Super Mario Galaxy 1 & 2) April 2nd. - Movie The Super Mario Galaxy Movie April 3rd. - amiibo: Diana (Pragmata) April 26th. - amiibo: King Dedede & Tank Star (Kirby Air Riders) July 2nd. - amiibo: Grace Ashcroft (Resident Evil Requiem) Summer 2026. - amiibo: Leon S. Kennedy (Resident Evil Requiem) Summer 2026. - amiibo: Chef Kawasaki & Hop Star (Kirby Air Riders) 2026.
2026 notable DLC (paid/free) - DLC: Animal Crossing: New Horizons 3.0 Switch 1+2. January 14th. - DLC: Donkey Kong Country Returns HD - Free Update Switch 1+2. January 21st. - DLC: Kirby Air Riders - V.1.3.0 Switch 2. January 26th. - DLC: Splatoon 3 - V11.0.0 Switch 1+2. January 29th. - DLC: Super Mario Bros. Wonder + Meetup In Bellabel Park Switch 2. March 26th.
2026 Nintendo Switch Online / Services / Mobile - Virtual Boy - Nintendo Classics Switch 1 & 2. February 17th. - Games added to Nintendo Classics apps:
Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance GCN. January 8th.
Balloon Kid GB. February 4th.
Balloon Fight GB GBC. February 4th. Japan only.
Yoshi GB. February 4th.
3D Tetris VB. February 17th.
Galactic Pinball VB. February 17th.
Golf VB. February 17th.
Innsmouth No Yakata (The Mansion of Innsmouth) VB. February 17th.
Red Alarm VB. February 17th.
Teleroboxer VB. February 17th.
Virtual Boy Wario Land VB. February 17th.
Mario Clash VB. March 10th.
Mario's Tennis VB. March 10th.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong GBA. March 10th.
Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness GCN. March 2026.
Pokémon Colosseum GCN. TBD.
Super Mario Sunshine GCN. TBD.
D-Hopper VB. TBD. (Previously unreleased).
Jack Bros. VB. TBD.
Space Invaders Virtual Collection VB. TBD.
V-Tetris VB. TBD.
Vertical Force VB. TBD.
Virtual Bowling VB. TBD.
Virtual Fishing VB. TBD. Japan only.
Zero Racers VB. TBD. (Previously unreleased).
Announced projects without dates/beyond 2026 - amiibo: Mineru's Construct (The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom) TBD. - amiibo: Noir Dedede & Hydra (Kirby Air Riders) TBD. - amiibo: Sword Kirby & Dragoon (Kirby Air Riders) TBD. - Cruis'n Blast - Online Multiplayer & DLC TBA. (Announced December 2021, Nintendo owned IP). - Pokémon Waves 2027. - Pokémon Winds 2027. - Splatoon Raiders TBA. (Announced June 2025). - Movie: Untitled live-action Zelda movie May 7th 2027.
2026 Directs - The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Direct January 25th. - Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream Direct January 29th. - Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase February 5th. - Nintendo Treehouse Live February 24th. - Pokémon Presents February 27th. - Indie World March 3rd.
Title: Rules!
Post by: Order.RSS on January 02, 2026, 12:40:37 AM
Rules/suggestions:
You may submit between 1 and 10 predictions for the year.
If you write your predictions in numbered list/bullet point format that’d be helpful, but it's not required.
You get 1 point for being right, half a point for being half-right.
You have until the first Direct (or major press release) of the year to submit predictions. It might be earlier this year than last year's February Direct. Obviously we can continue speculation afterwards, but it won't net you any tasty points.
No points for guessing stuff we already know! See what we already know… in the post above!
Non-predictions or super safe ones (e.g.: "Nintendo will not suddenly start selling alarm clocks orbital satellites") may be awarded no or negative points at the jury's discretion.
Lifetime achievements ranking: M.K. Ultra: 26 points Mop It Up: 25 points Luigi Dude: 19½ points Nickmitch: 19 points Stratos: 16½ points Adrock: 16 points Safe Khushrenada: 12½ points Bold Khushrenada: 9 points Order.RSS: 9 points MASB: 6 points Khushrenada: 6½ points Madness Khushrenada: 5 points TopHatAnt: 5 points Dinar87: 4 points Evan_B: 4 points Insanolord: 4 points Lemonade: 3½ points Pokepal: 3½ points Mr. GlubGlub: 3 points Oedo: 2 points Fawful: 1 point Broodwars: ½ point Kairon: ½ point Shaymin: ½ point NotKhushrenada: -8 points
Title: Re: What will Nintendo release in 2026?
Post by: Stratos on January 07, 2026, 03:10:33 PM
Still hanging on in the top 5! There's a lot of reasonable guesses folks could make. New remakes and "Switch 2 Editions" we could see to pad out the release schedule.
There are a couple Wii U titles missing for a "complete replacement". Yoshi's Wooly World is surprisingly absent. Especially with a 3DS version with exclusive material, getting a "complete HD" version would be nice, I'm sure there are a few others games in a similar position that would benefit from a new release.
Also the 40th anniversary of Legend of Zelda.
We could see new editions of Ocarina/Majora, or a few other releases.
I'm hoping we get Switch Online releases of Diddy Kong Racing, DK64, and Star Fox Adventures.
And Fire Emblem has been silent a while. Those games often drop in groups, so I'm thinking some new spinoffs and retro Switch Online releases will follow the new mainline title.
These aren't my full predictions. Just throwing out some initial thoughts.
Title: Re: What will Nintendo release in 2026?
Post by: Order.RSS on January 08, 2026, 10:33:58 PM
And Fire Emblem has been silent a while. Those games often drop in groups, so I'm thinking some new spinoffs and retro Switch Online releases will follow the new mainline title.
Good initial shout, they just dropped Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance on GameCube app. :D
Title: Re: What will Nintendo release in 2026?
Post by: Stratos on January 09, 2026, 12:42:41 AM
WAIT. On the Switch Online GAME app? Wow, I just got a notice of music for that game dropping in the Nintendo Music app and thought that was kinda random.
Title: Re: What will Nintendo release in 2026?
Post by: M.K.Ultra on January 13, 2026, 06:37:50 PM
Let me go ahead and get these out here so I don't forget.
Next mainline Xenoblade game is announced for Switch 2
Luigi’s Mansion 4 announced for Switch 2
Nintendo Acquires Good-Feel or Grezzo
Pokemon gen 10 releases for both Switch and Switch 2
Mario Maker 3 announced for Switch 2
Splatoon Raiders releases 2026
Super Mario Galaxy Movie has better review scores but lower box office earnings than Super Mario Bros. Movie
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate gets a Switch 2 version
Remaster/remake of an older Zelda game
Super Nintendo World opens at Universal Studios Singapore
Title: Re: What will Nintendo release in 2026?
Post by: Order.RSS on January 20, 2026, 01:00:27 AM
Probably a good idea to get some predictions going myself as well:
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream will make use of the Switch 2 Camera, perhaps to create Mii characters with, similar to Mii Maker on Wii U.
Splatoon Raiders will be shown off in the September Direct, but will not release this year. I'm feeling it's a 2027 game, and probably a co-op multiplayer type game.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Deluxe will be announced. Instead of a new Smash Bros. I'm thinking they'll pull a Mario Kart 8 Deluxe type scenario to stretch it along for another generation. There won't be many new characters, maybe 1-3 tops, but they will bring back the final few missing stages (justice for Pokéfloats).
Pokémon will re-release the Red/Blue (Game Boy) games again for the anniversary, but not on the NSO service.
Switch 2 consoles will see a price increase this year due to AI companies buying up every stick of RAM they can find.
I think the Zelda anniversary will be a little sparse. They'll roll out the first trailer for the upcoming movie, DLC for Hyrule Warriors 3: Age of Imprisonment, and maaaaaaybe one Zelda game gets dropped on NSO (Twilight Princess perhaps?).
I'm copying MK Ultra's prediction of Luigi's Mansion 4 taking the October slot. The setting will be a haunted theme park, with Haunted Mansion ride which strongly resembles the Mansion from the 1st game.
We'll see an exercise-style game from Nintendo. Maybe a sequel to Ring Fit Adventure, but using some other type of accessory. It will also use the Switch 2 camera.
This'll be the year a major, previously Xbox-exclusive franchise releases on Switch 2. I'm thinking something in the ballpark of Halo, Gears of War, Forza, or Call of Duty. It won't be a new release like the Halo 1 remake, the new Fable, or the Gears of War prequel however. But perhaps Gears 5, or a previous Halo game.
Mario Kart World will announce DK-themed DLC alongside the announcement of a DK animated movie. The DLC will be paid instead of free, causing outcry.
Title: Re: What will Nintendo release in 2026?
Post by: Stratos on January 22, 2026, 03:58:21 PM
Okay Nintendo is starting to put out little teases so I better get my formal predictions in soon.
1) I called the Switch Online Fire Emblem release so I'm going to take that as a prediction for 1/2 a point, but will say we get more with the release of the next mainline Switch 2 game. Either another retro release or a spinoff.
2) I think we will get at least two ports/updates of Wii/Wii U games. Wooly World and another game. Maybe we get a modified NintendoLand using additional Switches as remote gamepads?
3) We will see a Switch release of a classic Zelda game. Most likely Ocarina/Majora from the 3DS up-ported or some missing retro titles on Switch Online.
4) We will see something to do with Smash Brothers. Either a re-release w/ Switch 2 Editions, or a trailer for the next one. You know they don't want to sleep on that franchise.
5) More Switch Online Rare releases! DKR, DK64, and Star Fox Adventures are my primary votes (would love Conker but I suspect Nintendo won't push for that one). Though I do hope we see some of the more niche GBA games they released late in life.
6) More perks for Switch Online subscribers. I think some of these DLCs like Bonanza Emerald Rush will be offered for free like some past DLCs were.
7) Mario Kart DLC. They have been quietly and consistently patching the game and some changes have been quite significant in terms of what they do (actually changing the layout of tracks among other things). It feels inevitable we will get more karts and racers.
8) Pokemon both continues its sad decline with Gen 10 while at the same time releasing something far better from a technical standpoint on Switch 2 than past games. I think we're at a pivotal point and the series is about to have a revival of sorts when it comes to the games, but it will take another generation for that to be realized. Most likely tied to the first natively developed Switch 2 title (since I am sure the currently developed one is still Switch 1 Native)
9) We will see more from Animal crossing aside from this 3.0 update. Maybe some additional future content for the current game or another spinoff of sorts.
10) Metroid 40th Anniversary will be given a token acknowledgment through some retro releases, but nothing big like it deserves.
I actually struggled to find 10 good predictions. Maybe its where I am at in life but I just can't think of a lot of things that would make sense and believably be done by Nintendo in 2026. I'd love for certain old franchises to be revived, but that doesn't seem to happen too often these days. (and no, dropping old games on their live service isn't a revival). I ended up looking up what anniversaries were happening to get ideas since that seems to be somewhat reliable as a predictor.
It's also the Gamecube 25th anniversary so maybe we get a lot more GC love this year?
Title: Re: What will Nintendo release in 2026?
Post by: Order.RSS on January 22, 2026, 10:24:57 PM
I actually struggled to find 10 good predictions. Maybe its where I am at in life but I just can't think of a lot of things that would make sense and believably be done by Nintendo in 2026. I'd love for certain old franchises to be revived, but that doesn't seem to happen too often these days. (and no, dropping old games on their live service isn't a revival). I ended up looking up what anniversaries were happening to get ideas since that seems to be somewhat reliable as a predictor.
Yeah, plus it's an unusual year since we already know like half their intended output for the year, unlike the past few years. There's just kind of a natural cap to the amount of games they can/want to produce in a year, and at this point we have fairly reliable data points to make guesses. Perhaps I should've limited it to 5 predictions this year, but oh well.
Title: Re: What will Nintendo release in 2026?
Post by: Adrock on January 25, 2026, 06:15:43 AM
Me, after winning the 2025 predictions thread: (https://i.ibb.co/BKZgp2N9/vultouri.jpg)
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Direct is in a few hours. Nintendo of America's YouTube post stated there will be no game information, but I was reminded to submit predictions for all both of you still posting on this forum.
Nintendo will raise Nintendo Switch 2's MSRP. This prediction feels like the easiest layup. Sony and Microsoft opened Pandora's Box first, and Nintendo certainly isn't eating any increased cost.
A new non-Mario Kart World Nintendo Switch 2 bundle. Gotta soften that price hike somehow.
At least one game that revolves around or at least significantly uses the Joy-Con 2 Mouse Mode.
Super Mario Maker 3 with a new Super Mario Bros. Wonder level theme. This feels like the only way to justify why Meetup In Bellabel Park is such a clownshow with no new Worlds/Levels.
Mario Kart World will get a free update (i.e. actual content, more than merely a bug fix) and paid DLC.
The My Mario Drawing Board (https://www.nintendo.com/jp/my-mario/NSJ_8_C2AAC/index.html) will be released outside of Japan. I'm trying to speak this into existence. If I'm traveling to Nintendo New York for the Mario & Friends Wood Block Set anyway, I want the fake Magna Doodle while I'm up there.
The next Super Smash Bros. will be announced/teased and won't be a Super Smash Bros. Ultimate port. Sakurai won't start posting daily updates yet.
More features/enhancements to GameChat.
At least one of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD or The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD. I will predict this every year until I get it right.
Need something outlandish: Metroid: Samus Returns HD SEGA Dreamcast™ – Nintendo Switch Online.
Alright, time to descend back into the shadows.
Title: Re: What will Nintendo release in 2026?
Post by: M.K.Ultra on January 25, 2026, 11:26:11 AM
Super Mario Maker 3 with a new Super Mario Bros. Wonder level theme. This feels like the only way to justify why Meetup In Bellabel Park is such a clownshow with no new Worlds/Levels.
I have a good feeling about some kind of maker game. I initially though Mario Maker 3, then thought Switch 2 version of Mario Maker 2 with added style - like Wonder. Then I was thinking we might finally get a Zelda maker. Then I went back to my first instinct of Mario Maker 3. With the mouse controls this feels like a great fit for the system, and might be a game where I actually use them!
Title: Re: What will Nintendo release in 2026?
Post by: Evan_B on January 28, 2026, 11:01:17 AM
With the announcement of the Virtual Boy release cycle, I guess I’m timed out of this experiment. Also, it’s the end of January so I think I missed my chance. I find the current state of the industry and Nintendo’s place in it to be a bit miserable, so I didn’t have the heart to predict any delightful surprises or rational expectations for what Nintendo will release this year. I hope all your dreams come true and you earn points for the Switch 2 hardware becoming more expensive, and I hope Fire Emblem is Nintendo’s biggest release of the year but doesn’t meet sales expectations.
Title: Re: What will Nintendo release in 2026?
Post by: Order.RSS on January 29, 2026, 11:47:29 PM
With the announcement of the Virtual Boy release cycle, I guess I’m timed out of this experiment. Also, it’s the end of January so I think I missed my chance. I find the current state of the industry and Nintendo’s place in it to be a bit miserable, so I didn’t have the heart to predict any delightful surprises or rational expectations for what Nintendo will release this year. I hope all your dreams come true and you earn points for the Switch 2 hardware becoming more expensive, and I hope Fire Emblem is Nintendo’s biggest release of the year but doesn’t meet sales expectations.
If you change your mind, you're still welcome to drop any predictions! I tend to close submissions when the first general Direct goes live, which I imagine will occur in a week or so. Obviously things like the Tomodachi Life and Virtual Boy release dates are off-limits for points purposes by now, but maybe the points have always been made up and don't matter.
Fwiw, I share some of the sentiment regarding both the industry as well as Nintendo's current trajectory. It's harder to care for Nintendo's conveyor belt approach to whimsy when they're doing a lot of seemingly "safe" sequels. Plus there's the whole state of the world to contend with, which makes taking guesses at a company's software plans feel perhaps even more frivolous than it ever has been.
So yeah, don't feel obligated to participate of course, but know that you're welcome to join if you'd like. :D
Title: Re: What will Nintendo release in 2026?
Post by: Mop it up on February 02, 2026, 04:04:31 PM
The second year of a system is always interesting. You just never know what kind of wacky stuff may show up in this era situated between the launch lineup and the next big hitters.
...Or do we? Let's find out!
-Pokémon Gen 10 will be announced, and releases in November. I don't expect that they'll push this back for more than a year, plus it's the 30th anniversary of Pokémon so this will be ample time for a new Gen. This is probably my safest bet prediction here. "Safe bet" is an oxymoron
-There will also be Switch 1 versions of the next Pokémon games. I think this is big enough to separate this as its own prediction, so that my previous won't get dinged as a halfsie. The Switch userbase is huge, I can't see them wanting to give that up just yet by making these exclusive to Switch 2. Now, there may be more differences between the two than the typical "Switch 2 Edition" nonsense, hard to say. The only nonsense here is you
New Monster Hunter game announced for the Switch 2 that is not a port of Wilds Nintendo seem to get their own series of MH games, so I don't see Wilds being ported. It's been long enough since the last one on Switch that I could see this happening soon. If it does end up being a port, then I'd bet it's World instead since that was on PS4. Just mix them all together, Rise of the Wild World Ultimate
-New game revealed from Next Level Games It may not end up releasing this year, but I think they're due for something soon. I don't think they used many resources on the LM2 port, if they even had involvement in it. It will probably be Luigi's Mansion 4, since none of their other projects seemed to sell well, but I am hoping to see something new from them. That's about as likely as us seeing something new from you
At least two more "Nintendo Switch 2 Editions" announced. I'll be bolder than saying just one, but I won't try to pick specific ones because I have no idea what they might choose. The ones they've done so far have felt a little random. Now that's a bold-faced lie
-Smash Ultimate Deluxe to be announced. I'm doubling down on this one from last year. Smash has been a second-year title for the past three consoles. They're gonna want Smash of some kind on this thang, and they probably feel there's no way to top the last one. So my guess is they're just gonna do some sort of deluxe version with an awful title that retains all of the characters plus the DLC in one package. Though even this could be tough to do because of licencing. When are we gonna get New Super Mop it up Deluxe?
-Re-release of a previous Zelda game. I know it's kind of lame how much I'm just copying over from last year, but isn't this year the 40th anniversary of Zelda? I can't see them having a new one ready yet, so I guess that they'll do yet another re-release of something. I think you're just copying spambot posts now
-A Microsoft IP will show up on Switch 2. Now I'm copying someone else with this one, but I dunno what else to predict and I like this bold guess. And I don't mean a Rare IP, I mean something along the lines of Halo or Gears. That really grinds my gears
-StarTropics is finally revived. Your bologna has a last name, and it's Up Quiet you! It's gonna happen!
-A special edition Switch 2 console will release sometime this year. There are a lot of anniversaries happening this year, so I predict at least one will get a special system for it. There are too many to guess which one. Take a drink every time she says "predict" or "prediction."
BONUS PREDICTION (Not part of the above 10) Khushrenada will procrastinate too long and submit his lists an hour after the first Direct. No excuses now, mate. If Khushrenada is so great, then why is there no Khushrenada 2?
Title: Re: What will Nintendo release in 2026?
Post by: Khushrenada on February 02, 2026, 04:42:54 PM
Is this really a question? Everyone knows you can't improve on perfection so there's never been a need for a Khushrenada 2.
Not so fast.
I like that you didn't even use one of your existing dupes, you actually went to the trouble of making a new one just for this joke.
Hmmm. Should I accept the unwarranted praise or not? Well, it is Insanolord so I guess not. I have nothing to do with Khushrenada 2. Once again, people assume I have all these dupe accounts when I'm totally blameless in the matter. I haven't turned the Duplicator on in years.
New Monster Hunter game announced for the Switch 2 that is not a port of Wilds Nintendo seem to get their own series of MH games, so I don't see Wilds being ported. It's been long enough since the last one on Switch that I could see this happening soon. If it does end up being a port, then I'd bet it's World instead since that was on PS4. Just mix them all together, Rise of the Wild World Ultimate
-A Microsoft IP will show up on Switch 2. Now I'm copying someone else with this one, but I dunno what else to predict and I like this bold guess. And I don't mean a Rare IP, I mean something along the lines of Halo or Gears. That really grinds my gears
I like your predictions and almost want to jack some for my own. Specifically the Monster Hunter and Microsoft-IP ones.
There are two Monster Hunter dev teams. One does Worlds/Wilds, the other Ultimate/Rise/Sunbreak. It is about that time the Rise team is wrapping their next project and that is indeed traditionally a Switch/Nintendo title.
And Microsoft does like porting their more Nintendo-style offerings to Nintendo systems. I hink we will see more Rare releases on the Switch Online, and maybe some other classic XBox titles like Rare Replay or Banjk-Kazooie Nuts and Bolts in due time.
I had a friend that worked in the Microsoft games division and he told me they had all those classic Rare games and some other ones running on Nintendo hardware in their office. PArt of that was through the game cloud streaming efforts, but some had been targeted for actual Nintendo releases but never got final approval to move forward.
Title: Re: What will Nintendo release in 2026?
Post by: Evan_B on February 04, 2026, 01:02:39 PM
Okay, so the Partner Direct is happening tomorrow so this is my last chance. Here’s to the year.
-I also believe that the Switch 2 will have a price increase. Probably around another fifty dollars? Nintendo will “offset” this with more hardware bundles, as it costs them nothing. Think of this as your Voucher Ticket, except you’ll need to buy an entire piece of hardware to justify your discount! -I’m DOUBLING DOWN on Hi Fi Rush, this time having a Nintendo Switch 2 version that runs better than the Nintendo Switch version. That’s the only Microsoft-adjacent thing I can reasonably predict, as I don’t have enough knowledge of their other IP to comment. -Wait, no. I lied. I think Grounded will get a Nintendo Switch 2 edition that performs better than the Nintendo Switch version. -This might be the most basic prediction ever, but there is going to be a NEW Square Enix title announced and released this year that uses nostalgia/brand recognition of previously-released titles as a selling point. Not a sequel, a spin-off or new concept. -Wishful thinking: Visions of Mana somehow comes to the Switch 2. I am personally happy about this. -The Adventures of Elliot gets another Demo! Also a basic prediction. I gotta make that money somehow. -Elden Ring: Nightreign also comes to the Switch 2 around the same time as Elden Ring. It might come out at the same time as a new content update for Nightreign, but it will not be as up-to-date as the current version (the more specific this prediction becomes, the less likely it will come true, but I don’t care). -I think we’ll get news of a new Monster Hunter exclusive to Switch 2 for the later half of 2026. Rise and Stories 2 both released in 2021, believe it or not. Or google it. -We get a tease of Pokemon Gen 10 later this month, but it does not have a 2026 launch. I expect it will occupy the Legends Arceus slot of 2027, and that we’ll see Pokopia (Ditto game?) as this year’s major release. -Splatoon Raiders is a Summer release, because for some reason that’s when Splatoon games are released (unless they’re switched around with Xenoblade 3). I think that this game is going to have some Amiibo. HOT TAKE! -If there IS a Mario-Galaxy-Movie-adjacent Mario game, it will not release within the theatrical run of said movie. -We’ll get Twilight Princess on GCN Classics before they dare release WWHD/TPHD on Switch 2.
Title: LAST CALL
Post by: Order.RSS on February 04, 2026, 08:26:39 PM
Title: Submissions are closed
Post by: Order.RSS on February 05, 2026, 09:33:50 AM
Hi all, since the Direct has already started submissions are now closed. I'm gonna make coffee and then see what they've announced.
Title: Re: What will Nintendo release in 2026?
Post by: Mop it up on February 05, 2026, 03:13:15 PM
Do Bethesda games count as a "Microsoft IP"? I mean, they own them now, so technically...
Title: Re: What will Nintendo release in 2026?
Post by: Evan_B on February 05, 2026, 11:06:41 PM
Well, so far I’m doing pretty poorly with this predictions thing. I was not expecting Rebirth so soon on Switch 2 and I feel like that and Elliot are going to be Square Enix’s big releases this year.
I also feel pretty stupid about completely forgetting about Bethesda. I’ve even been watching Fallout for the past two months, dammit!
Title: Re: What will Nintendo release in 2026?
Post by: Caterkiller on February 16, 2026, 04:37:04 PM
Is anyone on the fence about Fever? I've been waiting to see one of you online playing but alas I am alone. This game is absolutely incredible if you enjoy Tennis in general or have always wanted to enjoy Mario Tennis but some ol' bullship like racket breaking got in the way. This game is a return to form. Single player(not so much story mode yet) has been pretty engaging and multiplayer online and off has had my home erupting in screams and laughter. This game is legit!
Title: Re: What will Nintendo release in 2026?
Post by: Khushrenada on February 17, 2026, 04:17:23 AM
Tennis Fever is the most interested I've been in a Mario Tennis game since probably the GameCube version. It's definitely looked great. But I don't have a Switch 2 and when I do get one, it's not a title I'm going to be getting and playing right away. There's other titles I'd want to jump into first so I'm afraid I can't help you out on that front for some time if you are seeing me on your Switch friends list.
Title: Re: What will Nintendo release in 2026?
Post by: Order.RSS on February 18, 2026, 11:28:30 PM
Is anyone on the fence about Fever? I've been waiting to see one of you online playing but alas I am alone. This game is absolutely incredible if you enjoy Tennis in general or have always wanted to enjoy Mario Tennis but some ol' bullship like racket breaking got in the way. This game is a return to form. Single player(not so much story mode yet) has been pretty engaging and multiplayer online and off has had my home erupting in screams and laughter. This game is legit!
I think I saw SuperPhil from here playing it already! The game looks fun, but I don't want to fork over $70 for it, especially since last year was already very expensive with both new hardware and games like Metroid Prime 4. Glad to hear they've finally found their groove again though, since the Mario Tennis series feels like it's been floundering a little for decades now.
Title: Re: What will Nintendo release in 2026?
Post by: Mop it up on February 19, 2026, 01:10:51 PM
Personally, I really liked the gameplay in Mario Tennies Aces, it was just a little lacking in modes and features. Fever appears to address that somewhat, although it looks like it has less online features than Aces does. In particular, you can't play 2-player doubles over matchmaking like you could in Aces, only in custom lobbies, which look pretty barren from what I saw. I may still pick up the game at some point in the future for a discount, but hopefully they have some updates planned for the game and will add 2-player doubles to matchmaking.
Title: Re: What will Nintendo release in 2026?
Post by: Luigi Dude on February 26, 2026, 10:13:32 AM
Yeah I know I forgot to post before the cutoff but who cares, at least my predictions will be on the record now.
Of course with the Pokemon Direct happening tomorrow, I could argue that's the first major Direct for games Nintendo themselves will release this year since the Partner Direct from a few weeks ago was for third party games only, and this thread is about what Nintendo themselves is releasing in 2026. Just saying..... 8)
1. The new Pokemon generation games will be announced tomorrow.
2. The Zelda 40th Anniversary will be like a rerelease of Wind Waker HD and Twilight Princess HD like they did with Galaxy 1 and 2 last year.
3. Luigi's Mansion 4 will be announced and released in October this year in time for Halloween.
4. A new 2D Metroid game will be announced
5. Nintendo will revive a series that hasn't had a new installment in 15 years.
6. Nintendo will announce a new game they're having made by Platinum Games.
7. A new Xenoblade will be announced
8. Turbo Grafix/PC Engine games will finally be added to NSO.
9. A new 2D Kirby games will be announced.
10. The next Smash Bros will be announced.
Title: Re: What will Nintendo release in 2026?
Post by: Evan_B on February 27, 2026, 10:09:00 AM
Score for me on Pokemon NOT-releasing this year! That counts, right? The trailer was the thing released.
Title: Re: What will Nintendo release in 2026?
Post by: Mop it up on February 27, 2026, 04:22:17 PM
Perhaps I can still get a half-point for Pokémon being announced this year...
