The announcement for the Nintendo Switch 2 is expected soon, and earlier leaks have detailed everything about the console, from its design to its specifications. While we wait for official confirmation from Nintendo, it seems fans can look forward to one last year of software support.
Before releasing the Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo announced several games for the original Switch. These aren’t small releases either; two of them, Pokemon Z-A and Metroid Prime 4, are highly anticipated. Pokemon Z-A will continue the trend of the Nintendo Switch getting nearly annual Pokemon games. It has received two new entries with Pokemon Sword/Shield and Pokemon Scarlet/Violet. Nintendo has also tried remakes and spin-offs like Pokemon Legends: Arceus. All of these games have been very successful.
This brings us to the Nintendo Switch 2 and the launch of Pokemon Z-A. The biggest issue with the newer Pokemon games has been performance problems, but with better hardware on the horizon, these issues will likely be resolved. This is important because Nintendo has already confirmed that the Switch successor will be backward compatible with the original Switch games. This means fans can expect to play the newer Pokemon games on the Switch 2, potentially with improved performance and visuals.
Backward Compatibility Improvements
The backward compatibility feature is also significant because it means Nintendo will continue to support the original Switch in 2025. Metroid Prime 4 is one of the big games of 2025 and, while it is currently announced for the Switch, it should be playable on the Switch successor with backward compatibility. Owners of the original Switch won’t be left out. In fact, there are rumors suggesting that more ports from Nintendo could be on the way, including a port of Kirby Planet Robobot. It will join titles like Donkey Kong Country HD as one of the ports from earlier Nintendo consoles.
Rumored Ports for Nintendo Switch
There have been rumors for years that Nintendo might have even more ports in the works. The rumored games include a remake of Fire Emblem 4, and ports of The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker, Twilight Princess, and Metroid Prime 2 and 3 Remastered. These games could fill the gap in the debut year of the Switch successor.
Of course, cross-generation games won’t be the only things available at launch. Nintendo needs to promote its new console, so they will likely announce 2-3 major exclusives for the Switch successor, along with many third-party ports. There are rumors that Capcom and Square Enix are among the supporters of Switch 2 at launch. This could mean games like Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, Final Fantasy VII Remake, and more could make their way to the Switch successor. They will probably remain exclusive to the new console as they are too demanding for the original Switch. Microsoft is also rumored to bring their exclusives like Halo: The Master Chief Collection and Flight Simulator 24 to the Switch successor.
Lack of Exclusives in Debut Year
One thing that is clear is that with all these big games and cross-platform releases, Nintendo will try to spread out their actual Switch 2 exclusives. The debut year might have 2-3 big games, just like the original Switch had Super Mario Odyssey along with Arms and Splatoon 2. However, the true Switch exclusives will likely take a year or two before they start appearing. At the start, be prepared to see a lot of cross-generation, cross-platform releases.
