2026 Is Looking Bleak For Nintendo Switch 2

by

People who bought the Nintendo Switch 2 are eager to see it live up to its potential. As one of those users, I’ve been watching my console sit unused, hoping for games that showcase its capabilities. The last few months have been underwhelming for the Switch 2, and many of us were hoping 2026 would bring a wave of exciting new titles to make the wait worthwhile.

Unfortunately, things aren’t looking good for the Nintendo Switch 2. It hasn’t shown much promise, and that doesn’t seem likely to change in the near future. The console is currently lacking support from third-party developers for 2026, and even more concerning, Nintendo doesn’t have many first-party games planned. This raises questions about why they released the console so soon. Unless Nintendo makes some major announcements and improves the situation, 2026 could be another disappointing year for the Switch 2 and its users.

The Switch 2 Is Getting Barely Any Exclusives In 2026

Honestly, I was expecting the Switch 2’s first year to be full of amazing, must-have exclusive games that really showed off its new power. But it’s a bit disappointing. Not only are some games, like Borderlands 4, getting cancelled for the system, but the lineup of exclusives we are getting feels a little thin. Don’t get me wrong, the games look good and are up to Nintendo’s usual quality, but nothing feels like a system-seller – nothing that would make me rush out and buy a whole new console right away, like the original Switch had at launch.

Currently, nine games are planned to launch exclusively on the Switch 2 in 2026, though three don’t have confirmed release dates within that year. The first is Mario Tennis Fever, which just came out and is a bit expensive. It’s fun for existing fans and anyone looking for a party game, but it likely won’t be a system-selling title like Breath of the Wild. Next up is the unusual Pokémon Pokopia, which has received very positive early reviews. Following that is Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, a sequel to the popular 3DS game Tomodachi Life, and promises the same quirky gameplay.

Both Super Mario Bros. Wonder Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Meetup In Bellabel Park and Yoshi and the Mysterious Book are currently scheduled to release sometime in Spring 2026. The Mario game is essentially an updated version of an existing Switch title for the new Switch 2 console. Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, similar to Donkey Kong Bananza, revives a lesser-known franchise focusing on a supporting character – one that isn’t quite as popular as Mario.

Following these two titles are four more exclusive games, all currently planned for release in 2026. Orbitals is being developed by a third-party and aims to capture the feel of Split Fiction with a visual style inspired by 90s anime. The Duskbloods is the newest game from FromSoftware, and could be very popular if it receives similar positive reviews to Elden Ring. Splatoon Raiders is a single-player adventure set in the Splatoon universe, and Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave is the next installment in the Fire Emblem series, hoping to build on the success of Three Houses after the mixed reception of Fire Emblem Engage.

The 2026 Switch 2 Line-Up Is Lacking A Major Release

You might be impressed by the list of games, and there’s definitely a good variety. However, most of these titles are either very specific experiences, expansions of existing games, or smaller in scope. Besides The Duskbloods, which is still unknown, none of them seem substantial enough to justify buying a Switch 2. Orbitals is aimed at a small, dedicated audience who enjoy forced co-op games, while Yoshi and the Mysterious Book and Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream are part of less popular series. Splatoon Raiders and Pokémon Pokopia are spin-offs that likely won’t attract as many players as a main series game, and the Fire Emblem series has an inconsistent track record.

The Switch 2 really needs a killer app – a huge, must-have game like Breath of the Wild, or even a brand-new JRPG similar to Xenoblade Chronicles. The recent success of games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 shows how popular that genre is becoming. While a collection of smaller games can make a console worthwhile (and the Switch 2 already has a good selection of exclusives), nothing currently makes me excited enough to recommend it to friends or family, even those who haven’t bought one yet. Honestly, despite all the unique games available, I feel like I’d be wasting my money on the Switch 2 as it stands now.

The console itself is pricey, and Nintendo is charging a lot for its games – especially considering they don’t really seem to offer enough value for the money. These costs quickly add up, and you have to spend a significant amount to truly enjoy the system. This makes it puzzling that Nintendo hasn’t announced a new game in one of its flagship series, like Mario, The Legend of Zelda, Animal Crossing, or Pokémon. While Legends: Z-A was recently released, it was a disappointing title and also available on older consoles. A new Fire Emblem game is good, but Engage didn’t impress many, and Fortune’s Weave feels too similar, even though it’s connected to Three Houses.

Nintendo Is Resting On Its Laurels, And It Is Working

It’s not really surprising that Nintendo didn’t have many new games ready when the Switch 2 came out. Everyone expected the Switch 2 to be a hit, so it’s hard to believe Nintendo was caught unprepared. The real issue is that Nintendo probably overestimated its success. They likely figured people would buy the new console anyway, even without exciting new games, assuming good titles would come later. Why release a big game like a new Animal Crossing right away when they knew the console would sell well regardless?

It’s possible we’ll hear about these games soon, but Nintendo usually likes to build excitement over a long period before releasing them. While they frequently release new Pokémon games quickly, most major Nintendo titles are announced well in advance of their launch. Therefore, any games announced in 2026, particularly early in the year, probably won’t be released until 2027 or later.

It’s looking like a slow year for Switch 2 owners, including myself. We’re once again in a waiting period, hoping Nintendo will announce exciting plans for next year. I really hope the exclusive games planned for 2026 are amazing and justify the console’s price. I’m eager to see Nintendo deliver the innovative, groundbreaking games we’ve come to expect, and hopefully sooner than anticipated. But honestly, I suspect Nintendo will continue to make us wait, because fans always seem to find reasons to buy their consoles and games, even when they aren’t perfect.

I’m already getting hyped for the Nintendo Switch 2 and what 2026 will bring! What games are you most excited for? Let’s chat about it over on the ComicBook Forum – come join the discussion!

https://comicbook.com/gaming/list/the-best-nintendo-games-on-every-handheld/embed/#

Read More

2026-02-15 22:13