5 Nintendo Games That the Switch 2 Needs to Be Truly Great

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The Nintendo Switch 2 is still very new, and doesn’t yet have the strong library of games that made the original Switch so popular. This leaves a lot of room for guessing about what games we’d like to see on the new system, and more importantly, which titles are essential for it to be a worthwhile successor to the first Switch. While many people hope for specific ports of older third-party games (I’m personally hoping for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion), I’m most curious about what new first-party games Nintendo needs to release for the Switch 2 to succeed.

The Switch 2 is currently missing quite a few key features and games. While many Animal Crossing fans are disappointed there’s no new installment, the problem goes deeper. Nintendo’s lineup is lacking entire genres they’ve become known for. To really become a fantastic console, the Switch 2 needs these essential first-party Nintendo games.

5. Ring Fit Adventure 2

Most people probably wouldn’t expect Ring Fit Adventure to be a priority for a Switch 2 release. That’s likely because the original game is so well-made and genuinely works as an exercise tool, making a sequel seem unnecessary. Or, it could simply be that not many people are still playing it. Personally, though, I’m completely hooked! I spend hours each week running through the game’s beautiful worlds and ruins, trying to work off the chocolate I reward myself with after each session.

Ring Fit Adventure is the most effective and engaging exercise game I’ve ever played, and it feels like a natural step forward from Wii Fit. I’m hoping the next Nintendo console gets its own version – one that builds on the RPG elements of Ring Fit Adventure with even more exercises and fun ways to stay active. It’s possible the original was a unique success that’s hard to repeat, but with no strong Nintendo sports game currently available, I’d love to see them improve on this fantastic, life-improving game, maybe even by adding a way to play with others.

4. Animal Crossing

It’s almost comical how long the Animal Crossing community has been waiting for a new game. New Horizons came out six years ago, and the last major Animal Crossing title was released on the 3DS in 2012. We’re long overdue for either a new game or even just an announcement of one. Animal Crossing is a really important series for many people, offering both fun and a comforting escape, especially when times are hard. New Horizons was that escape for a lot of players in 2020, but it also has several issues that a new game could fix.

A new Animal Crossing game on the Switch 2 has the potential to improve many things, like making villagers more engaging and shifting the focus away from repetitive tasks towards more meaningful social interactions. Even if the next game doesn’t fix all of its problems, the upgraded hardware could still make the game feel wonderfully immersive and provide a great experience that players will likely enjoy for many years to come.

3. Xenoblade Chronicles 4

The Nintendo Switch 2 already has some fun, classic Nintendo-style games – bright platformers, unique titles that make good use of the new controllers, and plenty of recent re-releases. But it’s missing big, new role-playing games, particularly ones on the scale of Xenoblade Chronicles. Nintendo is becoming a major player in the Japanese RPG market, largely thanks to Monolith Soft, and it needs to keep building on that success to remain a top provider of quality JRPGs.

I’ve been hearing a lot that Monolith Soft’s next game might not be another Xenoblade Chronicles, and honestly, I’m okay with that. Xenoblade 3 felt like a really solid ending to that story arc, almost like the studio was signaling they want to try something new after building those worlds for so long. It’d be a shame to mess with that perfect ending just to make another one. Still, I’m super excited to see what they’re working on now. I have a feeling they’re the team that’s really going to show us what Nintendo’s new console can really do. If we’re going to get a truly next-generation Nintendo game, I think it’ll be from Monolith Soft.

2. Super Mario Odyssey 2

Any list of must-have games for the Switch 2 would be incomplete without mentioning a sequel to Super Mario Odyssey. I genuinely loved that game – it’s the only 3D Mario title I’ve ever really enjoyed. Its levels were cleverly designed, the graphics were vibrant, and the platforming was incredibly creative. I’ve been hoping for a similar experience ever since. The team behind Odyssey recently released the unique Donkey Kong Bananza, which suggests a direct Odyssey sequel is likely still a ways off, or perhaps already in development but not close to being revealed.

It would be great to see Mario return in a new adventure with imaginative levels, bright colors, and challenging platforming. Super Mario Odyssey looked a little blurry on the Switch due to the console’s limitations, so a new 3D Mario game on the Switch 2 could really shine. We haven’t had a 3D Mario adventure since 2017, and it’s time for another one!

1. The Legend Of Zelda

A new Legend of Zelda game would undoubtedly be a major draw for the Nintendo Switch 2. I’d personally love to see another open-world adventure similar to Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, maybe with a fresh setting or a world that feels drastically different. That said, I understand many fans are hoping for a return to the classic Zelda formula, with more focus on intricate puzzles and memorable dungeons that defined the earlier games.

No matter what the next Zelda game looks like – as long as it’s not just another re-release of an older game – it will be fascinating to see how Nintendo evolves the series. They created Breath of the Wild on the Wii U and Switch, and the new hardware is much more powerful, so a game for the Switch 2 could be incredible. I might be expecting a lot, but Zelda is one of Nintendo’s most important franchises, and fans hope they’ll invest the time and resources to make the next game truly special.

I’m already dreaming about the Switch 2, and I’m so curious what Nintendo games everyone is hoping to see on it! I’d love to hear your wishlists – what first-party titles are you most excited about potentially playing on the new console? Let’s chat about it over on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-03-15 21:12