3 Old Nintendo Franchises That Could Thrive on the Switch 2

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Nintendo is famous for creating some of the greatest video game franchises ever, and many of them are still popular today. Classics like Mario, Zelda, Donkey Kong, and Samus have continued to get new games even decades after they first came out. As Nintendo plans for the second year of games on the Switch 2, fans can anticipate more installments in these beloved series. But there’s also excitement about the potential for Nintendo to bring back older franchises that haven’t had a new game in a long time.

Nintendo has many popular franchises that are still successful, but they also have some lesser-known games that haven’t been updated in a while. With the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, there’s a chance to bring these forgotten franchises back to life. The new system, a larger player base, and increasing interest in older games could give three classic Nintendo series a fresh start on the latest console.

3) Kid Icarus

The Kid Icarus series has always been a bit different for Nintendo. It started on the NES in 1986, combining jumping and running with simple role-playing features and stories based on Greek mythology. While the first game was enjoyable, it was also known for being very hard and a little clunky, which kept it from becoming hugely popular. A follow-up, Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters, came out on Game Boy in 1991, but then the series disappeared for over twenty years.

Man, it felt like forever, but the series finally came back in 2012 with Kid Icarus: Uprising on the 3DS. It was directed by Masahiro Sakurai, the guy who made Super Smash Bros., and he totally revamped the game. It was this really cool, fast-paced action shooter with a big story and a ton of voice acting. Everyone loved how funny and ambitious it was, but honestly, the controls were kinda awkward, and the 3DS hardware just couldn’t quite keep up. A lot of us fans thought it was a brilliant idea, but it was tough to actually play for very long, you know?

A new Kid Icarus game would be a perfect fit for the Switch 2. With updated controls and better performance, a sequel or remake could finally realize the vision of Uprising. Nintendo could build on the series’ strengths – its compelling story, exciting aerial battles, and funny characters – and make the gameplay more accessible to a wider range of players. In a market full of action games, a new Kid Icarus could offer a fresh, uniquely Nintendo experience on the next console.

2) F-Zero

The F-Zero series has always had a dedicated and enthusiastic fanbase. When the first game launched on the Super Nintendo in 1990, it stood out with its incredibly fast-paced, futuristic racing, really testing the capabilities of the console. The series became famous for being both precise and very difficult, something you didn’t often find in racing games at the time. Games like F-Zero X on Nintendo 64 and F-Zero GX on GameCube continued to improve on this winning formula, becoming almost perfect examples of the genre.

It’s been so long since a proper F-Zero game! F-Zero GX came out in 2003, and that’s still the last full-fledged game we’ve gotten. Nintendo’s said they’re having trouble figuring out how to bring the series back in a way that feels fresh. Since then, Captain Falcon’s mostly shown up in Super Smash Bros., and we fans have been hoping for a real comeback. F-Zero 99 gave us a little hope, but it’s more of a fun online experiment than the full-on F-Zero experience we’re all craving.

A new version of the Switch could be the key to reviving the beloved F-Zero racing series, giving it the powerful hardware it needs to truly shine. Upgraded technology would allow for much larger and more detailed tracks, competitive online races, and environments that change based on how fast you’re going. A modern F-Zero game could become a popular esports title, attracting players who enjoy challenging, fast-paced gameplay. With consistent online support, regular updates, and competitive rankings, F-Zero could move beyond being a cult favorite and become a major competitive game.

1) Star Fox

Man, Star Fox is a weird one when you look back at Nintendo’s history. It’s a super famous series, but it feels like it’s always been searching for what it wants to be. The first game dropped on Super Nintendo way back in ’93, and it blew everyone away with those 3D graphics – the Super FX chip was a game-changer! The gameplay was pretty straightforward – you basically flew on rails and shot stuff – but it felt epic and cinematic, and the characters were instantly memorable. It really set the stage for a lot of things.

The Star Fox series was at its best with the release of Star Fox 64 in 1997, which is still considered a classic arcade shooter. However, the series hasn’t seen much innovation since then. Games like Star Fox Adventures and Star Fox Assault proved controversial, and Star Fox Zero on the Wii U, which tried a completely new control scheme, also received mixed reactions. Star Fox Zero, released in 2016, was the latest major installment and wasn’t able to recapture the excitement of earlier games.

As a huge Star Fox fan, I’m really hoping the Switch 2 could be the perfect chance to bring the series back to its roots, but in a way that feels fresh and new. I’d love to see a new game that keeps the classic on-rails shooting I grew up with, but maybe adds some optional open-world exploration too. Imagine soaring through space and choosing where to go! With better graphics, controls, and a really cinematic feel, it could recapture that amazing excitement from the original games – the stuff that other developers still try to copy but never quite get right.

The game also has a lot of promise for cooperative and online play. Features like team-based missions, shared objectives, and competitive aerial battles could revitalize the Star Fox series. By blending familiar elements with modern updates and fresh ideas, it could become Nintendo’s take on today’s popular action shooters, all while keeping the series’ distinctive style and characters intact on the Nintendo Switch 2.

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2025-12-29 18:11