With release Metroid Prime 4: Beyondwhich pretty much wraps up Nintendo's year with Switch and Switch 2. However, there are plenty of AAA sequels coming up in 2026 that will launch on Switch, Switch 2, or both systems. As is tradition, Nintendo will likely update the list of upcoming games around February with a Direct.
The upcoming video game sequel we never thought would happen
Some game sequels take so long to release that fans give up hope. That's exactly the case with these games, except they're launching soon.
For now, these are the known upcoming games to look forward to. Some are direct sequels, while others are more like spiritual sequels to games from the past. Also, it might be fun to predict what might be announced at the upcoming Direct based on past knowledge, so let's go for it.
Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave
Olympic tactics
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Planned release date: 2026
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Planned systems: Switch 2
Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave is a brand new tactical entry in a series that has been developing since 1990 through the NES game. Set to launch sometime in 2026 for the Switch 2, it looks aesthetically unlike any other entry in the series.
Everything has a roman colosseum or olympic feel so it could be good. Fire sign fans didn't wait too long for the new game, as Fire Emblem Engage was a 2023 Switch release, but it's always good to get something sooner rather than later.
Mario tennis fever
What a rocket
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Planned release date: 2/12/26
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Planned systems: Switch 2
Mario tennis fever will be exclusive to the Switch 2, which has a February release date. It looks like the big gimmick for this item will be powerful missiles that can change the game, like a fire missile that can heat balls.
The series began with Mario Tennis on N64 in 2000 and the last entry, Mario Tennis Acesreleased for Switch in 2018. For everyone who loves Mario sports titles, Mario tennis fever can be fun to play with family.
Professor Layton and the New World of Steam
Math based detectives
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Planned release date: 2026
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Planned systems: Switch and Switch 2
Professor Layton fans have been waiting a long time for a new game, p Professor Layton and the New World of Steam to premiere sometime in 2026 for both Switch consoles. Not much has been revealed about the game, but players can certainly expect suspenseful mystery and math puzzles.
The series began on the DS with Professor Layton and the Curious Village in 2007 in Japan and a year later in North America. last game Layton's Mystery Journey: Katrielle and the Millionaires' Conspiracywas more of a spinoff for various mobile devices and 3DS in 2017, so fans were eager to see Layton and Luke again in a proper adventure game.
Rhythm Heaven Groove
Get into the Groove
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Planned release date: 2026
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Planned systems: Switch
Rhythm Heaven Groove will upset the franchise's niche but powerful fans as it's been over a decade since the last game was released. It's a bit of a shame that this new release will be Switch only, meaning it can't take advantage of the Switch 2's inputs like mouse control, but it still looks like a good set of rhythm-based minigames to turn into earworms.
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The first game was never released outside of Japan: Tengoku Rhythmwhich came out for the GBA in 2006. The last game was more of a collection, Megamix Rhythm Heavenwhich came out in 2016 in North America for the 3DS, and that was a year after Japan.
Tomodachi Life: Living The Dream
Animal Crossing with Miis
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Planned release date: 2006
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Planned systems: Switch
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream is another game that will have a Switch-only release. Like the other games in the series, it will be a similar silly life-sim Animal Crossing games, but with a little less work. The series started on the DS with a Japanese exclusive title Tomodachi Collection in 2009.
Life of Tomodachi for 3DS, the first North American taste was in 2014, which was the last major game to be released. However, mobile apps 2016, Miitomotechnically related and this service was discontinued in 2018 so it was expected Tomodachi Life: Living The Dream incredibly long.
Yoshi and the mysterious book
Look, it's in the book
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Planned release date: 2026
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Planned systems: Switch 2
Yoshi has been part of the Mario franchise ever since Super Mario World debuted on the SNES in 1990 in Japan. Yoshi and the mysterious book will be his latest solo adventure that looks like a whimsical 2D platformer. Aesthetically, it has the most in common with the N64 game, Yoshi's Storywhich was a 1998 North American release.
Both this game and the upcoming title revolve around storybooks. The last game under Yoshi's leadership was Yoshi's Crafted World in 2019 for the Switch, so it's been a while since the green dinosaur started showing off its platforms.
Another Zelda
Will it be Link or Zelda?
It's safe to assume that Nintendo is hard at work on the next entry The Legend of Zelda franchise. The last major match was The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom in 2023 and existed before that The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild in 2017.
The gap was six years, so it's safe to assume another 3D Zelda the game likely won't arrive until 2029, but may be teased in 2027. Regardless, it's clear that Nintendo is working on a new Zelda game, or several scale spinoffs The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom or Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment.
Pikmin 5
Close to you
Last Pikmin game not so long ago as Pikmin 4 was a 2023 release for the Switch. Pikmin has never been Nintendo's best-selling franchise, but it is popular with developers such as Shigeru Miyamoto.
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The reason why it is safe to take over a new one Pikmina related project is in the works for a Nintendo YouTube short film released in October 2025 called “Close to You” that has impressed Pikmin creation. This could just be a way to hold on Pikmin in the cultural zeitgeist, or it could have been a clever way to hype up a new Switch 2 game.
Wind/Wave Pokemon
10th gen games?
Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet were the flagship games in the ninth generation that came out in 2022. There were enough of them Pokemon games since then, like Pokemon Legends: ZAbut the new generation of pokemon titles are always treated as bigger offerings.
Most of the generational jumps take place between three years, which means more rumored titles, Pokemon wind and Pokemon Wavewas supposed to arrive in 2025. Given the leaks and history of the franchise, it's almost certain that Pokemon Generation Ten games are likely to launch in the fall of 2026.
Luigi's mansion 4
It's Luigi's turn
Luigi's Mansion 3 was released for Switch in 2019 and Luigi's Mansion 2 got a remaster in 2024 for Switch. So it wasn't that long between releases. Unlike the main Mario titles, Luigi's mansion it wasn't as popular, but it's still going strong thanks to fan support.
The original GameCube game made it to Switch 2's online service, so it could have been a clever joke. Nintendo doesn't have that many first-party horror franchises, so they're probably developing a new mansion for Luigi to explore on the Switch 2.
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