Switch 2 to Bring 3D Mario, Metroid Prime 5, and More to a Whole New Level

With Nintendo's successful release and an exciting line-up, the franchise might be up to something big. According to leaks, Nintendo might be planning on bringing new games that have been fan favorites for more than a decade.

It's been almost ten years since Super Mario Odyssey brought 3D platforming back into the spotlight. Nintendo has been surprisingly quiet since then, at least when it comes to full-on 3D adventures. However, rumors indicate that Nintendo is saving their big comeback for the Switch 2. The next few years could be full of long-awaited first-party hits.

The big red hat in the room is the next 3D Mario game. Since E3 2017, Mario's cap-capturing antics have been known for eight years. If things go as the rumor says they might, it could be nine years before Odyssey and Mario's next main adventure. Donkey Kong Bananza is said to be the only Mario Universe 3D platformer coming out in 2025. Rumor says that this game might be like Odyssey or something similar, while Mario gets ready for something even bigger.

Allegedly, in the next mainline Mario game, Mario might go to other Nintendo worlds as well as his own. Instead of the usual "Kingdoms" found in Odyssey, this new idea could include platforming areas based on games like The Legend of Zelda, Metroid, Star Fox, Animal Crossing, Pikmin, Xenoblade, and even Splatoon. This would be Mario's first time doing it, and his next game would be a big celebration of Nintendo's whole history.

This big idea could also be the reason why there won't be a new Mario game in 2025. It would take a huge amount of time to develop an adventure with so many crossovers. And since September 2025 is the 40th anniversary of Super Mario and January 2026 is the 30th anniversary of Super Mario 64, there is no better time for a historic reveal.

In a shocking turn of events, A reliable source also dropped a bombshell: Metroid Prime 5 is being made at the same time as Prime 4. Metroid Prime 4 hasn't come out yet, but fans still have it on their "Most Wanted" lists. Prime 5 is reportedly only going to be available on the Switch 2, and it will have vertical exploration and gravity manipulation. It's tentatively set to come out in 2027, which gives Retro Studios plenty of time to tell two stories about Samus Aran.

That would also be in line with Metroid's 40th anniversary in August 2026, making it a smart anniversary pair, especially if Prime 4 comes out before then. The next game is Pikmin, which will be 25 years old in 2026. Leaks say that the next Pikmin game won't be Pikmin 5 but a spin-off with a different art style and a different way to play. For a show that is known for changing slowly, that's a pretty big deal. This spin-off is expected to be released within the current fiscal year, which means it's likely to be released in 2025.

The Splatoon franchise is also going in the same direction. The leaker's information about a spin-off project called "Splatoon Raiders" suggests that Nintendo is ready to let its franchises branch out into new game types while still keeping the numbered entries in the background.

Animal Crossing fans, get ready because there won't be a new game in 2025. Don't worry, though—there's a good reason for it. The "ultimate version" of the Animal Crossing family of life-sim games is already being made. What might be on offer is this:

• Big cities with lots of skyscrapers
• There are puzzles, adventure missions, and small games
• Travel by vehicle
• More ways to work together in multiplayer games

All signs point to a 2026 release, which would be six years after New Horizons became a huge hit at the start of the pandemic. This new idea seems like it could combine the cozy feel of the series with an open-world feel that is bigger and more exciting.

Mario, Metroid, Pikmin, and Animal Crossing all have big anniversaries in 2025 and 2026. This means that Nintendo's launch line-up for Switch 2 could be one of its most nostalgic and powerful yet. Each franchise seems to be changing in some way, whether it's through spin-offs, mechanics that mix genres, or ambitious crossovers.

And the party doesn't end there—Zelda will also be 40 years old in 2026, and rumors of a 4K remake of Ocarina of Time are going around at the same time. If it's true, Nintendo might be planning a full-on legacy tour for the early years of the Switch 2, with both new content and great old games coming back in style.