Switch 2’s First-Year Lineup Goes Wild — Ditto Life Sim, Virtual Boy Comeback, and No New 3D Mario
Nintendo’s Friday Nintendo Direct filled in more of the Nintendo Switch 2’s first-year schedule, and the lineup includes a mix of new entries, spinoffs, and re-releases rather than a stack of mainline Mario or Zelda titles.
- Key reveals from the Direct and confirmed items for Switch 2’s first year.
- Which major series have new entries, plus notable spinoffs and retro releases.
- Details on Switch Online additions and hardware-related announcements.
What Nintendo confirmed at the Direct
The showcase revealed new games in several Nintendo series that will arrive in the back half of Switch 2’s first year. Specifically, Nintendo showed new entries in the Yoshi, Mario Tennis, and Fire Emblem series, all slated for 2026. In addition, previously announced titles like Splatoon Raiders remain part of the early lineup.
Major launch and near-launch titles
Mario Kart World is one of the largest known titles tied to the Switch 2 launch window. Meanwhile, Nintendo listed several other high-profile entries for the console’s first year, including Pokémon Legends: Z-A and Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave.
Notable spinoffs and surprises
Rather than immediate new mainline entries for some franchise tentpoles, Nintendo’s first-year slate includes several spinoffs and genre experiments. For example, the only Zelda release currently announced is Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, a Musou-style title from Omega Force and Koei Tecmo.
Also announced were less conventional entries: a life-sim that places Ditto in human form, a new Tomodachi Life title called Living the Dream, and Rhythm Heaven Groove. In addition, Nintendo confirmed a sequel to Kirby Air Ride created by Masahiro Sakurai, rather than a new Super Smash Bros. entry.
Retro games and Switch Online
Nintendo also updated its retro offerings for Switch Online. Notably, Chibi-Robo is arriving on the service before titles such as Super Mario Sunshine and Super Smash Bros. Melee. Nintendo will add Virtual Boy games to Switch Online, and the company announced a $100 recreation of the Virtual Boy hardware.
Company context and comments
During the Direct, Shigeru Miyamoto said the “main event” of Super Mario Bros. 40th anniversary isn’t a new Mario game at all: It’s The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.
Sales and positioning
Nintendo’s statements and the timing of certain releases follow the company’s broader release strategy for Switch 2. Company reporting included the claim that Switch 2 became the fastest-selling video game console of all time, a factor that the company has publicly referenced when discussing its release planning.
What to watch next
Expect more release dates and details in the months ahead as Nintendo fills out the remainder of Switch 2’s first-year calendar. Publishers and developers involved with the announced titles will likely share trailers and specific launch windows leading up to those releases.
