It’s that time of year again folks, where we pull out the crystal ball and make our predictions for Nintendo in 2024! Let’s dive in and see if we can figure out what’s next for the gaming giant. Excited yet? Let’s get started!
Remember last year’s predictions? Check them out HERE to laugh at or cheer for how we fared!
Justin’s 2024 Forecast:
At long last, Metroid Prime 4 will grace us with its presence once more. It’s bound to be a showcase for the graphics of whatever comes after the current Switch.
Partial credit here: we finally got a new trailer, but it hasn’t become the flagship title for a next-gen console yet. Fingers crossed for 2025!
Think we’ll get Black and White remakes from The Pokémon Company this year during Pokémon Day?
Nope, not this time!
We’re predicting an announcement and release of the Switch’s successor this year. It probably won’t be named ‘New Nintendo Switch,’ but something that screams upgrade, like maybe Switch Nitro.
Sadly, no dice on this one.
A new 3D Mario game might launch alongside the new system.
Didn’t happen, unfortunately.
This could be the year for a Metroid Prime 2 remaster announcement, possibly followed by MP3.
Not this year.
Is F-Zero making a comeback in 2024?
Yes, indeed! Although we didn’t get a new game or a GX remaster, F-Zero 99 saw lots of updates and is getting much love on NSO. Fingers crossed for 2025!
Will Wind Waker HD and Twilight Princess HD finally make it to the Switch?
Nope.
Rumor has it Nintendo will maintain sales for the original Switch alongside the successor.
Nobody knows yet, so it’s a wait-and-see situation.
Backwards compatibility could be the main selling point of the new system, allowing all Switch games to roll over for Day 1 play. A first for Nintendo’s digital accounts!
Yes! Nintendo confirmed this much — a big win for us!
Nintendo’s been holding strong with third-party support on the Switch. I bet we’ll see a big franchise make its way to the successor, franchises like Madden, GTA, or Call of Duty, perhaps?
Unfortunately, we’re still in the dark on this one.
Wild Cards (Worth 2 Points Each)
Last year’s Donkey Kong game prediction didn’t pan out, but maybe 2024 will be the lucky year, especially with the new system’s launch and the DK section in Japan’s Super Nintendo World opening.
Still no new game, but we did get an HD port announced. Here’s hoping for the future!
The wait for a new Mario Kart announcement continues.
Not this year.
Justin’s total: 2.5 points.
And now for Trev’s 2024 Vision:
Though mobile apps aren’t usually my thing, I believe Nintendo will introduce another one this year. Speaking of which…
Yes, we got Pokémon TCG Pocket!
Forget about the past mobile Dr. Mario World or the Switch Online ports. A brand new entry in the series could be in the works, released in full physical form.
Sadly, we got nothing. Maybe next time!
Rumors from a trademark suggest Tomodachi Life could make its way to the Switch for its 10th anniversary.
Didn’t happen this year.
I thought A Link Between Worlds might see an HD revival last year for its 10th anniversary. Though that didn’t occur, I still believe the Link’s Awakening HD engine will get a workout again.
Half a point for guessing the engine on a new game, Echoes of Wisdom, not the Oracle games.
Nintendo could drop something major to draw in new or returning Switch Online users. I’m picturing more than just game trials or sporadic older titles.
No significant updates occurred.
Despite the swirling rumors, this year, I’m finally predicting an announcement for the Switch’s successor.
Correct! Nintendo confirmed this but hasn’t released it yet.
If it’s true about the new console, we might see some sneak peeks at launch titles. Perhaps Metroid Prime 4?
Nope, we saw MP4, but its status as a launch game is still unclear.
If there’s no new console until 2025, Nintendo will want to keep selling their current Switch models, likely through discounted ports, price drops, and a Nintendo Select line.
All we saw were bundles, no price drops or changes, unfortunately.
With over 80 titles reaching one million sales on the Switch, what fresh games will join the list? Could it crack triple digits? Maybe not in 2024, but there should be some new additions.
Yes! Not quite triple digits, but 97 games made it, according to Wikipedia.
What’s new with amiibo? Given the chatter around Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door’s unique characters, we might see new amiibo tying in with the Switch release.
Not this time around.
Wild Cards (Worth Two Points!)
Skylanders might make a comeback, and if so, I suspect it’ll resonate most with Nintendo fans. Let’s hope Activision isn’t too greedy!
Nope, didn’t happen.
As Twitter witnesses an exodus, Pure Nintendo might cater to a fresh crowd on the Blue Sky social app.
And YES, you can find Pure Nintendo on Blue Sky!
Trev scores a total of 5.5 points.
Looks like Trev took the crown this year, as Nintendo is taking its time with revealing the Switch 2. Let’s hope 2025 is the year! 😄
Looking Ahead: Justin’s Predictions for 2025
- GameCube titles might be announced for Nintendo Switch Online.
- A Mario Kart game might show itself in 2025, hopefully hitting shelves too.
- The rarity of a year without a new Pokémon game (apart from Pokémon TCG Pocket, which I’ve enjoyed), suggests Pokémon Legends ZA could launch in 2025, with teasers for another Pokémon adventure.
- A new Kirby game is likely on the horizon—maybe a port, but ideally, a sequel to Forgotten Land.
- For the Switch successor, we should see an announcement and release this year, possibly named Nintendo Switch 2 for simplicity.
- Expect a new 3D Mario, potentially launching with the new console.
- Nintendo might keep the original Switch in stores alongside the new model.
- Backward compatibility will be critical for the new system, with all Switch games available at launch. This digital setup will be a first, entirely carried over.
- Nintendo’s third-party support gains grounds with the Switch, likely introducing a major franchise that the current Switch missed, like Madden or Call of Duty.
- I’m guessing the Switch 2 might launch at $399.
Some context for you:
- GameCube debuted at $199
- Wii launched at $249
- Wii U was $299 ($349 for deluxe)
- Switch began at $299
- Switch OLED started at $349
Wild Cards
- Despite the recent Zelda release, I sense Nintendo might announce one for the Switch 2’s first year, perhaps the much-speculated Twilight Princess HD and/or Wind Waker HD ports.
- Wave Race could get a new entry.
Trev’s 2025 Predictions
- The Nintendo Switch could be the first console to reach 160 million sales, surpassing the DS and PS2. Now, will Jim Ryan adjust the PS2’s numbers to 170 million?
- Expect a movie-themed Direct, possibly for Super Mario Bros. 2 and/or a Zelda film. Chris Pratt might voice Mario again, with Link (likely) voiceless.
- I think Nintendo will discontinue original Switch models, leaving the Lite and OLED, with bundles highlighting Switch Online. In line with this…
- Anticipate significant changes to Nintendo Switch Online. Whether it’s new console additions like GameCube, price changes, or merging plans, expect modifications with new hardware.
- The Switch 2 will debut with a pack-in game, differing from its predecessor. It might be a Mario game, a family option like Wii, or something showcasing unique hardware like the Wii U.
- At least one early launch title for the new system will include motion controls, sparking debate based on preferences.
- Although a new console is imminent in 2025, some original features might resurface. I’m thinking along the lines of the Nintendo Badge Arcade or Wii channels (thanks to Nintendo Music reviving interest).
- Popular amiibo will continue re-releases, with new ones tying into at least one early launch game.
- More in the gaming industry are leaving Twitter for Bluesky, perhaps to the extent that Nintendo reactivates screen-sharing integration.
- Despite the new hardware, Nintendo will still support the Switch. Expect substantial updates to popular games (with additional content or updates) and ports of past hits (like Metroid Prime 2 & 3, Super Mario Galaxy 2).
Wild Cards
- Nintendo isn’t known for traditional sports games lately, but they’ve partnered with stars like Ken Griffey Jr. and Kobe Bryant. Will 2025 bring a first-party sports sim? It’s a long shot, but I’m hopeful.
- It’s ten years since Tri Force Heroes and two decades since Four Swords Adventures. I predict some multiplayer Zelda experiences coming our way.
