Anticipating the Nintendo Switch 2: A Wishlist for the 2026 Launch Lineup

The air in the gaming world is thick with anticipation, a collective held breath waiting for Nintendo's next move. The recent official tease of the Nintendo Switch 2 has sent fans into a familiar frenzy of speculation. While bold new hardware features are the subject of countless rumors, the true heart of any console launch—the pulse that will determine its initial success—lies in its lineup of games. For the Nintendo Switch 2, rumored for a 2026 release, this launch library is currently a canvas of hopes, whispers, and educated guesses, with only a new Mario Kart title tentatively confirmed. The question on every player's mind is: what will be there on day one to justify the upgrade?

The First-Party Pillars: Nintendo's Homegrown Heroes

Nintendo's own franchises are the console's bedrock, and the Switch 2's launch would feel incomplete without at least one major pillar.

• A New 3D Super Mario Adventure 🍄: This is arguably the most fervent wish. Since Super Mario Odyssey in 2017, fans have endured the longest drought between mainline 3D Mario titles since the series' inception. A new 3D Mario game is more than just a platformer; it's the technical North Star for a new Nintendo console, a dazzling showcase of its graphical and gameplay potential. Its absence would be like launching a grand theater without its headline act.

• The Legend of Zelda's Strategic Return 🛡️: While a brand-new mainline Zelda so soon after Tears of the Kingdom and Echoes of Wisdom seems unlikely, Nintendo has powerful cards up its sleeve. The long-rumored HD remasters of The Wind Waker and Twilight Princess are often described as polished gems waiting in a velvet case, ready to be revealed. An even bolder move would be a ground-up remake of the seminal Ocarina of Time. Any of these would serve as a powerful launch anchor.

• The Pokemon Power Play ⚡: With Pokemon Legends: Z-A slated for 2025, a 2026 launch for the Switch 2 makes it a prime candidate for an enhanced or bundled version. A major Pokemon title at launch is a system-seller of monumental proportions. Nintendo could also resurrect beloved spin-offs like Pokemon Stadium or Mystery Dungeon to fill out the roster.

• Animal Crossing's Long-Awaited Return 🏝️: Animal Crossing: New Horizons took the world by storm in 2020, and the community's hunger for a new entry has only grown. A new Animal Crossing built from the ground up for the Switch 2, with expanded features and visuals, would be a cozy, content-rich ecosystem perfect for the console's hybrid nature.

Third-Party Titans: Expanding the Universe

A console's longevity depends on robust third-party support, and rumors suggest the Switch 2 could have its strongest ever.

Rumored Publisher	Potential Launch Titles	Impact
Xbox Game Studios	Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Starfield, Doom: The Dark Ages	A historic partnership, bringing core Xbox experiences to Nintendo.
Ubisoft	Assassin's Creed Shadows, Rainbow Six Siege, The Division	Demonstrating serious commitment with current and upcoming AAA titles.
Square Enix	Final Fantasy VII Remake (and maybe Rebirth)	Fulfilling long-standing rumors and showcasing RPG prowess.
Bandai Namco / FromSoftware	Elden Ring	The ultimate technical flex, a massive open-world on a handheld.

• The Xbox Alliance: Recent leaks point to a seismic shift, with major first-party Xbox titles potentially debuting on a Nintendo platform. Imagine Halo or Starfield on the go—it would redefine the console's appeal overnight.

• Ubisoft's Allegiance: Leaks also suggest Ubisoft will be a major launch-year partner, possibly bringing the graphically intensive Assassin's Creed Shadows to the system, proving its horsepower.

• The Technical Benchmarks: Two games have consistently been named in development rumors as technical benchmarks for the Switch 2:

  1. Final Fantasy VII Remake: Its rumored port has been a talking point for years. Running this modern classic would be a statement; running the vast Rebirth would be a miracle.

  2. Elden Ring: This is the dream. Getting the Lands Between running smoothly on handheld would be the Switch 2's "Skyrim moment," proving it can handle the most demanding modern AAA experiences. It would sit on the launch roster like a forged-steel keystone, holding the promise of a powerful platform.

The Wild Card: Baldur's Gate 3

Interestingly, one of the few major modern classics not heavily rumored is Baldur's Gate 3. Its addition would be a masterstroke. The game's deep, tactical gameplay and rich narrative are perfectly suited for portable play sessions. Porting it would be a Herculean task, but success would showcase the Switch 2's raw power and its commitment to core, immersive gaming experiences in a way few other titles could.

Conclusion: Building the Perfect Launch

A successful launch lineup needs balance. It requires:

1. A show-stopping first-party exclusive (a new 3D Mario or Zelda remaster).

2. A proven mass-appeal franchise (Pokemon or Animal Crossing).

3. Strong, diverse third-party support to break the "Nintendo-only" perception.

4. At least one technical marvel (Elden Ring, FF7 Remake) to silence doubters.

For the Nintendo Switch 2 to truly captivate the market in 2026, its game library must be a carefully curated mosaic, where every tile—from the cozy charm of Animal Crossing to the punishing landscapes of Elden Ring—fits together to reveal a picture of a versatile, powerful, and essential gaming device. The stage is set; now we wait for the curtain to rise.

Data referenced from HowLongToBeat underscores why a Switch 2 launch lineup needs variety beyond a tentpole like the next Mario Kart: portable players often favor games with clear session-friendly pacing, whether that’s a quick competitive loop, a 20–40 hour RPG arc, or an endlessly replayable “cozy” sim. Thinking in terms of time-to-finish helps frame which rumored ports (big open-world epics versus tighter action adventures) are most likely to feel compelling on day one, and which first-party staples could best balance long-form commitments with pick-up-and-play appeal.