Summary
Since launching the Nintendo Entertainment System 38 years ago, every singleNintendohome console has released with either aSuper Marioseries game or aLegend of Zeldagame on day one, which could hint at what fans can expect from the Switch 2’s launch lineup.ZeldaandMarioareNintendo’s two biggest franchises, so it really comes as no surprise that Nintendo’s home consoles have consistently released with one of them represented right out of the gate.
The NES launched withSuper Mario Bros., the Super Nintendo hadSuper Mario World, and the Nintendo 64 hadSuper Mario 64. The GameCube did not launch with a main seriesSuper Mariogame, but it did release alongside theLuigi’s Mansionspin-off. Then the Wii released withThe Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, while the Wii U hadNew Super Mario Bros. Uon day one. And finally, the Switch released withThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
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Considering this pattern has been going on for 38 years now, it seems unlikely Nintendo would break from it with the Switch 2 console, or whatever its next system ends up being called. As it stands, Nintendo has not revealed much of anything about the Switch successor console beyond that it willretain the accounts that fans have been using on their Switches. However, reputable sources believe that the next Nintendo console will launch at some point in 2024, so more information on it should come to light next year.
Nintendo Consoles Launch With Mario or Zelda
Nintendo consoles tend to launch withSuper Mariogames, but the two instances whenMariowasn’t available,Zeldastepped to the plate. However, withThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdomhaving just recently released on the Switch, it seems highly unlikely that another, large scaleZeldagame will be available in time for the Switch 2’s likely launch in 2024. It’s much easier to believe that the Switch 2 could launch with a newMariogame.
Even thoughSuper Mario Bros. Wonderis releasing in a matter of weeks, it’s still reasonable to assume that the Switch 2 console could have a newMariogame on day one. After all,Super Mario Bros. Wonderis a 2D platformer, and one has to imagine that Nintendo has been preparing a new 3DSuper Marioadventure at the same time. Such a project hasn’t been announced yet, but at least one leaker believes that a new 3DSuper Mariogame is in development. While fans should take the information with a grain of salt, the leaker has claimed that thenextSuper Mariogame will indeed be a Switch 2 launch title, and not only that, but it will apparently be open world.
There once was a time when that would have sounded outlandish, but it definitely seems like Nintendo is interested in producing an open worldSuper Mariogame. TheBowser’s Furyexpansionthat released with the Switch version ofSuper Mario 3D Worldis a test-run of what an open worldMariogame could be like. A more traditional 3DSuper Mariogame would please many fans as well, so even if the rumors aren’t true, there should still be something exciting to look forward to next year.
Of course, there’s precedent for theMarioseries to be represented by a spin-off instead of a main series entry with a home console’s launch, like what happened withLuigi’s Mansionon the GameCube. Considering this, Nintendo could go a similar route with the Switch 2 console. If so, there’s one game that seems like the most obvious candidate -Mario Kart 9.Mario Kart 8 Deluxehas been a ridiculous sales successfor Nintendo, to the point where the company is still releasing content for it six years after its release.Mario Kart 8 Deluxeis the best-selling Switch game and has really been the console’s MVP, so it would make a lot of sense for Nintendo to get a newMario Kartgame out on the Switch 2 as soon as possible.
This is all assuming Nintendo sticks to the established pattern. The Big N could always veer off course and do something completely different by releasing theSwitch 2 consolewithoutMarioorZelda, and fans should be aware of that possibility. In fact, while Nintendo has released all its home consoles with eitherMarioorZelda, it did launch the 3DS handheld with noMarioorZeldagame, so it could very well do the same with the Switch 2, as unlikely as it may be.
Right now, Nintendo is still focused onpromoting the final wave of big Switch titles, so fans likely won’t learn anything about the Switch 2 launch titles in an official capacity until some point next year.
