As another year unfolds, it’s time for our annual dive into Nintendo predictions. Get ready to brainstorm and speculate with us about where the video game giant might take us next!
If you’re curious about how last year’s predictions held up, you can check them out HERE. Now, let’s delve into what’s in store for 2024!
Justin’s 2024 Predictions:
Metroid Prime 4 will at long last reappear, setting the stage to showcase the graphics of the upcoming Switch successor.
- Partial Hit: We finally glimpsed a new trailer, but it’s not yet the headline for the Switch successor. Maybe 2025 will give us what we’re hoping for!
Pokémon Black and White remakes will get a nod this year, potentially during a Pokémon Presents on Pokémon Day.
- Miss: Nope.
The Switch successor will see an announcement AND a launch this year, possibly branded as something like “Switch Nitro” rather than ‘New Nintendo Switch’. Let’s hope for a major leap in processing power!
- Miss: Not this time. 😭
A New 3D Mario could debut alongside the new system.
- Miss.
Metroid Prime 2 and possibly 3 remaster announcements on the horizon.
- Miss.
Enhancement for the F-Zero franchise in 2024.
- Hit: Yep, though not the new game or F-Zero GX remaster I’d hoped for. But improvements and updates for F-Zero 99 were welcome, and there’s some classic love through Nintendo Switch Online (NSO). Fingers crossed for a 2025 surprise!
Wind Waker HD and Twilight Princess HD ports to come to the Switch.
- Miss.
Sales of the original Switch to continue alongside its successor.
- Miss/Unknown.
Backwards compatibility will be a cornerstone for the new console, ensuring all Switch titles are accessible from day one.
- Hit: This was one of those points Nintendo officially confirmed for 2024!
Continued strong third-party support for Nintendo, possibly with a new title announcement for the successor, like Grand Theft Auto or Call of Duty.
- Miss/Unknown.
Wild Cards (2 points each):
A new Donkey Kong game announcement, especially aligning with the new system release and the DK area opening in Super Nintendo World Japan.
- Miss: Announced an HD port, but not counting that. I’m holding out for a fresh DK adventure!
A new Mario Kart announcement.
- Miss.
Final Score for Justin: 2.5 Points
Trev’s 2024 Predictions:
A fresh Nintendo mobile app or game, regardless of my personal interest.
- Hit: Pokémon TCG Pocket comes to mind!
Forget mobile and ports; a fresh Dr. Mario installment, a full-scale release, awaits.
- Miss.
To celebrate its 10th anniversary, the much-loved Tomodachi Life will make a return in some form on the Switch.
- Miss.
Rumored as far back as 2020, the Oracle games might receive the remake treatment.
- Partial Hit: The beloved Link’s Awakening HD engine was deployed on a new game, Echoes of Wisdom, rather than the Oracle games themselves.
Nintendo will introduce a noteworthy addition to capture the attention of Switch Online subscribers, something beyond game trials and retro releases.
- Miss.
For the first time, I predict a Switch successor announcement in 2024, though not necessarily its release. And as a follow-up:
- Hit: Announcement confirmed, still awaiting release though.
Expect footage of launch games if the above a reality—possibly Metroid Prime 4?
- Miss: MP4 was shown, but no confirmation on it being a launch title yet.
To stimulate sales of remaining Switch models ahead of a new release, predict a range of activity from budget offerings to priced cuts.
- Miss: Just more bundles.
Singling out top-selling Switch titles, the Switch has 80+ million-sellers. How many new entries will join the ranks? Can it reach triple digits?
- Hit: While not quite in the hundreds yet, 97 games reached that milestone as per Wikipedia.
New intrigues for amiibo, inspired by Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door characters.
- Miss.
Wild Cards (2 points each):
Skylanders’ return on the horizon, potentially finding strong footing with Nintendo fans again. Easy does it, Activision!
- Miss.
Pure Nintendo to find a broader audience on Blue Sky app due to Twitter’s gradual exodus.
- Hit: Yes! You can now find us on Blue Sky – Pure Nintendo.
Final Score for Trev: 5.5 Points
This year, Trev takes the lead, with Nintendo seemingly holding off on its Switch 2 plans. Here’s to hoping 2025 rolls out some surprises! 😄
Justin’s Predictions for 2025:
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GameCube classics make their way to the Switch Online service.
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Anticipating a new Mario Kart reveal, ideally with a 2025 launch.
-
Having skipped a new Pokémon release this year, fingers are crossed for Pokémon Legends ZA in 2025, plus teasers for future entries.
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A new Kirby game looms, maybe a port, but hopes remain high for a sequel to Forgotten Land.
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On the topic of Switch 2: its announcement and release are etched for this year, perhaps named “Nintendo Switch 2” for clarity.
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Our first 3D Mario for the new system is due.
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Continued sales of the original Switch alongside its new sibling.
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Backwards compatibility is central again, a digital account setup fit for today.
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Expecting notable 3rd party franchise announcements for Switch 2, possibly those absent from the current Switch lineup.
- Predicting a $399 launch price for the Switch 2.
Contextual Pricing:
- GameCube: $199
- Wii: $249
- Wii U: $299 (Deluxe at $349)
- Switch: $299
- Switch OLED: $349
Wild Cards:
-
Possible Zelda announcement for Switch 2’s debut—consider Twilight Princess HD and/or Wind Waker HD ports.
- A resurrected Wave Race title could surface.
Trev’s Predictions for 2025:
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The Nintendo Switch setting records as the first console to hit 160 million sales, overtaking both DS and PS2.
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A movie-themed Nintendo Direct, teasing Super Mario Bros. 2 and/or a Zelda film, raising buzz around star castings.
-
Transitioning away from the original Switch models, with Lite and OLED continuing—but with emphasis on Switch Online bundles.
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Major shift anticipated for Nintendo Switch Online with potential new consoles inclusion or plan merges as the Switch 2 launches.
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Speculation surrounds a pack-in game for the Switch 2, recapturing launch magic of previous generations.
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Expect at least one launch window title for Switch 2 to feature motion controls—love it or hate it.
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Although new hardware is on the horizon, some nostalgic features from older platforms could make a comeback.
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Amiibo aren’t going anywhere—reissues and new series will continue, possibly linked with early Switch 2 titles.
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A shift away from Twitter by many, with hopes pinned on Blue Sky for future gaming dialogues, maybe bolstered by a Nintendo-backed return.
- Despite the introduction of Switch 2, sizable support for existing Switch titles persists.
Wild Cards:
-
Though unlikely, 2025 could see Nintendo step into first-party sports sims once more. I’ll take the gamble and say yes.
- Celebrating milestone anniversaries, we might see a revival of multiplayer Zelda adventures.
What are your thoughts for 2025? Share your predictions with us in the comments!
