Nintendo 2025 Forecast: What’s on the Horizon?

Another year has rolled around, signaling the perfect time for our annual Nintendo prediction game! Get ready to dive deep with us as we channel our inner detectives to forecast Nintendo’s next big moves. 🧢🧐

If you’re curious about last year’s predictions and how accurate we were, take a look at last year’s predictions HERE.

For Justin in 2024:

I’ve been waiting impatiently for Metroid Prime 4 to make another grand appearance, hoping it showcases the next-level graphics on the upcoming Switch successor.

• 0.5 point: We did, at last, get treated to a fresh trailer, but as for it being a flagship game for the new console? Not yet. Fingers crossed for 2025!

Regarding Pokémon, I had high hopes that the Pokémon Company would announce Black and White remakes, perhaps during a Pokémon Presents event on Pokémon Day.

• 🚫 Nope

I was really optimistic that Nintendo would both announce and release the Switch successor this year. I pictured a name like Switch Nitro—something catchy that keeps “Switch” in the name while signaling a major upgrade in processing power.

• 🚫 Nope 😭

I thought we’d see a new 3D Mario, possibly launching alongside the new system.

• 🚫 Nope

There seemed a good chance Metroid Prime 2 would get a remaster announcement this year, and maybe even MP3, but I figured the latter might see daylight later.

• 🚫 Nope

I felt that the F-Zero franchise was primed for some attention in 2024.

• ✅ Yep: We didn’t get a new game or an F-Zero GX remaster, but there were some fantastic updates to F-Zero 99, and the series enjoyed some NSO love. Perhaps these are laying the groundwork for bigger things in 2025!

I suspected Wind Waker HD and Twilight Princess HD would see a Switch release in 2024.

• 🚫 Nope

The conjecture was that Nintendo might continue selling the original Switch alongside its newer model.

• 🚫 Nope / we don’t know yet

A major selling point for the new system, I believed, would be its backward compatibility. I hoped all Switch games would carry over and be playable from Day 1, with Nintendo’s first digital account setup allowing complete game migration.

• ✅ Yes: Spot on! This was one of the confirmed details about the new console in 2024.

Nintendo’s progress with third-party support for the Switch was another hopeful continuation. I envisioned a significant franchise finally making its way to the new system—titles like Madden, GTA, Call of Duty, Battlefield, or Far Cry.

• 🚫 Nope / we don’t know yet

Wild Cards (2 points each):

Despite being hopeful last year about a new Donkey Kong game, I felt 2024 might finally deliver, especially with a new DK section opening at Super Nintendo World in Japan.

• 🚫 Nope: We got an HD port announcement, but I’m holding out for a completely new DK adventure. Someday, right?

I guessed the next Mario Kart game announcement was on the horizon.

• 🚫 Nope

That’s 2.5 points for Justin

For Trev in 2024:

Although not usually my cup of tea, I anticipated Nintendo would launch a new mobile app or game in 2024. Speaking of…

• ✅ Yes: Pokémon TCG Pocket

I predicted a revival of Dr. Mario’s puzzle series with a fresh, full-fledged entry, distinct from its predecessors like Online RX, Miracle Cure, or Express.

• 🚫 Nope 😭

A rumor swirling about a trademark filing gave me hope that Tomodachi Life would make a comeback on the Switch.

• 🚫 Nope

Last year, I’d banked on A Link Between Worlds receiving an HD update for its 10th anniversary. It didn’t pan out, but I believed the Oracle games might get the remake treatment, using the Link’s Awakening HD engine.

• 0.5 point: The engine found its use once more, albeit in a new game, Echoes of Wisdom, instead of the Oracle games.

Nintendo would need something substantial to draw in new or former Switch Online users, offering more than game trials or sporadic classic game releases. Perhaps new, free content?

• 🚫 Nope

A Switch follow-up announcement was something I’d steered clear of predicting, despite the rumors. But now, I declared it, though release wasn’t a requisite for 2024.

• ✅ Yes: Confirmed by Nintendo but still not released.

If the new console/system/hybrid isn’t out until 2025, I figured Nintendo would want to keep the various Switch models flying off the shelves with a mix of budget ports, price cuts, and a Nintendo Select line of bestsellers.

• 🚫 Nope, just more bundles from Nintendo again.

Looking at bestsellers, the Switch (at the time of writing) boasted over 80 games that sold more than a million copies. I wondered what new titles might join them and if the million-seller list could reach triple digits. Maybe not in 2024, but a few new additions were certainly expected.

• ✅ Yes: Not quite hitting triple digits, but we arrived at 97 games according to Wikipedia.

On the amiibo front, I guessed the unique characters in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door might inspire some amiibo releases.

• 🚫 Nope

Wild Cards (2 points each):

Skylanders seemed primed for a return in some way, and given its history with Nintendo hardware, I thought the new release might find high popularity with Nintendo fans. Just don’t get carried away, Activision!

• 🚫 Nope

As more people left Twitter, Pure Nintendo had the opportunity to discover a new audience on the Blue Sky social app.

• ✅ Yes: Check us out on Blue Sky – Pure Nintendo on Bluesky.

That’s 5.5 points for Trev

Trev edged out the victory this year as Nintendo chose to delay the Switch 2. Here’s hoping 2025 is finally the year! 😄

Justin’s Predictions:

1. GameCube titles will be announced for the Nintendo Switch Online service.
2. A new Mario Kart game announcement for 2025 with hopes of a release too.
3. 2024 was unusual for its lack of a new Pokémon game (not counting Pokémon TCG Pocket, which I enjoyed). I’m betting on the release of Pokémon Legends ZA in 2025, with perhaps a teaser for another Pokémon title.
4. A new Kirby game seems likely this year. It could be a port, but fingers crossed for a sequel to Forgotten Land.
5. (Switch 2 related – Carryover from 2024) – The successor to the Switch will be announced AND released this year. My bet? It’s called simply Nintendo Switch 2 for clarity’s sake.
6. (Switch 2 related – Carryover from 2024) – The anticipation for a new 3D Mario lingers, expected to launch with the new system.
7. (Switch 2 related – Carryover from 2024) – The original Switch will still be sold alongside the new model.
8. (Switch 2 related – Carryover from 2024) – Backward compatibility will be key, allowing all Switch games to migrate and be playable from Day 1. This might mark Nintendo’s first full crossover digital account setup.
9. (Switch 2 related – Carryover from 2024) – Nintendo made significant strides in third-party support with the Switch, and I think it will persist. In fact, I foresee a major franchise announcement for the successor—a franchise that the Switch missed out on (think Madden, GTA, Call of Duty, Battlefield, Far Cry).
10. (Switch 2 related) – I think the Switch 2 will launch at $399.

For clarity:

• GameCube launch price: $199
• Wii launch price: $249
• Wii U launch price: $299 (deluxe version at $349)
• Switch launch price: $299
• Switch OLED launch price: $349

Wild Cards*:

• It hasn’t been long since a Zelda game, yet I feel Nintendo will announce another for the Switch 2’s debut year, possibly the often-rumored Twilight Princess HD and/or Wind Waker HD ports.
• A new Wave Race announcement feels imminent.

Trev’s Predictions:

1. The Nintendo Switch will become the first console to reach 160 million sales, surpassing both the DS and PS2. Will Jim Ryan adjust the PS2’s numbers yet again, claiming it hit 170 million?
2. Expect a movie-themed Direct featuring the upcoming Super Mario Bros. 2 and/or Zelda films. The voice cast will spark conversation, with Mario likely voiced by Chris Pratt, while Link may remain unvoiced.
3. My guess is that Nintendo will cease producing the original Switch models, leaving just the Lite and OLED available in stores. We’ll probably see bundles promoting Switch Online alongside enticing free offers.
4. Nintendo Switch Online will likely undergo significant changes. Whether by adding new consoles like the GameCube, altering the price structure, or merging plans, expect shifts alongside new hardware introduction.
5. Speaking of new hardware, Switch 2 (or whatever it’s eventually called) will launch with a pack-in game, a feature its predecessor lacked. Could it be a Mario game like with the SNES? Or perhaps a family-oriented game like the Wii, or one showcasing the unique hardware features, reminiscent of the Wii U?
6. At least one launch window title for the new system is likely to integrate motion controls, stirring either admiration or disdain depending on one’s perspective.
7. Despite the introduction of a new console in 2025, some older hardware features might make a return. Think Nintendo Badge Arcade or some of the Wii channels (now in the spotlight thanks to Nintendo Music).
8. Popular amiibo are slated for re-releases, with new ones possibly debuting alongside at least one launch window game.
9. With significant figures shifting away from Twitter toward Bluesky, perhaps Nintendo will reintroduce screen-sharing integration.
10. Even with new hardware, Nintendo will still support the Switch. Look forward to major updates for some well-loved games (including fee-based DLC updates) and ports of older hits (like Metroid Prime 2 & 3, Super Mario Galaxy 2, etc.).

Wild Cards*:

• Though not known for traditional sports games lately, Nintendo once collaborated with stars like Ken Griffey Jr. and Kobe Bryant. Could 2025 bring a first-party sports sim? A long shot, maybe, but I’ll wager yes.
• 2025 marks a decade since Tri Force Heroes and two since Four Swords Adventures. I predict some multiplayer Zelda love will surface in one form or another.

Wild Cards are worth 2 points

What are your predictions for 2025? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!