Nintendo 2025 Forecast: What’s on the Horizon?

As the new year rolls in, it’s that exciting time again for our annual Nintendo predictions! Get your creative juices flowing and join us as we speculate on Nintendo’s next moves.

Curious to see how we fared last year? Check out last year’s predictions!

For Justin in 2024:

Could it be? Metroid Prime 4 might finally make its grand reappearance, showcasing the capabilities of the Switch’s successor.

Partial points there—we got a trailer, but still waiting for it to be a flagship game on the Switch successor. Fingers crossed for 2025!

The Pokémon Company was supposed to announce Black/White remakes during Pokémon Presents on Pokémon Day.

Nope, that didn’t happen.

I was hopeful the Switch successor would debut and launch this year with a name like ‘Switch Nitro’ indicating a significant power upgrade.

Didn’t happen, unfortunately.

A new 3D Mario was expected, possibly launching with the new system.

Nope, didn’t see that one either.

I guessed Metroid Prime 2 might get a remaster announcement, maybe even MP3 later.

Nope, struck out on that.

The F-Zero series was anticipated to get more attention in 2024.

Absolutely! While there wasn’t a new game or a remaster of F-Zero GX, we did get significant updates to F-Zero 99 and some love from Nintendo Switch Online. Perhaps setting the stage for something grander in 2025!

Wind Waker HD and Twilight Princess HD ports for the Switch were on my list.

Sadly, not this year.

Whether the original Switch will still be sold alongside its successor remains unknown.

Backwards compatibility as a main selling point for the new system was a given, with all Switch games playable from day one, part of Nintendo’s evolving digital account strategy.

Yes! This was actually confirmed by Nintendo.

We’ve seen growth with third-party support on the Switch, and I predicted a major franchise will finally join this successor platform.

Uncertain as of now.

Wild Cards (2 points each)

I thought we’d finally see a new Donkey Kong game announcement, especially with the new system release and the DK section at Super Nintendo World in Japan.

Nothing yet, except for an HD port, but I wasn’t counting that. Fingers crossed for a brand new DK game soon!

Predicted new Mario Kart game announcement.

Nope, not this year.

Justin’s score: 2.5 points.

For Trev in 2024:

Despite not being a mobile app enthusiast, I predicted a new Nintendo mobile offering for 2024.

Absolutely, with the release of Pokémon TCG Pocket!

I speculated on a new entry for the Dr. Mario puzzle series, not just a port or download-only title.

Unfortunately, this didn’t become a reality.

Rumors suggested Tomodachi Life, a best-selling 3DS game, would come to Switch for its 10th anniversary.

Didn’t happen.

I held onto the hope that a Link Between Worlds HD update using Link’s Awakening HD engine would happen, albeit my initial prediction dating back to 2020, involving the Oracle games.

Partial points here, as the engine was used but on a new game, Echoes of Wisdom, instead.

I anticipated that Nintendo might offer something substantial to draw in new or returning Switch Online subscribers, beyond mere game trials or sporadic older game releases.

Alas, no such thing materialized.

I finally ventured to predict a Switch follow-up announcement in 2024.

And indeed, Nintendo confirmed it, although it’s yet to be released.

If true, I thought Metroid Prime 4 footage might finally be showcased.

We did see MP4, but still unclear if it’s a launch game.

If a new console won’t appear until 2025, Nintendo might aim to keep selling various Switch models with a combination of budget ports and price cuts, potentially launching a Nintendo Select line of best sellers.

Nope, just more bundles from Nintendo.

I wondered which new games would join the impressive list of over 80 Switch titles exceeding 1 million sales, and if the list might even hit the triple-digit milestone this year.

Yes, we reached 97 titles! Not quite triple digits, but impressive nonetheless.

I hoped for amiibo related to the unique characters from Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door on its Switch release.

Nope, didn’t see that one either.

Wild Cards (2 points each)

Skylanders’ return was another hope, perhaps resonating most with Nintendo fans thanks to the hardware’s legacy.

Unfortunately, no luck there.

As Twitter saw departure, I foresaw Pure Nintendo finding a new audience on Blue Sky social app.

Absolutely! You can find us on Bluesky–Pure Nintendo there.

Trev’s score: 5.5 points.

Trev edged out the victory this year, with Nintendo holding off on the Switch 2 announcement for now. Here’s hoping for some big news in 2025!

Justin’s 2025 Predictions:

• GameCube games introduced for Nintendo Switch Online.
• Announcement of a new Mario Kart, hopefully looking at a 2025 release.
• Pokémon Legends ZA might fill the void of a Pokémon game in 2024, possibly hinting another new title.
• A new Kirby game on the horizon—whether a port or a new sequel to Forgotten Land.
• The expectation remains for a Switch successor announcement and release, perhaps simply named Nintendo Switch 2.
• A new 3D Mario aligns for a launch with the new system.
• The original Switch might continue sales alongside its successor.
• Maintaining backward compatibility will again be a pivotal selling point for the new console.
• Progress with third-party support to promise new, major franchises joining the new system.
• Predicting a Switch 2 launch price of $399.

Wild Cards:

• Could there be a Zelda game for the Switch 2’s first year, potentially the long-rumored Twilight Princess HD or Wind Waker HD ports?
• A new Wave Race could surface.

Trev’s 2025 Predictions:

• The Nintendo Switch could surpass 160 million in sales, outperforming the DS and PS2.
• A movie-themed Direct for movies like Super Mario Bros. 2 and/or Zelda could launch, sparking much conversation.

• Anticipating the original Switch discontinuation, leaving Lite and OLED models, accompanied by bundles and promotional pushes.

• Expect significant changes with Nintendo Switch Online, timed with new hardware’s arrival.
• The Switch 2 may launch with a pack-in game—a potential Mario, family game, or something showcasing the new hardware’s unique features.
• Motion controls might make a comeback in a launch window title, drawing mixed reactions.
• Some older hardware features, e.g., Nintendo Badge Arcade or Wii channels, owing to nostalgia from Nintendo Music’s resurgence.
• With new hardware, amiibo will see releases tied to launch games.
• More in the gaming industry may migrate from Twitter to Bluesky.

Wild Cards:

• Will Nintendo dive back into traditional sports games, echoing past collaborations with stars like Ken Griffey Jr. and Kobe Bryant?
• A decade since Tri Force Heroes and twenty since Four Swords Adventures, could multiplayer Zelda variants emerge?

What about your predictions for 2025? Feel free to share them in the comments!