Nintendo Reconfirms Release Windows For Major Upcoming Switch Games – Nintendo Life

GuestGuestLogin | Sign UpNintendo LifeGuestLogin or Sign Up… and the Switch 2!Nintendo has released its latest financial data covering the third quarter ending 31st December in FY2025 and, as per tradition, the company has reconfirmed release windows for its major upcoming Switch software.It’s slim pickings, all told, but the games on offer here are sure to be absolute bangers. We’ve also got the first instance that the Nintendo Switch 2 has cropped up in Nintendo’s fancy little slide, with the firm reiterating a release at some point in 2025.Hopefully we’ll see some change soon regarding those vague ‘2025’ windows for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Pokémon Legends: Z-A; it’s likely we’ll get a Pokémon Presents on 27th February (Pokémon Day), and rumour has it that a new Nintendo Direct may land in the coming days and weeks. Fingers crossed, folks.So yeah, it’s not a lot, but good lord, are we excited for these games (and hardware!).Nintendo has also confirmed that the Switch has now sold 150.86 million units since its launch, inching toward the Nintendo DS’ lifetime sales of 154.02 million.Probably. Possibly.A 2025 release has been locked inSomething’s waiting in the wingsAre you excited to see the likes of Metroid Prime 4 and Pokémon Legends: Z-A? What about the Switch 2? Let us know with a comment in the usual place.[source nintendo.co.jp]About Ollie ReynoldsNintendo Life’s resident horror fanatic, when he’s not knee-deep in Resident Evil and Silent Hill lore, Ollie likes to dive into a good horror book while nursing a lovely cup of tea. He also enjoys long walks and listens to everything from TOOL to Chuck Berry.Comments 57The only thing that matters at this point is the release of the Switch 2.We all know that those games will be cross platform so it’s difficult to understand why they are holding back the release of the new console.I’m waiting for ARMS 2 on Switch 2. 🥊
The last Legends game was, in my opinion, awful. I’m used to the formula, so I wanna stick to it.I’m waiting for Ring Fit Adventure 2 on Switch 2.I’m excited by all four. Especially the Switch 2 / NS2@drypaphmrbro as someone who has played Pokemon since gen 1 and onwards, I found Legends Arceus to be very refreshing and showed critics that Game Freak can indeed reimagine the formula and that the game showed tons of potential of what the future might bring us. Nowhere near perfect but still fun!Give me Metroid, Nintendo! I’ve been waiting for that game for AGES, I can’t believe it’s so close now.@drypaphmrbro In my opinion, the first Legends game was a breath of fresh air. The shiny hunting mechanics were spot on!@drypaphmrbro You’ll find that you’re opinion is in the vast minority. Scarlet and Violet were more of the formula and were truly awful in ways that can’t even be debated. The series needs to evolve and Legends is the best proof we have that the company is even capable of that.Kinda wild that they would announce Legends Z-A and than not show anything for a whole year.Especially since usually the time between announcement and the actual release for a Pokemon game is shorter than the time between the announcment and the first proper trailer for Z-A.If we’re talking about games that are already announced it has to be Metroid Prime 4 and how can it not be? The game has been in development for almost a decade and it’s my most anticipated game of 2025.Xenoblade Chronicles X I’m also looking forward to playing for the first time ever. While Pokemon Legends Z-A I honestly have zero interest. Pokemon in general for me has been a major let down ever since the 3DS era and the Switch era games for Pokemon were disappointing for me personally.If we’re talking about what I’m most excited for this year it would be the Switch 2.I can confirm I am excited for Metroid Prime 4.Now release a Prime 4 Special Edition Switch 2 please Nintendo.Hopefully we finally get news on upcoming switch games. I have a lot of hope after Arceus that the next pokemon game can top it. Hoping to see Zelda Double pack and Metroid 2,3 well.I’m looking forward to Metroid Prime 4 but I’m more excited about the possibility of a new 2D Metroid. Metroid Dread did quite well, so I think it’s only a matter of time.@Anti-Matter You’ll be waiting.Looking at such a barren release schedule really makes me wonder if we’ll see a Direct before April focused on Switch 1 games. Nintendo typically publish one game a month so it’s looking very light at the moment.It’s really hard to choose between MP4 and XBC:X. I am getting both, obviously. But MP4 is a NEW game, although arguably, both are new for me, haha.Looking forward to all of them – obviously including Switch 2 -, but I’m voting for Legends Z-A considering that Prime is still not exactly my cup of tea due to it being in first person even though I’ve been overall enjoying Remastered and that I have never played not only X, but any Xenoblade Chronicles before (apart from the first one on Wii, but barely so it doesn’t count)!Poll should’ve had an option for “I want all equally” since that’s how I’m feeling.2025 Is going be the year of Nintendo!! Also this just feels like a Nintendo direct somewhere within the 2 weeks XCX remains THE Nintendo release of the year as far as I’m concerned. Perhaps short of a wild XC4 drawing near circa NS2 launch, but “armus might fly next”© if that were to happen.Still feel that these two are duel format releases.Pokémon Legends: Z-A – 2025Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – 2025Metroid, Pokémon, Xenoblade and a new Console in the same year, it may not be a lot but to me it’s one heck of a year as it’s all day one stuff I’m mega looking forward to. Throw in the new Fantasy Life, Hundred Line Last Defence Academy, new Professor Layton and Rune Factory Guardians of Azuma and this year is looking Fantastic.I only care about Switch 2 nothing else mattersI will happily play Metroid on the new Switch 2.XCX is great, played it about 200 hours back in Wii U era. But Prime 4 is where it’s at. I’m ready to play it on old or new platform, which ever gets here first.No Mario Kart (working title) on this list?@PikminMarioKirby Did they just show us a concept video and everyone has presumed it’s new game?Metroid for me, Xenoblade and Pokémon are not my jam. Surely the list will grow with Switch 2 exclusive launch titles (Mario Kart and a 3D Mario, hopefully an Ocarina of Time remake). And those exclusives will have to show the difference in graphical power, MK looked intriguing, but not that far removed from what the current Switch can do. Sure, 24 karts, bigger environments. But I want some eyecandy!@dew12333 I like the idea of it being a concept video. We are obviously going to get a new MK at some point in the future, so there are no real surprises spoiled by showing some early footage. This way the real launch lineup is still kept secret.I feel like “Beyond” is Metroid Prime’s release date rather than its name.@SpaceboyScreams If you’re going to berate me, at least use the right your instance. Here, lemme fix that for you:You’ll find that your opinion is in the vast minority.I so see both Pokemon and Metroid 4 being cross gen games. If so I am getting the switch 2 version of Metroid prime 4.@SpaceboyScreams Technical issues aside Scarlet and Violet are great games that push the franchise in exciting new directions offering unprecedented freedom in a Pokemon experience and I’m excited to see how they build off of that.@Rob3008 There certainly will be, the Switch 1 isn’t going to die the moment Switch 2 comes out, it will still be supported into at least 2026 so I definitely think there’s some more surprises left to really give the console a suitable sendoff!@mariomaster96 I personally believe the only reason they revealed Legends Z-A last year was to reassure fans that while there wouldn’t be a game in 2024 there was still something in the works, hence why we didn’t get any gameplay since it was still too early to show any.Metroid Prime: 4 – Beyond 2025HahahaXenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition. Inject it into my veins.Still surprised that we haven’t had Metroid Prime 2 and 3 remastered dropped ahead of 4 to build anticipation. I loved the remaster of Prime.@Rob3008 I doubt we’ll get another Direct before April unless it’s really small. I imagine the Switch 2 will probably release in June (given they are having events near Tokyo in April) so it won’t be too long.@Anti-Matter Introducing: LEGS! Comes with special shoes to insert joy cons into when in mouse mode.Kick or punch in this all updated sequel.I like the Xenoblade series.Couldn’t care less about the Switch 2, but I need Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, the sole reason I bought a Switch in the first place.All three of these games (and of course, the Switch 2) are extremely exciting, but Legends: Z-A might be the most exciting for me. Arceus was probably the best Pokémon game I’ve ever played, and I’m excited to see how they can improve upon it!Even though I’m getting all three games, I’m most excited for XCX DE. I adore that game so much.For a minute there I thought prime 4 had been delayed by the way it was worded – “Beyond – 2025!” 😂@dew12333 Maybe it’s not actually Mario Kart but rather something else like Nintendo Kart?I am not voting because you don’t let me select two games. I will tell you it’s not Pokemon.Considering how much I enjoyed Pokemon Legends: Arceus when I played it about a year ago, I went with Pokemon Legends: Z-A. As other comments succinctly put it, the game was refreshing after years of the same tired formula. I haven’t played Pokemon Scarlet/Violet yet, but I’ve heard they’re more of the same.Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is a VERY close second though. I enjoyed my revisit to Metroid Prime: Remastered this fall even if I think the Phazon Mines are still horrible. Metroid Prime 4 initially had a vague “2025” release date, and late last year got a “coming soon” label. Not sure if that’s still active or subsequently removed.I don’t take much stock in these reports because they’re meant to be a broad outline of the year, so 2025 could mean next month as much as it could mean September. I would not think beyond September because that really limits sales for the year.Only MP4 is of interest to me of these games mentioned. Of huge interest!I loved what I played of Metroid Prime Remastered so I’m going with the obvious Metroid Prime 4 Beyond pick. Plus we’ve been waiting for the game for 8 years at this point so it’ll be awesome to finally be able to play it.I’m most excited about Prime 4, but Pokémon Legends Arceus brought me back to the franchise so I’m looking forward to what Z-A brings as well. I hope both are cross-gen so they can look and run as good as possible.Want to play what is looking to be an optimal X experience with how much changes and additions it looks like it’s adding. It’s a small list, but all of that is genuinely exciting stuff including you know..,the new system itself.An arrival window estimate of a full year is not much better than a tradie.Give me switch 2… with MP4Also switch is almost within 3 million of reaching DS. God I hope it gets there. 160 mil probs not going to make it, but I would be very interested to see what they say PS2s figures are if things got close#1 for me is definitely Pokemon, followed by Metroid, then Xenoblade. Highly anticipating all three however, especially since I skipped out on the Wii U entirely. (I played my buddy’s Wii U often at their house, so I still have a bit of hands-on experience with it)Well that’s good, at least I know for sure Switch 2 going to be out this year. More than likely for the holiday season. I’ll start looking for one by April 2026.Xenoblade Chronicles X for me, but only because it’s the closest and I loved that game to pieces on Wii U. <3Most excited for Metroid Prime 4… on Switch 2. 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