Dormant Nintendo Franchises Ripe for Revival on Nintendo Switch 2

Nintendo has built a legacy on iconic intellectual properties that have shaped the gaming landscape for generations.

While series like Mario and Zelda remain ever-present on the Nintendo Switch, several once-beloved franchises have been conspicuously absent from new releases.

In recent years, however, the Japanese gaming giant has shown its willingness to resurrect dormant titles, as seen with Clubhouse Games, New Pokémon Snap, Big Brain Academy, Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp, and most recently, the startling reveal of Emio – The Smiling Man.

As industry eyes turn toward the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, the possibility of reviving classic Nintendo franchises has become a topic of intense interest among fans and analysts alike. Historically, Nintendo’s approach has been to prioritize blockbuster titles in the launch window of new hardware, before expanding into more niche and legacy properties as the console matures.

Notably, the company has acknowledged the challenge of rising development costs, reiterating its confidence in delivering compelling experiences—even on shorter development cycles.

This strategy has led to a renewed appreciation of mid-tier and classic Nintendo IPs in recent years. A notable absence from the Nintendo Switch era has been the Star Fox franchise.

While Fox McCloud and his team appeared as guest stars in Ubisoft's 'Starlink: Battle for Atlas,' Star Fox has not received a dedicated game since 'Star Fox Zero' launched on Wii U in 2015.

Both 'Star Fox Zero' and 'Star Fox 64 3D' were reimaginings of earlier titles, meaning the series hasn't advanced its narrative since 2006.

With the on-rails shooter genre underrepresented in Nintendo’s current catalog, a fully realized Star Fox entry on Nintendo Switch 2 would fill a distinct gameplay niche. Similarly, Golden Sun, developed by Camelot Software Planning, has remained dormant for over a decade, with its last installment, 'Golden Sun: Dark Dawn,' released on the Nintendo DS.

Despite Camelot’s focus on the Mario sports series—most recently with 'Mario Golf: Super Rush' in 2021—fans continue to rally for a return to Golden Sun’s richly crafted RPG universe.

In an era where RPGs are thriving both critically and commercially, a new or remastered Golden Sun could be well-positioned for a comeback on Switch 2. F-Zero, another legacy franchise, briefly resurfaced with 'F-Zero 99' in 2023, marking its first new entry since 'F-Zero Climax' on Game Boy Advance in 2004.

Although 'F-Zero 99' offered a fresh take with its battle royale spin, many fans are eager for a traditional, high-speed racer.

While several F-Zero titles—including the acclaimed 'F-Zero GX'—are available on Nintendo Switch Online, the series’ future remains uncertain with other racing games like 'Mario Kart World' and 'Kirby Air Riders' already slated for release. Kid Icarus, last seen with 'Kid Icarus: Uprising' on the Nintendo 3DS, is another fan-favorite that could benefit from updated hardware.

Despite critical acclaim, Uprising’s controls have been widely debated.

As director Masahiro Sakurai is committed to other projects, such as 'Kirby Air Riders,' a direct sequel seems unlikely.

However, Nintendo’s collaborations with studios such as Tantalus and Forever Entertainment on HD remasters keep hopes alive for a modern port of this cult classic. The EarthBound series holds a unique place in RPG history, with director Shigesato Itoi reaffirming that no new entries are planned.

Nevertheless, the influence of EarthBound persists in indie hits like 'Undertale' and 'Deltarune,' and a potential remake or enhanced re-release could introduce this storied franchise to a new generation of Nintendo Switch 2 players. Punch-Out!!’s fate appears similarly tied to developer resources.

Next Level Games, responsible for the successful Luigi’s Mansion series, remains occupied, leaving Little Mac and crew on the sidelines.

However, with Luigi’s Mansion selling over 15 million units on Nintendo Switch, appetite for more diverse titles persists amid speculation about future priorities. Meanwhile, Wario Land, absent since 'Wario Land: Shake It!' on the Wii, has seen its quirky platforming elements echo in recent indie games.

Although WarioWare remains active, a new adventure for the treasure-loving anti-hero could offer another engaging platformer for Switch 2. Nintendo’s commitment to reinvigorating classics is evident as new installments of Tomodachi Life and Rhythm Heaven have already been announced.

As for which franchise will make the leap to Switch 2, only Nintendo holds the answer.

For now, excited fans await further developments, eager to see which dormant IP will receive a fresh start in the new generation.

Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch 2 Switch developer Star Fox Golden Sun F-Zero Kid Icarus EarthBound Punch-Out Wario Land Camelot Next Level Games Masahiro Sakurai Tantalus Forever Entertainment Luigi’s Mansion Mario Golf Undertale Deltarune