As the calendar turns to January 2026, Nintendo Switch players find themselves at the start of a new year with a fresh slate of gaming opportunities.
Following a quieter holiday release window, the Nintendo community is taking this time to revisit backlog favorites and look ahead to some highly anticipated titles set to define the year.
With few major launches in early January, players are engaging in discussions about their recent play sessions and sharing excitement about the upcoming 2026 lineup on both Nintendo Switch and the anticipated successor hardware, often referred to in the community as Switch 2. A recent community topic invited gamers to reveal which Nintendo Switch games they are currently enjoying and which upcoming releases have captured their attention.
The responses reveal a vibrant mix of titles, from classic franchises to brand-new experiences ready to hit the eShop and retail shelves in the coming months. One participant, Stephen Yap, highlighted their anticipation for "LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight." Describing it as a promising combination that merges the charm of the LEGO series with the iconic Batman franchise, the upcoming game was praised for potentially building on the success achieved by LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga.
Stephen also mentioned interest in "Starsand Island," describing it as a cozy adventure with a standout art style.
When focusing solely on Nintendo-published releases, Stephen expressed eagerness for "Mario Tennis Fever," noting their enjoyment of "Mario Tennis Aces" and enthusiasm for the direction of the series’ next entry.
Stephen tempered expectations for "Yoshi and the Mysterious Book," reflecting on past experiences with the franchise and expressing cautious optimism for its release. Another community voice echoed the perennial popularity of Nintendo’s mascot-based games with a succinct affirmation: "I see Yoshi, I consume," succinctly capturing the enduring fan devotion to the Yoshi franchise. James Fox contributed a diverse personal list of most anticipated titles, bridging first-party Nintendo games and third-party releases for both Nintendo Switch and future hardware.
His lineup included "Order Up!" for Switch 2, "Bluey’s Quest For The Gold Pen," the rhythm-based "Rhythm Heaven Groove," and the much-loved simulation "Tomodachi Life: Living The Dream." Locky Mavo shared that, while not many titles are currently standing out, there’s interest in the upcoming Capcom adventure "Pragmata" and the next entry in Capcom’s survival horror series, "Resident Evil 9." They also touched on wider industry buzz regarding "Monster Hunter Wilds" and excitement for further details on "Dragon’s Dogma 2" and FromSoftware’s "Elden Ring" sequel, now known as "The Duskbloods." Locky expressed hope for additional Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (often abbreviated MKW) downloadable content, including Donkey Kong-focused expansions, and anticipated broader third-party support as multiple Nintendo franchises celebrate milestone anniversaries in 2026. These discussions signal a healthy demand for both innovative ideas and nostalgic experiences among Nintendo Switch players, with enthusiastic support for upcoming releases spanning genres and publishers.
As new titles are announced and more information is shared via future Nintendo Direct broadcasts, the community’s excitement continues to build.
For now, the Nintendo Switch and its expansive library remain central to players’ gaming routines in early 2026.
Following a quieter holiday release window, the Nintendo community is taking this time to revisit backlog favorites and look ahead to some highly anticipated titles set to define the year.
With few major launches in early January, players are engaging in discussions about their recent play sessions and sharing excitement about the upcoming 2026 lineup on both Nintendo Switch and the anticipated successor hardware, often referred to in the community as Switch 2. A recent community topic invited gamers to reveal which Nintendo Switch games they are currently enjoying and which upcoming releases have captured their attention.
The responses reveal a vibrant mix of titles, from classic franchises to brand-new experiences ready to hit the eShop and retail shelves in the coming months. One participant, Stephen Yap, highlighted their anticipation for "LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight." Describing it as a promising combination that merges the charm of the LEGO series with the iconic Batman franchise, the upcoming game was praised for potentially building on the success achieved by LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga.
Stephen also mentioned interest in "Starsand Island," describing it as a cozy adventure with a standout art style.
When focusing solely on Nintendo-published releases, Stephen expressed eagerness for "Mario Tennis Fever," noting their enjoyment of "Mario Tennis Aces" and enthusiasm for the direction of the series’ next entry.
Stephen tempered expectations for "Yoshi and the Mysterious Book," reflecting on past experiences with the franchise and expressing cautious optimism for its release. Another community voice echoed the perennial popularity of Nintendo’s mascot-based games with a succinct affirmation: "I see Yoshi, I consume," succinctly capturing the enduring fan devotion to the Yoshi franchise. James Fox contributed a diverse personal list of most anticipated titles, bridging first-party Nintendo games and third-party releases for both Nintendo Switch and future hardware.
His lineup included "Order Up!" for Switch 2, "Bluey’s Quest For The Gold Pen," the rhythm-based "Rhythm Heaven Groove," and the much-loved simulation "Tomodachi Life: Living The Dream." Locky Mavo shared that, while not many titles are currently standing out, there’s interest in the upcoming Capcom adventure "Pragmata" and the next entry in Capcom’s survival horror series, "Resident Evil 9." They also touched on wider industry buzz regarding "Monster Hunter Wilds" and excitement for further details on "Dragon’s Dogma 2" and FromSoftware’s "Elden Ring" sequel, now known as "The Duskbloods." Locky expressed hope for additional Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (often abbreviated MKW) downloadable content, including Donkey Kong-focused expansions, and anticipated broader third-party support as multiple Nintendo franchises celebrate milestone anniversaries in 2026. These discussions signal a healthy demand for both innovative ideas and nostalgic experiences among Nintendo Switch players, with enthusiastic support for upcoming releases spanning genres and publishers.
As new titles are announced and more information is shared via future Nintendo Direct broadcasts, the community’s excitement continues to build.
For now, the Nintendo Switch and its expansive library remain central to players’ gaming routines in early 2026.
