As the gaming industry looks ahead to another pivotal year, Nintendo fans and analysts alike are eager to anticipate what lies in store for one of video gaming’s most innovative companies.
Following a landmark 2024 that delivered surprising announcements and updates to beloved franchises, speculation is rife for what 2025 may bring.
Drawing on insights and predictions from seasoned Pure Nintendo contributors Justin and Trev, this article outlines verified highlights and key predictions for Nintendo, especially focusing on the hotly anticipated Switch successor and major franchise developments. Reflecting Back: 2024’s Major Nintendo Developments While 2024 saw its share of exciting Nintendo Direct presentations and game releases, many anticipated milestones were still left on the horizon.
Notably, Nintendo officially confirmed that Switch games will be compatible with the upcoming Switch successor, marking a significant step toward digital continuity for Nintendo fans.
Third-party support remained steady, and the F-Zero series received renewed attention thanks to substantial updates to F-Zero 99 on Nintendo Switch Online—a move many hope sets the stage for a new series installment. Additionally, 2024 was noteworthy for the launch of Pokémon TCG Pocket, as well as expanded perks for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers, including the introduction of a free Nintendo Music app.
These developments, coupled with record-breaking Switch hardware and software sales—with 97 games reaching the million-seller mark as per Wikipedia—underscore the enduring appeal and commercial strength of the platform. 2025 Predictions: Hardware, Software, and Service Enhancements Looking to 2025, Justin forecasts that Nintendo will announce and release the much-anticipated Switch 2.
This next-generation hardware is expected to drive forward compatibility, with all current Switch titles playable from day one, as previously confirmed by Nintendo management.
The Switch successor may revert to straightforward branding as “Nintendo Switch 2” to ensure clarity for the market.
With previous Nintendo console launches ranging from $199 (GameCube) to $349 (Switch OLED), Justin anticipates a competitive launch price of $399. On the software front, major franchise activity is predicted.
Key highlights include: - Announcement of GameCube titles arriving on Nintendo Switch Online, integrating deeper legacy content for subscribers. - Reveal (or launch) of a new Mario Kart game—the first core entry since the resounding success of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. - A new Kirby installment, potentially building on the innovative gameplay of Kirby and the Forgotten Land, or a remaster of earlier classics. - News regarding Pokémon Legends: Z-A, with the possibility of additional titles teased during Nintendo Direct events. - Announcements tied to other cherished IPs, such as the Zelda series—with hopes for Twilight Princess HD or Wind Waker HD making their way to the Switch family. Meanwhile, Trev’s predictions extend beyond software, envisioning the Nintendo Switch surpassing 160 million unit sales, thus setting a new industry benchmark above both the Nintendo DS and PlayStation 2 lifetime records.
Trev also expects Nintendo to streamline the hardware lineup, potentially discontinuing original Switch models in favor of Switch Lite and OLED variants via bundled offers with Nintendo Switch Online incentives.
The arrival of new amiibo figures and further legacy game ports—including Metroid Prime 2 and Super Mario Galaxy 2—may enrich content options amid support for both existing and next-gen hardware. A notable trend among these predictions is Nintendo’s focus on community engagement and digital services, exemplified by ongoing updates to Switch Online, the launch of free apps, and embracing new social platforms like Bluesky as the industry moves beyond traditional social media. Conclusion As Nintendo prepares to usher in its next chapter in 2025, expectations remain high for both hardware innovation and flagship software announcements.
With strong third-party partnerships, enduring first-party franchises, and a commitment to backward compatibility, the company is poised to maintain its legacy of redefining interactive entertainment.
For ongoing coverage on Nintendo Direct announcements, Switch eShop developments, and exclusive predictions from industry experts, stay tuned to platforms like Pure Nintendo.
Following a landmark 2024 that delivered surprising announcements and updates to beloved franchises, speculation is rife for what 2025 may bring.
Drawing on insights and predictions from seasoned Pure Nintendo contributors Justin and Trev, this article outlines verified highlights and key predictions for Nintendo, especially focusing on the hotly anticipated Switch successor and major franchise developments. Reflecting Back: 2024’s Major Nintendo Developments While 2024 saw its share of exciting Nintendo Direct presentations and game releases, many anticipated milestones were still left on the horizon.
Notably, Nintendo officially confirmed that Switch games will be compatible with the upcoming Switch successor, marking a significant step toward digital continuity for Nintendo fans.
Third-party support remained steady, and the F-Zero series received renewed attention thanks to substantial updates to F-Zero 99 on Nintendo Switch Online—a move many hope sets the stage for a new series installment. Additionally, 2024 was noteworthy for the launch of Pokémon TCG Pocket, as well as expanded perks for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers, including the introduction of a free Nintendo Music app.
These developments, coupled with record-breaking Switch hardware and software sales—with 97 games reaching the million-seller mark as per Wikipedia—underscore the enduring appeal and commercial strength of the platform. 2025 Predictions: Hardware, Software, and Service Enhancements Looking to 2025, Justin forecasts that Nintendo will announce and release the much-anticipated Switch 2.
This next-generation hardware is expected to drive forward compatibility, with all current Switch titles playable from day one, as previously confirmed by Nintendo management.
The Switch successor may revert to straightforward branding as “Nintendo Switch 2” to ensure clarity for the market.
With previous Nintendo console launches ranging from $199 (GameCube) to $349 (Switch OLED), Justin anticipates a competitive launch price of $399. On the software front, major franchise activity is predicted.
Key highlights include: - Announcement of GameCube titles arriving on Nintendo Switch Online, integrating deeper legacy content for subscribers. - Reveal (or launch) of a new Mario Kart game—the first core entry since the resounding success of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. - A new Kirby installment, potentially building on the innovative gameplay of Kirby and the Forgotten Land, or a remaster of earlier classics. - News regarding Pokémon Legends: Z-A, with the possibility of additional titles teased during Nintendo Direct events. - Announcements tied to other cherished IPs, such as the Zelda series—with hopes for Twilight Princess HD or Wind Waker HD making their way to the Switch family. Meanwhile, Trev’s predictions extend beyond software, envisioning the Nintendo Switch surpassing 160 million unit sales, thus setting a new industry benchmark above both the Nintendo DS and PlayStation 2 lifetime records.
Trev also expects Nintendo to streamline the hardware lineup, potentially discontinuing original Switch models in favor of Switch Lite and OLED variants via bundled offers with Nintendo Switch Online incentives.
The arrival of new amiibo figures and further legacy game ports—including Metroid Prime 2 and Super Mario Galaxy 2—may enrich content options amid support for both existing and next-gen hardware. A notable trend among these predictions is Nintendo’s focus on community engagement and digital services, exemplified by ongoing updates to Switch Online, the launch of free apps, and embracing new social platforms like Bluesky as the industry moves beyond traditional social media. Conclusion As Nintendo prepares to usher in its next chapter in 2025, expectations remain high for both hardware innovation and flagship software announcements.
With strong third-party partnerships, enduring first-party franchises, and a commitment to backward compatibility, the company is poised to maintain its legacy of redefining interactive entertainment.
For ongoing coverage on Nintendo Direct announcements, Switch eShop developments, and exclusive predictions from industry experts, stay tuned to platforms like Pure Nintendo.
