FromThe Legend of ZeldaandMariotoStar FoxandAnimal Crossing, Nintendo has published and directly developed a huge number of phenomenal game series, many of which ended up getting new entries and sequels on theNintendo Switch. However, while some of these series are still receiving new games, many have been left dormant for far too long, including several that fans absolutely adore.
Fortunately,the Switch 2 presents the perfect opportunity for Nintendo to release sequels for some of its most deserving games. Plenty of these could end up beingfirst-party Switch 2 launch titlesor may be released later on in the console’s lifespan. However, regardless of when they release, it is absolutely time that these iconic series - and a handful of more obscure games - finally get the sequels they deserve.
10The Stretchers (Tarsier Studios)
A Fun Co-Op Indie That Needs A More Ambitious Sequel
During the Nintendo Switch’s extremely long lifespan, Nintendo published a handful of lesser-known and more experimental co-op games. One of these titles wasThe Stretchers,a wacky, physics-based co-op game developed by Tarsier Studios no less, which served as Nintendo’s answer to similar games likeMoving OutandOvercooked. It’s an incredibly fun game, one that sees players set out across a small open world in search for people to rescue or items to gather via their handy stretcher.
Tarsier Studios is a surprising choice to developThe Stretchersas its previous games include the incredibly surreal and absolutely horrifying co-op series,Little Nightmares. However, despite the fact thatThe Stretchersoften feels like the antithesis toLittle Nightmares, Tarsier Studios did a phenomenal job.
The Stretchersmay not be everyone’s first thought when it comes to Nintendo properties that deserve sequels, but it is actually one of thebest Switch exclusivesthanks to its blend ofCrazy Taxi-esque open-world exploration and ridiculously over-the-top fun co-op gameplay.A bigger and bolder sequel that allows Tarsier Studios to implement more ambitious ideas would go a long way to makingThe Stretchersa household nameon the Switch 2.
9Good Job! (Paladin Studios)
A Short Puzzle Game That Should Get More Recognition
Good Job!was another of Nintendo’s experiments during the Switch era. Much likeThe Stretchers,it aimed to capitalize on the growing popularity of games likeMoving OutandOvercookedby combining physics-based tomfoolery with puzzles. Players could either play alone or with a friend as they attempted to find creative solutions to office-based tasks, such as replacing a projector or cleaning up goo.
Good Job!is agreat Switch puzzle game, although interestingly, it never garnered the cult following it definitely deserves.It was great to see Nintendo branch out and start new IPs within the cooperative puzzle space, and that should absolutely continue on the Switch 2. A sequel toGood Job!would not only have a strong foundation to build from but would also allow Nintendo to test the waters and see if players are interested in similar games on the Switch 2.
8Advance Wars (Intelligent Systems)
It Only Got A Remake On Switch
Advance Warswas Intelligent Systems' modern twist on its perfectedFire Emblemformula. It got two games on the Game Boy Advance, both of which were phenomenal strategy games, and later got two games on the Nintendo DS, with the last one launching in 2008. Since then,the series has remained entirely dormant, with only asomewhat competent remakeof the first two games launching for the Switch.
It is surprising that this series never got the same love thatFire Emblemreceived, despite largely following the same formula and coming from the same developer.Advance Warsdeserves a second chance, especially considering just how many games inspired by it have launched on the Nintendo Switch. There’s clearly a desire for moreAdvance Wars, it’s just up to Nintendo to give players the official version.
7Fire Emblem: Three Houses (Intelligent Systems/Koei Tecmo)
One Of The Best Entries In The Franchise’s History
One of thegreatest Nintendo Switch strategy gamesever made - and arguably one of the best strategy games generally - isFire Emblem: Three Houses. Offering players three alternative paths to choose from, each of which leads to completely different outcomes, a genuinely satisfying life sim experience unlike any other, and a refinement of the coreFire Emblemformula,Three Housestruly is one of the best entries in the entire series.
There have been moreFire Emblemgames since, including the not-as-goodFire Emblem Engage, which prioritized the series' combat over the more mature storytelling and life sim elements ofThree Houses. WhileThree Housescan’t really get a direct sequel due to how the events of the main game play out,it could get a spiritual successor on the Switch 2 which carries over its best ideas, or could even be set within the same world. Either way, it is about time Intelligent Systems returned to its winning formula for aThree Housessequel.
6Astral Chain (Platinum Games)
A Unique Action Game That Would Benefit From A Bigger Sequel
Astral Chainwas an ambitious new IP from PlatinumGames, the very talented folks behind theBayonettaseries. Rather thanBayonetta’smore fantasy focus,Astral Chaintold a rich sci-fi story set within a jaw-dropping cyberpunk world. With a sizable city to explore and a series of fantastic missions, there was a lot on offer inAstral Chainoutside of its unique combat mechanics.
Astral Chainwas really only hampered by the limitations of the Nintendo Switch, as its story was spread too thin, and its areas often felt too constrained. A sequel on themore powerful Switch 2would be freed from these limitations and likely benefit from an established fanbase. It could further flesh out the game’s unique world and build upon the combat and exploration foundations laid by its predecessor.There’s so much potential when it comes to anAstral Chainsequel, and the Switch 2 could absolutely help realize it.
5EarthBound (Ape Inc./HAL Laboratory)
One Of The Most Requested Nintendo Sequels
TheEarthBoundseries - known asMotherin Japan - has an enormous cult following across the worldthanks to its unique blend of RPG mechanics, cozy setting, mature themes, and excellent storytelling. The third entry in particular,Mother 3, a game that was never localized outside of Japan, has amassed an enormous fanbase even in the West and has gone on to inspire a lot of groundbreaking indie games, includingOmoriandUndertale.
With both Ness and Lucas being a huge part of theSmash Bros.series, it is strange that Nintendo has never released a new entry in the series or finally localizedMother 3for its Western audience.There is so much potential for a newEarthBoundgame especially, and the Switch 2 feels like the perfect place for it. With Nintendo promoting more and more indie RPGs, it only feels right that it brings back the series that inspired so many of them.
4Star Fox (Nintendo)
It Has Been Too Long Since The Last Game
Star Foxis one of Nintendo’s most beloved franchises, and yet it has so few entries. The last game in the series wasStar Fox Zero, which, unfortunately, went on to be critically panned and is likely responsible for the lack of a genuineStar Foxgame on the Nintendo Switch. However,considering just how beloved and iconic the series is, it is a little perplexing that Nintendo has neglected it for so long.
Star Foxmissions featuring the series' cast were included in the Switch version of Ubisoft’s open-world space sim,Starlink: Battle For Atlas. This is the closest fans got to aStar Foxgame on the Nintendo Switch.
Considering the Switch 2’s improved power and lack of limitations, a bolder entry in the series would absolutely be possible.It offers Nintendo the perfect opportunity to revamp the series and introduce it to a whole new audience, while still entertaining hardcore fans. It would be a shame to see theStar Foxseries languish for yet another console generation, especially when there’s so much potential for it to work in a handheld format.
3Pokémon Stadium (HAL Laboratory)
An Excellent Take On The Fighting Genre
There have been so manyPokémonspin-offs that attempt to take the mainline series' formula and make it work in another genre altogether. FromPokémon Mystery DungeonandPokémon ConquesttoPokémon RangerandPokémon Snap, these spin-offs have all largely been successful, although they rarely got a sequel. However,perhaps one of the better-known spin-offs is the incredible fighting game,Pokémon Stadium.
This N64 gem perfectly distilled the turn-based combat of the series into bite-sized battlesthat players could have against the AI or each other. It did get a sequel,Pokémon Stadium 2, which introduced a whole new generation of Pokémon but then ended there. It would be great to get anewPokémon Stadiumgamefor the Nintendo Switch 2 that includes every Gen, making it the most comprehensivePokémonfighting game of all time.
2Pokémon Colosseum (Genius Sonority)
It Took Pokémon In A Whole New Direction
Pokémon Colosseumwas hailed as being the first 3DPokémonRPG and praised by critics thanks to its mature narrative, gorgeous visuals, and engaging turn-based combat. It felt more akin to a JRPG than anyPokémongame before it, withits greater focus on narrative over simply catching them all making it stand out from the mainline games. ThePokémonseries has evolved since its initial release date, including full 3D entries in the mainline series, but there’s a lot thatColosseumoffered that it is still missing.
This is why it would be great to get a full-blown sequel toPokémon Colosseumon the Nintendo Switch 2. Of course,Colosseumdid get a sequel of sorts calledPokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, although it was criticized heavily for reusing a lot ofColosseum’sassets and areas.Fans deserve a true sequel, one that lives up to the expectations set by the first game, and gives those who’ve been wanting a more story-drivenPokémongame the experience they’ve always wanted.
1Super Mario Odyssey (Nintendo)
One Of The Best 3D Mario Games Of All Time
ASuper Mario Odysseysequel feels like a no-brainer on the Nintendo Switch 2, especially considering how popular the first game was when it launched in 2017. It is one of the greatest 3DMariogames of all time, and, surprisingly, the last new 3DMariogame - outside theBowser’s Furyexpansion created for the re-release ofSuper Mario 3D World. It is finally time for Nintendo to giveMariofans what they’ve wanted for over eight years.
Mario Odyssey 2 Can Bring Back The Mario Anime’s Weirdest Character
Super Mario Odyssey brought back forgotten elements of Mario’s past with New Donk City, and a sequel could dive deeper with the anime’s dog Kibidango.
Of course, it would also be great to finally getSuper Mario Galaxy 3orSuper Mario Sunshine 2, as fans have been clamoring for those sequels for even longer. However, if the Switch 2 was going to get a new entry in just one of theseSuper Marioseries, then it should definitely beOdyssey.Super Mario Odysseywas a groundbreaking title for both the franchise as a whole and the platforming genre, so it would be great to see how the improved capabilities of theNintendo Switch 2could help make a sequel even more revolutionary.
