Nintendo Switch Releases That Need To Happen

Nintendo is on the move right now. 2023 is quickly becoming one of the best years for Switch titles. I already went over ten releases that excited me, but this will be kind of a fun little appendix to the original post. Here are ten releases that Nintendo really should greenlight (and by some of the rumors I’m hearing, some of these might actually happen!)

1) Luigi’s Mansion Remastered

Look, if Nintendo is going to release an updated version of “Luigi’s Mansion 2” (which is long overdue frankly) then I want to see a remaster of the original masterpiece. Think about this for a moment, updated graphics, possibly some new gear/gadgets, maybe even a new epilogue? There are serious possibilities here. Plus I really want to re-play this game.

I think this has a high probability of happening. I say that due to the fact that we’ve already been treated to a complete remaster of “Pikmin” 1 & 2. I think a “Luigi’s Mansion” remaster is going to be surprise released at some point in the next six months.

2) Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards Remaster

Most fans agree, “Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards” was the best Kirby game ever. Nintendo really needs to go back and remaster this game. Update the graphics, maybe add a multiplayer mode, there’s a lot of potential here.

I mention this for a few reasons. Nintendo has already released a remastered version of “Return to Dream Land”, which was an odd move. “Return to Dream Land” was honestly a so-so release, not bad, but not great either. The other thing is, it wasn’t released that long ago either. Yes, putting the focus Magalor was pretty neat, but honestly, remastering “Kirby 64” might legitimately crash the Nintendo e-store.

3) Super Mario Galaxy 3

“Super Mario Galaxy 3” was supposed to have already been out right now. I read Nintendo confirm that “Galaxy 3” is very much in consideration…. End quote. I’m not really sure what to actually make of that. It’s a classic non-denial sort of way to type up fans expectations without actually revealing anything useful. But I’m telling you, this game needs to happen. Badly.

This wouldn’t even be worth mentioning had Nintendo not mentioned this all the way back in 2016, confirming that SMG3 was already in the works. So what happened? “Super Mario Odyssey”, which was certainly a great addition. No question. But this means SMG3 got put on the back burner for all this time. I would project this as happening in the spring of 2024

4) Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door Remaster

This is another entry I want so badly. The very concept of “Paper Mario” might be the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard of. But I have to say “The Thousand Year Door” really makes the cut for me. (No, couldn’t help it. Not sorry either) I played this game probably more than any other growing up. (It was between this and ‘The Wind Waker’ honestly.) It was funny, completely endearing and had SO many different side missions/plots to follow. In my opinion this was the best Mario release ever made. The very concept would translate very well to the Switch architecture.

5) Donkey Kong Country Remaster

For the life of me I truly don’t understand how this hasn’t already happened. “Donkey Kong Country” is another classic release. It features one of my all time favorite video game soundtracks, and in my opinion is actually the best 2D game Nintendo ever made. I would actually put this above even the “Super Mario” and “Metroid” series. Nothing tops the sheer joy of playing a monkey wearing a tie and collecting bananas. A re-make would cause fans to absolutely go into a frenzy. Again, how this hasn’t already happened doesn’t make sense.

Since we’re on the subject, I’d like to point out that no “Donkey Kong” games were put out for the Switch. What we have is “Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze”, an excellent game that was really just a Wii U port. Judging by some of the recent moves made by Nintendo, I think a “Donkey Kong Country” remaster has a high chance of happening. Possibly by sometime at the end of the 23’ year.


6) Professor Layton Port

The “Professor Layton” series was probably the best reason to ever play the Nintendo DS system. It was a mystery/puzzle strategy game. There was always an intriguing mystery while you solved absolutely impossible puzzles to gain further clues. It would translate very well to the Switch system. Nintendo has already brought back titles like “Ace Attorney”, so why not “Professor Layton”? Also, there is a game in the “Professor Layton” series out for Switch, it was a spin off from the original games, where you played the daughter of Professor Layton. Bring us the original Elvis, not the cover band. I believe bundling all four games together would definitely be worth dropping sixty dollars for.

7) Starfox Port

Starfox is a series that Nintendo has really struggled with. Each release has been either really good, or really bad. This has affected the release of new titles, so players have been locked in this constant see-saw essentially. Never really knowing what you would get. This is what happened with the last “Starfox” entry that came out for the Wii U. It was pretty lackluster and Nintendo dropped it like a hot potato. But I think plenty of time has elapsed to make players forget about it. The Switch could really use a release like “Starfox”, there’s plenty of opportunity. Nintendo could remaster the original, or spend some money and bring out a brand new release. Or better yet, do both. This is something that makes all kinds of sense.


8) Kid Icarus Port

“Kid Icarus” is interesting. It was originally a NES release, and became one of the most beloved of Nintendos original game roster. For over twenty years Nintendo didn’t touch the series, then in 2012 they released a much anticipated sequel for the 3DS, “Kid Icarus: Uprising”. “Uprising” blew away sales expectations and is still a major fan favorite. I will confess I always thought the release of “Uprising” exclusively on the 3DS was never the best decision. This was a console level game. I think after all this time, we deserve a Switch port.

I want to point out a few things. At June’s Nintendo Direct, a port of the 3DS title, “Luigi’s Mansion 2” was announced. This signals that Nintendo could be willing to start porting over popular 3DS titles. Also in the “New Super Mario Bros” movie, there’s a scene where Mario is playing “Kid Icarus”. Could Nintendo be signaling a possible port? In my opinion this was a very intentional cameo. I think “Uprising” really needs to be ported and this would also be an excellent time to create a third entry.

9) F-Zero Remake

Another major no-brainer. “F-Zero” is a wild sort of racing game. Think of a mad science experiment where “Mario Kart” was fused together with “Star Trek” and “Twisted Metal”. Somehow this bizarre fusion hybrid actually works, it’s called “F-Zero”. To call it “unique” would be a severe understatement. Nintendo hasn’t touched the franchise in years, which means this is as good a time as any to re-visit “F-Zero”. By updating the graphics and possibly throwing in some new content, I believe this would be a worthy addition to the Switch lineup.

I mention this because Nintendo hasn’t even touched “F-Zero” in forever. It’s too bad, because as good as “Mario Kart” is, a new kart racer would be great. “F-Zero” still has a major following, bringing it back to the Switch really needs to happen.

10) Super Mario Odyssey 2

There is no discussion of this so far, but this has major potential. Let’s consider, “Super Mario Odyssey” came out in 2016, one of the first releases for the Nintendo Switch. It’s still one of the highest selling games for the system. STILL. And why not? It featured about a dozen open world maps for Mario to play around with. Each map stuffed full of puzzles and various mini games. It really did propel the Mario franchise into the stratosphere. When you have the sales and acclaim that “Odyssey” has enjoyed, a sequel is probably already in the works.