90%
Highly Likely
[UPDATE # - May 7, 2026] The Star Fox game has been revealed to be another remake of Star Fox 64 for the Nintendo Switch 2. It's out on June 25, 2026.
[UPDATE #1 - March 28, 2026] A mysterious leaker posted the same list of Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives with two notable additions: a Super Metroid remake and a new Wario Land game.
[ORIGINAL STORY] The Nintendo community is currently starving for news and looking ahead to the next proper Nintendo Direct. Known insider Nate the Hate suggested in a new podcast that while a new presentation could still be a few months away, the remainder of 2026 is going to be packed with notable releases, including a new Star Fox game. Unfortunately, the next Super Mario 3D game won't be among them and will supposedly only launch in 2027.
"From what I have been hearing, it doesn't sound as though there is going to be a general direct in the immediate future… it doesn't sound as though we're getting a general direct until the month of June," said the reliable insider during the podcast, setting expectations. A Partner Showcase could still be held in April or May, but a proper Nintendo Direct will only happen at a later time.
Nintendo Switch 2 Packed Summer 2026 Release Schedule, But Without A New Super Mario 3D Game
However, major first-party announcements for the Nintendo Switch 2 will still be coming in the next couple of months. "Star Fox is coming back… I've been told it is a classic style Star Fox game. I've been told the visuals are supposed to be very good… and I've heard it does have online multiplayer," said Nate the Hate, predicting a possible social media announcement. “One day you're going to be on Twitter… and be like, 'Oh, there's a Star Fox game coming out later this year.' And it's going to take everyone by surprise.”
After a relatively quiet first half of 2026, Summer 2026 is setting out to be packed with Nintendo Switch 2 releases. According to Nate the Hate, the new Star Fox June 2026 release will be followed by the launch of Splatoon Raiders, Fire Emblem: Fortune Weave, and Rhythm Heaven Groove.
Unfortunately, this packed release schedule won't see the return of the most iconic of Nintendo franchises: Super Mario Bros., which is apparently targeting 2027. "One game that will not be releasing in holiday 2026 is 3D Mario. 3D Mario will be releasing in 2027," said the insider, speculating that Nintendo could be among the publishers attempting to launch their big titles away from Grand Theft Auto 6, which is launching in November.
FromSoftware's The Duskbloods Is Targeting Late 2026
One of the most anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 games announced during the system's reveal is FromSoftware's The Duskbloods. While the Japanese developer is keeping the lid tightly shut on the game, it is reportedly targeting late 2026.
"One game I've heard it's coming out later in the year, and that is FromSoftware's The Duskbloods. I've heard that's a late 2026 release… I always figured that game would have been like that August, September release… But maybe it's going to find itself more in that October timeline," said Nate the Hate. Not surprising the studio is taking its sweet time with the game, considering it has been in the works for a very long time.
However, it seems like some will be able to test the game before release with a network test in the vein of the successful test held for Elden Ring Nightreign last year. "I also think it's a game that they may want to do at least one maybe more of those online play sessions to really test the server load… When you compare it to something like Elden Ring Nightreign, they did a beta test for that numerous times to make sure they had a smooth launch."
With publishers mostly announcing ports of games already available on PC and other consoles, Nintendo Switch 2 owners were justifiably getting upset by the lack of news. While learning that a new Super Mario 3D game may not be launching this year is disappointing, it seems like the system is going to have an excellent second year with games for all sorts of different tastes.
About the author: Francesco De Meo has been covering video games and technology since 2012, starting his career at small outlets like Gamersyndrome and GeekSnack. After joining Wccftech gaming section in 2015, he quickly expanded his video gaming coverage with in-depth reporting, interviews with iconic industry figures such as Grasshopper Manufacture founder and No More Heroes creator Goichi "Suda51" Suda, Resident Evil series creator Shinji Mikami, Team NINJA's president and Nioh series director Fumihiko Yasuda, and Silent Hill creator Keiichiro Toyama, reviews and on-the-ground coverage of major industry events such as Gamescom and E3. When he's not reporting or reviewing, Francesco can be found playing the genres he loves most, spending time with his six cats, reading, writing music, playing guitar and drumming for his progressive rock band.
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