The Nintendo Switch 2 launches with some great new versions of classic Switch games such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wildwhich felt brand new with the next generation upgrades. Later, Kirby and the Forgotten Land got a cool new campaign addition along with a boost in visual power.
So far, two notable games have received Exchange 2 upgrades in 2026. Super Mario Bros. Wonder will help continue to celebrate Mario's 40th anniversary, which was in 2025. Additionally, Animal Crossing: New Horizons gets a large set of new features. Beyond these examples, what other Switch games need a modern upgrade in 2026, either to perform better or to get a second chance at life on Nintendo Switch 2 2026?
Super Mario Bros. 35
Will come back one more time
Super Mario Bros. 35 was released to celebrate the 35th anniversary of everyone's favorite plumber in 2020. It was a battle royale game where thirty-five players competed in classic Super Mario Bros. levels.
It was a clever way to repurpose the NES Mario assets for a modern gaming trend, but the game was unfortunately taken down in 2021. Nintendo has the opportunity to bring it back in a big way on Switch 2, perhaps with new modes, or perhaps a completely new visual style, including reusing assets from the second or third game.
Super Mario RPG
Geno returns
Another Mario games that may come back on Switch 2 are Super Mario RPGwhich was a Switch remake of an SNES classic. Visually, it looked great and ran pretty well on the Switch. The only thing some fans didn't like was that it was practically a 1:1 remake without much addition to make it feel new beyond a visual upgrade.
A further boost on the Switch 2 could add a new party member or perhaps some post-game content where fan-favorite Geno returns. Making a brand new one Mario RPG can be risky, but an updated classic with new content can be just as good.
The Legend Of Zelda: Link's Awakening
Improve The Dungeon Building
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening is another remake that was released exclusively on the Switch, but it was also almost entirely unchanged from the Game Boy original. Unlike Super Mario RPGstuttered this remake a bit, which is nothing Zelda the series is known for.
The framerate dips weren't consistent enough to make the game unplayable, but they were noticeable. A Switch 2 upgrade would certainly fix the technical issues, but it would also be a good opportunity for Nintendo to prepare more material for dungeon builders. The dungeon creation feature was interesting, but there wasn't enough there at launch, so an update could let players get more creative with their creations.
New Pokemon Snap
Just add more
New Pokemon Snap made a lot of Pokémon fans rejoiced as it was the first sequel in decades. The new Pokémon and game segments were fun to track on rails, but they also didn't evolve the formula too much. Although there are currently over a thousand Pokémon, the game only has a little over two hundred.
It's understandable why the developer didn't include all Pokemon, but the numbers were still low for one Pokémon by-product. Perhaps a more powerful console, like the Switch 2, could handle an update that includes more Pokemon to take pictures of. Revisiting classic areas from the series would also be fun, from Kanto to Johto.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2
Needs the most work
Some Xenoblade Chronicles The game could use some TLC to perform better on the Switch 2. Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is the oldest title, in terms of updates and re-releases, since its launch in 2017. It was impressive to see a massive open-world RPG running on the Switch, giving fans hundreds of hours of content. That said, the frame rate wasn't always stable, and the visuals took a noticeable hit during combat or when day turned to night.
These are the kinds of slam-dunk upgrades that an updated Switch 2 version can bring. The standalone DLC campaign, Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna The Golden Countrywould be great to see on Switch 2 as well. Nintendo could combine them on the Switch 2, along with adding new features, whether it's new characters or new areas to explore.
Call Fit Adventure
A new year for a new fit
Call Fit Adventure was a huge success for Nintendo and the virtual training market. Not only did it work as a training game, but it was also a fun RPG, with an incredibly long campaign, intuitive game mechanics and catchy music. The game was released in 2019, and Nintendo hasn't touched it since. No DLC or massive expansions here.
Making a Switch 2 version can be tricky, as the console's hardware has larger Joy-Cons that don't fit into the peripherals that were released with the original game. It may indicate Nintendo to make a sequel instead, but since the Switch 2 still supports older Joy-Con controllers, it is possible to give the game new levels and exercises. A dance RPG mode would be fun too. What better way to ring in the new year than with a glistening belly?
Bayonetta 3
An action game held back
Bayonetta was one of PlatinumGames' first big hits. It was a spiritual successor to Devil May Cryand brought action to consoles with beautiful graphics and addictive combat. Even if Bayonetta 2 launched on a less powerful console, the Wii U, it still performed well. However, the same did not apply Bayonetta 3as the graphics and performance levels were not up to the standard set by the series in 2009.
Fans still loved the game as a Switch exclusive, but they also knew things could be better, and maybe it's time they got what they wanted from the original release in a Switch 2 update. Hopefully, as a publisher, Nintendo can make this happen again with PlatinumGames.
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order
Don't let Sony win the Marvel Race
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order is another game Nintendo published exclusively for the Switch, and Team Ninja developed it. It was great to see the series return after exactly a decade, but it was admittedly strange to see it return as a Switch exclusive. Like so many other examples, fans thought it wasn't the prettiest game ever, but it certainly had the same addictive top-down action the series is known for, and there were plenty of Marvel characters to play as.
2026 is going to be a huge year for PlayStation on the Marvel front between Marvel's Wolverine and Marvel Token: Fighting Souls. Nintendo shouldn't let the PlayStation brand have all the fun from Marvel, so one more update Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order would be perfect on Switch 2, maybe with a new campaign and more characters.
