Saying the Nintendo Switch has done well would be an understatement. A massive one. The Switch is not only a phenomenal system in its own sub-genre of video game hardware, but it also just makes videogaming FUN. Don’t get me wrong, PS4/5, Xbox One/X, and Steam Deck are all really cool, but there’s something about the Switch that’s just downright fun, even if it’s less “street cool.” Maybe it’s the fresh hybrid concept, or the cosmetics, price, and accessibility of the system. But more realistically, the Switch is so fun because of Nintendo culture. Nintendo does for video games what Apple does for computers and phones: It’s a culture thing. Also, it doesn’t hurt that the Nintendo is home to some of the world’s most popular video game characters and franchises.

The Switch is proof that Nintendo still has their mojo, despite the failures of the Wii U which housed its fair share of games SO GOOD that almost all of them got re-released on the Switch. It’s fair to say… Nintendo knows their audience. Unfortunately for fans, Nintendo has created so many iconic franchises and characters, they can’t keep up with the production. As hard as it is for me to say this, I’ll say it anyway: They’re doing the right thing by not churning out crappy games just for the sake of trying to satiate fans. But allow me to say this too: Is there a reason Nintendo can’t rotate these IPs back onto their new hardware? Instead of spending all their time and money on the next Mario Kart game – which is feeling pretty tired at this point – maybe they can bring back a classic?

And that brings us to our article. I’m part of a local retro gaming enthusiast group on Facebook titled: Raleigh Retro Gamers. This group is a dedicated group of passionate gamers and collectors, and the community is truly positive and friendly. Although only local to Raleigh-Durham, Raleigh Retro Gamers aims for national relevance, and they WILL succeed. I thought it would be great to hear from this community and get their input. Here are a list of Nintendo IPs that we’d love to see revived on Nintendo’s next console:

Punch-Out!!

First Game in the Series: 1987’s Punch-Out!! on NES (we’re not counting the 1983 arcade original)

Last Game in the Series: 2009 Punch-Out!! on Wii

Total number of games: 3 mainline games.

First up, we have Punch-Out. This was recommended to me by Mike D. (not of Beastie Boys fame, although I’m sure he can lay down a bar or two), and I can’t believe I didn’t think of it first. Punch-Out is an absolute legend in gaming despite seeing only three legit games in 35-ish years with 1987’s Punch-Out!!, 1994’s Super Punch-Out!! and 2009’s Punch-Out!! on Wii. The first two games have been available on virtual console and Nintendo Online throughout the years, but we’re long overdue for a modern take, or even a creative revisit of the original formulate.

While the sport of boxing may be dying in favor of MMA, I think there’s still a level of reverence and nostalgia amongst Americans. Despite its waning popularity, it’s not uncommon for people to look back with admiration at the days of Heavyweight title fights featuring American legends like Ali, Frazier, Foreman, Tyson, and countless others. The Rocky movies, and now the Creed movies, keep the sport somewhat relevant, but the sport has seen its day and it’s in the rearview mirror.

How Nintendo could revive the franchise is beyond me, but I have no doubt there’s a way. I just ask that Nintendo please please please find a way to bring back the series without motion controls via Kinect-style hardware or Wiimote motion controls. I’m totally down and open to this and I think it would be so welcomed by fans! Great recommendation Mike D!

F-Zero

First Game in the Series: 1990’s F-Zero on SNES

Last Game in the Series: 2003’s F-Zero GX on GameCube (or technically, 2004’s F-Zero Climax on GBA in Japan only)

Total number of games: 5

F-Zero is a beast of a series with a loyal fanbase who have been clamoring for a new game for almost 2 decades! Much like the aforementioned Punch-Out!! games, F-Zero had its time in the sun and then Nintendo decided to sit on the series. Why, Nintendo? WHYYYY? I’m certain Nintendo is opting to invest money in their kart-based cash cow, eschewing their futuristic racer. I can’t say I blame them. Mario Kart has moved some serious units (probably over 100 million across all of its systems), so from a financial standpoint, it makes sense. But c’mon y’all. The fans have been very vocal about their desire to get a new installment, and I believe it would fare very well.

But I think it’s important to note: Let’s NOT release this on the Switch. I think this should be a launch title for the Switch 2. Nintendo needs to make two massive improvements with their Switch successor: Online features / gameplay and graphical power. If there’s a PERFECT game to accomplish both, F-Zero IS that game. With races featuring 64 or more racers from across the globe, and detailed futuristic graphics and a sense of speed, this launch title could be the perfect showcase of Nintendo’s improvements in their two weakest areas.

Metroid Prime 4

First Game in the Series: 2002’s Metroid Prime on GameCube

Last Game in the Series: 2007’s Metroid Prime 3 on Wii

Total number of games: 3

Metroid Prime is technically part of the larger Metroid franchise, but it is in its own sub-genre of 3D Metroid first-person games, so I like to classify it as a separate series. The first Metroid Prime game absolutely blew me away (I still own my original 2002 copy!). Unfortunately, I never got around to playing the second or third one, but I feel for the fans who want more. After getting three gems over a span of 5 years, the series has remained dormant for the last 15+ years.

In 2017, it was officially announced that Metroid Prime 4 was going to be developed for the Switch, but man, I hope so badly they hold off to release it on the Switch 2. Surely the Switch 2 will improve in the graphics department, and [hopefully] it will improve in the online department. I’m not sure what they can do with online functions aside from leaderboard-type stuff, but there are more creative minds in Kyoto than in my house.

While Metroid Prime 4 doesn’t need to be a launch-day title, I know what can be: Metroid Prime Collection a la Super Mario 3D All-Stars on the Switch. SM3D All-Stars saw Nintendo give fans three classic 3D Mario titles with SM64, Sunshine, and Galaxy. Since Metroid Prime are all connected in their story, imagine a compilation that provides a seamless experience through all three titles without having to switch systems and controls. This would also serve to excite fans for Metroid Prime 4. I’m all for it!

A 2D Zelda Game

This is probably a no-go for Nintendo since most of their 3D Zelda games rank among the best games ever made… across all platforms. Hell, Breath of the Wild is considered by many to be the best video game ever made. So why go back to 2D? I can’t tell you why, LOL, but I will say I’m on board! This recommendation was brought to me by Raleigh Retro Gamers’ Will S (not Will Smith, although our Will S may be with the MIB for all we know) and I like where his head’s at. To quote him: “Past decade or so we’ve only been getting remakes (link between worlds is basically a link to the past remake). Granted, given the recent track history of remakes, I have high hopes for the Oracle games being remade. They can still do two games and make them more interconnected, and even include what they had originally planned for a third game that they had to scrap.”

True true. We may be more likely to get a remaster of the Oracle games before an original 2D game. But after playing Link’s Awakening on the Switch, which is a fully modernized remaster of the Game Boy game, I would certainly welcome anything in the same vein. While an original story would be gnarly, I’d put my money on a remaster of the first Zelda game OR Ocarina of Time (though we may never be so fortunate).

Wave Race

First Game in the Series: 1992‘s Wave Race on Game Boy

Last Game in the Series: 2001’s Wave Race: Blue Storm on GameCube

Total number of games: 3

The Wave Race games saw 3 releases in 9 years in North America with Game Boy’s Wave Race, N64’s Wave Race 64, and the drooled-over Wave Race: Blue Storm. All 3 games are wildly fun and enjoyable experiences, but Blue Storm is the cream of the crop. A true marvel in water design / movement, and a masterclass in watercraft physics, Blue Storm is one of Nintendo’s best achievements in my opinion. Why is it that fans have yet to get a follow-up to this gem of a series? Put Wave Race 4 on the long list of top-notch Nintendo IPs that would crush a launch-day slate for the Switch 2. Much like F-Zero above, Wave Race would be a great game to move hardware (due to the pre-existing installed fan-base), and it would be a great game to showcase the systems new hardware and improved power and capabilities.

Pilotwings

First Game in the Series: 1990’s Pilotwings on Super Nintendo

Last Game in the Series: 2011’s Pilotwings Resort on 3DS

Total number of games: 3

I’m heavily on board with this! I never owned a SNES until the late ’90s when they were more affordable, so I never fell heavily for the OG Pilotwings. But my experience with Pilotwings 64 tells a different story. 3D games were all the rage at this time, and the local video rental spot didn’t have all that many games to choose from. I opted to rent the console and Pilotwings 64 and I was beyond blown away. Not only was it a stunning game to look at, it was downright fun as hell. I think the creative minds at Nintendo could find a way to use this IP as a launch-day title (yet again), making non-simulator style flying games fun once more! Christian D. from the Raleigh Retro Gamers group opined that a Pilotwings VR game could be worthwhile. I agree! But I’m not sure if Nintendo’s Virtual Boy wounds have healed yet…

More Mario [insert sport or activity here]

“Riley H.” and “Willam L.” from the Raleigh Retro Gamers facebook group both requested a new Mario Sports game, with William specifically noting Mario Baseball. William writes, “ould I get another Mario BASEBALL game please?? Nintendo straight up *ruined* the Wii version by forcing the use of a Wiimote. Mario Superstar Baseball for the GameCube was one of the most fun times I’ve ever had playing a game with friends.” I can definitely get behind this! The Wiimote controls were fun for most games but ultimately proved to be more of a novelty than an enjoyable experience over the course of many years.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the Switch 2 is bound to be another triumph for Nintendo. The Big N may have struggled with hardware sales on the N64, GameCube, and Wii U, but their loyal fans remained steadfast, proving time and again that Nintendo just has “the stuff.” Despite those systems underperforming in sales, please note that you’ll still find myriad games from those respective systems on many Top 100 All-Time lists. Seriously. It’s proof in their ability to develop a solid game. The above-mentioned series are long overdue for a new release, and the Switch 2 is the perfect system to do it on!

Any titles you recommend? Did we overlook anything?