Nintendo is quietly assembling a killer 2027 lineup

Following a week of rampant speculation, Nintendo’s September Direct failed to meet the community’s loftiest expectations. While that kind of anticlimactic rollout has become somewhat customary, this 45-minute presentation felt particularly subdued. Instead of major reveals like a brand-new 3D Mario or the next Super Smash Bros., viewers were largely greeted with third-party ports headed to the Switch 2 this autumn. To put it mildly, it wasn’t the company’s most electrifying showcase.

Yet, nestled amid the cascade of third-party announcements and downloadable content updates, Nintendo finally offered a clearer picture of its 2027 roadmap. Based on the current roster of confirmed titles, next year is shaping up to be exceptionally robust for early adopters of the Switch 2.

As it stands, four major titles—technically five—are officially slated for the Switch 2 in 2027. While *Xenoblade Genesis* and *Pokémon Winds and Waves* were already on our radar, the Direct introduced fresh surprises in *Metroid Ravenous* and *Kirby and the World Beyond*. On their own, these heavy hitters serve as formidable foundational pillars that could easily cement 2027 as the console’s strongest year to date.

The calendar kicks off on January 28 with *Metroid Ravenous*. Although *Metroid Prime 4: Beyond* encountered a divisive critical response in 2025, there is ample reason to anticipate that *Ravenous* will emerge as an early contender for the Switch 2’s premier exclusive. This side-scrolling adventure acts as a direct successor to *Metroid Dread*, which captured Game of the Year nominations back in 2021. Furthermore, it marks developer MercurySteam’s third foray into the 2D Metroid universe, following 2017’s *Metroid: Samus Returns*. Given the studio’s steady upward trajectory with the franchise, *Ravenous* could easily rank among the absolute finest installments in the series history.

Shortly thereafter, *Kirby and the World Beyond* is scheduled to debut in the spring. Serving as a follow-up to 2022’s stellar *Kirby and the Forgotten Land*—a release that successfully revitalized the adorable icon after several uninspired entries like *Kirby Star Allies*—this sequel aims to expand significantly upon those proven mechanics. If developer HAL Laboratory can translate everything that made *Forgotten Land* a triumph into a more expansive environment, we may be looking at another blockbuster hit.

Then there is *Xenoblade Genesis*, which lacks a precise launch date but remains on track for a 2027 window. Over the years, the franchise has blossomed from a cult-classic RPG into a monumental property for Nintendo. That growth culminated when *Xenoblade Chronicles 3* earned a coveted Game of the Year nomination alongside *Elden Ring* in 2022. With developer MonolithSoft riding a tremendous wave of momentum, *Xenoblade Genesis* is well-positioned to be another milestone moment for a series that continues to scale new heights.

Nevertheless, the true centerpiece of the lineup is *Pokémon Winds and Waves*. Immense stakes accompany the arrival of the Switch 2 generation’s inaugural mainline Pokémon entries. Game Freak has a golden opportunity to restore the franchise’s technical standing by delivering a polished pair of role-playing games that genuinely fulfill the ambitious open-world concepts introduced in *Pokémon Scarlet* and *Violet*. Regardless of early critiques, these titles are practically guaranteed to dominate the cultural zeitgeist and drive console sales by the time the holiday shopping season arrives.

And that is merely what has been unveiled so far. Nintendo still holds plenty of cards close to its chest for the hardware’s formative years. We have yet to hear whispers regarding a fresh Mario installment, a new Super Smash Bros., an Animal Crossing experience, or other beloved IPs that historically thrust Nintendo into annual awards conversations. A strong case can be made that the company doesn’t even require those heavyweights next year—a testament to how effectively Nintendo has diversified its portfolio throughout the original Switch era. Mario and Zelda are no longer the exclusive drivers of console adoption, a reality that 2027 may decisively prove.

And all the trailers, too

Source: Polygon