Nintendo’s president hints at upcoming titles for beloved franchises, sparking hopes for a 3D Mario game on the Switch 2.

Nintendo’s president, Shuntaro Furukawa, has chosen not to discuss the potential for a price hike on the Switch 2, but he assures fans that the company is hard at work on games from beloved franchises.

Unless an unexpected game is announced and launched before June, the Switch 2 will mark the first home console from Nintendo that doesn’t feature a mainline Super Mario or The Legend of Zelda title within its first year. While Donkey Kong Bananza has stepped in as a 3D Mario alternative—and arguably outshined it—this is still a notable shift for Nintendo.

In a recent interview with a Japanese newspaper, Furukawa indicated that Nintendo plans to ramp up its software offerings in 2026, confirming that new titles for popular series are in development, alongside fresh IPs. Recently, Nintendo has revealed upcoming entries in franchises like Fire Emblem, Splatoon, and Rhythm Heaven (a personal favorite), and it’s expected that Mario and Zelda will also see new releases.

Furukawa emphasized the importance of a solid financial foundation for Nintendo, allowing developers the necessary time to refine their games before launch. This aligns with reports suggesting that the release of the Switch 2 was delayed to give designers more time to polish their projects.

When asked about a possible price increase for the Switch 2, Furukawa reportedly responded with a vague “I cannot comment.” Given the ongoing RAM shortages and tariffs affecting Nintendo’s pre-order strategies—leading to price hikes on accessories and even the original Switch—it’s hard to remain optimistic about prices staying stable through 2026.

Looking ahead to 2026, fans can anticipate celebrations for Pokémon and Zelda, a plethora of ports, and the comforting familiarity of Nintendo’s classic offerings.