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Nintendo’s Swap 2 reveal in January confirmed little or no in the way in which of video games, besides an untitled new Mario Kart. We’ll have to attend a number of extra weeks to get a more in-depth take a look at the corporate’s software program lineup for Swap 2 — however we’d have some useful indicators about which of Nintendo’s inside growth groups have been making software program for the next-gen console for the previous few years.
Whereas we look ahead to extra official recreation bulletins throughout April’s Nintendo Direct, let’s check out Nintendo’s 10 inside growth groups, what they’ve been engaged on, and in the event that they’ve had any runway to start out making video games for Swap 2’s launch window. (Take into account that Nintendo has a bunch of similar-sounding dev groups, so bear with us as we stroll via who’s who and what they’re engaged on.)
Nintendo EPD Co-Manufacturing Group
Who they’re: This staff (a mixture of EPD Group No. 2 and No. 3) works with exterior studios like HAL Laboratory, Clever Programs, and Monolith Software program on franchises like Kirby, Fireplace Emblem, and Xenoblade. The group additionally works with groups behind a wide range of Mario and Pokémon spinoffs.
Most up-to-date launch: It’s been a very long time since we had a brand new Kirby recreation — Kirby’s Dream Buffet got here out in 2022 — that means the pink puff is due for a brand new journey. EPD Co-Manufacturing Group nonetheless has two Swap 1 titles on its plate for 2025: Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Version and Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
Odds of a brand new recreation for the Swap 2 launch: Good, if HAL has a Kirby ready within the wings.
Nintendo EPD Manufacturing Group No. 3
Who they’re: The Zelda staff.
Most up-to-date launch: Manufacturing Group No. 3 launched The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom in 2023 and The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Knowledge in 2024, so that they’ve been fairly busy currently. The staff labored with longtime Zelda collaboration studio Grezzo on Echoes of Knowledge, however even with exterior assist, it’s going to be some time earlier than we see the subsequent large Legend of Zelda recreation.
Odds of a brand new recreation for the Swap 2 launch: Nil. Nintendo usually broadcasts new mainline Zelda video games many months or years prematurely.
Nintendo EPD Manufacturing Group No. 4
Who they’re: One in every of Nintendo’s most experimental groups, Manufacturing Group No. 4 is behind swerves like Nintendo Labo, Ring Match Journey, and Recreation Builder Storage.
Most up-to-date launch: The staff most lately labored with companions on Nintendo World Championships: NES Version and Alarmo. Manufacturing Group No. 4 could be very seemingly engaged on new Swap 2 software program, and we wouldn’t be shocked to see the staff constructing one thing across the console’s new mouse-control performance.
Odds of a brand new recreation for the Swap 2 launch: Excessive.
Nintendo EPD Manufacturing Group No. 5
Who they’re: Through the Swap’s lifespan, Group No. 5 has been engaged on Splatoon and Animal Crossing. Earlier than that, members of the staff labored on video games that highlighted Nintendo consoles’ distinctive options with Wii Sports activities and Nintendo Land.
Most up-to-date launch: Splatoon 3 was launched again in 2022, and has acquired common updates. It’s been greater than three years since Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ final main replace, the Glad Dwelling Paradise DLC. With greater than 47 million copies of New Horizons offered, Manufacturing Group No. 5 is sort of assuredly growing a follow-up.
Odds of a brand new recreation for the Swap 2 launch: Good, particularly if Nintendo desires to start out Swap 2 off with a bang with a brand new Animal Crossing.
Nintendo EPD Manufacturing Group No. 6
Who they’re: One other exterior R&D staff, Manufacturing Group No. 6 works with builders behind the Metroid Prime, Donkey Kong Nation, WarioWare, and Paper Mario sequence.
Most up-to-date launch: The group simply delivered Donkey Kong Nation Returns HD (with Eternally Leisure) and continues to be engaged on Metroid Prime 4: Past (with Retro Studios). So it has a comparatively full plate. Manufacturing Group No. 6 additionally works with Subsequent Stage Video games, the staff behind Luigi’s Mansion 3 and Mario Strikers: Battle League, they usually haven’t launched a brand new recreation since 2022.
Odds of a brand new recreation for the Swap 2 launch: Does a cross-gen Metroid Prime 4 rely? Then fairly good!
Nintendo EPD Manufacturing Group No. 7
Who they’re: That is the staff answerable for the event of 2D Metroid video games and the Rhythm Heaven sequence.
Most up-to-date launch: Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Membership. Past that, it’s unclear what Group No. 7 may very well be engaged on for Swap 2.
Odds of a brand new recreation for the Swap 2 launch: This staff has been fairly quiet currently, so the prospect that it’s engaged on one thing new — presumably a brand new Rhythm Heaven or one thing enjoyable/bizarre, à la Miitomo and Tomodachi Life — is excitingly excessive.
Nintendo EPD Manufacturing Group No. 8
Who they’re: They make 3D Mario video games, together with 2017’s Tremendous Mario Odyssey, so that they’re form of an enormous deal.
Most up-to-date launch: It’s been practically eight years since Odyssey, the newest mainline 3D Mario recreation. Manufacturing Group No. 8 additionally labored on 2021’s open-world Bowser’s Fury enlargement to Tremendous Mario 3D World, a attainable indicator that future 3D Mario video games might additional discover open-world designs.
Odds of a brand new recreation for the Swap 2 launch: Excessive. Perhaps throughout the launch window.
Nintendo EPD Manufacturing Group No. 9
Who they’re: That is the staff answerable for latest Mario Kart video games and Arms for Nintendo Swap.
Most up-to-date launch: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Mario Kart Tour.
Odds of a brand new recreation for the Swap 2 launch: All however assured with Mario Kart 9.
Nintendo EPD Manufacturing Group No. 10
Who they’re: Manufacturing Group No. 10 is behind a lot of Nintendo’s 2D Mario video games and the Pikmin sequence.
Most up-to-date launch: The staff launched Tremendous Mario Bros. Marvel and Pikmin 4 in 2023, so it’s had slightly time to start out engaged on new video games for Swap 2. The staff can be answerable for the Tremendous Mario Maker sequence, a franchise that might showcase Swap 2’s Pleasure-Con mouse controls.
Odds of a brand new recreation for the Swap 2 launch: That each one relies on simply what number of Mario video games Nintendo desires to launch in 2025.
Nintendo EPD – Good Gadget Manufacturing Group
Who they’re: Nintendo’s cellular video games staff.
Most up-to-date launch: Along with supporting Fireplace Emblem Heroes and Mario Kart Tour, Nintendo’s sensible system staff lately launched Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Full, and mainly wrapped up assist for it.
Odds of a brand new recreation for the Swap 2 launch: Most likely near zero, because the staff works on Nintendo’s sensible system software program.
Past its inside groups, Nintendo has a wide range of subsidiaries and companions who co-develop video games. That features 1-Up Studio (3D Mario), Monolith Mushy (Xenoblade), Subsequent Stage Video games (Luigi’s Mansion, Mario Strikers), Nintendo Dice (Mario Celebration), Nintendo European Analysis & Growth (Nintendo Swap On-line), Nintendo Software program Expertise (Mario), Retro Studios (Metroid Prime, Donkey Kong Nation), and Shiver Leisure (porting work). Pokémon developer Recreation Freak, Grezzo, HAL Laboratory, and Clever Programs may be engaged on or supporting Swap 2 software program.
Suffice it to say, Nintendo has lots of people energy to create an enormous library of latest video games, which might imply a really strong lineup of Swap 2 launch software program.