With the Nintendo Switch 2 reviving older titles like Kirby’s Air Riders, Tomodachi Life, and (eventually?) Professor Layton, as well as giving Donkey Kong his first 3D outing since 1999’s Donkey Kong 64, it’s clear that Nintendo has been dusting off quite a few of their neglected series. Some may have lain dormant longer than others, but it’s always a nice surprise to see that certain characters and ideas haven’t been abandoned completely.
In the hopes of having that same feeling I had when they announced Professor Layton and the New World of Steam, here’s a list of six dormant series that should make a comeback with the newest console.
6. F-Zero
Most recent entry: 2004
This one just makes sense. Considering that two of the biggest games on the Switch 2 are Mario Kart World and Kirby Air Riders, it’s clear that racing games are a major focus for this generation. I wouldn’t say that F-Zero 99, one of many battle-royale-style games released on the e-shop, really counts as a new title, as it was just a remixed version of the original game.
The aptly named last title, F-Zero Climax, is over twenty years old, and it feels wrong that since then we’ve only gotten passing references to the series, such as Captain Falcon in Smash Bros and the Mario Kart 8 tracks, Big Blue and Mute City. There are rumours that an unfinished Virtual Boy game could make its way onto the recently added online classics collection, but we’ll have to see if that comes to pass.
5. Nintendogs
Most recent entry: 2011
It’s pretty surprising, given the Switch’s handheld capability along with its popularity amongst casual players, that Nintendogs hasn’t made a return since its last entry on the 3DS. It’s pretty much a guarantee that its return would be profitable for Nintendo, as the combined versions of the original DS game made it the second-highest-selling title on the handheld.
We’ve seen some nods to it over the years, with a familiar Shiba Inu appearing in Super Mario Odyssey and a few more obvious crossovers with appearances in Animal Crossing and Smash Bros. Given that there’s been a Brain Training for the Switch and Layton is set to return, it seems like a glaring oversight not to bring the dogs back from what was a successful and now nostalgic Nintendo era.
4. Chibi-Robo!
Most recent entry: 2015
This may be the least known, and therefore least requested series to come back on this list. Chibi-Robo! captured the hearts of players with its original release for the GameCube in 2005, and has had a number of spin-offs in the years since. Its most recent entry, while only just over ten years ago, left a lot of fans underwhelmed, so perhaps it’s time to give the little guy the redemption he deserves.
Given he’s also got his own Amiibo, Chibi-Robo could easily fit into the current line-up of Switch 2 exclusives and gain a greater number of fans in the process. It’s clear that the series has had enough fans to warrant sequels since its release, but it’s not clear if we’ll ever get a game in the same vein as the first again. Here’s hoping that we will.
3. Kid Icarus
Most recent entry: 2012
Masahiro Sakurai is now so prolific that the reveal trailer for Kirby Air Riders used his name to build excitement in place of actual gameplay. The reason that works is because after the success of the Super Smash Bros. series, Nintendo fans trust in his ability to direct incredible games. While his works have primarily been the aforementioned fighting series and Kirby titles, he did work on the third and final entry in a series that started on the NES, Kid Icarus.
The game was released to critical acclaim and remains one of the best titles for the 3DS, if not to the detriment of its slightly uncomfortable controls. Given that Sakurai seems to be focusing less on Smash, it makes sense to get a follow-up to a series that has seen a surprising amount of attention for its limited number of titles. Smash Bros. Ultimate has three characters represented, so people are already familiar with the series even if they haven’t played it. If a follow-up was anything like Uprising, then it might just give people the nudge to buy the console.
2. Wario Land
Most recent entry: 2008
While Wario has retained his notoriety within Mario spinoffs like the Kart and Sports titles, some of his solo ventures have been left stagnant over the years. The Warioware games have received a generous helping of titles across multiple console generations, but the 2D-platforming Wario Land series hasn’t been seen in nearly twenty years.
With 2023’s Pizza Tower, a beloved indie gem based heavily on Wario Land 4, we’ve seen a modern approach to just how a new title could look if given the proper development. With Wario, you get the chance to approach humour, setting and level design in a completely different way than Mario titles, which have to adhere to certain expectations. If Wonder was as creative as a 2D Mario game can be, then think what kind of chaotic things could be seen in a new Wario Land entry.
1. Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Most recent entry: 2015
While we did see a rerelease on the Switch with Rescue Team DX, it’s been a while since a brand new Pokémon expedition has happened. With the popularity of roguelike games in the current indie scene, a new Pokémon Mystery Dungeon title would be a fitting announcement.
Given the multiple generations of Pokémon games that have come out in the space between now and 2015, there are plenty of choices for new partner Pokémon, and with the trend to add new features for each title, there are so many possibilities for the series to explore. While there are many Pokémon spinoffs that do get additional content, such as Go, Sleep and Masters, a new Dungeon game would definitely be a nice change of pace, not to mention a guaranteed hit, as the 2020 remake sold ridiculously well.
