Recently, Nintendo fans got some good news about a few beloved franchises making a comeback. Cozy gamers will be treated to a new Tomodachi Life, while Zelda fans will get another Hyrule Warriors spinoff entry. But despite a few longtime classics getting their due, Nintendo has several other classic franchises still collecting dust on the shelf. For several, it’s long past time for a comeback.
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Remakes and remasters have been bringing older stories back to the spotlight in recent years. But nothing beats a new entry in a beloved franchise. Nintendo has quite a few solid IPs that haven’t seen new games in years, and some of them have dedicated fan bases that want to see a return. With the Switch 2 bringing us into a new Nintendo era, these game series need to see a modern revival ASAP.
3. Yes, We Have a New Mario Kart, But Where’s Our Modern F-Zero?
The F-Zero series hasn’t seen a truly new entry since 2004’s F-Zero: Climax. Fans of this franchise did get a little something with 2023’s F-Zero 99, a free multiplayer game for Nintendo Switch Online users. However, this multiplayer-focused game is more of a hodge-podge remaster of earlier games than a true modern remake. The game brought back cars and tracks from the original SNES game, turning the game into a multiplayer-focused battle royale but not really adding much else new. Still, the game’s positive reception from critics and fans alike shows that the interest in F-Zero as a franchise is still there, and we need a modern return to the series immediately.
Though the first F-Zero game pre-dates the Mario Kart franchise, the two did coexist for several years. The different futuristic style of F-Zero and its fast-paced, challenging gameplay make it different enough that there’s room for both racing games in the world of Nintendo. And with the games set in the 2500s, there’s still plenty of futuristic imagination space even after all these years. F-Zero 99 was a start, but now we need a full-on modern reimagining of these beloved Nintendo racing games.
2. Star Fox Switch 2 Rumors Need to Be True
Another futuristic Nintendo franchise that’s been dormant for too long is, of course, Star Fox. This franchise has been around since 1993, but hasn’t seen a new entry since 2016’s Star Fox Zero, which was only kind of a new game, since it was a remake of Star Fox 64. Similarly, we did finally get the once-cancelled Star Fox 2 in 2017, but given that this is a later relase of a much earlier game, it hardly counts in terms of new releases. So, it’s been nearly 10 years since a new Star Fox game, with no new entry ever arriving for the Nintendo Switch.
There have long been rumors that a new Star Fox game will make its appearance on the Nintendo Switch 2. However, much like the supposed new Animal Crossing game, no confirmation of a new Star Fox title has yet materialized from Nintendo. However, fans are more than ready to see what a modern Star Fox could look like. It’s not clear why we never got a new Star Fox for the original Switch, but hopefully, the Switch 2 will finally see Nintendo try again to recapture the original magic of Star Fox.
1. I’m Once Again Asking for a New Nintendogs
Given the rising popularity of the “cozy game,” it’s a little bit wild that Nintendo hasn’t yet revived Nintendogs. These Nintendo DS-era games were wildly popular, with many people begging Nintendo to make modern versions of the games – myself included. With its use of features like the microphone, it’s pretty clear why Nintendogs never came to the Switch. But the Switch 2 offers so much potential to build on the original premise of these pet care games.
Yes, a game like Nintendogs would likely be a mobile release if it came out in for the firs time today. But that’s why we need a new installment all the more. A solid, pet care sim with interactive elements that’s not tied to a phone or microtransactions. Make it happen, Nintendo. Seriously. Me and Paris Hilton and a ton of cozy gamers are ready to play this one.
But Urban Champion Doesn’t Need a Comeback
Nintendo has had some pretty wins over the years, but not every new game from the developer spawned an empire. In fact, Nintendo’s 2D fighter, Urban Champion, never quite got off the ground. This beat ’em style game first released in 1984 for the NES, was later re-released for the Nintendo Switch as part of the Arcade Archives series. But as far as a modern comeback goes, there’s probably not enough there to warrant a return.
Urban Champion is simple, even for a beat ’em style arcade game. It was the first full-on fighting game for the NES, and it shows. The game has only 2 different moves and lacks special moves or combos. Urban Champion was poorly received even in its time, and the classic re-release for Nintendo Switch hasn’t given it a resurgence. Nintendo has much better fighting games out there, including its far superior Super Smash Bros series.
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