USA Digital Trends 2026
Since the Nintendo Switch 2 launched on June 5, 2025, the "rumor" phase has shifted toward leaks about upcoming games and potential hardware revisions.
As of February 2026, the console is a massive hit, having sold over 17 million units by the end of last year. Here is the latest on what is buzzing in the Nintendo community:
1. The "February Direct" Leaks
Heavy rumors (and some minor leaks from retailers like Walmart) suggest a Nintendo Direct will happen within the next week (likely February 12–19).
Next 3D Mario: Sources indicate a first look at the next major 3D Mario title (the first since Odyssey) is imminent.
GameCube NSO: Rumors suggest Metroid Prime 2: Echoes and Pikmin 2 will finally hit the Nintendo Switch Online GameCube library.
Pokémon 30th Anniversary: With Pokémon Day coming up on February 27, leaks point toward standalone Switch 2 ports of FireRed & LeafGreen with Pokémon HOME compatibility.
2. Upcoming Game Schedule (Early 2026)
Several high-profile titles are launching this month or are rumored for very soon:
Mario Tennis Fever: Releasing February 12.
Yakuza Kiwami 3 + Dark Ties: Releasing February 12.
Resident Evil Requiem: A major third-party AAA launch set for February 27.
Subnautica 1 & 2 "Switch 2 Editions": Rumored for a free upgrade on February 17, boosting performance to 1440p/60fps docked.
3. Hardware & Price Rumors
Price Hike Warnings: Analysts from firms like Niko Partners predict Nintendo may raise the base price from $449 to $499 later this year due to rising RAM and storage costs driven by the AI data center boom.
The "Switch 2 Pro" or OLED: While the current model features a 7.9-inch 1080p LCD, rumors are already swirling about an OLED revision for late 2026 or early 2027 to address complaints about the LCD's black levels.
4. Backward Compatibility Status
While the console is "mostly" backward compatible, it has been a hot topic because:
Performance: Some older Switch 1 games actually run slightly worse or look "fuzzy" on the new 1080p screen because they have not received official optimization patches.
Compatibility Search: Nintendo recently launched an official web tool where you can type in a Switch 1 game to see if it is officially "supported" on Switch 2.
