Switch 2’s Release Offers a New Opportunity for an Overlooked Game

The year 2025 is shaping up to be a monumental one for video game enthusiasts, thanks to the much-anticipated launch of what’s being dubbed the Nintendo Switch 2. Buzz about this new console has been rife with leaks and speculation over the past few years. Although the initial expectation was for a 2024 debut, the timeline seems to have shifted to 2025 for reasons that are still unclear. While these whispers haven’t been substantiated by official announcements, they could explain the lack of major first-party Nintendo releases in 2024. Regardless of the delays, 2025 is undoubtedly the year fans will finally witness what the Switch 2 has to offer.

Talk in the gaming community hints that the new console will boast a robust lineup of Nintendo-exclusive titles upon launch. While specifics are scarce, chatter has emerged around several potential big-name games. One of the more convincing rumors is the arrival of a new 3D Mario title, given the considerable time since Super Mario Odyssey hit the shelves. There are also murmurs of a new Donkey Kong game, a remastered Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, or perhaps even a sequel to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. These would undoubtedly make for an impressive array of launch titles, but what could really amplify the Switch 2’s debut is if it also includes a sequel to Nintendo’s overlooked fighting game, Arms.

When Arms first burst onto the scene shortly after the original Switch launched in June 2017, it sparked interest with its unique fighting mechanics. Created by Nintendo EPD with some help from Bandai Namco Studios, the game featured battles of up to four players wielding extendable arms to outlast opponents. Unlike typical side-view fighters, it offered a fresh, behind-the-shoulder perspective, setting itself apart in the genre. Despite this innovative twist, and selling over 2 million units, Arms didn’t quite secure the lasting attention other Nintendo projects enjoyed. The limited post-launch content seemed a major factor, with support waning less than a year after release. For a game with such potential, this early cut-off left many fans bewildered.

Given its potential and intriguing premise, it felt odd that Arms was left to fade rather than grow. Though it wasn’t without its flaws—awkward controls, limited stage variety, and somewhat simplistic mechanics—it provided a solid base that could’ve been built upon. An Arms sequel would offer another chance to refine and expand on what made the original game promising. More modes, characters, and levels from the outset, combined with a long-term content plan, could rejuvenate this IP. Launching such a sequel alongside the Nintendo Switch 2 would not only bolster the new console’s lineup but would also offer Arms the opportunity to thrive that it deserved from the start.