Nintendo has reaffirmed its plans for two highly anticipated games, Pokémon: Legends Z-A and Metroid Prime 4 Beyond, despite the upcoming release of Nintendo Switch 2. In a recent Q&A session, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa confirmed that both titles will be released on the original Switch this year. Although Switch 2 is expected to launch in 2025, Nintendo plans to continue supporting the aging hardware as long as there is demand.
The games were announced separately: Pokémon Legends Z-A was unveiled during a 2024 event, while Metroid Prime 4 Beyond was showcased in a gameplay trailer last year. Both titles will be playable on Switch 2, which is backwards compatible with original Switch software. However, it’s unclear if backward-compatible titles will receive performance boosts or if bespoke patches are needed.
Analysts speculate that this could enhance the new console’s launch sales by offering an impressive library of games at launch. Both Pokémon Legends Z-A and Metroid Prime 4 Beyond may be released on both the original Switch and Switch 2, similar to how The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was initially announced for Wii U. Dr. Serkan Toto, CEO of Kantan Games, expressed enthusiasm for the new console, but noted that Nintendo needs to fill the gap until launch with other games.
Source: https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/pokemon-legends-z-a-and-metroid-prime-4-are-still-switch-1-titles-says-nintendo