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Nintendo’s Switch 2 reveal in January showed very little in the way of games, except an untitled new Mario Kart. We’ll have to wait a few more weeks to get a closer look at the company’s software lineup for Switch 2 — but we might have some helpful indicators about which of Nintendo’s internal development teams have been making software for the next-gen console for the past few years.
While we wait for more official game announcements during April’s Nintendo Direct, let’s take a look at Nintendo’s 10 internal development teams, what they’ve been working on, and if they’ve had any runway to start making games for Switch 2’s launch window. (Keep in mind that Nintendo has a bunch of similar-sounding dev teams, so bear with us as we walk through who’s who and what they’re working on.)
Nintendo EPD Co-Production Group
Who they are: This team (a combination of EPD Group No. 2 and No. 3) works with outside studios like HAL Laboratory, Intelligent Systems, and Monolith Software on franchises like Kirby, Fire Emblem, and Xenoblade. The group also works with teams behind a variety of Mario and Pokémon spinoffs.
Most recent release: It’s been a long time since we had a new Kirby game — Kirby’s Dream Buffet came out in 2022 — meaning the pink puff is due for a new adventure. EPD Co-Production Group still has two Switch 1 titles on its plate for 2025: Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition and Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
Odds of a new game for the Switch 2 launch: Good, if HAL has a Kirby waiting in the wings.
Nintendo EPD Production Group No. 3
Who they are: The Zelda team.
Most recent release: Production Group No. 3 released The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom in 2023 and The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom in 2024, so they’ve been quite busy lately. The team worked with longtime Zelda collaboration studio Grezzo on Echoes of Wisdom, but even with outside help, it’s going to be a while before we see the next big Legend of Zelda game.
Odds of a new game for the Switch 2 launch: Nil. Nintendo typically announces new mainline Zelda games many months or years in advance.
Nintendo EPD Production Group No. 4
Who they are: One of Nintendo’s most experimental teams, Production Group No. 4 is behind swerves like Nintendo Labo, Ring Fit Adventure, and Game Builder Garage.
Most recent release: The team most recently worked with partners on Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition and Alarmo. Production Group No. 4 is very likely working on new Switch 2 software, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see the team building something around the console’s new mouse-control functionality.
Odds of a new game for the Switch 2 launch: High.
Nintendo EPD Production Group No. 5
Who they are: During the Switch’s lifespan, Group No. 5 has been working on Splatoon and Animal Crossing. Before that, members of the team worked on games that highlighted Nintendo consoles’ unique features with Wii Sports and Nintendo Land.
Most recent release: Splatoon 3 was released back in 2022, and has received regular updates. It’s been more than three years since Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ last major update, the Happy Home Paradise DLC. With more than 47 million copies of New Horizons sold, Production Group No. 5 is almost assuredly developing a follow-up.
Odds of a new game for the Switch 2 launch: Good, especially if Nintendo wants to start Switch 2 off with a bang with a new Animal Crossing.
Nintendo EPD Production Group No. 6
Who they are: Another external R&D team, Production Group No. 6 works with developers behind the Metroid Prime, Donkey Kong Country, WarioWare, and Paper Mario series.
Most recent release: The group just delivered Donkey Kong Country Returns HD (with Forever Entertainment) and is still working on Metroid Prime 4: Beyond (with Retro Studios). So it has a relatively full plate. Production Group No. 6 also works with Next Level Games, the team behind Luigi’s Mansion 3 and Mario Strikers: Battle League, and they haven’t released a new game since 2022.
Odds of a new game for the Switch 2 launch: Does a cross-gen Metroid Prime 4 count? Then pretty good!
Nintendo EPD Production Group No. 7
Who they are: This is the team responsible for the development of 2D Metroid games and the Rhythm Heaven series.
Most recent release: Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club. Beyond that, it’s unclear what Group No. 7 could be working on for Switch 2.
Odds of a new game for the Switch 2 launch: This team has been pretty quiet lately, so the chance that it’s working on something new — possibly a new Rhythm Heaven or something fun/weird, à la Miitomo and Tomodachi Life — is excitingly high.
Nintendo EPD Production Group No. 8
Who they are: They make 3D Mario games, including 2017’s Super Mario Odyssey, so they’re kind of a big deal.
Most recent release: It’s been nearly eight years since Odyssey, the most recent mainline 3D Mario game. Production Group No. 8 also worked on 2021’s open-world Bowser’s Fury expansion to Super Mario 3D World, a possible indicator that future 3D Mario games could further explore open-world designs.
Odds of a new game for the Switch 2 launch: High. Maybe within the launch window.
Nintendo EPD Production Group No. 9
Who they are: This is the team responsible for recent Mario Kart games and Arms for Nintendo Switch.
Most recent release: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Mario Kart Tour.
Odds of a new game for the Switch 2 launch: All but guaranteed with Mario Kart 9.
Nintendo EPD Production Group No. 10
Who they are: Production Group No. 10 is behind many of Nintendo’s 2D Mario games and the Pikmin series.
Most recent release: The team released Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Pikmin 4 in 2023, so it’s had a little time to start working on new games for Switch 2. The team is also responsible for the Super Mario Maker series, a franchise that would showcase Switch 2’s Joy-Con mouse controls.
Odds of a new game for the Switch 2 launch: That all depends on just how many Mario games Nintendo wants to release in 2025.
Nintendo EPD – Smart Device Production Group
Who they are: Nintendo’s mobile games team.
Most recent release: In addition to supporting Fire Emblem Heroes and Mario Kart Tour, Nintendo’s smart device team recently released Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete, and basically wrapped up support for it.
Odds of a new game for the Switch 2 launch: Probably close to zero, since the team works on Nintendo’s smart device software.
Beyond its internal teams, Nintendo has a variety of subsidiaries and partners who co-develop games. That includes 1-Up Studio (3D Mario), Monolith Soft (Xenoblade), Next Level Games (Luigi’s Mansion, Mario Strikers), Nintendo Cube (Mario Party), Nintendo European Research & Development (Nintendo Switch Online), Nintendo Software Technology (Mario), Retro Studios (Metroid Prime, Donkey Kong Country), and Shiver Entertainment (porting work). Pokémon developer Game Freak, Grezzo, HAL Laboratory, and Intelligent Systems may also be working on or supporting Switch 2 software.
Suffice it to say, Nintendo has a lot of people power to create a big library of new games, which could mean a very robust lineup of Switch 2 launch software.
