More and more attention is being placed on the next steps for theNintendo Switch, with a next-generation version of the console reportedly aiming for an early 2025 release window. This will be a momentous occasion for Nintendo, with fans having waited almost a decade for more powerful Switch hardware.
To bolster the hype around theNintendo Switch 2, Nintendo thankfully has a long and historic list of franchises to pull from to commemorate the launch of the console. It is difficult to tell if any essentially abandoned Nintendo IPs may get revived for the launch of the Switch 2, but one classic racing IP has dominated a suspiciously large amount of the Nintendo spotlight in recent months. A lot of positive changes have recently been made to the iconicF-Zerofranchise, potentially lining the IP up for a triumphant modern return alongside the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2.
F-Zero Could Easily Make a Nostalgic Return For the Nintendo Switch 2
TheF-Zerofranchise launched all the way back in 1990, with the high-octane futuristic racing gameplay of the IP quickly proving to be a hit with fans.F-Zerois considered to be one of the most influential racing franchises of all time thanks to its speed and difficulty, serving as the blueprint for many other beloved IPs such asWipeout. There are a total of eight installments to theF-Zerofranchise, which have been released across a variety of Nintendo consoles over the years, but the series has been lying dormant for essentially two decades at this point.
One of the last major releases forF-Zerocame in 2004 withF-Zero Climaxfor the Game Boy Advance, starting a long hiatus for a franchise that had dominated the racing scene for well over a decade. Almost two decades after the release ofClimax, Nintendo began slowly but surely putting theF-Zerofranchise back on the map, withF-Zero 99releasing for the Switch in September 2023. While this game is simply a battle royale remake of the originalF-Zero, its release started a series of events that could indicate big plans for the future of the IP.
For example, fans of the franchise were delighted with the recent news thattwo classicF-Zerotitles will soon be available through the Nintendo Switch Online service. BothF-Zero ClimaxandF-Zero GP Legendwill arrive on the service on October 11, marking a great step in the preservation of two iconic GBA racing titles. Not only can this be seen as a nostalgic callback for older Nintendo fans, but it could even be a way to introduceF-Zeroto a new generation of players, potentially in time for a big announcement.
Everything Points Towards Some Big Moves For F-Zero in the Future
There have also been a number of surprisingupdates toF-Zero 99recently, with a recent update bringing a new league, tracks, and more customization options to the 2023 title. These positive advancements for the IP have brought a lot of attention to the wider franchise, and it would be a shame if Nintendo did not follow up on this in a satisfying way.
The upcoming release of the Nintendo Switch 2would be the perfect time for the company to celebrate its rich history as well as its future, and past franchises could be revived alongside the release of the console.
F-Zerois already such a recognizable name, and its fast-paced gameplay is perfect for the cooperative fun that the Switch is associated with, and a brand-new modern entry could be on the cards for the Switch 2’s launch. While not confirmed, the huge amount of news that is currently circulating aroundF-Zerois surely more than coincidental, and a fresh release seems like a logical conclusion to the strides the IP has recently made.
