Nintendo’s January announcement of Switch 2 told us very little about games, aside from an unnamed new Mario Kart. We won’t get a closer look at the company’s software slate for Switch 2 for a few weeks — but we might already have some useful hints about which of Nintendo’s internal development teams have been busy building software for the next-gen console in the past few years.
While we await further official game announcements in April’s Nintendo Direct, let’s take a look at Nintendo’s 10 internal development teams, what they’ve been up to, and if they’ve had any runway to start working on games for Switch 2’s launch window. (Keep in mind that Nintendo has a multitude of similarly titled dev teams, so bear with us as we sort out who’s who and what they’re doing.)
Nintendo EPD Co-Production Group
What they do: This division (a merger of EPD Group No. 2 and No. 3) works with third-party developers like HAL Laboratory, Intelligent Systems, and Monolith Software on such series as Kirby, Fire Emblem, and Xenoblade. The team also works with developers of an array of Mario and Pokémon spin-offs.
Current release: It’s been years we have had a new Kirby game — Kirby’s Dream Buffet came out in 2022 — so the pink stuff is due for an adventure. EPD Co-Production Group hasn’t finished itsSwitch 1 games for 2025 yet, and it has two on the schedule: Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition and Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
Chances of a new game for Switch 2 launch: Good, if HAL has a Kirby in the pipeline.
Nintendo EPD Production Group No. 3
Who they are: The Zelda team.
Last we dropped: 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. They worked with veteran Zelda co-development partner Grezzo on Echoes of Wisdom, though even with a bit of outside help, it’ll be a while before the next massive Legend of Zelda game is released.
Odds of a new game for Switch 2 launch: Zero. Nintendo typically announces new mainline Zelda titles months or years in advance.
Nintendo EPD Production Group No. 4
What they do: One of Nintendo’s most experimental teams, Production Group No. 4 creates surprise twists like Nintendo Labo, Ring Fit Adventure, and Game Builder Garage.
Latest release: Staff most recently worked with partners on Alarmo and Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition. Production Group No. 4 is almost certain working on new Switch 2 software, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see staff working on something using the console’s new mouse-control feature.
Likelihood of new game at Switch 2 launch: High.
Nintendo EPD Production Group No. 5
Who they are: During the lifespan of Switch, Group No. 5 has been creating Splatoon and Animal Crossing. Before that, the group was working on games highlighting Nintendo consoles’ unique features with Wii Sports and Nintendo Land.
Most current release: Splatoon 3 was released in 2022, and has been seeing continuous updates. It’s been more than three years since the previous major update for Animal Crossing: New Horizons, the Happy Home Paradise DLC. With more than 47 million copies of New Horizons sold, Production Group No. 5 is essentially a shoo-in to be developing a sequel.
Odds of a new game for Switch 2 launch: Reasonable, especially if Nintendo is planning to make Switch 2’s launch special with a new Animal Crossing.
Nintendo EPD Production Group No. 6
What they work on: Another external R&D team, Production Group No. 6 works with developers on 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.
Prospects of a new game for Switch 2 release: Is a cross-gen Metroid Prime 4 in? Then pretty good!
Nintendo EPD Production Group No. 7
What they make: This is the team that produces 2D Metroid games and the Rhythm Heaven series.
Most recent release: Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club. Apart from that, nobody knows what Group No. 7 could be working on for Switch 2.
Chances of a new game on Switch 2 launch: They’ve been good and quiet this time around, so the likelihood of them working on something new — perhaps some new Rhythm Heaven or other quirky/fun thing, à la Miitomo and Tomodachi Life — is beautifully high.
Nintendo EPD Production Group No. 8
What they do: They make 3D Mario games like 2017’s Super Mario Odyssey, so they’re fairly large.
Most recent game release: It’s nearly eight years ago that Odyssey, the most recent 3D Mario mainline title, released. Production Group No. 8 assisted on 2021’s open-world Bowser’s Fury Super Mario 3D World expansion, a probable indication that future 3D Mario games may increasingly experiment with open-world concepts.
Chances of a new title for Switch 2 release: High. Maybe in the launch window.
Nintendo EPD Production Group No. 9
Who they are: They are the developer behind recent Mario Kart releases and Arms for Nintendo Switch.
Most recent release: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Mario Kart Tour.
Chances 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 the developer behind most of Nintendo’s 2D Mario games and the Pikmin series.
Latest release: The team just released Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Pikmin 4 in 2023, so it would’ve had a bit of time to start developing Switch 2’s new titles. The team is also the creators of the Super Mario Maker series, which would be ideal to showcase Switch 2’s Joy-Con mouse controls.
Chances of a new game for Switch 2 launch: That really depends on how many Mario games Nintendo is going to release in 2025.
Nintendo EPD – Smart Device Production Group
Who they are: Nintendo’s mobile games group.
Latest release: In addition to supporting Fire Emblem Heroes and Mario Kart Tour, Nintendo’s smart device group recently released Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete, and essentially ended support for it.
Likelihood of a new game on Switch 2 launch: Very likely zero, as the team works on Nintendo’s smart device software.
Other than its in-house studios, Nintendo has various subsidiaries and partners who co-create 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.
Needless to say, Nintendo has plenty of manpower to create a vast library of new games, which would potentially result in a very solid lineup of Switch 2 launch software.
