Nintendo and JRPG Giants are Preparing Major Moves

A rare coming together of big anniversaries in Nintendo and long-running JRPG titles will make 2026 a very important year for gaming. The sources say that this year isn't just a symbolic one filled with nostalgia and dates. It could also bring important announcements, revivals, and releases that are carefully timed to keep the momentum going into the next generation of Nintendo Switch.

Even though not every occasion comes with a huge surprise, the many milestones make 2026 one of the most interesting years to watch in a long time. Nintendo is at the heart of this very celebration-heavy calendar. According to the sources, several franchises that debuted during the GameCube and NES eras are hitting 25, 30, 35, and even 40 years, giving the company ample chance to revisit, enhance, or reintroduce beloved series.

Instead of promising amazing new games on all platforms, people are basing their expectations on how Nintendo has done things in the past: a mix of upgrades, remasters, strategic teases, and a few big reveals. Pikmin is one of the first series to become famous; it is now 25 years old.

According to reports, the interest in Pikmin 3 Deluxe listings for Switch 2 has led people to think about the possibility of a better version.

Updates or expansions for Pikmin 4 are also thought possible, alongside smaller celebratory content such as animated shorts or side projects. A full Pikmin 5 might still be a while away, but Nintendo has a past of celebrating anniversaries by adding small but significant things.

Luigi's Mansion also has its 25th birthday in 2026. This is a great achievement for a series that used to feel special. According to the sources, Luigi’s Mansion 3 surpassed expectations, selling more than 15 million units and becoming one of the Switch era’s standout hits.

Even though Luigi's Mansion 4 isn't quite ready to come out yet, it seems likely that updates for Luigi's Mansion 3 on Switch 2 will come out too. These could include higher frame rates or better performance. An announcement late in the year isn't off the table, which would keep Luigi in the center.

Animal Crossing is celebrating its 25th year, and there are already plans being made for it. Animal Crossing: New Horizons is getting a Switch 2 version and a free 3.0 update for all players. The better version claims higher resolution, faster loading, and better performance in multiplayer. Given how long it usually takes to make a new game in the Animal Crossing series, this cycle of updates might also be used to get people excited for a new game in the series.

Now that it's been 30 years since the first Pokémon, the event is bigger than ever. According to the sources, all eyes are on Generation 10, expected to be released around Pokémon Day. The next generation is being marketed as a way to reset expectations after recent games got mixed feedback.

It's built with a new engine, and maybe it's created with Switch 2 hardware in mind. Alongside new games, classic material, mobile updates, and anniversary promotions are also expected to flood the calendar.

Persona meets Pokémon at the 30-year mark, and anticipation around the series is intense. Atlus is getting ready to do something big, and a lot of people think that Persona 6 will be revealed during the anniversary window, according to the sources. Even if we don't know when it will come out, the reveal would be a big change after years of re-releases and remakes.

Along with the bigger news that Atlus likes to make, there will probably also be smaller related projects and spin-offs to celebrate the anniversary.

In 2026, Sonic the Hedgehog will be 35 years old, and Sega seems ready to make the most of it. According to the sources, the success of Sonic Frontiers gave the team a starting point for the next big 3D Sonic game. Rather than reinventing the formula, Sega is expected to refine and build upon what worked, possibly unveiling the next mainline Sonic game during the anniversary year.

It is also expected that classic material, cameos, and celebrations focused on the fans will be a part of the milestone. With its 40th anniversary, Castlevania brings dreams of a real revival back to life. According to the sources, years of collections, Netflix adaptations, and renewed brand exposure have made it possible for a new entry.

A lot of people think that a new 2.5D Castlevania game will come out. It would be inspired by the best games in the series from the handheld era, but it would be made for today's gaming systems. Now that Switch 2 is out and PlayStation, Xbox, and PC are all options, it seems like the perfect time for Konami to finally bring Castlevania back into the public eye.

Kid Icarus quietly turns 40, even though it has far fewer titles than similar games. According to the sources, Kid Icarus: Uprising is still one of Nintendo's most loved and least recognized makeovers. A high-definition remaster for Switch 2 with modern controls and online features would be a good way to celebrate the occasion. This kind of release would give the brand another chance to get more people interested.

It's also the 40th anniversary of Dragon Quest, and people are excited about the news that everyone has been waiting for about Dragon Quest XII. According to the sources, Square Enix might be waiting for the right time to show off the project again, with the goal that it will be revealed at the same time as more people get the Switch 2.

Now that the HD-2D remakes of older games are done, it feels like 2026 is the right time to finally show everyone the franchise's future. As the 40th anniversary of Metroid arrives, things are less certain. According to the sources, Metroid Prime 4's recent release may make it hard to announce new games right away, but people are still interested in MercurySteam's next project.

Whether through a tease, remaster, or classic re-release, Nintendo is expected to mark the milestone in some form, even if a brand-new title remains further out.

The Legend of Zelda turns 40 in 2026, and all roads lead there in the end. According to reports, Nintendo might use the anniversary to tease the next main Zelda game, which will be made for the Switch 2. This could happen even though the release date is still a long time off. There will be a live-action Zelda movie in 2027.

This is the right time for hype to build again, and it could be supported by ports that fans have been asking for, like Wind Waker HD and Twilight Princess HD.

When you look at all the events planned for 2026, it seems less like a single party and more like a festival where video game history meets the desire to make next-generation games. The sources say that Nintendo and its friends are ready to mix nostalgia with progress.

They will use anniversaries not just to look back, but to set the stage for the future. With a lot of iconic series celebrating anniversaries at the same time, which one will take the lead and define 2026?