Honestly, keeping a secret in the gaming industry during 2026 is basically impossible. We’ve all been staring at our Nintendo Switch 2 consoles since they launched back in June, and while the initial high was great, the "what comes next" hunger is hitting hard. If you've been hanging around the darker corners of Reddit or Twitter lately, you’ve probably seen the massive switch 2 games leak that just dropped. It’s not just some random "my uncle works at Nintendo" nonsense this time. We’re talking datamined code and shipping manifests.
People are losing their minds over potential Zelda remasters, but there’s a lot more moving under the surface. It looks like the floodgates for third-party support are finally opening in a way we never saw with the original Tegra X1 chip.
What the latest switch 2 games leak actually reveals
So, here’s the deal. A few days ago, a leaker known as @realityuk—who has a weirdly good track record with Activision stuff—spotted references to "NSW2" in the latest Call of Duty backend updates. It’s not exactly a shocker since Microsoft signed that 10-year deal to bring CoD to Nintendo, but seeing it in the code makes it real. We aren't just getting some watered-down mobile port. The leak suggests Black Ops 7 and Warzone are being prepped for a late 2026 window.
But wait, it gets weirder.
The datamines also point toward a "Switch 2 Edition" of Monster Hunter Wilds. Capcom has been cagey about this, mostly because the game is a beast to run on anything. However, new graphical presets discovered in the game's files specifically mention a "Drake" profile. For those who don't spend their weekends reading technical white papers, "Drake" is the internal codename for the T239 chip inside your Switch 2.
The First-Party Heavy Hitters
Nintendo is obviously playing it close to the chest, but the leaks haven't spared them either. We’ve seen mentions of Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave and a mysterious project codenamed Pokopia.
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Is Pokopia the Gen 10 Pokémon game?
Maybe.
Most likely.
The rumors suggest a 2026 release for the next mainline Pokémon, and the files show it’s being built as a "cross-gen" title. That means it’ll still run on the old Switch, but if you want the 1080p handheld resolution and the Ray Reconstruction features, you’ll need the new hardware.
The backward compatibility drama
You’d think after the console has been out for seven months, we’d have the backward compatibility thing sorted. Nope. A fresh update from the totallyswitched community on January 13 highlighted that while most games work, some are still acting "kinda" funky.
Nintendo actually updated their official compatibility list recently to include Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl as "fully supported," but they also admitted Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe is having weird audio glitches on the new hardware. It’s a mess, frankly. You’d imagine a company as big as Nintendo would have every first-party title polished for their new $399 machine, but software emulation is a fickle beast.
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If you’re planning on playing Transistor or Kingdoms of Amalur on your Switch 2, be careful. The leaks show these titles can still crash if you dock or undock them during specific loading screens.
Why the T239 chip changes everything
The technical side of this switch 2 games leak is where things get interesting for the "performance nerds." We know the console has 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM, which is a massive jump from the measly 4GB in the original.
This extra headroom is why we’re seeing leaks for Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. These aren't just dreams anymore. The leaked shipping manifests from accessory manufacturers in China showed physical cartridge mockups for Square Enix titles that haven't been announced for Nintendo yet.
Think about it.
Portable Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.
At 1080p.
With DLSS.
That’s the kind of power that finally puts Nintendo in the same conversation as the other "pro" consoles, even if it’s still trailing behind the PS5 in raw TFLOPS.
A list of leaked and upcoming titles for 2026
I hate those perfectly organized tables that look like a corporate brochure, so let’s just run through what’s actually on the horizon based on the most credible leaks we’ve seen this month:
- Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade: Rumored for a January 22 release. It’s the enhanced version with the Yuffie DLC.
- Mario Kart World: This one is the big fish. Leaks suggest it’s the first brand-new Mario Kart in 11 years (no, 8 Deluxe doesn't count). Watch for a "boost meter" mechanic—the leaked footage showed orange glowing pickups that weren't in previous games.
- Splatoon Raiders: A potential spin-off that’s been floating around the rumors for months.
- Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition: FromSoftware rarely misses, and word is they’ve got a dedicated team working on a Switch 2 port that includes Shadow of the Erdtree.
- Hollow Knight: Silksong: Look, it’s been "coming soon" since the dawn of time. But the latest eShop backend leaks show a placeholder for Q3 2026. Don't hold your breath, but keep an eye out.
What most people get wrong about these leaks
A lot of people see a "leak" and assume it’s a 100% guarantee. That’s how you get disappointed. Remember the "Switch Pro" rumors that lasted for four years?
A lot of the games appearing in these leaks—like GTA 6 or Microsoft Flight Simulator—are probably just developers testing the limits of the T239 chip. Just because a game is being tested on the hardware doesn't mean it’s getting a commercial release. Porting a game like Flight Simulator would probably melt the CPU, even with the octa-core ARM Cortex-A78C.
Also, keep a salt shaker handy for the "Switch 2 Lite" and "Switch 2 OLED" rumors. Yes, some dataminers found a reference to a second model ID, but Nintendo usually waits at least two years before refreshing their hardware. If you just bought a Switch 2, don't feel buyer's remorse yet.
Making sense of the chaos
If you’re trying to decide what to play next or whether to save your eShop credit, the best move is to focus on the "confirmed" leaks—the ones with code-based evidence. Final Fantasy and Monster Hunter are almost certainties at this point.
The February Nintendo Direct is the next big milestone. Almost every major leaker is pointing toward that window for the official reveal of the "New 3D Mario" (people are calling it Mario Odyssey 2, but the leaks say it’s a totally new name).
What you should do right now:
- Check your library: Go to the official Nintendo Software Compatibility site to see if your favorite Switch 1 games have been patched for the Switch 2 yet.
- Save your gold points: With big third-party ports like Dynasty Warriors: Origins and Core Keeper hitting this month, you’re going to want that extra credit.
- Manage your storage: The Switch 2 has 256GB internal, which sounds like a lot until you realize Final Fantasy VII will probably take up half of it. If you see a deal on a microSD Express card (up to 2TB), grab it.
The 2026 gaming calendar is looking crowded, and for once, Nintendo owners aren't just sitting on the sidelines watching everyone else play the big AAA releases. Just remember to take the more "out-there" rumors—like Halo on Switch—with a massive grain of salt until you see that red Nintendo logo on the trailer.