Leaker claims new Super Smash Bros. and Nintendogs games are in development
Industry insider Malo932 suggests Nintendo is preparing a fresh Smash Bros. title and a revival of its canine simulation series.
Nintendo may be preparing a massive software offensive for its next hardware cycle, according to new claims from a prominent industry leaker. The reports suggest that both a completely new Super Smash Bros. entry and a revival of the Nintendogs series are currently in development.
According to YouTube user Malo932, as reported by Eurogamer, VGC, and IGN, the upcoming Super Smash Bros. project is an entirely new game. The leaker explicitly stated that the title is not a "buffed up" version or a "Switch 2 Edition" of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the 2018 hit that remains the best-selling game in the genre. Alongside the fighting game, Malo932 claims that Nintendogs is returning to the fold. The series has been dormant since 2011's Nintendogs + Cats for the 3DS, though the original franchise saw significant commercial success.
A broader roadmap for 2027
These claims are part of a wider set of predictions regarding Nintendo's long-term pipeline. Malo932 suggests a heavy release schedule for 2027, which allegedly includes a new 3D Mario title, a 2D Metroid game, a new Wario Land, and a Star Fox "adventure" style project. Additionally, the leaker claims that Fox McCloud will make an appearance in Mario Kart World DLC in 2027.
This potential surge of content follows a recent trend where Nintendo has shown renewed interest in its more eccentric handheld properties. The recent return of titles such as Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream and Rhythm Paradise Groove suggests a strategic pivot toward reviving the "weird" and cozy franchises that defined the company's earlier handheld eras.
Implications for the next console
If these leaks prove accurate, they signal a significant shift in Nintendo's software strategy for its successor to the Switch. Rather than relying on enhanced ports or "Deluxe" versions of existing hits to bridge the gap between consoles, the company would be moving toward entirely new iterations of its most profitable and nostalgic intellectual properties.
For the industry, a new Smash Bros. would represent a massive technical and logistical undertaking, given the scale of the previous entry. A return to Nintendogs would similarly test whether the "virtual pet" craze of the 2000s can be successfully modernized for a current audience.
What remains to be seen
While Malo932 is cited by multiple outlets as a prominent source, Nintendo has not officially commented on any of these claims. The timeline for the 2027 releases remains speculative, and the specific nature of the "adventure" Star Fox game or the mechanics of the new Smash Bros. title have not been detailed. Investors and fans will likely look to upcoming Nintendo Direct presentations for any concrete confirmation of these projects.