Ethan Crossfield 
Nintendo may be preparing Switch 2 projects for Super Smash Bros. and Nintendogs, according to claims from the YouTube account Malo932. The rumor matters because neither franchise currently has a native game for Nintendo's new console, and both have been absent from the release calendar for years. However, there are no announcements, release windows, or official details to confirm either project.
What happened
Malo932 reportedly suggested that Nintendo is developing an entirely new Super Smash Bros. game rather than simply giving Super Smash Bros. Ultimate a dedicated Switch 2 edition. The account did not provide information about the roster, developer, timing, or whether series creator Masahiro Sakurai is involved.
A second series was teased through references to barking and dogs. Readers widely interpreted those clues as Nintendogs, although Malo932 never named the franchise directly. The comments were later deleted, with screenshots and transcriptions discussed by VICE. Nintendo has not confirmed either claim, so both remain unverified rumors.
Malo932 has received increased attention after earlier comments appeared ahead of Nintendo announcements. The account referred to a double Zelda and Nintendo appointment before Nintendo confirmed a Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct for September 8 and a general Direct for September 9. It also mentioned an Ocarina of Time remake and new Star Fox projects before similar reports gained wider circulation. Other predictions, including a new Wario Land, a Super Metroid remake, and a new 3D Mario, remain unverified.
Why it matters
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate launched on Switch in 2018 and remains playable on Switch 2 through backward compatibility. A new entry would therefore be more significant than a simple technical upgrade, but it would also face an unusually difficult creative challenge. Ultimate built its identity around an enormous returning roster and was positioned as a culmination of the series. Any follow-up would need to establish a fresh direction while meeting expectations created by that lineup.
Nintendogs would be the more surprising revival. The series never received a Switch release, and Nintendogs + Cats on Nintendo 3DS was its last major installment in 2011. Fans have speculated that Switch 2 features such as its microphone or mouse-style Joy-Con controls could suit the concept, but there is no evidence Nintendo plans to use either feature for a Nintendogs game.
What to watch next
The most important signal will be an official Nintendo announcement, not additional interpretation of deleted comments. Players should also watch for whether Nintendo describes a new Smash Bros. as a full sequel, a Switch 2 edition, or another form of continuation. For Nintendogs, even a direct reference to the series would clarify whether the dog-related hints represented a genuine project or simply a broad tease.
For esports viewers, a new Smash Bros. would have the clearer competitive significance. Still, the series' enormous roster history means announcements about mechanics, scope, and development leadership could matter as much as the title itself. Nintendogs would instead broaden the Switch 2 lineup beyond established competitive and action-focused properties.
Key takeaways
- Neither rumored project has been announced by Nintendo.
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is playable on Switch 2 through backward compatibility.
- Nintendogs has not appeared on a Nintendo console since Nintendogs + Cats on 3DS in 2011.
- Malo932's earlier claims increased attention, but several other predictions remain unverified.
Current status of the rumored franchises
| Franchise | Most recent major release cited | Switch 2 status |
|---|---|---|
| Super Smash Bros. | Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, 2018 | Playable through backward compatibility; no announced native entry |
| Nintendogs | Nintendogs + Cats, 2011 | No Switch release and no announced Switch 2 game |
Expert View
A new Smash Bros. is the more predictable rumor, but Nintendogs would be the more strategically interesting revival. Nintendo could use it to show that Switch 2 is not only a destination for sequels and upgraded versions. Until the company confirms a project, though, the sensible view is to treat both claims as possibilities rather than upcoming releases.
