Nintendo Switch 2 could influence esports in a big way in 2026

After years of rumours and speculation, the Nintendo Switch 2 finally arrives on June 5 worldwide, and it comes with a host of improvements.

From the ability to play games at a 4K resolution and 120 FPS at certain settings, the console is set to be a huge success. Announced in January as well as more details being revealed in a Nintendo Direct on April 2, the console will be launching with Mario Kart World, the next entry in the Mario Kart series, as well as Street Fighter 6, Sonic X Shadow Generations, and enhancements of previous releases, such as Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, with higher frame rates and resolution improvements respectively.

However, with Switch 2 being a huge improvement on its predecessor, there’s another aspect that’s yet to be discussed: the potential Nintendo Switch 2 esports scene in the coming months and years. With games like Street Fighter 6, one of the biggest esports games, coming to the console, Nintendo could have a unique opportunity on its hands for the industry.

Way back in 2016, Nintendo was on the back foot, although it seems strange looking back. Its Wii U console was not a success, as a result of confusing marketing and a design that made customers think it was an add-on to the Wii console.

However, when the Nintendo Switch was released in 2017, it was a huge success, as it could bring the console experience almost anywhere. In addition, games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Super Mario Odyssey, and Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, all released within six months of the console’s launch, made it hit the ground running.

This also applied to gaming competitions, with games like Super Smash Bros Ultimate and Splatoon 3 present at several events, although Nintendo has been very controlling with these games at events. For example, the company limited the number of players that could enter non-licensed events, as well as a prize pool limit of $10,000, which has drawn criticism from the esports community.

For Nintendo Switch 2 esports, the company should loosen its strict grip on events, giving its console and games the freedom that others like Counter-Strike 2 and VALORANT have. The improved power of the new console means that games like Street Fighter 6, will be available on Switch 2, which will include cross-platform support as well. This means that esports players using a PlayStation 5 could fight against those who are playing the game on a Switch 2. This could also mean that other esports games, like League of Legends and Tekken 8, could come to the console as well, expanding the esports Nintendo Switch 2 landscape by making it a staple at future events. 

Essentially, Nintendo should give esports events direct access to major Nintendo Switch esports games like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, and more, in the same vein that developers like Valve, Riot Games, and Capcom do for their games. This one move would break down the unapproachability that Nintendo has gained in the past at esports events. 

Another factor is Nintendo allowing games like previous Super Smash Bros entries to come into esports tournaments. Super Smash Bros. Melee, released for the GameCube in 2001, is still heralded as one of the best in the series by esports players, thanks to its low latency and great control. Now that GameCube games are coming to Switch 2 via the Nintendo Online service, it’s possible that Melee could arrive, and in turn, be made available at esports tournaments in a more accessible way.

Combining this with the accessibility of the design of the Switch 2, as well as the power of the console, it could attract new sponsorships and partnerships for Nintendo at future esports tournaments and could even spawn exclusive Switch 2-esports events.

Another influence that Nintendo Switch 2 could have is in streaming esports events. Thanks to the new Gamechat feature, accessible via the ‘C’ button on the Joy-Con 2 controllers, players can instantly create a party chat with their friends or family and watch someone play a game. Although this feature pales compared to how Xbox and PlayStation owners can use streaming services like Twitch and YouTube to create and watch streams, it’s at least a start for Nintendo.

And that’s an important point to remember. The company knows how accessible the Switch platform is, as well as the many games that are exclusive to it. Having this Gamechat feature could be the first step towards players being able to watch a stream of someone playing games like Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, and if there’s a multiplayer mode coming to the game, that’s where esports could come in.

A big impact could be seen when popular esports teams like Liquid and FaZe Clan could be using several Switch 2 consoles in handheld mode, all connected to a PC that could be showing off a multiplayer match at an event like the Esports World Cup. This personal touch, something arguably not seen when viewers watch players on a PC as they play VALORANT, could give events a more spontaneous feel, and perhaps change how these competitors are seen on a stage.

Nintendo Switch 2 could impact the esports competitive scene in a big way if Nintendo does it right. As mentioned, the company has been very protective of its IP, similar to Disney, and rightly so, but it’s been to the detriment of the esports community. For 2026, Nintendo should lower the barrier to entry by removing the number of players and giving that control to the esports organizers. This way, players who may be starting out could freely apply without wondering if they’re wasting their time due to fear that they’ve missed the cut-off point. It’s this decentralization effort that could shift the dominance of some major esports organizers and could make Nintendo a big influence in the industry by offering community-driven and lower barrier-to-entry tournaments.

Combine this with what the Switch 2 offers, and its backward compatibility with Switch 1 games, and it could spur Nintendo to try even harder in esports events. For example, investing in existing tournaments like the Esports World Cup and offering some of its games in the qualifying rounds could easily give Nintendo some influence. But one factor they’ll never deviate from is that the company is family-oriented. Having hosted smaller tournaments in the past featuring Splatoon and Super Smash Bros, it may want to hold on to regulating its IP, but perhaps if done in a more relaxed way, it can be a win-win situation for everyone.

Nintendo is in a unique position compared to Sony and Microsoft. It is on the cusp of launching one of the most hotly anticipated follow-ups to one of the most successful consoles of all time. Esports is growing at an incredibly fast rate, with the Olympic Esports Games coming in 2027. Nintendo esports could have an opportunity to capitalise on the growing industry by investing in it now and eventually having a big presence at the Olympic Games.

Right now, in 2025, the company has shown no hints that it’s going to do anything in esports. But with the Switch 2 weeks away from launching and its huge, iconic library just waiting to be used in a competitive capacity, we say that the time is now, Nintendo. You can have your Mario Party cake, and the esports community will gladly eat it up, if you allow it.