Switch 2 Is The Perfect Opportunity To Revive One Dormant Franchise

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As players wait in anticipation of the Nintendo Switch 2's reveal, there will surely be lots of discussion on the huge game releases that could be heading to the new console. With the Switch having achieved an incredible line-up of critically-acclaimed and groundbreaking titles, Nintendo will surely be looking to keep up that momentum with the Switch 2 to ensure its success. As such, players can come to expect some major releases from Nintendo's most popular franchises, from to .

It would be no surprise for Nintendo to prioritize games based on these franchises to ensure the success of their new console moving forward. That being said, the Switch 2 also proves to be the perfect opportunity for Nintendo to revive one beloved franchise that has remained dormant for many years. A revival that, if done correctly, could allow the franchise to return to its former glory.

Despite being one of Nintendo's most beloved franchises, has a fairly rocky history. Following the initial success of the original and, the series continuously struggled to find its footing, resulting in a range of underwhelming and confusing titles. Developer Rare's ambitious action-adventure game strayed too far from the series' signature elements to a point where the title felt alien. While its follow-up,, directed focus back to the traditional on-rails shooting gameplay, it failed to offer anything new that separated the title from the classics.

This all culminated with, Nintendo's last attempt at revitalizing the franchise. was admittedly doomed from the start, with its release on the failing Wii U console – and no subsequent port of to the Switch – which made it extremely difficult for the game to have a big enough impact. This initial setback was only built upon by 's negative reception upon release, with criticism largely pointing towards the game's difficult control scheme and lackluster campaign, which has resulted in the series' nearly 9-year absence.

With fans waiting years for its release,