Nintendo Switch 2 leaked launch game isn't at all what we expected

Alright, this genuinely might be the most bizarre Nintendo Switch 2 leak we’ve gotten so far, because it comes from someone who claims to actually have Nintendo’s next console in their possession.

That’s not a joke or clever wordplay. This leaker has their physical hands on a genuine Nintendo Switch 2, a claim that has apparently been semi-verified by the moderation team over on the r/NintendoSwitch2 subreddit.

They’ve also revealed a little teaser about a very specific launch title we might see on the system– and it sounds an awful lot like they’re referring to Mario Kart 9.

Let’s start at the source. A few days ago, a thread titled “I’ve come from the future” popped up on the r/NintendoSwitch2 subreddit in which someone stated that they’d gotten their “muggy hands on a final release Switch 2 and it’s dock.”

Now sure, anyone can go on the internet and lie. Why would we just take this at face value?

That’s because the moderation team on the Nintendo Switch 2 subreddit confirmed that the leaker in question had shared evidence with them that proved their claims.

The leaker has been freely sharing info about the console in the comments, to the point that there’s actually way too much juicy info in there to fit into just one new post.

However, one of their comments is extremely interesting, as it contains some info about the first launch title we may see on the console.

One commenter asked user NextHandheld if they’d actually managed to play any games on the Nintendo Switch 2, and they were more than happy to answer.

“I did not get to turn it on but I know of one game coming out,” replied NextHandheld, “only because there is a special edition of the switch with the game.”

When someone else asked exactly what game NextHandheld was referring to, they simply replied “The number 9 is in the title.”

Some folks are theorising that this comment might be referring to Final Fantasy IX, but (unless the long-rumoured remake of the game is real) I don’t think Nintendo would manufacture a “special edition” of the Nintendo Switch 2 just for that.

I think Mario Kart 9 makes way more sense. Having a Mario game at launch is just a very straightforward way to ensure some extra sales. Plus, it has been over ten years since Mario Kart 8 came out.

Honestly, is there even anything left to leak at this point?