Rumor: Nintendo has a new Wario game on the way

TL;DR

A well-connected insider with a reliable track record claims that Nintendo is developing a new Wario game, marking the first original single-player Wario title since 2018's WarioWare: Gold. If true, this would end a nearly eight-year drought for the franchise and could signal a strategic shift for Nintendo as it approaches the launch of its next-generation hardware.

What Happened

On Sunday, June 7, 2026, gaming news outlet Nintendo Everything published a report citing an unnamed insider with a "reliable track record" who claims Nintendo has a new Wario game in active development. The report sent ripples through the Nintendo fan community, which has been waiting for a dedicated Wario title since the last major release—WarioWare: Gold—launched on the Nintendo 3DS in August 2018, nearly eight years ago.

Key Facts

• The claim originates from Nintendo Everything, a long-standing Nintendo-focused news site, citing an anonymous insider with a history of accurate leaks.
• The last original Wario game was WarioWare: Gold for the 3DS, released in August 2018; the most recent WarioWare title was WarioWare: Get It Together! (2021) for the Nintendo Switch.
• Wario has not had a standalone platforming title since Wario Land: Shake It! for the Wii in 2008, a gap of 18 years.
• The report does not specify whether the new game is a WarioWare microgame collection or a traditional Wario Land platformer—two distinct sub-franchises with very different gameplay.
• Nintendo has not commented on the rumor, and no official announcements have been made regarding a Nintendo Direct or other event where the game might be revealed.
• The claim emerges as Nintendo prepares for the expected launch of its next-generation console, often referred to as the "Switch 2," which could influence the game's platform and release timing.
• Wario was originally created by Nintendo as a "dark mirror" of Mario, first appearing in Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins (1992) before headlining his own series.

Breaking It Down

The core question is not whether a new Wario game exists—insiders with credible track records rarely risk their reputation on low-stakes claims—but rather what form it will take. The Wario franchise has bifurcated into two distinct identities over three decades. The Wario Land series, which last saw a new entry in 2008, is a traditional platformer emphasizing exploration, treasure collection, and Wario's unique abilities like the shoulder charge and ground pound. The WarioWare series, by contrast, is a compilation of rapid-fire microgames, often with a party-game focus.

The last Wario Land game shipped 18 years ago—a gap longer than the entire lifespan of the Nintendo DS and Wii combined. If the new title is a platformer, it would be one of the longest dormant major Nintendo franchises to be revived.

The financial logic is worth examining. WarioWare: Get It Together! sold approximately 1.3 million units worldwide according to Nintendo's fiscal reports—a respectable figure but far below the blockbuster numbers of Mario, Zelda, or Pokémon. A new Wario Land title, however, could tap into the growing nostalgia market for 2D platformers, a genre that has seen a resurgence with hits like Sonic Mania (2017), Shovel Knight (2014), and Nintendo's own Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (2014, re-released 2018). The Wario Land series, with its Metroidvania-lite design and distinct visual style, occupies a niche no other current Nintendo franchise fills.

The timing is also critical. Nintendo is widely expected to announce its next-generation hardware—often referred to as the "Switch 2" or "Switch Pro"—within the next 12 to 18 months. A new Wario game could serve as a launch window title or a mid-generation software fillip, similar to how WarioWare: Smooth Moves launched alongside the Wii in 2006. If the game is a WarioWare title, its pick-up-and-play microgame structure would be ideal for demonstrating a new console's unique features, such as improved motion controls or a new input method.

However, there is a cautionary note. Nintendo's Insider Track Record is mixed. While some leakers—like Emily Rogers and Samus Hunter—have accurately predicted major announcements, others have been wrong. The Nintendo Everything source is described as "reliable" but remains anonymous, and no corroborating evidence has emerged from other outlets like VGC, Eurogamer, or Bloomberg's Jason Schreier, who has a strong track record on Nintendo stories. Until a second source confirms the claim, it should be treated as a credible rumor rather than confirmed fact.

What Comes Next

The next few months will determine whether this rumor has substance. Here are the concrete developments to watch:

1. Nintendo's Next Direct Presentation: Nintendo typically holds a September Direct and a February Direct. If a new Wario game is real, an announcement is most likely at one of these events. The September 2026 Direct is the next scheduled opportunity.
2. Corroboration from Other Sources: Watch for reports from Bloomberg's Jason Schreier, Kotaku, or Video Games Chronicle. If multiple outlets independently confirm the story, the rumor's credibility increases significantly.
3. Trademark Filings: Nintendo often files trademarks for new game titles months before announcement. Check the USPTO and EUIPO databases for filings related to "Wario," "Wario Land," or "WarioWare" in the coming weeks.
4. Next-Gen Hardware Reveal: If the game is tied to a new console, an announcement could come alongside or shortly after Nintendo's next hardware reveal, which analysts at IDG Consulting and Ampere Analysis predict could happen by late 2026 or early 2027.

The Bigger Picture

This rumor sits at the intersection of two major trends in the video game industry: Nostalgia-Driven Revivals and Console Transition Strategies.

Nostalgia-Driven Revivals have become a dominant strategy for major publishers. Capcom revived Mega Man (2018's Mega Man 11), Sega brought back Sonic Mania, and Microsoft resurrected Psychonauts 2 and Perfect Dark. Nintendo itself has leaned into this trend with Metroid Dread (2021), which revived a franchise dormant for 19 years. A Wario Land revival would fit this pattern perfectly, targeting the millennial and Gen X gamers who grew up with the Game Boy Advance and Wii titles.

Console Transition Strategies are equally relevant. As Nintendo prepares to move from the Switch—which has sold over 140 million units as of 2026—to its next platform, the company needs software that bridges generations. A new Wario game could be a cross-generation title, launching on both Switch and the next console, similar to how The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild launched on both Wii U and Switch in 2017. This approach maximizes the install base while giving early adopters of the new hardware a reason to upgrade.

Key Takeaways

• [Rumor Status]: A credible insider claims a new Wario game is in development, but no official confirmation or second-source corroboration exists yet.
• [Franchise Gap]: The Wario Land sub-series has not seen a new entry in 18 years; a WarioWare title would be a shorter gap of 5 years since Get It Together!.
• [Platform Implications]: The game could be a Switch title, a next-gen launch title, or a cross-generation release—timing will be key.
• [Watch For]: Nintendo's next Direct (likely September 2026), trademark filings, and corroboration from major gaming outlets.