Well, it’s finally here; the Nintendo Switch.
The gaming giant’s latest console is another innovative creation, with impressive versatility and play-anywhere functionality. What of the games? Releasing the revolutionary The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild as a launch game is one heck of a smart move, but there are many, many other exciting titles on the horizon.
Some are only a few weeks from launch, while others are a little more distant. Let’s take a look at 12 we just can’t wait to try …
Mario kart 8 Deluxe (April 28th)
This ‘definitive’ edition of Mario Kart 8 brings over everything from the beloved Wii U game, along with the tracks and characters found in the DLC packages.
New characters will show up too, including Splatoon’s Inkling Boy and Inkling Girl, Dry Bones, King Book, and Bowser Jr. You can enjoy new items (two can be carried together now) and the battle mode has received an overhaul.
Fire Emblem Warriors (Autumn 2017)
Fire Emblem’s characters get a Dynasty Warriors-style makeover here, in the follow-up to Nintendo and Koei Tecmo’s Hyrule Warriors (which starred the Legend of Zelda cast).
This hack-and-slash action game is bound to be a blast, empowering you with the freedom to wade through one wave of enemies after another.
Unconfirmed Pokemon Game (TBA)
While Pokemon Stars has been rumoured and speculated about endlessly, it still hasn’t been confirmed. The Pokemon Company’s CEO recently discussed the implications of creating a new Pokemon game for the Switch, hinting that it would be different given the Switch’s higher performance.
What we actually end up should be impressive, though. Even if it’s yet to be confirmed, it’s a total no-brainer that we’ll see a new type of Pokemon game on the Switch someday soon.
Super Mario Odyssey (Q4 2017)
This looks to be a stunning Mario adventure, emulating the open-world model of Super Mario 64 and Sunshine.
One of the most exciting aspects is the inclusion of locations based on real-world spots (such as New York City), which should create a different yet familiar feel. The recent trailer is absolutely stunning, and it’s thrilling to see the iconic plumber running through New Doink City surrounded by ‘realistic’ sprites and architecture. It’s kind of like someone mashed a Mario and Spider-Man game together.
Of course, there’s more colourful, traditional Mario environments too, and the entire world looks huge, with climbing and swimming making for boundless exploration.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 (TBC)
Xenoblade Chronicles featured one of the most striking premises ever (a war between two groups living on two frozen giants), and was celebrated as a stellar RPG, mingling fantasy and sci-fi to great effect.
The Switch’s sequel has been presented in an incredible trailer, with sumptuous graphics, vast locations, and new characters. So far, this looks like the ideal sequel fans want, so fingers crossed it lives up to its first look!
Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Autumn 2017)
Surely, this needs no introduction!
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is a beast of a game, giving you a massive, beautiful open world to explore, seemingly-endless quests to complete, and a choice of lengthy careers.
Being able to play it anywhere, at any time, in the palm of your hands? Irresistible.
New Shin Megami Tensei (TBA)
This series of demonic post-apocalyptic games has been going strong for decades, and birthed the Persona series, so the arrival of a new game is always something to be excited about.
Little is known of the Switch’s Shin Megami Tensei game yet, as the atmospheric reveal trailer doesn’t give much away. Still, let’s hope this is something really special!
Steep (TBC)
Wingsuit-flying, paragliding, skiing, and snowboarding are all available to play in Steep, in a third- or first-person perspective (with a GoPro camera view on offer too), giving you an all-round extreme experience.
It may have received decent reviews on the PC, PS4, and Xbox One, but it’ll be interesting to see how this plays on the Switch. Being able to indulge in fast-paced extreme sports on the move is sure to keep you occupied as you sit on a plane or at work on your lunch break.
Splatoon 2 (Q2 / Q3 2017)
The first Splatoon game was a hit, and the sequel is another team-based third-person shootathon. The trailer is absolutely gorgeous, filled with frantic, madcap action and oodles of colourful mayhem.
Expect new maps, new weapons, new mechanics, and more of the same relentless ink-based fun.
Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap (Q2 2017)
This remake of the Master System classic looks astounding. The footage revealed so far shows stunning graphics that are shiny and new but popping with old-school charm.
One of the most exciting parts? It uses the Master System’s password system, so if you have any codes left around from your old game, you can dive into the same point on your new version. Pretty damn mind-blowing!
You can also switch (pun intended) between the original graphics and the new ones with the tap of a button, while the new score can also be replaced with the old-school alternative, too. This is sure to be a must for fans!
Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers (May 26th 2017)
Ah, Street Fighter II.
This immortal classic will hit the Switch in May, and comes packed with features for single-player and multiplayer modes, as well as new characters (there’s 19 to choose from in total). You can either play with the original visuals or go for the eye-popping new graphics, and even play in first-person.
Yup, you read that right: first-person. This comes courtesy of the ‘Way of the Hado’ mode, which pits Ryu against the Shadaloo army and tasks you with fighting them off using Hadoukens and Shoryukens.
Evil Ryu and Violent Ken also show up, and you can even edit characters’ costume colours for use in various modes.
Arms (Q2 2017)
Now, here’s a fighting game with a difference: you get to play as a variety of characters with extendable arms, via the dynamic Joy-Con controllers.
Like a deeper, more advanced version of Wii Boxing, Arms is an interactive, no doubt-tiring game that looks set to make great use of the Switch. Of course, you can choose a less-embarrassing control method instead, if you prefer.
Arms looks pretty impressive, with some terrific visuals, an original concept, and a less-gritty aesthetic than most other fighting games.
This is just a taste of some of the most exciting Nintendo Switch games coming up – there are many more heading our way in the approaching months.
Which Nintendo Switch games are you most excited to play? Let us know!
