The Nintendo Switch Presentation was a bit of a mixed bag. While fans were left wanting in the way of proper details, there was a lot of information on features for the console. However, raw power isn’t everything, and where Nintendo really shined was in what matters most: the games. In case you missed it, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of all the Switch games Nintendo announced, and some you may have missed.
1,2 Switch
For the past two console generations, Nintendo has been very good at providing tech demos as playable party games. 1,2 Switch looks to be the Switch’s version of that: a party game where the focus is to look into your opponents eyes, as opposed to the TV screen. Games such as Wild West style showdowns or copying your opponents dance moves, 1,2 Switch will ultimately show off the functionality of the Switch, as well as potentially liven up a party.
ARMS
A second entry in the Switch’s tech-demo party games, ARMS looks to combine boxing and shooting games as players launch extendable arms at each other using a combination of movement controls with the Joy-Cons, as well as buttons for jumping and dodging. It almost looks like Nintendo’s attempt at a “hero shooter” with a unique art-style, distinct characters and a focus on multiplayer only arena battles. While no official release date has been given, Arms is currently set for a Spring release.
Splatoon 2
Initially shown off in the Switch’s reveal trailer, Splatoon 2 looks to take the fun, fast-paced gameplay of it’s predecessor and deliver more adding new stages, outfits and weapons. The game also looks to be adding new features like dodge-rolling and leaping melee attacks, as well as refining current functions to better suit it to the Switch. Unlike it’s predecessor which had a paired down 1v1 multiplayer, Splatoon 2 will feature proper local between Switch consoles and voice chat through a smart device app (a potentially bold move). No release date has been given, but Splatoon 2 is set for a summer launch.
Super Mario Odyssey
Another game briefly shown in the Switch’s reveal trailer, Mario is back in his first open sandbox-style game since Mario Sunshine. Leaping out of the Mushroom Kingdom into strange lands (and some familiar looking ones) Super Mario Odyseey looks to be Mario’s biggest adventure yet. The newest feature seems to be Mario’s hat, which is apparently sentient and which Mario can throw for attacks or to get boosted jumps. No release date was given for Super Mario Odyssey, however it’s listed for a holiday 2017 release.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
When Mario Kart was shown in the Switch’s reveal trailer, I had guessed Nintendo was working on a new one, since subtle details like King Boo and two item slots seemed to differentiate it from a remake of Mario Kart 8. While this is not the case, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is set to be the “definitive version” of the game for Switch owners, not only including all the DLC, but also adding new characters like the Inkling boy and girl, the aforementioned King Boo, Dry Bones and Bowser Jr; new items like the item stealing Boo and Feather; and a revamped battle mode including proper stadium-style courses. No official release date has been given, although Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is set for April.
Xenoblade 2
Nintendo also debuted the newest entry in the Xenoblade franchise, simply titled Xenoblade 2. While not much was shown in the way of gameplay, Xenoblade 2 looks to be taking a simpler, anime-style character aesthetic and returning to a setting more grounded in fantasy than sci-fi. The immense scope of the previous entries seems to remain in-tact with massive, sprawling worlds populated with gargantuan xenoforms. Xenoblade 2 currently has no release date.
Project Octopath Traveller
Very little was shown of this strange and beautiful RPG from Square Enix. Project Octopath Traveller (which I’m guessing is a working title) looks to be a 16-bit turn-based RPG, but also a side-scroller, but also gorgeously designed with detailed environments and atmospheric enhancements. With no other details, and no release date we will have to anxiously await this strange new title.
However not all the reveals had much in the way of proper details. A trailer for a new Shin Megami Tensei game boasted a Unity 4 engine and simply showed a collection of demons standing around. Suda 51 took to the stage to announce an unnamed No More Heroes project in development for the Switch; Koei Tecmo released a small trailer for their upcoming Fire Emblem Warriors game that was nothing more than a collection of notable weapons from the series, and Square also announced that Dragon Quest X and XI would be releasing on the Switch, as well as Dragon Quest Warriors 1 and 2.
But the list of games currently in development for the Switch is inspiring with Yoshiaki Koizumi boasting over 80 games in the works. A closing trailer for the Switch showed titles like Minecraft, Minecraft Story Mode, Skylanders: Imaginators, Lego City Undercover, Rayman Legends, Dragonball Z: Xenoverse 2, (what looked like) Farming Simulator, what looks like Disgaea, I am Setsuna, Ultra Street Fighter 2, Super Bomberman R, Puyo Puyo x Tetris, Steep, Fast Racing Neo, and Just Dance 2017.
With developers like From Software confirming Dark Souls 3 for Switch and Ubisoft’s supposed Mario/Rabbids RPG crossover, the Switch may not only be a competitive system on it’s price and usability, but based on what we’ve seen today, it could boast an incredibly impressive library to match.
