The Nintendo Switch already boasts some impressive exclusive games. 2017 saw the releases of Super Mario Odyssey, Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle, and Xenoblade Chronicles 2. 2018 brought with it big hits like Octopath Traveler, Pokémon: Let’s Go Pikachu and Eevee, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. It’s a far cry from the Wii U days.
Looking ahead to 2019, there are even more exclusives to get excited about. Let’s go over five Nintendo Switch games you should have on your radar for the coming year.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses
The next installment in the turn-based tactical RPG (recently with added romance) series takes place in a world called Fódlan, where the mysterious-sounding Church of Seiros wields power over the people.
Players will control the main character both on and off the battlefield, interacting with other characters to gather intel and build relationships. New twists have been added to the strategic battle system this time around, such as formations of troops now supporting individual heroes as they fight for victory. Fire Emblem: Three Houses is due out in the Spring.
Animal Crossing (working title)
Following Animal Crossing’s free-to-play mobile offering, Pocket Camp, is a new mainline game announced for the Nintendo Switch during a Nintendo Direct in September. Many fans had lost hope of seeing the title when it wasn’t mentioned at E3 2018, but you can soon get back to nature in the long-awaited game.
The short teaser didn’t give much away, with Tom Nook sitting at his desk saying, “I’ve got to make sure everyone has a nice, new place to come home to when they’re ready, yes?”
With any luck, more details on this new mainline title will be revealed early in the new year.
Yoshi’s Crafted World
Mario’s cutest companion goes on an adventure in a diorama-like world made from boxes and paper cups. Each stage has a flip side to explore, offering different views and adding some surprises to the traditional side-scrolling experience. Unusual obstacles, hidden paths and collectibles are located in each area, ensuring there is lots to discover as you lead Yoshi towards the goal.
Yoshi’s Crafted World comes to the Nintendo Switch in the Spring.
Luigi’s Mansion 3 (working title)
It has been a long wait for a Luigi’s Mansion sequel but Luigi will finally be setting out on his next spooky journey in 2019.
The 40-second teaser shown in September didn’t reveal much about the game, but fans did get to see Luigi tentatively creeping through a haunted mansion and getting spooked by all manner of ghosts and ghouls, before bravely dispatching them with his trusty Poltergust vacuum.
Hopefully some additional details about the game will jump out of the shadows soon.
Pokémon for Nintendo Switch (working title)
Fans have already been treated to a bit of Pokémon goodness on the Nintendo Switch this year in the form of Pokémon: Let’s Go Pikachu and Eevee, and next year there will be even more to enjoy when an all-new adventure is released.
Not much is known about this new mainline title, but it’s safe to say you can expect a new land to explore, trainers and gym leaders to battle, and different Pokémon to catch and train. This core Pokémon RPG is expected to launch in late 2019.
If those five games weren’t enough to whet your appetite for the year ahead, the Nintendo Switch will also be bringing you Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes, Daemon X Machina, Town, and Marvel’s Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order.
There are three big hitters currently in development as well (although these probably won’t be out for a while yet): Shin Megami Tensei V, Bayonetta 3, and Metroid Prime 4. Not to mention all the non-exclusives and indie games to look forward to. 2019 is shaping up to be a great year for the Nintendo Switch.
Published: Dec 21, 2018 06:37 am