PS4 vs. Xbox vs. Switch: Which Console Had the Best Year in 2018?
Nintendo
Nintendo was always going to struggle to match its exceptional 2017. The launch of Nintendo Switch and a flood of new game content set a blazing pace that might go down in history as one of the best year ones for any console ever.
Yet Nintendo still did a remarkably good job driving the brand forward in what felt like a bit of filler year as it tees up for a big 2019.
Although not on the same scale as in 2017, a host of small but still notable game content maintained their exemplary standard for innovation and playability, most importantly, really fun video games.
Their in-house titles lead the way as usual, with releases big and small dotted throughout the year.
Though Mario Tennis Aces, Super Mario Party, and Kirby Star Allies could be surmised as a warm up more than anything, they capped the year off with blockbusters in Pokemon Let’s Go and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
The latter held up our Game of the Year article as we considered its contention for Twinfinite’s most prestigious annual award, such was its quality.
Elsewhere, collaborative efforts with third-party developers efforts in the form of Octopath Traveler and ports of the Bayonetta titles helped build a catalog that followed-up 2017 admirably. It’s important not to forget Nintendo Labo, which was a huge success in Japan.
The hardware/software combination reminded us all that even in an era in which Nintendo feels much more modern and industry-savvy, it’s still willing to experiment and stand apart from other publishers.