YOSHI (UNTITLED)
BEST 2018 SWITCH GAMES TO LOOK FORWARD TO
If you thought that Yoshi’s Woolly World on the Wii U was pretty cute, well think again. The next Yoshi game is coming to the Switch sometime this year, but Nintendo is being very rude and isn’t disclosing info on the actual release date. Instead of yarn and wool, it seems that Yoshi’s next adventure takes place in a cardboard cutout-type world that lets you switch views to see the level from opposite sides, allowing you to find hidden passages and secret items.
So far, we’ve only gotten one look at the game during that E3 trailer this past year, and since then, Nintendo has been awfully quiet on what’s exactly happening with this beautiful game – it doesn’t even have an actual title yet for crying out loud. Actually, Nintendo, how about you guys just call the game Yoshi and release it, let’s say, next week? Thank you.
KIRBY STAR ALLIES
BEST 2018 SWITCH GAMES TO LOOK FORWARD TO
Kirby Star Allies is the next big journey starring our favorite pink puffball, Kirby. Unlike the previous few Kirby titles, Star Allies is not playing around with any weird gimmicks like jumping between the foreground and background or using high-powered mech suits for combat; Star Allies is pure Kirby that you can play with up to four friends. Inhale enemies to get their special powers, fight that evil tree who seems to always be causing trouble, get all of the collectibles, and have a grand ol’ time – that’s what Kirby is all about, right? And with the Switch coming with two controllers out of the box, playing multiplayer is easier than tying your shoelaces.
TRAVIS STRIKES AGAIN: NO MORE HEROES
BEST 2018 SWITCH GAMES TO LOOK FORWARD TO
No More Heroes started out on the Nintendo Wii and now the third game in the series is coming back on a Nintendo console, which is fantastic to see. This may not be a full-fledged numbered sequel in the No More Heroes timeline, but it’s still going to feature our favorite assassin, Travis Touchdown, and all of his katana-wielding glory.
While the past two No More Heroes games focused on getting through linear 3D environments that would lead to a big boss fight, Travis Strikes Again is taking a bit of a different route. You’re still going to have that fabulous hack-and-slash gameplay that we’re used to, but Travis will be finding himself trapped in a video game console that throws him into six different game worlds. These six games are brand new titles, built for the ground up for Travis Strikes Again, but the director on the title, Suda51, says that the game worlds will be paying homage to other popular indie games that we’ve seen in recent years. Again, while this isn’t No More Heroes 3, it’s definitely a step in the right direction.
MEGA MAN 11
BEST 2018 SWITCH GAMES TO LOOK FORWARD TO
It has been a very, very long time since we’ve seen a new entry in the original Mega Man series owned by Capcom – eight years to be exact. Since then, we’ve gotten canceled games, we’ve gotten fan-made games, and we got a spiritual successor to Mega Man called Mighty No. 9 – which we don’t like to really talk about.
Capcom is finally making fans happy by commemorating the 30th anniversary of the series by bringing Mega Man back to life with a brand new numbered entry, and to make things even more exciting, the game is coming to the Nintendo Switch. Mega Man 11, from looking at the reveal trailer last month, seems to contain all of the highlights that the series has been known for, except the fact that the title will be ditching the usual pixel art style for a more polygonal 3D design. Let’s hope that the release window of “late 2018” isn’t too late into the year.
PROJECT OCTOPATH TRAVELER (WORKING TITLE)
BEST 2018 SWITCH GAMES TO LOOK FORWARD TO
Square Enix has always had a strong partnership with Nintendo. The company always seems to favor Nintendo’s handhelds for developing brand new titles – some that come to mind are games like Bravely Default, Theatrhythm Final Fantasy, and even a few entries in the Kingdom Hearts series. With the Switch, the company doesn’t seem to be backing down, as Square Enix is bringing a beautiful and original RPG to the console called Project Octopath Traveler.
Now, we know, that name sounds ridiculous (like most of Square Enix’s titles) but it’s still a working title, so who knows what it’ll be called down the line. What we do know is that the game is a major throwback to classic Final Fantasy – full of dungeons, intense storylines with memorable characters, and a battle system that just seems to work without a hitch. A demo was released on the Switch eShop not too long ago and players like ourselves were enamored with the art design and the two characters that we were allowed to play as. Oh yeah, did we mention, Project Octopath Traveler (hence the name) features eight unique adventurers for you to play as, and they all have different stories to tell as well as abilities. That demo was just cruel of Square Enix, because now we just really can’t want to play this.
MARIO TENNIS ACES
BEST 2018 SWITCH GAMES TO LOOK FORWARD TO
Oh look, another tennis game with Mario characters coming to the Switch. Okay, look, we all know there has been a Mario Tennis title on like every Nintendo system ever, but Nintendo wants to make one thing clear on this new one for the Switch; there is a story mode just like the one from Mario Tennis: Power Tour on the GBA back in 2005, complete with boss battles, a variety of missions, and fierce competition.
Mario Tennis Aces looks to be a fresh iteration on the classic sports series and it’s headed to the Switch in spring of this year, we hope that the inclusion of a story mode makes this a must-play for any Mario fans who might not be super big into tennis.
THE WORLD ENDS WITH YOU: FINAL REMIX
BEST 2018 SWITCH GAMES TO LOOK FORWARD TO
In 2008, a Square Enix RPG by the name of The World Ends With You released on the Nintendo DS. The RPG was super stylized and the setting took heavy inspiration from modern-day locations found in Tokyo. Using the dual-screens and the touch screen that the DS had to offer, the battle system focused on controlling two characters at once – one on the top screen and one on the bottom screen, which made for some pretty intense fights.
10 years later and the cult hit still has not received a proper sequel, even though fans have been asking for it for a very long time. With the Final Remix coming to the Nintendo Switch with a brand new epilogue, we only hope that is a tell-tale sign that the sequel isn’t very far off.
DONKEY KONG COUNTRY: TROPICAL FREEZE
BEST 2018 SWITCH GAMES TO LOOK FORWARD TO
When Retro Studios brought back Donkey Kong and friends to the Nintendo Wii with Donkey Kong Country Returns, we couldn’t have been more happy to see our favorite primate come back to glory. Country Returns definitely made us remember how difficult the 2D platforming series was – even playing multiplayer with a buddy proved to be insanely challenging, and don’t even get us started on how hard it was to gather all of the collectibles.
The 2014 sequel, Tropical Freeze, brought us even more Donkey Kong goodness, but was unfortunately trapped on a console that didn’t sell so well, the Wii U. Luckily, Nintendo has announced that the title will be coming to the Switch this year with some added content – yes! Tropical Freeze on the Switch, will of course feature a local co-op mode out of the box with split Joy-Con and a brand new character to play around with, Funky Kong. If you opted out of the Wii U version, now’s your chance to scratch that banana-collecting itch.
WARGROOVE
BEST 2018 SWITCH GAMES TO LOOK FORWARD TO
If you’ve been playing Nintendo games for a while, then you probably remember a little franchise called Advance Wars. It was Nintendo’s flagship turn-based tactics series on the GBA and DS alongside Fire Emblem. The series featured some pretty intense gameplay that had you on the tip of your toes at all times. So, Wargroove isn’t Advance Wars (obviously) and it’s not made by Nintendo, but this strategy game by Chucklefish is heavily inspired by Nintendo’s dormant franchise and is trying to bring this specific genre to the Switch, and so far, it looks super impressive and is sure to be a hit once it launches on the eShop early this year.
DARK SOULS REMASTERED
BEST 2018 SWITCH GAMES TO LOOK FORWARD TO
Bandai Namco and From Software are bringing Dark Souls to the Switch – this marks the first time that the series has seen release on a Nintendo console, which is a huge deal. We’ve seen other big developers show their support with M-rated titles like L.A. Noire, Doom, Skyrim, and the upcoming Wolfenstein II, but now, you can add the original Dark Souls to the list.
The remaster for the Switch will include the Artorias of the Abyss DLC as well as improved frame rate and updated resolution. Prepare to die, because Dark Souls Remastered will be released on the Switch come May 25.
FIRE EMBLEM (UNTITLED)
BEST 2018 SWITCH GAMES TO LOOK FORWARD TO
Yes, we are getting a brand new Fire Emblem title on the Switch sometime this year, which marks the first time in about 10 years that we’ve seen a proper Fire Emblem game on a home console, which is something to celebrate. We don’t know anything at all about this game except for the fact that it’s coming in 2018 and it’s going to be on the Switch. If it turns out to be anything like Fire Emblem Awakening or Fire Emblem Fates, then we doubt that fans of the tactical RPG will be disappointed.
LOST SPHEAR
BEST 2018 SWITCH GAMES TO LOOK FORWARD TO
I am Setsuna released in early 2016 and was developed by Tokyo RPG Factory, which is a brand new studio that was created just for the development of I am Setsuna. Lost Sphear is the spiritual successor to I am Setsuna, and once again continues to draw inspiration from old-school RPGs like Chrono Trigger and classic Final Fantasy. With that 90’s aesthetic. active time battle system, and an intriguing story, Lost Sphear is one RPG that should not be missed on the Switch.
HYRULE WARRIORS: DEFINITIVE EDITION
BEST 2018 SWITCH GAMES TO LOOK FORWARD TO
Another title from the solid library of games that the Wii U had to offer, Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition takes Link and a ton of other characters from the Zelda franchise and throws them into musou-style battles with zany special attacks and many combos to learn and master.
The definitive edition on Switch will be giving you all of the previously released downloadable content as well as the ability to play split-screen multiplayer with a friend – a feature that the Wii U version was lacking. Oh, and there are new Breath of the Wild costumes for one of our favorite duos, Link and Zelda.
SUPER MEAT BOY FOREVER
BEST 2018 SWITCH GAMES TO LOOK FORWARD TO
Past Super Meat Boy games usually had you go through small contained rooms which led to a single goal. Super Meat Boy has been known to cause a lot of rage in players since the game is insanely hard. The game even leaves blood wherever you died just so you can see how much you suck at playing.
This time around in Super Meat Boy Forever, the high difficulty is still ever so present, but instead of getting through a small level, the game is an endless runner. The title was originally being developed for mobile devices, but the team went on to make a full-fledged sequel for the Switch and pretty much every other platform under the sun.
VALKYRIA CHRONICLES 4
BEST 2018 SWITCH GAMES TO LOOK FORWARD TO
Everyone stop what you’re doing – alert the media and the press. Valkyria Chronicles 4 is the first time that the tactical role-playing series has seen release on a Nintendo system. If you’ve never heard of the series, don’t worry, most people haven’t and this fourth iteration would probably go under the radar.
But thanks to the infrastructure of the Nintendo eShop, there’s a chance that strategy fans will pick this one up, especially since there are no big Nintendo franchises that fall under the same radar on the Switch at the moment. Valkyria Chronicles deals with war in the 20th century but it all takes place in an alternate universe. If you’re looking for a game to help with that painful wait for Fire Emblem, and you enjoy games with strong characters and plot, Valkyria Chronicles 4 might be for you.
