5 Best Switch Games to Have on Your Radar in July 2018

Shining Resonance Refrain (July 10)

Best Switch Games for July 2018

Shining Resonance Refrain puts you in the shoes of Yuma Ilvern as you go on a journey to stop the evil Empire from using the power of dragons to wreak havoc on the world. The game is a JRPG with very fast-paced action combat, similar to what we’ve seen in the Tales series.

The original Japanese release of the game didn’t feature Princess Excella as a playable character. However, this game includes a new Refrain mode where you can add both Excella and Jinas to your party. In addition to that, the game also includes all of the cosmetic items and side quests, so there’s a ton of content to get into here. The Switch is quickly becoming a powerhouse system for RPGs, and this is another good one to keep an eye out for.

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (July 13)

Best Switch Games for July 2018

Originally released for the Wii U, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is a spin-off of Super Mario, and it features tons of levels filled with obstacles that you have to navigate your way through. Taking control of Toad himself, you’ll be able to explore various puzzle levels that are based on locations from the Mario games, and the Switch version also features levels from the kingdoms we got to see in Super Mario Odyssey.

In Treasure Tracker, Toad can take out enemies with his pickaxe, and you’ll also have to move the camera around to identify traps and find collectibles to pick up. In addition to that, you can also use touchscreen controls to activate platforms and manipulate the levels in order to progress. If you didn’t get a chance to play this on the Wii U, there’s no reason to skip out this time.

Octopath Traveler (July 13)

Best Switch Games for July 2018

Arguably the most anticipated Switch-exclusive release for this month, Octopath Traveler is a pretty pixel art JRPG developed by Square Enix. At the start of the game, you’ll get to choose to play as one of eight characters, and you’ll eventually be able to recruit the other seven to your party. Every character has their own backstory and motivations, so players can pick the one they resonate with the most and use them as their main protagonist.

Battles in Octopath Traveler are turn-based as well, though you can boost your attacks over time, similar to what we saw in Bravely Default and Bravely Second. The soundtrack is wonderful, the art style and graphical presentation are beautiful, and JRPG fans should definitely pick this one up when it releases.

The Banner Saga 3 (July 24)

Best Switch Games for July 2018

The Banner Saga found success in its Kickstarter campaign years ago, and we’re finally about to get the final chapter to close out the epic trilogy. This is a largely story-driven game about Viking tribes, and combat plays out in strategic, turn-based affairs. Along the way, you’ll also have to make important decisions that will seriously affect how the story plays out.

If you’ve already played the first two games, this is a no-brainer. You should most definitely get this when it releases on the 24th. Besides, the story structure and gameplay make it a pretty good fit for the Switch. However, if you’re new to the series, we recommend playing through the first two games before diving in here. They’re already available on the Switch eShop, so you should be able to catch up before the finale.

Code of Princess EX (July 31)

Best Switch Games for July 2018

Code of Princess EX is yet another JRPG coming to the Switch this month, and it has a combat system that mixes some hack-and-slash and beat-em-up action. The game’s campaign mode also supports two-player local co-op, so this is definitely a good one to jump into if you have a friend to play with. There’s also a very large roster of over 50 characters to choose from, each coming with unique abilities and equipment that can be upgraded along the way.

While the story isn’t exactly the main focus here, the multiplayer potential is what you’ll be getting into the game for. Aside from co-op, you can also engage in online competitive modes to battle other players and earn Princess Points. Outside of the campaign, there are also Free Play and Bonus Quest modes to get into, so you can easily sink a ton of time into this one.