At the time of this posting, it’s been just over a week since the Nintendo Switch Reveal event. And in that event, we got a LOT of titles to be excited for. Not just in the “launch window”, but throughout the year, and beyond. And even with the recent Fire Emblem Direct news, that added a pure Fire Emblem Title for the Nintendo Switch, it’s clear that Nintendo wants us to play this console, and play it for a long time.
But, as with every gamer, there are titles you are more excited for than others. So, I decided to break down what MY favorite Nintendo Switch Reveal titles are. Two notes, I’m including both 1st and 3rd party titles. Although for the later, there’s only one in my list. Second, I will not include Fire Emblem For Switch, because it only has a tentative date, and thus is unfair to judge as it wasn’t given an art or trailers.
So, let’s begin. Oh, and this is a countdown, so the game that’s last is my MOST wanted title. Just so you know.
7. ARMS
https://youtu.be/k7s3UB_8dFM
A surprise pick, I assure you. I didn’t expect to see Arms, and yet, I’m intrigued by it. Especially since Will got to check out this game and more, and he detailed it in a very special Hands-On piece. You can check it out here.
Anyway, Arms looks to be Wii Boxing on steroids, or in this case, stretchy arms. But more than Wii Boxing ever was, this is a much more strategic fighting game, one that actually requires more thought into your fighting, else you’ll be KO’ed before you know it. There’s a surprising amount of depth that makes me curious about this game. It ranks on the bottom though for me because I’m not sure if I’ll actually purchase it. But, it deserves a nod because I wasn’t expected it, yet it left quite an impression.
And if I do get the game, I’m sure my face will be left with many impressions via my opponents.
6. Fire Emblem Warriors
For those who don’t know, I LOVE Fire Emblem (and I talk about my love of it in the latest Nintendo Entertainment Podcast!), the franchise means a lot to me. And I honestly think it’s the best Nintendo franchise…period.
But, (and remember this was before the Fire Emblem Direct), fans, included me, were unsure if Fire Emblem would ever get another console game. So imagine my surprise when Fire Emblem Warriors shows up! A follow-up of sorts to Hyrule Warriors (which I also played and loved), this genre is perfect for Fire Emblem, and both guys from NEP and myself, can’t wait to see not only who’s in it, but how boss their attacks and looks will be. And because of the FE Direct, we got a first look at the combat, and it looks like Fire Emblem in every way aside from turn-based.
So, why is it No.6? Well, it’s a game that I know I’ll enjoy, and I’m thrilled it’ll arrive this fall…but…it’s a beat-em’up. And though I enjoyed Hyrule Warriors, once I stopped playing it…I stopped for good. And though Fire Emblem Warriors will keep me going for awhile, I know the appeal will end eventually.
Just so you know, though, I’ll enjoy EVERY minute with Ike (because you know he’ll be in it!) that I get.
5. Skyrim
When the Nintendo Switch was first announced via the “commercial”, gamers got a big surprise when Bethesda showed up and had Skyrim on the console. Why? Because Bethesda has NEVER been on a Nintendo platform before! But then, after the commercial, there were conflicting reports about whether or not it would come. So, when the Nintendo Switch Reveal came and Todd Howard himself took the screen to say Skyrim was coming? The hype went through the roof!
Now yes, I hear your cries, “But hey! Skyrim is an OLD game! Why do you care?” Well…I’ve never played it. In fact, I’ve never played an Elder Scrolls game. I’ve been tempted, sure, but I never followed through. Now? Now I have a reason too. And to play it on the go? To not be confined to my room (or computer) to play it? That’s something very cool. I love fantasy, and I love massive world games, and Skyrim is that in droves, so for this to be on the Switch is beyond cool to me.
4. Super Mario Odyssey
During the commercial for the Nintendo Switch, we were treated to a tease for the next Mario game. And many of us noted it looked like Super Mario 64. Then, during the Nintendo Switch Reveal, we got a full-on look at the game, and I think all of our jaws dropped when Super Mario Odyssey was revealed.
From the first world we saw, which looked like a very realistic one. To the colorful other worlds, to the new gameplay elements we saw like Mario being able to roll like a ball, to using the hat in various ways, it was very cool. I love that Nintendo decided to once again take Mario out of his comfort zone in the Mushroom Kingdom and put him on an adventure that will span a brand new world. One that I can’t wait to explore. Oh, and that they’re bringing back the more sandbox style gameplay of Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Sunshine? It shows that Nintendo listens to what the fans want.
So, why is Super Mario Odyssey in the middle of the list? Well, while I’m pumped for this title, there’s just something about the Mario franchise that always pulls me back to equilibrium. I have no doubt I’ll enjoy this high heaven. But if I’m asking what are my “most wanted” titles, this one can only be middle of the pack for me.
Sorry, Will!
3. Xenoblade Chronicles 2
Xenoblade Chronicles X was one of my favorite Wii U titles, bar none. I’ll put it right at the top of the games list for that console. So, when Monolith Soft said that they wanted to do one more game in this series, and have it be even more focused on the characters and storylines that Xenoblade Chronicles X didn’t do, I was very excited.
So when this trailer hit? And it became clear it was Xenoblade Chronicles, I was fanboy screaming, and I don’t care that you know that. The style is very different than Chronicles X, and even the original Chronicles game. Which shows they’re not relying on what came before, they’re forging their own path with each new game and making sure each is unique from the previous title. And just via the subtitles, and the glimpses of the world this game is in, I want to see more! More, please!!!
And yes, I know we don’t know exactly when it’s coming. But WHEN it’s out? Day One buy.
2. Splatoon 2
Look, we all heard the rumors, Mario Kart 8 (which could’ve made the list, but honestly, I got the original) and Splatoon was going to be ported to the Nintendo Switch. And in a way, it was very believable. Especially for Splatoon, which came out late in the Wii U life cycle, and made a big splash. So why not continue it on the Nintendo Switch?
So…the trailer played…and I’m like, “Oh! We are getting the port, that’s cool.” But…then I started seeing new things…things that I KNEW wasn’t in the previous version. And the models…they looked more detailed, and crisper…and there were new levels…and I go, “Wait…is this a sequel?” Sure enough, the trailer ended with, “Splatoon 2”, and I squealed.
Why do I love this game so much? I don’t know. I just do. Maybe it’s the simplicity, maybe it’s because there is no other game like this on the market. Maybe it’s because I love the SplatFest idea, or that I can play with my friends on the same team, which will be magnified here on the Switch.
Whatever the reason, I’m getting this game, and I seriously can’t wait until it arrives this Summer.
1. Legend of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
Oh, I’m sorry, were you expecting something else to be the No.1 game I’m excited for on the Nintendo Switch? Really????
Look, Legend of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild is one of the most hyped games in Nintendo history. Yes, it came at the cost of many delays. But in one trailer, ONE, all the pain of those delays was washed away. From the look of the game, the story we got via the subtitles, the true reveal of Zelda, the emotion that we got in the trailer, something that is sometimes hard to get in Nintendo games, it was all there.
You felt the scale of the game, you felt the impact of the battles we saw. You felt the pain when you saw Zelda crying. And you felt pride when you saw Link, beaten and bruised, will himself back to his feet. it was a beautiful trailer, and this WILL be a beautiful game.
Oh, and it’s the killer app for the launch of the console. There’s that too.
Look, in the end, we’re ALL going to have titles we’re excited for. Whether it’s the ones from the Nintendo Switch Reveal event, or ones we hear about at E3, or beyond. What ones are you excited for? Let us know in the comments below!
