It’s fair to say that the landscape of gaming was dominated by PS4 in 2018, with sales and awards galore being claimed by the likes of God of War and Marvel’s Spider-Man respectively. However, the Switch wasn’t far behind, ending the year on a strong note with huge titles the likes of Pokemon: Let’s Go and Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Nintendo looks to ride that momentum into 2019 and beyond with some massive first-party titles set for release to contest with their Sony rivals. The Switch is in its prime and there’s never been a better time for the little console that could to pull out all the stops.
With that in mind, we’ve gathered 15 of the biggest new Switch games set for release this year. It’s a list so grand, you won’t even mind that Switch game prices refuse to come down (I got you in the end, Breath of the Wild).
If any of the release information changes, we’ll be sure to update it here.
1. New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe | January 11th
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Platform: Switch
Well, we weren’t going to have a list without the world’s most famous plumbers in it. While this is effectively a glorified port of the same game from the Wii U some years ago, it comes with a host of new features to make it an essential purchase on the Switch, like Coin Battle, Boost Rush and various Challenge Modes, not to mention New Super Luigi U (in addition to the 164 base levels).
Yes, you could argue that it’s ‘more of the same’ but there’s a reason ol’ Mario has employed such a successful formula for so long. Mario Deluxe will get you two games for the price of one and is a strong way for Nintendo to kick off the year. It’s an ever reliable and charming title to be enjoyed through single-player or with friends and you’ll be hard pressed to have a bad time playing it.
2. Yoshi’s Crafted World | March 29th
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Platform(s): Switch
Where Mario goes, his trusted fluttering, lizard-lad sidekick is never far behind as the follow-up to Yoshi’s Wooly World lands on the Switch at the end of March.
In a delightfully colourful world of crafts, where levels are constructed of cardboard, buttons and paper cups, you’ll be gobbling enemies and flipping the environment all over the place to search all the nooks and crannies to find secrets, collectibles and more on the way to the levels end.
This is one of the most adorable games ever seen, plus the fact Wooly World will support co-op (double Yoshi for the win) will give Switch players all the life they need in 2019.
3. Untitled Goose Game | March 2019
Publisher: Panic
Developer: House House
Platforms: Switch, PC
I’m going to be honest with you – this right here, the game where you play as a, and I quote, a ‘horrible goose’, is the game I’ve been looking forward to ever since it was announced.
It blends stealth, slapstick and the power of nature’s biggest git, the goose, as you waddle about a sleepy village town, stealing things and pranking the locals only the way a goose can. Just think of a James Bond film, but imagine that James Bond was a goose and instead of stopping some Russian dictator firing off a nuclear missile, he instead stole a gardener’s hat and threw it in a bin and you’re halfway there.
There’s no doubt that Untitled Goose Game (which may be the best name for any game since the dawn of gaming) is going to be an utterly ridiculous, brilliantly odd and wonderfully silly game that will epitomise the idea of ‘fowl play’ forever more.
4. Mortal Kombat 11 | April 23rd
Developer: NetherRealm Studios, High Voltage Software
Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Platform(s): Switch, PS4, Xbox One, PC
The ultra-violent, blood-soaked fighting game was only announced in December at The Game Awards but has already got people talking with the announcement that the classic gore fest will also be coming to Switch.
Revealed in a trailer that showed off Scorpion fighting with Dark Raiden, it showcased all the staples of the series that fans have come to know and love. There was no proper gameplay, but it’s a safe bet that we can expect body parts to be torn off in new, cruel and grimly satisfying ways.
While new rumours have suggested the 11th entry in the series may actually be pushed back for a May release date, what we do know is that an official reveal party will be taking place in Las Vegas on January 17th, where more details are certain to be revealed.
MORE SWITCH: The Best Nintendo Switch Games
5. Super Meat Boy Forever | April 2019
Publisher: Team Meat
Developer: Team Meat
Platform(s): Switch, PS4, Xbox One, PC
At long last, the sequel to the smash-hit Super Meat Boy arrives in April.
Since we last met our meaty hero, he’s settled down with Bandage Girl and they’ve had a daughter named Nugget, which is wonderful. Not so wonderful is series antagonist, Dr Fetus, who has returned to steal the meat baby, throwing our beloved odd-couple back into the fray to save their spawn.
This time around, players will be able to do more than jump, adding attack options along with jump attacks, dives and slides. Additionally, Team Meat are changing up the level formats this time around, as the levels will generate randomly while increasing in difficulty depending on your skill as a player.
If the first title is anything to go by, expect to die. A lot.
6. Team Sonic Racing | May 21st
Developer: Sumo Digital
Publisher: Sega
Platform(s): Switch, PC, PS4, Xbox One
A distinct difference from the typical arcade racing style of Mario Kart comes Team Sonic Racing, finally arriving on Switch after being delayed from Winter 2018.
Offering a playable roster of 15 characters, the game will look to focus on teamwork and multiplayer, both local co-op and online, as you will take part as a team of other racers who must all work together and use a variety of team moves to assist your fellow racers, knock out opponents and unleash your Team Ultimate.
There’s more than enough content here to set it apart from similar racers, and hopefully less to rage about when your once loved family member launches a blue shell at you and ruins Christmas.
7. Fire Emblem: Three Houses | Spring 2019
Developer: Nintendo, Intelligent Systems
Publisher: Nintendo
Platform(s): Switch
To say that Fire Emblem: Three Houses has been a long time coming is a little bit of an understatement. Putting it into perspective, the last time a game in the Fire Emblem series was released on a home console was Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn on the Wii way back in 2007.
It’s done the rounds on handheld consoles in the interim but returns to the Switch in 2019, offering new twists on the traditional turn-based tactical RPG format, including a formation of troops that moves whenever the player manoeuvers a unit on the battlefield.
The sixteenth entry in the Fire Emblem series looks to be revamping some other features as well, including an updated battle menu to how the player can change their perspective of the battle. It’s looking as if those 12 long years may well be worth the wait.
8. Animal Crossing for Switch (working title) | TBD 2019
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Platform(s): Switch
Since the game was announced back in September last year, there’s been nought but radio silence about what to expect from Animal Crossing’s upcoming foray to the Switch.
Announced during the Nintendo Direct conference last year by none other than Tom Nook (the biggest lover of bells since Quasimodo), who basically offered his support to fellow character, Isabelle, who features in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
We’re not yet sure what to expect from Animal Crossing for Switch, the first mainline entry for the beloved series since 2013’s New Leaf, but we have no doubt that infectious charm the game is so well known for will be ever-present.
9. Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order | TBD 2019
Developer: KOEI TECMO GAMES, Team NINJA
Publisher: Nintendo
Platform(s): Switch
Not only is 2019 set to be another huge one for Marvel, what with the likes of Captain Marvel, Avengers: Endgame and Spider-Man: Far From Home all coming out, this will be carrying over to Nintendo as well with Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order, releasing exclusively on Switch.
Ultimate Alliance 3 will boast a bigger roster than ever before including the Avengers, X-Men, Guardians of the Galaxy and more teaming up to stop Thanos and The Black Order (if that doesn’t sound like a death metal band then I don’t know what does) from assembling those pesky Infinity Stones and wreaking havoc upon the universe yet again.
There will also be online and offline multiplayer along with the new ‘Heroic Camera’ feature – a new dynamic viewing mode that will allow for a more immersive experience.
MORE SUPERHEROES: The Best Superhero Games
10. Pokémon (Untitled Core RPG) | TBD 2019
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Platform(s): Switch
In May 2018, The Pokémon Company revealed the next installment of Pokémon’s core RPG series would be arriving in late 2019.
At the time, Pokémon director and producer, Junichi Masuda, said: “Now today, I can only tell you of its existence, but it’s another game we are pouring all of our creativity into.”
It was also mentioned that the as-of-yet untitled game would “follow in the tradition of Pokemon X and Y and Pokemon Sun and Moon.”
Speculation suggests it will perhaps feature Generation 8 of Pokémon but we don’t anticipate we’ll see much more news until halfway through the year. That’s fine by us though because more Pocket Monster goodness is never a bad thing.
11. Metroid Prime 4 | TBD 2019
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Platform(s): Switch
Another game here that, while there unfortunately isn’t a great deal of info on, it doesn’t really matter because just the news that it is happening is more than enough.
That’s right, because finally (finally) Metroid Prime 4 is on the way. Interestingly, Retro, who were behind the first three entries in the massively popular series, will not be a part of number four which may have some long-term fans nervous.
Its reveal was perhaps one of the most understated shocks of E3 2017 and some rumours suggest it may be releasing in late November ‘19, putting it in hot contention to be one of the most sought after games this Christmas.
12. Luigi’s Mansion 3 | TBD 2019
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Platform(s): Switch
Making our list of the biggest new Switch games of 2019 is our other favourite plumber/ green long-boi, Luigi. He’s back up to his spook-tastic ways as a budget ghostbuster sucking up ghouls and spirits into his Poltergust like there’s no tomorrow.
This is another title with not much information to go on at this time other than a teaser trailer at the Nintendo Direct conference, but any ghostbuster that can wield a hoover as well as the L-Man has my vote of confidence.
It’s been almost twenty years since the first Luigi’s Mansion was released on the GameCube, with only one proper sequel and a port to 3DS since then but the Mansion games have always been very well received by Nintendo fans, so there’s no reason to doubt the third entry will not be held to the same high esteem.
MORE SWITCH: The Best Nintendo Switch Exclusive Games
13. Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night | TBD 2019
Developer: Artplay, DICO, WayForward Technologies
Publisher: 505 Games
Platform(s): Switch, PS4, Xbox One and PC
The spiritual successor to Castlevania, helmed by none other that Castlevania’s former series producer Koji Igarashi, is finally set for release this year after raising over $5.5 million on Kickstarter (where is was the most funded video game on the crowdfunding website until being overtaken by Shenmue 3 later on).
Gameplay will follow the Metroidvania style of side-scrolling action, accompanied by 2.5D style graphics that pay homage to the classic Castlevania titles that popularised the Nintendo systems of old.
There’s certainly enough here to help it stand out on its own terms and will be a great game to appeal to gamer’s nostalgia of the cherished titles of yesteryear.
14. Daemon x Machina | TBD 2019
Developer: MARVELOUS!
Publisher: Nintendo, MARVELOUS!
Platform(s): Switch
Another upcoming title coming from a name with serious pedigree is Deamon x Machine, a mech action game from Kenichiro Tsukuda, widely known for his work on the Armored Core series.
If Armored Core is anything to go by, expect things to be taken up a few gears here, as Tsukuda’s mission statement is that this will be “the best mech action game” available. The game was another announced at E3 2018, featuring a fully-customisable character, high-octane robot battles, a striking cell-shaded art style and a variety of weapons to assist you strategically take out those metal buggers.
From the trailers alone, this one is going to be a hell of a lot of fun.
15. Bayonetta 3 | TBA
Developer: Platinum Games
Publisher: Nintendo
Platform(s): Switch
Rounding off our list of new Switch games for 2019 is, of course, Bayonetta 3, which was announced all the way back in 2017 at The Game Awards.
Unfortunately, we still know next to nothing about the third Bayonetta game, outside of it being a Switch exclusive due to it being funded by Nintendo, but we can likely expect to see the same unique and stylish combo-centric hack-and-slash action that made the first two instalments so wildly popular.
Here’s hoping we get some more details about Bayonetta 3 very soon in 2019.
MORE 2019 GAMING:
– Biggest PS4 Games of 2019
– Biggest Xbox One Games of 2019
– The Biggest Games of 2019
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