Nintendo Switch - Confirmed & Likely Games

In late October, Nintendo finally revealed the newest console, the Nintendo Switch via a reveal video. A handful of games were shown so I'm going to take a look at some of the revealed first-party titles as well as some likely titles for the system.

Splatoon

One of the games revealed during the video was a new Splatoon game showcasing new hairstyles and weapons for the Inklings. This could be an updated version of the Wii U title or a brand-new sequel to the game. Whether it's a sequel or not, new features would definitely be appreciated.

As enjoyable as the original game was, an appreciated change would be more substantial content at launch. The limited amount of content during launch for Splatoon managed to work out, especially with the amount of new content that was added over the subsequent months. However, attempting this a second time would be inadvisable. Many players want to super jump right into the experience again or for the first time and limited content would really disencourage them to continuously play when the game comes out.

A new local multiplayer mode is a must-have for this title. In the Switch trailer, we see four players enjoying the game together. With a Switch tablet for every player, Nintendo can incorporate new local multiplayer modes. A more replayable and salient single player mode that players can return to for collectables, an universe-expanding story, and a greater connection to the game as a whole would be quite rewarding.

The return of amiibo challenges seems likely as well as possibly new amiibo of Judd or the Octolings for example. I do hope Nintendo includes a better function for the Callie and Marie amiibo and make other amiibo compatible. Giving your Inkling a Samus ink cannon or an ink variant of Mario's F.L.U.D.D. is just the tip of the iceberg for amiibo ideas.

New ranked battle modes, new weapons, new stages (like Isle Delfino!), more events like Splatfest and even playable Octolings is just the start of many wish lists for a sequel or even an update. I hope Nintendo has something great in store for returning players while new players fall in love with this Squid/Kid experience.

Mario Kart

Similar to Splatoon, the next Mario Kart game was revealed during the Switch announcement trailer featuring two items at once and King Boo. A port of Mario Kart 8 or a brand-new title is expected. What can I say about this that most people haven't already thought of? New tracks, new characters, battle mode and maybe something else like a new mode/feature (like 200cc), more Mii costumes for amiibo, or the return of mission mode.

Mario Kart 8 had a total of 48 tracks, 16 more than usual for the Mario Kart series thanks to the game's DLC. Adding another 16 new tracks for the Switch installment would be phenomenal and expansive. Even 8 new tracks and 8 returning ones would be great.

New characters is another major discussion for fans like more Nintendo (non-Mario series) characters. Two characters that would make a ton of sense are R.O.B. and Captain Falcon. Since R.O.B. appeared in Mario Kart DS as a playable character, he would simply be a returning character. Meanwhile Captain Falcon, main character of the F-Zero series, would be an obvious choice unless Nintendo wanted to save him for a new F-Zero game. Of course, he could be in both. I think a mix of veterans (ex. Diddy Kong, Bowser Jr, Birdo) and potential newcomers (ex. Dixie Kong, Professor E. Gadd, Kamek) would be accepted alongside a couple other Nintendo characters.

One of the biggest requests for this game is the return of the classic battle mode last seen in Mario Kart 7. New items would add to this mode and the main game as well.

Super Mario Bros

A new Super Mario game has been shown off for the Switch during the trailer showing gameplay of a happy, jumpy Mario bouncing around a Samba de Amigo looking location and a ruins location. This game already looks different yet similar from previous installments. Gamers who want a return to previous open Mario games like Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Sunshine should be happy if this is a open environment game. At the same time, elements of the Super Mario 3D Land and 3D World games can be seen like the level design of the ruins area.

Shigeru Miyamoto also confirmed that a new unique Mario game is in the works. Miyamoto told IGN during E3 2016 that this Mario game might be shown off at E3 2017 or within one or two years. Since a new Super Mario game was already previewed in the Switch reveal trailer, either this was our first brief look at the game before it's fully revealed far into 2017 or this is a new title. Assuming this is a 3D title, we could be seeing a brand-new Galaxy game with even more innovations or a very new experience which is exciting.

If we assume this is a 2D title, the game might be much different to give players an experience that can't be recreated in Super Mario Maker. Either way, a new experience and the revealed Super Mario game are definitely exciting.

Super Smash Bros

A Super Smash Bros game has not been confirmed for the Switch at the time of this writing, however it is extremely likely. A popular rumor states that a port of a Super Smash Bros Wii U is coming to the Switch. If this is the case, I'd prefer that Nintendo treats this as "Super Smash Bros 5" rather than an enhanced "Super Smash Bros 4" (a.k.a. the Wii U and 3DS games). Instead of releasing two versions of Super Smash Bros on the same system for the first time, Nintendo and Bandai Namco can simply improve on the Wii U release and add new characters, stages and modes. It would be faster to make and easier on game director Masahiro Sakurai, which I'll get back to.

There are many characters Nintendo can include besides all the Wii U/3DS characters. For returning characters, Ice Climbers and Wolf are easily the most requested and expected. For new characters, there are a variety of requested characters so let's tackle this properly.

I have characters I'd like to see, you surely have characters you'd like to see, and practially everyone else has a character they want in Super Smash Bros. Instead of listing everyone's desired character, I'll look at both first and third-party characters.

One of the most requested first-party characters is the Inkling from Splatoon. After that, characters like Dixie Kong, King K. Rool, Impa, Chibi-Robo, and Isaac from Golden Sun are just a few characters people would like to see.

Moving onto third-party characters, I know people have dreams of Sora or Banjo-Kazooie in Smash, but I think there will only be one or two more third-party characters (if any more) so it depends who fits into Smash and is an iconic game character. There are already more than enough third-party representatives. 12 new characters for Super Smash Bros on the Switch is probably enough. Of course, if Nintendo just treats this like an enhanced port, there could just be a couple more characters and that's it. We'll see.

New stages based on games like Rhythm Heaven Megamix, a recent Kirby game, and Splatoon would be fun to play on. Adding classic modes like Break the Target, improved versions of recent modes like Smash Run, some improved online support here, some new modes there, and most people would be satisfied. Need I say more?

My biggest issue is Sakurai potentially working on a brand-new Super Smash Bros game. He's worked on the series for years and has been injured working on the series. His right shoulder has calcific tendinitis, which causes pain when moved. So I seriously hope this potential Super Smash Bros for Wii U port is updated with new content instead of a completely new game.

Metroid

Ah... Metroid. This series has been a sore topic for fans. The main reason fans have been hoping for a new Metroid game is because Nintendo hasn't published a main series game since 2010. Fortunately, there are enough hints that fans' patience (or impatience) will be rewarded with a new installment.

In 2014, Shinya Takahashi from Nintendo's SPD group confirmed that 2D and 3D Metroid games were still being discussed with plans to share information when something was ready to be revealed.

In 2015, Metroid Prime producer Kensuke Tanabe stated that a new Metroid Prime game would take about three years to develop. The long development time implied that a new entry would appear on the Switch rather than the Wii U if they started straight away following that interview.

Assuming production for a new Metroid Prime game started during 2015 or even 2016, a new entry could be released in the next two or three years.

Additionally, Metroid series co-creator Yoshio Sakamoto could be working on a Metroid project that we don't know about. For a lot of fans, Nintendo isn't making a new main series Metroid game until they officially announce one. That being said, there definitely seems to be something in the works.

Many people seem to believe Retro Studios might be working on a new Metroid Prime title since they have been secretive about their next project, but Tanabe has confirmed he's unaware of their next project. As the producer of the Metroid series, he'd surely know if they're working on a new game. Contrary to popular belief, Nintendo has not forgetten about Metroid and the series' future is very likely to continue on the Switch to fan delight.

Kirby

Since 2017 is Kirby's 25th anniversary, a game on the Switch or 3DS is pretty likely. If the 3DS gets a Kirby game and the Switch doesn't next year, a new installment is surely on the way at some point considering how popular the series is.

Pikmin

During a September Nintendo Direct, a new Pikmin game for 3DS was revealed. Many fans' believed this was the 'Pikmin 4' title series creator Shigeru Miyamoto announced was nearly completed. He recently stated that the game wasn't on their list of priorities.

That being said, he easily could've been implying that a new Switch title was put on hold because other titles for the system were a bigger priority for the launch window such as the new Mario game mentioned above. Even if he is talking about the 3DS game, a Switch title could be the next entry in the series.

Other games that have been confirmed include The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (also coming to the Wii U), a Pokémon game, Dragon Quest X, Dragon Quest XI, Just Dance 2017, and Project Sonic 2017. Other first-party series that seem likely to appear on the Switch include Animal Crossing and F-Zero, but not necessarily in 2017.

Of course the rumors for the Switch games have increased following the reveal trailer like an updated version of Pokémon Sun and Moon, a Mario/Rabbids RPG crossover, and even a port of Xenoblade Chronicles X (which would give the game a largely new audience to appeal to)! Many people are hoping for a Hyrule Warriors port with all the Wii U & 3DS content, and a Pokken Tournament port with all the Wii U & arcade content.

Overall, the Switch definitely has some interesting games on the way, and some even more potential games that are worth getting excited about. January 2017 will unlock the first amount of games coming our way!

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