Surprising setups for a final act.
We know new things are on the horizon for Nintendo. The Switch’s successor is likely right around the corner (even if Nintendo didn’t announce it today). But that’s all okay. Because I’ve found the last years of a console’s life are often the best, game-wise, and Nintendo showcased a bumper crop of games to slowly bring the system’s active life to a close. Though I do have the sneaking suspicion that a few of these will be immediately available for the next Nintendo system on launch. Anyway, let’s dig in.
Mario & Luigi: Brothership
In a surprise following the death of series developers AlphaDream, Nintendo announced a new Mario & Luigi game, Mario & Luigi: Brothership. One thing worthy of note is how expressive the 3D models of the brothers are here. Aside from that, it’s exactly the game you’ve been wanting if you’re a fan of the series. Launches November 7th.
Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition
Leaving aside the title’s possibility for equivalent games for Nintendo’s later consoles, we’ve got Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition. Boasting over 150 challenges across 13 of the NES’s best games, it gives you that NES competition you’ve probably been dreaming of since The Wizard.
*Power Glove not included.
It’s got the online leaderboards for that purpose as well. They also threw in some high-difficulty Legend challenges, in case the normal challenges weren’t doing it for you. They even come with tips and tricks to aid your improvement. Also features Survival Mode, which lets you race other players ghost data; each round sees half of the players eliminated. Launches July 18th, 2024, with digital pre-orders open on the Nintendo eShop right now. There is also a physical Deluxe Set that comes with a number of goodies, including a booklet, cover art cards, and a non-playable replica game pak.
FAIRY TAIL 2
An action RPG adventure set in the Manga/Anime’s climactic arc, you’re probably most interested if you’re a fan of FAIRY TAIL. Launches this Winter.
FANTASIAN Neo Dimension
Way back when this game was announced for Apple Arcade, I thought, “Wow, I can’t wait for this to be playable on literally anything else.” And now it’s here! The game features beautiful little environments made from real scale models, with the game models overlaid on top of them (or beneath, in the case of foreground objects). Notable is the ability to toss your random encounters into a pocket dimension so that you can fight them en masse later (making a much more efficient use of your AoE skills). FANTASIAN Neo Dimension launches for the Switch this Holiday season.
Nintendo Switch Sports update: Basketball
A free update for Nintendo Switch Sports. Now you’ve got Basketball in the mix. Launches sometime this Summer.
MIO: MEmories in Orbit
A 2d Adventure RPG where you play as the titular MIO, an android. Explore a gigantic, decaying space ship filled with rogue machines and maybe save the ship from oblivion. Launches 2025.
Disney Illusion Island – “Mystery in Monoth” Update
Offers a new adventure for Mickey and friends, where they aid Monoth’s greatest detective. Not only is this update free, it’s available right now.
Hello Kitty Island Adventure
It will never stop being funny to me that this is a real game, without Sanrio really knowing or caring that literally everyone thinks of a single South Park episode when they hear the title.
Fun fact: this game also features the first appearance of Big Challenges in nearly half a century.
I love him.
Looney Tunes: Wacky World of Sports
Certain to provide a better Looney Tunes sports experience than either Space Jam or Space Jam 2: LeBron James Movie Vehicle-type Experience. Offers an arcade-style sports experience with 4 games to choose from, including Basketball, Soccer, Golf and Tennis with 4-player local co-op. Launches this Fall.
Among Us: New Roles
Offers new roles for the crewmates: Noisemaker, Tracker, and Phantom. Each adds a new layer to the betrayal game that swept the nation during the pandemic. This free update is available now.
Farmagia
You can literally grow monsters to fight your way through this RPG adventure. Comes off as a bit like if Pikmin was an RPG. Launches November 1st, 2024.
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD
Offers the definitive experience of the Wii original game. Not only is it on your Switch, not only is it in HD, it also comes with the 3DS version exclusive levels. If you do not get this amazing new generation of Donkey Kong madness, you are stupid. Launches January 25th, 2025.
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake
New news on the HD-2D remake of Dragon Quest III. We’re getting it all, lads; the original female Warrior design (probably because this is made with 2D sprites), orchestral soundtrack, and an actual release date. Launches on the Switch November 14th, 2024.
But they didn’t stop there. No, because we’re getting the trilogy, just like the rumors said. The HD-2D remake of Dragon Quest I & II is also coming next year, 2025.
Funko Fusion
If you can figure out which of these doe-eyed blockheads is which, you’re probably a better man than I. Or maybe you’re significantly worse, I’m not sure. Anyways, seems to be Funko pulling a LEGO Dimensions, minus the toys-to-life aspect. Features an astounding number of film and television IPs, including the likes of Invincible, Back to the Future, Jurassic Park, Xena: Warrior Princess, Shaun of the Dead, and more. Launches September 13th, 2024.
Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD
A brief update on Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD. Launches June 27th 2024. Just a week and a half away.
THE NEW DENPA MEN
If you had a new Denpa Men game on your Bingo card, I’d have to ask why, because I genuinely didn’t expect this one. Capture and drag your Denpa Men on a new RPG adventure. Launches as a timed exclusive for the Switch on July 22nd.
METAL SLUG ATTACK RELOADED
Metal Slug returns, this time in tower defense form! The remaster of the 2016 mobile game is here, and it won’t get hit with an end-of-service, because it’s an actual game this time. I like that they’re branching out with Metal Slug, because I’m a Fio supremacist, and I need more of her in my life. Never forget that glasses girl is best girl. Even better, the game is available right now cross-platform. No microtransactions, either.
Darkest Dungeon II
Darkest Dungeon II is coming to the Switch. Launches July 15th, 2024. Pre-orders available on the eShop now.
Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack Update
4 new games are coming to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. Both Metroid Zero Mission and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past: Four Swords are coming to the service. While I’d argue there’s no real reason to go for the GBA version of LttP over the SNES version, they did go the extra mile to make Four Swords actually playable through the service, with online multiplayer.
Also added are Turok: Dinosaur Hunter and the original Perfect Dark in the Mature 17+ collection for the N64 service. All of these games are available for members today.
Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero
I never expected to see a sequel to Phantom Brave. But here it is! And this time, Merona’s got some new tricks up her sleeve, and she’ll need them if she wants to save Ash. Notably, Merona can place a Phantom in herself to have an extended range of abilities in a very Shaman King-esque twist on the first game’s gameplay. Launches in 2025.
MARVEL vs. CAPCOM Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics
Oh, yeah, it’s like all of them. Pretty much all of Capcom’s collaboration games with Marvel are here. And it doesn’t just stop at the fighting games; both of the arcade versions of X-Men Children of the Atom and The Punisher are along for the ride too, and this is probably the best legal way to play them, short of getting a genuine cabinet for an exorbitant sum. Launches sometime later this year.
Super Mario Party Jamboree
Seems to be a return to form for the series. Includes two maps from Mario Party 1 and 2, in addition to all of the new stages and gimmicks. Honestly looks like yet another good way to destroy a friendship. Launches October 17th.
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
They’re finally doing the thing everyone wanted. For the first time since the Phillips CDI, Zelda is the main, playable character in one of these games. And naturally, she’s not going to play like link, because what would be the point in that? Zelda takes up a staff called the Tri Rod, which allows her to create echoes of objects to solve puzzles and even fight. Of course, rocks aren’t likely to do the job, so she can also create echoes of enemies to fight more effectively. It’s great that they went with the Link’s Awakening remake look, too. Launches September 26th.
Just Dance 2025 Edition
It’s Just Dance. Launches October 2024.
LEGO Horizon Adventures
Yep, PlayStation’s super pushed IP Is getting a LEGO game, and it’s coming to Nintendo Switch. Which is funny, because while the first game, which is the story this one loosely follows, is what it is, the backstory is the kind of depressing ass thing I generally don’t like. You know, for kids! Let’s see if they can go 4 for 4 and once again launch on the same day as another major release and get completely overshadowed. Launches this Holiday season.
Stray
Yes, Stray, of all things, is headed to the Nintendo Switch. I’d be lying if I said it looks just as good here as it does on other systems. That said, it’s clearly in the same league as earlier Switch wonderports like DOOM (2016) and The Witcher 3, as they’ve clearly taken the time to scale things down as best as possible for the Switch hardware. Launches Holiday 2024.
Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings™ Game
If you love The Lord of the Rings, but you really just wanted to kick around in the Shire and enjoy elevenses, this is the game for you. You probably won’t be allowed to be as based as Samwise Gamgee, though.
Launches this Holiday season.
Ace Attorney Investigations Collection
A remaster collection of both Ace Attorney Investigations titles. Notable, as this will be thew first time the second game is officially available in English. Also allows you to swap between the original sprites and the remastered ones on the fly. Comes with new features for both games, such as story mode (which plays the game for you, you big baby), dialogue history, an illustration and music gallery, and an orchestral soundtrack. Also comes with 5 arranged tracks for use in game as a pre-order bonus. Launches on Nintendo Switch September 6th, 2024.
The Hundred Line -Last Defense Academy-
A tactical RPG from the developers of the Danganronpa series, The Hundred Line -Last Defense Academy- challenges you with defending a school for 100 in-game days. And it won’t be a walk in the park; there is, naturally given the designers, permadeath. Launches Early 2025.
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven
You either like SaGa, or you don’t. I’ve never been much for the series. That said, the game looks beautiful, really bringing the art to life. It’s also worth noting that many hold the game this is a remake of as one of the best in the series, so even I might be tempted to give it a spin. Launches October 24th, 2024.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
This was the big one, and they saved it for last. People have been waiting for this game for well over a decade. And from the looks of things, they don’t aim to disappoint. Oh, and Sylux from Hunters is back. I can’t wait. Launches sometime in 2025.
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