The Nintendo Switch is here!
Nintendo’s next gaming machine, a hybrid console/handheld, will go on sale in just a little over three hours. That’s also when Nintendo will swing the doors open on the Switch’s eShop and give early adopters the chance to purchase nearly a dozen different launch titles.
The biggest name in the Switch’s launch lineup, by far, is The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Also available to download on the Wii U, Breath of the Wild will offer a wide-open world for Link to explore and new puzzles to solve.
However, if you’re looking to celebrate the system’s launch with a big party, you’ll have several options. There’s 1-2-Switch, a wild minigame collection where players are encouraged to look at each other instead of the screen. There’s also Snipperclips: Cut It Out Together!, a co-op puzzle adventure starring two pieces of paper. And Ubisoft will bring the popular Just Dance series to the Switch with Just Dance 2017.
Prospective Switch players who want to be on the move might want to look into FAST RMX, a new futuristic racer from Shin’en Multimedia.
Finally, retro gaming fans will have plenty of options on the Switch’s first day including Yacht Club’s new platformer, Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment, as well as the Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove, which includes Specter of Torment and the first two campaigns. Konami’s Super Bomberman R brings the lovable Bombers back for the first time in almost a decade. And I Am Setsuna, from Square Enix, is an original RPG inspired by Chrono Trigger.
If you’re taking a wait and see approach to the Switch, never fear, 3DS owners will still have something new to play this week. Marvelous Entertainment’s Story of Seasons: Trio of Towns is the latest entry in the popular farming simulation series and, as you might have guessed, players will be able to visit three towns this time around.
You can learn more about all of these games after the break.
Switch Games
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Forget everything you know about The Legend of Zelda games. Step into a world of discovery, exploration, and adventure in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, a boundary-breaking new game in the acclaimed series. In this stunning open-air adventure, travel across vast fields, through forests, and to mountain peaks as you discover what has become of the kingdom of Hyrule. Also, with the Nintendo Switch console, your journey is more open than ever as you can take it and the game anywhere and adventure as Link any way you like. (Available March 3)
1-2-Switch – Throw an impromptu party anywhere with anyone thanks to a new play style in which players look at each other – not the screen! Bring the action and fun into the real world as you face off in Wild West duels, cow-milking competitions, a copycat dance-off and more wild activities. Each game takes advantage of the Joy-Con controller features in different ways. While the action unfolds off screen, the audience watches the players themselves instead of the screen. That makes it as hilarious to watch as it is to play – an instant party amplifier! (Available March 3)
Snipperclips: Cut It Out Together! – Hey, cut it out! No, really! In this action-puzzle game, paper pals Snip and Clip must cut each other up to overcome tricky obstacles … or just to laugh their heads off (sometimes literally). Partner up with friends or family to cut the heroes into the right shapes, interact with objects and solve a world of imaginative puzzles. (Available March 3)
Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment – The latest campaign from the critically acclaimed hit game Shovel Knight is a full-featured game starring Specter Knight, one of the villains from the original game. The massive prequel campaign includes even more content than the last campaign update, Plague of Shadows. Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment is exclusive to the Nintendo Switch system for a limited time. (Available March 3)
Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove – For both new knights and its biggest fans, the Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove game includes the original Shovel Knight game, as well as all previously released campaign updates – even Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment! Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove is exclusive to the Nintendo Switch system for a limited time. (Available March 3)
Just Dance 2017 – Grab your friends and family, because it’s time to dance! The Just Dance 2017 game brings you more than 40 new tracks, five game modes, updated content all year long and access to 200+ songs through the Just Dance Unlimited service! A free three-month subscription to Just Dance Unlimited comes with every digital or retail purchase of Just Dance 2017 for the Nintendo Switch system. (Available March 3)
Super Bomberman R – The iconic party-battle game is returning as Super Bomberman R on the Nintendo Switch system. Dive into the simple yet addictive gameplay in Super Bomberman R by controlling the main character, placing bombs and battling enemies and rivals with a modern visual style. (Available March 3)
I Am Setsuna – The I Am Setsuna game introduces the authentic JRPG style of yesteryear to the Nintendo Switch system. Journey with Setsuna as she prepares to make the ultimate sacrifice and save the people of her land. A powerfully nostalgic experience, blending classic storytelling, battle system and gameplay. (Available March 3)
FAST RMX – Challenge your friends to local split-screen competition or take part in online races against players from all over the world. This lightning-fast anti-gravity racer is exclusive to the Nintendo Switch system. (Available March 3)
Wii U Games
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Forget everything you know about The Legend of Zelda games. Step into a world of discovery, exploration and adventure in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, a boundary-breaking new game in the acclaimed series. In this stunning open-air adventure, travel across vast fields, through forests and to mountain peaks as you discover what has become of the kingdom of Hyrule. Also, with the Nintendo Switch console, your journey is more open than ever as you can take it and the game anywhere and adventure as Link any way you like. (Available March 3)
Dungeon Explorer – Dungeon Explorer is a multiplayer action-RPG for the TurboGrafx-16 system in which up to five players can play at the same time. Choose from eight different character types: Fighter, Thief, Warlock, Witch, Bishop, Elf, Bard or Gnome. To survive, you most know all about your enemies’ weaknesses. You must also know about the special attributes of each magic spell and use them to your greatest advantage.
Neutopia – In this classic action-RPG for TurboGrafx-16, take control of a brave boy who sets off on a journey to rescue the kidnapped princess and reclaim the eight medallions that were stolen by an evil demon. You’ll need to rely on your magic compass and information you’ve gathered to find entrances to labyrinths and defeat the bosses in them. Solve puzzles, avoid traps, move blocks and destroy walls to uncover secret rooms. Carefully use your map to uncover hidden treasure and powerful equipment.
3DS Games
Story of Seasons: Trio of Towns – Plant crops, raise livestock and even discover romance with the residents of three diverse towns in this massive new entry in the original farm-/life-sim series. Make new friends, fix up the towns and start a family – what story will you write? Connect with other players locally or via the internet to visit a mysterious multiplayer island, and enable the StreetPass feature to send your pet dog, cat, or capybara to another player’s game.
