Nintendo’s staggeringly-popular Switch console is now nearing six years of life, the hardware having seen out the previous generation of PlayStation and Xbox consoles and somehow still holding its own in the sales race amongst the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. It’s little wonder then that some massive exclusive titles are still to come for the Switch.
We recently ran a list of what we think are some of the biggest games on the calendar for 2023, but we also wanted to break it down and highlight the future Nintendo console-exclusive games (at least the ones we know about) that are set to keep the momentum going for Nintendo’s little handheld-hybrid that could. The slate is definitely looking a little thinner and more mysterious following some heavy hitters like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, so the future of the Switch itself is a bit of a wonder, but whether or not the era of the Switch is nearing an end there’s no doubt it’s still an exciting time to own one.
THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: TEARS OF THE KINGDOM
Release Date: May 12th
The Cheapest Copy: $74.99 at Amazon with free shipping
In addition to the vast lands of Hyrule, the latest entry in the storied Legend of Zelda series will take you up into the skies! Look forward to Link’s massive adventure starting again when The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, the sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, drops for Nintendo Switch on May 12th.
FIRE EMBLEM ENGAGE
Release Date: January 20th
The Cheapest Copy: $69 at Amazon with free shipping
Use hero-summoning strategies to defeat an ancient threat in a brand-new Fire Emblem game. Summon valiant heroes like Marth & Celica alongside a new cast of characters and engage in turn-based, tactical combat against a great evil in this new Fire Emblem story.
Read our recent hands-on preview here.
PIKMIN 4
Release Date: TBA 2023
Although we know very little about Pikmin 4 save for a 30-second teaser, we do know it’s supposed to be out in 2023 – that information is good from as recently as September last year so it should be a pretty safe bet, too.
BAYONETTA ORIGINS: CEREZA AND THE LOST DEMON
Release Date: March 17th
The Cheapest Copy: $69 at Amazon with free shipping
In Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon, players take on the role of Cereza, a young apprentice witch, and start a fateful journey into a forbidden forest to gain the power to save her mother.
In addition to sporting a striking and distinct storybook-inspired art style of its own, this new title also features gameplay never before seen in the Bayonetta series. Controlling both Cereza and her infernal demon partner, Cheshire, players will focus on exploration, combat and puzzle solving to help Cereza go deeper into the forest.
Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe
Release Date: February 24th
The Cheapest Copy: $69 at Amazon with free shipping
The tough puff Kirby is back for a re-release of the Wii’s classic 4-player platforming adventure. Copy enemies’ abilities and use their power to attack with a sword, wield a whip, and float with a parasol. You can also laser blast with the new Mecha Copy Ability that makes a series debut! The extra muscle will be handy in finding missing pieces for Magolor’s ship, which crash landed on Planet Popstar.
Fitness Boxing: Fist of the North Star
Release Date: TBA March 2023
Get boxing with characters from Fist of the North Star! Defeat enemies in Battle Mode, take on rivals in Boss Battles or punch your way through boxing drills in Exercise Mode. This is honestly one of the best brand collaborations I could’ve thought of for a Switch-exclusive game and I’m absolutely here for it. Watch me get ripped in 2023, Kenshiro-style.
Rune Factory 3 Special
Release Date: TBA 2023
Settle down in an idyllic fantasy town as a young adventurer with a monstrous secret in Rune Factory 3, remastered for a new generation on Nintendo Switch.
Features brand new to Rune Factory 3 Special include Newlywed Mode, standalone adventures unlocked after marriage to each of the game’s 11 eligible bachelorettes; Another Episode, fully-voiced picture stories narrated by those same characters; and a “Hell” difficulty level to challenge even veteran players!
Detective Pikachu 2
Release Date: TBA
Announcement 1?
Can’t wait to keep sleuthing with #DetectivePikachu? Plans are under way to bring this crime-solving Pikachu to Nintendo Switch!
The details of this game are still a mystery…so keep checking back here for more clues. ??? pic.twitter.com/286PFCGYaR
— Pokémon (@Pokemon) May 29, 2019
This one’s still shrouded in mystery, with The Pokémon Company having announced the Switch-exclusive sequel in mid-2019 and going dark about it since, but surely 2023 is the year to get this out.
Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp
Release Date: TBA
This was meant to launch in 2021 before being delayed into last year, and then again indefinitely due to the war in Ukraine. Time will tell if it sees the light of day in 2023 but we can only hope so.
FRONT MISSION 2 Remake/FRONT MISSION 3 Remake
Release Date: TBA 2023
FRONT MISSION 2: Remake preserves the mature story, strategic turn-based combat, and Wanzer customization options of the original. The classic game will feature updated visuals and new features and enhancements including new languages, a free camera, new cosmetics and a refreshed soundtrack.
A remake of FRONT MISSION 3 is also set to arrive soon after.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Story Expansion
Release Date: TBA 2023
Xenoblade Chronicles 3’s Expansion Pass will be getting a major story expansion as part of its 4th wave of content, which is due out before the end of 2023. Nintendo and Monolith Soft have claimed that they want it to be as large as Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna – The Golden Country, which itself wound up being packaged and sold as a standalone game.
Metroid Prime 4?
Release Date: TBA?
Where is it?
