The Nintendo Switch’s sophomore year was fantastic. There was a steady release of games on a month to month basis that kept fans excited, and the system’s library grew even more with a host of respectable ports. With a ton of great independent titles like Celeste, Dead Cells, and The Messenger hitting the eShop, and larger scale games Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Pokemon: Let’s Go Pikachu! And Eevee! bolstering the system at year’s end, the Switch was packed with quality games that anyone could enjoy.
As great of a year as 2018 has been for the Switch, 2019 promises to be even better. Sequels to hit franchises like Animal Crossing, Metroid, and Fire Emblem will be coming out sometime in the next year. New IP’s will also debut, including a tantalizing new RPG from Pokemon developer Game Freak. And the Switch will continue to be well supported with third-party releases, ensuring that it does not encounter the same issues that it’s immediate predecessor did with a lack of support.
There’s a lot to be excited about if you own a Switch, and while the release dates for most of the games coming out in 2019 are unknown, that doesn’t mean we aren’t looking forward to them all the same.
Animal Crossing 2019
Release Date: 2019
After toying with Animal Crossing fans hopes for nearly an entire Nintendo Direct back in September 2018 with the announcement that Isabelle would be in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Nintendo finally dropped the news people have been waiting for. Animal Crossing was actively in development, and would be released in 2019.
And that’s about all the information we have on the game. Nintendo said to expect more news about Animal Crossing 2019 in a future Nintendo Direct.
Bayonetta 3
Release Date: 2019
Platinum Games is back at it again with another entry in the Bayonetta franchise. Bolstered by the success of Bayonetta 2, Bayonetta 3 was announced at The Game Awards 2017 to much excitement. After all, watching Bayonetta cut through hordes of demons and angels never really gets old.
But much like Animal Crossing 2019, we know little about Bayonetta 3 outside of the fact that it is coming out. Still, the sequel to one of the greatest action games of all time is one that we are eagerly anticipating.
Daemon x Machina
Release Date: 2019
The Nintendo Switch is always in need of more games involving mechs, and Marvelous is happy oblige with its new game Daemon x Machina. Featuring colorful visuals and what looks to be completely over-the-top gameplay, it certainly sets itself apart from the other games announced at E3 2018. Hopefully we’ll find out more about this new IP in the months ahead.
Dragon Quest XI S
Release Date: 2019
Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age is coming to the Switch in 2019. Called Dragon Quest XI S, the game has already been released on the PS4, PC, and 3DS in the case of Japan. Featuring the traditional turn-based combat the franchise is known for, Dragon Quest XI is as classic a JRPG as you can get, and has become regarded as one of the best games in the series.
That makes it the perfect addition to the Switch’s ever-growing library of RPG’s. There’s no indication yet as to when Dragon Quest XI S will release, nor if there will be any changes from the PS4 and PC versions of the game.
Final Fantasy Remaster Collection (VII, IX, X, X-2, XII, Crystal Chronicles)
Release Date: 2019
I hope you like Final Fantasy, because six games in the famous franchise are coming to the Switch over the next year. Re-releases for Final Fantasy VII, IX, X, X-2, and XII are set for release sometime in 2019, marking the glorious return of the series that made its name on Nintendo consoles before making the jump to Sony and PlayStation. And that’s just the mainline entries; spin-off Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles will also be re-released alongside its cousins.
Conspicuously absent from this list is Final Fantasy VIII, which has been shunted to the side for reasons unknown. Regardless, there’s more than enough Final Fantasy coming to the Switch over the next year that you’d be hard pressed to finish them all. And judging by the breadth of games, this likely won’t be the last we see of Final Fantasy on the Switch anytime soon.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Release Date: 2019
Announced in 2017 under a working title, Fire Emblem: Three Houses made its glorious debut at E3 2018 to much fanfare. The first Fire Emblem on a Nintendo home console since 2007’s Radiant Dawn on the Wii will feature four different protagonists caught up in a conflict revolving around a corrupt church. In addition to the turn-based battles the series is known for, new features include the ability to freely roam around the map to gather intel and interact with characters, and expanded unit control.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses will be one of Nintendo’s prestige titles in 2019, and it’s something we can’t wait to play.
Luigi’s Mansion 3
Release Date: 2019
Speaking of franchises returning to Nintendo home consoles, the taller of the Mario Brothers is coming to the Switch with Luigi’s Mansion 3. Early footage showcases classic elements the series is known for, such as a powerful vacuum that sucks up ghosts and a scary tower that will probably be filled with them. But once again, Nintendo is mum on the details for Luigi’s spooktacular return, and more info is promised in the coming months.
Metroid Prime 4
Release Date: 2019
Here’s what we know about Metroid Prime 4: It will release on the Switch in the future, and that’s it. Nintendo has not shared an ounce of details about the much anticipated sequel to Retro Studio’s classic trilogy. Rumor has it that Bandai Namco Studios has a hand in developing the game, but beyond that, we know nothing about what will likely be one of the biggest Switch games of the year should it release in 2019.
New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
Release Date: January 11, 2019
Switch owners can start 2019 off on the right foot with New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, an enhanced port of New Super Marios Bros. U and New Super Luigi U. This port collects every level, challenge, and mode found in the original Wii U releases, but also adds in a few extras. Namely, Toadette is now a playable character, with a unique power-up called the Super Crown that turns her into Peachette. So you can thank this game for why your friends and social media feeds have kept on sharing images of Bowsette over the past few months.
Pokemon Switch
Release Date: 2019
Without question, a new core Pokemon game for the Switch will undoubtedly be the biggest game of the year in 2019. But much like every other first party game developed by Nintendo that’s coming to the Switch next year, we know nothing about it. Pokemon: Let’s Go satisfied our itch for Pokemon this past year, and Game Freak recently confirmed that it’s looking for a way to transfer Pokemon caught in those games into the new titles. Let’s hope we get some bigger news on the subject soon.
Tales of Vespiria Definitive Edition
Release Date: January 11, 2019
Finally, the Tales series makes its way over to the Switch with what is regarded as one of the best games in the franchise. Tales of Vespiria: Definitive Edition is a remaster of the expanded PS3 port, and features both English and Japanese audio tracks as well as expanded story content. Trust me when I say that this is the best way, and perhaps the best console, to play what is at worst a solid action-RPG.
Town (Working Title)
Release Date: 2019
Game Freak is best known for its work on the Pokemon series, which it created over two decades ago. Now, it’s working on a brand new RPG tentatively called Town that is set in a fantasy village with a mysterious secret you must uncover. The game takes place entirely within that town, which has been invaded by monsters that you must take down while recruiting allies in the local area.
A new RPG from the creators of Pokemon? Sign us up.
Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes
Release Date: January 18, 2019
Suda51 is back on his brand of crazy action games with the newest entry in the No More Heroes canon with Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes. Travis Touchdown returns as the protagonist, only this time he’s been sucked into a video game console. To escape, he’ll have to fight through six indie games that have been created just for the game, while wearing clothing and using weapons taken from actual indie games like Shovel Knight and Hotline Miami.
Unsung Story: Tales of the Guardians
Release Date: 2019
Announced via a Kickstarter way back in 2014, Unsung Story: Tales of the Guardians has had a tumultuous history to say the least. The tactical RPG was originally developed by Playdek, resources dwindled in 2016 to the point that development shifted over to Little Orbit in 2017, with the promise that the game would release in late 2019.
But despite the ups and downs, Unsung Story remains on the forefront of many people’s minds for one reason alone: Yasumi Matsuno, the lead director behind Final Fantasy Tactics and Vagrant Story. Unsung Story shares many traits with both games, as it features classic tactics gameplay set against the backdrop of a fantasy world consumed by war. Provided it releases as scheduled, Unsung Story could very well be the tactical RPG of 2019.
Yoshi’s Crafted World
Release Date: Q1/Q2 2019
First showcased at E3 2017, Yoshi’s Crafted World is yet another side-scrolling platformer starring the iconic green dinosaur. Much like how Yoshi’s Wooly World used wool to create the game’s iconic art style, Yoshi’s Crafted World uses cardboard cutouts to depict the game’s graphics. This also has an impact on the gameplay, as you can switch perspective by ‘flipping sides’ to see behind the scenery and object’s of the game’s world.
We haven’t seen much of Yoshi’s Crafted World since it’s debut, and at E3 2018 Nintendo confirmed that the game had been delayed to a Q2 2019 release. That time is fast approaching, and we should expect more information sometime this winter.
