The next Nintendo console will soon replace the current Nintendo Switch, with the latest rumours suggesting that it might come out in the first half of 2025. Ahead of the next Nintendo Direct scheduled in June, the Japanese company confirmed more Nintendo Switch 2 information was to come this fiscal year. So, will this brand-new console be a worthy successor to its oh-so-popular predecessor?
Nintendo’s handheld console set the bar high, as the Switch is no less than the second best-selling home console in gaming history after the PlayStation 2. As the curtain is about to fall on the Nintendo Switch, we look at four games that definitely deserve a place of honour in any Switch library.
Super Mario Odyssey
Everyone knows of the moustachioed Italian plumber, with The Super Mario Bros. Movie further solid Mario’s iconic status across generations of gamers and non-gamers alike. The Switch has seen its fair share of new installations, among which Super Mario Odyssey is a serious contender for the title of best Mario game of all time.
This hilarious platformer takes players on a globe-trotting journey aboard the Odyssey ship alongside Mario and his companion from the Cap Kingdom, who travel across seventeen worlds to thwart Bowser’s evil plans to marry Princess Peach. Cappy is an invincible sidekick that can be controlled by a second player to help protect Mario from enemies. Incidentally, Super Mario Odyssey is a perfect gateway game to introduce kids and adult beginners to multiplayer fun.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
With over ten million copies sold in a mere three days, the twentieth instalment in the Legend of Zelda saga was a smashing hit from its very release. This new chapter pulled off the impossible by outclassing its predecessor in every conceivable way – including in the story department. Lauded by critics and long-time fans alike, Tears of the Kingdom was quickly labelled Breath of the Wild, but even better.
Altogether more expansive and cohesive, The Legend of Zelda: TotK builds upon the open-world mechanics introduced six years earlier in the Switch’s launch title. Its developers amped up the immersion by enriching the dialogues of non-playable characters, making the kingdom of Hyrule more alive than its previous rendition. The addition of four special abilities encourages creativity organically while sprucing up the exploration across three world levels in the skies above, on the surface, and underground. Long story short, this adventure classic might be the best there is on the Switch.
Hades
Hades is both a stroke of narrative genius and a brilliant piece of gameplay. Putting players in the shoes of Zagreus, son of Hades, this action RPG doesn’t shy away from the ruthless difficulty that comes with the roguelike territory, as the Prince of the Underworld starts his quest to escape Tartarus from square one every time he dies. As frustrating as it can be, Hades is immensely more satisfying as the difficulty curve gradually gets more manageable and Greek gods and Olympians come to the player’s aid.
This clever mythological tale arguably rekindled the flame for ancient Greece in gaming. From Builders of Greece to Imperiums: Greek Wars, several recent games play out that Greek theme. The iGaming sector picked up on that trend with slots like Amaya’s Battle for Olympus and Pragmatic Play’s Wisdom of Athena. Players can claim free spins to discover these games and many more. Top platforms boast thousands of options, including heaps of slots inspired by world mythology. Sign-up promotions like free spins help users test a site’s catalogue risk-free. As all games are mobile-friendly, gamers can shoot their shots on the go while they wait for Hades II to drop.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is Nintendo’s answer to casual gamers and hardcore players craving a serene break from adrenaline-pumping first-person shooters and adventures. Back in 2020, this social sim in real-time became a viral sensation. New Horizons is now the second best-selling title on Nintendo’s hybrid console, only outshone by Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
The fifth mainline entry in the wholesome Japanese series offers players complete freedom to live their island life as they please. Whether it’s home decorating, cooking, island-hopping, or bug-hunting, players can spend their days indulging in a range of carefree activities – with the occasional seasonal tournament spicing up their island routine. Despite its shortcomings, New Horizons was a game changer for the cozy genre – one that deserves a special place in the hearts of Switch players.
