The Top 10 Ranked Upcoming Switch Games in 2023
Because of some fantastic exclusive games, epic remasters, and AAA third-party hits, 2023 is going to be a huge year for the Nintendo Switch.
Nintendo’s 2023 lineup will include a slew of high-profile exclusives, AAA third-party releases, and sequels to indie favourites. It will also be a year that Nintendo requires. As supply chain issues have subsided and more next-gen consoles, such as the PS5 and Xbox X, have been able to hit stores, their sales have skyrocketed, so Nintendo needs a good round of hit games to demonstrate that their 2017 console, the Switch, is still a viable contender by Hollywood Nuts.
While technically last-gen, the Switch’s innovative features and emphasis on couch co-op have kept the console going strong in the 9th generation, and with a slew of excellent games on the way, there’s no sign of it slowing down in 2023.
Disney Illusion Island (TBD)
The Switch has revealed an unexpected fact: platforming games are still popular. Since the advent of the 3D era in the late 1990s, many gamers have claimed that the side-scrolling platform era has died. However, successes such as Cuphead, Metroid Dread, and Yoshi’s Crafted World have demonstrated that the genre is still very much alive.
Disney is now joining the fray with Disney Illusion Island. The game is intended to be a co-op platformer in which players can take on the roles of Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Donald Duck. According to the trailer, the game has crisp lines and bright colours, giving it the feel of a classic Disney film.
Pikmin 4 (TBD)
At the Nintendo Direct event in September, the company revealed that Pikmin 4 was finally on the way (Pikmin 3 was released an entire decade ago). The games combine real-time strategy elements with puzzle gameplay, and the setting immerses players in a lush and vibrant world of unknown origin.
This time, however, some familiar objects are visible in the game’s announcement trailer: a picket fence, park bench, and pocket watch. The latest instalment of the game appears to be taking place right here on Earth.
Fire Emblem Engage (Jan. 20)
Fire Emblem is a long-running series that many consider to be one of Nintendo’s best RPGs. The first game was released in 1990, and the series has amassed a massive global following since then. The upcoming game will include a new “engaging” mechanic that will allow players to inherit the looks, skills, and weapons of Fire Emblem characters, allowing them to create a plethora of new, customizable strategies.
With a January release date, this JRPG will be one of Nintendo’s first major releases of 2023, and most likely one of its most successful, following the success of Fire Emblem: Three Houses, which continues to sell well.
Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse (Early 2023)
Fatal Frame (Project Zero for European gamers): Mask of the Lunar Eclipse, which was originally a Wii exclusive in 2008, will be remastered in 2023. Improved graphics and a faster frame rate will boost the game’s fear factor and improve the jump scares that the franchise is known for. Most importantly, it will have updated controls, as navigating a game with the Wii remote was divisive among the gaming community.
All of the Fatal Frame games revolve around the use of a special camera, the Camera Obscura, to detect and deter ghosts. The games are heavily influenced by Japanese horror legends and are ideal for fans of stories like The Grudge.
Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe (Feb. 24)
Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe, another Wii remake, will be released on Switch in 2023. The game, which was first released in 2011, is a platformer in which up to four players can puff their way through the planet of Popstar. The original Kirby game is regarded as one of the best ever created, and the Deluxe edition includes a complete visual overhaul, a new mecha power, and a new mini-game.
Furthermore, the game’s timing is impeccable. Kirby and the Forgotten Land was released earlier this year to positive reviews, reigniting interest in the franchise. Players who enjoyed Forgotten Land will most likely be eager to play this next Kirby game with their friends.
Star Wars: Hunters (TBD)
Star Wars: Hunters, which was originally scheduled for release in 2022, will divide players into teams before throwing them into a battle royale. The game is all about customization, with players able to take on the roles of Jedi, Stormtroopers, Wookies, and other characters. There are also numerous iconic battle maps to choose from, such as Hoth, Endor, and Mos Espa.
The Switch is also the only console on which Hunters will be released, with iPhones and Android devices serving as the other platforms. It will also be free to play, and given the success of Apex Legends and Battlegrounds, Hunters could be the next big hit.
Minecraft Legends (TBD)
Minecraft Legends is a forthcoming strategy game set in the Minecraft universe. The success of games like Minecraft Dungeons and Minecraft: Story Mode shows that players want more Minecraft in whatever form they can get it. The next game will continue to be in the 8-bit style, but with improved graphics and cutscenes, it will have the feel of a massive AAA release.
Piglins have arrived in the Overworld and are threatening to take control. It is up to the players to band together and save everyone from the Nether. The game is a sure bet for Minecraft fans.
Hollow Knight: Silksong (TBD)
Hollow Knight, an indie game, became a breakout success in 2017, becoming one of the best platformer games on the Nintendo Switch, and it was nominated for numerous major awards. Sillksong, the sequel, will return players to the cavernous world as a new warrior, Hornet, the princess of Hallownest.
The game will retain the original’s Metroidvania-style gameplay while adding new bad guys, special powers, and levels – one of Hollow Knight’s most valuable assets. The game has received a lot of praise for its beautiful design, which combines fairytale elements with dark and haunting themes. Every level is a visual feast, and many players are eager to see what comes next.
Octopath Traveler 2 (Feb. 24)
Octopath Traveler was a smash hit for the Nintendo Switch in 2018. Gamers and critics praised its RPG gameplay and adored its distinct graphical style, which has come to be known as “HD-2D,” referring to the game’s technical 2D playing field, but with the fantastic graphical crispness and attention to detail that modern, HD graphics allow.
Octopath Traveler is back in a new world called Solistia with eight new adventurers. Gamers select a character to play as (each has their own story and special abilities) and then set out on a journey across the new continent. If it’s anything like the previous game, which was nominated for Game Awards, Golden Joystick Awards, and more, SXSW Gaming Awards, this is sure to be another critical hit.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (May 12)
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, which was originally scheduled to be released in 2022, now has a (finally) official release date of May 12th. The game is a direct sequel to Breath of the Wild, which many consider to be one of the best Switch games ever made.
Nintendo has been extremely tight-lipped about Tears of the Kingdom, revealing almost nothing about its story or plot. However, fans learned from the trailer that much of the game takes place in a fragmented kingdom floating in the sky.