Nintendo Switch exclusive games coming in 2018

The newest device from Nintendo

After having little success with the Wii U, Nintendo returned with the Switch, the best-selling console in American history. In 2017, games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild or Super Mario Odyssey proved that Nintendo understands the strengths of its products and the importance of taking risks.

It’s only been 2018 but things are already looking extremely promising for Switch owners with a ton of great-looking titles that are also Switch exclusives. Here’s a rundown of all the Switch exclusives coming out in the coming months.

Bayonetta and Bayonetta 2

At the time Nintendo introduced Bayonetta 3 at The Game Awards, they also officially confirmed rumors that Bayonetta 2 and the original Bayonetta were about to launch on Switch. These two parts will be released at the beginning of the year, specifically on February 16. The game will be sold under the title Bayonetta 2, but with each version of Bayonetta 2 comes a download code for the original Bayonetta.

Developer: PlatinumGames | Release date: 16/02/2018

Kirby Star Allies

The debut game of the Kirby series on Switch is a novel multiplayer version in the style of traditional Kirby games. In the game, 4 players can team up to overcome the levels and defeat the bosses with the power collected from the small monsters. The game was announced at E3 2017, and further introduced at the Nintendo Direct in September 2017.

Developer: HAL Laboratory | Release date: March 16, 2018

Runner3

Bit.Trip games from developer Choice Provisions are among the most “nostalgic” games of the past decade. This year, Nintendo Switch device owners will get exclusive access to the newest game in the series, Runner3, which continues the tradition of combining rhythmic rhythms and horizontal gameplay. The game has many more great games that even those who have played through the series will be surprised.

Developer: Choice Provisions | Release date: April 24

Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze

Continuing the tradition of “upgrading” Wii U games to Switch like with Mario Kart 8 and Pokken Tournament DX, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is slated to release on Switch on May 4. The game will have an additional playable character, Funky Kong, bringing new experiences in gameplay.

Developer: Retro Studios, Monster Games | Release date: 04/05

Nintendo Labo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBJzjIv5LME

Nintendo Labo are sets of cardboard and other materials designed to work with Switch and Joy-Cons, play with special games, and vice versa. The first two sets of the line – the Variety Kit and the Robo Kit – are slated to launch in April.

Developer: Nintendo | Release date: April 20

Light Fingers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gw9gWE8kwm8

Light Fingers is a turn-based multiplayer board game. Your goal is to collect loot to advance on the level, while your opponent will use cards to manipulate obstacles on the board to hinder you. This game will launch on Switch in early 2018.

Developer: Numizmatic | Release date: Early 2018

Mario Tennis Aces

A new Mario Tennis game from developer Camelot – the team behind GBA Golden Sun and many other Mario sports games – is coming to Switch this spring. This will be the first Mario Tennis game to feature a Mario Tennis: Power Tour story mode on the GBA.

Developer: Camelot | Release date: Spring 2018

Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition

The Hyrule Warriors remake for Switch will include all of the maps, quests, characters, and DLC from both the Wii U and the 3DS expansion, including Yuga and Ravio from A Link Between Worlds. The game also features new content including Breath of the Wild themed skins for Link and Zelda.

Developer: Omega Force | Release date: Q2/2018

Fire Emblem for Nintendo Switch (in development)

Fire Emblem was “born” on the first generation of Nintendo consoles (in Japan) in 1990. But in recent years, Fire Emblem has always been a handheld exclusive game (except Fire Emblem Warriors), since Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn launched on the Wii nearly a decade ago. Nintendo also announced that a Fire Emblem game is in development for the Switch, but nothing specific other than that it will be released “in 2018”.

Developer: Intelligent Systems | Release date: Unannounced (in 2018).

Project Octopath Traveler (under development)

Square Enix and developer Acquire are working on Project Octopath Traveler, a retro RPG that blends 2D and 3D graphics to bridge the gap between 16-bit and HD visuals. A demo was released on the Nintendo eShop, but the official release date is still stated as “2018”.

Developer: Square Enix, Acquire | Release date: Unannounced (in 2018)

No More Heroes: Travis Strikes Again

The third installment of the No More Heroes series from “talented” developer Goichi “SUDA 51” Suda, is slated to launch on Switch this year. The premiere trailer tells the story of Travis’ revenge, as Travis confronts Badman, the father of Travis’ first assassination target, Bad Girl. Before the clash, both characters are caught up in a video game system. From there, they’re up against a number of sci-fi video games, said to be inspired by real-life hits like Hotline Miami.

Developer: Grasshopper Manufacture | Release date: Unannounced (in 2018)

Yoshi for Nintendo Switch (in development)

Yoshi’s Adventures on Switch is yet another platformer on the list, but Nintendo leverages a whole new graphic style to give gameplay a unique twist. Each level is a form of “perspective”, you can view the levels on the “surface”, or use a new perspective from the back to see the buildings that seem like-only -one-dimensional structure inside like. This new Yoshi game also supports 2 players offline co-op.

Developer: Good-Feel | Release date: Unannounced (in 2018)

Dragon Marked For Death

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwMrYr1zlQ8

The latest games from the team behind Mega Man Zero, Mega Man 9-10 and Azure Striker Gunvolt will launch exclusively on Switch this year. Dragon Marked for Death looks like another 2D horizontal screen game with lots of action and meticulously designed characters, but Inti Creates is experimenting with new things like adding a 4-player co-op mode. offline and the progression system give the game a bit of an action RPG-like experience.

Developer: Inti Creates | Release date: Unannounced (in 2018)

The World Ends With You – Final Remix

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0QMHXVz-eg

A full HD version of Square Enix’s The World Ends With You is coming to Switch, along with a pretty awesome new storyline. The game was announced at the Nintendo Direct Mini in January, and will be available at some point in 2018.

Developer: Square-Enix | Release date: Unannounced (in 2018)

SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy

This new fighting game from NIS has quite a “heavy” fan service, but will also satisfy traditional SNK fans. The matches will focus exclusively on female fighters from various SNK titles.

Developer: NIS/SNK | Release date: Unannounced (in 2018)