TheManCalledScott’s Top 5 Most Anticipated Nintendo Switch Games

The Nintendo Switch is imminent. As it’s worldwide March 3rd release approaches, we all have our lists of games we’re looking most forward to from the new home console/handheld hybrid.

1-2-Switch looks like it has the potential to be a great party title, and Arms looks to do to the fighting genre what Splatoon did for the shooter. But there are five games that I can safely say I’m most excited for, so I figured I’d cram them all into a list. Because that’s what I do sometimes.

Keep in mind that this particular list is based on games that are officially announced for the Nintendo Switch. There are rumblings (and very justifiable assumptions) that Yooka-Laylee will see a release on Switch, but it isn’t confirmed officially as of this writing., so games in that ballpark won’t be found here (though if it were included, Yooka-Laylee would be towards the top for sure). Obviously, this also means that games that I would like to see, but are currently just pipedreams (like a new DKC), are also not here.

Now with all the technicalities out of the way, here are my top 5 most anticipated games for the Nintendo Switch.

5: Sonic Mania

Though “Project Sonic 2017” looks to have a lot of promise – and was actually announced for the Switch first – Sonic Mania is the Sonic game I’ve dreamed of for years.

The 16-bit Sonic games were all great (some better than others, but you really couldn’t go wrong). But the series became increasingly inconsistent after it moved to 3D.

Sonic Mania looks to take Sonic back to his roots, while making it all feel fresh and new. If this new 16-bit Sonic adventure ends up being as good as the series’ Genesis days, it will be a must-have for any Switch owner.

4: Splatoon 2

Though Splatoon’s full-on sequel arrives relatively shortly after the original (at least for a Nintendo title), it’s easy to see why Nintendo would want to capitalize on the series to help aid the Switch in its early months.

Splatoon was one of the Wii U’s best titles, and brought an originality and *ahem* freshness to both Nintendo and the shooter genre. By bringing the series to Switch, Nintendo is giving their newest console a bit of their more contemporary flavor, while Mario and Zelda bring in the more long-standing appeal.

If Splatoon 2 can bring enough changes to the gameplay of the original, it will be a sequel worth the investment.

3: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

While I have many fond memories of Mario Kart 64 and Double Dash!!, Mario Kart 8 was the pinnacle of the series. It brought out the best the series had to offer: balanced weapons, fantastic tracks, and a sense of polish that’s second to none. Mario Kart 8 was simply the best in the series.

But it did have one glaring flaw… its Battle Mode pretty much sucked.

Thankfully, Nintendo is bringing Mario Kart 8 to the Switch, and bringing back the Battle Mode we all know and love in the process. We even get some new characters and items for good measure!

It’s not often that a re-release would be one of my most anticipated titles of the year. But Mario Kart 8 is just that good. And with its only major issue getting touched-up, it could be the perfect Mario Kart. Now if only we could replace some of the baby characters and Pink Gold Peach…

2: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Bet you thought this was going to be number one, didn’t you?

That’s a hard point to argue. I haven’t been this excited for a Zelda title since The Wind Waker. In fact I may say I’ve never been quite so hyped for a Zelda title before.

The freedom that Breath of the Wild promises, along with the reinventions it’s making to the storied series (no hearts in grass, dungeons being played in whatever order you choose, voice acting) can really make this a whole new experience.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild looks like it could be a complete overhaul of all the things we love about Zelda. One that can bring an all new depth to the series.

Also, you can jump! Glorious, glorious jumping!

1: Super Mario Odyssey

If one series is going to take the number one spot from Zelda, of course it’s going to be Mario.

As much as I loved Super Mario 3D World (and boy, did I ever love Super Mario 3D World), I’d be lying if I said the releases of Mario titles felt as special as they once did. The Mario series has always been about invention and polish, but for the last few years, it seems Mario platformers tipped the scale in favor of the polish, and were less about the invention.

Then the Super Mario Odyssey trailer hit, and suddenly it felt like Super Mario Galaxy 2 had a worthy successor. Mario is back in a more open-world style akin to Super Mario 64, that looks to boast the same kind of polish and imagination of the Super Mario Galaxy series.

All the more notable are the levels shown in the trailer. It seems Mario is foregoing the usual fire and ice worlds (fun as they may be) in favor of worlds that are nothing short of bizarre. A realistic city based on New York and littered with Donkey Kong references, a psychedelic food-themed world, and an absolutely gorgeous forest level littered with rusted technology. It looks absolutely crazy.

Combine these elements with the new gameplay quirks built around Mario’s hat, and Super Mario Odyssey could be the weirdest Mario game of all time. And that’s simply glorious.

What are your most anticipated Switch games? Feel free to list them in the comments, or tell me how wrong I am for not placing Zelda at number 1. Have fun and happy gaming, my friends.