The Switch has been an immense success for Nintendo over the past few years. New games are constantly coming out for the handheld console, so let’s look at some of the best upcoming games for the Nintendo Switch in 2023.
Metal Slug Tactics
Old-school arcade fans will surely know about Metal Slug, one of the most successful side-scrolling shooters ever. The studio behind the series has decided to make a turn into a turn-based strategy with this title. Most of the classic characters and most of the enemy factions will be back. Apparently, the game will also contain some “roguelike elements”, but we will have to wait for the game to launch to understand what this means.
Disney Illusion Island
Disney is finally giving their characters some love with a simple platformer. You and up to three friends can take control of Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Donald as they try to save their cartoony world. The gameplay looks somewhat reminiscent of Rayman Legends, with each character having a unique ability that will allow them to handle situations differently.
Pikmin 4
The classic Shigeru Miyamoto Lemmings RTS mix will get a new title this year. Even though it had a pretty tricky development since it was first announced in 2015, Nintendo has assured us that it will be as good as other games in the series. We don’t know much about the title besides the adorable graphics, but since Miyamoto himself has been involved with it, it probably won’t disappoint.
Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon
A surprising spin-off announced during 2022’s Video Game Awards, Bayonetta Origins is a prequel to the Bayonetta series. You will take control of young Cereza as she tries to rescue her mother. You must guide her through a dangerous world filled with faeries and puzzles. The game will be out on March 17, 2023 to the excitement of Bayonetta fans around the globe.
Blanc
This adorable co-op game came out of nowhere recently. A small team is currently developing it over at Gearbox. It features lovely hand-drawn animation with a black-and-white art style. The gameplay revolves around two players controlling a wolf cub and a fawn as they try to find their way home. This is the perfect game to play with your loved ones, especially children. Blanc will be coming out exclusively for the Switch platform on February 14, 2023.
Have A Nice Death
Even though it has been out in Early Access for the last year on PC, Have A Nice Death will be coming out for the Switch on March 22, 2023. The game puts you in the shoes of the Grim Reaper as he tries to find and bring back all the employees at Death Inc. This is an excellent-looking roguelike that combines platforming elements with a Metroidvania-styled world.
Octopath Traveler 2
Coming hot on the heels of the first game, which became a resounding success, Octopath Traveler 2 is ready to give us more RPG goodness. Square Enix are bringing eight more characters into the fray, with eight possible paths you can take throughout the game. If the first game was your jam, then this should be on your radar. Octopath Traveler 2 is coming out on February 24, 2023.
Fitness Boxing Fist of the North Star
While this sounds like a joke, this is a real game that is being developed. Adding to the countless boxing titles that cater to the motion controls of the Switch, this does sound like it could have potential. Fist of the North Star is a classic anime series that has been enjoyed by millions of people and is a huge source of internet memes. So if you want to “Omae Wa Mou Shindeiru” some boxers, wait until the game launches in March 2023.
Outer Wilds
Even though it has been out on other platforms, Outer Wilds got a Switch announcement back in 2021. Development has encountered some issues, and this version is still not out. Outer Wilds is a great adventure and exploration game that tasks you with exploring a small solar system in a run-based system. Every time you meet your demise, you will be thrown back at the start, with each run allowing you to uncover more and more. There is still no official launch date, but developers have guaranteed a 2023 release.
Sea of Stars
Even though it was delayed due to a certain worldwide issue that affected every market known to man, developers are still chugging along on this JRPG title. Taking inspiration from games like Secret of Mana or, more recently, Octopath Traveler, Sea of Stars looks like a cute 16-bit JRPG with plenty of heart. The developers at Sabotage Studios have garnered a lot of success with their first title The Messenger, a tremendous 16-bit platformer akin to the old Ninja Gaiden games. Sea of Stars is currently slated for a 29 August 2023 release date.
Disgaea 7
Disgaea is a long series of tactical RPGs that has constantly innovated the genre over time. The games give you control of a party of characters, each of them with their unique abilities and skills. You are then tasked with finishing various missions that advance the story as well as rewarding you with various items and upgrades. Combat is grid-based and positioning is extremely important. Having allied characters next to each other will buff their combat abilities. Disgaea 7 already came out on 23 January 2023 in Japan. We don’t yet know a definite launch date for the rest of the world, but developers have reported a Q3 launch.
Other upcoming switch games that are on our radar are The Gecko Gods, Sushi for Robots, and of course, the roguelike classic Risk of Rain remake. 2023 indeed looks like a good year for the Nintendo handheld.
Given how successful the Switch has been over the past few years, more and more people are deciding to join the Nintendo hype. And with rumors that a newer version of the console might be coming out soon, their streak of success won’t end anytime soon.
