It’s an exciting time to be a Nintendo fan. Not only are rumors swirling about Nintendo revealing abrand new Switch Pro consolewith upgraded specs, but the company has confirmed its plans for E3 2021. As usual, Nintendo will be hosting a special Nintendo Direct presentation at E3 2021, scheduled to take place on Tuesday, June 15 at 9am PT, where the Big N will be focusing exclusively on Nintendo Switch software.
In particular, theNintendo Direct E3 2021 presentationwill be focused on new Switch games that are meant to launch in 2021, with some attention given to games coming in 2022 and beyond. As it stands, much of Nintendo’s slate for 2021 remains a mystery, and so E3 2021 should give fans a much clearer idea of what to expect. Perhaps it’s at E3 when Nintendo will finally reveal the leaked 2DMetroidgame, or possibly it will be when it announces the long-rumored Switch ports ofWind WakerandTwilight Princess.
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Whatever Nintendo announces at E3 2021, the reveals should go a long way in ensuring that theNintendo Switch’s 2021 is even more solid than it already has been. While there is still plenty of room on the calendar for newNintendo Switchgame releases, the console has had numerous high profile game launches in 2021 already, and there are some major games that already have solid 2021 release dates.
E3 2021 will give Nintendo Switch fans a much clearer idea of how the rest of 2021 will go, but here’s what’s already launched on the console in 2021 and what’s to come. Please note that this is focused on Nintendo Switch console exclusive games, so this isn’t even taking into account the numerous multiplatform releases that have come to the Switch this year as well.
Nintendo Switch Games That Have Launched in 2021
The Nintendo Switch has already had a fairly impressive 2021, with a handful of critically-acclaimed exclusives to its name this year already. Things started off withSuper Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Furyin February, which not only brought the critically-acclaimed Wii U gameSuper Mario 3D Worldto the Switch with some enhancements, but also featured the brand newBowser’s Furyadventure. Essentially an open worldSuper Mariogame,Bowser’s Furywas very well-receivedand could be the blueprint for futureSuper Mariogames.
Another major Switch exclusive game that released earlier this year isMonster Hunter Risefrom Capcom. While it will eventually make its way to other platforms,Monster Hunter Risewill be a Switch exclusivefor the entire year of 2021. Earning widespread critical acclaim and standing as one of the top-rated video game releases of the year so far,Monster Hunter Riseis yet another homerun for Capcom, who has been on an unstoppable role lately.
JRPG and retro gaming fans have had a variety of games to enjoy from the Switch this year, with the likes ofBravely Default 2,World’s End Club, and theFamicom Detective Clubgames available to play.Miitopiais also something that may be of interest to JRPG fans, as it combines the custom Mii characters with traditional turn-based RPG gameplay.
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Another notable release for the Switch this year isNew Pokemon Snap, the long-awaited sequel to the Nintendo 64 gamePokemon Snapthat was decades in the making.New Pokemon Snapset out to update thePokemon Snaprail “shooting” gameplay for modern audiences, and judging on the mostly positive reaction to the game, it seems safe to say that it accomplished its goals.
Nintendo Switch Games With 2021 Release Dates
While the Nintendo Switch has already had a pretty impressive 2021, there are even more exclusive games set to release this year. The E3 2021 Nintendo Direct will likely reveal many more Switch exclusives and console-exclusive games coming this year, but Nintendo has already announced release dates forsomeof the projects that are in the pipeline for its home console/handheld hybrid device.
First up isMario Golf: Super Rush, launching for the Nintendo Switch on June 25.Mario Golf: Super Rushis the latest entry in theMario Golffranchise, making significant visual improvements compared to previous entries in the series. It will also feature some rather significant gameplay improvements, like the introduction of new modes like Speed Golf and Battle Golf, both of which look like they could be hugely entertaining with a group of friends. Players can also look forward to the Golf Adventure mode, which is essentially a story mode forMario Golf.Mario Sportsgamesmay not necessarily be for everyone, but this one looks like it will have widespread appeal.
There are other big Switch games releasing this summer as well, withMonster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruindropping on July 9. A timed Switch exclusive,Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruinis the sequel to the 3DSMonster Hunter Storiesgame. Whereas the main seriesMonster Huntergames are all about hunting monsters,Monster Hunter Stories 2is a more traditional turn-based RPG where players befriend the monsters instead. It’s a completely different flavor ofMonster Hunter, but still looks like it will please fans of the franchise.
Monster Hunterfans have had a lot to enjoy this year, and hopefully the same can be said forThe Legend of Zeldafans as well. 2021 marksThe Legend of Zelda’s 35th anniversary, and Nintendo is expected to have a big celebration similarly to what it did withSuper Mario. Nintendo has kept its plans forThe Legend of Zelda’s anniversarysecret for the most part, but it has confirmed thatThe Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HDis coming to the Switch on July 16.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HDis an enhanced port of the Wii gameSkyward Sword. It features upscaled graphics and some new gameplay features, with the biggest change being the control scheme. WhileSkyward Sword HDstill supports motion controlsfor those that want to use them, the game will also have the option to play without motion controls. This should address one of the biggest criticisms that fans had about the original release and may ensure thatSkyward Sword HDis even better received than the original game.
The slate of currently-announced Nintendo Switch summer games concludes with the release ofNo More Heroes 3on August 27. Those who enjoyed the quirkyNo More Heroesgames are undoubtedly lookin forward toTravis Touchdown’s latest adventure, which looks to be just as crazy and off-the-wall as the previous entries.
Nintendo’s plans for later in the year are a little less clear, though that will likely be fixed by its E3 2021 presentation. There is one big upcoming Nintendo game on the calendar for Q4, though, and that isPokemon Brilliant DiamondandShining Pearl. The highly-anticipatedPokemon DiamondandPearlremakeshave been requested by fans for years, and it seems the wait to return to the Sinnoh region is nearly over.
There are still many big games for Switch owners to look forward to in 2021, with more set to be revealed at E3 2021. Rumors point toThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2getting a release date, a2DMetroidgamebeing announced, and even a newDonkey Konggame possibly being announced for the Switch at E3, but there’s still plenty to get excited about this year regardless.
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