Top 10 upcoming Nintendo Switch games [POLL]

[Editor’s Note: This is the first article in a series of articles that explores upcoming Nintendo Switch games. We’ve dedicated this article to AAA releases that we know will be coming soon. Be sure to check back for our top upcoming indie games article tomorrow.]

Now that the Nintendo Switch has launched and we’ve all gotten our hands on the hardware, you may be wondering what’s in store for the console over the upcoming months. Nintendo has had a problem with game droughts in the past, as evidenced by the early months of the Wii U launch where we went several months without a high profile release.

It appears as though Nintendo has learned a valuable lesson for keeping content fresh and trickling on a new console, since the release schedule for the Nintendo Switch is staggered pretty well. Here’s a peek at the top 10 AAA games that are headed to the console.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Release Date: April 28, 2017

While you may be tempted to blow off this release as just another version of Mario Kart 8 that appeared on the Wii U, Nintendo has done a lot to make sure the Switch version is truly Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. There’s plenty of new characters, new tracks, and new battlemodes, but the real highlight is the LAN mode that supports up to 12 consoles.

Mario Kart 8 was easily one of the best games to own on the Wii U and if that’s any barometer for expectations, you should be excited about the Switch version. The 200cc mode alone puts the game in F-Zero territory. Check out the overview Nintendo just released above to learn more. We’re pretty excited about this and we think you should be, too.

ARMS

Release Date: Spring 2017

While 1-2-Switch is great at being the typical party game that’s expected of a Nintendo console, ARMS looks like a serious competitor for a game that showcases just how accurate you can be with the new Joy-Con controllers. Early impressions of the game seem to be pretty positive and it takes a lot more skill than you would expect to do some of the ARMS trick shots.

This is as close as you’ll get to playing real-life Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots without buying a bunch of weird accessories and cosplaying the whole experience. I’m excited to check it out because it seems like Nintendo is doing something interesting with motion controls.

Splatoon 2

Release Date: Summer 2017

Splatoon 2 is another sequel for Switch that you may be tempted to write-off if you already played the Wii U version. That would be a mistake though, because while the game is an iteration of what you’ve already experienced with the Wii U version of the game, there’s plenty here that’s new, fresh and enjoyable.

First up is the new weapon type Splat-Dualies, which you can see showcased in the video above. It brings a whole new level to the meta of wining, especially since you’ve got an extra person on your team in the sequel.

NBA 2K18

Release Date: September 2017

We don’t have a lot of information about any of the sports games that were revealed during the Nintendo Switch presentation, but we do know that the Switch will be getting NBA 2K18 and FIFA 18. The release date is set for September of this year and the above trailer is all we’ve seen of the game so far.

Expect more from E3 but for now, sports fans should be cautious about expecting a return of the genre to Nintendo consoles.

FIFA 18

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xs241S97B_A

This Japanese dual commercial for Dragon Quest Heroes and FIFA 18 is really the only look we’ve gotten at the upcoming soccer game for Nintendo Switch. FIFA 18 is generally more popular in the rest of the world than here in the United States so it’s a good thing that this series is available on Switch.

Fire Emblem Warriors

Release Date: Fall 2017

This is another mash-up between Koei Tecmo and Nintendo to bring the gameplay of Dynasty Warriors into a classic Nintendo franchise. We do know that a main entry for the Fire Emblem series will be headed to Nintendo Switch, but that’s been teased for 2018 and possibly beyond. For now, we’ll have to make do with Fire Emblem Warriors, which will be headed to Nintendo 3DS as well.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skryim

Release Date: Fall 2017

This is probably the game that will get most non-Nintendo people onto the bandwagon with a handheld of their own. Skyrim was teased early in the Nintendo Switch’s presentation and I’ve seen numerous people admit that the Switch might be in the cards for them if they can play a massive game like Skyrim on the go.

Breath of the Wild trounces Skyrim in my opinion, but for those who love the open world Bethesda RPGs, Skyrim is coming and it will be here at the end of this year.

Project Sonic 2017

Release Date: TBD

We’re overdue for a good 3D Sonic game. Sonic Boom was pretty bad with the character redesigns and tons of bugs, so it’s nice to see the original Sonic Team will be working on Project Sonic 2017. We don’t know a lot about this since the reveal trailer that was released last year, but expect to learn more at E3.

Super Mario Odyssey

Release Date: Holiday 2017

Aside from Breath of the Wild, this is the title that I think will do the most for Nintendo Switch’s adoption numbers. It’s essentially the new Super Mario Galaxy that everyone has been asking Nintendo for since the last game debuted in 2010. A new 3D Mario game will always garner a lot of attention and from everything we’ve seen in the release videos, Super Mario Odyssey is shaping up to be just as special as Super Mario Galaxy.

Xenoblade Chronicles 2

Release Date: TBD

I decided to save this one for last because it is the biggest title on this list that doesn’t have a firm release date in mind. Xenoblade Chronicles X on Wii U was announced several years ahead of its release with a few delays here and there, so I honestly expect that of the Nintendo Switch version as well.

That being said, Xenoblade Chronicles X was perhaps my favorite game on Wii U because of the massive world that you could explore. It was so big that it barely fit on the Wii U disc and I can’t wait to see what the team comes up with for the sequel, especially since I’ve seen how lag-free the system can be with Breath of the Wild. Color me excited, but know that this one is probably a ways off.

Now that you’ve seen a peek at what we think are the top ten titles headed to Nintendo Switch, we want your opinion! Which of these games are you most looking forward to over the coming year? Let us know by voting for your favorite in the poll below. It’ll be open for one week and next week we’ll take a look at the top three games as picked by our community.

Pick your top three games that you’re most excited to play.