One of the hallmarks of any new year on a Nintendo console is all of the first party Nintendo titles coming to the console. But with the pandemic there is still no sense of what Nintendo’s plan is for 2021.
Will the sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild be released this year? Will we finally see Metroid Prime 4? Is there a new mainline Pokémon game or DLC coming this year?
Who knows. So while I’m perpetually excited for whatever Nintendo has up their sleeve for the Switch, here are my five most anticipated Nintendo Switch titles (that we know of) in 2021.
Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy
Available Jan 26, 2021 | RPG | $69.99 CAD
This story takes place three years after the events of the previous game “Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout,” and depicts the reunion of Ryza and her friends, who go through new encounters and goodbyes to discover a true priceless treasure.
This will be my first game in the series but I love a good RPG and anime. This looks like a great melding of the two. Can’t wait for this one.
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury
Available Feb 12, 2021 | Platform / Adventure | $79.99 CAD
Pounce and climb through dozens of colorful stages! Mario (and his friends) can use power-ups like the Super Bell, which grants catlike abilities, like climbing and scratching. Work together locally or online with up to three other players to reach the goal…and to see who can get a high score.
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury features the same co-op gameplay, creative levels and power-ups as the original game, but also so much more.
We still don’t know much about the Bowser’s Fury expansion but with the release date coming up fast that should change soon.
Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin
Available Summer 2021 | RPG | Price TBD
Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin offers both RPG and Monster Hunter fans a unique new experience with a rich storyline featuring charming characters, challenging quests and friendly encounters with familiar monsters from the Monster Hunter series. Assuming the role of a young Monster Rider who can use a Kinship Stone to form strong bonds with monsters, players can gain experience and improve their skills to form deeper connections with these wonderful creatures. When ready, players can embark on memorable adventures filled with dramatic events and heartwarming friendships as the epic tale unfolds.
The game is the sequel to the 2017 title Monster Hunter Stories, am RPG spin-off of the wildly popular Monster Hunter series. I loved the original 3DS title and am excited to see this title arrive.
New Pokémon Snap
Available TBD | Simulation | Price TBD
This had been long time coming and was surprise announced earlier in the year. Since then there had been radio silence as to the status of the game.This brand-new game brings the gameplay of the 1999 Pokémon Snap game for the Nintendo 64 system to life on the Nintendo Switch system with unknown islands to discover and different Pokémon to see! Photograph lively wild Pokémon in their natural habitats as you research and explore unknown islands. Journey through a variety of environments such as beaches and jungles to capture previously-unseen Pokémon behaviors. The photos you take can also be used to fill out your very own Pokémon Photodex.
I have fond memories snapping photos of Pokémon back in my Nintendo 64 days and I’m really excited to do the same on the Switch. While there is virtually no information on the game, hopefully there are a good number of Pokémon available to shoot. Hopefully we get more information soon!
Ruined King: A League of Legends Story
Available 2021 | RPG | Price TBD
While I have heard a lot about League of Legends, and how could one not, I’ve never played the popular PC title. So while I know nothing about the series I was familiar enough with it to recognize what this was a soon as I saw it.
I enjoy a good RPG so this could be a fun entry into the franchise, though a different genre than the main game.
Unite a party of League of Legends Champions, explore Bilgewater and set sail for the Shadow Isles to uncover the secrets of the deadly Black Mist in this immersive turn-based RPG.
Developed by Airship Syndicate and featuring the art style of legendary comic book artist Joe Madureira, creators of Battle Chasers and Darksiders, Ruined King: A League of Legends Story is the first Riot Forge game that invites you to explore the League of Legends universe. In this immersive turn-based RPG, you will have the freedom to configure your party and control an unlikely group of League of Legends champions, explore the bustling city of Bilgewater and the mysterious Shadow Isles, and experience the Lane Initiative System.
