On March 3, 2017, Nintendo Switch hit store shelves all around the world. Since then, fans have embraced the system’s unique ability to alternate between handheld and TV mode and its ever-growing library of great first- and third-party games.
Let’s take a moment to review some of the highlights from Nintendo Switch’s first year:
March 2017 – The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild launched alongside Nintendo Switch on March 3, with the adventure continuing later in the year with the release of two DLC packs, Trial of the Sword and the Champions Ballad. The game went on to receive a score of 97 on Metacritic, as well as numerous Game of the Year awards.
April 2017 –Mario Kart 8 Deluxe gave fans the ability to bring the game with them everywhere to play with friends and family for the ultimate kart-racing bragging rights.
June 2017 – To kick off the summer, Nintendo released ARMS, a unique fighting game starring an eclectic roster of characters overflowing with personality. With fast-paced single- and multiplayer modes, fans could face each other in battles anytime, anywhere.
July 2017 – Splatoon 2 inked its way onto the system with new modes, characters, weapons and ways to splat their friends in local and online multiplayer modes. Since launch, a continuous rollout of free new content has released for the game, making it more fun than ever to splat friends and family on the go or at home.
August 2017 – One of the biggest third-party games of the year was Ubisoft’s Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle. The strategic adventure-RPG combined the wacky world of the Rabbids with the iconic Super Mario franchise, resulting in an epic quest for all ages.
October 2017 – Super Mario Odyssey launched in October, earning a score of 97 on Metacritic. In this massive sandbox-style game, Mario uses fun new hat-based abilities like cap throw, cap jump and capture with his new partner Cappy. These new abilities define his new adventure and provide a fresh take on the classic Super Mario formula. A fun new online competitive mode called Luigi’s Balloon World was recently added through a free update.
December 2017 – As a thrilling close to 2017, Nintendo launched a sequel to the original Xenoblade Chronicles RPG series, Xenoblade Chronicles 2. This sprawling game offers players a deep battle system to master, giant worlds to explore and an endearing cast of characters to meet.
In addition to the above games, a wide variety of other first- and third-party games launched for Nintendo Switch in its first year. This includes games from publishers like EA, Capcom, Psyonix, Take-Two Interactive, Ubisoft and Bethesda, to popular “Nindies” content, indie games on Nintendo Switch made by independent publishers, including Stardew Valley from Chucklefish LTD, Overcooked: Special Edition from Team 17 and Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove from Yacht Club Games. And best of all: Every single game released on Nintendo Switch can be played at home or on the go!
Looking ahead to the second year, many fun new things are in store. From hot new games with classic characters like Kirby Star Allies, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze and Mario Tennis Aces to third-party games like Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus and DARK SOULS: REMASTERED and Nintendo Labo, a series of DIY kits crafted to work with the Nintendo Switch, fans are sure to have new experiences that will put smiles on their faces that they can take with them anywhere to play with anyone!
We’re thrilled to have taken a look back over the first year of Nintendo Switch and celebrate its adventures in the upcoming year with you.
Happy Nintendo Switch anniversary!
–Your friends at Nintendo
Source: PR
Direct coming?
Probably
https://youtu.be/8mJiIkSmgnQ
I love this
Hopefully. And hopefully with Smash 5, Pikmin 4 and Metroid Prime 4.
||The Hybrid is the beginning of the grand design…||
I wonder how this year will turn out for them. Their lineup this year is a bit lacking but E3 & maybe a direct are still to come. They’ll probably release their bigger games at the end of the year. Possibly smash or Mario Maker.
I’m still thinking 2D Mario is coming. Both the Wii U and 3DS had both 2D and 3D within a year of each other and it’s certainly been long enough since the last one.
I will bet on a 90% chance of Mario Maker this year, and no other 2D Mario on the platform. They clearly don’t have any personal interest in making them. IMO, releasing a level editor was their excuse to stop working on 2D Mario.
Which would be a travesty. I really hope I’m wrong.
I hope you’re wrong too. I really need a good 2D Mario which imo hasn’t been made since NSMB DS.
I hope it’s SMM
By 2D I mean not Mario Maker and hopefully a refreshing change from NSMB.
I’m not sure if they’ll release a new NSMB game due to Mario maker. If they did, they would really have to change it up to make it interesting.
That’s why it wouldn’t be NSMB.
I want SMB 5.
Hmm, maybe. There ARE good titles coming this year. I think that Nintendo is giving the third-parties time to make their userbase on Switch before Nintendo loads their new ammunition.
I mean, while Smash doesn’t come out, it’s SNK and ARCSYS’ turn to shine with SNK Heroines and BBTAG. Nintendo is letting NISA and Square-Enix shine too with it’s RPGs, and Atlus will join later with SMTV. The console needs to bring a perfect balance between first and third party titles.
Did you think after that mini direct Nintendo don’t have new weapons to show out?
I can’t help but say it. Why are we celebrating something on March 2nd that happened on March 3rd? ;]
Last year had a leap year? Best explanation I can come up with.
Japan is virtually a day ahead of most others.
Happy Birthday, Nintendo Switch. I truly believe it has been one of the strongest launches for a console in a very long time with so much more to come. Here’s to another year of awesome!
> hot new games
> Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Pick one.
I take both
I wouldn’t buy this port of DKC. $60 compare to $50 launch price from 4 years ago and current $20 price now and all they added is Funky Kong/Easy Mode. Hell no that price is ridiculous.
And here’s to many more years of Switching up our gameplay! Looking forward to Prime 4, Fire Emblem Switch, and lots more to come!
I’m expecting a big OS update this week or tomorrow.
ITS TIME TO CELEBRATE WITH!!…
…
…
NOTHING!! :D
Tomorrow. It’s tomorrow.
I’d rather hear some good, semi-big news. Like maybe a damn date for a Nintendo Direct that is fast approaching! D:< I may not have a bloody Switch right now anymore but I still like to know what's coming since there is a chance I'll be getting a new Switch at some point.
Last year in one day was the day the world changed