The year may be dashing past at an alarming rate, but it's a great time to be a Switch owner; March saw the release of Kirby Star Allies and Attack On Titan 2. 2018 may have gotten off to a slow start compared to last year's amazing release schedule, but now we're on a roll.
So, what's on the horizon for Nintendo Switch fans, then? We've complied a list of all the good stuff coming out at retail in April and May, so feast your eyes and prepare your wallets.
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Nintendo Labo - 20th April
Since its surprising reveal, Nintendo Labo has become one of the most talked about games on Nintendo Switch. Whether you're mildly intrigued or all in, this cardboard-based gameplay revolution is going to be one of the most important releases on the Nintendo Switch calendar. With two Toy-Con packs already announced, and plenty more designs shown off already, the new origami-esque concept makes for a tempting purchase when it arrives in April.
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze - 4th May
Retro Studios' much-loved addition to the Donkey Kong Country saga was one of the few genuine highlights of the Wii U era, and we can't wait to see DK and the gang swing, roll and smash their way onto Nintendo Switch for the first time. Now you'll not only get to play as Cranky Kong, but surfing bro Funky Kong and his new (and far more forgiving) Easy mode. So whether you're taking it on for the challenge, or just for giggles, Tropical Freeze is sure to leave you anything but cold.
Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition - 18th May
The Legend Of Zelda series has enjoyed plenty of unusual outings over the years, but it's not seen anything as crazy as the 'musou'-style of Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition. The benefits of a later release on Nintendo Switch means this version packs in all the post-release DLC into the one package, so that's 29 playable characters and the maps you could possibly ask for. It's the first time content from the Wii U and 3DS versions have been bundled together, so we're looking forward to flexing our Hyrulian muscles in May.
Dark Souls: Remastered - 25th May
It's finally time for Nintendo Switch to visit Lordran, a Gothic kingdom filled with dangers of in many forms, all of which want to kill you ad infinitum. Okay, that might not sound like an attractive premise for a video game, but its war of attrition makes for one of the most rewarding experiences you'll ever play. From memorable boss designs to terrain that wants to kill you as much as its inhabitants, Dark Souls: Remastered is a game like no other on Switch.
Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection - 29th May
We've already got a tasty slice of Capcom fisticuffs on Nintendo Switch in the form of Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers, but it's going to pale in comparison to the retro goodness of the series' next collection. This vault of classic entries includes 12 entries from across the franchise, with online support included for four of them so you can test your skills against the best competition Switch has to offer. You can even adjust the latency settings to ensure every move is sharp and on point.
More Awesome Nintendo Switch Games
Other than Nintendo Labo, Donkey Kong, Hyrule Warriors, Dark Souls and Street Fighter there are lots more Switch retail games which might take your fancy in April and beyond.
Awesome Accessories For Your Switch
We saw a whole slew of interesting accessories released for the Switch in the past few months, but more are on the way. Here are some tantalising accessories coming up in April and beyond which we found for your consideration.
So that's it for April and May - did we miss anything? Let us know with a comment and also tell us if you've preordered any of these goodies!
Comments 93
Honestly, if you aren't interested in Labo, which I am not, but this is otherwise underwhelming.
I didn't realize that ShaqFu had a release date yet. I'll be sure to try out my free copy.
Crikey...I didn't realise there were so many games I want.
Looking like a backlog focused month or two for me personally. Very intrigued by the Labo, especially the Garage element, but I'll be out of the country before too long so investing in anything too bulky or physical doesn't seem wise.
I'm interested in the buzz around Dark Souls, but my impression from gameplay footage is that you mainly manoeuvre some clunky knight dude around a dingy castle while being attacked by enemies you couldn't have reasonably expected to be there. The movement seems a bit cumbersome and the setting kinda drab, so I'm going to need some other reason to pick it up other than "it's hard". Celeste is hard, but it plays fantastically, looks brilliant, and it ingeniously well designed. You feel happy to indulge its difficultly because the challenges in place are so satisfying.
Still, I'm really pretty ignorant about Dark Souls, so open to persuasion!
A lot I'll be picking up here, especially in May. Mega Man Legacy Collection 1 and 2 are also May.
I wish they wouldn’t release games digitally then physical a year later. Can’t wait for tropical freeze!! Might also get Hyrule Warriors again because I never gave the wiiu version enough time but liked the idea of it and with all those characters it will be fun I think.
Vegas Party! F yeah!
this is cardboard dlc and ninty can F itself. dark souls though!
thats a lot of ads for one web page
I didn't realise Sushi Striker was going to be a whole $50 retail release! I thought it would be a budget download game.
@Heavyarms55 Well Dark Souls Remaster, DK Tropical Freeze, Hyrule Warriors DE, Street Fighter 30th anniversary is an awesome lineup if you didn't play any of those games which I am one of those people. Even if you did having them on the go with you is a great thing. And Labo will sell like hot cakes I have no doubt.
Who came up with the line that DKCTF was 'one of the few genuine highlights' of the Wii U era? That's total bs.
Mario Kart 8
Splatoon
Smash 4
Mario Maker
Bayonetta 1&2
SM3DW
Xenoblade Chronicles X
Pikmin 3
Wonderful 101
Tokyo Mirage Sessions
Lego City Undercover
ZombiU
Shovel Knight
Breath of the Wild.
@Heavyarms55 Runner 2 was a great title so I am quite looking forward to 3. Mario Tennis looks like it could have potential. I hope Nintendo has more to offer the second half of the year than the first half, though.
@gcunit yeah that irritated me too...
@Tsurii Haha, oh dear, I was hoping someone would come along prove me irrefutably wrong in my ignorant opinions, not agree with me!
Given how renowned the series has become, I'd quite like - in theory - to be able to enjoy it. But I haven't seen anything in videos that makes me think, "I'd like to spend money to be doing this". I'm sort of holding out hope that someone will give me reason to think otherwise.
£40+ for 4 year old Wii U ports of DKC:TF and Hyrule Warriors? I'll be waiting for a sale.
woohoo, gonna try Gal Gun 2! Other than that most probably Dark Souls, South Park and the Little Nightmares, unless some exciting indie titles come along.
Loads of games are coming on Switch, exciting times to own the console!
@YamAsereht those of us lucky enough to have a Wii u can also purchase these great titles for £16.99
Going by this list...
It's seems, WILD GUNS: RELOADED (depending on price) aside, I'm shaping up for a STREET FIGHTER ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION and MARIO TENNIS ACES sandwich. Stuffed full of eShop arcade releases and indies inbetween. Still undecided on LABO and trying to hold-off with the Wii U port double-dipping. That said, MARIO KART 8 DELUXE has proved good value so never say never to DKC: TROPICAL FREEZE and CAPTAIN TOAD: TREASURE TRACKER.
I'm very much looking forward to E3 or future directs as my most anticipated Switch retail game is FIRE EMBLEM. I'd like to see and hear of more as yet unannounced games to flesh out Switch year 2. There's loads of stuff coming out but always hopeful for that game that seems aligned with one's own tastes.
@1UP_MARIO True, though annoyingly those Switch ports have some extra features that make them a lil better than Wii U versions.
@sandman89
The portable aspect helps a lot. It's the best on a long ride or flight!
@Tsurii The world and level design of Nioh cannot hold a candle to Dark Souls though. The lore it offers is rather interesting and it's definitely less opaque and byzantine in that regard than Dark Souls, and I'd I agree in saying that it is more difficult - at least in the sense that the combat mechanics are more complex and demanding.
Still, DeS and DS1 left more of a lasting impression on me than Nioh. Despite everything Nioh tries, and all the improvements it makes, it still is a copy-cat and roughly 8 years late to the party. Plus, like I said, the world and level design is a significant step down, which really hurts the overall atmosphere quite a bit, which to me always made DeS, DS1 and esp. Bloodborne what they are.
I'm looking forward to Sushi Striker, as I was hoping that would make the jump from my (dusty old) 3DS to my (shiny new) Switch.
Also, either Mario Tennis Aces or Tennis World Tour do have to deliver a decent quality Tennis experience - or I'll go truely mad ^^
DS1 Remastered, is something I'll pick up eventually. I tend to play through DS1 every ~2 years or so, hence I'm not due again until 2019
@YamAsereht To be fair to Hyrule Warriors it combines both the Wii U and 3DS games into one package and includes all DLC. This would still set you back about £60 even now so £40 for the Switch version is still a good deal.
Loving the Uk price for the street fighter collection £0.00 I’m in day 1 that’s a bargain 😂
Thank the lord for all the overtime I've been working. 4 games in April (Penny Punching Princess, Regalia, South Park, and Runbow. Plus smaller stuffs) and five in May (DK, Hyrule Warriors, Megaman and SF collections, and Dark Souls. Plus smaller stuff again). What a great time to be a gamer. Scared for E3 and the next direct. Though I really want a Wolfenstein 2 release window, and a Fallout announcement.
Edit: Crap. Forgot about Gundam (forgive me), Wild Guns, and Shantae. Then Flashback, Sushi, Mario Tennis, and Ys in June. Dear lord have mercy.
Street Fighter Collection is all I will be getting. Still have my Wii U so don’t need Tropical Freeze and am not really interested in anything else for the Switch right now. Plus I have to buy more Joy Cons because my two year old broke the ones we had.
This is going to be rough. Five games that are definite buys, seven more that I'm very interested in, and at least four more that seem like they might be cool but I need more information. I'll never be able to afford even half of what I want.
My wallet will be just fine lol. $0 to Nintendo.
I'm getting Little Nightmares and Dark Souls... then waiting for Octopath in july !
waiting for SNK.
Labo coming the same day as God of War? We need a crossover. I want to see Kratos with a cardboard axe.
Thank goodness there isn't much coming that I want though. I've been trying to thin my backlog lately. Donkey Kong and Runner 3 are all for me.
Also Mega Man Legacy Collection which wasn't listed here for some reason.
PROTIP: Don't get Brawlout, wait for Smash Bros.
Can't wait for Labo, or as I say to the people who don't care about it/don't remember the name (everyone but me 😂), "My cardboard stuff coming out on 4/20".
I find it funny that aside from Labo, the other highlighted games are all ports/remasters of older games.
Still deciding whether to repurchase DKCTF. Absolutely brilliant game, but thoroughly explored on the WiiU. Otherwise not much that excites me here outside Mario Tennis Aces. Can't wait for Octopath Traveller!
I can't be the only one that is immensely curious about this new shaq fu
Never had Tropical Freeze for my Wii U so I may buy it this time round. I did however have Hyrule Warriors, and I'm willing to double dip.
All maybes - Dark Souls, DKC TF, Hyrule Warriors, Runner 3, Mario Tennis, Tennis World Tour, Sushi Strikers, South Park.
Backlog is huge so no rush hence 'maybe'.
Mario Tennis Aces day one.
Alot of other cool overpriced games that I'll wait for a price drop on.
Shopping list check:
May 2018
1. Nintendo LABO Toy Con 01
June 2018
1. Yonder the Cloud Catcher Chronicles
2. Street Fighter 30th Anniversary
July 2018
1. Sushi Striker Road of Sushido
2. Mario Tennis Aces
Gosh...
"Harvest Moon" Light of "Hopes" ?
Let's forget that Crappy Harvest Moon.
Re:Legend, My Time at Portia & Little Dragon's Cafe here i come !
Give me DK and Dark Souls right now. Super stoked.
I'm going to quite blunt, it's just another month of ports, 1yr old EShop hard releases and cardboard kids games.
Not flicked the switch for months now!
e3 needs to be strong and not smash strong, or I'm selling up!
Looking forward to Punchout Arcade, Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze, Hyrule Warriors Definitive Edition, Megaman Legacy Collection 1, and upcoming demos for Dark Souls and Mario Tennis Aces which I'm not sure I want.
I’d like to play with Labo with my little one but honestly, more stuff to clutter the place uo with is something I could do without. We shall see.
90% crap for me...
Despite the list purporting to be for April and May, couldn’t resist the opportunity to stick in a load more affiliate links!
I’ll probably pick up a few of those games but none of them excite me as much as Runner 3! And there’s a physical edition!!!
Tough on my wallet? Not at all. Nothing here entices me. Hopefully the last half of the year will be better because this first half of the year has certainly personally felt no different from the droughts that Nintendo has been known for in past generations.
Wait, so when does the Labo ovum coagulant kit come out? That’s like the only one I’m interested in.
@Alikan
I didn't know there was a demo coming up for Dark Souls and Mario Tennis. Do we know when they'll show up ?
There's... not much on this list for me, to be honest.
I hope we'll get more games straight after e3. Well, with the backlog on my ps4 on some games I never got to play (all bought for ten bucks each the last few days) I'm still good. Plus, monster hunter world...
There's still am awesome lot of great games on switch to play, but I finished most of them. Perhaps I'll revisit some. This list is kind of underwhelming though.
We'll get Labo this summer as something to do outside, but that's about it.
Time to work on the ole' backlog until the holidays.
@gcunit they're all awesome when you stand to make a cut from them....
Runner3 is the highlight for me. The rest is relatively underwhelming. I’d get Labo, but I’ll probably wait to see what other packs are announced.
Wonder why Ys VIII keeps getting ignored on these lists. It is due to release end June.
Already preordered dk, hw, and sf. Will also get RBI 18, that wasn't mentioned also.
@Tibob no word yet, but they mentioned it during the direct where they showed them off that there'd be some community days to try out the games like they did with Splatoon 2 and Arms.
meh... April is for yakuza 6. perfect change of pace after Ninokuni 2 - and totally worth $60
May is a bit more up in the air. flipping death is a contender.
I have no interest in Labo. So there isn’t anything I care about in April and in May there’s just Hyrule Warriors (gonna triple dip, geez) and Dark Souls.
South Park is a definite purchase for me. The release schedule definitely picks up after Labo. May is absolutely stacked, while June and July look solid as well.
I am with @Agramonte . April is for Yakuza 6.
Already played Little Nightmares, SP: TFbW, and The Coma on PS4. So my checklist as of now (might be longer after E3)
(Switch)
Moonlighter
Witchbrook
my time at portia
Re:legend
Little Dragon's Cafe
PixelJunk Monsters 2
Snack World Gold ( Still on the fence to wait for West release or just get the JP version )
(PS4)
Yakuza 6
Yakuza kiwami 2
Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden
@Lroy : $29.99 at GameStop for physical copy. I will finally realize my livelong dream of playing as a dachshund, lol.
Labo and runner 3 for me
I've been tough on Nintendo recently for a lack of good games for the first half of the year, but this is pretty decent. Owlboy physical for me! I'll probably also check out Mario Tennis & Little Nightmares. That'll hold me over till E3.
Sonic Mania, Shantae, & maybe Runner3.
Why haven't you put the most exciting one up there? Ys VIII! Nobody remembers this game and it's making me worried that it's going to bomb
I think that last year Nintendo gave all they had to give as far as new games go and this year they are almost running on empty. I thought that by now there would be more newer third party games. The Switch is a dumping ground for high priced second rate games.
And Wonderboy physical game for £27. It was in the eshop for £8. Not a very good game.
Indeed, a funeral for my wallet will be held in June. What a lineup.
Having preordered all but one of the “big ones” on this list, and planning to purchase at least 4 of the rest, this just reminds me of how much money I’m spending on my Switch. I’m not sure if I should be happy or sad
I'm hitting the ground running with DKC Tropical Freeze, Dark Souls Remastered, Mega Man and Street Fighter Collections, Little Nightmares and BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle in May, right into Okami HD, Mario Tennis Aces, Y's VIII and Captain Toad.
There's a ton of other games I'm getting (South Park, Crash Trilogy, Battle Chasers, Shantae, Blade Strangers, Runner 3, etc) but there's too many of those to list.
The real hype is for DKC Tropical Freeze- the single best 2D platformer ever made- just getting a handheld version is hype but a full HD hybrid version with Funky (perfect for killer time trial runs) is insanely exciting. And Dark Souls Remastered, which is my bro's fave game ever, and I promised him I'd play it through if DS ever came to Switch... and here we are- Dark Souls is coming to Switch, next month. And lastly, Mario Tennis Aces, which just looks rad as heck. Oh, and Okami HD. I'm selling my other version and buying on Switch. It's gonna be the version to own with full portability, touch support and motion for brush strokes.
@Maxz I’m just going to say that a co-worker talked me into getting dark souls about a month after launch. First impression was this game wasn’t for me About 1500 hours later and I am still over excited to replay this on switch. I only played demon souls, ds 2+3, bloodborne only 1 time each. But not dark souls 1.
Is Shaq Fu still free if you purchase NBA Playgrounds? Almost all of these games do not interest me except Dark Souls. But I’m mostly amped for God of War 4 on ps4 in April.
I will be getting DKC and HW. Labo is on my radar, may pick up the robot kit.
@Amrulez Oh I have no doubt it will sell, that doesn't mean everyone is interested in it, and I am not.
There are interesting games as well, I might finally try Dark Souls. But nothing shown here gets me as excited as last year.
Me and the kiddos can't wait for Labo! Also getting Dark Souls and Little Nightmares.
counting the days to glorious, glorious Dark Souls
Gimme that Dark Souls special edition b!$&h!!!!
Why do I think all of the digital-to-physical releases are fake? Also, some games had an awful box art :v
Tough crowd.
DK, Toad and Warriors for me, never played them on Wii U. I’ll also take Dark Souls, SF Collection, Mario Tennis, Okami HD, South Park....
Oh, my poor aching wallet.
my list of wanted games from april to june (Note this may include ps4 games lol)
1 God of war April
2 Donkey Kong TF Early May
3 Flipping death 18th May
4 Detroit become human May 25th
And Mario tennis Aces for my 43rd birthday on 24 June (yes i know it comes out on 22nd of June)
Also may pick up street fighter. Also this list is in order of when they come out not top a top 5. So 2 switch games,2 ps4 games and 1 indie that i will get on switch if anything. Looks like Nintendo wins on the 2nd quarter of the year after all!.
All I can say is......Thank the maker I loaded up my Wii Shop Channel with 10,000 points last month!!!!
There's actually quite a bit I'd like here. Getting Darkest Dungeon in April, and in May I'm going for Dark Souls and a physical version of Owlboy.
Labo and Runbow for me.
What is with all these RPGs and (some) fighting games? Who told Nintendo where I hide my money? The next three months are going to suck. Trying to be a responsible adult, trying to be a responsible adult.... don't waste your tax return...don't... aww whatever. GAMEZ.
@Yosher Runner3 and Mario Aces are new. As is BlazBlue, Harvest Moon, and Flipping Death. And I think Adventure Time is too.
My children are hype for the Labos!
I can’t do it anymore. For months I’ve been buying everything that got released. I have a pile of dozens of games that I’ll never play. Enough! I decided I’ll buy all the first party titles and try to catch up on the third party ones I already have.
@WOLF13
Same here. They really need a big E3 this year.
Hyrule Warriors is the highlight for me. Dunno about anything else, I need to do some car repairs and that always costs a lot...
Nothing for me in April or May. Still got Ni No Kuni 2 to play through so not starved yet.
@Indielink I was talking about the highlighted games, not the 'More Awesome Nintendo Switch Games' section.
@Maxz
I was on the fence a few years ago for similar concerns but it's now one of my favourite series. (Playing 2 currently).
This may sound wierd but it shares many of the same strengths and sensibilities as Metroid Prime. Exploring the decayed ruins of a once great civilization with little pockets of safety amidst an oppressive hostile world. Piecing together the history and story from the environment and lore entries (DS is much more interesting and subtle on this front), fantastic challenging boss fights.
Whilst it is certainly hard it's not in a ghosts and goblins era cheap way. It's intricately designed in a way that forces you to gradually unpack it and learn from it.
The clunkyness you described is interesting, there is a notable difference in agility depending on the weight of your armour, I always try to remain agile.
The fact that you got into Celeste suggests the challenge factor would suit you so I would definitely at least try it out for yourself 😀
@AJWolfTill This is exactly the kind of counter to my claims I was angling for. Thank you. It gives a really strong sense of setting and atmosphere. The fact that some of the footage I've watched was of some absurd mod where several of the textures were replaced with pepperoni pizza graphics perhaps explains why I didn't quite pick up on all the atmospheric subtleties you've described. I'm feeling a lot more intrigued by it now. I just hope there's a demo!
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