Feature: The Biggest Nintendo Switch Retail Games of 2018

Nintendo need to get around to announcing new games. A lot of old games there and not a hope in hell is Metroid Prime 4 coming out this year. There's every chance that Bayonetta 3 won't come out either but you never know, hopefully it does. I'm probably most excited about Yoshi given how good Yoshi's Woolly World was on Wii U.

This year looks to be solid and bigger than last year!

As a multiplatform gamer that also owns a PC, Dragon Quest and Octopath are on my list, and the other big ones are questionable so far.... (In terms of when they release)

I see what you did with the subhead.

Lol at the most votes being given to Labo.

The sad thing is I'll probably be getting almost every game on this list

Just 3? Well... Bayo 3, Metroid Prime 4, and Octopath Traveller then, but I still am very much interested in the following:

Payday 2
Kirby Star Allies
Attack On Titan 2
Dark Souls: Remastered
Mario Tennis Aces
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
Yoshi
Fire Emblem
Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes

And not on the list...
Shovel Knight: King of Cards (my final thing to play on 3DS)
Mega Man 11
Mega Man X collection (so I can play MMX7 and 8)

There's some other things that have been announced and/or slated for this year too. The crazy part is the stuff still unknown to us. We're off to a decent start already for 2018 with what we DO know...

I have to say it's wonderful seeing Metroid Prime 4 have the majority here. Sometimes I just can't figure if us Metroid fanatics are a majority or a (very) loud minority.

Ingenuity of Yoshi's New Island? I've heard it called many things but ingenious wasn't one of them. I can only assume you meant Yoshi's Island aka the greatest game ever made

Dark Souls, Wolfenstein, Prime

Maybe Bayonetta 3 when a cheap secondhand copy is available

Where can I start an online petition to change "Nintendo Labo" to "Switch Kits"? The Who have a song practically ready to market, just gotta change a couple of letters.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=a4xjr9v5ehk

I'll settle for SwitchLabs. NintenLabs. I'm willing to compromise. My mouth is getting tired with that many syllables. And I don't like the long o ending.

Octopath Hype!
Lots of great games on this list, but personally Octopath Traveler outshines them all. That game looks like my ideal RPG, I can't contain my hype!
On a side note, where's Mega Man 11 and Valkyria Chronicles 4? They're not just two of Switch's biggest 2018 games, they're two of the biggest games of the year in general. Bigger than Attack on Titan 2 or SNK, certainly.

I would bet my life savings that we won’t see Metroid this year. It’s a tiny bit discouraging that Metroid aside, there are only four new first-party titles (that aren’t made of cardboard) on that list, and only two of them even have a release window. E3 can’t come soon enough.

I will buy for sure Kirby, Donkey Kong, Hyrule warriors, Street fighter and No more heroes

Yoshi

@SLIGEACH_EIRE I thought the same thing honestly, but then I realized - at least as the vote is concerend - I can only pick three anyways, so I went with FE, NMH and 8path. Metroid and Bayonetta is not gonna happen obviously, otherwise I would have been a much tougher choice. Still, I'm also definitely looking forward to Aces, maybe even more so than to NMH, but given the ... disappointment of Ultra Smash, I'm reluctant to really get excited for good.

Anyways, that still makes for a bunch of games, and we all know, that Nintendo will most certainly still announce something else within the next few months up to and including E3. All in all it's going to be a solid year, and we are just looking at retail games here.

The e-shop is gonna flourish, no doubt about that. TWEWY is also an instant buy of course, but I've already played that, so as far as excitement goes, it's not a big scorer.

Ummm...you forgot the game I'm most excited for. Ys VIII

I don’t think Metroid or Bayonetta will make it, but those would be top of my list.
Maybe Yoshi. Besides that, it’s Port-land. There will be some unannounced game for the holidays. If not, I’ll but original games on other systems instead of ports.

I wish Nintendo would slow down a little so I can catch up with some games. Too many games, so little free time and money.

Donkey Kong TF why are you so expensive? 😣

Oh yeah, pick a game.

Why is MP4 on the list but not Pokemon? Can we have a poll where we vote which game releases first on Switch, MP4 or Pokemon? I'm saying the voting would be 80-20 in favor of Pokemon.

Well that list is kind of making me regret my Switch purchase. Fortunately the next 3 games we get on Switch will be ARMS, Mario+Rabbids and XC2, so I still have a lot to look forward too.

Where's Ys 8, I want that one too. Is Ys 8 digital only, I may have missed that.

On the list gotta go with my girl Cereza and Bayonetta 3, though my kids are getting Kirby Day 1. I may play it, but not really a fan. Yoshi is cuter.

I’m baffled that World Ends with you and DLCTF is $59.99

Those votes for PayDay2, Lol and to think Nintendo paid for exclusive content for that.

Dang. Payday 2 is 0%. Gonna be rough finding random partners. Thankfully I got a squad lined up. Super excited for portable Payday. SF collection and Travis... are my runners up.

@thesilverbrick it's not even the end of January yet. Stop being dramatic

I'm probably better listing the games I won't be buying.

Definite no buy

Dragons Quest Builders
Payday 2

Probably not buy

Donkey Kong TF - love it but no chance I'm paying full price for it again.

SNK Heroines

Bayonetta 1&2 - think I'm going to skip it for now. Played through 2 now 3 times. I can wait for a price cut.

Attack on Titan 2 - I don't know enough about it. If it reviews well, it's a maybe.

The rest I'll be buying for sure and I will add Ys VIII to the list.

What's with the lack of Ys VIII? And Pokemon at least has 2018 or beyond as a release date, not like Bayonetta 3 and Metroid Prime 4. Or you could have picked a game ACTUALLY coming out this year like Scribblenauts Showdown or Bit.Trip Runner 3 or Valkyria Chronicles 4 or Titan Quest or Starlink or DQXI... maybe. Point is, those two probably ain't happening, no point having them on this list.

It's sad that the Switch game I'm most excited for is a bloody port. Nintendo needs to step up their game for 2018.

@rjejr Of the 3 big titles, Bayonetta 3,Metroid Prime 4 and Pokémon, I think we'll see 2 of them this year. Which 2 I'm not so sure but if I had to guess, I'll go for Bayonetta 3 and Prime 4.I've got a feeling we're all going to be surprised when Prime 4 reveals itself to be much further along than we think it is. I've got suspicions it was originally planned for Wii U and cancelled. Don't know know why I think that,I just do

@SLIGEACH_EIRE Woolly World was hands down the best Yoshi game to date. I'm with you, I can't wait to see what they do with Yoshi next.

Top 3 seem easy to me:

1. Metroid Prime 4
2. Project Octopath Traveller
3. Bayonetta 3

I still feel 2018 is inferior to last year. If Kimishima says 2018 is crucial, he should prove it by the games... If Metroid and Pokemon release this year, I'll consider 2018 a hit. Smash and Animal Crossing can wait, especially the former.

My picks (only three? ):
Metroid Prime 4 - I played the entirety of Metroid Prime Trilogy over the last year, and now I can NOT wait for another Prime entry.

Project Octopath Traveler - I haven't tried the demo, but this looks very promising. I loved Bravely Default but still need to play through Bravely Second.

TWEWY: Final Remix - I've heard great things about this game and have been dying to try it.

Metroid 4 is not announced this year. I'm excited about Donkey Kong. Ys 8 I'm all about too. There haven't been many announcements yet either because it is in the first quarter of the year. The 3DS will be used for fillers. I'm looking at you Radiant Historia and Shin Megami.

I'll be buying all the Bayonettas, Octopath for sure, maybe SNK Tag Team Heroines, and I'm cautiously optimistic about Metroid Prime 4...every previous game was good but the quality diminished just a little with each entry. My son is a huge Kirby fan so that goes on the list too. The rest, rentals or stuff to ignore, mostly.

While it's not terrible, there's not a whole lot of 'must haves' going on there for me.

Yes, I want Metroid and Bayo 3, but Ninty really needs to bring in something big. We had Zelda AND Mario last year... compared to that this just feels a bit measly.

I had to go with PayDay 2, Dark Souls and Wolfenstein as I've never played them.

@Jeremyjones12992 I hardly would consider it dramatic to say that something is “a tiny bit discouraging.” But go ahead and be condescending if it makes you feel better.

Let's face it Nintendo are very unlikely to better 2017 with BoTW, Odyssey, MK8, Splatoon 2 etc... We need to keep our expectations in check.

Having said that I really hope MP4 is 2018!

Dark souls, Metroid Prime 4 and Bayonetta 3. Im totally happy with that and whats Nintendo keep for us as surprise. Maybe The legend of Zelda Skyward sword hd remaster for Switch?

I'm hoping for lots of great indie games... most of the games in that list are not that interesting to me, or I've played them already.

If Yoshi is released in the Spring and Bayo 3 in the Summer, that would be awesome... and hopefully E3 will bring a pleasant surprise for next Fall.

@Fred13 the author plus all these comments and you and I are the only ones that realized they forgot Ys VIII.
DANG I hope I'm wrong, but I don't think this game is going to sell well

The three I'd go for out of that list would be Octopath Traveller, Bayonetta 3 and Metroid Prime 4.

Though I'm confused why you included Metroid Prime 4 on this list and not Pokemon Switch, since they've both only really been mentioned (I mean sure Metroid Prime 4 got a teaser trailer but still it wasn't really anything) and we have no idea when they're actually coming out.

Really? Up to 3?!

Over half of these titles I WANT to purchase for the Switch. Why would you make me pick 3? C'mon NLife, live a little.

Bayonetta 1 + 2 + 3
Dark Souls: Remastered
Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition
Kirby Star Allies
Mario Tennis Aces
Metroid Prime 4
Payday 2
Project Octopath Traveler
SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy
Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection
Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus

Mario Tennis, Metroid Prime 4, and Fire Emblem since I had limit it to 3. Yoshi would be the next one

Yoshi, Octopath Traveler, and SF:30A for me, with Dark Souls as a definite maybe. Labo is just cool, but I'm not in the target demographic. You have to think that there will be more to 2018's release calendar for Nintendo as the year rolls on and more projects are announced.

Wolfenstein deserves more love.

Wolfie, Bayo and Metroid Prime for me, but I wanted to for for about 8.

@leo13 @link3710 @rjejr Leo13, you and I weren't quite the only 2 that remembered Ys VIII, but there weren't many more that did.

Missed Scribblenauts

Octopath Traveler (this will be a new classic!)
Fire Emblem (undoubtely another fantastic game)
Metroid Prime 4 (a new game of the series on par with the series)

I can't wait for Payday 2 on switch

@OorWullie "originally planned for Wii U and cancelled"

I think that about almost every Switch game - Zelda, Mario, Kirby, Yoshi, XC2, Splatoon 2. Nintendo Labo seems completely Switch, but that's about it. Well and 1 2 Switch, forgot about that 1.

But I feel like Pokemon will be here before both MP4 and Bayonetta. They wont' want to release a Metroid game until it's good, not after MP:FF, and they wont' want to release a Pokemon game until November. November comes before good. Bayonetta 3 may get a "holiday" date at E3 and then in September get delayed until Feb or March.

Guess I could be wrong though, maybe we need that poll after all.

@NL: Given up on RedOut? Me too . . . .

Fingers crossed for a 2018 release of arcade Punch-Out!! and toes crossed for Baseball Stars Professional. Holding breath . . . .

Wow this list looks far more awesome in this format than mashed into the mini direct.

A few of these I didn't know were going to be physical retail games (Payday 2, Octopath, DQ Builders)....that makes them much more exciting!

Fire Emblem
Metroid4
Bayonetta3
Ys8

Everything else is a pass or just better stuff to play for my $60 elsewhere that month (maybe come back around for it later on a slow month). Octopath probably get used or on sale much later.

@link3710 @leo13 @Fred13

I was thinking about YS 8, do we know it will be on cart or just digital? I haven't seen any box art other than PS4. The Nitneod site looks like their usual eShop art.

https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/ys-viii-lacrimosa-of-dana-switch#game-info

The title of the article is "Retail games" so if the author thinks YS 8 is a digital game only he would have reason not to include it. It's a $60 game on PS4, so I don't think it's digital only, but I can't find any proof of it on cart.

Here's a nice article about it coming to the US if anyone is interested but not mention or retail or digital.

http://nintendoeverything.com/how-ys-viii-ended-up-on-switch/

THIS IS LOOKING GOOD - There will be MUCH more retail than this in reality in 2018 now that the Switch has proved it's market place and large user-base (minus a couple that will slip to 2019).

Plus there is no way Nintendo won't get a couple more big first-party titles in - cos there is not enough here. I'm calling Smash this year (not really my bag - but I get it's importance), Animal Crossing, a surprise IP and something a little more niche like Luigi's Mansion 3. I think Mario Maker Deluxe will be 2019. Plus masses and masses of cool indies including Bloodstained and Hollow Knight. Then they'll be a few amazing - where the hell did that come from - surprises and Nintendo will be skinned-alive if they don't get SOME Virtual Console out in 2018. Nintendo Labo will have a minimum of 4 sets by Christmas.

Basically by the end of this year the library is going to be INSANE.

And in 2019 we will see Prime 4 and maybe two more HUGE original first-party releases. Nintendo Labo will have significantly helped to increase the user-base to crazy figures so that ALL major third parties will be on board for major releases! Good times for gaming. And PS4 and XBOX will continue to do their thing - but we'll be getting a few more of their games too.

@rjejr The LE is up at NIS-USA

https://store.nisamerica.com/ys-viii-lacrimosa-of-dana-limited-edition-switch

Don't forget the new Scribblenauts!

I'd hope SMT V would be coming this year.

I'm really happy Metroid Prime F.F. existed now. Without it Prime 4 could have been a half-arsed job. But now they know the stakes and will not screw it up. Even Other M has helped Nintendo understand what we definitely don't want with Samus' character. I really can't see it going too wrong now.

@rjejr https://www.gamestop.com/nintendo-switch/games/ys-viii-lacrimosa-of-dana/157971
https://store.nisamerica.com/ys-viii-lacrimosa-of-dana-limited-edition-switch
The box art is available on NISAmerica's website, and preorders are open, so I'd say it's definitely physical.

Tropical freeze again. Definitely. Then maybe Wolfenstein. And definitely metroid if it comes.

I didn't vote for Prime 4 just because I don't think it is coming out this year. And saying that, how do you put MP4 on here but not Pokemon Switch as an option? If one was coming out this year I would bet pokemon.

Mine are Kirby, Octopath, and Dark Souls in no particular order.

I've never had a backlog of games to play for just having one system before. Most consoles I've been able to buy games one at a time and play them without feeling I'm missing out. This is the first time in my life (yes, I'm old enough to put the NES on this list) where I don't feel like I or my wallet can keep up with the games coming out.

@Agramonte Maybe it's just a download code in the box?

I'm just kidding, thanks for that. Not a bad set for $99 either. A little rich for my blood, but maybe some of the others will get it.

@link3710 Yeah well I guess if Gamestop has it then it's getting a physical release, I considered NIS may just have a limited edition collectors set from their website, which I would barely really count.

Well then it really should be on this list I think. It doesn't exclude old ports b/c several of these games are old ports, Wolfenstein and probably Payday 2 though I don't follow that one. DQ Builders I know for certain is. And fairly old at that.

My poor wallet and backlog...

I'm definitely interested in more than just two of them.

Never played the Bayonetta series so looking forward to that next month. Wolfenstein and Mario tennis are day one purchases for me.

Looks like someone forgot to include the affiliated links disclaimer, which is quite an oversight considering this article is a front for pushing Amazon links.

Oh and "ass-kicking ladis"?

Kirby, Yoshi, and Fire Emblem are my top 3

@rjejr oh I just assumed it was physical. I guess that makes more sense is Ys is going to be digital only. I'm buying it either way

Prime 4 and Bayonetta 3 are no way 2018 so I voted for Hyrule Warriors, Tropical Freeze and Fire Emblem.

Kirby, Mario Tennis, Yoshi, Fire Emblem, and Octopath.

None of these have me all that hyped. I need Smash Bros or Animal Crossing.

Interested in Yoshi somewhat.

I choose :
1. Street Fighter 30th Anniversary
2. Nintendo LABO Toy Con 01
3. Mario Tennis Aces

Definitely have interest in more than three, I’ll be picking up:

Fire Emblem
Donkey Kong
Hyrule Warriors
Octopath
Dragon Quest Builders (eventually)

Then probably a couple of others based off of gameplay videos when released and when my wallet can compensate.

Some great games for me personally
I’ve never played a Yoshi or Kirby game so looking forward to see what the fuss is about.
Actually ive not played any Metroid game ever, nor hyrule warriors, so personally very excited for all these new games, well new to me.
I hope we get a lot more ports as some of the best games around are from older systems.
Really want some more horror game for switch as the few we have don’t scratch the itch apart from the res evil games.
I wish I could peek at a secret list to see all games coming in 2018 lol I still believe it’s going to beat last year...fingers crossed.

Two of my most wanted games that are not on the list:
SMT V and Valkyria Chronicles 3

@Krest_arisen lol I just assumed everyone who post on the switch news automatically have a Nintendo Switch.
Check out the eshop, you may find there are already games that would justify the purchase?
You might not think it but honestly the portability option on switch is a game changer for many games.

Few games missing here such as Mega Man 11, the 3 Mega Man collections, YS VIII Pokemon(still a chance that it comes out in 2018) and Valkyria Chronicles 4.

Anyway, I'm disappointed I can only select 3 games on this poll. I plan on picking up most of them actually.

Way too hyped foe just three.
1. Attack on Titan - The first game was too much fun to pass this.
2. Kirby - It's Kirby. Guaranteed enjoyment.
3. Fire Emblem - It's Fire Emblem
4. Hyrule Warriors - Don't care if I have it on WiiU. The faster I can drop it into a dumpster and light it on fire the better.
5. Ys 8 (Not Here, Eshop only?) - Had me at action RPG base builder.
6. No More Heroes - Anything touched by Marvelous is immediately made into gold. (It being NMH is the icing on top)

And almost everything else on this list.

Really tough choice this one because there are so many I will pick up.

I'd say Metroid 4, Bayonetta 3 and wolfenstein based on the ones I envisage getting the most play time from.

But I will still pick up Labo, Street Fighter, Mario Tennis, TWEWY, Travis, Dark Souls, Fire Emblem

It's going to be a good year

I'm afraid there's really nothing at all for me from this list. Mario Tennis Aces might be fun, but not for $60.

When the comment section has less typos than the article... ^^
Anyway, 2018 is looking insanely good already - just wait until we get a proper direct. And E3. Favourites from the list: Octopath, Metroid (even though I doubt it will release this year) and Fire Emblem.

I'm excited for Hyrule Warriors Definitive Edition, Mario Tennis Aces, Kirby Star Allies, Yoshi, Bayonetta 3 and Nintendo Labo

Project Octopath Traveller, Fire Emblem and Metroid Prime 4 were my choices. Also fancy Hyrule Warriors, as I never picked it up on Wii U.

As others have pointed out, a lot of games are missing from this list.
I mean, where’s Shin Megami Tensei V? I’m so sad noone has brought that up yet :’(

Edit: @Dom please, please, please start proofreading your articles. The situation wasn’t spectacular before you came in, but I can’t help noticing how many typos slip through the cracks of your articles. And I mean a lot, otherwise I wouldn’t be this pedantic about it.
Not wanna sound harsh, I just want this site to be better, but I get really mad at this kind of things because, I mean, it’s your job right? How hard/time consuming can it be to reread stuff before posting it?
I’m not kidding, I think I’d be willing to do that for you (as I guess many other members would), but then again it’d be unfair to have your readers do part of your job.
You do you, I do me.

I won't bit one something not slated for a 2018. So that means Bayo 3 is out. And MP4... Cannot genuinely bring myself to care at all about that troglodyte.

Looks to me it's Octopath, DKC:TF and Kirby. And with Aces and HW being slated for "Spring" it sounds like Nintendo has a hefty momentum going into 2018 with over 1 game a month through to May. With January being 1 of 2 months truly void of a Nintendo release. Keeping an average of 1.2 games a month since launch (in spite of "there is nothing on Switch" Chanters).

What I'm looking forward to on Switch this year:
Bayonetta 1+2
Kirby Star Allies
Donkey Kong Country TF
Hyrule Warriors DE
Starlink
Megaman Collection 1+2+X
Megaman 11
A Super Smash?
Virtual Console?

Omg! I can select ONLY 3 games in the poll? I'm excited about 15 of them! 😂

@NEStalgia PayDay2? I duly wonder how many people will end up buying that one.

@leo13 I assumed it was physical until I saw it wasn't on the list, and wanted to give the new guy Dom the benefit of the doubt, since I already called him out for not including Pokemon, which they said might be out in 2018, but including MP4 and Bayonetta, which they've never dated that I'm aware of.

@Grumblevolcano "Prime 4 and Bayonetta 3 are no way 2018"

Get'em Grumble. But vote for Pokemon instead.

Though I'm guessing you don't think Pokemon either. I'm on the fence, they did say "2018' at some point, can't recall when, but Pokemon is Pokemon, all they have to do is take whatever next gen game was scheduled for 3DS this year and move it to Switch, how hard can that be? And Pokemon always comes out in November, so there's that.

@rjejr Pokemon isn't even a poll option. I think all 3 will be 2019 but if one is 2018 it'll be Pokemon.

A lot of re-releases, a couple that have been released twice before.

@Grumblevolcano "Pokemon isn't even a poll option."

Yeah, I know, sorry, it was a joke. I put the on the end but sometimes they dont' come thru in email messages. I've been complaining about no Pokemon since post #21, trying to figure out why MP4 and B3 made the list, both of which, like you said, are unlikely for 2018, but not Pokemon. I haven't come up with a good reason yet. Or even a bad one really. Dom forgot, that's all I got.

Games I'm buying this year (for Switch)
-Payday 2 (Have on steam, buying again
-Kirby Star Allies
-Nintendo Labo (Both kits, but passing on extra stickers and stuff)
-Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze
-Dark Souls: Remastered
-Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition
-Mario Tennis Aces
-Yoshi

Games I'm getting but aren't listed in the article
-Scribblenauts: Showdown
-Super Meat Boy Forever

Maybe?
-Project Octopath Traveler
-Fire Emblem

Also, if it comes out this year, METROID PRIME 4!

@Snaplocket Nintendo itself said Xenoblade was coming in 2017, and they delivered. Sure it was an ambitious project, but they had progressive footage to show a year ago, indicating that the project was well along in development. Nintendo has not committed to any date for Prime 4 and had zero footage, screens or even concept art to show six months ago. Even the logo and music in the teaser were recycled from previous games in the series. We would’ve seen at least a little something by now if the game was coming this year. Metroid Prime 4 is in its infancy. It’s an entirely different scenario than Xenoblade 2 last year.

And where is pokemon on this list of may come out in 2018?. I remember they said in e3 its roughly a year away so 2018 doesn't sound to unlikely!.

My votes go to Wolfenstein 2 (seriously loved that game on PS4), Tropical Freeze, as it's the one Wii U game I most wanted to get a Switch port of, and Metroid Prime 4, although I doubt it's coming this year. I'm a bit surprised Mega Man 11 isn't on this list...I'm sure it'll get a retail release.

I'd also have to mention Fire Emblem and possibly Payday 2.

Bah! Gal Gun 2 and Mega Man 11, two of my most anticipated games, aren't even on the list!

Of the ones on the list, I'm most looking forward to Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition, Fire Emblem Switch, and Project Octopath Traveler. Also have Metroid Prime 4 and Dark Souls: Remastered preordered.

@Krest_arisen honestly if you got some money spare I don’t think you will regret buying one

My Most Exciting Switch games.
0. Animal Crossing for Switch (if confirmed.)

1. Pokemon Switch
2. Kirby: Star Allies
3. Yoshi
4. The Bayonetta Collection
5. Bayonetta 3
6. Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
7. Local Train for Nintendo Switch!! (just look up ご当地鉄道 for Nintendo Switch !! )
8. Lobo Robot Kit
9. Metroid Prime 4.

I didn't vote for MP4 or Bayonetta 3 because they don't have a definite release date for 2018. The three I voted for were No More Heroes, TWEWY and Dark Souls.

Bayonetta 3 and Hyrule Warriors are the main ones here that I'd like to get. Also, there's a little thing called Pokemon.

so many great games, 11 need to gets for me this year so far, ugh

Do not underestimate Nintendo. Nobody expect botw to come out on launch day. Every first party Nintendo game came out on time last year. You may see mp4 holiday 2018. They need to have some big games by the holiday season.

@rjejr

Haha, actually thanks. Didn't even think of that. Sent them an email to confirm. I panic...it does

Probably cancel it now that I saw GameStop has the regular one. I thought the publisher's store was my only option for physical like Lost Sphere.

@rjejr Just becuase you don’t know the rest of the year doesn’t mean you should regret your purchase. If it’s the end of the year and you still regret that’s fine, but 19 days into the year is a little bit early. Remember odyssey was announced and released in one year!

Right now, Hyrule Warriors and Project Octopath Traveler are the only two that are no questions asked, day one purchases, but that's largely because I'm trying to make a significant dent in my backlog before I allow myself to buy more games. A lot of the other games--The World Ends With You, Fire Emblem, Dragon Quest Builders, DKC, the Bayonettas, Dark Souls--I'll definitely pick up, but probably not right away.

Why the limit of 3 votes? I picked off 10 for myself easy....😳

No Dragon Quest 11, Valkyrie Chronicles or Runner 3 on the list.

So many exciting things on the horizon! It’s gonna be another great year for Nintendo!

@SLIGEACH_EIRE wooly world was so good!

Fire Emblem is my must have assuming no Pokemon or Animal Crossing this year.
Can't wait for Tropical Freeze and Street Fighters. Both in time for my birthday! 😎

There really is a lot of repetition in this article. Take the introduction for example:
"So with so many games already hitting the platform, and no doubt more to come in the months to come, we thought it only right to kick things off with the big hitters hitting retail shelves in the next 12 months."
That just rolls off the tongue, doesn't it? :/

Lots of neat stuff, but nothing that screams "OMG!!!" Here's what I'd like to see:

Captain Toad : Origins
Animal Crossing 2
WarioWare : Battlegrounds

I’ll take Kirby and Bayonetta. I’ll probably get Street Fighter and SNK Heroines on PS4 though.

Excited for Kirby, Yoshi, Metroid, Dragon Quest Builders, Street Fighter and Bayonetta 1-3

If you're going to put Metroid and Fire Emblem and Bayonetta 2 on the list you should have had Pokemon

Y’s Viii?

@SLIGEACH_EIRE I wish for you 2018 to be a more positive year, with no more complaints out of the blue.

Gotta hand it to the Switch, I've already got 15+ retail games to look forward to so early in the year. Very impressive.

Also Snack World and Yokai Watch should have been added. Professor Layton and No No Kuni anyone??

Looking forward to Prime 4 and Bayo 3, but why are they on the list when they aren't likely to release this year yet notable confirmed 2018 games like Mega Man 11, Valkyria Chronicles 4, and Ys VIII aren't?

Anyways, the 1st party lineup from June onwards is very much a mystery, with only Yoshi and Fire Emblem known. Definitely looking forward to hearing more about the 2nd half of the year! I'm sure there's a lot of third party content coming we don't know about either.

Quite a few 2018 titles I'm interested in already: Kirby Star Allies, Dark Souls Remastered, Bayonetta 1+2, Fire Emblem, Project Octopath Traveler, Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes, Valkyria Chronicles 4, DKC Tropical Freeze, etc.

... This list is weird, containing games not confirmed for 2018, but missing many confirmed.

My 3 picks :

1. Ys 8
2. Valkyria Chronicles 4
3. MMX Collections

Might substitute the last one for the two Bayonettas.

As for labo, not into cardboard rubbish.

Cya
Raziel-chan

@SLIGEACH_EIRE Like there was no hope Xenoblade Chronicles 2 coming out last year?

@WonderfulTorment I probably worded that poorly. I meant I would regret my purchase if this was all I had to look forward to, but like you said there's still more to come, I'm sure of that, and I still have games from last year to play. But if this list was ALL I had for 2018, might be a tinge of regret.

@crimsontadpoles You better be calling them out for no Pokémon or I'd have to revoke your avatar privileges. 😆

Hey @JaxonH where do we stand these days on Pikmin 4? Is it Hey! Pikmin yet or can I put it on my list for holiday 2018? They will announce something at E3 and release it this holiday, I'm sure of that, Pikmin 4, Super Mario Maker 2, SSB4 Deluxe, but the wait for Pikmin 4 is getting old. Like, they might as well just announce Pikmin 5 at this point. 😛

@Snaplocket You honestly think it took months to come up with that name? Names are often kept secret on purpose, and this time last year Mario Odyssey had a name and a trailer. And a trailer with actual footage at least indicates a game is in a playable state. Prime 4 was literally a teaser with recycled music and a generic logo. The two are so unbelievably different and it’s ridiculous to try to draw comparisons between the two. Prime 4 isn’t coming anytime soon. We would have seen footage or at least a screenshot by now if it was being released this year.

@The_Mysteron Absolutely appalling wording. And this is the site's new editor, who likely has to proof read all the contributers articles before posting them. It doesn't really fill you full of confidence does it?

And then there's the typos, which appear in pretty much everyone of his articles so far.

As a huge fan of Nintendo platformers, Kirby and Yoshi are insta-buys. Ya just know they’ll be quality games.

Hope the 60 dollar price on the world ends with you is a mistake.... FF XV was like 20 dollars on discount on PS4...

Pretty weak line up unfortunately. Main pokemon title and Animal Crossing can help but need some AAA 3d party support as well "to save the match"

I feel we'll get Animal Crossing and Pokémon this year. Metroid, Bayonetta, Zelda and Smash next year.

Kirby and tropical freeze are what I'll pick up

I’m most excited for Mega Man X Collection finally getting a PAL release and on the best gaming platform made to date.

Interested in Kirby, Yoshi, maybe SNK, Street Fighter 30th Anniversary for sure, No More Heroes 3, and The World Ends, but... considering what we have been seing in the first year of the Switch it's surprising that ALL of them get a physical release.

I don't know if it's reliable info, even with Amazon links. They could be placeholders.

Also Valkyria Chronicles 4, Wargroove, Hollow Knight, Scribblenauts: Showdown, Ys VIII, Longest Five Minutes, Penny Pinches Princess, Mega Man 11, X Collection and Mega Man Collection, Gundam, DQ 11 and I bet in February it will be even bigger because of the rumor Direct that will happen.

Lets support third parties ppl!!!

Not much for me! Need some better announcements!

@Lord same.

Great list, I want nearly all of them. I'd add Ys VIII, Megaman XI and Blade Strangers to that list though.

The only games I've any real genuine interest in are Donkey Kong Tropical freeze and Mario Tennis Aces.

I'm not too worried though as it is only 20th January, I'm sure there will be a lot more announcements as the year goes on.

I'm hoping that a new New 2D Mario game is in the works, its been over 5 years since the last one (if you dis-count Super Mario maker). I just hope if there is it's something different from the "New Super Mario Bros" formula and art style

Project octopath traveler for sure

I’m surprised that I’m actually looking forward to a lot of these in the list even though it’s shy on first party original games. I’ve voted for Dark Souls, Wolfie and Prime either though we all know Prime coming out this year seems at this stage very unlikely. No doubt one or two big first party games will be announced on or around E3 as well like Smash plus a few classics (Pikmin? F-Zero? Hello?!). Could be a great year.

@Jack_Goetz The law/guidelines doesn't apply to NL. Also a bit weird there is an affiliate link for Street Fighter Collection, when an editor could knock up another article linking to hacking arcade ROMS to NES/SNES mini classics, which this site sometimes churns out.

@Mart1ndo didn’t Miyamoto say they had almost completed Pikmin 4 some time ago? Perhaps I’m mistaken; don’t know why they would’ve left that lying around in someone’s drawer.

Compared to the gaming cornucopia that 2017 was across all platforms, this seems like a star player had been substituted out and we get solid backup instead.

Not gonna be amazed and dazzled, but gonna get the points needed probably.

I just wish FE Switch is great. That'll make or break my year if this is the bulk of what we are going to get.

"which were previously started to feel"
Will you please check your grammar before you publish these.

Am I the only who had a hard time picking only 3? Metriod, Mario Tennis, Hyrule Warriors, Kirby, Yoshi.

Not a bad list, but nothing of interest to me personally. Just Prime 4, but who knows how long that could take.

I'm more excited for the indies like Hollow Knight and Celeste.

@rjejr

I believe it was already confirmed Hey Pikmin was not Pikmin 4. In fact, Miamoto was not even really involved with that game.

Pikmin 4 is real. I'd bet everything on it. Will it be announced in 2018? Hard to say. I'd wager yes, but then again Pikmin 3 was held back for years. We know it exists, we know it's likely finished already. We know Miamoto loves it and we know Pikmin 3 sold over a million copies, as did both previous entries. The likelihood it's scrapped for no legitimate reason is slim to none.

It exists. But Nintendo is known to A strategically slot in releases to keep a steady cadence of games flowing, and B take their time with anything Miamoto (see Giant Robot dev cycle).

@Switch_will_fail I think it's a bit early to ask Nintendo to step up their game for 2018; we're only 20 days into the year. How much "game" were you expecting within that time frame?

"so that's 29 playable characters and the maps you could possibly ask for"

Um...

@YamAsereht Haha! That's a valid point! They've added in the affiliate links part now, but the rest of the article is still full of mistakes...

"The Biggest Nintendo Switch Retail Games of 2018"

...until NOW (and its January !! )

Bayonetta, Star Allies, Dark Souls and Pokemon if that is releasing this year.

Why hasn't anyone mentioned Gamecube VC as a 2018 launch....I'm still hoping against all the odds.

Rainway beta is now live, any thoughts? Nintendo Lifers?

@SLIGEACH_EIRE Dude it's still January....calm down

No way Metroid Prime is coming out this year if they began development last year around E3.

Metroid, Bayonetta 3 and Yoshi.

@LUIGITORNADO,

Everyone assumes that the game is very short in development, but I don't believe that. They showed just a logo, so that they can go full out at next E3. Its much further in development then many think!

Bethesda should have done a two pack of New Order and New Colossus since the events pick up right after the first game.

@LUIGITORNADO I think the same thing. Bayo 3 and Metroid are next year at the earliest.

Project Octopath Traveler, Fire Emblem, and Metroid Prime 4... But I put in a vote in for TWEWY: Final Remix since the original is so damn good, and deserves this second outing! The return of Suda51 and Travis is also a great boon for the NS library!

And, uh... yeah, Metroid Prime 4 ain't releasing this year... they don't even have footage to show the public yet. Remember a certain other big title that took much longer than expected to finish, and had almost no footage shown publicly for the vast majority of it's development time? Yeah... similar deal here. MP4 isn't going to be finished until 2019 at the earliest, and for all we know it might not be until 2020. Also, Bayonetta 3 likely won't be finished until next year. Rereleasing 1&2 is just to whet peoples' appetites and get them talking about 3.

I'm glad MK8 and DK have made the "switch" from Wii U. Hopefully Paper Mario and Captain Toad will make it over too!

@Henmii "They showed just a logo, so that they can go full out at next E3. Its much further in development then many think!"

That's the sentiment many people thought was true back during E3 2014 and 2015 about BotW... Took until 2017 and the end of the Wii U before it finally released. And several key Monolith Soft staff members who could have been working on Xenoblade 2 were pulled away just to make that belated deadline happen:

https://www.resetera.com/threads/xenoblade-chronicles-2-staff-analysis.9222/

I wonder what it's going to take just to get MP4 finished in a somewhat timely manner? Well... the key Monolith Soft staff's involvement with Nintendo is closer than being merely a 2nd party at this point... and even the less experienced members are damn good at getting projects completed in record time... Maybe some of them should help make MP4 as well?

Blazblue also launches this year... in May as far as I remember.

I hope Prime 4 does make it this year--although it almost certainly won't imo--so there's at least one genuinely exciting first party title coming in 2018. With that not on the list it's decent enough but not particularly stand out imo. A new Pokemon, Metroid or Smash Bros, and maybe even an Animal Crossing, new Donkey Kong and Pikmin too, would really make a big impact. Those are some of the big name games I'd like to see at least one or two of in 2018, but I'm not sure we will. Still, hopefully that would mean that the likes of 2019 and 2020 would at least be really strong years too.

I hope we'll get a animal crossing, a main series pokemon game and more of the nintendo ips that have been forgoten.

Also a mario odyssey style game for wario? cmon nintendo, we need stuff like this.

@PlywoodStick,

Monolith helping with Metroid, I could see it happening! As for Breath of the wild: The last year of waiting was just Nintendo stalling so they could turn it into a Switch launch-title. The game was finished!

This is a great list and we are not even three weeks into 2018. Lets all relax as the is the pre E3 list. Expect more @ E3 including more announced 3rd party support. Not sure why no SMT V, Y's, or ValkChron4 as those are all big for rpg lovers, has ValkChron ever been on anything but Sony?

For those who are planning to buy BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle for any system (Switch version included), do not buy it. Arc System Works only include 20 characters in the base game, the other 20 will be paid DLCs, so they are basically selling you half the roster for full price and the other half as paid DLCs. Do not buy it, even if you are a fan of any of those anime style games, you buying it will only persuade them to continue that practice for other games too so don't buy it, don't pre-order it, don't support it. Thank you Nintendolife for not listing that scam of a game here.

Too many games to pick just 3. Bayonetta 2 + Bayonetta, Nintendo Labo, Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection, Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus, Project Octopath Traveler, Fire Emblem, Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes, The World Ends With You - Final Remix, Metroid Prime 4 and Bayonetta 3 are all on my must buy list.

A good list. Thanks for sharing it:
Missing a few games though. Like Lost Sphear. It is getting a physical release.

Also no mention of Ys VIII.
Scribblenauts?
Redout?
Shin Megami Tensei V?

This is a great list, and with the glaring omissions it’s even better. I think it’s also clear that the recent direct only focused on the first six months of the year. If true, then the second half could be amazing.

There are plenty of titles and variety. Most gamers should be satisfied with something.

Why would you even put Bayonetta 3 and Metroid Prime 4 on this list when we all know they’re not coming anytime soon? Bayonetta 3 will definitely come before Prime 4 will, but I bet that won’t even be out by the end of the year. I kept my expectations realistic and voted Yoshi, Fire Emblem and Kirby.

It's an impressive list so far that is missing a lot of titles........so really there should be 5 or 6 more retail releases at least that we know are confirmed for 2018 not to mention Pokemon which is slated as sometime 2018.

I have a feeling a lot more will be announced before and through E3.

Whether or not I want them is another story but hopefully a Good FE, maybe a stab at Dark Souls, Octopath Traveler and an EarthLock Switch release that I was a backer for means 3-4 games to keep me occupied all year. That's about all I can get through anyway.

@SethNintendo Well yes I totally agree with that! lol Thousand Year Door is still one of my fav Nintendo games of all time...

Mario Tennis Aces looks ACE!

I missed out on Bayonetta 1 and 2, so I'm pretty excited to see those get a re-release on Switch. Also very much looking forward to Mario Tennis Aces, Octopath Traveler and plenty of others.

But there is one clear choice for me when it comes to top tier hype levels: Metroid Prime 4. I NEEEEEEEEED IT!

This year is looking spectacular. MP4 has me the most hyped, but I'm looking forward to Kirby (missed the power mixing from 64, but this looks a cut above), Travis Strikes Again, Dark Souls, and Hyrule Warriors a ton.

Only Project Octopath is appealing to me from that list. MP4 also, but that’s not going to be a 2018 game.

Just when I thought I could recover from the financial beat down that was Switch 2017...still gonna be broke this year.

Long list, small choice, I guess we will have to get used to Wii u games and older PS games finding a new home on the Switch.

Where is Shin Megami Tensei???

@Racthet916 Have you ever played the original Yoshi's Island?

If you think that Wooly World is better than it, then you are easily pleased.

Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes, Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus, Dark Souls: Remastered, and maybe even Attack On Titan 2. Not interested in Metroid Prime 4 as it will be another Halo clone, and the other games look like they're for the kids. Looking for something different on a Nintendo console, because I'm getting tired of all the cutesy, colorful games.

@JaxonH You play the Zelda BotW DLC Champions Ballad? I'ma trying, I keep going around to each new shrine - beat the 1 hit kill part - looking at the pics, finding the locations, then nothing. Out of 9 pics I've done exactly one. I'm thinking about giving up and playing H:ZD instead.

Just asking your personal opinion on the DLC, not looking for a tutorial at this point.

@rjejr
I found it hard at first, but very fun.

Google is your friend. If you're having a hard time then what's the point of continuing on. Just Google search exactly where to go or what to do, and go do it. You still have the fun of playing the game. But there's no need to torture yourself trying to find locations that you can't figure out. Just follow a walk-through and get on with it and you'll have a lot of fun. I wouldn't recommend doing that right away but if you've already exhausted yourself looking then there's no point in continuing that any further, I think.

@JaxonH Sage advice, thanks.

Looks like a very weak year. Eventually they had unreleased Wii U games just for the first year. Looks like they haven't enough workforce to support the Switch by their own. Nintendo should find new partners to invest into and making more exclusive games for the platform. There is just Kirby in the first three months of 2018 as a new AA game. Mario Tennis in June? Just meh.