Happy New Year everyone! With 2020 finally in the rear-view mirror, it's time to look ahead to the upcoming video game releases in the first weeks of this fresh new year. Over the holidays we took a look at 30 upcoming Switch games we're looking forward to, but below we've rounded up the biggest game and accessories making their way to retail in the first two months of 2021.
While Nintendo is keeping a lid on its plans for later in the year, we'll see its first big release of 2021 (at least the only one that's been announced) when Super Mario 3D World makes the jump from Wii U to Switch with some extra Bowser's Fury content and gameplay tweaks in February. Fortunately, there are plenty of third-party titles in the works, too. Overall, 2021 is shaping up to be a pretty exciting one for Switch owners.
So, it may be cold outside, but here are some hot little numbers to keep you warm over the winter. That is unless you're in the southern hemisphere, in which case these cool new releases will help you chill out over the summer!
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Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & The Secret Fairy - 26th January 2021
This sequel to Koei Tecmo Europe and developer Gust Studios' Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & The Secret Hideout sees Ryza return as the protagonist, the first character in the history of the long-running RPG Atelier franchise to take on the hero role in two successive titles.
Last year we interviewed Junzo Hosoi, producer of Atelier Ryza 2 and brand manager at Gust, and we're excited to see how this latest instalment compares to the previous game.
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury - 12th February 2021
One of the Wii U ports we've all been waiting for, Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury will offer a tweaked experience that expands on the original 2013 platformer with new content. There's a dual pack of Cat Mario and Cat Peach amiibo incoming on the same day, so expect an overflow of cuteness and a chance to appreciate this excellent title all over again when it finally arrives on Switch.
Persona 5 Strikers - 23rd February 2021
Japanese Switch owners got their hands on this hack-and-slash Dynasty Warriors crossover in the form of Persona 5 Scramble: The Phantom Strikers back in February 2020, and it's now finally scheduled for a western release with a minor name change.
While it might not be the Persona 5 game fans are waiting for, we've seen some excellent Warriors crossovers in the form of Fire Emblem Warriors and most recently Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity. This has the potential to be an equally tasty mash up, so while we'll keep hoping for Atlus to bring P5 proper to Nintendo's console, we're intrigued to see what Omega Force has in store.
Bravely Default II - 26th February 2021
Bravely Default II slipped from its original release date into the beginning of 2021, but Square Enix's sequel is one to watch for fans of the 3DS originals, or anyone with a taste for traditional-style JRPG gameplay and turn-based combat.
If you're intrigued by what you see, there's a demo available on the Switch eShop that should give you an idea if Bravely Default is your cup of tea or not. Check it out.
More Awesome Nintendo Switch Games
Aside from the highlighted games above, there are lots more Switch retail games which might take your fancy in January and beyond.
Awesome Accessories For Your Switch
And finally here are a selection of the finest Switch accessories coming up in January and beyond, for your consideration.
So that's it for January and February - did we miss anything? Let us know with a comment and also tell us if you've pre-ordered any of these goodies!
Comments 51
From this list, the ones I'm definitely getting are Atelier Ryza 2, Gal*Gun Returns, Root Double and Monster Hunter Rise.
I can't wait for Super Mario 3D World to come to Switch. I just hope I can play it before another nuclear war turns this planet into a wasteland.
Will pick Story of Seasons Pioneer of Olive Town, My Universe Pet Clinic.
Still observing Harvest Moon One World.
There's actually some decent games coming up! Just wish they would show us what Bowser's Fury is about properly before I consider buying it again.
And I'm still tied between PC and Switch for Persona 5 Strikers...
@BenAV GalGun is definitely on my pick up list, loved double peace and enjoyed 2. Its crazy to think that the other consoles have blocked the release of it, the switch is definitely the best console now for games with a heavy leaning towards fan service.
Tracking Shadow Gangs and Cyber Shadow for Jan. Along with the Turrican collection. Mario 3dW and Capcoms arcade collections and G&G for Feb. Not a bad first 2 months of the year!
I will get Super Mario 3D World and Bravely Default II in Feb.
@Mr-Fuggles777 It's a good thing that they're able to just cancel the Xbox version this time around and focus on Switch/PC rather than having to bend their game to Microsoft's demands like the original release. Not like it would have sold well on the platform anyway.
I've got over twenty of the games listed above on preorder.
Quite a good start to 2021 if I do say.
I appreciate there's quite a lot of 3rd party titles incoming in the next couple of months.
Still, that's quite a close horizon for first party releases. Not particularly excited for SM3DW port, although I'll probably get it eventually when it's on sale.
I hope we get a direct/announcement of new first party releases soon
Pretty good selection of titles here. More for the backlog.
Only one I care about is BD2
Time for another direct. Funny thing is, I had the exact same thought 1 year ago yet we still haven't gotten a general direct since then
That'sa nice article
Super Mario 3D World for me. Depending what the amiibo do, I may get them too. Loved this game first time round, but it's nearly 7 years since I completed it so don't mind playing it again. Hoping the extra content is substantial.
@DrDaisy : if we get thru the next two weeks unscathed, we should be fine
I’m looking forward to Bravely Default 2, but a, happy to wait until I can buy it in a physical store.
I don’t want to give Jeff Bezos any more money.
For me:
Super Mario 3D World
Monster Hunter Rise
Bravely Default 2
And maybe some of the others if they're good.
Those new switch pad pros look cool
@DrDaisy its the meteor that you need to worry about before the nuclear bombs
A lot of great stuff this winter.
Isn't Disgaea expected in the next few weeks too?
Also the name of the game almost made me believe that Densha de Go! was getting an english-text version
Damn, one day this will happen I'm sure.
Good start to 2021. February is stacked and when you start including digital only releases it just blows my mind that the first three months of this year is better than the bulk of 2020.
Bravely Default 2 is really the only game I can think of, for any system, that I’m excited for. But between that and the backlog I’m set for a good year
some good stuff coming mixed in with some total garbage
@USWITCH64 Postman Simulator?
I'd like to play Persona 5 Strikers some day. Not really anything else of note here. I guess that's fine as I don't have money to throw around either way.
Eew. What's with these major publishers crawling into the "code in a case" rabbit hole? Cartridges should be a hell of a lot cheaper now than they were nearly 4 years ago. They already cheaped out with the Assassin's Creed games by only including one of the games in the Rebels collection, and withholding the DLC from the cartridge for AC3.
Hell, they're only using 8GB carts for the Just Dance games (they used 16GB carts for 2017 and then cheaped out with subsequent installments by heavily compressing the videos), making them substantially inferior to their Wii U counterparts (back when they were still making them).
Densha de Go and Capcom Stadium for me. That's sadly it.
Balan Wonderworld is what I'm most interested in from this list. I really enjoyed 3D World on Wii U, but unless they really went crazy with upgrade, I don't feel the need to buy it again. But for anyone who skipped that console, I'd say go for it, especially if you want a Mario game that does multiplayer well.
Hotshots racing is getting a physical!? Finally!😃
When I read that the Ubisoft games are just a code in a box I started singing it to a well known Lonely Island track.
This looks rough. Only thing I'd probably pick up from this list is Monster Hunter Rise and maybe Mario port.
Geez that's a lot of new games. Why would anybody think Nintendo is planning a Switch Pro when the Switch is getting this kind of support?
@Sszx09 You have the same tastes as me. Shadow Gangs, Cyber Shadow, G&G and Capcom Arcade are top of my wishlist. I'll likely get Turrican down the line too, although I'm not a huge fan of the series. I'm not sure whether I'll get 3D World, depends on how much extra content there is. I loved it on Wii U but I've played through it twice now and still have the option of doing so again any time I please. If Bowsers Fury is a meaty expansion, I'll buy it day one.
Got my eye on Monster Hunter Rise, Bladed Fury, Trails of Cold Steel IV and Ryza... the rest is meh at best.
@DrDaisy
Thanks for triggering my already heightened anxiety and kicked started my existential crisis that I had just gotten over, really appreciate it 👍
I'll pick up Super Mario at some point for sure.
... Startopia? Like ancient (but good) PC game Startopia from Mucky Foot? How bizarre!
@AndyC_MK84 Puto Puyo Tetris is so much fun in multiplayer. I play it with my kid all the time. I'm in about the same place with physical games, I just got the Witcher and that puts me around 60 games on the shelf. It's not huge by some standards, but I'm happy.
Ryza is a must-buy for me. I'm just finishing the first one (I think) and having a ball.
Disgaea 6 I will preorder as soon as I can, especially if there is a steelbook or nice special edition. I love D5C and I'm ready for more.
Story of Seasons, preordering for the buffalo plushie. One of my favorite series.
Persona 5 Strikers, still not 100% sure but I like that steelbook.
Bladed Fury, XIII and Balan Wonderland all look sick, but I don't know if I'll have the money for them all. This season is packed!
Bravely Default 2 for me. Split Pad Pros are nice for portable play. I prefer them to the joy cons. Also, did not know Road Redemption was getting a physical box release. It's a solid title that scratches that Road Rash itch.
Don’t forget Scott Pilgrim mid January!
I’ve just bought the two Metro games so going to pump through those and maybe consider getting SM3DW+Bowser’s Fury if the expansion is seriously meaty. It needs to be better than the extra in Pikmin 3 deluxe if they want my monies.
Nothing interesting... Except for Blood Bowl!
KS Orkowice Dolne pany!!!
A fair few I want. SM3DW , Persona 5 Strikers, Atlier Ryza 2, Bravely Default 2. Also maybe Little Nightmares 2, Blades Fury.
Many of the others will need reviews.
Would love more info on the Astérix collection, how big is the pack? Sound pricey, initially.
For January and February, just 3D World and Bravely Default II in February. Hopefully backlog and the MH Rise demo is enough until then in the outcome of no general Direct.
3D World and Turrican Flashback (depending on reviews) are the only ones I'm interested in...
Sure would love to see a Fantasy Zone collection!
I'm going to continue waiting to see what's in store for the rest of the year. Will definitely consider 3D World, but I do hope they showcase Bowser's Fury soon.
@Quarth same. Only ones that interest me that i know of. I could be surprised by some of the others, but I'll be waiting for reviews.
Looks like a cheap couple of months for me. Not really interested in any of these titles until Monster Hunter.
3D World and GNG Resurrection.
And the Turrican collections if they ever release.
Actually trying to stick to this game budget. (I feel like a teenager again, this is horrible) so only Ryza this month, then re:zero and bravely default next month. I’m trying to focus on games with small production runs first. But at this rate I already have a year’s worth of games to buy in the first 3 months of the year.
Monster hunter and story of seasons are already paid for at least.
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