The arrival of the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 this week means a lot of third-party publishers are now also making the leap to the next generation. What does this mean for the Nintendo Switch, though?
According to company president, Shuntaro Furukawa, there's no need to worry. During Nintendo's six month financial briefing Q&A (which has now been translated to English) Furukawa reiterated how "other" software publishers were planning to release a "wide variety" of games for the Switch moving forward.
In the same response, he admitted how there are many genres of gaming that Nintendo is unable to make on its own (with a lot of third-party developers filling the void), and how sales for software by other publishers continue to increase.
"the fact is that sales of Nintendo Switch software are increasing both for Nintendo titles and titles by other software publishers, and we want Nintendo Switch to be a platform on which both can continue to sell well. "
Earlier this year, it was revealed third-party game sales on the Switch had experienced an increase of more than 50% over the previous year. At the time, Furukawa noted how the growth of third-party titles was growing alongside the platform itself.
In saying this, Nintendo published releases are still the games that dominate sales on the hybrid platform - with the best-seller on the platform Mario Kart 8 Deluxe shifting 28.99 million as of September 2020. To our knowledge, third-party games are nowhere near this figure - still, we don't expect other publishers to necessarily drop off anytime soon now that the device has sold 68.30 million units.
What third-party games would you like to see on the Switch moving forward? Do you expect the system to receive as much support from other publishers in the future? Share your thoughts below.
[source nintendo.co.jp, via mynintendonews.com]
Comments 113
They said that ages ago...
Third party on Nintendo system? HAHAHAHAHA!
Wide variety minus the games we want ..
I'll believe it when I see it. Games like Bravely Default II from Square Enix, Shin Megami Tensei V from Atlus, No More Heroes 3 from Grashopper, Monatser Hunter Rise from Capcom, and Bayonetta 3 from Platinum can give the Switch its own identity with exclusive experiences to make up for the lack of power.
Platinum has already given us the masterpiece that is Astral Chain for instance. So if we get more games like that, then the Switch will be fine.
Dark Souls 2
Dark Souls 2
Dark Souls 2
The Switch can definitely handle it, so please make it happen Namco!
Next gen comes,but current gen would not fade out easily,
especially when there are not enough next gen consoles produced.
@VegasToad lol. Too correct
(Looks from side to side) So....where is it?
Nier Automata/Replicant are no brainer ports we need.
Be great to see some new original titles rather than ports.
I’ll say it again, bespoke entries in series and new IPs are the best path forward for Switch. Next-gen games just won’t run at a level that isn’t completely embarrassing so they should be looking at things like Monster Hunter Rise as an example of creating an entry specifically for Switch’s market. Switch is a big market so devs should be finding new ways to tap it.
@Mgene15 yeah, third party on Nintendo system sounds absolutely ridiculous!
Signed, the dude boasting maybe a dozen first-party Switch games among his total of 503 and counting.
Third parties would be foolish to ignore the Switch. An upcoming Switch Pro will outsell the XSX and PS5.
@nessisonett Agreed. Those and if indies continue to come, it will be solid enough.
Where else can you get such gems as Senran Kagura Reflexions and Panty Party?
No, it isn't Xbox Game Pass. I thought someone would say it.
Anyways, bring Flingsmash to Switch.
Third-party games I'd like to see:
1. GTA (IV or V)
2. RDR1
3. Tomb Raider (2013 & 2015)
4. TEKKEN 7
5. Crash Bandicoot
If more are possible, then:
6. One more NFS (Heat or Rivals)
7. Konami's PES
8. Far Cry 3 & 4.
9. Call of Duty (mobile or MW1,2,3)
10. Hitman Blood Money & Absolution.
@Little_Squee
I'm surprised Tomb Raider (2013) isn't on the Switch. It has a Tegra-based Android port on the Nvidia Shield - which is very similar to the Switch
If the VNs and indie games keep releasing on the Switch at the rate that they have been then I'll never have any shortage of games to choose from. Anything on top of that is just a bonus.
I really can't complain about third parties output. It is huge and with some great titles there. But goddamn I wish they weren't just freakin' ports.
It's awesome to have Resident evil zero, 1, 4, 5, 6, and the Revelations. But these are old games. The same for Final Fantasy.
It's like they want to make games for switch but not AAA ones. That's frustrating.
I haven’t seen this much third party support since maybe the ds. If you’re still complaining at this point, it’s probably time to pony up for a second console.
@gwyntendo
Released:
Astral Chain (Platinum)
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 (Koei Tecmo)
Fire Emblem Warriors (Koei Tecmo)
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle (Ubisoft)
Ninjala (GungHo Online)
Upcoming:
Shin Megami Tensei V (Atlus)
Bayonetta 3 (Platinum)
No More Heroes 3 (Grasshopper)
Monster Hunter Rise (Capcom)
Bravely Default II (Square Enix)
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity (Koei Tecmo)
Rune Factory 5 (Marvelous)
New Pokemon Snap (Bandai Namco)
Switch is getting a decent amount of third-party exclusives with more probably on the way, so I wouldn't worry.
@JR150 We are already getting quite a few, but I think mostly they are not ones people really want. But we are also getting a lot more exclusives like you mentioned. And we will probably see more.
Bayonetta 3 and Astral Chain are not really 3rd party, though, since Nintendo is the main investor for those projects.
Am I the only one who read that "Good news, everyone!" underneath the headline in Professor Farnsworth's voice?
Besides my DSi, I don't think I've ever owned so many third party titles on a Nintendo machine. Its really great to have all these indies, ports, and the few originals there are, all in one spot and portable. My wishlist of games has slowly become a reality the past few years. Just need some Spelunky (1 & 2), some Far Cry (3 or 4), the MGS HD collection, and a lot more racing games. But really, we are doing great third party wise. First party needs to step it up a tiny bit.
Soooo ..about Disco Elysium...
Right... So the steady stream of mobile shovelware is set to continue. Thanks for the update Nintendo!
I don't know. Only time will tell... As of right now there is nothing I want. I guess I'll play my Playbox X5 to hold me over.
"What third-party games would you like to see on the Switch moving forward?"
Dance Dance Revolution A20+ !!
Tbh, it's unreasonable to think every third party game can sell 30 million units like Mario Kart. They don't do that on other platforms. Any ridiculous sales numbers tend to be because it's a total figure accross multiple consoles. Not even all Nintendo's games sell 30 million lol. Sure, there are the exceptions. You can cite GTA or something. But that isn't on the Switch. Why? I have zero idea! Weird.
It's been 3 years. Hoping we could get a Spider Man game for the Switch. Would love Ultimate Spider-man or Web of Shadows. Please Marvel.
@Jakiboy
Well it's been true ever since, hasn't it?
@pdapanda Not tech-wise, but technically the Switch started the next-gen.
GTA V portable?
Yeah, there will be stuff. But most 3rd parties will continue to give their "B game" at best on Switch. I've been saying for years now, most 3rd party companies still see Switch as an afterthought or a secondary market. They don't put their best foot forward on the platform and then they whine "3rd parties don't do well on Switch".
When we do get good 3rd party support on Switch, games like Witcher 3, Doom and the like, it's almost always a game that was designed for more powerful hardware first and then downgraded to the Switch.
You can't expect a game from 2+ years ago, downgraded, to sell as well as it did new.
So maybe the Switch doesn't get as many 3rd party games. But I'd rather games built for Switch, than PS4/5 games heavily downgraded and forced to run on a system they were never designed for.
More original 3rd party titles built for Switch, like Astral Chain, less badly ported 3rd parties like The Outer Worlds.
Give me PES. I have been playing FIFA and I'm so ashamed of myself.
To be honest, I hope so as WHERE THE CRAP ARE THE ACTUAL NINTENDO GAMES??
What was the last actual Nintendo game(not a re-hash/deluxe version)? Animal Crossing?
Have they just given up?
Third Party Games that should be on Nintendo Switch:
Tomb Raider Legend
Tomb Raider Anniversary
Tomb Raider Underworld
Metal Gear Solid: Twin Snakes
Metal Gear Solid 2 Substance
I think we have to be reasonably happy... this is some of the strongest 3rd party support we've seen for Nintendo. However, with the obvious success comes expectations...
There are so many holes from the last generation... Tomb Raider? Batman Arkham? GTA V? These are so high profile and would sell incredibly well, yet here we are without any of them... Strange, no?
This probably means lots of cloud versions incoming.
The only 3rd party that Everyone wants is PEROSNA
@Juga
Well I did pick it up and I regret now. I've tried many times but have not found any opponents online so I have not played a single game yet!
I hope this finally means we get both the Layton and Danganronpa trilogies.
Fallout NV or MGSV on Switch would be sick as hell!
Nintendo are not doing their baby any favours by not producing new Nintendo content. MK8 sequel or DLC???. This "I'm holier than though - YOU support my baby with more killer apps" attitude will limit the Switch's growth.
@JR150 You forgot a few:
Octopath Traveler
Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olivetown
Disgaea 6
Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin
Fitness Boxing
Fitness Boxing 2: Rhythm & Exercise
I just want Neir Automata and Persona 5. Is that too much to ask for?
@Bizzyb I got some good news, after the success of Persona 4 Golden on steam, ATLUS are looking to bring their games to more platforms and have done so with Switch, bringing over Catherine: Full Body, which was originally a PS Vita and PS4 exclusive.
Although the switch is selling really well a large portion of those eull only really play Nintendo games and skip most of the third party games altogether (I've spoken to loads of people while playing Animal Crossing who literally only bought a switch to play that game).
Its also a larger gamble porting newer games to switch due to the longer development time and costs required - look at Doom Eternal, 7 months of additional development and still no release date.
I can see us getting a lot more indy games and hopefully the cloud streaming takes off so we can play some of the more current AAA titles as well.
I fully expect new Western third party games to stop coming to the switch unless they are years old ports, just like the 3ds it will be full of first party titles and games from Japan which is totally fine for me as I love jrpgs and anime games
Still waiting for KH 1 & 2
I understand 3 may be too taxing
P3 to 5 would be nice!
Also, what happened to FF 4-6
And DQ 4-9
Oh and Prof Layton
@Mgene15 joking??? Insane amount of 3rd party games on switch
I would love to see the Mass Effect Trilogy and Dragon Age Origins but I don’t think that will ever happen.
Edit: oh and Persona 5! Persona 5 please! I would even be happy with 3 or 4 at this point.
If Switch were to get any of these over the next year or so, I’d be over the moon!
I have an impossible dream...
... I imagine GOG partnering with Nintendo to bring countless old classics to Switch. Legally, logistically, is this even possible? I've no idea. Hamster has done everyone a service with their arcade conversions. Earth would be a happier place if it did happen...
Also, what is From Software's next game for Switch? I was not aware that anything was planned. Assuming the graphic above is recent...
@JR150
I need to get back into Astral Chain. I bought it launch day but have not played it much since. Too many games and too little energy.
@roboshort
I thought it was just me. So many of these games just do not interest me. I am not really into the Manga type of animation and some of the RPG's are too cumbersome to be enjoyable as I prefer more real time action. I do have more games for this console than most but percentage wise versus releases it is much less.
Yakuza on Switch please, then I can drop Playstation forever.
Even though the Switch has mostly gotten 3rd party ports instead of original games, I've been very happy with the output. I feel the 3rd party games have eclipsed Nintendo's.
I just want Battle Toads. Is that too much too ask for?
@The_Pixel_King would probably be easier to port the Wii version of Muramasa I would think. Bloody loved that game!
This is nice, but I feel like Nintendo is trying to drive our attention to 3rd party games, and not their dead franchises.
Hmmmm... maybe I'm overthinking.
I may be in the minority here, but I would really like to see Ubisoft bring the first Assassin’s Creed ( I know, not going to happen ). Also, I would REALLY love for CD Projekt Red to release the first two Witcher games. I know the controls for the first one may not be great on console, but I believe it could work.
Sneaky Sasquatch
Spek.
Dark Echo
Super Surf Bros
Now on switch.
I WISH
Rac7 FTW!
More 3rd party games!!!
on the Cloud
At full price
@Otoemetry Me too, adored Muramasa on both Wii and Vita, so it’d be great on Switch. Good call, The Demon Blade version from Wii would probably make more sense!
Yeah sure. As if devs and studios are gonna work their a** off porting games to a console that clearly cant handle them. All the switch will continue to get will be last gen ports, indie games and maybe one or 2 aaa games a year if they're lucky.
@Casual_Gamer95 Truth. Though, there is the possibility tho that by now, some 3rd parties have developed/are devloping some exclusive titles for the Switch, 4 to 5 years in...but I'm willing to bet it will be lean.
@ImNotMythik_J I don't think Nintendo is doing that...they always talk about "3rd parties" being so healthy on Switch in their financial stuff...
@The_Pixel_King Nier would look and run awful on Switch. Persona 5 is a no-brainer tho.
@Little_Squee Why didn't they port GTA V make me wonder if Rockstar even wants more money...
@Bizzyb I thought I was the only one that wanted those two specific games on switch. Lol. At least I don't see many people asking for nier automata as much as persona 5. I hope square Enix stops being an ass and just fund the port for it, platinum games are more then willing to bring it to switch.
I am wanting to request a new Digimon Online game for Nintendo Switch. Not Digimon Survive.
Not surprised but still very happy. I can almost guarantee most of the support will come from Japan which is good enough for me.
@Zidentia
It's easily one of the best Switch games. You'll enjoy it!
They said that back in 2017... they had a slide with logos also.
Still waiting.
Maybe Madden and NHL....
@Bunkerneath @JR150 Nintendo literally launched Clubhouse Games, Mario Kart Live and Paper Mario the Origami King after Animal Crossing. All titles owned (both in copyright and trademark), published and produced by Nintendo. It's not their fault if you're choosing to ignore the existence of the titles and only consider Animal Crossing as a game for some reason, but that's what I expect from Nintendo fans like you who don't know anything and also only buy Mario, Zelda and those same titles while ignore other stuff from Nintendo catalogue. Which mind you, I would understand not enjoying and buying them if you're not interested, but straight up ignoring their existence in arguments like this is disgusting.
@Bunkerneath Come on, we got Paper Mario.(and technically Hyrule Warriors).
@Sayari I might actually pick up that ngl.
@spirit_flame They have games, Mario Kart actually got a new entry 2 weeks ago.
@Zidentia Battle Toads, why do I think of toads from super mario fighting in something like Super Kirby Fighters 2
@Casual_Gamer95
3000+ third party titles are on switch noises
@ok1
It is a fighting game form Rare which is now owned by Microsoft. A really fun game that makes you laugh and can be brutal at times. It is best as a two player game.
No Man Sky would be a aweaome game to come over to nintendo.
@ok1 sure, if you count the thousands of indie games and shovelwares. literally every big third party games that matter aren't on switch. It's all last gen ports, shovelwares and indie games. VERY little current gen high profile games make it to the switch
Even though they said that the Kingdom Hearts games wouldn't be coming to Switch, part of me feels like there's still a possibility in the future. Square Enix probably sees that the Nintendo Switch is a very popular device (especially in Japan), so I could see it going either way, really. They'll either stay true to what they said and just bring other titles to Switch, or they might change their minds and actually put in the resources to effectively develop the entire Kingdom Hearts series for Nintendo Switch (even Kingdom Hearts III, despite it's more detailed graphics). If they did change their minds due to how popular the Switch is, I would love to replay all the Kingdom Hearts games on Switch. There have been several examples of games that, given the proper funding and resources, made it to Switch despite the odds (such as The Witcher III). I'm not saying they'll bring more Kingdom Hearts to Switch for sure, but part of me feels like there's still a possibility.
Another series of games that I think would be a great fit for the Switch are the remainder of the Star Ocean games. We have First Departure on Switch, which is fantastic in my opinion. It would be great to see Second Evolution, Till the End of Time, and maybe even The Last Hope come to Switch as well. Integrity and Faithlessness wasn't as good as the others, but I would still welcome a port of that on the Switch as well.
Outside of Square Enix properties, perhaps more Tales of games? That would also be very exciting to me. Maybe we could even see Code Vein make its way to Switch.
I know all this is just wishful thinking right now, but you never know. We could get more than a few surprises from third party publishers throughout the next few years.
If your definition of 3rd party support is "Those 15-20 big AAA games from these 5-6 big publishers", then yeah, the Switch is missing out on a lot. Since that's not how Nintendo defines things, they are well within reality to say that the Switch recieves a lot of strong 3rd party support given that it gets many dozens of releases per week.
@Zidentia Personally, I really like turn-based RPGs and will probably get SMT5 and Bravely Default II. They should do well, but they are more niche. What people really want for 3rd party is the big AAA titles like Cyberpunk, Elden Ring and so on, I think.. it just doesn't get many of those.
Other than exclusives like SMTV or Bravely Default 2, there are a lot of minor 3rd party releases that I think very few people are really interested in like the Kingdom Hearts Rhythm game.
Either we're still going to get copy-and-paste games from EA or oversized downloads from 2K. Pick your poison.
@Little_Squee add mega series
I'd love to see these games on Switch
1. A Dead Rising Collection. Dead Rising 1, Dead Rising 2, and Dead Rising 2 Off The Record as the Remastered ports. All three games were ported to Ps4, PC, and One. They could easily work on Switch.
2. GTA V. At least give us the Ps3/360 version if you have to. As an owner of PSP with Gta Liberty City Stories and Vice City Stories, Gta in handheld is great.
3. Red Dead Redemption 1. Another perfect game for on the go play.
4. Sleeping Dogs. One of the best and underrated games ever made.
Make this happen and I'd be happy
@BTB20 Octopath Traveler is no longer a Nintendo Switch exclusive as of June 2019.
majority of switch 3rd party games that run modern engines or even some last gen ones look terrible on switch either due to resolution, textures or frame rate being a mess. Imagine Assassin's Creed Valhalla on switch lmao
it is time for the to create a switch 2 or pro that can at least handle modern AAA games at stable 30fps in 1080p or higher
Bouncier Bob?
It would be nice if Phantasy Star Online 2 made it west and the announced Avabel game made it.
@nib0 Nier: Automata is no no-brainer port. It runs at only 900p with heavily reduced quality on base-PS4 and no anti-aliasing and anisotropic filtering (it looks like a Switch port ...) and even decent gaming rigs have a hard time running it at max quality at a constant 60 fps.
Switch was already a "next gen" console Nintendo was always a gen ahead anyway Sony and Microsoft finally just catching up all started with the Wii lol
@smh Switch is Nintendo second 8th gen console not a 9th gen console like Xbox Series X/S e PS5, when Nintendo release Switch sucessor in 2023, they gonna join the 9th generation.
the problem with Switch be very underpowered compared to it competidor(it make big AAA games like Cyberpunk 2077,all the major third party games released since 2017, make it nearly impossible to release on Switch, i was very suprised that Capcom is releasing two Monster Hunter games for Switch next year, i expected a game like Monster Hunter Rise to release on PS5 e Xbox Series X/S, not Nintendo Switch,Capcom theres still time to cancel Monster Hunter Rise and release it istead on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S,Capcom if you are bussiness wise please do this or you gonna suffer severe financial risk).
@spinzaku97 Still a Switch console exclusive. And if we want to count timed exclusive games, there are still a few more like Deadly Premonition 2 and Dragon Quest XI S.
@Agramonte And you'll keep waiting, since you clearly refuse to look. There are a significant number of third party titles available. But people love to count only western AAA games when enumerating them, which is just as disingenuous as owning a dozen platforms yet still criticizing the Switch for not featuring every game available on any of the other eleven.
No mans sky would be much appreciated and kingdoms of amalur the reckoning.
@riosynju that ***** would be awesome!!!!
I’m never gonna clear my backlog huh? Seriously Switch is drowning me in games.
@floxi I'm up on the technical side of things, I merely meant that its desirability on the Switch is a no-brainer.
@Bunkerneath Paper Mario, Clubhouse Games, Mario Kart Live.
@nib0 gotcha 😉
@Mgene15 hAhAhAhAhA, nInTenDo iS foR bAbIes, cAlL oF dUtY bEsT gAmE eVeR
@Giancarlothomaz Nope, that is wrong, they just started the 9th generation earlier than the other companies, and that leaves Nintendo with a lot of room for flexibility, the console does not need to be too powerful to be accepted into the market, and then they can later make more powerful models, or you could count this as a generation of it's own, the Switch generation, where Nintendo pressed the reset button and turned a new leaf to get back on track as a reputable console manufacturer
@smh That and Persona 5 is like all I want literally all I want
@SMUGSLOTH69 That and some decent streaming services, and I'll be really happy with my Switch. Until then it's just lacking the potential to make it my best console atm.
@Giancarlothomaz That's not how console generations work. It's a 9th generation console, power has nothing to do with it. I'd be fine to say that the Switch Pro if it ever surfaces could be considered a 'second' 9th gen console.
Show Comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...