2024 has been a pretty solid year for Nintendo. Along with the Nintendo Switch finally outselling the PS2 in the US, Nintendo has earned a steady income this year by releasing a surprising number of first-party releases, including a long-awaited remake of Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door, Princess Peach: Showtime, and The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. But it’s clear that the Nintendo Switch is nearing the end of its lifespan, and any day now, Nintendo could reveal its successor.
Aside from confirmation that it’ll be backwards compatible and that it’ll utilize Nintendo Switch Online, virtually nothing has been officially confirmed about the Nintendo Switch successor or its launch line-up. But at times like this – where speculation is running rampant – it’s a good idea to look back on the first Switch’s launch day offerings, just to keep expectations in check.
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Every Nintendo Switch Launch Title Explained
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Undoubtedly the biggest game on the Nintendo Switch’s launch line-up, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is still widely regarded as one of the greatest games ever made, and its place on the Nintendo Switch made the console a must-have during its launch window, at least for anyone who didn’t already own a Wii U.
1-2 Switch
A rather bizarre, uniquely Nintendo video game, 1-2 Switch is a party game that was designed to showcase the Joy-Cons’ key features, such as its IR sensor and its HD Rumble. Unfortunately, 1-2 Switch received a bit of a mixed reception from critics, with many criticizing the game’s severe lack of content, its lack of replayability, and its high price tag.
Just Dance 2017
A familiar face for just about every console launch line-up since the early 2010s, Just Dance 2017 released alongside the Nintendo Switch. The eighth installment in Ubisoft’s dancing series, Just Dance 2017 was met with okay reviews, with many outlets stating that the game was fun and that its new songs were appreciated, but that the formula had well and truly grown stale by that point.
Skylanders: Imaginators
Currently the final mainline entry in the once-prolific toys-to-life series, 2016’s Skylanders: Imaginators was ported to the Nintendo Switch for its launch. Much like Just Dance 2017, Skylanders: Imaginators was deemed as another fine entry in a long line of other fine entries that came before it.
Super Bomberman R
The first Bomberman game to release in 20 years, Super Bomberman R is the perfect snapshot of the Nintendo Switch’s launch line-up. Despite receiving a mixed critical reception, Super Bomberman R was one of the few multiplayer games available for the Switch at launch, and thus sold very well.
I Am Setsuna
Originally released on the PS Vita in 2016, I Am Setsuna is a JRPG heavily inspired by Chrono Trigger. These clear influences left critics a bit divided on I Am Setsuna, with some enjoying the nostalgic throwback, and others believing it led to the game feeling as though it was afraid to take any risks of its own.
Snipperclips
One of the most critically-praised video games in the Nintendo Switch’s launch line-up, Snipperclips is a co-op puzzle game that sees players using a unique “snip” mechanic to change shape and solve an assortment of joyful brain-teasers.
Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove & Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment
Originally released in June 2014, Shovel Knight came to the Nintendo Switch in its complete ‘Treasure Trove’ form, which included the base game, its four subsequent campaigns, and a wealth of technical upgrades and extra features. Though it was included in Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove, the Specter of Torment prequel campaign was also available as a standalone release for the Switch on launch day.
Fast RMX
An incredibly fast-paced racer heavily inspired by F-Zero and Wipeout, Fast RMX was one of the biggest surprises of the Nintendo Switch’s launch day line-up. Fast RMX earned a great deal of critical praise for its energetic atmosphere, its refined racing mechanics, and its lower price tag of $20.
Nintendo
- Date Founded
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September 23, 1889
- Headquarters
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Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
- Parent Company
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Nintendo