Nintendo has gained a strong foothold in the console market with the Switch. No wonder their publishing line-up is strong.
They have successfully breached the hearts of millions with The Switch’s simple charms. Nintendo doesn’t compete for the graphics race or the sweetest hardware, but it delivers some of the best experiences to all its users.
With the Switch sales capturing 60% of the monthly market share, Nintendo overtook the Xbox One and the PS4 numbers by almost a million units in January 2020.
Nintendo has been picking up the pace for its exclusive Switch line-up with sweet new titles. While their mainstay is still a walk down the memory lane re-releasing older titles, their nostalgia fuelled program holds its own. Supplemented by a few releases from other platforms.
Nintendo’s 2020 titles aren’t just a tap into a fan’s rose-tinted memories. They deliver new experiences in new ways from a company that has often refused to move on from its past. Their endurance has paid off, however imperfectly.
So far, Nintendo has published a solid group of titles in their name even though there aren’t a lot of first-party releases yet. Don’t worry, the numbers will swell as the year goes by.
For 2020, a few gems are confirmed. Here’s the list of 2020’s confirmed Nintendo titles so far.
10 Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition
The series of the decade is getting a re-release for the Switch on May 29th. That’s damn good news for the fans. The announcement was made late last year and production seems to be going smoothly since.
Originally, Xenoblade Chronicles was a 2010 Nintendo Wii title that was astoundingly well-received by the community. It got a Switch sequel in 2017 and now is finally getting released as the Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition.
A few Definitive Edition games have a bad rep but Xenoblade Chronicles steers clear of it. This definitive edition is more than the usual visual re-tweak in the name of a definitive edition. The title has a new soundtrack, new UI screens, and an entire story added to the main campaign as the epilogue titled “Future Connected.”
Genre: Role-Playing
Release Date: May 29, 2020
9 Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics
‘Back to basics’ is Nintendo’s call with this one. A hark back to the old times, Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics brings classics like Checkers Shogi, Chess, Air Hockey, Slot Cars, Toy Box, and a whole bunch of other games into one neat package.
It has both, local and multiplayer options for its games. Players can also download them to play locally using only one copy of the game.
Nintendo has a pretty well-timed release for this one. Especially, if there’s one big family locked up in the house. Nothing competes with the casual fun of the old days with Clubhouse Games.
Genre: Party, Multiplayer
Release Date: June 05, 2020
8 Famicom Tantei Club: Kieta Kōkeisha
Another timeless classic that is unfortunately restricted to Japan. But at least the remake does itself some justice.
Nintendo’s top guns worked on this text-based adventure beauty. Yoshio Sakamoto of Metroidbeing the foremost among them.
This is no longer just a fond memory to look back on. The entire original staff - including Sakamoto - is involved in the remake.
Apart from the obvious visual rework, Famicom Tantei Club: Kieta Kōkeisha will have fully done voice-overs and a brand-new user interface. Hopefully, the game will be localized out of Japan as well, but there is no word as of now.
If not officially, perhaps there will be a fan-made version where fans play as Amachi, putting their noses to the grindstone figuring out the murder mysteries.
Genre: Adventure
Release Date: 2020
7 Famicom Tantei Club Part II: Ushiro ni Tatsu Shojo
Ushiro ni Tatsu Shojo is the sequel to Famicom Tantei Club: Kieta Kokeisha.
This Naghihiro Asama written title gets the players to scouring two murder cases. It has the same graphics-supplemented text narrative that the first one promises.
As of yet, there is no confirmation of its release date, nor if it is any different from its predecessor. But it’s certain that the second game in the Famicom Tantei Club series will be sold separately from the first. Both games release in 2020. Perhaps, expecting some differences between the two games isn’t far fetched.
6 BioShock: The Collection
The Nintendo Direct Mini revealed a chock-full line-up for 2020. 2K Games announced its dystopian, retro-futuristic title BioShock: The Collection for the Switch. It has all three games of the series with all single-player DLC and other add-on content.
The Collection also features the director’s episodic commentary and an in-game visit to the early development concepts of the three games. Makes up for the missing multiplayer functionality of BioShock 2.
Scale the depths of the sea or the heights of the sky; the perfect time to revisit the picturesque worlds of Rapture and Columbia.
Genre: RPG
Release date: May 29, 2020
5 Bravely Default 2
Bravely Default 2 is a JRPG from Square Enix; the next iteration of the 2012 3DS series, Bravely Default.
The first 2 games of the series brought the novel, risk-reward Brave/Default combat system. Bravely Default 2 follows suit. It has a new adventure and cast set in the kingdom of Excilllant. The players will venture through beautifully handcrafted backdrops questing with the same excitement that the first 2 entries of the game promised. Bravely Default 2 is more of the good stuff.
Release date: TBC 2020
4 Roki
The adventure puzzle-platformer, Roki, takes inspiration from Scandinavian folklore. The title promises a magical and touching journey in the shoes of Tove trying to save her family.
Players will come across ancient riddles, creepy-but-cute characters, and a unique take on the Nordic folklore. Set to be released in Winter 2020, Roki promises a snug and comforting winter adventure.
3 Crysis Remastered
Crysis Remastered is ready to set fire to the Switch after conquering the best of PCs for years.
The game brings back 2007’s gripping single-player adventure - Crysis - with the modernity of 2020. Crytek confirmed that Crysis Remastered has improved assets, field depth, AO, volumetric fog and lighting, and the coveted ray-tracing. A true test of how far graphics technology has come.
A meme or not, Nanosuit adventures look better than ever, no matter the temperature of the console.
Genre: FPS
2 The Good Life
Assume the role of a reporter struggling to pay her debt. Her only respite? To move to a British backwoods town called Rainy Woods and report her findings.
Join Naomi on her offbeat tale through the happiest town in the world, exploring and reporting its intrigue and incidents. This bizarre adventure comes from a crowdfund that failed to meet its goals for a Switch release. Apparently, things changed for the better as the game is set for a Switch release.
1 Deadly Premonition 2: A Blessing in Disguise
Fans of the 2010 cult classic Deadly Premonition can rejoice. After the 2019 release of Deadly Premonition Origins, 2020 will see its sequel join the ranks.
Players take the role of agent York investigating the supernatural murders in New Orleans. Deadly Premonition 2 seems to be carrying its predecessor’s quirkiness and humour; players can skateboard, go bowling and even ride bayous.
Go on a mind-tingling murder mystery, accompanied by an in-game friend this time.
Release date: July 10, 2020
Genre: Action/ Adventure
NEXT: The 10 Best RPGs Games On The Nintendo Switch So Far (According To Metacritic)
