The biggest new Switch games coming in 2021.

2020 has been another terrific year for Nintendo Switch fans, with tons of quality titles having hit the beloved handheld system over the last 12 months. However, next year is poised to be the Switch’s biggest since its 2017 launch, serving up no shortage of hotly anticipated games to play on the couch or while out and about.

What’s so impressive about the Switch is just how varied its catalogue of games has become. There’s genuinely something to suit all tastes, from quality indie titles to the biggest of AAA blockbusters. We’ve also continued to see a number of miracle ports launch on Switch, which will no doubt continue into next year, as well as the arrival of cloud gaming on Nintendo’s platform.

There’s so much to look forward to that it can be hard to separate the wheat from the chaff – which is exactly what we’ve done for you with this list. Now all you need to do is check back here to see what’s worth getting excited about. So, without further ado, here are the biggest new Switch games coming in 2021.

THE BIGGEST NEW SWITCH GAMES COMING IN 2021

• Eastward
• Splatoon 3
• Subnautica
• Blue fire
• Cris tales
• Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl
• The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD
• Mario Golf Super Rush
• Miitopia
• Hitman 3
• Persona 5 Strikers
• Monster Hunter Rise
• New Pokémon Snap
• Monster Hunter Stories 2
• Neo: The World Ends With You
• No More Heroes 3
• Bayonetta 3
• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2
• Digimon Surive
• Genshin Impact

Eastward (TBC)

When you think about the post-apocalyptic world, the word charming doesn’t normally come to mind, but when it comes to Eastward it most definitely applies. Set in a near-future society that’s on the brink of collapse, the human population is at an all-time low. You play a miner called John who meets a mysterious young girl named Sam in a secret underground facility. Setting out on a journey with the pair of them as they work to discover the true origins of Sam, you uncover where the vicious creatures who wreak havoc across the towns come from. Eastward’s gorgeous pixelated art brings the apocalyptic setting to life in its own distinctive style - a decaying world never looked so picturesque. 

Splatoon 3 (TBC 2022)

Splatoon 3 will see you leaving Inkopolis behind and venturing out into a new region known as the Splatlands. Here you'll find a new city that battle-savvy Inklings and Octolings call home - Splatsville, aka the 'City of Chaos'. The new game will introduce new features to your usual splat-tastic multiplayer action, including a bow, fresh customisation options, and enhanced movement abilities when it arrives sometime in 2022. 

Subnautica: Below Zero (TBC 2021)

Unknown Worlds Entertainment's submerged adventure Subnautica is officially coming to the Switch, as well as the sequel set in the same universe, Subnautica: Below Zero. After crash landing in a life pod to find yourself underwater on a strange oceanic alien planet, you have to have forage, craft in a bid to survive as you delve ever deeper, and try to survive the depths of the underwater world. Below Zero takes you to the frozen world of an arctic region on planet "4546B". As a scientist posted there, you set about to study alien artefacts and survive as you traverse the icy terrains. 

Blue Fire (TBC 2021)

Set in the desolate kingdom known as Penumbra, you set out to discover all of the hidden secrets of the long-forgotten world. As a 3D platformer with a haunting visual style, you explore mystical dungeons, meet other survivors in the abandoned Kingdom and take on quests to find collectibles. With an array of different enemies to face and battles to conquer, you'll leap and jump your way through all of the desolate regions and make your way past perilous traps. Blue Fire's interesting style and challenging platforming action look set to keep us busy this summer.

Cris Tales (TBC 2021)

Described as a homage to classic JRPGs, Modus Games stylish 2D RPG is said to land on the Switch sometime in 2020. The gorgeous art work of Cris Tales is already enough to grab our attention, but it also looks set to tell a very interesting time-bending story. Set in an dark, expansive fairy-tale world, you work to uncover and unravel the Empress' complex plot to destroy the world by making choices in the past, present, and future. With a turn-based battle system, the studio sights the likes of Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy VI as sources of inspiration for what it's calling an 'indie love letter' to the genre. Sounds pretty intriguing, right? 

Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl (TBC 2021) 

Pokemon Diamond and Pearl are being remade for the new generation of trainers in the upcoming Switch games Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. Taking place in the Sinnoh region, you'll be exploring the lands around Mount Coronet to discover the myths it holds within it, all the while - of course - striving to become the Pokemon League Champion. The new art style is equally taking inspiration from the Pokemon Let's Go duo of games, and the adorable Zelda: Link's Awakening remake for Switch with its chibi-esque character designs. Aside from the updated graphics, expect this to be a faithful remaster of the original adventure.  

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD (July 16, 2021)

Originally released back in 2011 on the Wii, Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is getting a Switch remake, complete with smoother and more intuitive controls, and enhanced graphics and framerates. It retains the option to use motion controls like the original game, or you can just go for a more traditional button control scheme. It's Link's earliest adventures in the timeline, and actually explains how the Master Sword was created, so well worth exploring if you're a Zelda lore buff. 

Mario Golf Super Rush (June, 2021)

The latest instalment in the beloved Mario Golf series will introduce a Story Mode for the very first time. You'll play as your Mii characters as they learn to play, compete in golf challenges, and power up your stats using experience points. There will also be several local and online multiplayer modes to explore, and you can also use motion controls by using a Joy-Con as a golf club. 

Miitopia (May, 2021)

Your Miis are off on a new adventure that you can go on with your friends, familiy, or anyone else you'd like, as you all work together to take down the Dark Lord. This is a light-hearted romp that builds on the success of previous Mii adventures, and even gives you a horse for a companion. 

HITMAN 3 (JANUARY 20)

The Hitman series has a long and storied past with many highs and few lows. The most recent trilogy, however, has been nothing short of exceptional, with the upcoming Hitman 3 looking to end Agent 47’s World of Assassination arc on a high.

IO Interactive’s latest is a real looker, boasting sprawling locations, giant crowds, and a stunning attention to detail. In fact, it might be just a bit too much for the dear ol’ Switch to handle, which is why it’s being made available on Nintendo’s system as a cloud title.

Provided you have a decent internet connection, this means that Hitman 3 on Switch should require minimal concessions, meaning we’ll get to experience the game’s Dubai, Dartmoor, and more as they were intended to be seen.

PERSONA 5 STRIKERS (FEBRUARY 23)

Persona 5 Strikers is a very different game than what fans have come to expect from the series. This Dynasty Warriors-esque musou game combines hack-and-slash combat with a dash of Persona’s signature social link system. Though the social system is now called ‘band’ and is much more focused on team upgrades than relationship building.

With the lack of Persona titles on the Nintendo Switch, Strikers is a welcome addition to the console, and we hope this is the beginning of many more Persona games, whether they’re remasters or new additions to the series, on Switch.

MONSTER HUNTER RISE (MARCH 26)

Fans of the series will be pleased to hear that Monster Hunter Rise is one of two Monster Hunter titles coming to the Switch in 2021. Rise is a role-playing action game that includes some beloved Monster Hunter mechanics with even more added goodies. It builds upon Monster Hunter: World in the best ways, with fresh, fast-paced combat and a much more focused story.

Along with the return of the adorable fan-favourite Palico cats, Monster Hunter Rise introduces some precious doggos called Palamutes, and these good boys alone are enough to entice new and old fans of the series alike. But if you need more convincing, take a look at our Monster Hunter Rise first impressions piece for more juicy details.

NEW POKÉMON SNAP (APRIL 30)

The original Pokémon Snap came out on Nintendo 64 over 20 years ago, meaning New Pokémon Snap will be released to a brand new audience of Pokémon fans while still appealing to those who have stuck around since the original’s launch.

Pokémon Snap is an on-rails, first-person photography game that sees players drift around different locales in a minecart-like device to take pictures of adorable Pokémon. If New Pokémon Snap is anything like the original, a Pokémon professor will grade your photographs and provide you with fun bonuses to help you become even better.

MONSTER HUNTER STORIES 2 (JULY 9)

The original Monster Hunter Stories was a cutesy 3DS and mobile RPG that offered a more stripped-back and welcoming take on the Monster Hunter formula. This upcoming sequel looks to build upon that vision by serving up a charming cast of characters and a friendly, upbeat tone – all brought together with a gorgeous presentation on Nintendo Switch.

Its strong aesthetic and heavier focus on narrative should set it apart from the equally promising Monster Hunter Rise, and the Monster Hunter Stories 2 release date is currently set for July 9.

NO MORE HEROES 3 (AUGUST 27)

There’s nothing else quite like No More Heroes, which is why it was cause for celebration when the first two games hit Switch earlier this year. These ultra-violent, tongue-in-cheek action titles cast you as assassin Travis Touchdown as he attempts to defeat his colourful rivals and cement himself as the best in the business.

Not a great deal of info is known about this hyped third entry, but it is currently expected to launch sometime in 2021. For Suda51 fans, this one can’t come soon enough. Thankfully, we don’t have too long to wait, as the No More Heroes 3 release date is August 27.

NEO: THE WORLD ENDS WITH YOU (SUMMER 2021)

It’s been over ten years since cult classic The World Ends With You released on Nintendo DS. Much like the original, Neo: The World Ends With You takes place in an over-the-top rendition of Shibuya, Tokyo, but introduces a brand new cast of characters to the mix for players to get to know.

Not much is known about Neo: The World Ends With You as of right now, but the announcement trailer has shown that many of the action RPG elements fans of the series know and love feature, and also confirms the composer for the original game will return to make sure the tunes you hear while traversing Tokyo are reminiscent of the original.

BAYONETTA 3 (TBC)

The Bayonetta series received a new lease of life when the first two games were remastered for Nintendo Switch. While Platinum’s cheeky, lightning-fast action titles are almost infinitely replayable, the wait for Bayonetta 3 has still felt like a long one – and that’s because it was first announced all the way back in 2017.

Little is currently known about Bayonetta 3, though series creator Hideki Kamiya insisted that development is “going fine” back in August. Despite the fact that we haven’t seen a lick of gameplay footage, the promise of another wild adventure with everyone’s favourite gun-toting, angel-slaying Umbra Witch is enough to set any action fan’s heart aflutter.

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: BREATH OF THE WILD 2 (TBC)

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild remains the high bar by which all other open-world games are judged. Nintendo’s modern classic is packed full of novel ideas and creative systems that allow for endless experimentation. Several years after launch, its impact is still felt in recent releases, from Genshin Impact to Immortals Fenyx Rising.

Breath of the Wild 2 has therefore skyrocketed its way towards being one of the most hotly-anticipated games of all time. So far, all we’ve got to go on is an eerie teaser trailer that sees Link and Zelda venture deep below Hyrule Castle, where they seemingly uncover the reanimated corpse of Ganon. It sets a much darker tone than its predecessor, one that we can’t wait to see explored when BOTW 2 eventually rolls around.

DIGIMON SURVIVE (TBC)

Bandai Namco initially teased Digimon Survive back in 2018, and since then, fans have been patiently waiting for the survival strategy RPG to release. Well, 2021 is finally the year.

Digimon Survive sees a fresh set of characters being transported to a dark, strange new world, where they must fight their way home in some classic strategy RPG battles.

Survive is very different to most Digimon titles, offering a much darker storyline. Your choices made throughout the game will impact on how your partner Digimon digivolves, how the story progresses, and also lead to multiple endings, some of which will result in surprising deaths. Survive is a must-have title for fans who have grown up with Digimon and are looking for a more mature experience.

GENSHIN IMPACT (TBC)

Genshin Impact released to mobile, PC, and PS4 earlier this year and quickly become one of our games of the year. This free-to-play, open-world RPG has some gorgeous graphics, intense combat, and unintrusive gacha elements making it appeal to a huge audience.

Developer miHoYo revealed Genshin Impact will make its way to Switch sometime in 2021, but it’s still unclear exactly when it will drop.

Ref:

• (March, 2021), The biggest new Switch games coming in 2021, Retrived form: https://tinyurl.com/svcv4f34
• Sam L. Heather W. (March, 2021), Upcoming Switch games for 2021 (and beyond), Retrieved from: https://tinyurl.com/2bukmzpb