Think of chaotic multiplayer games and chances are the Nintendo Switch comes to mind. That and other notable action-adventure games like The Legend of Zelda. No wonder it’s so coveted by casual and hardcore gamers alike.
Even if you’ve completed Mario Kart and managed to build the town of your dreams in Animal Crossing, it looks like there’ll be plenty more games to love with the lineup of launches this year. Here are 11 new games coming to Nintendo Switch in 2023.
Table of Contents
Many of us have grown up watching and reading the Harry Potter series and wondered what it’s like to be a witch or wizard in training. Satisfy your curiosity by “enrolling” yourself into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the new Hogwarts Legacy game. Set in the 80s, you’ll soon see you’re a gifted student who can master ancient magic.
Pick your house and customise your character before you start attending the various classes. During the course of the game, you’ll learn how to brew potions, cast spells, as well as explore iconic locations such as Hogsmeade and the Forbidden Forest.
The way to level up your character is by performing well in your classes and taming beasts. These also enhance your magical abilities and as you progress further in the game, your character will develop specialised combat skills. One of the most fun elements is being able to use flying brooms to traverse the castle grounds.
As you take on quests, you’ll also need to figure out your moral compass and determine your affinity for righteousness or evil. Choose wisely.
Release Date: 25th July 2023
Price: US$59.99 (~S$79.35)
Find out more about Hogwarts Legacy.
If you’ve played the first instalment of The Legend of Zelda, you’re probably familiar with the storyline. In Breath of the Wild, Link, the main character, wakes up from a century-long slumber with amnesia.
Now in unfamiliar territory, he endeavours to retrieve his memories, rescue Princess Zelda, and prevent the further destruction of his world, Hyrule, at the hands of the evil Calamity Ganon.
In the new instalment – Tears Of The Kingdom – choose your own path as you explore sprawling landscapes and the large floating islands on Hyrule. We even heard that instead of the Sheikah slate, Link has a newly powered right arm which he uses to perform Stasis, Magnesis and other cool abilities to defeat Hyrule’s sinister forces.
Release date: 12th May 2023
Price: US$70 (~S$92.56)
Find out more about Legend of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom.
Image credit: Daedalic Entertainment
Fans of the Lord of the Rings saga would know that Gollum was originally a hobbit called Smeagol. However, his obsession with the golden ring turned him into a creature called Gollum. Although most movies would have the hero as the protagonist, in Lord Of The Rings: Gollum, the villain is the star of the game.
Image credit: Daedalic Entertainment
Step into the shoes of Gollum and embark on a journey as he scourges Middle-earth to find his beloved ring. In an unexpected twist, you won’t see Gollum engaging in arm-to-arm combat due to his small stature.
Instead, he’ll use stealth to cleverly avoid fights. So, you have to come up with strategic plans to avoid orcs. For example, pave the way ahead for Gollum by throwing a rock in the distance and distracting his enemies so that they will be eaten by a giant spider.
P.S. His split personality serves as an interactive feature where players can choose what his reaction should be. This in turn determines the outcome of situations and dictates the fates of other characters.
Release Date: 2023
Price: TBC
Find out more about The Lord Of The Rings: Gollum.
In Kirby’s Return To Dreamland Deluxe, the tough pink puff is back for a 1-4 player adventure. Choose from characters such as Kirby, Meta Knight, King Dedede and Banana Waddle Dee to save Magolor, an alien who crash-landed on Popstar Planet. He seeks help from Kirby and friends to collect 5 parts of his spaceship so he can fix it and return home.
Image credit: Nintendo
Throughout the various levels, join the Fab 4 as they smash, inhale, and blast enemies and destructible items. Characters such as Kirby have been upgraded whereby he is able to absorb even bigger objects and uncover a pathway for hidden secrets.
Image credit: Nintendo
For those unfamiliar with the game, take note of their individual powers – Meta Knight can slash through rope, Dedede’s hammer can squash pegs, and Waddle Dee’s spear has a great range to hit switches. Plus, it’s a family-friendly game and suitable for even the younger ones.
Release date: 24th Feb 2023
Price: US$59.99, (~S$79.35)
Find out more Kirby’s Return To Dreamland Deluxe.
Join Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy on their first ever 2D animated game in Disney’s Illusion Island. Follow along as they brave the island of Monoloth to retrieve the stolen Southern Tomes. It was these powerful books that held the island together.
This is a couch co-op game where you can choose to play solo or grab 3 of your friends to join for a 4-player game. All the characters have unique abilities but comparable skills. This way, no one gets left behind, so there is no need to worry about 1 player dominating the game.
Image credit: Nintendo
Choose your favourite character from the 4 and unlock their abilities to explore new areas of the island. FYI, the characters even have a gifting hug ability which allows players to increase their life.
Release date: 28th July 2023
Price: US$39.99 (~S$52.90)
Find out more Disney Illusion Land.
Image credit: Nintendo
Gamers who are familiar with the world of Minecraft need no introduction to Minecraft Legends. Biomes are found throughout the Overworld, which will be familiar to players who have played the original and unmodified versions of the game.
In a new twist, instead of the traditional combat styles players are used to, this new sequel features real-time strategy. In other words, you can control armies, build bases and defend settlements from enemies.
Explore the vast world on a mount, gather materials, support allies, and fight angry Piglin mobs. Throughout your journey, you will have friendly animal friends including badgers, llamas, and fairy-like allies who will gather and build for you.
Release date: 18th April 2023
Price: US$39.99 (~S$52.90) | Deluxe edition US$49.99 (~S$66.13)
Find out more about Minecraft Legends.
Get inside the mind of the world’s most famous detective and his sidekick, Dr Watson, in Sherlock Holmes The Awakened. The team embarks on a psyche-shattering case involving the myth of the Cthulhu Mythos, a horrifying fictional universe.
They discover these spooky cult worshipping beings that are believed to have a hand in a series of mysterious disappearances around Europe.
Image credit: SHolmes_Games
Your job is to put a stop to the twisted ways of the dark cult. Those who enjoy solving puzzles might have their hands full since some cases don’t seem logically sound. But the key is to discover clues and put them together to solve the mystery. In the process, you’ll get to visit Baker Street in London and a haunting psych ward in Switzerland.
A remake from the 2008 version, this new game features an expanded storyline. It also incorporates Holmes’ battle against insanity and deductive reasoning into gameplay mechanics that makes players feel like true detectives.
P.S. this was originally only on PC; now that it’s on the Switch you can take your sleuthing on the go.
Release date: Feb 2023
Price: TBC
Find out more about Sherlock Holmes The Awakened.
Experience the darker side of the Marvel Universe as you team up with battle-scarred superheroes and menacing supernatural warriors to defeat the mother of demons, Lilith, in Marvel’s Midnight Suns.
Play as the Hunter, the first customisable original character in the Marvel Universe. Players are able to alter their character’s physical appearance, choose their weapons, and even their combat outfits.
As Hunter, join forces with legendary superheroes such as Iron Man, Captain America, and Wolverine and battle alongside them in strategic gameplay.
Release Date: 2023
Price: TBC
Find out more about Marvel’s Midnight Sun.
Image credit: Nintendo
As a Digidestined in Digimon World: Next Order, you can discover over 200 Digimon to collect. Although it’s a single-player game, there’s no need to feel lonely as you’ll be having not 1 but 2 Digimon companions.
In order to form a strong bond with your Digimon, take the best care of them by feeding and training them. If you wish to level up your companions, make sure you discipline and Digivolve them.
You can also put your creativity to the test as the architect of your town, Floatia. The Digimon metropolis will grow as you recruit new Digmon and upgrade buildings. Additionally, train your Digimon to fight together against the AI. Be their cheerleader and command them to glory.
Release date: 22nd Feb 2023
Price:US$59.99 ( ~S$79.32)
Find out more about Digimon World: Next Order.
Long before she became known as the witch Bayonetta, Cereza was a young girl who wanted to save her mother from imprisonment. Accompanying her on her quest is Cheshire, her first demon, who has possessed Cereza’s patchwork cat doll and can withstand massive damage.
Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon features cinematic animations in the form of a storybook that look like they’ve been hand-painted. Get ready to be wowed each time you discover a new section of the treacherous forest.
Solve difficult puzzles and fend off foes.
Image Credit: Nintendo
Cereza and Chesire can both be controlled with a detached joy-con in the game. Use your left joy-con controller to steer Cereza and strap down enemies with her magic. Use your right joy-con controller to move Cheshire to devour and slay enemies.
Release date: 17th March 2023
Price:US$59.99 (~S$79.32)
Find out more about Bayonetta origins: Cereza and The Lost Demon.
Image credit: Nintendo
Explore the world of Pikmin in a time where all of humanity has become extinct. Pikmin 4 follows an explorer trapped in the wild who has to capture the titular Pikmin to survive. Each of these little munchkins are primary coloured and have seedlings sprouting from their heads.
Image credit: Nintendo
Their sprouts can be used to overcome obstacles and counter threats, which allows gamers to explore new areas and grow new Pikmin. Pikmin 4’s gameplay will involve more real-time strategy as players move the Pikmin around in herds to defeat nasty monsters and gather food.
Release Date: 2023
Price: TBC
Find out more about Pikmin 4.
Spongebob Square Pants: The Cosmic Shake was released early this year, but we’re talking about it in the rare case you’ve missed the news about its launch. Plus, it serves as a nostalgic reminder of our childhood since most 90’s kids will be familiar with the yellow sponge who lives in a pineapple under the sea.
An all-new adventure awaits Spongebob and Patrick as they accidentally overuse a bottle of mermaid tears given by a peculiar mermaid Kassandra. The bottle of tears is actually a magical potion that can grant people powers. This results in Bikini Bottom being overtaken by Jelly creatures and the original inhabitants of Bikini Bottom mysteriously vanish through a portal.
Image credit: Nintendo
Play as Spongebob where you’ll learn moves like grappling, swinging between fish hooks, and unlocking bubble surfboards to glide. You’ll get to explore the vast world of Bikini Bottom, collect tokens, and defeat enemies to save its residents.
Release date: 31st January 2023
Price: US$39.99 (~S$52.90)
Find out more about Spongebob Squarepants: The Cosmic Shake.
This list of new games for Nintendo Switch this year will give you endless hours of gaming fun, no matter what kind of gamer you are. Whether you’re into RPG or co-op games, this list covers genres from fantasy worlds and mysteries to action and adventure. If any of them have caught your eye, pre-order them from Nintendo’s e-shop or via other online retailers.
For more games to play, check out:
Cover image adapted from: Wizarding World , Nintendo, THQNORDIC , Nintendo
Just an hour away from KL!
Taichung is only an hour by High Speed Rail from Taipei or Taoyuan station.
No more stressing over what to get your loved ones for Christmas.
Gone are the days when family photoshoots used to be boring and extra formal.
Here are all the best things to do this weekend in Singapore.
Meet new-to-Singapore species as well.