UPDATE 1/19/2017 – The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+ was just announced as a Nintendo Switch Launch title. It will also be the first M-rated game to release on the system in retail form. We’ve adjusted this article to reflect this change.
UPDATE 1/23/2017 – I am Setsuna was just announced as a Nintendo Switch launch title. This special RPG being published by Square-Enix will be available on March 3rd, 2017 as a digital only game.
UPDATE 1/26/2017 – Tomorrow Corporation announced three new launch titles for the Nintendo Switch. World of Goo, Little Inferno and Human Resource Machine will be available on March 3rd for the Nintendo Switch. These titles will most likely take the form as digital game downloads.
UPDATE 2/26/2017 – The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+ was delayed, and will no longer release on March 3rd, 2017. The game is still scheduled to come out sometime later in March. Read the full article here.
Note: Here’s a list of every launch game for the Nintendo Switch. This Nintendo Switch launch lineup is subject to change. All of the games below are scheduled to release when the Switch launches in March.
So you’ve pre-ordered a Nintendo Switch, and now want to know what games are going to be available on launch day (March 3rd, 2017). There are seven games that will be available on day one of the Switch release: The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild, 1-2-Switch, Super Bomberman R, Just Dance 2017, I am Setsuna and SKYLANDERS IMAGINATORS. Of these seven games only 2 are being published by Nintendo, the other five are being published by 3rd party publishers. Only I am Setsuna is releasing as a digital only game for the Switch. See descriptions below and pre-order links in-case you want to pre-order these games before the Nintendo Switch launch in March.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Possibly the most important game on this list. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a huge game, with the size of the map being 12 times bigger than The Legend of Zelda: Twilight princess. Along with what is looking like a fun game, Nintendo is also releasing several different bundles for Zelda Breath of the Wild. Alongside the standard version, Nintendo is also releasing Special Edition & Master Edition bundles for Zelda Breath of the Wild. These special versions of Breath of the Wild cater more to the Zelda fan, but the standard game could bring a Skyrim style adventure to the lands of Hyrule and to the Switch. Everything in the next Zelda looks promising, from the huge world too the many changes being introduced in Link’s next adventure. Both the Wii U and Nintendo Switch versions of Breath of the Wild release on March 3rd, 2017.
Pre-Order The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Special Edition on Amazon
Pre-Order The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Master Edition on Amazon
1-2-Switch
Nintendo is betting big on 1-2-Switch, hoping to recapture a portion of it’s lost casual market. Getting a feel for this game is not easy without actually playing it, so this could be a hard sell for Nintendo and the Switch. Each mini-game included in 1-2-Switch takes advantage of the Joy-Con controller. Most of the action in 1-2-Switch takes place off screen, with the players responding to the intricate rumbles in their Joy-Cons, and using their opponents eyes for reference. It may sound like a strange (and relatively un-fun game) but it may be Nintendo’s next big thing. Like Wii Sports did back in 2006 1-2-Switch could easily be a killer-app on the Switch. One example that Nintendo showcased was a wild-west duel, which didn’t use the Switch’s screen, but instead had the players each holding a Joy-Con facing each other.
Super Bomberman R
Supporting local play up to 8 players, and holding true to a timeless formula, Super Bomberman R is a Switch exclusive. Super Bomberman R has photo-real graphics (according to it’s product page), and comes with 50 battle maps, main story mode and online play. Developed and published by Konami, this Bomberman has us excited for the 33rd anniversary of the Bomberman series.
Buy Super Bomberman R for the Nintendo Switch
Just Dance 2017
Another iteration of the popular dance / party game, Just Dance 2017 is one of the launch titles for the Nintendo Switch. Ubisoft has supported Nintendo’s last two consoles with launch games, with the Wii receiving Red Steel and Rayman Raving Rabbids, while the Wii U got ZombiU. This time around Ubisoft’s offering is a little more casual than it’s past titles, but nonetheless still appreciated.
Buy Just Dance 2017 for the Nintendo Switch on Amazon
The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+ – Delayed (Releases later in March not on the 3rd)
The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+ has been delayed. The game is still scheduled to come out in March, but at a later time. The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+ provides the Switch with it’s first M-rated retail game. To provide extra incentive, Nicalis may bundle something special with the first few thousand copies. Check out our annoucement article for more information.
Buy The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+ for the Nintendo Switch on Amazon
I am Setsuna
I am Setsuna was announced as a digital download game, and will be available on launch day. The RPG is being publsihed by Square-Enix. The turned based RPG received good reviews on the PlayStation 4 last year, and will make a great addition to the Switch’s launch lineup of games.
SKYLANDERS IMAGINATORS
Last years Skylanders adventure released on a variety of systems, including the Wii U, PS4 and Xbox One. Skylanders Imaginators is also one of the Nintendo Switch launch titles. While not the strongest 3rd party game to release alongside the console, Skylanders is a main staple that every video game console needs these days. Skylanders Imaginators for the Nintendo Switch is 1-2 players. There’s no differences between this version and other Skylanders Imaginators games on other systems.
Buy Skylanders Imaginators for the Nintendo Switch on Amazon
Tomorrow Corporation 3 Game Lineup (World of Goo, Little Inferno and Human Resource Machine)
Recently announced as Switch launch titles, Tomorrow Corporation is bringing World of Goo, Little Inferno and Human Resource Machine to the Nintendo Switch on March 3rd.
If your still in need of pre-ordering the Nintendo Switch check out our article on the differences between the two different Nintendo Switch bundles.
