As we look over the horizon of 2021, Switch owners and Nintendo fans look to this new promising year and wonder what is in store for them when it comes to big exclusive games. While there is no confirmation on games like Breath of the Wild 2 or Metroid Prime 4, there are some games we do know about.
Even within the first few days of this month, we have gotten announcements of release dates for games we knew about. While the pandemic may have affected the video game industry quite a bit, it still looks like gamers will get their fair share yet again this year.
Here’s a list of all the games coming exclusively to the Nintendo Switch in 2021. Let’s get to it. Note that, of course, these dates are subject to change. They are just confirmed as of time of the this writing, for 2021.
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury
Nintendo Switch Exclusives 2021
Nintendo is ending the celebration of Mario’s 35 anniversary with a bang in the form of Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury. This is a port of the Wii U title with some added content ala Bowser’s Fury, a whole new side world within the original game.
The main game’s story takes place when Bowser ends up capturing pixie like creatures called the Sprixie Princesses. Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Toad follow Bowser and have to journey through multiple worlds. Mario games aren’t really known for their in depth stories.
For the added Bowser’s Fury content, the game’s official website had this to say:
In Bowser’s Fury, Mario arrives on Lake Lapcat and is confronted with a rampaging Bowser! Join forces with Bowser Jr. and venture through an interconnected world made of cat-themed…well, everything. Enemies, flowers, and even birds take on a feline form.
Some of the newly added features are the new snapshot mode that lets you take pictures in-game and add filters and stickers to your surroundings. Plus the game runs fifty percent faster, meaning characters move a lot quicker and gameplay might be a bit more hectic.
You can play Super Mario 3D World with up to four friends and try to help each other out, or battle it out for the high score in each level. It releases on Feb. 12.
Bravely Default 2
Nintendo Switch Exclusives 2021
If you’re more into JRPGs, then Nintendo isn’t making you wait very long as Bravely Default 2 is right around the corner. If you want a turn-based RPG that is in the same vein as Octopath Traveler or Final Fantasy V, then this is definitely the game for you.
Bravely Default 2 follows four heroes as they journey to restore the world’s power crystals to their original place and reset the world to its natural order. Along the way, you’ll battle powerful foes and obtain new jobs that your characters can use in battle.
The combat system revolved around a risk versus reward system that has you using Brave Points in order to string multiple attacks together in one round. You’ll have to use the Default command to give up your turn to gain Brave Points though, making you play defensively.
But you can also use Brave Points even if you haven’t accumulated any, leading you to skip your next couple of turns if you do so. You have to choose whether to play offensively or be patient and play on the defense.
Bravely Default 2’s combat plays very identically to the other games in the series.
Bravely Default 2 releases on the Nintendo Switch on Feb. 26 but if this sounds like something you’d enjoy, try out the free demo that lets you play for five hours.
Story Of Seasons: Pioneers Of Olive Town
Nintendo Switch Exclusives 2021
If you’re looking for a relaxing farm simulator then perhaps you should check out Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town. Just to be clear there is a difference between this and Harvest Moon as Story of Seasons is made by the original developers of the Harvest Moon series.
The game’s premise is akin to many other farming simulators as the main character leaves their life in the big city to start anew running their grandfather’s old farm.
You’ll be able to do things like customize your farmland, raise crops and animals, as well as befriend townsfolk and even find a spouse. If this sounds familiar, it’s because it has a similar gameplay loop to other Story of Seasons games as well as Stardew Valley.
You’ll be able to start tending to your farm when Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town releases on Mar. 2.
Rune Factory 5
Nintendo Switch Exclusives 2021
A spin-off of the Harvest Moon franchise, Rune Factory incorporates similar gameplay elements like farming, fishing, and relationship building. The biggest difference is that Rune Factory has combat and fighting, allowing you to slay and capture monsters.
The Rune Factory series has been going strong lately as Rune Factory 4 Special released on the Switch last year. It was a port of the 3DS title with new DLC, HD graphics, a new difficulty mode, and a newlywed mode.
Just like the series it spans from, Rune Factory usually doesn’t focus too much on narrative as it’s more about the RPG and sim elements. There is a little bit of a story though and the plot synopsis on Nintendo’s official website reads:
“After losing their memory, the hero lands in a small town blessed by nature. There, they are recruited into a band of peacekeeping rangers, and their new life begins.”
If you’re interested in a farming simulator that packs more of a punch you can hopefully pick it up this year as currently Rune Factory has a release window of 2021.
Monster Hunter Rise
Nintendo Switch Exclusives 2021
Although not solely a Nintendo property, Monster Hunter has had a long history with the company. While it is developed by Capcom, Monster Hunter Rise is coming exclusively to the Switch.
Monster Hunter Rise is the same as any other Monster Hunter game, pretty light on story and lots of grinding to get better weapons and gear. Rise does have a lot of cool new features though.
The two biggest things are the wirebug and Palamutes, both used as means of traversal and fighting monsters. Wirebugs are rope-like objects that allow the player to climb up and across giant obstacles, as well as ride monsters, giving the players more ways to travel in the Monster Hunter World. Check out more in our recent preview.
Palamutes are like dog versions of Palicos and will act as both your pet and partner. They’re rideable, letting you get places faster, and they also help you in battle. Who doesn’t want to customize their own dog partner?
Monster Hunter’s popularity has been vastly increasing over the years after Monster Hunter World released back in January of 2018 and has since sold over sixteen million copies.
The only Monster Hunter game to release on the Switch so far has been Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate, a re-release of the 3DS title of the same name.
Monster Hunter Rise releases on the Nintendo Switch on Mar. 26 and can be played online with up to four people. There is also a demo for the game on the Nintendo eShop if you want to try it out.
Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin
Nintendo Switch Exclusives 2021
If Monster Hunter Rise wasn’t enough for Monster Hunter fans to consider getting a Switch, then maybe Monster Hunter Stories: Wings of Ruin, will.
Monster Hunter Stories differs from regular Monster Hunter games by being narrative-focused and featuring turn-based combat instead of the more action-oriented fighting the main series is known for.
The first Monster Hunter Stories game was released on the 3DS back in 2016 and then re-released on mobile worldwide in 2018. The game featured mechanics like raising eggs and capturing monsters who then fight by your side.
Unlike the main series, the first Monster Hunter Stories game only features four types of weapons instead of fourteen.
Not many details are known about the plot but Nintendo’s official website does have a little information on it.
“Assuming the role of a young Monster Rider who can use a Kinship Stone to form strong bonds with monsters, players can gain experience and improve their skills to form deeper connections with these wonderful creatures. When ready, players can embark on memorable adventures filled with dramatic events and heartwarming friendships as the epic tale unfolds.”
There is no specific release date for Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin but it is slated for Q3 of this year.
Ghosts N’ Goblins Resurrection
Nintendo Switch Exclusives 2021
If you haven’t heard of Ghosts N’ Goblins, well that’s because the last mainline game came out in 1991 on the Super Nintendo. The series has had some re-releases and mobile games, but none have been as popular as Super Ghouls N’ Ghosts as mentioned above.
This new game, titled Ghosts N’ Goblins Resurrection, is a reboot of the franchise that introduces a new storybook-like art style while still keeping the precise platforming gameplay.
This reboot still follows the gallant knight Arthur as he jumps into the demon realm once again. There aren’t many story details, but we can assume that he is once again saving a princess, as he literally always does.
Although the series isn’t as big of a hit as other Capcom properties like Monster Hunter, Street Fighter, or Resident Evil, it’s still quite a popular series. There have been fourteen games in the series thus far and multiple crossovers into other properties such as Arthur appearing in the Marvel vs Capcom series.
Ghosts N’ Goblins Resurrection releases on Feb. 25 for $29.99.
Axiom Verge 2
Nintendo Switch Exclusives 2021
The sequel to the hit indie game Axiom Verge, this classically styled Metroidvania is releasing on the Switch in 2021. Originally slated for 2020, the game was eventually delayed to this year.
The first Axiom Verge game came out to general appraisal thanks to its nostalgic 8-bit graphics and in-depth Metroidvania gameplay. The story starts off with a scientist getting caught in a lap explosion and waking up on an alien planet.
You must explore a large, labyrinth-like world while collecting items, new weapons, and obtaining new abilities in order to help you progress. Yup, sounds like a Metroidvania.
Axiom Verge 2 was announced during Nintendo’s Indie World Direct in December of 2019 and it was shown off to be coming exclusively to the Switch. Instead of the repeating the (still great) 8-bit graphics that the first game has, this sequel will feature beautiful 16-bit graphics.
It will still follow up from the original game’s story but it will focus on a new character and there will be new powers, items, enemies, and a new world.
Axiom Verge 2 will come exclusively to the Nintendo Switch sometime in 2021 with no firm release date.
NEW Pokemon Snap
Nintendo Switch Exclusives 2021
If you’re one of the many fans who have been waiting twenty-two years for a follow up to the original Pokemon Snap, then 2021 is the year for you.
Being developed by Bandai Namco and published by the Pokemon Company, New Pokemon Snap is an on-rails picture taking game where you photograph Pokemon and get points depending on the picture’s quality.
Just like in the original game, you’ll use items like apples to lure Pokemon into view of your camera. Pokemon will be playing with each other, walking around, or might even be in hard to see places.
Why might you be taking pictures of Pokemon and not battling you might ask? Here is the game’s official description:
Travel to the islands that make up the Lental region. In this region, some of the Pokémon and vegetation will appear to have a special glow. Research these Pokémon alongside Professor Mirror as you explore dense jungles, vast deserts, and more! Your observations of Pokémon thriving in the wild may help unravel the truth behind the Illumina phenomenon. The Pokémon pictures you take will be used to build your very own Pokémon Photodex!
New Pokemon Snap releases on May 1 for anyone who wants to try their photography skills out on Pokemon.
No More Heroes III
Nintendo Switch Exclusives 2021
Have you ever just wanted to live the life of someone who loves anime, wrestling, and making really on-the-nose pop-culture references? Well if that’s already you, what about that same person but you also wield a beam sword?
Enter the life of Travis Touchdown, a quick-witted, one-liner machine who is one of the world’s most deadly assassins but also a loveable nerd. He’s back and things aren’t the same as he left them.
When he returns to his home of Santa Destroy, he finds it overrun with superpowered beings from outer space. It’s not long before Travis jumps into the action.
No More Heroes is a series from the mind of Suda51 and Grasshopper Manufacture. It features open-world, hack and slash gameplay that is heavily inspired by, and constantly referencing to, pop-culture.
There is no exact release date for No More Heroes III other than a 2021 release window. If you want to get into the series though, the first and second game in the series was ported to the Switch last October.
Shin Megami Tensei
Nintendo Switch Exclusives 2021
With no specific release date, Shin Megami Tensei V is still slated to come out in 2021. But unlike Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne Remastered which is coming to the Switch and PS4, SMT V is only coming to the Switch.
The Shin Megami Tensei franchise was originally based on a science fiction novel called Digital Devil Story but has since gone off to have its own spin-offs. These spin-offs include the Digital Devil Saga and the popular Persona series.
Pretty much nothing is known about the story of Shin Megami Tensei V other than the fact that it seems like series staples such as playing as a Japanese teenager and a post-apocalyptic setting.
For the first time in both the Shin Megami Tensei and the Persona series, the game will be released simultaneously worldwide. Past games have been released in Japan first and have come to the West much later.
But for now, there is no release window other than 2021.
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