Upcoming Switch games for 2023 and beyond
The Nintendo Switch has had a huge 2023 so far, with a solid line-up of first-party games that brings new realities to the world of Mario and the return of the Bomberman brothers. But there are also a surprising number of great indie releases, as well as enhanced ports of a few of the console’s older gems.
From a 2D Super Mario that brings reality-bending flowers to the series to a roguelike that’s like Danganronpa meets Persona, there’s something for everyone in 2023. We’ve also got the sequel to one of last year’s best indie hits, a Dark Souls-like from Aksys and a brand-new game that lets you power wash anything from mechanical hardware to homes.
It’s hard to top Octopath Traveler, but Square-Enix may just have done it with the followup. Octopath Traveler 2 draws upon JRPG troupes of old to create an experience that’s both unique and familiar at the same time. And with refined graphics and more interaction between the characters this time around, it’s sure to be one of the best games of 2023.
For those who are still eager to play a new Fire Emblem game this year, the upcoming 2023 release Sacrifire looks set to deliver a satisfying gameplay experience. Set in a solar system that’s stuck in a loop, it’ll be up to you to explore the planets to uncover their secrets and figure out what’s going on.
In the meantime, fans of the series can look forward to two massive expansions for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, a dungeon-crawler that’s like Danganronpa with a bit more character options, a dark sci-fi shooter from the creators of Metroidvania, and pure pixel carnage in Mortal Kombat 1.
A few years back, Oxenfree surprised us all by combining a genre we thought was overdue for a comeback with mind-blowing visuals. It’s taken a while to get here, but the follow-up is finally on its way. Oxenfree II: Lost Signals promises to build on the original’s momentum with a deeper story that connects it to the first in interesting ways.
If you’re looking for a new indie title to check out on your Switch, Trek To Yomi is a black-and-white side-scroller that follows a blacksmith named Hiroki as he seeks revenge after his village is burned down by the king of the country of Crossbell. The game will launch in 2023 on a variety of platforms, including the Switch.
If you want to take a trip down memory lane, the Classic Arcade Collection will bring 10 classic Taito arcade games to your console. The lineup includes titles from the 16-bit era, so you’ll be able to revisit the days of childhood friendships made and broken by battling against each other in front of the TV.
