Upcoming Nintendo games and news - what to look forward to

Nintendo is always coming up with something new and creative. In the last decade or so, they’ve added a camera and 3D camera to their consoles, made the Nintendo gaming experience 3D and recently released a console that is both handheld and portable and can be played like a typical household console.

Now, looking towards the future, we’re wondering what Nintendo has in store for us fans. In this post, we examine what to expect from Nintendo in the near future.

A new version of the Nintendo Switch

As the Nintendo Switch approaches its second birthday, I think it’s safe to say that the latest Nintendo console took the world by storm. According to Digital Trends, the Nintendo Switch has become the fastest selling console ever in the US and has (presumably) made a shitload of money. It’s also expected to have a longer life cycle than the typical six years.

With this in mind, you may be wondering why they’re already planning and developing a new Nintendo Switch. Well, what do you expect from the guys that made multiple iterations of the Nintendo DS which include the DS Lite, DSi, 3DS, New 3DS, the budget-version 2DS and all XL versions? And let’s not leave out the Nintendo Wii and its failure of a sibling the Wii U.

So, what do we expect from the new Nintendo Switch console which comes out this year?

In regard to design, I’d like to see more colour options and themed skins for the joy-cons. However, that can easily be something they could do for the current version. I’d also like to see more screen. That doesn’t mean I want them to make the console bigger, I just think they could cut back on the bezel – essentially making the screen bigger while sticking to the current dimensions.

On the other hand, they could release a miniature version. Why a mini version? Well, while screens occasionally got bigger over time in the journey of Nintendo’s handheld consoles, they did become more compact with each series. A prime example is the first Nintendo DS; the DS Lite was smaller and the DSi was even less chunky.

What I imagine they will do is just make an XL version of the Switch – similar to what they did for the DS Lite XL, DSi XL, 3DS XL and New 3DS XL. It’s a fairly reasonable assumption based on past trends. I just wonder if that will take away from how portable the current size already is. Speaking of the 3DS’s, it’s possible they could enhance the Switch with 3D capabilities. While it did feel like an experimental phase in Nintendo’s life, I believe that it’s a feature that could rear its head again. Though I initially assumed that they will make it a built-in feature of the console, it looks like it could be a sensor to place atop a TV. According to this article by Tech Radar, the sensor will use head and eye tracking technology and superimpose two images to create a stereoscopic 2D image and rendered in a way so as to make it look 3D to the player. This sounds highly likely.

In the past, Nintendo often came out with budget versions of their handheld consoles e.g. the Nintendo 2DS. I think something similar could happen for the Nintendo Switch. Maybe they’ll remove the detachable joy-cons and make them fixed to the console. Perhaps they’ll add the front-flap feature that was seen on New Nintendo 2DS XL but solely on the screen part of the console. Either way, I think a budget version of the console will be appreciated by families that can’t afford the latest and more pricey games. I have to admit, gaming isn’t the cheapest passion in the world.

Will it expand into VR?

It’ll be interesting to see if Nintendo will attempt (or even consider) virtual reality. I think it would be brilliant to play games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Pokémon Sun and Moon in VR.

I believe this is something Nintendo can pull off. Now, I’m no VR expert but I think that if they add a sensor camera and a headset, they could make it work. The joy-cons could be modified to have stronger sensors in them or a whole new set of controllers could be designed for the system.

New games

While the idea of a new Nintendo Switch console is mostly speculation and wishes on our end, we can give you solid information on upcoming Nintendo Switch games.

Pokémon Sword and Shield

Initial release date: 15 November 2019

The latest game by Game Freak, Pokémon Sword and Shield are role-playing games set to be released near the end of 2019. The games are solely for Nintendo Switch (sorry New Nintendo 3DS players) and are the first main series games in the eighth generation of the Pokémon franchise. If you’re a Brit, then you’ll recognise certain landmarks. Sword and Shield takes place in the Galar region which is a narrow expanse of land inspired by Great Britain. You’ll see the inspiration in a clock tower and palace which resemble our beloved Big Ben and Buckingham Palace.

New features include (what looks to be) a water bike, co-operative raid encounters, dynamaxing (allowing Pokémon to grow in size temporarily) and, of course, new pokémon. The three starter Pokémon for Sword and Shield are Scorbunny (fire-type rabbit), Sobble (water-type chameleon) and Grookey (grass-type simian creature). The two Legendaries are Zacian and Zamazenta (Sword and Shield respectively). However, don’t expect to see the return of Mega Evolutions and Z-moves as well as all existing Pokémon.

Daemon X Machina

Initial release date: 13 September 2019

This is for those that resonate with the Hunter persona. Developed by Marvelous First Studio (who recently released God Eater 3 on Nintendo Switch, PS4 and Microsoft Windows) Daemon X Machina is a third-person shooter game with 4-person cooperative multiplayer feature. The game is set in a world where humanity is threatened by artificial intelligence that has been infected with special energy from a moon that collided with the Planet. Gamers will play as a customisable character with an Arsenal mech battling against enemy mechs.

This third instalment in the Daemon X Machina series allows players to fly around to different cityscapes to engage in various missions and boss fights. You’ll also get to scrounge items from the destroyed enemy mech and integrate them into your own mech. As this is one of the most hardcore games coming to Nintendo Switch this year, expect to hear a lot of metal and rock elements in the game music and soundtrack.

Fire Emblem: Three Houses

Initial release date: 26 July 2019

Fire Emblem: Three Houses is the latest in the much-loved tactical role-playing series and designed by Intelligent Systems and Koei Tecmo Games. For long-time Fire Emblem fans, you can expect to spend even longer planning your battle strategies as you’re able to start planning your dream team long before they head out to war. This instalment in the Fire Emblem series will be split into two primary acts. In the first act, your customisable (yay) protagonist enters the Garreg Monastery to train the soldiers and lords of one of the three countries. The second act is set five years down the line when all three countries are at all-out war. From what we’ve seen of the game so far, it looks great – visually and conceptually. This is the first time the game is in HD.

For those more interested in knowing what the battles will be like; expect to fight turn-based battles on a grid-like map (as usual) and the return of classes including Mercenary, Thief, Pegasus Knight, Wyvern Rider, Mage and more.