The Switch’s Best Launch Titles

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The Nintendo Switch boasted an incredibly robust collection of games at its debut, featuring high-profile masterpieces, unique experimental titles, and beloved franchise launches on its versatile console platform.

Certain game titles truly tested the boundaries of their hardware capabilities, demonstrating the system’s remarkable ability to manage expansive open worlds and high-speed action sequences. On the other hand, some games took advantage of the console’s distinctive features, thereby affirming that offline multiplayer games were still thriving in an age dominated by online gaming.

7. 1-2-Switch

The Party Game That Wasn’t Wii Sports

Nintendo has a soft spot for tech demo-style games, as demonstrated by titles like Wii Sports that popularized motion controls, Nintendoland showcasing the capabilities of the Wii U’s GamePad, and 1-2-Switch was intended to do the same for the Joy-Con. Rather than relying on screen interaction, this compilation of mini-games encourages players to use movement, sounds, and even visual cues like eye contact.

1-2-Switch offered an unusual journey, ranging from simulating milk from mythical cows to dueling in a Wild West-style with quick draw challenges. The game showcased the intricacy of HD Rumble through various mini-games, such as guessing the number of marbles within the controller, demonstrating the precision of the Joy-Con’s tactile feedback. However, other games like the baby-soothing one sparked curiosity about whether Nintendo might have ventured a bit too deep into uncharted experimental territory.

1-2-Switch, despite its unique characteristics, significantly demonstrated the versatility of the Joy-Con beyond merely serving as a pair of buttons and joysticks. While it didn’t quite match the longevity of Wii Sports, for showcasing Nintendo’s innovative controller technology, it played a vital role in making the Switch launch stand out.

6. I Am Setsuna

A Classic RPG’s Second Chance

Tokyo RPG Factory, a studio under Square Enix, aimed to rekindle the enchantment of traditional turn-based role-playing games. Their debut effort, titled “I Am Setsuna“, combined combat reminiscent of Chrono Trigger with a mournful, snow-shrouded setting that consistently evoked melancholy feelings. While the game was previously accessible on other devices, having a classic JRPG optimized for portable play on the Nintendo Switch was a significant attraction for devoted fans of the genre.

In this retelling, the narrative centers around Setsuna, a youthful character fated for a sacrifice meant to pacify the monstrous threats plaguing her realm. The game exhibits a simple aesthetic and music primarily consisting of piano pieces, underscoring its poignant motifs of sorrow and predestination. In terms of combat mechanics, it draws heavily from “Chrono Trigger,” featuring combo attacks and strategic positioning that lend an engaging and varied quality to every confrontation.

Despite some shortcomings such as challenging difficulty levels that left some players annoyed and repetitive environments, I Am Setsuna provided an essential addition to the Switch’s game selection.

5. Super Bomberman R

Bomberman’s Big Comeback Starts with a Boom

scarcely any franchises have endured as long as Bomberman, and even fewer have managed to stage such a large number of resurgences. After spending several years in hibernation, Super Bomberman R reintroduced the exciting multiplayer havoc, positioning it among the first social games accessible on the Switch.

Fundamentally, it resembled the traditional version of Bomberman: detonate bombs, obliterate obstacles, and strategize to encase adversaries in blazing explosions. However, what set it apart was its narratively rich storyline with fully voiced dialogue, exaggeratedly flamboyant antagonists, animated scenes, and cooperative play options. The multiplayer accommodated up to eight participants, which made it an ideal choice for the Switch’s portable capabilities.

Initially, the game had some unpolished aspects like slow movement and uncertain online functionality, but Konami consistently worked on improving it through updates, eventually making it a strong addition to the series. Most significantly, it rekindled the joy that made the original Bomberman so entertaining.

4. Snipperclips

The Little Indie That Could

Rather than solely releasing the Switch with high-priced games, Nintendo also emphasized lesser-known, innovative titles like the intriguing puzzle game Snipperclips, where players manipulate paper figures by cutting them into various forms to conquer imaginative puzzles.

The game fostered both teamwork and the occasional challenge as participants worked diligently to discover the correct methods for rotating, trimming, and stacking their characters in specific configurations to accomplish each objective. Certain riddles necessitated precision, such as sculpting figures into gears to activate a machine, while others showcased sheer absurdity, like molding characters into basketball hoops to make a basket with a ball.

One fantastic demonstration of the joy and camaraderie in local multiplayer games was seen on the Nintendo Switch. The ease of use provided by the Joy-Con controllers allowed even beginners to jump right in, while the hilariously absurd gameplay solutions ensured endless laughter.

3. Fast RMX

Speed Without Limits

At its debut, The Switch lacked a fresh version of F-Zero, but Fast RMX served as an excellent alternative. This lightning-fast, futuristic racer from Shin’en Multimedia elevated everything fantastic about Fast Racing NEO on the Wii U and took it to another level.

The game moved incredibly swiftly, offering fluid 60 frames per second gameplay that turned each race into a heart-pounding experience. A distinct feature allowed players to manipulate their vehicle’s energy field, matching it with the color of speed pads on the track to gain an advantage. Misalign this, and you’d temporarily lose speed, potentially giving your opponents the edge.

Fast RMX offered an immersive experience with its stylish graphics, multiplayer options both offline and online, and heart-thumping music, making it an ideal choice for satisfying high-speed racing cravings. Moreover, it was among the pioneering third-party games that effectively utilized the Switch’s capabilities, demonstrating that independent developers could create technically impressive games on this new hardware platform.

2. Just Dance 2017

A Dance Floor In Your Pocket

Since the debut of the Wii, every Nintendo console has included a “Just Dance” game, and the Switch was no different. On its release day, “Just Dance 2017” transformed into a lively party by utilizing the Joy-Con’s motion sensors to precisely follow dance moves with remarkable precision.

At its debut, the game offered over 40 tracks and additional songs through the Just Dance Unlimited plan, providing a rich diversity ranging from contemporary pop tunes to timeless dance anthems. What’s more, due to the Switch’s portable nature, you could dance virtually anywhere, making spontaneous dance-offs possible just about anytime, anywhere.

This particular addition to the “Just Dance” series wasn’t revolutionary, but it perfectly fit the bill. It offered a delightful, effortless gaming experience ideal for casual play, skillfully utilizing the distinctive capabilities of the Nintendo Switch.

1. The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild

A Legend Reborn in an Open-World

In the annals of modern gaming, no title launch has been as groundbreaking as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. This wasn’t just another addition to the series; it was a radical reimagining, breaking free from conventional Zelda gameplay and offering one of the most captivating open worlds ever crafted.

In Hyrule, things were vast, erratic, and brimming with mysteries. Players could scale mountains, slide down sandy slopes on shields like surfboards, and stumble upon hidden shrines in the most peculiar locations. The game’s physics-based interactions provided numerous opportunities for imaginative problem-solving, and because each player was free to explore, no two adventures were ever alike.

The game was an ideal choice to debut a new console. Not only did it demonstrate the Switch’s capabilities, but it also served as a reminder of why Zelda is considered one of gaming’s top franchises. To this day, it continues to be one of the best games on the system and ranks among the greatest of all time.

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2025-04-09 05:42