2023 is now approaching by leaps and bounds, and in this article we want to go and see with you our top 5 of exclusive Nintendo Switch releases in the coming year, or at least we hope
2022 was certainly an impressive gaming year in terms of the last generation of consoles, less so for PS5 and Xbox Series X which, also due to the scarcity of hardware in circulation, have struggled to come up with real next-gen exclusives worthy of Note. The coming year should (and we stress, with a hint of hope, should) be the turning point: either the “next-gen” brings out the attributes, or there will be real trouble. In short, with a very hopeful look, we are preparing to throw ourselves into 2023, which already seems to be very rich in terms of exclusive consoles. We have therefore thought of a series of three articles, one for each large company, dedicated to the exclusive video games for each that will be released (or at least we hope) over the next year. This time we talk about Nintendo, which with its hybrid console competes in a league of its own, disconnected from console wars and feverish expectations in terms of big productions. Not that there are any missing on Nintendo Switch, actually…
The top 5 exclusives coming to Nintendo Switch in 2023 according to allteK!
Before continuing with our Top 5 Nintendo Switch exclusives coming in 2023, we want to explain the rules of the game. This article is based on absolutely nothing concrete, as obviously the five games you’ll see below are not yet released in complete form. This means that you are facing something based solely on our expectations, hopes and hype. We have not included games that will also be released on other platforms, such as Octopath Traveler 2 (which will also arrive on PS4, PS5 and PC): to get a complete overview of the releases announced so far for 2023, we refer you to our list of Best games due out in 2023. With that said, let’s get started!
5. Pikmin 4 | Nintendo Switch: top 5 exclusives coming out in 2023 (hopefully)
At this point Pikmin 4 was close to becoming vaporware: first announced way back in 2015, the development of the title received constant reassurances from a Miyamoto who had confirmed, already in 2016, a lower priority than other exclusives for Nintendo Switch. A real pity, because we admit that the formula of the series (a very colorful and sometimes even challenging RTS) has always won us over in previous iterations. The Nintendo Direct of September 2022 confirmed the release date for a generic 2023, and this time we really hope for it.
Pikmin 3 will be released exclusively on Nintendo Switch in 2023.
4. Fire Emblem Engage | Nintendo Switch: top 5 exclusives coming out in 2023 (hopefully)
The first announcement trailer for Fire Emblem Engage, the new chapter in the award-winning Intelligent System franchise published by Nintendo, was derived from the same Nintendo Direct as Pikmin 4. A complete reprise of the previous chapters, this time set on the continent of Elyos, where the protagonists of the prequels can be summoned through the Emblem Rings system. During The Game Awards 2022 the complete expansion pass was already announced, of which the first DLC will arrive in conjunction with day one of the game.
Fire Emblem Engage will be released on January 20, 2023 exclusively for Nintendo Switch.
3. Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demons | Nintendo Switch: top 5 exclusives coming out in 2023 (hopefully)
And let’s start right from the stage of The Game Awards 2022 with Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demons, spin-off of the series that also celebrated the award for best action with Bayonetta 3 (our review here!). Cereza and the Lost Demons will allow us to take control of a young Cereza, before she takes the name of Bayonetta, and will sport a completely different art style than seen in the franchise to date. Deliberately inspired by storybooks, Bayonetta Origins will also have autonomous gameplay in which we will be able to control both little Cerezita and her infernal demon, Cheshire.
Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demons is coming exclusively to Nintendo Switch on March 17, 2023.
2. Metroid Prime 4 | Nintendo Switch: top 5 exclusives coming out in 2023 (hopefully)
Another round, another vaporware title. First announced during E3 2017, Metroid Prime 4 also underwent a complete reboot during 2019. Earlier this year, Retro Studios was looking for two key development figures (a Tool Engineer and a Tech Engineer), so including it in this list is more auspicious than a real hope. Samus Aran’s new adventure seems so far away in time, but if we have now abandoned the time window of 2022… maybe a late 2023? We really hope so.
Metroid Prima 4 will be released exclusively on Nintendo Switch, but the release date is still TBA.
1. The Legend of Zelda | Nintendo Switch: top 5 exclusives coming out in 2023 (hopefully)
Finally, the first position of this Top we believe was rather predictable. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is the sequel to that Breath of the Wild that made the public, critics and market fall in love with it so much that it created a subgenre entirely of her. A vast open world with hundreds of secrets, extremely enjoyable to explore and experience. A satisfying narrative, an interesting and fun combat system and platforming stages. If Tears of the Kingdom is even slightly better than Breath of the Wild, we are ready to lose hundreds and hundreds of hours again in this exclusive Nintendo universe.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom will arrive exclusively on Nintendo Switch on May 12, 2023.
Let’s wait!
And this was our Top 5 Nintendo Switch exclusives coming in the course of 2023 (or at least we hope). Let us know which are your five most anticipated Sony titles for next year, we will continue to keep you updated with all the news, guides and reviews on the gaming and tech theme! And if you are interested in game keys at advantageous prices, we advise you to take a look at the InstantGaming catalogue!