Xenoblade Chronicles 3
The Xenoblade Chronicles series has become one of the most acclaimed JRPG franchises in recent years. Xenoblade Chronicles 3, which launched in July 2022, takes the best elements of the previous two Xenoblade games and combines them into an epic adventure. With its massive open world, strategic real-time combat, and engaging story, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is a JRPG not to be missed in 2024.
I’ve put over 100 hours into Xenoblade Chronicles 3 and still have much left to uncover. The game’s world feels truly alive with its beautifully crafted environments and wide range of wildlife. You can spend hours just exploring and taking in the sights. The combat also provides a lot of depth with the ability to customize your team of 7 characters, chain together attacks, and master timed button presses for extra damage.
If you enjoy grand adventures, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is easily one of the most memorable Switch exclusives this year. Its scope and polish prove the Xenoblade series is among the best of Japanese RPGs. Don’t overlook this epic addition to the franchise in 2024.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
The 9th generation of Pokemon games are set to make their debut on Nintendo Switch in late 2022. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet promise to shake up the tried-and-true Pokemon formula with new features like open world areas and 4-player cooperative play. Past Pokemon games restricted your exploration to routes and towns, but Scarlet and Violet allow free-roaming across the region. This design could make Scarlet and Violet the most ambitious and innovative Pokemon games yet.
Game Freak also teased more details about the new region, characters, and Pokemon would be revealed leading up to launch. With Generation 9 likely introducing another 100+ new Pokemon, 2024 will be an exciting time for competitive play as players figure out strategies with the new creatures and moves. The Pokemon franchise continues to thrive after 25 years, so don’t sleep on Scarlet and Violet’s potential as the ultimate open-world Pokemon experience on Switch.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2
Easily one of the most anticipated Nintendo Switch games, the sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is expected to release in 2024. Details remain scarce, but the first trailer showed Link and Zelda exploring an eerie cavern, possibly under Hyrule Castle. With Breath of the Wild praised as one of the greatest open world games ever, expectations are sky-high for the sequel.
Given the development time, Breath of the Wild 2 has the potential to build substantially on the first game’s physics-driven gameplay and reactive world. I’d love to see deeper dungeons, new rune abilities, and evolved wildlife behaviors. Of course, the ability to play as Princess Zelda would be an amazing new option as well. With the sequel releasing on the same Switch hardware, 2024 may be the peak year for Zelda innovation before new Nintendo hardware. Breath of the Wild remains a masterpiece, so don’t let its sequel fly under your radar.
Bayonetta 3
After years of waiting, Bayonetta 3 finally has a release window of 2022. This means the bewitching Umbra Witch will return in all her over-the-top glory in 2024. Hideki Kamiya and PlatinumGames promise Bayonetta 3 will push the combo-driven combat and risqué humor to new heights.
My favorite aspect of Bayonetta is how the action reaches a breakneck pace. As you rack up combos, enemies fly across the screen in spectacular fashion. The Bayonetta games offer some of the most satisfying action in gaming. On top of that, each entry brings wackier set pieces and massive boss battles. With new demon masquerade abilities teased, Bayonetta 3 looks to up the ante on PlatinumGames’ signature blend of style and gameplay. Don’t let this witch slip away unnoticed in 2024.
Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope
Mario and the Rabbids are teaming up once again for Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope in 2022. This crossover sequel adds free movement to the tactical gameplay instead of sticking to a grid. Environments also look more open and varied, taking players across the galaxy. That cosmic setting introduces new enemy designs and Sparks, the mysterious creatures Mario and friends must rescue.
As a big fan of XCOM-style tactics games, the original Mario + Rabbids was one of my favorite Switch exclusives. The charming Rabbid versions of Mario characters and accessibility of the gameplay made it stand out in the genre. Sparks of Hope promises wackier weapons, deeper customization, and co-op challenges. I’m excited to see what Ubisoft has cooked up for the sequel’s galactic journey in 2024. Don’t dismiss this Rabbid-filled adventure.
Advanced Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp
Old-school tactical RPG fans were thrilled when Nintendo announced a remake of the first two Advanced Wars games. However, Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp was delayed from its December 2022 release window due to sensitivity surrounding the Russia-Ukraine war. Assuming the situation improves in 2023, Advance Wars has the potential to find a whole new audience on Switch in 2024.
The bite-sized, turn-based gameplay is easy to pick up but challenging to master. You must make the most of each unit’s strengths like tanks, infantry, planes, and naval ships. I probably put 100s of hours into Advance Wars campaigns and multiplayer back on the Game Boy Advance. With QOL improvements like waypoints, zooming, and online versus, the Re-Boot versions will be the definitive editions. Don’t ignore this classic tactical series’ return on Switch.
Marvel’s Midnight Suns
From the creators of XCOM comes Marvel’s Midnight Suns, a new tactical RPG starring iconic heroes like Iron Man, Wolverine, and Doctor Strange. It has a darker supernatural tonefocused on Lilith and her demonic forces. You even create your own custom Hunter to join the Midnight Suns and tactical battle the Lilith threat.
With hero abilities designed around synergies and combos, Midnight Suns promises to innovate on the combat popularized by XCOM. The Firaxis pedigree also ensures deep customization and a meaty campaign. As a Marvel fan, I’m hyped to see iconic characters in a mature tactical setting rather than the typical action or fighting games. Midnight Suns’ fusion of Marvel and XCOM-style gameplay absolutely should be on your 2024 radar.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass
It’s hard to believe Mario Kart 8 originally launched back in 2014 on the Wii U. Thankfully, the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe re-release gave the acclaimed racer a second life on Nintendo Switch. Nintendo is keeping the booster jets firing with a massive wave of 48 remastered tracks releasing through the end of 2023 via a paid Booster Course Pass.
These Booster Courses include classics from throughout Mario Kart history, from Coconut Mall to Kalimari Desert. As a huge Mario Kart fan, I’m always down for more creative tracks and multiplayer mayhem. Nintendo is spacing the courses out across waves, so 2024 will be a great time to experience the full catalog. Don’t let this massive injection of retro tracks speed past unnoticed.
Persona Series
The acclaimed Persona RPGs from Atlus typically release on PlayStation platforms. However, Sega has been porting many Persona spin-offs to Nintendo Switch over the past couple years. We’ve already gotten Persona 5 Strikers and Persona 4 Arena Ultimax. And Persona 3 Portable, Persona 4 Golden, and Persona 5 Royal have been announced for 2023.
Having these stylistic, social link-driven RPG epics on a handheld is a game-changer. Persona practically begs for portable play during its 60-100 hour stories. With Persona 6 likely coming someday only for PlayStation, 2024 is an opportunity to experience the full modern Persona catalog on Nintendo’s hybrid wonder. Don’t sleep on this rare chance to immerse yourself in the lauded Persona series on Switch.
Fire Emblem Engage
Nintendo capped off the September 2022 Direct with a surprise reveal of Fire Emblem Engage. This new entry looks to remix and evolve the tactical RPG warfare the iconic series is known for. Engage features a new protagonist, Alear, who can summon heroes from past Fire Emblem games like Marth and Celica into battle.
These classic heroes look like they’ll enable combo attacks and add more strategy to flanking and unit placement. As a hardcore Fire Emblem fan, I appreciate these reimagined takes on the older characters and lore. The visuals also appear richer while retaining a storybook aesthetic. After the massive success of Fire Emblem: Three Houses, Engage could mark the next evolution for the grid-based genre. Make sure you have Fire Emblem Engage on your 2024 list.
Octopath Traveler II
Square Enix revived classic JRPG storytelling and visuals with 2018’s acclaimed Octopath Traveler. The aptly named Octopath Traveler II promises more retro-inspired HD-2D goodness when it launches in 2024. The game features an ensemble cast like its predecessor with each character having unique abilities for both exploration and turn-based battles.
I lost dozens of hours wandering Octopath Traveler’s rich world and engaging in its deep combat mechanics like boosting. The sequel will apparently expand the formula with more multiplayer options and characters to interact with. With so few classic turn-based JRPGs these days, I’m thrilled Square Enix is delivering another refined throwback in Octopath Traveler II. Don’t let this golden era RPG revival pass you by on Switch.
Conclusion
The Nintendo Switch continues to boast a stellar lineup of exclusives and multiplatform games well into 2024. Make sure to keep these 10 gems on your radar so you don’t miss out on the best the system has to offer. We have epic sequels on the horizon like Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 and Bayonetta 3 alongside newcomers like Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope and Marvel’s Midnight Suns. Nintendo, PlatinumGames, Ubisoft, and others are cooking up a creative array of Switch experiences across numerous genres. 2024 will be a phenomenal year for games you shouldn’t overlook on Nintendo’s hit console.
