There are a lot of lists out there detailing the upcoming games on the Nintendo Switch. But somehow the games I’m really looking forward to, never make it to the lists of the big gaming websites. The more casual games, the games that I’m really looking forward to!
Here are the 10 games that are on my mind. I’m listing them according to release date.
See if these games might be what you are waiting for as well. And here’s to hoping that Nintendo’s E3 announcements might add some good new casual games to the list….you know what I’m talking about!
1. Figment- June 28
Figment will be a download only title in the eShop, but one that already won several awards on Steam, where it’s already playable. This is what the press release described.
Figment is a musical action-adventure set in the recesses of the human mind: a strange and surreal world; a place filled with our deepest thoughts, urges and memories, populated by the many voices we hear in our heads.
This mind has been quiet and calm for many years. But something has changed. New thoughts have started to emerge – taking the shape of nightmarish creatures who spread fear wherever they go. The only hope is for the grumpy Dusty, the mind’s former voice of courage, to get back to his old self and help the mind to face its fears.
Figment invites players to join Dusty and his ever-optimistic friend, Piper, on an adventure through the different sides of the mind, solving puzzles to set things straight, beating back the nightmares and seeking to restore the courage that’s been lost.
2. Okami HD – August 9
This isn’t a new game, it’s been released before on the Wii and other consoles like PS4 and XBox too. But it will be the first time I get to play it on my Switch, allowing me to experience this adventure like I like best: on handheld.
3. Little Dragon’s Café – August 24
To run the café, you learn new recipes, discover new ingredients and catering to your customers. The customers turn to you, not just for food, but for solving their problems as well. Added to that, you can grow your own produce to use in the café and fish the rivers.
4. Let’s Go Eevee and Let’s Go Pikachu – November 16
Inspired by Pokémon Yellow, mid November we will see two new games on the Switch: Let’s Go Eevee and Let’s Go Pikachu. This is what’s on the Nintendo website:
“Use a throwing motion to catch Pokémon in the wild with either one Joy-Con™ controller or Poké Ball™ Plus accessory, which will light up, vibrate, and make sounds to bring your adventure to life. Share your adventure in the region of Kanto with family or friends in 2-player action using a second Joy-Con or Poké Ball Plus (sold separately). You can even connect to the Pokémon™ GO app* using a compatible smartphone to bring over Pokémon originally discovered in the Kanto region!”
It’s fun that there will be a connection with Pokémon Go, I’m intrigued by that. As well as by the Poké Ball. A bit like the Poké Walker we used to have on our belt!
5. My Time at Portia – Fall 2018
My Time at Portia that started life as a Kickstarter, is doing well. It’s already available on Steam as an early access game with very positive reviews. The game is a combination of farming, socialising, crafting and fighting, so perfect as far as I’m concerned.
In Portia you can start a new life restoring your Pa’s neglected workshop to its former glory, grow crops, raise animals, befriend the towns quirky inhabitants and uncover the mysteries this charming post-apocalyptic land has forgotten! You can read more about the game here.
6. Re: Legend – 2018?
Another Kickstarter project that managed to fund enough to not only make the game for Steam, but for the Switch as well. And another farming simulation RPG. We are going to be spoiled!
This is what the developer describes:
Washed ashore on Vokka Island without memories, you must start a new life and find ways to recover your lost memories.
In order to do so, you must first learn how to survive on the island by cultivating the land, befriending villagers, expanding the village and raising your very own magical creature known as “Magnus”.
Venture around the land of Ethia where vokka island resides to reclaim your memories is no easy task as the world is filled with dangerous Magnus and threatening challenges.
7. Mineko’s Night Market – 2018?
Mineko’s Night Market is an upcoming cat-themed game, being made by Meowza Games. It’s going to be released on Steam, and was announced for the Switch too! Good news, as Mineko’s Night Market is inspired by games like Animal Crossing, but with a stronger emphasis on story, crafting, and exploration.
You play as Mineko, a curious girl who has just arrived at her new home on a struggling superstitious Japanese-inspired island at the base of Mount Fugu. The locals on the island worship the Sun Cat, Abe. What was always thought to be a long-told myth has the town puzzled, as sightings of Abe have begun to surface among the residents of the island in recent days.
Mineko takes a job as a vendor at the weekly marketplace, and the adventure begins. Fun to see you can grow cats instead of the usual turnips!
8. Nairi: Tower of Shirin – 2018?
HomeBearStudios launched a Kickstarter campaign some time ago to bring Nairi to Steam. Although is backed, and got the green light, it hasn’t appeared on Steam yet. Still, the company had some good news to share, as the game will be coming to Switch too.
It’s about Nairi, a young woman from the rich district of Shirin, the oasis city where the game takes place. When a sudden incident forces her to abandon her rich, sheltered life, she ends up in the seedy lower district of the city ruled by gangs.
Of course, things get a bit more complicated than this. Nairi meets a gangster-turned-scholar rat, who will help her quest to find her way back home. The poor district is plagued by The White Mask, a criminal who seemingly brainwashes people. And then there’s a conflict which goes way beyond Nairi’s initial plight of simply returning home. There’s an ominous mystery surrounding the titular Tower of Shirin, after all!
This graphic puzzle adventure game has some adorable characters, another game to keep an eye on!
9. Moonlighter – 2018?
This game, being made by a Spanish studio, is going to be a RPG with crafting elements. It combines the responsibilities of a shopkeeper by day (including crafting items and interacting with your fellow villagers) and action adventuring by night (travelling through mysterious gates in search of monsters, loot and more).
During an archeological excavation – a set of Gates were discovered. People quickly realized that these ancient passages lead to different realms and dimensions. Rynoka, a small commercial village, was found near the excavation site – providing brave and reckless adventurers with treasures beyond measure.
Will, an adventurous shopkeeper that secretly dreams of becoming a hero. During the day he conducts his business in Rynoka village, putting items on sale, setting their price carefully, manages gold reserves, recruits assistants and upgrade the shop.
When the sun goes down, Will leads a different life. You travel with him while defeating various enemies and bosses. While visiting other worlds, he collects valuable resources, weapons, armors, treasures and peculiar artifacts.
10. Spellbound – 2019?
Chucklefish, the publisher behind popular Stardew Valley, which many of us enjoy already on the Switch, has revealed more details about its upcoming game Spellbound. Granted, it will probably take some time for the game to actually get finished, but I’m hoping it will be a Switch title in the future.
CEO Brice describes Spellbound as a “wizard-school sim” inspired by a host of popular fantasy series. There’s a bit of Harry Potter in there, but also Garth Nix’s Old Kingdom series, Terry Pratchett’s Tiffany Aching series, and Studio Ghibli’s animated films, with a dash of Steven Universe.
Now I happen to be a big fan of the Tiffany Aching series of books, and I love the artwork of Studio Ghibli. So, all good news as far as I’m concerned.
All I can say is Crivens!
Is there a subtle hint about Animal Crossing in your intro Yvonne.
Yes there is… a girl can dream right?
I think there will at least be an announcement about Animal Crossing this year. It wouldn’t surprise me if they started developing for Wii U years ago but held off in order to transfer it to Switch. 🙂
My dream is that they say the game is downloadable right away, surprise!
All of these look so good…definitely my type of games!!!
Mine too! Poor wallet. And that’s before the E3!
Don’t forget Lost Child on 22nd of this month… I can’t wait to do some dungeon crawling!
Right Stephen…won’t be s casual game exactly, lol. But you can expect a review here shortly!