Nintendo Switch: The New Big Game Release Dates Of 2019 And Beyond

Nintendo has an impressive roster of new games coming out this year and next--many of which are brand new entries in some of its biggest franchises. That's right we're getting sequels to Super Mario Maker, Fire Emblem, Pokemon, and The Legend of Zelda. Not only that, but we're getting plenty of new games from big third-party publishers, like Square Enix, Bethesda, and more.

A roster like this bodes well for Nintendo, whose massive success with the Switch only seems to grow as each year passes. If you're here, then there's a big chance you're curious about the coolest new Nintendo games and when they're expected to release. Well, you're in the right place because we've compiled the biggest ones below.

All this talk about upcoming Switch games is fantastic, but there's plenty of amazing games on the console already. For a rundown on the best new games right now, check out our feature highlighting the best Switch games. But if you're curious about some of the greatest of this year across the platforms in general, then check out our best games of 2019 so far. You can also check out some of those games in the video above.

Which Switch games coming soon are you looking forward to the most? Let us know in the comments. Otherwise, read on below for every big Switch game release date in 2019 and beyond.

Trials of Mana is a remake of the third game in the Mana series. Unlike the Secret of Mana remake a couple of years back, this one is being remade from the ground up as a third-person action-RPG.

Release Date: April 24, 2020

The new Animal Crossing finally has a name! Titled Animal Crossing: New Horizons, this latest game will start with players boarding the Nook Inc. charter, which will ferry them to a deserted island where they'll set up a tent and establish their town. As you settle into your new home, you'll do traditional Animal Crossing activities, such as shaking trees and catching fish. You'll also be able to craft tools and furniture using the materials you collect on the island at Tom Nook's workbench.

Release Date: March 20, 2020

Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is an entirely new Lego game that condenses the events of all nine of the mainline films. In the debut trailer, it's interesting to note that the characters appear to no longer have voice acting--a feature introduced in recent games in the series--relying instead on the silent comedy of earlier Lego games.

Release Date: TBA 2020

No More Heroes III is the highly-requested sequel to the cult-favorite action series by famed Japanese developer Suda 51 and his team at Grasshopper Manufacture. The first trailer didn't offer much on the specifics of the story or scope of the game, but we do know that Travis seems to be returning into the fray after a long hiatus.

Release Date: TBA 2020

Square Enix is finally remastering Final Fantasy VIII. For a while, it seemed unclear whether or not we'd get a remaster given how for a while the company only seemed to release and re-release Final Fantasy VII, IX, X, X-2, and XII to PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Switch. But it looks like fans of this love story have finally got their wish!

Release Date: September 3, 2019

Mario & Sonic at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics is the latest installment in the crossover sports games starring the '90s two most iconic gaming mascots. This time around you and friends can compete in sports such as surfing, skateboarding, sprinting, climbing, boxing, horse racing, swimming, fencing, soccer, baseball, hurdles, long jump, and more.

Release Date: November 1, 2019

The Contra franchise returns this year with Contra: Rogue Corps. It's a third-person, behind-the-shoulder title that also features moments that are presented from a top-down perspective and the side. You can play solo or with friends via online or local multiplayer.

Release Date: September 24, 2019

The cult favorite Sega Saturn game Panzer Dragoon is getting a remake. Based on early footage, it will retain the classic rail-shooting action the original known for, but with a bold new visual upgrade.

Release Date: Winter 2019

All the info we have about Astral Chain came from a Nintendo Direct back in February. The new title from Platinum Games has you inhabiting a pair of special forces soldiers who partner with a living, robotic weapon called Legion for combat and solving puzzles. From the looks of things, Astral Chain will feature some fast-paced combat and take you through a futuristic, sci-fi city.

While we don't know a ton about Astral Chain, we do know about its pedigree. It's the latest effort from game designer Takahisa Taura, who worked on Nier Automata, and it's being supervised by Hideki Kamiya, the creator of Bayonetta. The game is hitting the Switch on August 30.

Release Date: August 30, 2019

Coming from developer Marvelous, the same studio behind niche action games like Senran Kagura and Fate/Extra, Daemon X Machina is a noticeable shift from their more playful titles. Announced last year for the Nintendo Switch, this mech action game possesses similarities to From Software's classic Armored Core series, featuring a deep focus on customization, along with a plethora of weapons and abilities to wipe out the opposition. We don't get that many mech-oriented action games these days, so when Daemon x Machina was revealed, it instantly turned the heads of the most die-hard fans of the niche sub-genre.

The last demo released in February on the Nintendo eShop was a decent taste of what's to come in the final release. With your created character and their giant robot, you'll be able to take them on various missions while amassing more resources to customize them further. It was a solid sampler for what's to come, giving you plenty of options to experiment with while cutting your way through a battlefield full of enemy mechs. As big mech fans ourselves, we can't wait to see how Daemon x Machina turns out later this year.

Release Date: September 13th, 2019

Bethesda's reboot of Doom in 2016 hit like a hammer. The speed and ferocity of combat was almost perfectly in tune with the raucous metal soundtrack, just the way Doom-heads like it. It wasn't too surprising then when Bethesda announced that a follow-up was on the way. Doom Eternal is currently in development for almost every modern platform: PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC, and Stadia--making it one of the few games confirmed for Google's upcoming cloud-gaming service.

There isn't a lot we can say about Doom Eternal at the moment, other than it looks like a worthy successor to the game that wowed us just a few years ago. A familiar feature returning from the old-school Doom games is the gradual visual destruction of enemies as they take damage from your super-powered weapons, which is sure to be a gruesome feast for the eyes. The most surprising new addition to the formula is invasions from other players online in the form of demons. It will be optional, but it will no doubt be a feature to look out for when the game ships later this year.

Release Date: March 20, 2020

Square Enix's critically acclaimed Dragon Quest XI is heading to Nintendo Switch sometime this year. As the "definitive" version of the game, the port is mostly the same as its PS4 and PC counterparts but includes some bonus extras, such as the option Japanese voice audio, an orchestrated version of the soundtrack, and the ability to switch to a 16-bit interface modeled after the visuals from the SNES era of Dragon Quest. Though, fans should recognize that last feature from the 3DS port of the game that never made it to the West. If you've yet to play DQXI, the upcoming Switch port might be the best way to experience it.

Release Date: September 27, 2019

The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening was another surprise from February’s Nintendo Direct. The game first launched back in 1993 for the original Game Boy, and now Nintendo is remaking it for Nintendo Switch.

The upcoming adventure retains the 2D, top-down view of the original, but with a tweaked art style to bring it more in line with The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, the 3DS follow-up to A Link to the Past. It isn't the first remake the game has received since its original launch: an updated color version, dubbed Link's Awakening DX, came out in 1998.

Unlike most other games in the series, it isn't set in Hyrule, but rather the mysterious Koholint Island. After being shipwrecked, Link washes ashore and can only escape by retrieving eight magical instruments and waking the isle's guardian, the Wind Fish.

Release Date: September 20, 2019

EA's FIFA 20 is looking to introduce new changes that elevate its faithful recreation of association football. This time around, there's a larger emphasis and incentive on manual defending, as opposed to allowing an AI to dictate the defense for you. Shooting is also getting a slight revamp, with attackers given greater accuracy. EA says that lots of work is being done on making passing and shooting more realistic. However, whether these features will make it to the Switch port remains to be seen, seeing as previous ports have been relatively stripped down.

Release Date: September 27, 2019

Oninaki is the latest game from Tokyo RPG Factory, a Square Enix studio committed to creating classic-style RPGs. Unlike the studio's previous work--which utilized the active time battle system made famous by both Final Fantasy and Chrono Trigger--Oninaki is an action-RPG. Its combat revolves around saving and collecting lost souls, which each grants you unique attacks and abilities in turn. As protagonist Kagachi, you explore the realms of life and death to accomplish this philanthropic goal. All the while, you're exposed to an even more profound mystery within the realms you explore.

Release Date: August 22, 2019

Pokemon Sword and Shield are the latest iterations of the storied pocket monster franchise, and the first new mainline Pokemon games to arrive on Nintendo Switch. While 2018's Let's Go Pikachu and Eevee were reimaginings of the classic Pokemon Yellow, Sword and Shield will take place in an all-new UK-inspired region of the world, on top of introducing a brand new generation of Pokemon to the already staggering catalog. Sword and Shield will see a return to the more familiar Pokemon mechanics, as opposed to the variations that the Let's Go games introduced, such as wild Pokemon battles and Gyms.

Release Date: November 15, 2019

Super Mario Maker 2 was a big surprise when it was announced during February's big Nintendo Direct presentation. It is, of course, the sequel to the 2015 Wii U game Super Mario Maker--although this did later come to 3DS, too.

Much like the first Super Mario Maker, the Switch game allows users to create and share their own custom Mario levels. As before, the stages can be made in the style of the original Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario World, or New Super Mario Bros. U, and this time around Nintendo has also added Super Mario 3D World assets to the suite of options.

That isn't the only significant difference in the upcoming sequel. Unlike the original, Super Mario Maker 2 gives players the ability to create slopes and angled surfaces. Other improvements include the ability to customize how auto-scrolling levels scroll, and an assortment of new tools such as on/off switches and more.

Release Date: June 28, 2019

Wolfenstein: Youngblood was unveiled at E3 2018, promising a co-op trip through Paris, set in the 1980s. It's a sequel of sorts to the most recent game in the series, Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus, and it stars series protagonist BJ Blazkowicz's twin daughters, Jessica and Sophia, who are working together to continue the fight against the Nazi regime.

In Wolfenstein: Youngblood, BJ has gone missing in Nazi-occupied Paris. It's not clear whether Youngblood is the third game in the series--the devs previously stated that they viewed the series as a trilogy--or a separate game in the vein of Wolfenstein: The Old Blood.

Release Date: July 26, 2019

Minecraft Dungeons is a dungeon crawling spin-off of the massively popular survival game. It maintains that Minecraft charm while pushing it towards a genre not generally associated with the series. The game supports cooperative play up to four players both locally and online.

Release Date: Spring 2020

Just Dance 2020 continues the long-running series' now 10-year legacy as the market's premier dancing game. Expect the latest pop songs and choreography.

Release Date: November 5, 2019

When's Marvel? Well, July 2019. The Marvel Ultimate Alliance series hasn't seen a new game in about a decade, but with Avengers: Endgame still fresh in the minds of the pop culture zeitgeist, there's probably never going to be a better time to bring it back. Developed by Team Ninja (of Ninja Gaiden, Dead Or Alive, and Nioh fame) exclusively for the Nintendo Switch, this four-player action RPG will let you choose from dozens of Marvel characters and wreak havoc on countless villains and enemy grunts.

If you've played previous games, or anything resembling Diablo, you'll know what to expect from Ultimate Alliance 3. Each character will have up to four flashy special abilities on top of regular and ultimate attacks, and will emphasize synergizing them with your teammates. You'll have a squad of four at all times (AI will substitute for real players when playing solo), and your abilities will be enhanced if all your characters are, for example, Spider-People, women of Marvel, or wise-crackers. But the real joy will be seeing just how much fan service they can stuff into this game.

Release Date: July 19, 2019

Nintendo fans should be pleased that there's Luigi's Mansion 3 on the way. Since the 2001 release of the Gamecube original, the series has managed to garner a cult following throughout the years. The latest game once again stars the easily-frightened plumber who's on an adventure through what looks to be a haunted hotel. Nintendo hasn't discussed too much about the game, but early footage showcases elements from previous games, like ghost-sucking vacuums, spooky corridors, and plenty of wacky ghosts.

Release Date: October 31, 2019

Fire Emblem: Three Houses is the latest in the long-beloved tactical-RPG series. You will assume the role of Byleth, a former mercenary, and professor at the Church of Seiros' Officer's Academy. While making decisions for yourself, you'll also follow the stories of three students and heirs to three rival nations: the Adrestian Empire, the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus, and the Leicester Alliance.

As to be expected, Fire Emblem: Three Houses features the series' classic turn-based battles. However, some new additions are thrown in, such as expanded unit control, deeper character progression, and the ability to freely roam a hub area to interact with units and gather intel.

Release Date: July 26, 2019

Dragon Quest Builders was an unusual game that turned out rather well, and back in 2016, we praised its mix of Dragon Quest charm and Minecraft-like construction, awarding the game an 8/10. The sequel is on the way to the US and Europe after releasing in Japan late last year.

The biggest additions to the sequel include multiplayer support (both local and online), the ability to fly and swim underwater, and, perhaps thankfully, neither your armor nor weapons will wear out after repeated use. Smaller changes abound, but how they will impact the game will only become clear once we've had a chance to play for ourselves.

Release Date: July 12, 2019

It's crazy what developers can pull off with the Switch. The humble hybrid console handheld has been home to several unlikely ports, like Doom (2016), L.A. Noire, and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim--all games that have performed surprisingly well on the Switch. But now we've got a port of CD Projekt Red's The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt coming, which is a shocking announcement, especially given how technically demanding that game was at launch on PS4, Xbox One, and PC.

Release Date: TBA 2019

We're only a month or so off the release of Resident Evil 0, Remake, and 4 on Switch, and already Nintendo announced that the fifth and sixth mainline games are coming too. If you're big on playing with a friend, then look no further than these more action-focused cooperative entries in the series.

Release Date: Fall 2019

The Sinking City is the latest from Frogwares--a studio that's known for its work on the cult favorite Sherlock Holmes adventure games. Set in the fictional flooded city of Oakmont, Massachusetts during the 1920s, you play as Charles Reed, a troubled WW1 veteran and private investigator traveling in search of a cure for his persistent hallucinations. In The Sinking City, you'll investigate crime scenes, navigate tense social issues, and fend off mysterious creatures threatening Reed's sanity.

Release Date: TBA 2019

Empire of Sin is an action-strategy game set in Prohibition-era Chicago; it's also the newest game from Doom creator John Romero. Like any classic gangster film, you start from the bottom and work your way to establish a criminal empire. All the while, you'll defend your territory from competing gangs and other undesirables seeking to steal your fortune.

Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch | Release Date Spring 2020