Nintendo maintained a steady release schedule throughout 2023, with approximately one Switch game per month. This trend is set to continue into the first quarter of 2024.
Nintendo is a multinational video game company based in Kyoto, Japan. It was founded in 1889 as a playing card company and later ventured into various other businesses, including toys and entertainment. However, Nintendo is best known for its contributions to the gaming industry.
Nintendo has had a significant impact on the gaming industry and has amassed a large and dedicated fan base worldwide. The company continues to create and release games and consoles, aiming to provide enjoyable and memorable experiences for players of all ages.
Nintendo maintained a steady release schedule throughout 2023, with approximately one Switch game per month. This trend is set to continue into the first quarter of 2024, with confirmed game releases for January, February, and March, as well as some undated titles.
Kicking off the year on January 19 is Another Code: Recollection, a remake of the Nintendo DS adventure game Trace Memory and its Wii sequel, Another Code: R - A Journey Into Lost Memories. This remake brings back a niche game that never saw a North American release and should appeal to fans of titles like Ace Attorney, Professor Layton, and Hotel Dusk.
Nintendo is capitalizing on the success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie by focusing on Mario games. After three Mario universe games in late 2023, four more are scheduled for 2024. First up, on February 16, is the Game Boy Advance remake Mario vs. Donkey Kong, which introduces two-player co-op, with player two assuming the role of Toad. While the updated visuals and multiplayer are welcome, the original game's short runtime of five hours raises questions about the value proposition of this puzzle platforming remake.
In March, Nintendo plans to release Princess Peach: Showtime, a brand new game and potentially one of the standout titles of 2024. As Peach's own game, it has generated excitement with its costume transformations, stunning visuals, and charming gameplay glimpses.
Additionally, an HD remaster of Luigi's Mansion 2 (previously known as Dark Moon) is slated for a summer release, and a remake of the GameCube classic Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is expected sometime in 2024. Splatoon 3 Side Order DLC, featuring an extra single-player campaign with roguelite elements, is anticipated to arrive in the spring.
Amiibo collectors can look forward to the launch of the Noah and Mio Xenoblade Chronicles 3 two-pack in January, followed by the Sora amiibo on February 16. The latter release marks the conclusion of the Super Smash Bros. amiibo line, which began a decade ago.
Overall, Nintendo's lineup for 2024 promises a mix of remakes, new games, and additional content, ensuring a diverse and exciting experience for Switch players.
The list of Nintendo exclusives confirmed for 2024, although lacking exact release dates, is quite extensive. Here are the exclusives announced for 2024:
Contra: Operation Galuga
Deca Police
Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time
Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon HD
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Remaster
Saga Emerald Beyond
Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution
Alongside these titles, three indie games will enjoy timed exclusivity on the Switch in 2024. Blade Chimera, Moonstone Island, and On Your Tail will all be temporarily exclusive to the Switch. This commitment to supporting indie developers showcases Nintendo's ongoing dedication to bolstering the Switch's library and compensating for its inability to play certain major AAA releases. The strong indie presence has been instrumental in the success of the Switch, and its continuation is undoubtedly a wise strategy moving forward.
Rumors and leaks regarding the potential release of a successor to the Nintendo Switch, often referred to as the "Nintendo Switch 2," have been circulating. While an official announcement for the next Nintendo console is not expected until at least March 2024, leaks suggest that the Switch 2 could potentially launch as early as 2024. While it is yet to be confirmed whether the Switch 2 will be a direct sequel to the Switch, the leaks align with the possibility of the next console retaining the hybrid nature of its predecessor.
It is worth noting that despite the seeming early timeframe for a 2024 release, there has been a decline in Switch sales after reaching its peak. Additionally, it has been observed that Twitch can no longer be downloaded on the Switch, with support for the system ending on January 31, 2024. While this may or may not be related, it could be an indication that the Switch is entering its later stages.
According to emails revealed during the Microsoft vs. FTC trial, there may be some insights into the potential specifications of the Switch 2. The correspondence between Nintendo and Activision not only supports the rumors of the next console being a direct sequel to the Switch (referred to as 'NG Switch' in the emails), but it also suggests that the hardware of the Switch 2 will be comparable to 8th Generation consoles. This implies that the Switch 2 could potentially support backward compatibility with games from that generation, opening up the possibility of more AAA titles being downscaled for the Switch.
Additionally, there are further rumors regarding the power of the Switch 2. Reports suggest that developers who had the opportunity to demo the Switch 2 at Gamescom 2023 claimed that it utilizes AI-powered upscaling technology, positioning it to compete with even the likes of the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. It is important to note that leaks can be subject to change, but these rumors may instill some confidence among fans that the next system will offer enhanced graphical capabilities.
According to the eShop page for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, it appears that Nintendo is joining Sony and Microsoft in the trend of increasing game prices to $70. Sony introduced this higher price point with the release of the PS5 in 2020, and Microsoft also stated that its next-gen, full-priced games would be more expensive moving forward. Third-party games like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II and The Callisto Protocol have already adopted the $70 price tag.
However, Nintendo clarified to Game Informer that they determine the suggested retail price for their products on a case-by-case basis. When asked if the $70 price point would be a trend for Nintendo, they responded with "no," emphasizing their approach of evaluating prices on a case-by-case basis. This is evident with the pricing of the new Metroid Prime remaster at $40 and Pikmin 4 at $60.
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