When it comes to upcoming Switch games still to, well, come in 2024, Nintendo's console still has plenty of life left in it beyond the usual bevy of first-party releases. While there's no doubt that Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Pikmin 4 were obvious high marks last year, 2024 has its fair share of exciting games from Nintendo itself as well as many others.
Among the new games of 2024, there is still time for (one hopes) Hollow Knight: Silksong among many other high-profile third-party releases. That's on top of the upcoming Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door remaster and Luigi's Mansion 2 HD. (And whatever else Nintendo decides to announce.) We've also listed some long-awaited Switch ports and upcoming indie games to get hyped for, if you're not really into any of the best Mario games.
There's genuinely something for everyone in our roundup of upcoming Switch games, but that goes double for anyone interested in platformers or JRPGs.
Recent updates
This living list of upcoming Switch games was updated on April 17, 2024, adding several announcements from the latest Indie World showcase among other general housekeeping.
Upcoming Switch games 2024
Tales of Kenzera: Zau
Release date: April 23, 2024
This stunning upcoming Switch game is a touching Metroidvania about dealing with grief. The stunning reveal trailer shown at The Game Awards 2023 introduces us to a beautiful world of Tales of Kenzera: Tau, a sidelong 3D platformer from EA Originals that incorporates ancient magic in both its combat and traversal systems. We can expect this gorgeous action-adventure to on the Nintendo Switch launch in April.
Endless Ocean Luminous
Release date: May 2, 2024
A new Endless Ocean? From Nintendo itself? With the ability to explore around under the Veiled Sea with up to 30 players online? With over 500 species of marine life to encounter? Including some described as "extinct" and "mythical" as well? Do I really need to say more?
Little Kitty, Big City
Release date: May 9, 2024
A delightful romp through a city in the paws of a curious kitten that falls from his window, Little Kitty, Big City has been on our radar since it was first announced. Players will need to complete quests and help other animals out, all while navigating a densely packed open-world zone filled with pesky humans trying to do whatever it is humans do.
Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
Release date: May 16, 2024
Described as a non-linear puzzle game, Lorelei and the Laser Eyes from the folks behind Sayonara Wild Hearts sees players take on the role of a woman that becomes entangled in "increasingly nightmarish and surreal illusions" after taking part in a project of some sort in a central European hotel. There are also over 100 puzzles featuring "shifting mechanics and perspectives," if that's the sort of thing you're into.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Release date: May 23, 2024
A 2D GameCube classic is being given a modern makeover in the upcoming Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door remaster. Peach and Mario will be teaming up once more, with Peach's kidnap by the X-Nauts spurring our mustachioed plumber into action as he chases after her.
Monster Hunter Stories
Release date: June 14, 2024
Originally released for the Nintendo 3DS back in 2017, Monster Hunter Stories is finally coming to Switch (and other platforms) this summer. The new version includes new VO, content that was previously only available in Japan, enhanced HD visuals, and more. If you're looking for the best possible version of this monster-hunting RPG, it certainly seems like you're in luck in the near future.
Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance
Release date: June 14, 2024
Described as the "definitive version" of Shin Megami Tensei 5 by developer Atlus, there's an all-new path available in Vengeance that adds something like 80 hours to the popular JRPG. That includes new locations, new demons, and new decisions to make; it's SMT 5 but just more, what's not to like?
Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble
Release date: June 25, 2024
There's an all-new Super Monkey Ball game on the way with more tilting, bouncing, rolling, and so on to do. But perhaps even better is the fact that the new title will feature online play with up to 16 players across various modes. Combine that with 200 new stages, and it sounds like there'll be plenty to monkey around with come June.
Luigi's Mansion 2 HD
Release date: June 27, 2024
Return to Evershade Valley in Luigi's Mansion 2 HD, an upgraded version of the classic Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon. The most recent Luigi's Mansion installment arrived in 2019, but with LM2 being a remaster of the 2013 Nintendo 3DS hit, we're about to venture back into familiar territory. What's more, Luigi's Mansion 2 HD will have multiplayer potential, whether you want to play online with friends or via local co-op.
SteamWorld Heist 2
Release date: August 8, 2024
SteamWorld Heist 2 is on the way from Thunderful Games and the adventure is upon the high seas this time around. Turn-based gunfights and a world map with real-time ship-to-ship combat await anyone with enough oil (Get it? Because robots) to take it on. Did we mention that's over 150 items/weapons/ship pieces and you can shift your crew around?
Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time
Release date: October 10, 2024
A new game in the Fantasy Life series is set to come to Switch. The last instalment was released on the 3DS and offered up various different job roles with their own set of quests. Fantasy Life i looks set to build on this by letting you create your own city on a ruined island and once again take up an occupation of your choice. With returning characters and the promise of plenty of mystery, it will be interesting to see how this entry shapes up.
ANTONBLAST
Release date: November 12, 2024
Action-platformer ANTONBLAST sees Dynamite Anton or Dynamite Annie (with the Mighty Hammer or Massive Mace, respectively) on a hand-drawn pixel art rampage across wacky worlds in order to get your spirit collection back from the devil. The twist? Once you've finished a level, a timer starts that requires players to rush back to the start before everything blows up.
TBC 2024
Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed
Release date: TBC 2024
Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed is a remake of the classic title by Purple Lamp. As in the original, Mickey Mouse goes on a dangerous journey through the Wasteland with a magical paintbrush. It's unclear just how much has been changed from the original, but it does seem like Mickey will have new moves and even the ability to sprint.
Europa
Release date: TBC 2024
The Zelda-meets-Ghibli 3D action-platformer Europa has captured our imaginations with every single trailer, and now it's been announced for Nintendo Switch. Filled with gorgeous environments and puzzles galore, Europa sees an android named Zee looking into a mystery of a fallen civilization later this year.
Hollow Knight Silksong
Release date: TBC 2024
We know that it's coming, we just don't know when. The wait for Hollow Knight: Silksong has been brutal, but Team Cherry is finally ready to deliver its sequel to one of the best metroidvania games of all-time. The Hollow Knight sequel was first unveiled in 2019, with development reportedly spiralling out of control as the Silksong idea evolved in scope from DLC to full-fledged experience. Here's hoping we get our hands on Hollow Knight: Silksong sooner rather than later.
Metroid Prime 4
Release date: TBC
Metroid Prime 4 has been a long time coming. Announced back in 2017, we've seen nothing more of the sequel to Metroid Prime 3: Corruption since. That's largely because development was rebooted in 2019, with production shifting to Retro Studios – the team responsible for the original Prime trilogy. Still, it's good to know that this game is out there, and set to let us step back into the role of Samus after her journey into hyperspace a decade ago. Expect to be waiting for this one a little while longer.
Professor Layton and the New World of Steam
Release date: TBC
During the February 2023 Nintendo Direct, we got a very brief tease of a new Professor Layton game, which at long last signalled the return of the series. While we don't know too much about the new entry coming to the Switch, we do know that we're set to experience a fresh story filled with puzzles in the new setting of Steam Bison, which is home to advanced steam engines. A mysterious incident is said to draw Layton and Luke there for a new adventure.
Refind Self: The Personality Test Game
Release date: Summer 2024
An android created by a dead doctor looks to figure out who they are and what their creator intended in this adventure game where there is no right or wrong. When all is said and done, the android discovers that they are one of 23 personality types thanks to a variety of different choices in a given playthrough. Refind Self: The Personality Test Game also has a super distinctive look to it as well.
Yars Rising
Release date: TBC 2024
One of the more shocking announcements to come out of a Nintendo showcase is that WayForward and Atari are releasing a side-scrolling anime Metroidvania that's also a new take on the classic Atari title Yars' Revenge. Hacker Emi Kimura must get inside the corporation QoTech for her patron while taking on and taking out robots and aliens in the new game, but there are also retro minigames in it as well.
Yokai Watch 4
Release date: TBC
If you're a Pokemon fan, you probably already know about the Yo-Kai Watch series. It follows a similar format in that you collect critters that also function as your companions as a young kid. In terms of new gameplay features, it introduces a brand new item, called the Yokai Ark, which will let players travel between three worlds that are all set in different time periods, and feature their own protagonist. While it released in Japan back in 2019, there's still no concrete word on a Western release date. We still have our fingers crossed for this one.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A
Release date: TBC 2025
While not terribly much is known about Pokemon Legends: Z-A at this point, it has been announced that it will release for the Nintendo Switch in 2025. Additionally, it's known that it will take place entirely within Lumiose City, which is in the Kalos region, during a major urban redevelopment plan to bring together people and Pokemon in the same place.
