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Nintendo Switch: All the games you'll get at launch (and beyond)

You'll get to play a brand-new sandbox Mario title on the new convertible console toward the end of 2017.

Michelle Starr
Michelle Starr is CNET's science editor, and she hopes to get you as enthralled with the wonders of the universe as she is. When she's not daydreaming about flying through space, she's daydreaming about bats.
Patrick Holland Managing Editor
Patrick Holland has been a phone reviewer for CNET since 2016. He is a former theater director who occasionally makes short films. Patrick has an eye for photography and a passion for everything mobile. He is a colorful raconteur who will guide you through the ever-changing, fast-paced world of phones, especially the iPhone and iOS. He used to co-host CNET's I'm So Obsessed podcast and interviewed guests like Jeff Goldblum, Alfre Woodard, Stephen Merchant, Sam Jay, Edgar Wright and Roy Wood Jr.
Expertise Apple, iPhone, iOS, Android, Samsung, Sony, Google, Motorola, interviews, coffee equipment, cats Credentials
  • Patrick's play The Cowboy is included in the Best American Short Plays 2011-12 anthology. He co-wrote and starred in the short film Baden Krunk that won the Best Wisconsin Short Film award at the Milwaukee Short Film Festival.
Michelle Starr
Patrick Holland
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1 of 28 Nintendo

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Hold onto your seats: After a long delay, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is finally dropping -- on Nintendo Switch launch day, March 3.

2 of 28

1-2-Switch

Using one Joy-Con controller each, players engage in gunfight duels with each other anywhere without needing to look at the screen. 1-2-Switch will be available on March 3.

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3 of 28 Nintendo

Just Dance 2017

If you pick up a Nintendo Switch and are just too excited to hide it, Just Dance 2017 will give you the chance to boogie it out. Just Dance for the Switch will be available at launch.

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4 of 28 Nintendo

Snipperclips

Snipperclips is an all-ages action puzzle game. It features paper friends Snip and Clip whom you cut into different shapes to overcome obstacles. For example, cut Snip into the shape of a pin to pop balloons. Snipperclips can be played with up to four players and is available on March 3.

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5 of 28 Nintendo/YouTube

Super Bomberman R

The classic Bomberman formula will be reborn on the Switch on March 3 as Super Bomberman R.

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6 of 28 Nintendo

Fast RMX

Fast RMX puts you in the seat of a futuristic anti-gravity vehicle as you race through sci-fi landscapes and challenges. You can play locally between three people or online with seven other people. The game is available on March 3.

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7 of 28 Nintendo

I am Setsuna

I Am Setsuna is a Japanese role-playing game where you play as Setsuna as she tries to save the people of her land. This games has a throwback style of storytelling and play. It's available March 3.

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8 of 28 Nintendo

Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment

In Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment you play as a Specter Knight who serves at the command of the Enchantress. You're sent on a quest to recruit knights using nothing more than your scythe and preternatural agility. This prequel to Shovel Knight is available March 3.

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9 of 28 Nintendo

Skylanders Imaginators

Skylanders Imaginators is all about battling the evil doings of Kaos and his minions (not the yellow ones). You battle Kaos by using your imagination to create an army of Skylanders. The game will be available March 3.

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10 of 28 Nintendo/YouTube

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe features all of the original games' content and DLC, along with an expanded character roster, a revamped Battle Mode and a Smart Steering function. The release date is currently April 28.

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11 of 28 Nintendo

Arms

A surprise announcement during the Switch presentation, Arms looks like a dynamic mix of Punch-Out!! and Wii Sports' boxing. Arms is set for release in spring 2017.

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12 of 28 Nintendo

Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers

There was plenty of action at Nintendo's press conference, but there weren't many brawlers. Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers will bring some one-on-one fighting to the Switch. New to the game are Evil Ryu and Violent Ken, who will be able to fight on your Switch starting May 26.

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13 of 28 Nintendo

Splatoon 2

2015's paint-based third-person shooter Splatoon was originally launched on Wii U. In the sequel, Splatoon 2, launching on Nintendo Switch, you can use the Joy-Con's gyro controls to aim your ink, engaging in multiplayer brawls online or bringing Switch consoles together for local multiplayer. It's going to be launched sometime in the northern hemisphere's summer.

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14 of 28

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Portable Skyrim? Yes please. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim will be occupying your Switch sometime this fall.

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15 of 28 Nintendo

Super Mario Odyssey

For the first time since Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Sunshine, Mario is going on a large, open-world adventure in Super Mario Odyssey. Our favorite plumber has a strange hat with eyes and special abilities that are exclusive to the Nintendo Switch (what they are will be revealed). Super Mario Odyssey will be released in the holiday season of 2017.

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16 of 28 Nintendo/YouTube

Sonic Project 2017

Little is known about Sega's next Sonic game called Sonic Project 2017, other than it being scheduled for release in 2017, and that it will be hitting the Xbox One and PS4 as well as the Switch.

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17 of 28 Nintendo/YouTube

Xenoblade Chronicles 2

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is set in an enormous, lush world. Its release date is yet to be announced.

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18 of 28 Nintendo/YouTube

Fire Emblem Warriors

Not much is known about Fire Emblem Warriors, though chances are the game follows in the footsteps of Hyrule Warriors, combining the gameplay of Koei Techmo's Dynasty Warriors series with an established Nintendo IP. The release date is unknown.

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19 of 28 Nintendo/YouTube

Minecraft and Minecraft: The Story Mode

Another console, another Minecraft. The Switch will get both its own version of the wildly popular game and a version of Minecraft: The Story Mode. Neither game has a release date at this time.

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20 of 28 Atlus

Shin Megami Tensei

The Shin Megami Tensei title for Nintendo Switch is still in development and doesn't have a release date at this time.

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21 of 28 Ubisoft

Rayman Legends: Definitive Edition

Rayman Legends was a hit when it was first released in 2013, and now Ubisoft is bringing an updated version, Rayman Legends: Definitive Edition, to Nintendo's new console. No release window has been given for this old-school platformer.

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22 of 28 Square Enix

Project Octopath Traveller

A new JRPG from Square Enix currently in development, Project Octopath Traveler looks to hearken back to the original Final Fantasy games that gave the developer its fame.

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23 of 28 Square Enix

Dragon Quest X

The most recent Dragon Quest MMORPG from Square Enix was launched in 2012. So far, it's only be confirmed for Japanese release on the Nintendo Switch.

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24 of 28 Square Enix

Dragon Quest XI

Role-playing game Dragon Quest XI will be launched this year for Nintendot 3DS and PlayStation 4. The Nintendo Switch release has only been confirmed for Japan.

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25 of 28 Nintendo

Unnamed No More Heroes title

Grasshopper Manufacture's Suda51 announced a new, as yet untitled game starring No More Heroes protagonist Travis Touchdown. A release date is yet to be confirmed.

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26 of 28 Nintendo

FIFA

Patrick Soderlund of EA announced that the upcoming Nintendo Switch FIFA title would be "the most immersive, social and authentic sports game ever created for Nintendo players." A release date is yet to be announced.

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27 of 28 Ubisoft

Steep

Steep was released just a few months ago, in November, for the PS4 and Xbox One. Nintendo diehards won't have to miss out on the action though, as the game will also hit the Switch. When? Ubisoft hasn't said yet.

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28 of 28 Nintendo/YouTube

Puyo Puyo Tetris

Puyo Puyo. Tetris. The two classics are joining forces on the Switch, with a release date TBD.

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