Nintendo E3 2017: What Switch Games Will Nintendo Reveal?

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Believe it or not, E3 2017 is actually not that far away: this year’s iteration of the grandest gaming expo runs from June 13 to June 15. That’s just over two months away and this year’s going to be a big one—for Microsoft with Scorpio, for Nintendo with Switch, and for Sony with all sorts of things. With a new console off to a strong early start, Nintendo probably has the most on the line. What new Switch games will the company reveal to keep the console’s momentum going?

Nintendo Switch Games E3 2017: The New Games We’re Most Likely To See

'Super Mario Odyssey' is coming to the Nintendo Switch this holiday season.
'Super Mario Odyssey' is coming to the Nintendo Switch this holiday season. Nintendo

First off, Nintendo has a lot of games that have already been announced for it to tout at E3 2017. Most notable among these are Splatoon 2 (if it doesn’t come out earlier in the summer, which it well may), Super Mario Odyssey , Fire Emblem Warriors , and probably Xenoblade Chronicles 2 . Chances are, Mario will be the big focus this year, but with luck, we’ll get some big announcements for 2018 or later to look forward to. Here are some likely options.

Metroid Switch—Or Whatever That Retro Studios Game Is
The Metroid series will return when Nintendo is good and ready, and not a second before. (Image: Nintendo of America)
The Metroid series will return when Nintendo is good and ready, and not a second before. (Image: Nintendo of America)

Metroid Prime and Donkey Kong Country Returns developer Retro Studios has been working on a flagship, AAA-title for Nintendo since early 2014. It probably was for the Wii U once upon a time; now, it’s certainly for the Nintendo Switch. And it’s high time to announce the game. Chances are very good that it is, in fact, a new Metroid game… and the revival of that series would definitely ramp up excitement for the Nintendo Switch among more serious gamers. It’s not a sure bet—these things never are—but it’s definitely pretty likely to show up at E3 2017.

That New Pokémon Game

Gary and his Eevee in the 'Pokemon' anime.
Gary and his Eevee in the 'Pokemon' anime. Pokemon Company

We know Game Freak is working on a big new Pokémon game for the Nintendo Switch, and chances are relatively good that it might be one of the Holy Grails of gaming— the first console-based full-fledged Pokémon RPG. This is probably the Nintendo Switch’s ultimate system-seller (well, maybe behind Breath of the Wild), and even if it’s years away from being ready, Nintendo would do very well to announce the game for the Nintendo Switch this year. The only downside: Announcing a flagship Pokémon RPG for the Switch sort of signals that the Nintendo 3DS is on its way out. That seems obvious enough to most of us, but Nintendo wants to keep its other handheld alive for as long as it can even though development has largely moved on.

A Big Third-Party Game

All we know about the release of Red Dead Redemption 2 is that it is slated for this Fall.
All we know about the release of Red Dead Redemption 2 is that it is slated for this Fall. Rockstar Games Twitter

A big third-party game for the Nintendo Switch could be a real coup if announced at E3 2017. The Switch already is getting a few exciting third-party games, like the years-old Skyrim, but the system’s early success and warm reception may bring other developers on board. Imagine the effect the announcement of a major AAA game could have on the Switch. Whether it’s a port of a recent game— Final Fantasy XV, The Witcher 3 ?—or an upcoming flagship like Red Dead Redemption 2 , a new Battlefield, or Assassin’s Creed—a big announcement like that would show Nintendo’s commitment to building up a strong and diverse game library. That alone would sell a lot of Switches. And the bonus ability to play those games on the go would make them compelling in a way that half-assed Wii U ports weren’t.

Breath of the Wild DLC

Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. (c) Nintendo

Okay, it’s not a new game entirely, but Nintendo is likely to announce its full plans for Breath of the Wild DLC at E3 2017. We know we’re getting a hard mode early on, and eventually a new dungeon, but details so far are scant. Breath of the Wild is still far and away the most exciting thing about the Nintendo Switch, so unveiling the DLC plan at E3 2017 is a no-brainer of a way to bring back that excitement.

We’ll probably learn a lot of details about other smaller games coming to the Nintendo Switch, like Minecraft and Stardew Valley. Any other big games you hope to see announced for the Switch at E3 2017?

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