The Nintendo Switch is lining up to be the companies most successful console in years, becoming the fastest selling U.S. console in history. Fans are clearly falling in love with the hybrid and it has the game catalogue to back it up, setting the Nintendo community on fire.
This fire is only accelerated by the multiple leaks and rumors that are circulating in 2020, the most compelling being the gossip about a new console. Fans have been waiting to hear about the update to the Switch since 2019 when a report claimed a beefed up version was in the works. Combined with the highly anticipated game releases that are coming up, 2021 is looking promising for fans.
10 4K Ready Games
Anyone paying attention to the Nintendo news will have heard about the rumor that they’re asking for 4k support for new releases. This isn’t only exciting because of the crystal clear graphics fans will be enjoying but it also hints heavily to an upgraded Switch model.
Something that the gaming community has been wondering about for a while, the Switch Pro or Switch 2 is just waiting for an announcement. The CEO of Nintendo, Shuntaro Furukawa, has stated that there will not be a new model in 2020, leading fans to the 2021 release date.
9 Controller Design
Discovered through a patent that Nintendo filed in 2018, the new design for the controller has some drastic changes. Not looking too different visually, the key difference is in the attachments on the sides. No longer being able to attach to the handheld console.
This might indicate that the new model is going in an entirely different direction, not offering the handheld feature it’s so known for. The upgraded hardware and HD graphics also push towards an at home powerhouse that will more directly compete with Xbox and PlayStation consoles.
8 Ninja Gaiden Trilogy
Game Source Entertainment recently put out a listing for the Sigma duet and the third, Razor’s Edge to be released for both Playstation and Nintendo Switch. Exciting news for Nintendo fans of the series, the release date was set for March 2021.
If the listing is accurate, it will be Nintendo players first look at a current Ninja Gaiden game in years. With such a massive series coming to the Switch, it will need the hardware to support it and the graphics to support such a visually appealing game.
7 Internal Storage Upgrade
One of the biggest issues now that some of the bigger games are moving to the Switch is storage space. The current model only supports 32GB of internal storage, some of which is used up by the system itself. Many players have resorted to MicroSD cards to give them a boost.
Other consoles that the Switch looks to compete with boast well over 10 times its capacity and with the look to move away from portable, they’re going to have to step up the hard drive. While it’s still not close to the heavy hitters, it will allow fans some room to breathe.
6 Metroid Prime 4
Even though some fans are expecting it to come October 2020, many speculate that this will be blown past into 2021. The project being scrapped back in January of 2019 due to insufficient results has put a big halt to progress, leaving fans hanging in suspense for years.
The good news is that they’re obviously being very careful with this release and have even hired Dylan Jobe to the project, an industry heavy hitter. Having worked on COD, Warhawk, and Doom in the past, it’s put a lot of momentum behind a once discarded project.
5 Zelda’s 35th Anniversary
Trademarks for a new Zelda game have been placed from Nintendo, leaving the community itching for an announcement. The 35th year anniversary falls in 2021 and fans are expecting something big, especially since Super Mario’s 3D All-Stars was announced.
Spending 35 years at the top of the video game charts is no easy feat and even though Zelda has redone a fair few of the legendary titles already, a package re-release would create a massive wave of interest from those that have supported it along the way.
4 Health Tracking Device
With the Switch currently having quite a collection of fitness games including Just Dance 2020, it’s no surprise that they would look to have a console compatible health tracking device. The patent is out and it’s features range from sleep quality to mood detection.
How this will be accomplished is to be determined but the device does dock in the same way as the Switch and would even link up to the player’s microphone. For those that love both fitness and gaming, it’s an exciting development that would be unique to Nintendo.
3 Breath Of The Wild 2
With Hyrule Warriors: Age Of Calamity being announced for November 20th, the rabid Zelda fans have been appeased for now. Still, Breath Of The Wild hasn’t had many major updates since it was announced and continues to remain in the shadows as far as progress.
This leads fans to believe 2021 will be a more realistic release date and the anticipation is boiling. The first game being such an open-world experience, it’s understandable that production would take its time to make it better than the first.
2 Fire Emblem Remake
Ever since the highly successful launch of Three Houses, Fire Emblem fans have been busy with all the new content in the form of DLC’s being released for the RPG. However, game developers know all too well that even in the wake of a massive victory, the mob is always looking for the next title.
With such a long history, Fire Emblem has a library of older games to choose from for a great remake. All the hype oozing off the new release, it’s the perfect opportunity to showcase some of their hits to all the new fans brought in by the current game.
1 Mario Kart 9
Initially rumored to be released at the end of 2020, the game seems to have been pushed back until 2021. After everything that has happened in 2020, any number of reasons could be given for the delay. Mario Kart is such a huge title that it’s unlikely they’d want to take any chances.
Thought to have a big number of Nintendo characters to join the crew, some have even taken to naming it Nintendo Kart. Either way, fans always welcome a new Mario title with open arms as it’s very rare that the party titles disappoint.
NEXT: 10 Best Triple-A Games For Nintendo Switch (2019)
