Let me just get this straight: I don’t agree with the concept of the console wars, but for some reason people really like to press this imaginary war between Xbox, PlayStation, and less traditionally, Nintendo.
Let’s pretend for a moment that the console wars are real, because right now Nintendo is absolutely killing the gaming market, and it might be poised to have the best twelve months ever.
While Microsoft and Sony are gearing up for the beginning of the next generation of consoles, Nintendo is doubling down on the Nintendo Switch.
With more exciting titles than ever on the way, and lots of well-established classic games getting revamped and reimagined, the future has never looked brighter for Nintendo.
Let’s take a look at some of the best upcoming Nintendo titles to see if 2019/2020 could be the year Nintendo beats its high-powered competitors.
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening
Let’s face it, there are very few franchises out there that as are loved as The Legend of Zelda.
As one of Nintendo’s oldest and most popular series, the incredibly adaptable Zelda games are always going to be a top-selling Switch title.
September 2019 will see the release of a brand-new take on The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening.
26 years after the original release of the game, Nintendo has created a whole new chibi-esque Zelda world that looks both engaging and adorable.
A guaranteed hit that’s since seen a huge social media following, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening is a sure-fire way for Nintendo to get its claws into the market.
Pokémon Sword and Shield
Pokémon Sword and Shield will be the first new Pokémon games to hit a non-handheld Nintendo console, and they look seriously impressive.
Despite the recent controversy over the news that the games don’t actually include a full Pokedex, you can guarantee that Nintendo will be making some serious $$$ from the titles when they launch in November 2019.
Featuring a whole new region to explore and a whole new roster of Pokémon to capture, there’s going to be no end of fun here for both new and old fans of the franchise.
After all, who can resist Wooloo?!
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
After being announced earlier this year, Nintendo fans couldn’t wait for more information on the next Animal Crossing game.
Unveiled during E3 2019, Animal Crossing: New Horizons is going to bring a whole new lease of life to the much-loved series.
Although it’s seen a bit of a delay and will now be coming in March 2020, this is yet another game that the majority of Switch owners will want to add to their games libraries.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild sequel
This was the definitive moment of E3 2019: when Nintendo stole not only the show, but the whole darn conference by announcing that a sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is in the works.
Admittedly, this isn’t a game we’re going to see anytime soon (especially not in the next 12 months), but it’s a solid indicator of the direction in which Nintendo is headed, and considering that BOTW is one of the most popular games on the Switch, it’s yet another sure-fire success.
Luigi’s Mansion 3
The Luigi’s Mansion series is one that definitely needs more love. Although there’s definitely a devoted and pretty large fanbase for Mario’s often-overlooked brother, they’re not the highest-selling of games.
The Mansion games offer quirky goodness wrapped up in solid gameplay, and though they might not be a Zelda game, Luigi’s Mansion 3 is a mainstay Mario-esque title that’s going to shift copies.
Super Mario Maker 2
The Wii U wasn’t the best idea ever, but it did have some very cool titles, including the likes of Super Mario Maker.
The game offered pretty much limitless creative ability, and even to this day there’s fan-created Mario levels that have never been beaten.
Super Mario Maker 2 is ppealing to both casual Mario fans and the hardcore players of yesteryear, and there’s a huge number of people who missed their chance to play the first game on the Wii U.
The upcoming sequel, which is out next month, is going to be one of Nintendo’s best-sellers of 2019.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Rumoured to be headed to the Nintendo Switch for a long time, many doubted that the console would be able to run the likes of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.
However, it turned out to be correct as yet another surprise confirmation dropped during E3 2019:The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt will be headed to the Switch later this year.
Even those who’ve played the game are still looking forward to a portable version, and it’s a title that I’ll definitely be getting – even if it’s going to (probably) cost the same as a brand new release.
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order
Although Square Enix’s upcoming Avengers game is on everyone’s lips right now, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order is one Nintendo Switch exclusive that shouldn’t be overlooked.
From what we’ve seen so far, this is looking like an absolute gem of a game, and it’s already got itself a pretty solid following that’ll see a huge boost for Nintendo.
While Sony and Microsoft look towards the future, Nintendo is hard at work solidifying its line-up of Switch games in a move that’s not only less risky, but also incredibly exciting for fans.
It can take time for companies to make money in the months and even years following a hardware launch, so whether or not you think Nintendo is killing it in the games industry right now, it’s more likely than ever that they’ll be raking in some serious profit – especially when compared to its competitors.
What’s your opinion on Nintendo’s line-up for the coming months? It’s definitely looking stronger than most of the offerings from Sony and Microsoft right now, but let’s wait and see…
Featured Image Credit: Microsoft/Nintendo/Sony