Nintendo’s highlights of 2024

As a lifelong Nintendo enthusiast who has witnessed the evolution of their consoles since the days of the NES, I can confidently say that 2024 was a truly exceptional year for the gaming giant. The combination of classic remakes, innovative indie games, and fresh takes on beloved franchises made this year a veritable treasure trove for gamers young and old.

To begin with, I must admit that, despite some impressive releases, this year might not have been particularly revolutionary for the Nintendo Switch. Absent were blockbusters like Super Mario Odyssey and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Instead, we’ve been keeping an eye on tidbits about the upcoming console from Nintendo. Could it be the Nintendo Switch 2, the Super Nintendo Switch, or perhaps something entirely unexpected, as is often the case with Nintendo? At this point, no one can say for certain. However, we should know more within the next few months.

For the moment, let’s zero in on what made 2024 a fantastic year for the Nintendo Switch, despite it being near the end of its life. The iconic characters Princess Peach and Zelda each took center stage in their respective games. Furthermore, PlayStation and Xbox introduced intriguing games to the Switch this year. Moreover, there was no dearth of Mario games, either updating classic titles or restarting old series. Despite being on its last legs, the Nintendo Switch remains robust, with potential to surpass the PlayStation 2 as the best-selling console ever in the coming years. However, it’s clear that the Nintendo Switch has been outselling contemporary consoles, outperforming the PlayStation 5 by more than eighty million units and the Xbox Series X & S by over one hundred million.

It seems that the Nintendo Switch is approaching its final year as the leading Nintendo console, given its impressive sales and outstanding game library. Among the remarkable games it has produced are titles such as “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild & Tears of the Kingdom”, “Super Mario Odyssey”, “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate”, “Animal Crossing: New Horizons”, “Super Mario Maker 2”, “Pikmin 4”, “Metroid Dread”, “Luigi’s Mansion 3”, “Bayonetta 3”, and “Kirby and the Forgotten Land”. As we eagerly await what the coming year may bring, let’s take a moment to appreciate another fantastic year for Nintendo gaming.

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

This year, it wasn’t anticipated that a new Zelda game would be released. For instance, Tears of the Kingdom, unveiled in the summer of 2019, didn’t make its way to the Switch until 2023. Unlike Tears of the Kingdom, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom doesn’t encompass the same expansive open-world scope, but it was released approximately four months following its announcement. To everyone’s delight, Echoes of Wisdom turned out to be Nintendo’s most thrilling surprise of the year.

In the most recent installment of the “Legend of Zelda” series, several distinctive aspects stood out. To begin with, unlike previous versions, this game features Zelda as the main character instead of Link. Secondly, it revived the top-down visual style reminiscent of “Link’s Awakening”, which was last seen in 2019. Lastly, although it doesn’t offer the same degree of open-world exploration as “Tears of the Kingdom”, it almost equals its ingenuity by incorporating items discovered within the game. While players could construct intricate devices with anything they found in “Tears of the Kingdom”, “Echoes of Wisdom” lets Zelda replicate nearly any item she encounters, even including enemies, thereby introducing a new dimension of creativity to solve puzzles and conquer dungeons that 2D “Zelda” games hadn’t seen before.

Following the extraordinary heights reached by “Breath of the Wild” and “Tears of the Kingdom,” it’s thrilling to think that there’s still plenty of potential for creativity in the next 3D “Zelda” game. Though I can’t predict what Nintendo has up their sleeve, I have faith that they’ll continue to surprise us with inventive ideas we wouldn’t expect. If you haven’t dived into “Echoes of Wisdom” yet, you’re missing out on a truly distinctive addition to the “Legend of Zelda” series in recent times.

Super Mario Party Jamboree

Best Family Game and Best Multiplayer Game. Despite the fact that Mario Party games are generally fun, it’s clear that Super Mario Party Jamboree delivers a lot more than the typical installment in the series.

In Super Mario Party Jamboree, players have the freedom to customize game rules like never before, even incorporating “Pro Rules” which include limited stock for item stores, disclosure of the bonus star category at the start of the game, and allowing players to vote on mini-games rather than selecting them randomly. Each of the innovative game boards features unique elements that inject excitement and strategy into what might otherwise be a repetitive circuit, while even the returning classic boards have been revamped to align with these new concepts.

Typically, you can’t make a mistake when choosing a game from the Mario Party series. It offers one of the most entertaining multiplayer experiences in gaming, and the latest version, Super Mario Party Jamboree, is the best the Switch has to offer. Both long-time fans and newcomers have enjoyed plenty of fun this year.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

This year’s outstanding Nintendo Switch remake was none other than Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, a reimagining of the 2004 GameCube classic from two decades ago. This remake garnered the highest reviews among all Nintendo games this year, scoring an 88 on Metacritic against its closest competitor, Echoes of Wisdom, which earned an 85. Remaking a game that was already excellent is quite an achievement, but it’s even more impressive to see a game from two decades past transformed so seamlessly into modern gaming platforms.

As a gamer diving back into this classic title, I’ve got to say that while there isn’t an overwhelming amount of fresh content, the game has been polished up with stunning new artwork and character voices that truly shine. It’s a fantastic chance for today’s gamers who missed out on it when it first came out in 2004 to experience this gem for the first time.

Pokemon TCG Pocket

It’s not surprising that the mobile version of the Pokemon trading card game has become so popular, but it’s impressive just how successful it’s been. In its debut weekend alone, Pokemon TCG Pocket managed to rake in twelve million dollars from players. What makes this even more astonishing is that the game is free and offers two free packs daily. The game even surpassed earnings of other popular mobile games like Pokemon GO and Pokemon Unite, becoming a significant success for Nintendo and The Pokémon Company in the year following the release of a major Pokemon video game since 2015.

The Pokémon TCG Pocket app simplifies the classic trading card game for mobile play. Players can engage in battles with friends, challenge others online, and complete solo missions designed by the game. However, collecting cards is the main attraction! Users receive a pack containing five cards every twelve hours just by using the app. A premium subscription offers an additional daily pack. It’s worth noting that some players are spending money to open more packs.

Princess Peach: Showtime!

This year, Princess Peach stepped into the limelight, leaving behind tales of being kidnapped by Bowser and saved by Mario, in the game Princess Peach: Showtime! The stage was set theatrically, with the princess showcasing a range of abilities granted by diverse costumes. In her Cowgirl outfit, she donned full Western attire, employing a lasso to draw enemies and items closer. As a Ninja, she swiftly traversed the stage, using scrolls to conceal herself in tall grass. However, not every costume equipped Peach with offensive capabilities, demonstrating that there’s more to this game than simply battling adversaries.

Despite not garnering the top critical acclaim this year, Princess Peach: Showtime! was still recognized with a nomination for Best Family Game at The Game Awards, alongside several other Nintendo titles. Similar to other popular Mario characters who have headlined their own series, Princess Peach boasts a large fanbase and immense potential. Unfortunately, the last game she led as the main character was Super Princess Peach, released back in 2005. Here’s hoping that the upcoming title featuring Princess Peach won’t keep fans waiting another nineteen years for its release.

Mario & Luigi: Brothership

Among the Mario RPGs listed here, the unexpected rejuvenation of the Mario & Luigi series is Mario & Luigi: Brothership. Unlike remakes of earlier games, this title is a fresh addition to the series, which debuted with Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga in 2003. What makes this installment stand out is that it’s the first one designed for home console play, as opposed to just handheld devices. While the Switch can be taken back and forth, the improved visuals and use of cinematic cutscenes make playing on a larger screen more enjoyable.

The nine-year wait for a potential comeback of this RPG series must have been quite a stretch for fans. Here’s hoping that Nintendo hasn’t overlooked it and we can anticipate further cooperative adventures featuring the Mario brothers, either on the Switch or its upcoming successor console.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong

It turns out that Paper Mario wasn’t the only Mario series to receive an update for a game that’s two decades old. This year saw the launch of Mario vs. Donkey Kong, a remake of the original Gameboy Advance version from 2004. The rivalry between these characters goes way back, all the way to Mario’s debut in a video game (which predated his famous name and was known as “Jumpman”) in 1981’s Donkey Kong. Unlike jumping over barrels or climbing ladders to save a damsel in distress, Mario vs. Donkey Kong puts these adversaries head-to-head in a collection of platforming challenges centered around toy versions of Mario.

The recently released version of “Mario vs. Donkey Kong” offers a wealth of fresh content, making it an attractive return for those who played the initial release, while also serving as an exceptional starting point for newcomers. Although the puzzles may not present much difficulty for seasoned players, they ensure that this game remains accessible to players across all skill levels and age groups. Despite being in its eighth year, the Nintendo Switch remains the top console choice for family-friendly gaming.

Xbox Game Studios on Switch: Grounded, Pentiment

Instead of focusing too much on other gaming consoles, let’s discuss an intriguing year Xbox Studios has had with its games appearing on various platforms. In April, the live service game “Sea of Thieves” was introduced to PlayStation, and it’s been announced that “Indiana Jones and The Great Circle” will also debut there in 2025. However, it wasn’t just about PlayStation. This year saw the arrival of “Grounded,” a live-service game from Obsidian Entertainment (known for games like “Fallout: New Vegas” and “The Outer Worlds”), on Nintendo Switch. “Grounded,” the game where you survive as a miniature human in a backyard, initially launched in Early Access in 2020, reaching version 1.0 in 2022. It’s worth noting that for games like these, which rely on a steady player base to stay active, releasing on new platforms can be quite beneficial.

Another game from Obsidian Entertainment, titled “Pentiment,” was released for the Nintendo Switch this year. Unlike the primarily multiplayer-centric “Grounded,” “Pentiment” places the player as a master artist in an historic European town, navigating scandals, murders, and other mysteries. This release on the Nintendo Switch arrives approximately two years following its original launch on PC and Xbox platforms. It’s thrilling to witness major studios like Xbox re-introducing their games to new audiences through the Nintendo console. Here’s hoping this trend persists in the future!

PlayStation Studios on Switch: LEGO Horizon Adventures

While Xbox may have introduced a few games from their back catalog on the Switch at later dates, Sony’s PlayStation Studios outdid them by taking cross-platform releases to a new level. This year, Guerrilla Games, renowned for creating PlayStation exclusives like Horizon: Zero Dawn and Horizon: Forbidden West, released LEGO Horizon Adventures. Remarkably, this game was made available on both the PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch simultaneously.

The game, initially launched, garnered a mix of reactions, yet boasted an awe-inspiring visual design and a humorous, innovative spin on the storyline from the Horizon series. Such a launch is uncommon for a title developed by a PlayStation studio. Intriguingly, it was during a year when PlayStation’s Astro Bot, a 3D platformer clearly influenced by Mario, won Game of the Year. It’s thrilling to ponder what more innovative concepts PlayStation could be planning, and if they might also appear on the Nintendo Switch.

Indie Games on Switch: Balatro, Animal Well, Another Crab’s Treasure, and more

2024 continued to prove that the Nintendo Switch is an exceptional console for indie games. The abundance of excellent independent titles in 2024 was remarkable, and it’s comforting to know this trend persists. For instance, Balatro, a game that captivated the world earlier this year by winning three Game Awards, stood out at the awards ceremony. Similarly, games like Animal Well and Another Crab’s Treasure had their shining moments, made even brighter by their release on the portable console. On a personal note, I found myself playing Balatro more on the Switch than anywhere else, and I was grateful for the opportunity to download Animal Well just before a long cross-country flight.

Apart from the fantastic indie games you’ve already mentioned, there are numerous others that truly shine on the Nintendo console. For example, games such as “Neva”, “The Plucky Squire”, and “Little Kitty Big City” seem tailor-made for the Nintendo system. When it comes to the Switch, games like “Balatro”, “Shogun Showdown”, and “Dicefolk” are perfect for its portable nature. This year alone, launching on Switch has made it possible for more people to experience exceptional narratives such as “Arco”, “Lorelei and the Laser Eyes”, and “1000xResist”. There are countless other titles worth mentioning, including brief games like “Thank Goodness You’re Here!” and games featuring charming cat characters like Pluto in “Crypt Custodian”. However, I might ramble on if I continue.

Conclusion

2024 was an exceptional year for Nintendo, especially considering it might be the final full year of the Nintendo Switch. Reflecting on it now, there are numerous reasons that make me reminisce fondly. This year saw the return of classic games from yesteryears (like reimagined versions of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door and Mario vs. Donkey Kong), delivered one of the standout multiplayer games of the year (Super Mario Party Jamboree), revived the beloved Mario RPG franchise with the release of Mario & Luigi: Brothership, and put two traditionally supporting characters, Princess Peach and Zelda, in the spotlight (with games like Princess Peach: Showtime! and The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom). Although The Pokémon Company didn’t release a console game this year, it continued to dominate mobile gaming with the popular launch of Pokémon TCG Pocket instead.

2024 is wrapping up, and Nintendo enthusiasts are already peering towards the upcoming year with anticipation. After years of laborious development, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is slated for release in 2025. The beloved Pokémon Legends series will resurface again as Pokémon Legends: ZA. However, much remains shrouded in mystery regarding what the next Nintendo console might be. Will it debut before the end of 2026? Which games will accompany its launch? Perhaps a fresh installment of Mario Kart? Maybe a new 3D Mario game? Will it be an upgraded Switch or an entirely novel concept? For now, we can only speculate as we wait for more details to emerge.

2024-12-23 17:03