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My Top 10 Must-Have Nintendo Switch Games Of 2021

View my essential list of top Nintendo Switch games of 2021 everyone should play.

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A giant pink boy licking an ice cream cone (wariorware get it together screenshot)
A giant pink boy licking an ice cream cone (wariorware get it together screenshot)

Today, I want to share with you my top 10 most anticipated Nintendo Switch games releasing in 2021.

The essential Nintendo Switch games you need to know about includes many remastered and remade titles from the past. That includes Diablo 2 Resurrected, Advance Wars 1 + 2: Re-Boot Camp, Pokemon Brilliant Diamond, Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania, and more.

Nintendo Switch’s slate of games releasing throughout 2021 definitely speaks to longtime Nintendo fans.

If you haven’t played a game on this list, however, you’re in for a treat and get to experience classic games for the very first time.

Now let’s get to my most anticipated games of the year!


If you are interested in checking out the most popular Nintendo Switch games, you can find them by clicking here.


My Top 10 Must-Have Nintendo Switch Games Of 2021

There are so many games coming to the Nintendo Switch in 2021 that it can be hard to keep track of them all let alone the very best.

That’s why I’m sharing my 10 must-have Nintendo Switch games for 2021.

This is an essential list filled with nostalgia for long-time Nintendo fans (like myself) and unmissable new experiences for first time players.

From strategy, sports, and horror to racing, puzzle, and multiplayer experiences, there is something for every Nintendo Switch owner to enjoy all year long.


10) Diablo 2 Resurrected

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What is Diablo 2 Resurrected And Why I’m Excited:

Diablo 2 Resurrected is a HD remaster of the action dungeon-crawler hack and slash game, Diablo 2.

I love dungeon crawlers.

These are games that focus on controlling a powerful character with the goal of traversing dungeons, large winding maps filled with countless enemies to bash, and loot to gather. Fun times.

And Diablo 2 Resurrected looks to be very fun indeed.

The original Diablo 2 is widely acclaimed and praised as being one of the best dungeon crawling, hack-and-slash games out there. Which is why a modern upgraded version is very much appreciated.

Personally, I enjoyed playing Diablo 3 for tons of hours on my Nintendo Switch both solo and cooperatively and I cannot wait to get my hands on its remade predecessor.


9) Mario Party Superstars

What is Mario Party Superstars And Why I’m Excited:

Mario Party Superstars is my childhood come to life.

This is the newest digital board game in the popular long-running Mario Party series but with a unique premise: all boards and mini-games included in the game are complied from the first three entries on the Nintendo 64.

Classic shenanigans return as a nostalgia trip for those like me who originally played the Nintendo 64 Mario Party entries while new players will get to enjoy a host of returning favorites for the first time.


8) Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water

What is Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water And Why I’m Excited:

As a horror fan, Fatal Frame has always been a series I wanted to play. And Maiden of Black Water is the best way to do so on modern consoles.

The Fatal Frame series, along with Maiden of Black Water, usually focuses on Japanese girls of school age confronted by ghosts who must capture the specters by using the Camera Obscura.

A camera capable of fighting ghosts.

Maiden of Black Water continues the series’ ghost-fighting tradition and is a port of the Nintendo Wii U game about solving the mystery of deaths connected to a suicide forest.


7) WarioWare: Get It Together!

What is WarioWare: Get It Together! And Why I’m Excited:

One of my favorite, silliest Game Boy Advance series returns in WarioWare: Get It Together!

This latest entry continues the series’ absurd fun by providing over 200 microgames to play that each last seconds.

The goal is to react fast and complete each microgame. This is the perfect game to play in short bursts, between larger game play sessions, or during game nights.

Get It Together! includes new features such as a 2 player story mode, cooperative play for up to 4 players, and character specific traits that allow you to play each microgame in a unique manner.


6) Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl

What is Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl And Why I’m Excited:

Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are remakes of the very first Nintendo DS Pokemon games, games that take me back to my college days when I played the original Diamond for hours on end.

Now the fun can be had again (or for the first time if you haven’t played them before) in the remastered versions with high definition visuals that tells the original story of becoming a Pokemon master in the nature-filled Sinnoh region.

Modern Pokemon series features have been added to make the game more accessible to all players while each version includes the same Pokemon their original counterparts did.


5) Cruis’n Blast

What is Cruis’n Blast And Why I’m Excited:

Cruis’n Blast is another nostalgia trip, blast-from-the-past (pun intended).

The Cruis’n’ series is a fast-paced arcade racing series my family used to play on the Nintendo 64.

And Cruis’n’ Blast is a modern version of the beloved racing series formerly exclusive to arcades but is now coming to the Nintendo Switch.

This entry includes close to 30 surreal racing tracks to experience, over 20 vehicles to select, and 4 player split-screen play.

Those new to the Cruis’n series will enjoy the fast-paced races, arcade gameplay, colorful visuals, and energetic soundtrack.


4) Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania

What is Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania And Why I’m Excited:

Super Monkey Ball is one of the first games I ever played for Nintendo GameCube, and I still have the second entry on my gaming shelf even to this day.

I’m very excited for Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania. This is an HD remastered compilation of the first two acclaimed entries of the Super Monkey Ball franchise I enjoyed during the early 2000s.

Players maneuver through over 300 unique stages, rolling monkeys through maze-like areas with the goal of reaching each stage’s goal post.

Four player cooperative play and a dozen mini-games are also included.

Fans of the original releases can relive these classics while new players get to enjoy all of the monkey rolling fun for the very first time.


3) Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1 + 2

What is Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1 + 2 And Why I’m Excited:

Having the first two Tony Hawk Pro Skater entries re-released on the Nintendo Switch in their definitive forms brings back youthful memories of fun afternoons spent digital skateboarding.

Tony Hawk 1 + 2 includes both original games with modern visuals and an enhanced soundtrack that brings back classic tracks while adding new songs.

Skate in various iconic levels, complete challenging objectives, perform dozens of exciting tricks and combos, and strive for high scores alone or with a friend in split-screen cooperative play once again or for the first time.


2) Advance Wars 1 + 2: Re-Boot Camp

What is Advance Wars 1 + 2: Re-Boot Camp And Why I’m Excited:

Advance Wars 1 + 2: Re-Boot Camp is yet another nostalgia trip, compiling two of my favorite Game Boy Advance games ever made into one package.

This remake combines Advance Wars 1 and 2 with 3D visuals instead of 2D, cooperative play, and modernized controls.

Players take the role of Commanding Officers then head into a grid battlefield to wage war with an opposing force.

Dozens of missions across both games are included in this stellar strategy compilation.


1) Metroid Dread

What is Metroid Dread And Why I’m Excited:

Metroid is one of my favorite gaming series (I beat 5 Metroid games over the course of just a few months throughout 2017) which is why Metroid Dread is my most anticipated game of 2021.

Metroid Dread is the first new 2D Metroid game in nearly 20 years and is officially the fifth game in the series.

Players take control of series protagonist Samus Aran as she traverses underground labyrinths and caves.

Gain power ups and avoid dreaded robots patrolling hallways and watching her every move.

I, for one, am looking forward to experiencing and surviving the sense of isolation and dread when Metroid Dread releases.


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(Screenshots taken by me. Images sourced from product pages, websites, or social media and are credited appropriately. Logos, images, etc. belong to their respective owners. All information current at time of publication.)

SOURCE: Nintendo Website

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Wally GX

Writer, creator Bucket List Games

Bucket List Games