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Since the Switch hit shelves in March 2017 Nintendo’s machine has gone from strength to strength, pulling gamers in with its unique ability to be played as both a handheld device and on your TV as a home console.
2018 has seen a whole host of fantastic titles released for it, from Nintendo’s own traditional franchises like Mario to brand new series as well as Switch versions of big games that have previously appeared on other consoles.
If you’re shopping around for the Nintendo gamer in your life, or simply in the mood to treat yourself to an early Xmas present, we’ve got a run down of some the biggest and best games released this year for the Switch.
You can also check out our video game gift guides for Xbox One and PlayStation 4.
Super Mario Party – Amazon, £42.99
(Image: Nintendo)
The Mario Party series has finally made it to the Switch, featuring the plumber and his pals in another bold and bright virtual board game adventure.
Players move around the board and try to collect the most number of stars, competing in a number of self-contained mini-games. You can also buy stars or steal them from other players, as well as manipulating the board itself to your advantage, meaning it’s never to late to turn things around and snatch victory at the last minute.
Reviewer James Ide said “many hours of fun are to be had with this game and even more so with friends.”
Starlink: Battle for Atlas – Smyths, £59.99
(Image: Ubisoft)
While toys-to-life games like Skylanders and Lego Dimensions have fallen by the wayside, Ubisoft are bringing their own effort to the table with Starlink: Battle for Atlas, a spaceship combat roleplaying adventure. Like similar titles in the genre, there are real-world collectible toys that you can use to unlock things in the game, namely parts to customise your ships and pilots to fly them.
Starlink sees you explore a distant planetary system and embark on a mission to defeat an evil band of spacefarers led by the villainous Grax. For the Switch version, there’s an exclusive Starfox toy that will unlock Fox McCloud and his Arwing from Nintendo’s classic sci-fi space shooter series.
The toys are optional however, and you can buy digital versions of the items they unlock if you prefer.
Nintendo Labo – Amazon, from £54.99
Mixing video games with real life models, Nintendo Labo is a unique package that shows players how to construct things from the special cardboard kits provided. Models include an R/C car, tiny piano, fishing rod and robot suit. By inserting the Switch’s Joycons into them, the cardboard becomes a functioning device.
There’s also a Vehicle kit that lets you build things like a steering wheel which you can then use as a controller in mini games (and you can even use the wheel in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe).
Our review called it “a technical marvel that’s fun to build and see in action.”
Octopath Traveler – Amazon, £42.99
(Image: Square Enix)
This turn-based role-playing adventure from RPG masters Square Enix has you playing as eight different characters, each with different personalities and abilities. Set in a fantasy world, you’ll take on various quests like rescuing a kidnapped child, avenging your father’s death and tracking down a missing magical book of immense power.
The game has a striking look to it, referred to by the developers as ‘HD-2D’, combining retro 16-bit style sprites with polygonal environments.
Valkyria Chronicles 4 – The Game Collection, £41.95
(Image: SEGA)
The fourth main entry in the Valkyria Chronicles series is another slice of tactical strategy action. Players take turns to move units on the battlefield and perform actions like attacking or calling in reinforcements.
Taking place in a fictionalised land loosely based on WWII-era Europe, you take part in the war between the Federation and the Empire and must find a way to survive the conflict, protect your friends and possibly find a way to end the fight once and for all.
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker – Smyths, £29.99
(Image: Nintendo)
First appearing on the Wii U and now available on the Switch, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is a puzzle title that has you controlling the titular character in a series of levels filled with obstacles that will require some brainpower for you to overcome. Making it safely to the end of each course will award you with a gold star, while those who explore every nook and cranny will discover bonus items tucked away in secret areas.
This Switch version adds two-player co-op to the mix if you want to rope in a friend to help.
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