Nintendo left a good impression on Nintendo Switch owners at E3 2017 with the announcement of upcoming titles such as Metroid Prime 4, a new Pokémon RPG, Yoshi, and Kirby. However, these titles were not given a specific release date at the annual event.
A Nintendo executive, however, has now provided more information on when these games will arrive for the Nintendo Switch.
Nintendo Will Not Launch 'Metroid Prime 4, New 'Pokémon' RPG This Year
In an interview with GamesBeat, Nintendo of America corporate communications director Charlie Scibetta discussed the company's plans involving the Nintendo Switch, particularly about the games that will be coming to the hybrid console.
According to Scibetta, the company is positioning the Nintendo Switch as a console that will not have a "dry spell" between major game launches.
"Just as you get through a game and you're starting to put your head up, put the periscope out to see what else is out there, hopefully we'll have something right there for you," Scibetta said, referring to the lineup of big titles prepared for the rest of the year.
Scibetta then added that there are more big games coming out in 2018 and beyond, naming Metroid Prime 4, the new Pokémon game, Kirby, and Yoshi.
In their respective announcement trailers, Kirby and Yoshi were revealed to have 2018 release dates. Scibetta's statement did not provide a clearer launch date for Kirby, which will follow the franchise's 2D platformer format, and Yoshi, which looks like it will take inspiration for the Paper Mario titles.
Scibetta, however, confirmed that Metroid Prime 4 and the unnamed Pokémon RPG will not be coming this year. An earlier version of the interview only mentioned 2018, which had gamers excited that the two titles will be released next year. However, it was later clarified by Nintendo that Scibetta meant 2018 and beyond.
With nothing more than a logo for Metroid Prime 4 and a bare announcement for the Pokémon RPG, the two games may not even arrive in 2018. This would seem the case, as Nintendo felt the need to clarify Scibetta's statement that the titles are planned for next year.
Nintendo's Plans For The Nintendo Switch
Also in the interview, Scibetta admitted that Nintendo has been purposely staggering the release dates of major titles for the Nintendo Switch, which is why there were not many games available to the hybrid console upon its March launch.
Nintendo believed that spreading out the release of major Nintendo Switch games was better than releasing them all at once and then making gamers wait for months before the next one arrives. This gives the titles their own chances to shine, which should keep owning a Nintendo Switch interesting for the months and years to come.
'Metroid Prime 4,' 'Pokémon' RPG For Nintendo Switch
Metroid Prime 4, which was announced alongside Metroid: Samus Returns for the Nintendo 3DS, will see Samus Aran reprise her popular alien-killing character.
Meanwhile, not much else is known about the new Pokémon RPG, which will be a welcome addition to the Nintendo Switch lineup, as the fighting game Pokken Tournament DX will not be enough for Pokémon fans.
