The 5 Hottest Nintendo Games This Holiday Season

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Ho, ho, ho-ly crap, Christmas is right around the corner! And with the holiday season coming to a close, we say goodbye to the nightmare  year that is 2017, which was actually one of the best years for gaming we have ever seen. It sure is a good time to own a gaming PC, or a PS4, or an Xbox One; but forget that noise, it is a great time to own a Switch and a 3DS because Nintendo sure took us on a wild ride this year! (Dare I say it’s cool to be a Nintendo fanboy again?) Our bodies just weren’t ready for the success the Switch saw in such a short time and it is incredible the 3DS is still viable…almost seven years later…so let’s take a look at what our friends, family, Italian plumbers, etc. are hopefully getting us for Christmas this year.

Super Mario Odyssey (Nintendo Switch)

We’re starting off with the OG himself, Mario, who has stolen the spotlight once again with the best Super Mario installment since Super Mario Galaxy 2. He’s not spending too much time in outer space this time around though, but rather flying around on a top hat-shaped airship through various “Kingdoms” such as a desert, a city, and The Land Before Time, chasing after – you guessed it – Bowser who has kidnapped – right you are, again – Princess Peach. Bowser isn’t taking it slow anymore, he’s trying to wife Peach up in this story and you (as Mario) are speaking now and not forever holding your peace because that’s your woman!

The level design in Odyssey takes you back to Super Mario 64 basics with 3D, free-roam worlds and the game-play (think Super Mario Sunshine) is familiar too yet totally refined with the addition of Cappy, your trusty sidekick atop your head whom can be thrown at enemies like Koopas and freakin’ dinosaurs to shadow control them. You also collect Power Moons in additions to coins to purchase additional outfits so you can dress up like a chef or take Mario’s shirt off – in 1080p.

If the ability to play as topless Mario isn’t convincing enough, the game is Nintendo’s fastest-selling Super Mario game ever and it has received near perfect or absolutely perfect reviews by every respectable critic, because it damn well deserves it. Super Mario Odyssey is simply a must-have for every Nintendo Switch owner, and truthfully a sole reason alone to get your hands on a Switch!

Metroid: Samus Returns (Nintendo 3DS)

Let’s slow it down a bit now by bringing up a special lady/bounty hunter who seemed to be forgotten: Samus Aran. Remember Metroid II: Return of Samus? We back to that, but with improved graphics and now you have more controls such as firing at any angle and countering melee attacks. The game also introduces Aeion abilities which allow Samus to do new stuff like scanning the area for hidden items or routes as well as old stuff like Power Bombs.

Samus Returns isn’t so much a remake as it is a “re-imagining” of Metroid II and a solid one at that. Plus, after the garbage that was Metroid Prime: Federation Forces (and Metroid: Other M, to be honest), this installment is essential for Metroid fans. And it won Best Handheld Game at The Game Awards this year so if you’re into platform shooters, or just itching for something new to play on your 3DS, then voilà.

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 (Nintendo Switch)

If you never played or even heard of the Xenoblade Chronicles series, fear not because this JRPG might still be for you! You play as a warrior named Rex who wield a sword that is also alive, her name is Pyra. Y’all are searching for a place called Elysium which can serve as the ultimate paradise for humanity because civilizations are currently living on the backs of a bunch of ginormous beings called Titans – no, not the ones from Attack on Titan (that would be terrifying). Also, although it is technically a sequel, the world is new and so are the characters and the story-line can be understood without having played Xenoblade Chronicles or Xenonblade Chronicles X.

The game plays like your typical open-world, action role-playing game (think Final Fantasy, or Kingdom Hearts even), the graphics are pretty stunning for what the Switch is capable of and the music will slay you, beautifully. It has been well-received by critics too; this is the JRPG to get if you were looking for one on this console, hands down.

Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon (Nintendo 3DS)

Here we are again, with another Pokémon. The second installments of the seventh generation of the main series titles Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon are quite similar to its predecessors yet different enough to give you a fresh – or at least fresh enough – experience this time around. The game revolves around Necrozma, who is up to no good thanks to those pesky Ultra Wormholes, and introduces a new group called the Ultra Recon Squad as well as a familiar group called Team Rainbow Rocket. There’s also a few new Pokémon to catch and locations to explore.

Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon were reviewed positively and are definitely solid purchases if you missed out on Sun and Moon, but seriously who on Earth – Pokémon fan or not – missed out on those!? Therefore, it comes down to how much you love this franchise and how long you want to wait for the next, genuinely new main series title to drop…which, truth be told, is gonna be awhile. Besides, it’s Pokémon; it’s always fun.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Nintendo Switch)

We’ll end on a high note here, perhaps the highest of notes Nintendo has ever hit: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. I feel like just mentioning this game, which won multiple Game of the Year awards this year, is enough…but I’ll go on, I suppose.

In Breath of the Wild, Link embarks on an adventure like never before after waking up from a hundred-year snooze to the sound of Zelda’s sweet voice to find out Ganon has unleashed evil upon Hyrule once again. However, this isn’t your ordinary Zelda; no sirree, this Zelda features an open-world environment for the first time ever, insanely complicated physics, breath-of the wild taking graphics that push the Switch’s limits, and Zelda talks!

Link’s core mission is to reclaim these gigantic metal animals called Divine Beasts located in each of the four corners of the map and then take on Calamity Ganon in the center Hyrule Castle. You use your Sheikah Slate (the poor man’s Switch) abilities to create bombs, control metal objects, freeze water, stop time AND take pictures – all of which helps you along your adventure…yes, even the camera app. There are also shrines (mini-dungeons) to clear which serve as warp points on the way, and they reward you with Spirit Orbs for upgrading your heart count or stamina limit. However, there are just so many side quests to complete, towers to para-glide off of, areas to explore, special armors to craft, unique weapons to find, meals to cook, friends to make, mini-bosses to pummel and Koroks to play hide and seek with that you will forget a monster like Ganon even exists!

I, and everyone who has played Breath of the Wild, can’t recommend this game enough. It is worth getting a Switch for, even over Odyssey (but, like, why not both?), although if you own a Wii U you should know there is a Wii U version – which I played through myself before getting a Switch and it’s just fine. And, Breath of the Wild recently received two pieces of downloadable content available to purchase, so it’s still relevant…even though it has been all the rage since release. Well, what are you waiting for? Zelda needs you!

Honorable Mention:

Splatoon 2 (Nintendo Switch)

I wanted to give a quick shout out to Splatoon 2 because although it’s quite similar to its predecessor, Splatoon, it is still a solid game. The best parts about Splatoon are present in Splatoon 2 with the addition of a way better single-player campaign. There’s new weapons as well as a new type of weapon, dual-wield pistols, and a new co-op mode.

It basically is just Splatoon on the Switch but if you haven’t played Splatoon, this is a solid purchase as long as you enjoy shooters (think Overwatch I guess) and know what you’re getting into – which is playing multiplayer matches over and over and over with breaks in between to upgrade your weapons and gear. However, it’s the only shooter and one of the better multiplayer experiences on the Switch, for now…

Anyways, as always, let us know which of these games you have played, are playing or might be playing soon! And, Happy Holidays!

P.S. We at PokéJungle sincerely hope you didn’t wait this long to get your Christmas shopping done, but we hope this list gave you a a good idea.

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1,574 thoughts on “The 5 Hottest Nintendo Games This Holiday Season”

  2. Hey Folks! What d’ya think of this:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KFngIlC2Qc&feature

    TLDW:
    Masuda was in Spain for Gathering Information
    Oricorio and Tapu Bulu are inspired from Spanish Culture (Flamenco and BullFighting)
    Kalos had unanswered questions
    Annnnd….
    MOST IMPORTANTLY
    what’s in the thumbnail. the teaser for the next movie shows Ash wearing the Spanish Flag on his collar!

    Reply

  5. Just watched the new Star Wars Movie! I just have one question… what was up with the dice? I know that it was on the Milennium Falcon and that it held sentimental value with Luke, Leia, and Ben Solo; but I don’t really know the history about it. Were there scenes in prior movies and what is the significance of them disappearing at the end?

    Reply

  7. https://randompokemon.com

    1) Make it choose only one Pokémon
    2) Enter the most dex for the region you’d want to live in (using the third version/sequel dexes where applicable)
    3) Disallow Ubers, keep NFEs, reroll if it’s a legendary or UB

    How happy are you with your starter? Where do you start from?

    Reply

  8. Well off of FEHry here would be my team in a Platinum Adventure

    Misdreavus, Careful
    Given as an egg when little and uses spells to confuse opponents

    Cherubi, Gentle
    Met when it was being attacked by Starly horde. Very kind to its allies

    Wurmple that evolves to Dustox, Bold
    Met in Eterna Forest while it slept under a rock. Will usually be the first to attack even in a impossible battle .

    Wooper, Impish
    Met when it got lost on the bike path, while it was squirting bikers. Usually will hides before striking.

    Barboach, Careful
    Found in The Great Marsh. Mostly anticipates attacks and prepared for them.

    Bidoof, Adamant
    Met in Celestic Town when t got stuck by the fog. Usually won’t take any way except its own.

    Reply

  11. Again. Hollowknight is so damn good

    I’m stuck on this bossfighf and it’s really highlighting how good the combat is

    I’m jumping, dashing, getting hits in whenever I can, waiting for the ideal time to be able to stop and heal without getting hit… ITS NUTS

    Every hit hurts. You feel the impact when you take damage. And because you only have 5 hearts it really does mean a lot if you lose one.

    And even though I’ve lost to this boss like 6 times now and there’s quite a bit of space between the save point and the boss fight, I’m still going because the deaths feel fair.

    I’m loving this game so much

    Reply

  12. Harry Potter marathon later. Bought my big bag of nachos w dip and other snacks & a good bottle of wine and im gonna abuse the lazy chair until late midnight! :3

    Reply

    • 1. OOF. This is pretty hard. Being a Trainer is what we’ve always been I get to get badges and prove to be the best and use Pokemon in battle. I would love to be coordinator based on the anime. It’s always so cool and I really love it. It’s more complicated but feels more rewarding. Trail goer is a easy no. They just don’t seem as interesting honestly. Buuuuuut I think I have to choose trainer. It’s much more simpler, and it’s not as restricted to certain regions.
      2. ‎Sinnoh is fun with the gyms and stuff, but the cold weather doesn’t look too fun. I gotta go with Alola. Alola nice weather better Pokemon, and I love the way the region is. It just in general seems more positive.
      3. ‎Gym Leader easily. As a trial captain I feel like you don’t do that much. Gym leaders are respected, strong, train their own Pokemon. They also have their own jobs. Gym leaders honestly are more iconic. And seemingly more high class.
      4. ‎Yea I’m not about to catch these hands today. Mr. Mime is about to be my best friend. I rather not die
      5. ‎Well Arceus would probably kill me afterwards sooooo kissing it is. It can’t be THAT bad
      6. ‎As you can tell, I’m not going to get murdered by a pokemon Soooo sorry charmander. You were overhyped anyeay
      7. ‎I can eat magikarp! So it’s the obvious choice
      8. ‎Nightmares are pretty bad and can affect you more than you think. So I have to say Hypno. Hypno is very scary but I don’t have nightmares and never will. They suck.

      Reply

  16. For some reason I just discovered that I can use Amazon Prime Now since I live in the SF Bay Area. Last night I checked it and they had the SNES Classic available and I ALMOST went for it just to keep it sealed, but I decided against it. I should have done it because that was likely my last chance. However, I could order Pokken Tournament DX and DOOM and have them here in 2 hours…a worthy proposition…

    Reply

  17. So I think after the holiday I’m going to play through the Kingdom hearts collection on the PS4. I won’t go in expecting to be it within a certain time period, but I’d like to play through at least the 2 main games before 3 comes out. To refresh myself a bit.

    Reply

      • I mean I’ve already played though the first 2 games and played through much of birth by sleep and Dream Drop distance. I know all about the lore of KH. I just want to play through to refresh myself on the series as it’s been a while and I think it’ll be fun.

        Reply

  22. Small thing I want to fix next Pokemon game. In double battles when an opponent uses protect or avoids a spread move attack, there shouldnt be an animation for it getting hit still. It just looks bad.

    Reply

  24. I hate Nintendo with a burning passion for allowing 200cc to happen in MK8 Deluxe. I thought games were supposed to be fun, not arbitrary “what the hell just happened” simulators. I already feel as though my heart will explode and I’ve only beaten two cups with 3 stars so far (with hours of effort put in).

    Also, I found a shiny Yanmega last night in the wormhole which is kind of exciting! Nothing else to say about that!

    Reply

  25. Do you think I should continue my shiny hunt for pheramosa or give up? I’m getting bored of doing it and it feels more and more like a chore than something to be excited for.

    Reply

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