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”

  1. As we’re not getting any more DLC or anything finishing BOTW’s story, unfortunately, I decided to share my concept of what happens after the finale.

    A few days after the annihilation of Calamity Ganon, Princess Zelda and Link set off across Hyrule to inform the defeat of the vicious tyrant who had brought the serene and vast kingdom to its knees. They first arrive at Zora’s Domain and inform King Donephan about Mipha. Shortly after this and a proper mourning ceremony for her with the newly received information, Donephan explains that Ruta had been malfunctioning due to it being not properly charged or refilled. After a quick trip and quick dungeon, Link returns and Ruta back to normal. They soon begin to head to Kakariko Village before to any other of the Divine Homes, to meet with Impa. However, along their way, they are soon approached by a Guardian. Aware of what could happen and now an expert in eliminating them, Link stands up and prepares. However, as it returns, the Guardian suddenly flashes in Sheikah orange, and cheerfully arrives at them. Zelda then notes that they had all been under Ganon’s curse and his death also included the cursed creatures to be released from it. This brought great news to especially in restoring Hyrule, as the Guardians were now under complete Sheikah control. Shortly after arriving at Kakariko, Zelda reunites with Impa and explains all that had happen. Impa, cheerful, would demand a celebration in the village for Link and Zelda. The Guardian would remain there and it would help out the citizens, both as it was its main function and its punishment for crimes against Hyrule. Zelda and Link travel to the three other main spots; at Goron City, they inform of Daruk, in which Yunobo happily backs up. He is then crowned “Descendant Protector of Goron City”. After, they reach Rito Village and they help restore and revive Revel’s name to the people. Finally, they reach Gerudo Town and inform Riju of Urbosa and the fall of Calamity Ganon. She rejoices and then shows her emotional side, revealing that she had never gotten over her mother’s death and wished for an official mourning ceremony of it. Afterwards, they head over to the other main village, Hateno, and ask for the -son’s help. Soon, they receive a mighty work force composed of Hyrulians, Zoras, Ritos, Gorons and Gerudo, along with many reformed Guardians of all types to restore Hyrule. As the castle is restored and Hyrule Castle Town is also restored to its former glory, Zelda and Link along with the Sheikah Trio, Purdah, Impa, and Robbie, head to the Yiga Clan and finally take down the rebellious group. Without Ganon’s influence nor a leader, the Yiga surrender immediately and are taken to the prisons. Years later, Hyrule is once again blooming and Zelda finally feels confident in herself, realizing she at last now is worthy of Hylia’s blessing and the power.

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  3. 1) ARCEUS I hate Revali. He’s the worst Zelda character ever.

    2) I’ve just realized that with Pokemon Switch becoming a thing…that probably means they’ll be making pokemon amiibo. Probably just the starter final evos/legendaries/maybe some characters, but it’s kind of exciting to think about. And frightening due to the possible expense.

    3) Slightly disappointed in the Champion’s ballad DLC. It’s nice to have a reason to be back in Hyrule and everything, but I kind of wanted an actual narrative. Right now it’s just find the shrines and then rebattle the bosses. I would’ve at least liked new mini bosses instead of the ganon blight things. All well..they didn’t really have to make anything at all

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  7. Man the second Pokemon movie is so freaking great. Lugia really got the better deal when it came to movies. It’s so jarring hearing the characters talk about stuff that they would never ever be able to now…..kind of sad actually……Like when Team Rocket rhyme about how they’re gonna die when they jump off of Lugia. Or when They’re all talking about being with the opposite sex hahaha Some of the funniest parts and it would never happen now a days……Speaking of jarring I had now idea that the Weird Al Yankovic Pokemon song was sandwiched between the Power of one song and the last very chill sounding song during the credits. It’s been a while since I’ve watched the entire end credits and it caught me off guard hahahaha

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  8. Well it happened if finally happened (DS died so I’ll show picture later) I finally got Incineroar

    Furball the Incinroar
    Lvl.34
    Blaze
    Female
    Naughty Natured, Good Endurance
    Item: Firium Z
    Moves:
    Darkest Lariat
    Leech Life
    Fire Fang
    Double Kick

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  9. Yooooo DBS is becoming more and more intense! Hopefully the rumors are true & Vegeta gets the offensive portion of Ultra Instinct

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  10. Well ‘‘tis Christmas Eve eve and I’ve done very little productive things

    Watched an hours worth of SJW fails, maybe 2018 will be the year they start dying out

    Night everyone

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  13. Well I bought the botw dlc tonight. So much rage at the first part of there champiosn ballad lol finally finished that part though. Will do the next part a little later today!

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  15. https://youtu.be/4javKwfN-DI

    I really hope that Gen 8 takes some inspiration from PBR aesthetically, such as Pokémon scale, the health bar being depleted with aesthetics related to the move used, and different body types for trainers

    Also get rid of the black lines but make it look good unlike the mods for Gen 7

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  16. Merry Christmas Eve everyone! Please wish me luck as I try to get a shiny Pheramosa, which I’ve been mostly inclined to do since UltraMonster got it before me.

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  20. Well just learned the sad truth that my Lycanroc wasn’t lucky. Dusk form has Accelerrock as one of those moves that aren’t guaranteed to have. So now mine must find a different set to use 🙁

    I guess Drill Run will do, when do you get access to that move?

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  22. Welp, either everyone’s busy getting ready for christmas eve or I really isolated myself. If it’s the latter, I sincerely apologize for being really divisive these days. If it’s the former, well then, sorry for bothering you, have a great Christmas Eve!

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