October is typically one of the busiest months for the gaming industry, as it's when the fall gaming rush really gets into its full swing. October 2021 is no exception to that rule, as the month is absolutely packed with brand new game releases, special events, and more. Fans of all gaming platforms have a lot to look forward to in October 2021, though gamers on the Nintendo Switch have reasons to be especially excited for October.
Some of the biggest Nintendo Switch exclusive games of the year are scheduled to launch in October, and that's on top of the third-party releases coming to the Switch as well. Beyond that, Nintendo is hosting a couple of special events in October to give fans the latest news on existing Switch titles like the social sim Animal Crossing: New Horizons and the ambitious crossover fighting game Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Here is everything that Nintendo Switch gamers have to look forward to in October 2021.
Tokyo Game Show 2021
This year's Tokyo Game Show is taking place this weekend, and while Nintendo itself isn't going to have a big presence, games coming to the Nintendo Switch will certainly be featured at the event. Various third-party publishers have presentations during Tokyo Game Show 2021, so there should be plenty of news coming out about upcoming Switch titles throughout the first weekend of October.
Animal Crossing Direct
At the latest Nintendo Direct presentation, Nintendo confirmed that it has a big Animal Crossing: New Horizons update in store, set to launch at some point in November. Nintendo teased that this big Animal Crossing: New Horizons update will see the addition of The Roost cafe to the game along with fan favorite NPC Brewster, who players can find as part of a new extension to the Museum. However, more specific details on this update and Nintendo's plans for the Animal Crossing franchise moving forward have yet to be revealed.
Nintendo will be revealing a lot more about the big Animal Crossing: New Horizons update as part of an Animal Crossing-specific Nintendo Direct event scheduled to take place at some point in October. Nintendo has yet to reveal exactly when this Direct will take place, but it should give fans many more details about the game's November update. Interestingly, Nintendo is promoting it as an Animal Crossing Direct and not a New Horizons-specific Direct, which could suggest that fans will learn about other Animal Crossing projects besides just new content for the New Horizons Switch game.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Final DLC Character (October 5)
While Nintendo has yet to reveal when the Animal Crossing Direct will take place, it has confirmed when the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate one will happen. On Tuesday, October 5, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate fans can tune in to the final Sakurai Presents event, which will focus on the final DLC character for the game. There are rumors that the final Super Smash Bros. Ultimate DLC fighter is Sora from Kingdom Hearts, though fans should keep their expectations in check. Fact of the matter is they won't know for sure until Nintendo makes the big announcement on October 5.
Those curious about the final Super Smash Bros. Ultimate DLC character can watch the Sakurai Presents event on Tuesday, October 5 at 7am PT. It's at that point when game director Masahiro Sakurai will not only reveal the final DLC character, but likely offer a deep dive into their gameplay mechanics and any other content that may be coming to the game with them, like stages, music, etc. Considering the wide range of characters that have been featured in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the final DLC character could be just about anybody, so it will definitely be interesting to see who makes the cut.
Metroid Dread (October 8)
Special events that get players hyped for future updates and games are great, but the real meat and potatoes of the industry are new game releases. There are plenty of new video game releases on deck for the Nintendo Switch in October, including a couple of exclusive games. The first one is the highly-anticipated Metroid Dread, the first 2D Metroid game in nearly two decades, and one that is expected to bring a conclusion to the storyline that started with the original Metroid video game back in the 1980s.
Metroid Dread gameplay has been hugely impressive so far, showcasing an updated take on the classic 2D Metroid formula. Whether or not it lives up to the hype remains to be seen, but Nintendo Switch gamers don't have to wait too much longer to find out for themselves.
Mario Party Superstars (October 29)
Later in October, Nintendo Switch fans have another exclusive game to look forward to in the form of Mario Party Superstars. Whereas Metroid Dread is a serious 2D action game, Mario Party Superstars is a whimsical party game, serving as a collection of some of the most popular boards and mini-games from throughout Mario Party's history. Not only does Mario Party Superstars bring back classic boards and mini-games, but it also features online multiplayer support, so fans of the franchise will always have people to play with, even when they can't get together with their friends in person.
Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack Games
At some point in late October, Nintendo Switch Online is getting a big upgrade in the form of the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack. This higher-priced tier of Nintendo's online subscription service will add Sega Genesis and Nintendo 64 games, with 14 Genesis titles and nine N64 games part of the lineup.
Sega Genesis Switch Online Expansion Pack Games List
- Castlevania: Bloodlines
- Contra: Hard Corps
- Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine
- Ecco the Dolphin
- Golden Axe
- Gunstar Heroes
- Ristar
- Shining Force
- Sonic the Hedgehog 2
- Streets of Rage 2
- MUSHA
- Phantasy Star 4
- Shinobi 3
- Strider
Nintendo 64 Switch Online Expansion Pack Games List
- Dr. Mario 64
- Mario Kart 64
- Mario Tennis
- Sin & Punishment
- Star Fox 64
- Super Mario 64
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
- WinBack: Covert Operations
- Yoshi's Story
These games will get the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack started, though Nintendo has already confirmed seven other Nintendo 64 games that will come to the service at some point after launch. These titles include Banjo-Kazooie, F-Zero X, Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards, Mario Golf, Paper Mario, Pokemon Snap, and The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. Rumor has it that there are even more Nintendo 64 games in store for the Switch Online Expansion Pack, though fans will just have to wait and see on that front.
As it stands, there's a lot that we don't know about Nintendo Switch Online's Expansion Pack going into October. Namely, it's unclear when the service will launch or how much it will cost. More information on that front should come to light in the next couple of weeks.
Third-Party Switch Game Releases in October 2021
- FIFA 22 (October 1)
- Exophobia (October 5)
- LEGO Marvel Super Heroes (October 5)
- Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl (October 5)
- Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania (October 5)
- Tetris Effect: Connected (October 8)
- Disco Elysium: The Final Cut (October 12)
- Monark (October 14)
- Crysis Remastered Trilogy (October 15)
- The Good Life (October 15)
- The Caligula Effect 2 (October 19)
- Dying Light: Platinum Edition (October 19)
- Evertried (October 21)
- Guardians of the Galaxy (October 26)
- Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water (October 28)
- Undernauts: Labryinth of Yomi (October 28)
- Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars (October 28)
While the Nintendo Switch exclusive games launching in October may get the attention of most fans, there are many third-party games coming to Nintendo's home console/handheld hybrid as well. Some of the more notable ones include the Super Smash Bros.-like Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl on October 5, the critically-acclaimed RPG Disco Elysium on October 12, and the Guardians of the Galaxy game on October 26.
From the new games to the special events, there's plenty for Nintendo fans to look forward to in October, and it should shape up to be a very exciting month for fans of the company and its latest console, to say the least.
