In any given year, October is typically one of the busiest months for new game releases. It's then when the world's biggest gaming publishers are working to release their new titles in time for the holiday shopping rush, and so October is usually a pretty hectic month for the industry. However, out of all the video game companies releasing new games in October, it seems Nintendo may already have the most impressive lineup of them all.
October 2021 is shaping up to be an absolutely huge month for fans of Nintendo and its Nintendo Switch console. A couple of big Nintendo Switch exclusive games are scheduled to launch in October, plus Nintendo is also using the month to release some brand new hardware. And on top of that, there will be some multiplatform games making their way to the Nintendo Switch in October that fans can check out as well.
Between the new games and new hardware, October 2021 is going to be huge for Nintendo Switch gamers.
Metroid Dread - October 8th
The biggest announcement at Nintendo's E3 2021 event was the reveal of Metroid Dread, the fifth installment in the main series 2D Metroid games and the one that's going to bring an end to the story that started with the original game in the 80s. Metroid Dread came out of E3 as one of the most-talked about games at the show, with many fans excited to see Samus Aran return to her roots.
Nintendo is pushing Metroid Dread in a big way, highlighting it as one of the company's big holiday 2021 releases. This shows that Nintendo has a lot of confidence in Metroid Dread and what the game is bringing to the table. And when one considers the Metroid franchise's near-spotless track record when it comes to its main series 2D game releases, there's a lot for Nintendo fans to be excited for this fall.
Nintendo Switch OLED - October 8th
Besides new video game releases like Metroid Dread, Nintendo fans can also look forward to a major Switch hardware revision. After months of rumors, leaks, and speculation, Nintendo finally pulled the curtain back on the Nintendo Switch Pro console, now known as Nintendo Switch OLED. The Nintendo Switch OLED console uses an OLED screen as opposed to the traditional Switch screen, plus it boasts some new color options, a wired LAN port, enhanced audio, a brand new docking station, and its namesake 7-inch OLED screen.
Anyone interested in purchasing a Nintendo Switch OLED console will be able to do so starting October 8, 2021 for $349.99. The Nintendo Switch OLED release date coincides with the launch of Metroid Dread, so while October 2021 has plenty for Nintendo fans to get excited about, it seems October 8 is going to be especially exciting.
Mario Party Superstars - October 29
The Mario Party franchise has had numerous entries over the years that have released to varying degrees of success. Super Mario Party on the Nintendo Switch has proven to be quite popular, and so it makes sense that Nintendo is already moving forward with a new game in its long-running party game franchise. Mario Party Superstars brings some of the fan favorite Nintendo 64 boards and mini-games to the Switch with revamped graphics and controls. Not only that, but Mario Party Superstars will launch with online multiplayer support, addressing one of the biggest complaints that fans had about Super Mario Party.
Other New Switch Games for October 2021
Metroid Dread and Mario Party Superstars are the big Nintendo Switch first-party exclusive games that are releasing in October. But they aren't the only new games that are in development for Nintendo's home console/handheld hybrid. In fact, there are multiple high profile multiplatform releases that are also making their way to the Nintendo Switch come October 2021, and they help make it an even more exciting month for Switch owners.
Here are the other Nintendo Switch games confirmed for October 2021. Keep in mind that it's always possible for this list to grow as new games are announced, or even for it to shrink in the case of a game getting delayed to a later date.
- Exophobia (October 5)
- Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania (October 5)
- Guardians of the Galaxy (October 26)
- Hotel Transylvania: Scary-Tale Adventures (TBA)
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania is being released to celebrate the anniversary of the Super Monkey Ball franchise. It will let Super Monkey Ball fans revisit various stages from previous games in the Super Monkey Ball series, plus it will include multiplayer support, revamped mini-games, and more. Needless to say, it will likely be a must-buy game for anyone that considers themselves a hardcore fan of the Super Monkey Ball franchise.
Another big multiplatform Switch game dropping in October is Guardians of the Galaxy. Developed by Eidos Montreal and published by Square Enix, Guardians of the Galaxy is a single-player game where players take on the role of Star-Lord as he leads the titular Guardians of the Galaxy.
These multiplatform releases combined with the Switch exclusives and Switch OLED launch will make October 2021 a huge month for fans of Nintendo's current console. All things considered, 2021 should be a big year for the Switch in general, with plenty of other Switch games scheduled to release in August, September, November, and December as well.
