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The best Nintendo Switch games coming in 2024: The ultimate pre-order guide
Amazon/Nintendo
From “Super Mario RPG” to “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom,” the iconic Nintendo Switch console hybrid boasts an impressive library of games. But if you’re a true fan, you’ve probably got your eye on all new Switch video games set to release later this year. Many of them are available to pre-order right now, so you can play them as soon as they drop.
These new games, all of which will release in 2024, include solo Nintendo character adventures like “Princess Peach: Showtime!” and multi-platform releases like “Unicorn Overlord,” with fun follow-ups to older titles like “Mario vs. Donkey Kong” waiting in the wings as well. There’s a game for every kind of Switch owner. No matter whether you play on a gaming monitor or you prefer to use your Switch in handheld mode, you’ve got plenty to look forward to.
Pull up the perfect gaming seat — and maybe a great TV to enjoy your game on the big screen — and start exploring these new Switch games the day they drop.
The best Nintendo Switch games to preorder in 2024:
‘Princess Peach: Showtime!’
Amazon
Release date: March 22, 2024 | Genre: Action-adventure | Rating: E10+
Princess Peach hasn’t starred in her own game since 2005, and it’s high time she gets another one. Sure, she’s been a playable character here and there.
But that’s nothing compared to taking center stage.
Who said this princess needed saving? Certainly not us.
In fact, she’ll be doing the saving this time around. You’ll control the Mushroom Kingdom’s ruler in an all-new escapade that gives Peach plenty of different looks to rock as she rescues the Sparkle Theatre from the clutches of Grape and the Sour Bunch.
Each of Peach’s new outfits gives her unique abilities essential for kicking butt and taking names. She can morph into a chef, a karate expert and several other forms that give her powers like you’ve never seen. And Mario is nowhere to be found. He’s had his time to shine.
This adorable twist on the typical “Mario” game finally lets Peach dazzle once more, and not a moment too soon.
‘Mario vs. Donkey Kong’
Amazon
Release date: February 16, 2024 | Genre: Puzzle | Rating: E
The Switch has been home to some of the best Nintendo remakes ever, and 2024 finds several new ones on their way, like this rekindling of a years-old rivalry between Mario and the hulking Donkey Kong.
Mario faces off against his old nemesis in this challenging puzzler spread across more than 130 levels. Donkey Kong has stolen all the cute little Mini Mario toys and it’s your job to guide Mario to get them all back. Easier said than done, but Mario’s no slouch. He can run, jump and flip as he tackles the puzzle layouts DK has set out for him.
You don’t have to go it alone, though. Team with a friend for the newly introduced co-op mode and tackle DK’s challenges together to make sure all those toys get back safe and sound.
With additional worlds to explore, enhanced music and graphics, and innovative gameplay elements, “Mario vs. Donkey Kong” brings fun, nostalgic action from the Game Boy Advance to the Switch — at a cheaper price.
‘Sea of Stars’
Release date: May 10, 2024 | Genre: Role-playing | Rating: E10+
Sea of Stars
Set sail on an epic journey with “Sea of Stars,” a turn-based RPG that pays homage to the classics while charting its own course.
Set in the universe of “The Messenger” and meant to expand some of that game’s universe, “Sea of Stars” follows Zale and Valere, two mysterious children who use powers stemming from the moon and sun to foil the evil plans of a dark alchemist.
This RPG is meant to model the classics, like those on the Super Nintendo and beyond, but it’s much more than that. It serves up some strange, mind-bending puzzles as well as strategic combat, where you can lead a party of up to six characters.
Though “Sea of Stars” is already available on other platforms, this release will mark its Switch debut. When you’ve finished it, you can go on to enjoy “The Messenger,” as these two stories are linked. It also works as a standalone adventure. If it’s been a while since you’ve played a traditional RPG, this is a good place to re-start.
“Unicorn Overlord”
Amazon
Release date: March 8, 2024 | Genre: Tactical role-playing | Rating: Teen
The newest offering from Vanillaware marries hand-crafted 2D graphics with challenging, turn-based, tactical RPG mechanics. In “Unicorn Overlord,” you’ll journey across a vast open world while completing objectives and recruiting new players. Except you’ll be doing it in style, because Vanillaware’s stunning artwork enhances games like you wouldn’t believe.
Battles take place across the game’s sizable landscape, which turns into a combat arena when you run into foes. It merges on-the-spot exploration with methodical combat for an interesting combination of gameplay. That makes it a much different beast from previous games like “Odin Sphere” and other Vanillaware titles — making it an even more exciting release for fans.
Whether you’re into the game’s eye-popping aesthetic or you want something a little more hardcore, a la “Fire Emblem” and other strategy games, “Unicorn Overlord” is definitely one to watch, both figuratively and literally. It’s absolutely beautiful, from what we’ve seen so far.
“Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes”
Amazon
Release date: April 23, 2024 | Genre: Role-playing | Rating: Pending
As a spiritual successor to the “Suikoden” RPG series, “Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes” follows two comrades who once shared a vision of harmony, now divided by conflict.
This role-playing adventure adheres to the classic “JRPG” rules, with a six-party-member combat system set against a backdrop of immersive 3D environments. It has an impressive roster of 100 characters you can recruit as well — an echo of the original “Suikoden” that fans cherished on the first PlayStation console.
Playing through the game while recruiting all the characters you possibly can is an exciting way to shake things up, and should make for some serious replay value should the main storyline fall short. Each party member adds a little something new to the story.
For veterans of “Suikoden” and newcomers alike, this RPG should be an exciting addition to the Switch library, especially for anyone who’s been waiting for a new “Suikoden” game for some time.
Is pre-ordering a Nintendo Switch game worth it?
Pre-ordering a Nintendo Switch game definitely has its perks. By reserving your copy ahead of time, you’ll make sure you get your new game in your hands ASAP, so you don’t have to worry about whether it’s in stock. Plus, more often than not, you’ll get a bonus by buying early, whether that’s an in-game perk or a physical item that you can use in real life.
What are the other benefits of pre-ordering a Nintendo Switch game?
Pre-ordering isn’t just about making sure you reserve inventory. There are other benefits too, like pre-loading the game, which means you can play digital copies the instant they go live. For those sought-after special editions, pre-ordering might be the only way to ensure you get one. Pre-paying also means you can dive into your new game without delay, enjoying any exclusive early access that might be on offer in games where multiplayer progress is important.
Does pre-ordering a Nintendo Switch game save money?
Price reductions for pre-orders aren’t a given. Sometimes you can definitely save a few bucks, or get some extra goodies instead of cash back. Standard game pricing typically remains consistent with new games. The real savings manifest in the form of bonus content and merchandise that come with pre-orders.
How far in advance should I pre-order a Nintendo Switch game?
If you’re eyeing a hotly anticipated title, it’s smart to pre-order as soon as it’s available to get those special bonuses. For regular editions, you might have more flexibility, but you should grab limited editions whenever they go live for your best chance at getting them. If you like living on the edge, placing a pre-order even just a day before release can still secure your spot in the gaming action. it all comes down to how much you really want something.
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Head of Russia’s nuclear defense forces killed in Moscow blast triggered by device hidden in scooter, officials say
Moscow — The head of Russia’s Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defense Forces, Lt. General Igor Kirillov, was killed along with his deputy early Tuesday in an explosion in Moscow, Russia’s Investigative Committee said.
An explosive device hidden in an electronic scooter went off outside a residential building as the two men left the structure, Agence France-Presse cites investigators as saying.
ALEXANDER NEMENOV / AFP via Getty Images
“Investigators, forensic experts and operational services are working at the scene,” committee spokesperson Svetlana Petrenko said in a statement. “Investigative and search activities are being carried out to establish all the circumstances around this crime.”
ALEXANDER NEMENOV / AFP via Getty Images
The committee carries out responsible major investigations in Russia.
Kirillov was sentenced in absentia by a Ukrainian court on Dec. 16 for the use of banned chemical weapons in Ukraine during Russia’s military operation in Ukraine that started in Feb. 2022.
AFPTV / AFP via Getty Images
Ukraine’s Security Service, the SBU, said it had recorded more than 4,800 uses of chemical weapons on the battlefield since February 2022, particularly K-1 combat grenades.
During the almost 3-year operation, Russia has made small but steady territorial gains to the nearly one-fifth of Ukraine it already controls.
Kirillov had been in his post since 2017, AFP notes.
A powerful earthquake hit the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu Tuesday, smashing buildings in the capital, Port Vila, including one housing the embassies of the U.S. and other nations. A witness told Agence France-Presse of bodies seen in the city.
Dan McGarry, a journalist with the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project based in Vanuatu, told the Reuters news agency in an interview that police said at least one person had been killed and injured people had been taken to hospital.
“It was the most violent earthquake I’ve experienced in my 21 years living in Vanuatu and in the Pacific Islands. I’ve seen a lot of large earthquakes, never one like this,” he said.
The 7.3-magnitude quake struck at a depth of 35 miles, off the coast of Efate, Vanuatu’s main island, at 12:47 p.m. local time, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The ground floor of a building housing the U.S, French and other embassies had been crushed under higher floors, resident Michael Thompson told AFP by satellite phone after posting images of the destruction on social media.
“That no longer exists. It is just completely flat. The top three floors are still holding but they have dropped,” Thompson said.
“If there was anyone in there at the time, then they’re gone.”
Thompson said the ground floor housed the U.S. embassy, but that couldn’t be immediately confirmed.
A photo showed significant damage to the building:
STR / AFP via Getty Images
The United States has closed the embassy until further notice, citing “considerable damage” to the mission, the U.S. embassy in Papua New Guinea said in a message on social media. “Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this earthquake,” the embassy said.
The New Zealand High Commission, housed in the same building, suffered “significant damage,” a statement from Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ office said, adding that, “New Zealand is deeply concerned about the significant earthquake in Vanuatu, and the damage it has caused.”
Thompson, who runs a zipline adventure business in Vanuatu, said, “There’s people in the buildings in town. There were bodies there when we walked past.”
A landslide on one road had covered a bus, he said, “so there’s obviously some deaths there.”
The quake also collapsed at least two bridges, and most mobile networks were cut off, Thompson said.
“They’re just cracking on with a rescue operation. The support we need from overseas is medical evacuation and skilled rescue, (the) kind(s) of people that can operate in earthquakes,” he said.
STR / AFP via Getty Images
Video footage posted by Thompson and verified by AFP showed uniformed rescuers and emergency vehicles working on a building where an external roof had collapsed onto a number of parked cars and trucks.
The streets of the city were strewn with broken glass and other debris from damaged buildings, the footage showed.
Nibhay Nand, a Sydney-based pharmacist with businesses across the South Pacific, said he had spoken to staff in Port Vila who said most of the store there had been “destroyed” and that other buildings nearby had “collapsed.”
“We are waiting for everyone to get online to know how devastating and traumatic this will be,” Nand told AFP.
A tsunami warning was issued after the quake, with waves of up to three feet forecast for some areas of Vanuatu, but it was soon lifted by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.
Earthquakes are common in Vanuatu, a low-lying archipelago of 320,000 people that straddles the seismic Ring of Fire, an arc of intense tectonic activity that stretches through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific Basin.
Vanuatu is ranked as one of the countries most susceptible to natural disasters such as earthquakes, storm damage, flooding and tsunamis, according to the annual World Risk Report.
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Head of Russia’s nuclear defense forces killed in Moscow blast triggered by device hidden in scooter, officials say
Earthquake rocks Pacific island nation of Vanuatu, deaths feared, U.S. embassy damaged
12/16: CBS Evening News – CBS News
Head of Russia’s nuclear defense forces killed in Moscow blast triggered by device hidden in scooter, officials say
Earthquake rocks Pacific island nation of Vanuatu, deaths feared, U.S. embassy damaged