What to Expect in Tomorrow's Nintendo Switch Showcase

Learn about the newest indies coming to Switch, direct from Nintendo.

By Jonathon Dornbush

Nintendo is hosting a brand new Switch Showcase on Wednesday, August 30.

And while no exact games have been announced as part of the showcase video, Nintendo did reveal the focus will be on Nindies — Nintendo indie titles, many of which have a console-exclusive hook to them. (Think an early launch window or Switch-specific functionality.)

But even without knowing a single game confirmed to appear, there is still plenty we can gleam about what might be shown.

Wait, When Was the Last Nindies Showcase?

Nintendo hosted the first Nindies Switch Showcase back in February ahead of the Switch’s release. Nintendo announced 17 games for the Switch, teasing many to come throughout the following months. The lineup included games already released on other platforms, like Yooka-Laylee and Stardew Valley, as well as newly revealed games like SteamWorld Dig 2.

Nintendo also revealed artwork featuring dozens of other indie titles set to be released in 2017:

Since then, Nintendo Showcases and Spotlights have been focused primarily on major retail releases for the Switch. Those have included an Arms Direct, a Splatoon spotlight, a Pokemon-themed Direct, and of course the E3 Spotlight, which featured a mix of major and indie releases like Super Mario Odyssey and Rocket League, respectively.

What Will Nintendo Spotlight?

Like the previous Nindies Showcase, the Nintendo spotlight video will likely highlight a host of games both exclusive to the Switch and making their console debuts on the platform. Practically every game highlighted in the last Nindies Showcase was either a Switch exclusive, slated to come to Switch first among all consoles, or included features tied specifically to the system.

Whereas the last Showcase geared its announcements toward releases from the Switch's launch through the summer, this spotlight will probably focus on the remainder of the year, and possibly even dip into 2018.

Given the precedent set by the last Nindies Showcase, expect at least a dozen reveals, and plenty of games launching first or exclusively on consoles for the Switch.

There's also a chance most, if not all, of what is shown will be available to play as part of Nintendo’s PAX West offerings. Nintendo will both have a Nindies@Night showcase on August 31 at at 8:30 p.m. PT, while the Nindies Arcade will run throughout the convention this coming weekend.

Will Anything From the Last Nindies Showcase Make an Appearance?

It’s likely! Of the 17 games announced for the Switch at the last Showcase, only six have been released for the system so far, with many missing originally promised release windows.

That leaves plenty of room for those other 11 games to be shown off yet again. Though because they’ve gotten the spotlight already, Nintendo may not feature all or even most of them this time around.

We already got an update about Stardew Valley from the game’s developer earlier this year, while The Escapists 2 has been released on PC with the Switch version expected to come next. And with Yooka-Laylee already out on other platforms, giving time to the game would rob other completely unreleased titles of a chance to shine.

That still leaves an opportunity for number of games, like Shakedown: Hawaii, Runner3, SteamWorld Dig 2, and Dandara, to be showcased tomorrow. But, barring any firm release dates for those already revealed games, expect the Showcase to focus on new titles.

What About Other Upcoming Switch Games?

Looking for an update on Super Mario Odyssey, Xenoblade Chronicles 2, or even what FIFA 18 looks like on Switch? Good news! IGN has updated previews from Gamescom 2017, including four minutes of FIFA 18 gameplay and a preview of Xenoblade. You can also get a rundown of everything Nintendo from Gamescom in the latest episode of Nintendo Voice Chat.

The bad news? Those titles are not Nindies, and so don’t expect to find out more about them during tomorrow’s showcase. There is still plenty of time left this fall, though, for Nintendo to air another spotlight highlighting the rest of the fall and early 2018’s big releases.

When Can I Watch Again?

The Nindies Showcase will air on Nintendo's YouTube channel at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET/6 p.m. BST tomorrow, August 30 and 3 a.m. AEST on August 31.

Stay tuned to IGN for all of the biggest news from the showcase.

Jonathon Dornbush is an Associate Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter @jmdornbush.

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