It’s hard to feel like Nintendo isn’t reaching the end of an era. Despite the fact that Nintendo of America head Doug Bowser has assured gamers and journalists alike that the Switch isn’t nearing the end of its life, the console is inarguably beginning to struggle with some of its more demanding games in a technical sense. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet pushed the Switch to its absolute limits and beyond, and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom will also put the console through its paces.
With that in mind, the lineup for Switch games in June 2023 is somewhat slimmer than usual, although that could also be due to the aforementioned launch of the latest instalment in one of Nintendo’s biggest franchises. Perhaps nobody wants to compete with Zelda, or maybe the Switch’s technical limitations are stopping more developers from creating games for it. Either way, you’ll still have some games to play on Switch this month, so let’s take a look at the best Switch games June 2023 has to offer.
Killer Frequency (June 1st)
We begin with a rather strange little game that should provide some quirky thrills at the start of the month. Killer Frequency is a first-person horror comedy adventure in which you play as a radio host who must talk to the residents of a town in order to protect them from a serial killer. The game is set in an authentic recreation of 1987, and you’ll be able to interact with tactile 80s radio equipment, so if you’ve ever dreamed of tinkering with microphones, cassette decks, and more, this’ll be the game for you.
We Love Katamari Reroll + Royal Reverie (June 2nd)
Whew, that name’s a mouthful, eh? Unwieldy title aside, We Love Katamari Reroll + Royal Reverie is a faithful remaster of the classic PS2, uh…platformer? Action-adventure game? Katamari’s gleeful refusal to be categorised is one of the things that makes it so special. In addition to the original PS2 game, you’re also getting the new Royal Reverie challenge set, which will task you with rolling through all-new stages as the iconic King of the Cosmos in his youth. You’ll also be able to take selfies!
Loop8: Summer of Gods (June 5th)
If you like anime movies like Your Name and games like Persona, then this JRPG will be right up your street. You are Nini, a young man who has a connection to the gods that allows him to rewind time. You must investigate an invasion of monsters known as the Kegai while also building friendships and relationships with the people around you. Those relationships serve as a stand-in for the traditional experience point system, so building friendships will also dictate what options you have in combat.
Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life (June 27th)
It’s a long, long wait until the next Switch game after Loop8, but Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life is almost certain to be worth it. The latest game in the series that was once called Harvest Moon until rights issues forced a name change, A Wonderful Life is a remake of Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life, which was first released for sixth-generation consoles back in 2004. This new version will have better visuals, of course, plus new gameplay elements and lots more changes.
Crime O’Clock (June 30th)
In this gorgeous monochromatic detective puzzler, you’ll search through massive, meticulously-detailed maps in order to find clues and uncover the truth behind crimes that have been committed. As you do so, the maps will change, leading to the uncovering of new adventures and clues. Your investigation will also span across five different ages, including the Steam Age, the Information Age, and the futuristic Aeon Age. This looks like a very ambitious detective adventure indeed, so we’re excited to see if it can live up to that ambition.
Master Detective Archives: Rain Code (June 30th)
Speaking of highly-anticipated detective adventures…Master Detective Archives: Rain Code comes to us from the developers of Danganronpa, one of the most highly-regarded cult classic detective games of its time. Set in the rain-soaked district of Kanai Ward, this game revolves around a group of detectives and their attempts to figure out why it’s always raining in their city and what effect the rain might be having on the residents. Rain Code promises the same stylish, anime-inflected detective vibes offered by Danganronpa, so check it out if you’re a fan.
Samba de Amigo: Party Central (June 30th)
A new game in the Samba de Amigo series was the last thing many of us expected, but we have to say that we’re thrilled it’s finally on the way. We should state that the June 30th release date for this game hasn’t been officially confirmed by Sega; it was part of a leak that coincided with the game’s official reveal in February, but we’re hoping that if we reinforce it as well, then it’s more likely to come true. Either way, we’ll get to play the latest game in Sega’s maraca-shaking rhythm-action series this summer.
As you can see, June is a somewhat barren time for Switch releases, but there’s still plenty to play, especially if you’re willing to hop out of your comfort zone and try something new. Hopefully, the Switch release schedule will pick up somewhat in the near future, but until then, it looks like we’ll be hopping between these curios and Tears of the Kingdom.
