What Was the First Game Released for the Nintendo Switch?

This article details the launch of the Nintendo Switch and identifies the games available on its release date. It examines the primary launch titles, with a specific focus on the flagship game that drove initial sales and defined the platform’s early library. Readers will learn about the release date, the lineup of software, and which title is most commonly recognized as the system’s debut game.

The Nintendo Switch was officially released on March 3, 2017, marking a significant shift in Nintendo’s hardware strategy by combining home console and portable gaming. Unlike some console launches that rely on a single flagship title, the Switch launched with a diverse lineup of games available on day one. This strategy ensured that players had multiple options across different genres immediately upon purchasing the hardware. While several titles were available simultaneously, one specific game is often cited as the primary launch title due to its critical acclaim and bundle availability.

The most prominent game released for the Nintendo Switch at launch was The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. This open-world action-adventure title was developed by Nintendo EPD and published by Nintendo. It was released for both the Nintendo Switch and the Wii U simultaneously. Breath of the Wild received universal critical acclaim and is widely credited with driving the early adoption of the console. Many early adopters purchased the system specifically to play this title, making it the de facto first game for many consumers.

Alongside The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, other titles were released on March 3, 2017, to round out the library. 1-2-Switch, a collection of party games designed to showcase the Joy-Con controllers, was another key first-party title available on day one. Third-party support was also present at launch with games such as I Am Setsuna, Just Dance 2017, Little Nightmares, Skylanders Imaginators, and the digital-only puzzle game Snipperclips. Despite this variety, Breath of the Wild remained the standout experience that defined the launch window.

In summary, while there was not a single solitary game released before all others, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is historically recognized as the first major game for the Nintendo Switch. Its simultaneous release with the hardware on March 3, 2017, established it as the system’s flagship title. The presence of additional launch games like 1-2-Switch provided variety, but Breath of the Wild set the standard for quality and ambition on the new platform.