"Metroid Prime 4 and Pokemon are 2018 titles for Switch" says Nintendo of America.

In an interview with Venturebeat.com about there recent E3 showing, Nintendo of America's corporate communications director, Charlie Scibetta, has claimed that the recently announced Metroid Prime 4 and Pokemon for Nintendo Switch will both release in 2018.

Just as you get through a game and you’re starting to put your head up, put the periscope out to see what else is out there, hopefully we’ll have something right there for you. We’ve announced a nice lineup through this year, and next year we have some big games coming with Metroid 4. 2018 will be around Metroid, Kirby, Yoshi, new Pokemon game has been announced. We feel good about the lineup for this year and beyond.

https://venturebeat.com/2017/06/21/nintendo-on-keeping-switch-owners-happy-with-mario-and-more/view-all/

What do you think? Personally, I'm surprised, I got the impression from the announcements of both Metroid and Pokemon that they where 2019 at the earliest, but the sooner the better.

I would be very surprised if Metroid actually comes out in 2018. Not sure about Pokemon.

I still think Nintendo operates with each region division working in their own silos. NOA probably knows very little until a few months before release. I don't believe this statment.

I sincerely doubt it; but it's not like the switch wouldn't need them in 2018.

That sounds extremely optimistic. From no screen to full game. I am guessing 2019 for both XD

Yeah I'll believe it when I see it.

I don't believe MP4 just started development. I'm more inclined in believing that the process has been going on for some time already.

I'd love it if it were true, but not holding my breath.

I want BotW type attention in Prime 4. I want fluid animation and a world with just a fraction of that physics and interation.

Samus can be just as mobile if not even more mobile than Link. Give us some of that fluid mobility we just fell in love with.

... I maj just be dreaming... but it would be nice.

dat trailer for mp4 was beyond epic

2018 is shaping up for Nintendo.

If No More Heroes 3 actually shows up it might just be Nintendo's best year in a long time.

We don't know how long either game has been in development.

We didn't know before January that Odyssey was even a thing. And it's releasing in 4 months.

We know about Metroid and Pokémon presumably 16 months ahead of when they would release if they were 2018 titles.

I could see Pokémon and Metroid trailers in a January Direct and an E3 blowout next year for a Holiday 2018 release.

Pokemon will definitely make it for 2018. I get the impression Nintendo holds the developers' feet to the fire on their deadlines -- gotta make that $.

Metroid? I'll see ya in 2019, Samus.

Be a sweet 2018 for Switch if they did release then

bullshit

We’ve announced a nice lineup through this year, and next year we have some big games coming with Metroid 4. 2018 [Ed’s note: Nintendo clarified later that Scibetta meant “2018 and beyond” here] will be around Metroid, Kirby, Yoshi, and a new Pokemon game has been announced. We feel good about the lineup for this year and beyond.

Gotta have something for 2018. Bring Pikmin and Smash too.

No previews of the game this year but full game next year? LOL. Come on people. You can't honestly believe that nonsense. This is Nintendo.

@Pedro: So what comes next year?

If that were true, I'll begin to wonder what the hell they're going to release from 2019. I am not content with basing an entire year on Animal Crossing.

They said at e3 that pokemon might even take a year to come out. No surprise.

Metroid though is a bit surprising considering they had nothing to show.

Well Yoshi and Kirby are already confirmed for next year. I'm sure there will be other games to release, but it's a but surprising they're loading up most of their major IP's in just two-year's time. They will need to announce many more new IP's than just Arms.

@jaydan: Theyll announce some big games for 2018. I just dont know when.

I think it is also time to revive old franchises. Kid Icarus on the 3DS was an awesome game. I would love to see a legit console Kid Icarus game. Bring back F-Zero, for fucksakes, especially if the Switch is supposed to be some sort of multiplayer hub. For the love of god and all things holy, revive the Earthbound series. It's not fair Nintendo continually teases this dead franchise in the Smash Bros. series.

@LegatoSkyheart: maybe, but I think topping the best Zelda since Ocarina AND what seems to be the best Mario since SM64 in a single year will be pretty difficult.

@iandizion713: WarioWare has also been MIA on the last couple Nintendo systems (3DS, Wii U). I'm unsure if they just got over that one or if it got taken over by the Rhythm Haven titles, but I can personally see WarioWare doing well on the Switch as a party game with its format.

Yup.

Still, not too far fetched either way. This is Nintendo. Aside from Zelda, they're pretty damn good about getting their games out the door in a timely manner.

It's not uncommon for them to announce a game and have it out within a year, and in some cases they'll announce a game and have it out by holiday of the same year.

I wouldn't be a bit surprised if one or both of these games are up and ready by the 2018 holiday season.

^ This...NoA..lol..if its NoJ I'll believe it a little.. :P

calling BS on this if anything its 2019 at the EARLIEST these games have to be at the beginning of development that's why ninendo could'nt even show a screenshot or demo at E3

Metroid November 2018 at the earliest. I'd love for a Animal Crossing title around this time next year, that would tide me over until other big hitters come out.

That won't do, 2 games when they don't have 3rd party support at all pretty much, sounds worse than the wii u.

Mario vs Rabbits got announced last week and it's releasing in a couple months. So who knows.

I'm looking forward to Metroid prime 4.

Nintendo needed to be more friendly to the 3rd party companies to get more 3rd party support.

I actually think that we will se Metroid Prime 4 in 2018...i mean i doubt they just began to work on it this year...so it wouldn't surprise if the project started around 2015 or 2016.

Pokemon, i don't know...i'm betting on an early 2019 release.

Either way, i can't wait to see more of them.

They never said there were only 2 games for 2018.

Well holy ****!

Hmmm, I'd like to believe that we will see Prime 4 in 2018 and that they have been working on the game for a while now.

Though if that was the case I would have thought we would have gotten a bit more than a "4" logo from E3?

Honestly a lot of games just can't run on the switch.

I'll believe it when I see it.

If this is true, then this is purely awesome!

They currently have a strong line-up with some good (and some bad) 3rd party support with crossplay.
Seriously, they're doing really well and it's totally worth getting a Switch if 2018 will be anything like 2017.

If true, this will be a great follow up to 2017's Mario and Zelda combo. Sprinkle in more good releases throughout the year and the Switch will have an amazing first 2 years. In fact, it would be pretty hard *not* to recommend a Nintendo product for once.

Exactly, a lot of games can't run on the switch.

I'm surprised, we didn't see any gameplay footage or even a trailer for Metroid Prime 4, just a logo and a "Now in development for Nintendo Switch". Same with Pokemon, nothing shown, but a "oh yeah, and we have a Pokemon RPG being developed for the Switch right now". I was expecting probably an early 2019 if lucky or late 2019. But if its released in 2018, then that's good, though I just hope they don't have tons of problems at release. If they do, I would just say to take their time.

Well put it this way... a console Pokemon RPG that we've been waiting for since the rumors of Pokemon World for the N64, and a new Metroid.... if they both drop in 2018, it's going to be a huge for Nintendo.

I could see them not showing any screenshots or game play in order to not take away from what's coming out this year.

If this is true I'd expect to see a few directs and a dedicated E3 for both titles next year.