Recently released as part of September 23rd's Nintendo Direct, Bayonetta 3 is set to be the first new entry in the Bayonetta franchise since the release of Bayonetta 2 in 2014. This series is highly regarded for its fast, action-packed gameplay, memorable music, and its distinct personality.
While Bayonetta 3's announcement gives fans of the franchise something to look forward to, it has yet to receive an official release, estimated for a 2022 launch. Luckily, while development for Bayonetta 3 toils away, fans of the series still have plenty of great action games to play before the new entry comes to Switch. So today we're going to look at 10 Switch action games perfect to play while waiting for the release of Bayonetta 3.
10 Monster Hunter Rise
The most recent entry in Capcom's Monster Hunter franchise, Monster Hunter Rise is a cooperative action RPG. As the name of the game would suggest, the game is based around hunting monsters that come in the form of massive boss fights.
As players defeat these monsters, they can use their parts to create more potent gear, better equipping them for increasingly deadly foes. Drawing upon every prior entry in the series, Monster Hunter Rise features a wealth of weapon types for player to use that each fundamentally alters how a player approaches combat, giving the game a great deal of variety.
9 Streets Of Rage 4
The most recent entry in the classic 90s beat em' up franchise, Streets of Rage, Streets of Rage 4 is one of the finest beat em' ups of recent memory. A highly stylized game that features gorgeous hand-drawn 2D animation, Streets of Rage 4 allows players to fight against hordes of countless enemies with a variety of distinct and memorable characters, each with their own fighting styles.
Whether a player is experiencing the game in single-player or multiplayer, the game's combat system features enough depth to keep combat consistently engaging as players fight wave after wave of enemies.
8 Samurai Warriors 5
Samurai Warriors 5 is the most recent entry in Koei Tecmo's Samurai Warriors series that began in 2004. Simultaneously a prequel and reboot of the series, Samurai Warriors 5 is a great jumping-on point for newcomers of the series.
A flashy and stylized hack and slash game, Samurai Warriors depicts a fictionalized version of the Sengoku period of Japanese history in which the country was at war. The game's combat allows players to take on seemingly endless waves of enemies while allowing the player to utilize various unique playable characters.
7 Hyrule Warriors: Age Of Calamity
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is a game that serves as a prequel to the widely lauded Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Like Samurai Warriors 5, Age of Calamity was developed by Koei Tecmo and features fundamentally similar hack and slash gameplay. Fast-paced and stylish, the game isn't just a feast for the eyes but also rewards players looking to get the most out of its combat system.
Additionally, as the game is a prequel rather than a sequel, no prior information about Breath of the Wild is required to enjoy Age of Calamity.
6 Persona 5 Strikers
While Persona 5 is known for being a stylish and endearing turn-based RPG, Persona 5 Strikers uses the game's cast and art direction to continue the game's story with high-energy hack and slash combat.
Yet another game developed by Koei Tecmo, while Persona 5 Strikers features combat akin to the previously mentioned Warriors games, the presentation of its story and segments between combat feels straight out of the original Persona 5 making it a great choice for hack and slash fans and JRPG fans alike, all while maintaining the great visuals and music many fans associate with Persona 5.
5 No More Heroes III
No More Heroes III was released earlier this year, and was the first core entry in its series to be released since No More Heroes II in 2010.
A hack and slash experience that doesn't take itself too seriously, filled with various references and tongue-in-cheek humor, balancing entertaining writing and dialogue with solid core combat. While the game features a variety of mini-games its strengths lie in its combat, most notably in fights against the game's memorable bosses.
4 Astral Chain
Released for the Nintendo Switch in 2019, if the gameplay of Astral Chain appears similar to that of the Bayonetta franchise, it is likely due in part to the fact that the game was developed by PlatinumGames, the same studio responsible for Bayonetta.
Set in a cyberpunk dystopia, this combat-heavy hack and slash balances combat with RPG elements, implementing a unique combat system that allows the player to simultaneously control two characters at once.
3 Devil May Cry HD Collection
Fundamentally, the Bayonetta and Devil May Cry franchises each have a great deal in common. Fast-paced and combo-heavy action games with a lot of flair, these franchises even put the player up against similarly demonic foes.
For those looking to dip their toes into what Devil May Cry has to offer, the first three entries in the series were ported to the Switch as a remastered HD collection, providing players with tons of content.
2 Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition
Released in 2020, Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition is a highly polished port of Xenoblade Chronicles.
An underrated action RPG, the game features rewarding combat that grows in complexity as that game progresses, while putting a heavy emphasis on story. It features a memorable cast of party members that any player can enjoy.
1 The Wonderful 101: Remastered
Originally released for the Wii U, The Wonderful 101 is a criminally underrated game that doesn't receive nearly enough attention. While The Wonderful 101 and Bayonetta have starkly contrasting visual styles, with the former toting a colorful and cartoonish aesthetic, both games have shockingly similar high-energy gameplay, utilizing similar combat systems.
This can be largely attributed that both The Wonderful 101 and the Bayonetta series are each developed by PlatinumGames.