2017 Gaming Rewind: Breath of the Wild, Switch & Top Pre-Pandemic Hits

2017 delivered massive milestones for the gaming industry, headlined by the Nintendo Switch launch and the critically acclaimed release of 🎮 The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Game Hub. This guide breaks down the most impactful titles and industry shifts of that pre-pandemic year, getting straight to the facts.

Key Takeaways

• 2017 brought genre-defining titles like Breath of the Wild, Horizon Zero Dawn, and Resident Evil 7, which marked a return to the franchise's horror roots.
• The Nintendo Switch's debut year delivered massive hits, with Super Mario Odyssey modernizing platforming and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe dominating multiplayer charts.
• Indie games like Cuphead and What Remains of Edith Finch proved that smaller studios could match big-budget titles in creativity and storytelling.

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Exploring 2017's Best Selling Video Games

The year 2017 offered a diverse lineup of standout titles that pushed the boundaries of traditional game design. Major releases included:

• “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” - A revolutionary open-world adventure.
• “Resident Evil 7: Biohazard” - A terrifying return to the franchise's survival horror roots.
• “Horizon Zero Dawn” - A fresh IP combining a compelling narrative with innovative robot-dinosaur combat.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - A New Open World Adventure

"The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" redefined open-world games. It abandoned linear progression for purely physics-based, immersive exploration, sweeping up awards including Game of the Year, Best Game Direction, and Best Action/Adventure.

The game offered:

• A vast, fully interactable physics engine
• A departure from traditional sequential dungeons
• Divine Beasts and 120 Ancient Shrines, rewarding curiosity and puzzle-solving

Horizon Zero Dawn - Guerrilla Games' Masterpiece

"Horizon Zero Dawn" featured Aloy, providing a fresh protagonist in a post-apocalyptic world ruled by robotic creatures. The gameplay mechanics offered complex strategic options, including:

• Trap-laying and stealth-based takedowns
• An expansive skill tree covering combat, stealth, and crafting
• Targeted component-destruction mechanics for large enemy takedowns

Resident Evil 7: Biohazard - A Return to Horror Roots

"Resident Evil 7: Biohazard" shifted to a first-person perspective, pivoting away from the action-heavy approach of its immediate predecessors. It refocused on terror, tight atmosphere, and strict inventory management—re-establishing the franchise's survival horror credibility.

Nintendo Switch Owners Rejoice: Year One Highlights

The Nintendo Switch successfully merged the handheld and home console markets. Its launch year was bolstered by massive first-party titles that drove hardware sales immediately.

Super Mario Odyssey - Platforming Perfection

"Super Mario Odyssey" returned to the sandbox 3D exploration style of Super Mario 64. Mario gained a new companion, Cappy, which entirely changed traversal and puzzle solving. Key features included:

• The ability to capture and control enemies and objects
• Seamless 2D retro pipe sections
• Dense, non-linear kingdoms packed with Power Moons

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - The Ultimate Party Game

Selling over 50 million units, "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe" ported the Wii U title with major enhancements. It revamped the previously lacking Battle Mode, introduced five new characters, and cemented itself as the essential Switch multiplayer game.

The Indie Gems of 2017 - Small Studios, Big Hits

Indie developers produced some of the highest-rated games of 2017, proving massive budgets aren't required for critical acclaim.

Cuphead - A Visual and Gameplay Throwback

"Cuphead" became famous for its brutal difficulty and exact aesthetic homage to 1930s animation. Features included:

• Traditional, hand-drawn cel animation
• Rigorous pattern-based boss fights
• Co-op run-and-gun mechanics

What Remains of Edith Finch - Interactive Storytelling at Its Finest

"What Remains of Edith Finch" abandoned combat entirely in favor of environmental storytelling. Players explored the Finch family home, experiencing a series of mechanical vignettes detailing how each cursed family member died.

The Rise of Female Leads in 2017's Video Games

Titles like “Uncharted: The Lost Legacy” and “Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice” put complex, capable female characters at the forefront of their narratives.

Uncharted: The Lost Legacy - Leading Ladies Take Charge

"Uncharted: The Lost Legacy" shifted focus from Nathan Drake to Chloe Frazer and Nadine Ross. It retained the franchise's blockbuster action while exploring a more localized, character-driven story in India.

Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice - A Dark Journey Through the Mind

Developed independently by Ninja Theory, "Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice" delivered AAA visuals and tackled severe psychosis. The developers worked closely with neuroscientists to ensure Senua's auditory and visual hallucinations were represented accurately.

Multiplayer Madness: Competitive and Cooperative Play Peaks

PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds - Battle Royale Becomes Best Selling

"PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds" (PUBG) catalyzed the battle royale genre explosion. By dropping 100 players onto an island to scavenge and survive within a shrinking zone, it dominated PC gaming and streaming platforms.

Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime - Teamwork and Chaos in Space

"Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime" required players to constantly communicate and physically move between ship stations (shields, weapons, engines) to survive frantic 2D space combat.

Puzzle Game Prowess: Brain-Teasers That Captivated Us

Gorogoa - An Artistic Puzzle Experience

"Gorogoa" utilized a unique 2x2 grid where players stacked and rearranged hand-drawn illustrations to connect scenes and solve spatial puzzles, revealing more of the game's mysterious narrative.

Thumper - Rhythm Violence and Intense Gameplay

Self-described as "rhythm violence," "Thumper" forced players to control a space beetle hitting corners and obstacles at blistering speeds to a pounding industrial soundtrack.

Fighting Games Throwdown: 2017's Best Brawlers

Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 for Switch - A New Way to Fight

The Switch port of "Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2" bundled substantial content directly into the base game, offering intense arena-brawler combat and deep character customization on a handheld platform.

Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers - Classic Combat Revived

“Ultra Street Fighter II” revived the definitive arcade fighting experience for the Switch. Features included:

• The ability to seamlessly toggle between classic pixel art and updated HD graphics
• Two new fighters: Evil Ryu and Violent Ken
• Co-op "Buddy Battle" modes

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened in gaming in 2017?

The industry saw the highly successful launch of the Nintendo Switch, replacing the underperforming Wii U. It was also a landmark year for software, dominated by genre-defining open-world titles and the sudden explosion of the battle royale format.

What was the most popular game in 2017?

Globally, mobile games like Monster Strike and Honor of Kings dominated total player numbers and revenue.

What game console came out in 2017?

The Nintendo Switch launched globally on March 3, 2017, functioning as a hybrid home and handheld console.

What game won 2017 Game of the Year?

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild won Game of the Year at major award shows, including The Game Awards 2017.

What is the best selling Switch game 2017?

Super Mario Odyssey finished 2017 as the best-selling Switch game, closely followed by Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

How did indie games like 'Cuphead' and 'What Remains of Edith Finch' impact the gaming industry in 2017?

They proved that smaller teams with focused artistic visions could achieve the same critical and commercial success as massive AAA studios.

What made 'Horizon Zero Dawn' stand out?

It successfully combined complex, strategy-driven combat against machine dinosaurs with a highly polished open world and a compelling new protagonist, Aloy.

How did 'Resident Evil 7: Biohazard' revive its series in 2017?

By switching to a first-person perspective and stripping away the excess action elements of previous titles, it successfully returned the franchise to true survival horror.

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