You think that will be this year?

MH is at least confirmed for either August or September, don't recal.

I feel like last I've seen DQXI is always mentioned for 2018 for Switch.

No. But it didn't need Pokemon to make a new entry on 3DS.

I think that's just going to confuse a lot of people. It of course makes 3DS a tempting buy for those who haven't gotten any Nintendo consoles - but they may feel burned several months into 2018 when they realize 3DS is finished.

However, if Ultra Sun/Moon were merely HD versions of this 3DS game I'd be disappointed. I want this series to really wow me with it's generational leap. I'm just going to have a wait a little longer for that than I'd like to.

The switch might not but I do

Well you threw in Rabbids and Warriors, so thought you were talking big games that will keep the console a hot topic/seller. I mean they are third party games, just using Nintendo characters.

Is Rabbids a big seller? Don't really follow the franchise. Funny trailers, but never played or seen played.

But I felt that was the point of this thread. "NEED" A system only needs a game to further it's sales. We all knew before even Poken was announced that the Switch didn't NEED a pokemon game yet. A Pokemon game in the 2018 line-up though makes that year already stelller. Fire Emblem and Pokemon main game. And hopefully a Metroid game. Toss in a new Smash, or even a Deluxe version in the dry February period or something and they will keep it hot.

The Switch doesn't need Pokemon until Nintendo solves the supply hardware issues. But if you're going to make a new game anyway, and the console has proven to be capable of connecting with its predecessor (Monster Hunter XX can be played multiplayer with Switch and 3DS together) it's a waste not to bring them. Hell, the whole 7th gen should have just waited for the next year.

I dunno.  It feels like they're holding off on placing a release date for DQXI for the Switch because they know it'll cannibalize sales for the 3DS (and probably the PS4) version once they do it.

No need. NSW is already strong enough to dominate Japan for the entire year.

This. It will need it for the next holiday, not this one. 

The more quality game releases the earlier on, the better?
Does it need it? no.
Would it help it if it did? yes.

Nintendo can't even provide enough Switches this year so releasing Pokemon could even be detrimental. They should release it next summer when the sales die down a bit.