It seems like every day there’s a new rumor about a new port coming to the Nintendo Switch. The sheer amount of these rumors is a testament to the success of Nintendo’s comeback console, but the popularity of the rumors themselves is fueled by the fact that some of them have actually come true. In the spirit of the excitement that still surrounds the Nintendo Switch, I offer up to the gods of the internet the five games I’d like to see ported next.
5. The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD (Wii U)
This was my favorite title on the Wii U. It was also the very game that convinced me to buy the Wii U in the first place. It’s an absolutely beautiful HD remaster, one that actually improves upon the original game, and I believe it’s already more than ready for a Nintendo Switch comeback. Besides, I can’t shake the suspicion that the presence of Wind Waker characters in the user avatar options are something of a hint.
4. Kingdom Hearts 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX (PS4, PS3)
With all the hype swirling about Kingdom Hearts III, it feels like the perfect time to suggest they go ahead and port the HD compilations to the Nintendo Switch. I know this one might feel like a tall order, but hear me out. We’ve already seen that the Nintendo Switch can handle at least PS3-level games with ease (see LA Noire and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim), and I’d argue that since Kingdom Hearts 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX was already a fair disappointment as far as HD remasters go, the Switch is more than up to the challenge. Selfishly, though, I’d just love an excuse to revisit Kingdom Hearts on my own time, at my own pace, in my own setting. Is that too much to ask?
3. Gwent: The Witcher Card Game (PC, PS4, Xbox One)
Remember the card game in The Witcher III: Wild Hunt? Well in case you haven’t heard, it’s its own thing now. There are tournaments, leagues, rankings, challenges, and even a single-player campaign. Myself and many others would wager that Gwent has the promise necessary to compete with or even overtake the likes of Hearthstone, but there’s just one problem: accessibility. Right now, Gwent is only available on PC, PS4, and Xbox One. That means you have to be sitting on your couch, or your desk, to play a round of Gwent. There’s debate amongst the internet about whether or not mobile phones could even handle such a complex game like Gwent, but I offer the Nintendo Switch as a fair solution. It’s portable, it’s got buttons, and it’s also getting a fancy paid online service soon. What could be a better place for Gwent to start branching out into the casual-to-moderate gaming landscape?
2. Don’t Starve Together (PC, PS4, Xbox One)
If you’ve ever played Klei entertainment’s ubiquitous survival game Don’t Starve, then you know just how brilliant, challenging, and charming it is. I think a port of that game is somewhat inevitable—given the fact that it’s available, like, literally everywhere—but I think a more viable option for the Nintendo Switch is Don’t Starve‘s online multiplayer spin-off: Don’t Starve Together. One of the greatest features of the Switch is the console’s focus on local and online multiplayer. Don’t Starve Together fits this focus perfectly. It would be a brilliant game that would benefit tremendously from Nintendo Switch’s fresh online community, not to mention wildly popular if they added some kind of local co-op feature.
Update 4/5/18: It’s not Don’t Starve Together, but the next best thing, Don’t Starve, is officially coming to the Nintendo Switch on April 12th! It will be bundled with the game’s Reign of Giants and Shipwrecked expansions.
1. Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy (PS4)
Crash Bandicoot has been on many people’s “in your wildest dreams” list since way before the HD remake was released, and the same seemed true about seeing it released for the Nintendo Switch. That is, until we were subjected to the recent barrage of credibly sourced rumors. It would seem that Crash Bandicoot, in all of his sweet, sweet HD glory, may soon be playable wherever we go; but just in case Vicarious Visions and whoever else involved in this decision needs more convincing: we want—nay, need—Crash on the Nintendo Switch. And we need it bad.
Update 3/8/18: It’s happening! Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy releases for Nintendo Switch (as well as Xbox One and PC) on July 10th, 2018! Check out the official Nintendo website here.
What do you hope to see ported to the Nintendo Switch next? Let us know in the comments below, or connect with us on Twitter and Instagram!
Joy+Sticks Gaming 