Since 2017, we have seen an enormous variety of ports come to Swap, lots of which appeared like impossibilities beforehand. Surprises like Doom (2016), which turned up within the system’s launch yr, and 2019’s Witcher 3 confirmed that whereas intelligent optimisation was required, Nintendo’s console may ship completely playable and completely absorbing transportable variations of a number of the greatest video video games round.
As time wore on and Sony and Microsoft’s next-gen platforms launched, the Swap ports saved coming — the superb Pentiment has been a specific spotlight this yr. We have got our fingers crossed for Ace Fight 7 and Stray, though latest disappointments such because the Batman Arkham Trilogy present that warning is warranted. The Swap is in its eighth yr, and the tech inside was hardly bleeding edge in 2017.
Nonetheless, there’s nonetheless life within the ol’ hybrid but, and in addition to, lots of the video games we would nonetheless like to see ported may run completely on the present console. There’s additionally the matter of over 140 million programs bought, which suggests an enormous addressable viewers for builders contemplating a Swap port in 2024.
So, as we bask in the summertime solar in a single hemisphere (and quiet down for a comfy winter within the different) with the information of a forthcoming official Swap successor announcement, let’s look again for one final blow-out of a ‘Please, Nintendo, can we now have some extra?’ — a summer time round-up of incredible video games we would nonetheless like to see on Swap that stay Lacking-In-Motion.
You will discover a combination of Wii U ports (sure, there are just a few nonetheless left), some Wii gems that might use the Donkey Kong Nation Returns HD remedy, a bunch of third-party classics, plus some private favourites we simply not prepared to surrender on. We have omitted video games which are already playable by way of Nintendo Swap On-line, or something extremely more likely to present up there (eg. Diddy Kong Racing).
So, we now current our remaining Swap port wishlist, in alphabetical order. Which coincidentally means we begin with a few actual pipe goals…
Alan Wake 2
The primary Alan Wake is on Swap in remastered kind. It is an unimpressive port, however it signalled Treatment’s curiosity within the console and sparked our fever goals that the GOTY-winning sequel would possibly stand an opportunity of coming over.
What are the probabilities?
A Management-style Cloud Model? Maybe, though who actually desires that? As a lot because it pains us, this and the following recreation on the checklist really feel like they’re going to want extra energy than the present console can muster in the event that they’re to make the leap to Nintendo {hardware} with out extreme compromises.
Baldur’s Gate 3
One other 2023 GOTY. Larian Studios’ Baldur’s Gate 3 struck a nerve with each followers of the sequence and newcomers, and with each 1 and a pair of already on Swap in Enhanced Version kind, finishing the BG set could be a deal with.
What are the probabilities?
Very slim – realistically, it is one other one for the ‘Swap 2’ wishlist. If Nintendo’s subsequent console is, as had been advised, an iterative replace on the present hybrid, and if third-party devs are gearing as much as hit the bottom working with ports that are not tenable on the present mannequin, we may be a launch lineup for the ages! Okay, we’re getting forward of ourselves with that hypothetical. Compels us, although.
Usually talking, virtually any recreation that launches with a brand new console sells properly because of the restricted pool of choices for early adopters (there is a cause why Ubisoft all the time will get in early doorways with one thing), so if we have been a dev of any dimension, we would be contemplating getting caught in on day one.
Sufficient pies in skies. Let’s flip to one thing that the present Swap may run in its sleep.
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night time
Not far more to say, actually. It feels odd that it is by no means been on a Nintendo console, and odd that we have had two (glorious) collections however no Symphony.
What are the probabilities?
There are query marks across the Requiem compilation of Symphony and Rondo of Blood being a Sony unique, however we will not see something stopping Konami releasing a normal, standalone port. Or, you understand, investing within the sequence’ most celebrated entry and making it accessible in glowing kind with extras on all platforms.
Gavin first wrote for Nintendo Life in 2018 earlier than becoming a member of the positioning full-time the next yr, rising by way of the ranks to turn out to be Editor. He can presently be discovered squashed beneath a Swap backlog the scale of Normandy.
