The Nintendo Switch has been a revolutionary console, allowing gamers to dock the device to a television set for an immersive experience or take it on the road for gaming anywhere. One of the things the Switch has also developed a reputation for is receiving ports from other consoles - even past Nintendo systems.
There are tons of Wii U ports on the Switch, as well as numerous popular games from the 2000s and 2010s like Bioshock and Borderlands. Recently, SEGA even began releasing ports of its classic 8-bit and 16-bit tiles for the Switch too, proving the console to be an excellent home for beloved games from other consoles and time periods.
Loop Hero (Winter 2021)
Launched earlier in 2021 for PC, Mac, and Linux, Loop Hero is an interesting game. part deckbuilding card game and part adventure RPG, the game sends players along a randomized path. The player fights enemies and receives new cards which can help alter the level's landscape, offer new abilities, and more. The game has been popular since its release, with many players loving the random world-building which creates a new experience each time.
MONOBOT (December 2)
Originally released for PC over the summer, MONOBOT is now making its way to the Switch. The game is set in a dark, dystopian future and players must help guide Monobot through treacherous terrains. The game plays as a physics-based platformer and was praised for its world-building and dark atmosphere.
As players progress, they discover communication logs from past humans that begin to unravel the story of how the world came to an end. MONOBOT is sort of like if the game Inside was mashed with the movie WALL-E, creating a somber, bleak, and at times scary future to imagine.
NASCAR Heat: Ultimate Edition (November 19)
Fans of underrated racing video games will love this port of Nascar Heat 5, which was released last year. It's the official video game of the 2020 NASCAR season. Additions to the Switch version include a 2021 NASCAR Cup Series Cars Roster and 2021 primary paint schemes. It's also great for friends and family as gamers can do split-screen couch co-op or join an online game that has up to 15 other racers. In total, the game has 39 real NASCAR tracks to choose from, as well as fun additions like the Xtreme Dirt Tour where players must race their cars on dirt instead of pavement, making the cars handle completely differently.
Monster Rancher 1 & 2 (December 9)
The first two Monster Rancher games were released on the original PlayStation back in the late '90s. It could almost be considered a "Pokémon clone," as it involved players obtaining monsters, training them, and battling them. However, in Monster Rancher, the monsters are found by gamers physically having to search for them.
On PlayStation, the monsters were found on the discs for other PS1 games, but in the new Switch edition, gamers will reportedly find them by browsing through a database of music. It's a unique and interesting concept that makes for a one-of-a-kind gaming experience.
Outer Wilds (Winter 2021)
In the console release Outer Wilds, players must explore the universe before it's destroyed by a supernova...only for the cycle to begin again. However, through exploration, gamers gain skills, learn new facts about why the universe is ending, and more, all helping the game progress.
It's an addictive puzzle game that's full of adventure and perfect to play on the Switch's handheld screen. Bold, strange, and enthralling, Outer Wilds is a critically acclaimed game that is perfect for gamers who want to get lost in another world for a short while.
House of the Dead Remake (Late 2021)
The famous arcade shooter, House of the Dead, is coming to Switch. After launching in arcades, the series was first released on SEGA consoles like the Saturn and Dreamcast. The game allows players to battle zombies (usually using a light gun) and unlocks different endings each time they play, creating a variety of storylines to build.
The games were so popular that they were even adapted into the 2003 Uwe Boll film that was, sadly, poorly received. However, in the gaming world, the series remains a popular and important part of history. Also, in typical Nintendo style, House of the Dead Remake will also have a couch co-op mode allowing two players to battle zombies together.
RICO: London (December 9)
The original RICO game, released in 2019, proved to be a fun, ridiculous, and cheesy co-op first-person shooter. It was styled to be a playable version of some of the best buddy cop movies that were popular in the '80s and '90s. Earlier this year, the sequel, RICO: London was released for PC and the port is set to arrive on Switch in early December.
This time around, the plot centers on a London highrise building on New Year's Eve, 1999. Gamers must make their way through the tower, shooting every bad guy along the way, in order to take down a notorious crime gang that's bringing terror to the city.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (November 11)
Hailed as one of the greatest Star Wars games ever made, Knights of the Old Republic was first released on Xbox and PC back in 2003. It's an adventure RPG set in the Star Wars universe that allows gamers to play as a Jedi who must defeat Darth Malak. Throughout the game, players make various decisions, all of which determine if they will be aligned with the light or dark side, which was a revolutionary gaming feature back in 2003.
The game was also praised for the amount of unique and varied characters players can interact with and even add to their team. The re-release of the original is also a great way to get fans excited for the game's remake, which is currently in production and has yet to be given a release date.
Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy (November 11)
Back in 2001, Grand Theft Auto III was released and completely revolutionized gaming. Previously, in 1999, the now-classic game Shenmue was released for the Dreamcast, becoming one of the first console games to really introduce players to open-world gameplay. However, GTA3 took the concept to a whole new level. The game allowed players to interact with every character on the sidewalk, steal every car on the road, and even listen to a variety of radio stations while driving.
Furthermore, the game was graphic, violent, and, according to TheRinger.com, caused a massive uproar amongst parents and conservative politicians. However, this uproar only made the game more popular, quickly leading to sequels like Vice City and San Andreas. All three games are included in The Trilogy, marking the first time these controversial, award-winning games will appear on a Nintendo console.
BloodRayne: ReVamped (November 18)
In 2002, BloodRayne was released for the GameCube, Xbox, and PS2. It was a vampire-themed hack-and-slash action game that took place in the 1930s during World War II. The game received positive reviews and during the 2000s even spawned a sequel and a blockbuster film adaptation (also directed by Uwe Boll...and also a box office bomb). However, in the 2010s, the game saw renewed interest and a third installment was released in 2011.
Now, BloodRayne ReVamped is being released on all major consoles. It's a port of the original game, but with enhanced graphics and extra detail in the game's ambient effects like water ripples, fog, and shadows. It's a sure bet for fans of vampire games as this is one of the most popular vampire franchises of the 2000s.