The Nintendo Switch has become a sanctuary for games left behind on Nintendo's Wii and Wii U consoles, but many still have yet to get official ports to Nintendo's hybrid portable. Why the company has held back on several of these titles is anyone's guess. Still, many stellar titles have been mysteriously omitted or deserve another chance to shine for a new audience. The Nintendo Switch is a prime console for ports, and with the core elements of the Wii still intact, there's plenty of reason to still bring a handful of these titles into the new era.
The Wii U is the console that has had the most success in seeing its catalog preserved on the Nintendo Switch. The Switch gave Bayonetta 2 a new lease on life thanks to its high-quality port, and even Mario Kart 8: Deluxe was a big success there. Most of Nintendo's Wii U catalog has made its way over to the Switch, but the Wii hasn't shared the same success. Sans games like Super Mario Galaxy, many notable Wii titles made it to the 3DS instead and have been left there. The Wii era was a different time. Many logistical barriers exist for these titles, be it licensing agreements or IPs in limbo; many publishers have remained silent on large parts of their past catalogs.
The Wii alone has many unique titles that only existed because developers tried their best to think outside the box and develop a unique experience that the motion control experience could provide. Games like Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn, while deserving of a modern port, won't be included here. In that case, it's a sequel to a GameCube title, and both of those two Fire Emblem games deserve remakes more than ports. Metroid Prime: Trilogy is yet another title that may have a potential port/remake on the horizon, so that too will forego mention. This list will emphasize Nintendo-published games (sorry, Tatsunoko Vs. Capcom and Mad World) that are excellent and deserve a second shot or ones that feel like they should have already been ported to Nintendo's latest console by now.
The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD Still Isn't On Switch
A remake of a GameCube classic, The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD for Wii U took a long, hard look at the original title and decided to polish all of the rough edges to create a remake that completely supplants the original. Though many may have had issues with the title for not featuring Link as an older hero like newer Zelda games, which some felt they were promised from the classic Nintendo World demo of years past, fans have warmed up to it since. Between the utilization of touch screen controls, crisp visual enhancements, Triforce chart revamp, and total overhaul of sea-faring travel, Wind Waker HD is the ultimate edition of one of Link's most charming adventures.
Wii U Classic The Legend Of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD Needs A Switch Port
This Wii launch title finally gave fans the darker, adult-focused Zelda storyline they wanted back in the early days of the Nintendo GameCube. Tantalus Media, an Australian-based developer, was responsible for bringing the Zelda Twilight Princess port to the Wii U back to fill the gaps in the console's minuscule library. The game made several fixes and addressed the issues fans had with the world mirroring utilized in the Wii version to help players acclimate to Nintendo's control scheme. In addition, the game was set back to the GameCube orientation and added some much-needed quality of life features, along with standard controller support.
It's worth mentioning that fans have heavily requested these two Zelda titles from Nintendo, but still, the games continue to remain locked to the Wii U. However, both Wind Waker and Twilight Princess Switch Ports have been teased. Many lament that The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD was given the port treatment before these two titles for the 35th anniversary. However, the publisher may be waiting for the right moment to re-release these two classics, such as a catalog lull.
Kirby's Return To Dreamland Still Hasn't Jumped From Wii To Switch
One of Kirby's finest outings, Kirby's Return To Dreamland, came out later in the Wii's lifecycle and introduced a four-player co-op romp featuring Kirby, Meta Knight, Waddle Dee, and King Dedede. Despite not utilizing Kirby's many copy abilities for all four players, Return to Dreamland gave every character unique and varied move sets that were thoughtful and complementary to the rest of the cast. The multiple castmates, collectibles, and bonus modes provided several reasons to return to this dreamland. Considering the minimal motion requirements, it's a shame Nintendo hasn't seen fit to bring this gem to the Nintendo Switch yet.
Wii U's Kirby & The Rainbow Curse Still Needs A Switch Version
A follow-up to 2005's Kirby Canvas Curse for the Nintendo DS, Kirby and the Rainbow Curse is a game that oozes charm out of every square inch of the title. Made in a claymation style, players guide Kirby along using the Wii U gamepad touchscreen via painted pathways to the goal. Kirby can bash into enemies to copy abilities, changing how Kirby moves and interacts with the environment. This Kirby game's difficulty isn't too easy, as boss fights become creative action-focused puzzles that involve painting walls and rails to protect and attack the pink puffball. Kirby and the Rainbow Curse is one of the most unique games in the series' history. Despite the touchpad constraints, the Switch has a screen capable of emulating this experience if Nintendo wishes.
The Wii's Punch-Out!! Makes Sense For A Nintendo Switch Port
The Nintendo Switch Sports' game collection has opted not to include boxing this time, so Punch-Out!! on the Wii feels like a no-brainer when it comes to port ideas for the Nintendo Switch. Created by Luigi's Mansion 3's development studio Next-Level Games, Punch-Out!! follows the whole career of Little Mac and his coach, Doc. Mac climbs the world circuit and conquers a cast of colorful boxers from the entire series' history while still feeling like a fresh new entry.
Punch-Out!! made excellent use of the Wii remote and Nunchuck peripherals. The improved motion controls in the Joycon controllers could make the experience all the sweeter, and the 3D rumble reflecting the impact of punches could bring new levels of immersion to the cartoonish boxing sim. Punch-Out!! was a criminally underrated title that mainly went unnoticed when it came out. However, critics and those who sat down (or stood up) with the game immediately discovered one of the finest modern revivals of a classic franchise ever made.
Wii Classic Super Mario Galaxy 2 Should've Had A Switch Port Already
The 3D All-Stars collection included Super Mario Galaxy for Nintendo Switch, but not the second title - an odd omission if there ever was one. A quick look at Metacritic will show that the seventh highest-rated aggregate score from review outlets is Super Mario Galaxy 2. Improving on the original entry in just about every way, Super Mario Galaxy 2 was praised for taking a formula widely beloved by all and taking it all to the next level. The game kept the idea of a small hub world but then implemented a classic Super Mario Bros. 3-style progression map that made for a better-paced entry than the previous title. The addition of Yoshi made for even more unique platforming and more interstellar chaos.
Xenoblade Chronicles X Should Be On Switch By Now
Xenoblade Chronicles coming to Switch has been something of an ongoing dream for fans vocal about Monolith Soft's open-world RPG/mech adventure. Xenoblade Chronicles X is a unique entry; this odd title shares elements of Xenoblade Chronicles without needing knowledge of the game. A fully-open world RPG with four-player co-op, Xenoblade Chronicles X did something no other JRPG had at this point, providing a massive 68+ hour narrative that you could enjoy as you partner on massive quests with friends. The world encouraged getting lost in a sci-fi setting that only expanded in scope once players were given access to their mechs, known as Skells.
Unfortunately, it seems unlikely this title will ever leave the Wii U graveyard, leaving many fans unable to play the game at its best. With a shuttered online service and a minimal install base, the game never really got the chance to reach the audiences it could have resonated with. Considering the work that went into creating the absurdly ambitious world of Xenoblade Chronicles X, it's a shame many might never be able to play this or any of the other Wii and Wii U titles listed here - though there's always hope for further Nintendo Switch classic game ports down the road.
Sources: Metacritic