Let's say I buy a Nintendo Switch today. What does the library look like? I'm particularly interested to hear about what games/console libraries from the past are available.

I hear that Nintendo is releasing a new console in the not too distant future. Is there any point getting a Switch when there's a new bad boy coming up?

Oct 18, 2023 18:02:40 GMT Emperor said:

Let's say I buy a Nintendo Switch today. What does the library look like? I'm particularly interested to hear about what games/console libraries from the past are available.

I hear that Nintendo is releasing a new console in the not too distant future. Is there any point getting a Switch when there's a new bad boy coming up?

Nothing official yet but there's strong rumours of an upgraded system coming in 2024. It would make sense, it's been six years since the Switch came out, it's having difficulty running the software and the releases of late seem very late gen (lots of remasters and spin offs).

If you subscribe to Nintendo's premium online service, you'll have access to the majority of first party NES, SNES, Game Boy, GBA, N64 and Sega Mega Drive libraries. You'll also have access to the DLC for Mario Kart 8, Animal Crossing and Splatoon. A lot of games that are available on steam are also available via the switch so your Resident Evils, Final Fantasys, Mega Mans, Castlevanias etc are available on the Switch.

Do any games in particular interest you?

Lony is our Switch expert, but I'll give you an idea of what I picked up and what I'm still interested in picking up.

Splatoon 2 (Online Third Person Shooter), Super Mario Odyssey (3D Platformer), Xenoblade 1-3 (JRPG with MMO mechanics), Super Smash Bros Ultimate (Party Fighter), Fire Emblem Three Houses (Tactical RPG with Persona like Life Sim), Dragon Quest IX: S (JRPG), Astral Chain (Hack n Slash Action RPG), Pokemon Shield, Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (3D Zelda), Metroid Dread (2D Metroidvania), No More Heroes III (Hack n Slash), Shin Megami Tensei V (JRPG), Pokemon Shiny Pearl, Pokemon Scarlet/Violet, Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Open World Zelda).

Games I own on Wii U: Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Open World Zelda), Mario Kart 8, Super Mario 3D World (Linear 3D Mario), Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (2D Platformer), Pikmin III (RTS), Bayonetta 2 (Hack n Slash), Tokyo Mirage Sessions (JRPG), Wonderful 101 (Action Adventure), New Super Mario U (2D Mario), Toad's Treasure Tracker (Puzzle Platformer), Hyrule Warriors (Dynasty Warriors Beat Em Up), Pokken Tournament (3D Pokemon Fighter)

Games I'd be curious to buy but haven't gotten around to it: ARMS, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Bayonetta 3, Monster Hunter Rise, Luigi's Mansion 3, Fire Emblem Engage, Mario Maker 2, Animal Crossing New Horizon, Pokemon Legends Arceus, Splatoon 3 etc.

I hope that gives you an idea, but I'm sure there's a game you've got your eye on? You can always treat yourself to a console (especially with Black Friday on the horizon) and upgrade when the time is right.

The Switch is absolutely worth it, it has passed the SNES as my all-time favorite console. As you mentioned though Emperor, there has been a lot of rumors of the next Nintendo console dropping late 2024.

Obviously, any first party Nintendo Switch games, are worth checking out. I'm not sure if you had a Wii U or not, but there's also a ton of quality ports from that system as well.

The thing no one knows is if the new Switch/Switch 2 will be backwards compatible because if it is, you might as well try and get the new system. Catch 22 is, if it is like the shitshow that the Switch 1 and other systems were like (COUGHPS5&XBXCOUGH), this won't be easy to get.

Not sure if there's a Black Friday equivalent in the UK but around the Holidays, particularly November/December, the system goes on sale. I would watch out for those sales. You get the standard one, or a OLED one or a smaller one(cheapest option) but this one can only be played on handheld vs the other 2 which have a deck that connects to your TV.

As for the games, Big Pete nailed it with the content. Switch is insanely good with it's game library. Not just the 1st party stuff either which consists of new stuff but also ports from older Nintendo systems like the Gamecube, Wii U or Nintendo 3DS. It is also a huge visual novel machine so given the portability, it's a game changer. Again it trails PS5/XBOX series consoles as far as graphics & presentation goes(It is lucky to hit 30 FPS on 3rd party games, even the 1st party games are a mess) which is why a lot of people(myself included) are hoping Nintendo takes these shortcomings of the system more seriously for the next console. But given you've been out of the loop Emperor as far as recent entry of games go, you have a crap ton of games waiting for you. Bunch of JRPGs you can tackle too.

Yeah we were talking the other day about all the different GameCube ports and how the system slowly built a decent collection.

Mario Sunshine, Metroid Prime, Pikmin I & II, Tales of Symphonia (well...PS2 port and kind of meh), Baiten Kaitos I & II, Resident Evil Remake, 0 and 4, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles, Ikaruga, Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life with Paper Mario: Thousand Year Door on the way.

We just need Nintendo to chime in with the OG Luigi's Mansion, Wind Waker, Twilight Princess, F-Zero GX and Capcom to deliver some Viewtiful Joe I & II and some Killer 7 and we'd have a stew.

Holding off only makes sense if there's no BC, which is possible. It's actually a good time to get into it because there's so much library at your disposal unlike the first few years in a gen's life. Granted that wasn't true last gen since they rereleased all the PS4/WiiU games... well WiiU made sense to do since very few people ended up playing those games.

Getting the current Switch would be very on-brand for me if it becomes "obsolete" next year. Even if it does get replaced by a new console, there seems to be more than enough to last me several lifetimes.

Oct 18, 2023 19:04:25 GMT Big Pete said:

If you subscribe to Nintendo's premium online service, you'll have access to the majority of first party NES, SNES, Game Boy, GBA, N64 and Sega Mega Drive libraries. You'll also have access to the DLC for Mario Kart 8, Animal Crossing and Splatoon. A lot of games that are available on steam are also available via the switch so your Resident Evils, Final Fantasys, Mega Mans, Castlevanias etc are available on the Switch.

Do any games in particular interest you?

Not particularly, I have a strange desire to add to my already unconquerable backlog :lol: I guess more obscure SNES titles like Illusion of Gaia don't fall under that umbrella? It's hardly a must-have but it would be cool.

How much does the premium service cost?

Oct 18, 2023 19:36:07 GMT Emperor said:

Getting the current Switch would be very on-brand for me if it becomes "obsolete" next year. Even if it does get replaced by a new console, there seems to be more than enough to last me several lifetimes.

Oct 18, 2023 19:04:25 GMT Big Pete said:

If you subscribe to Nintendo's premium online service, you'll have access to the majority of first party NES, SNES, Game Boy, GBA, N64 and Sega Mega Drive libraries. You'll also have access to the DLC for Mario Kart 8, Animal Crossing and Splatoon. A lot of games that are available on steam are also available via the switch so your Resident Evils, Final Fantasys, Mega Mans, Castlevanias etc are available on the Switch.

Do any games in particular interest you?

Not particularly, I have a strange desire to add to my already unconquerable backlog I guess more obscure SNES titles like Illusion of Gaia don't fall under that umbrella? It's hardly a must-have but it would be cool.

How much does the premium service cost?

I believe it's 35 pounds for you guys. Standard is 18, which gives you access to NES, SNES and GameBoy.

No Illusion of Gaia/Time or any of the other Quintent games. There's a few third-party games like Wild Guns, Demon's Crest, Breath of Fire I & II etc. but it's largely first party titles. The Mega Drive selection is better on that front with more third party games and a better range in general.

I wouldn't give up on those Quintent games eventually being available. Nintendo published Illusion of Gaia and Terranigma and were pushed heavily in their markets. Terranigma was basically our answer to Chrono Trigger in PAL territories and was pushed in our magazines.

If you just want a portable retro device, maybe a Steam Deck would be a better investment?

Now that I'm home and can use something other than my phone.

2017: Obviously the two big games for this year are Super Mario Odyssey (my personal game of the year), and of course The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Outside of that, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is an absolute blast and still gets played regularly in our household (a big part of that is the added booster course), but also Rayman Legends Definitive Edition, Rocket League, Super Bomberman R, and Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap (the remake is wonderfully done), are all games I enjoyed as well.

2018: The big game for this year, is easily Super Smash Bros.: Ultimate, not only is it the best game of 2018, it's easily the best fighting game on the console period. If you like Wonder Boy, then Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom should be right up your alley. Other games I'd recommend are the Wii U ports of Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (if you like puzzle games), and Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (the Switch really needs more DKC games). I would also suggest Mega Man 11, and Sonic Mania Plus as well.

2019: If you're looking for some retro goodness, both the Castlevania and Contra anniversary collections released this year, although if I had to pick one I would lean more towards Castlevania. New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe is a good Wii U port as well, I also enjoyed Luigi’s Mansion 3, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3, and the remake of The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening. The first Ni No Kuni and Ori games dropped on the Nintendo Switch this year as well. Pokemon's eighth generation came out as well, with Sword and Shield making their way to the hybrid system.

2020: Animal Crossing: New Horizons came out at the perfect time, right when Covid was becoming a thing... if not for that, I don't think I would have gotten into the game as much as I did (re: I had a lot of free time). Nintendo celebrated Mario in a big way, with the release of Super Mario 3D All-Stars, although they discontinued the game, so you would have to find a used copy, still though two great games and Super Mario Sunshine (I'm kidding, it's not a bad game). Besides those two games, I also dug Nexomon: Extinction (a solid Pokemon clone), and Paper Mario: The Origami King. Also, the second Ori game was released on the Switch in 2020 as well, plus Hades which is my game of the year for 2020.

2021: For me, 2021 was easily one of the best years, for the Nintendo Switch, just so much awesomeness came out. The first game that comes to mind, is Metroid Dread, which just so happens to be my game of the year, beyond that, I dug the Pokemon: Brilliant Diamond remake as well. Some other games worth playing, would of course be Kaze and the Wild Masks (heavily inspired by the DKC games), ports of Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, and Super Mario 3D World (+ Bowser’s Fury), plus the Tony Hawk 1 + 2 remake. Oh yeah, Ni No Kuni's second game also came to the Switch in 2021, so there's that as well.

2022: This is where the game recommendations kinda die out (as I'm still working on buying a lot of games from this year and 2023), with that said though, Kirby and the Forgotten Land is the big one, but also two Pokemon games released this year as well (Pokemon Legends: Arceus, and Pokemon Scarlet/Violet aka Gen 9). Emperor, if you were ever a Ninja Turtles fan, there is of course TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge (fantastic but short game), plus the TMNT: The Cowabunga Collection, as well. I also really liked Pocky & Rocky Reshrined (despite some minor(ish) complaints), and Tunic.

2023: A big year for some of Nintendo's biggest franchises, as remasters/ports of Metroid Prime (Remastered), and Kirby’s Return to Dreamland (Deluxe) came to the system. This year, also saw the long-awaited sequel to Breath of the Wild come to the Switch, that of course being The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. As far as games that have been released this year, I don't think anything else really tops those three games. Not sure, if it's something you would be into, but there is also the Final Fantasy I - VI Collection, as well.

Upcoming Games: As for upcoming games, I'm definitely interested in Sonic Superstars (which came out October 17th), Super Mario Bros.: Wonder, and Super Mario RPG.

I wonder if when this new, souped-up version of the Switch comes out, I wonder if they'll add Gamecube and Wii games to it's Switch Online expansion pass?

Also, Illusion of Gaia is an awesome game.

I would go Steam Deck over Switch. Bit costlier but far, far more games on that. And if you delve into emulation, switch games.

If you want a console, I would wait for the switch 2.

Oct 18, 2023 19:46:10 GMT Big Pete said:

If you just want a portable retro device, maybe a Steam Deck would be a better investment?

Portability isn't especially important to me, my intention is a sit home and play games console. I'm also not exclusively looking for retro libraries, you guys have pointed out many cool sounding newer games. But I won't pass up on the chance to ask a rhyming question.

What the heck is a Steam Deck?

Oct 19, 2023 6:55:27 GMT Emperor said:

Oct 18, 2023 19:46:10 GMT Big Pete said:

If you just want a portable retro device, maybe a Steam Deck would be a better investment?

Portability isn't especially important to me, my intention is a sit home and play games console. I'm also not exclusively looking for retro libraries, you guys have pointed out many cool sounding newer games. But I won't pass up on the chance to ask a rhyming question.

What the heck is a Steam Deck?

A 2-1 portable PC console. The same design as a Switch, but sold at a premium making it more expensive and harder to get your hands on.

TBH, even if you were interested in a portable retro, a raspberry pi custom build would be better.

We tossed a ton of games at you, but if you're just after the core Switch experience, I'd recommend the following.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - The best Mario Kart to date with the best range of tracks to choose from and a ton of features that makes the racing feel as thrilling and dynamic as ever. The game originally came out in 2014, but the Switch added new modes, new features, new characters and most importantly new tracks that gives you an incredible variety. Online is as active as ever and it's the best kart racer to date.

Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - This actually a fairly divisive game on PW, but this broke from tradition and became the first 3D open world Zelda. What makes Breath of the Wild stand out is the attention to detail and the level of interactivity. It's a game that supports creativity, and you'll be surprised at how often you can clear objectives with the craziest of strategies. Throw in the typical Nintendo charm and you've got this really enjoyable world to explore. Just don't collect all the Korok seeds! If you enjoy it, the sequel is more of the same, but more souped up.

Mario Odyssey - Has one of the best gimmicks in 3D platforming where you can possess your enemies with your cap and use their skills to solve problems. Throw in memorable creative worlds and some fantastic set pieces, this is a really uplifting game to play and still the best 3D platformer of the current generation. It's also a real throwback to games of our youth and in particular reminds me of other 3D platformers like Banjo Kazooie and Space Station Silicon Valley.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - The best party fighter of it's genre and unlike previous games has a really meaty single player mode that pays homage to a ton of video game series - Nintendo and non-Nintendo alike. The game also includes your boys Cloud and Sephiroth (DLC) and just has a ridiculous amount of content that all these years later I've yet to beat. Just about every gaming franchise is represented, even your avatar pops up!

Those would be the four core games with Animal Crossing being an honorable mention. I think of it more as an application than an actual game as it's just a virtual life game where you build your own island, try to recruit villagers that represent you and there is no end goal.

Steam Deck is a juiced up version of the Switch BUT you are missing out on the vast Nintendo 1st party stuff. It is also a game changer for visual novels/JRPGs and the like and it runs better than the Switch but it costs more and as c said, Switch 2 is next year. See what kind of sale happens for the Switch 1 in a few weeks. All comes down to the genre of games you are looking for as well, some of the niche titles aren't so graphically demanding so the Steam Deck isn't that necessary. But for 3rd party titles, yeah probably a night and day difference as far as presentation goes.

The Switch is still going to be supported to with the new Princess Peach adventure, the Paper Mario Thousand Year Door remaster and Luigi's Mansion 2 remaster as well. I would assume Switch 1 will still get some content too, maybe even ports of the new games coming out(Have yet to hear Metroid Prime 4 not coming in)

Some of my favorite games of the Switch(First party exclusive):

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze(Originally a Wii U game, this is such a great game and if you like the Donkey Kong Country games, this one will hit the spot. Terrific soundtrack from the DKC 1 & 2 composer, David Wise and crisp gameplay and visuals. Also has an exclusive easy mode in Funky Kong who can fly through pitfalls and the like) 

Fire Emblem: Three Houses(Terrific story with 3 different schools who go their own ways, if you like Strategy RPG mixed in with Persona esque dating/social link elements, this is something to jump at Emperor . Really good voice acting, if you have played any of the Fire Emblem 3DS games like Awakening, this is like them but on roids. So much content too, I went with the Edelgard path but there's 2 other paths if you really want to dig deep into the content, Claude & Dimitri)