TheNintendo Switchhas received many ports of games previously only available on other consoles over the years. They’re a great way for Switch fans to play these titles, especially if new features or additional DLC is added alongside the port itself.
The Switch’s portability also helps these ports stand out against other consoles, as playing these games handheld lends to an entirely new experience. These ports improve on the originals in one way or another, whether that’s because of their graphical upgrades, additional content, or simply because you’re able to play them in handheld mode. These are the best ports to look out for on your Switch.
ThePhoenix Wright: Ace Attorney TrilogyincludesPhoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, Justice for All, and Trials and Tribulations, putting the first three games of the series on the Switch for the first time. In the trilogy, defense attorney Phoenix Wright attempts to win his client’s trials by investigating each case.
The trilogy first launched on iOS in 2013, but it finally came to Switch in 2019. It’s the ideal way for new fans to dive into the trilogy, but it’s also great for returning fans to experience the original games with a new lick of paint.
Dragon Questis one of the most beloved RPG series, using traditional fantasy tropes in a way that still feels fresh and new.Dragon Quest 11 S: Echoes of an Elusive Ageis one of the best entries in the series and the Definitive Edition port on the Switch is further testament to this.
This port includes a 2D graphical mode, evoking classic RPGs of the ‘90s and early entries in the DQ series itself, as well as an option for an orchestral version of the soundtrack. Playing a lengthy RPG like Dragon Quest 11 S on Switch is definitely one of the most fun ways to do so.
13 Sentinels: Aegis Rimhas, as the name hints at, 13 distinct protagonists to play as, all of whose stories connect together. Throughout the story, you pilot mechs to take down kaiju, but will spend a large amount of time traversing the hand-painted 2D world to expand the narrative.
The game was ported to Switch two years after its PlayStation 4 launch. Vanillaware’s graphical style lends well to the Switch’s hardware, and is on par with the original version. It’s the type of game that’s perfect for playing in handheld mode too.
Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Editionis a port of the original Wii U game that includes both the original DLC and additional content from the 3DS version. While Hyrule Warriors does have an original story, the main draw is being able to play asmany different characters from the series, such as Skull Kid and Midna.
It also eschews traditional Zelda mechanics for hack-and-slash gameplay, but there’s still plenty to love if you’re a fan of theZeldaseries. What’s better than taking down loads of enemies as Ganondorf?
4Okami HD
Okamifirst launched in 2006 on the PlayStation 2, with a Wii port coming two years later. The HD version came to PC, PS4, and Xbox One in 2017, but the Nintendo Switch was the last to receive it, with the port arriving in 2018.
In Okami, sun goddess Amaterasu and her companion Issun journey through Nippon to revive the land using the Celestial Brush Techniques. The Switch port is one of the best ways to play the game, as you can use the touchscreen to control the Celestial Brush or use motion controls, similar to the Wii port.
PlatinumGames’Nier: Automataoriginally launched in 2017, with an Xbox port following in 2018, and a much-later Switch port in late 2022. The game has an untraditional narrative structure, where you will need to play through the game multiple times to unfold the full story following androids 2B and 9S.
The Switch port was developed for the game’s fifth anniversary and included the game’s 3C3C1D119440927 DLC, which added a variety of new features - even the chance to fight the presidents of Square Enix and PlatinumGames in a boss battle.
Persona 5 Royaloriginally launched on the PlayStation 4 in 2020 and finally came to the Nintendo Switch in 2022. Persona 5 Royal follows high school student Ren Amamiya, but once classes end,he is Joker in the Phantom Thieves, taking on Palaces to change the hearts of adults.
The Royal version also added a lot of new content, including an additional party member and Palace, making it the definitive version of the game. The Nintendo Switch port gives you the option to play handheld, which is certainly a benefit for a game you could easily spend more than 100 hours playing.
Alien: Isolationfollows Amanda Ripley as she investigates the Sevastopol space station, believing her mother’s ship’s flight recorder is there. Unfortunately for her, the space station is occupied by the titular alien.
The terrifying Xenomorph is given hints about your location through the game’s AI, upping the tension at every moment. Alien Isolation looks fantastic on the Nintendo Switch, making the Sevastapol station a more horrifying experience than ever. It’s a great port that manages to improve upon one of the best stealth horror games ever.
