The Nintendo Switch is still showing no signs of slowing down despite nearing the end of its lifecycle, and in recent times we have seen a plethora of ports come across to the system. Cynical gamers may be quick to say that these are quick cash-in ports necessitated by a lack of new IP, but they would be wrong as gamers have been treated to some high-quality ports on the system in the first 6 months of 2024. What are they like? Let’s take a look!
Dying Light
This title is actually a viewer-recommended suggestion from both of my previous port videos and since it’s been banned in Australia, it was a hard title to track down and ended up costing me almost $80 AUD. Dying Light on Switch is a technical marvel, bringing the open world zombie smashing, parkour jumping, survival first-person adventure to the handheld console with all of the DLC, fantastic performance, and gorgeous graphics. There are some compromises to be sure, but they are minimal in comparison to the size of the adventure at heart. Players will face gruelling zombies, viciously swinging a range of melle weapons in visceral combat to save themselves and the denizens of the Tower, the last bastion of hope in the quarantine zone. It expertly builds tension, with chills constantly running down your spine as you search for supplies and crafting materials as the undead stalk you at every turn. For Switch gamers outside of Australia, it’s an easy-to-recommend purchase!
Biomutant
Part RPG, part action adventure, Biomutant sees you play as your own furry mutant that changes depending on how you allocate stat points, making each playthrough a different possibility. Players can embrace the light side and be good, or be evil and help usher in a new dawn by destroying the world tree. The game features a gorgeous open world, and a satisfying combat system, and runs well on the Switch. The game also has a gripping story told via flashbacks that help tie your character’s motivations to you, as well as unique and interesting characters. I highly recommend picking this one up!
Darkstar One
Darkstar One is a port that came all the way from 2006, and despite it looking slightly dated, managed to hook me in with a fast-moving narrative and RPG elements. The most unique part of Darkstar One is that the RPG elements are tied to your ship, and not the main character, Kayron. The Darkstar One is actually a living ship, and upgrades mean the ship evolves with your play style. Combat is exciting and fast-paced, pitting you in dogfights against all manner of nefarious space dwellers, and you can spend your time exploring 300 systems, trading, fighting, or surviving however you see fit. Choices matter, however, and hunting a Pirate leader could see you hunted down by remnant forces so be prepared for a fight! The game runs at a silky smooth framerate and has a new control system, giving pilots more precision control over the Darkstar One.
The Outer Worlds
Not to be confused with Outer Wilds, The Outer Worlds is like if Fallout New Vegas was set in space. It features smaller, open-world planets where you can visit and interact with all manner of characters using charisma and problem-solving skills, or you can just blast away and solve your problems with guns and explosions. The characters are really well-written and full of intrigue, and sometimes taking the moral high ground on quests still means people get hurt. It’s this superb writing that makes the player embrace the chaotic world owned by a mega-conglomerate, deciding whether you want to be its savior or make some tidy profit. This entry on the list is brought to you by Spacers Choice, you’ve tried the best, now try the rest!
Outer Wilds
Not to be confused with The Outer Worlds, Outer Wilds tells the story of a space-faring people sending you, the player amongst the stars. All seems great for the first 22 minutes of the game until a Supanova rips through the galaxy and kills everyone in it… including you. You wake up again exactly where you left off and so begins a Groundhog Day-style time loop where you must solve the mysteries of both the time loop and the imminent destruction of the galaxy. The less you know about this game going into it the better, but the game has seen a few performance updates and is a fantastic experience on Switch, bringing this epic adventure into the palm of your hands. For those looking for a deep mystery and enjoy solving puzzles, Outer wilds is an essential purchase.
Grounded
Honey, I shrunk the Xbox game! Grounded was the second Xbox title to be ported to the Switch and many people thought it couldn’t be done. Thankfully, they were wrong and Grounded is a technical achievement on the Nintendo Switch, shrinking players to be the size of an ant in the backyard of a mad scientist. You can spend your days harvesting materials and building up your base, or you can make a temporary shelter and power through the story. Exploration is rewarding and the game is immersive, offering up creatures to fight, epic and difficult boss battles, and several cleverly thought-out biomes just waiting to be explored. Grounded is an incredible game for those who like their survival games with a dash of RPG in them.
Kingdom Come Deliverance
I regard Kingdom Come Deliverance as an almost impossible port. Yes, there are compromises in the graphics department to get it running on Switch, but the world the game expertly builds is so immersive you don’t really notice after a while. You play a young blacksmith’s apprentice called Henry, who is thrust into the service of your lord as a knight after a series of tragic events. The game manages to perfectly illustrate just how little you know about combat, wildly swinging and hoping to defeat an enemy. Those who practice more will learn to block, counter, and riposte, making them far more efficient as a warfighter. There is way too much happening in the game to explain here, but think of it like a medieval knight simulator with a tragic and gripping narrative, RPG traits, and survival elements. It’s a slow burn, but well worth investing your time in.
Monster Hunter Stories 1
Ported from the 3DS, Monster Hunter Stories is a fantastic spin-off of the mainstream series that sees you battle and collect monsters in a style similar to Pokemon. To say it’s a Pokemon knock-off, however, doesn’t do it justice as Monster Hunter Stories does more than enough to set itself aside from the competition to blaze its own path forward. There are so many fantastic moments in this game like being able to fly a Rathalos, use a Velociprey to jump over gaps, and even battle an enraged Diablos. Players will level up their monsties and build a party of mixed abilities and strength to solve the mysteries of the black blight, a plague spreading throughout the world. The game is full of charm and style, and the over-the-top ultimate attacks are worth the price of entry alone.
Pentiment
The first Xbox exclusive to be ported to Switch and admittedly, I was not ready for what was in store. It’s currently one of the highest-rated games on What’s It Like, and it’s no surprise as it has a beautiful art style, intriguing story, and unique world that draws the player in on its 20+ hour adventure. I struggled to put this game down and I don’t want to spoil anything for you but if you like games similar to point-and-click adventure, or are looking to have an emotionally investing story, you need to get Pentiment on Switch. The well-written characters and story along with its twists and turns explore heavy subjects like unwavering faith and control by the church, poverty and rebellion, and grief, delivering an emotional gut punch at every turn. I cannot talk this game up enough it… is… incredible…
Ace Combat 7
Another “Certified Exceptional” game, Ace Combat 7 is a masterclass in how to port a game to Switch. It looks incredible, has content parity with its other versions, and is incredibly fun to play. The price may sting like a surface-to-air missile, but those who invest will not be disappointed. It runs at a smooth framerate and simply looks incredible on the Nintendo Switch, with smoke trails, dynamic weather, and explosions galore. The story is dramatic and over the top, following a suicide squad setup of convict pilots fighting an invasion. There are over-the-top boss fights, wild and out-there missions, and some incredible set pieces like sneaking through canyons to surprise the enemy. If you have the need for speed, then Ace Combat 7 will satiate your hunger for fast and furious dogfighting action.
And there you have it. I still have one more port list up my sleeve but I want to know what games do you think make fantastic ports on the Switch. Let me know in the comments below!
