On a recent episode of Digital Foundry’s DF Direct Weekly podcast, the crew talked about the Nintendo Switch ports of the Portal Collection. Not so much about Portal itself (although that is certainly a welcome addition to the Switch library), but more about the mod that was made using Portal to get a recreated version of Half-Life 2 running on the hybrid handheld, and the hypothetical prospect of seeing more Xbox 360/PS3-era game ports on the Switch.
And it was this last bit of waxing on their part that really got the neurons in my brain firing. Since then, I’ve been thinking about how great it would be to see some of that era’s greatest games find a home and a new life on the Nintendo Switch. And although remasters would be great, this wouldn’t even need to be mandatory across the board considering how well a lot of these games still hold up, but also how much better they could inherently look on the compressed Switch screen. I mean, can’t you just imagine it? Doesn’t it look great?
So in this spirit, I thought I’d whip up a list of Gen-Seven games I would love to see on the Nintendo Switch (at a modest, reasonable price of course). I think they could really flourish if given a new lease on life, introducing a new generation to their greatness.
So let the games begin!
Keeping In Line With DF’s Suggestion: Half-Life 2
As the gang discusses, the Half-Life 2 mod running on the Portal game and assets is nothing if not proof of concept that Half-Life 2 (and its two extra episodes) could run on the Switch. I’ll add that it would probably sell like hotcakes the port were official.
Obviously, selling the Portal Collection sort of throws a wrench into the prospect of Valve just porting the entire Orange Box to the Switch (although I would love to see it if offered). But since I’m not a fan of Team Fortress, I wouldn’t decry simply seeing the Half-Life 2 Collection instead — or a proper Half-Life collection that includes the first game as a bonus.
The Entire Gen-Seven Rockstar Games Catalogue
The Nintendo Switch already has a solid version of L.A. Noire, and it looks and runs pretty great. It also unfortunately has the recent Definitive Edition trainwreck versions of the gen-six Grand Theft Auto Trilogy. Both of these serve as proof of concept that, not only will Nintendo allow this sort of content, but the Switch itself can handle it with aplomb.
So why stop there? It only seems to make sense to follow suit and release Switch ports of Grand Theft Auto IV, Red Dead Redemption, Bully: Scholarship Edition, and heck, even Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis (which actually did have a Wii version, although it isn’t playable on the Switch). Being able to play any of these open-world classics (and, to a lesser extent, the table tennis sim) in the palm of one’s hand would be the bee’s knees.
Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Another stellar classic that would be right at home on the Switch, Human Revolution kicked off what was intended to be a new trilogy in the Deus Ex universe, but it was unfortunately cut short due to publisher quibble over what was considered by them to be “underwhelming” sales.
Human Revolution still looks and plays great on the Xbox Series consoles and PC, and I would expect no less for the Nintendo Switch. And if this performed well enough, it wouldn’t be too far beyond the pale to perhaps then see a port for the gen-eight sequel, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided.
The Mass Effect trilogy
Even though the more beefier contemporary consoles received the Mass Effect Legendary Edition, having the original trilogy, even if sold piecemeal would be a huge addition to the Nintendo Switch (although a full collection would, of course, be ideal).
Sure, the original games are pretty creaky these days, but they do still hold up in the long run, and I can only imagine they would look stunning on the Switch’s screen and even in docked mode. Mass Effect would be a fantastic entry in the Nintendo Switch’s already vast RPG stable.
Fallout 3: Game of the Year Edition and Fallout: New Vegas
Considering Bethesda was able to get Skyrim on the Nintendo Switch, these two classic entries in the Fallout series surely must also be possible.
I will say that if this were to occur, hopefully we’d see the Game of the Year Edition of Fallout 3. This version includes the (in my opinion) must-have Broken Steel DLC, which adds meaningful post-game content and allows players to continue their journey after successfully completing the “Take It Back!” quest.
And, of course, the excellent Fallout New Vegas would only sweeten the pot.
Batman: Arkham Asylum, Arkham City, and Arkham Origins
I’m actually surprised that this isn’t a thing yet.
I’m skeptical that Arkham Knight would run well on the Nintendo Switch, so omitting the final chapter in the Arkham trilogy would be a bit odd, but that doesn’t mean releasing Arkham Asylum and Arkham City on the Switch wouldn’t still be awesome. Both of those games can almost stand on their own instead of as part of the trilogy.
Even though Arkham Origins is considered the bastard of the lot, it would still be a great addition to the Switch’s library, especially considering there are a ton of folks (myself included) who never played it.
The Dead Space trilogy
I mean, c’mon, right? Dead Space on the Nintendo Switch would be incredible. Who doesn’t like being scared stupid while on the bus, or while sitting on the toilet?
Even though the third installment is lamented for its focus on action over horror, as well as the addition of co-op, the other two games are absolute masterpieces of science-fiction-based horror. And with the upcoming Callisto Protocol from Dead Space co-creator Glen Schofield generating a ton of buzz, the iron is hot for striking.
The Skate series
There are a handful of skate-based video games currently on the Nintendo Switch, including the stellar Skate City and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2. But considering the Switch port of Skater XL has yet to materialize (and may never), the more sim-focused skateboarding video-game market is starved for content.
With excitement ramping up for EA’s upcoming new release in the Skate franchise, the time is right for Switch ports of the first three Skate games — although you would probably want to play these using the Pro Controller instead of the Joy-Con nubs.
Spec Ops: The Line
Perhaps one of the most beloved cult, “You’ve gotta play this” games of the Seventh Generation, Spec Ops: The Line is a pretty decent third-person action title. It does deliver a solid loose retelling of the 1899 novella Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, more famously adapted as the script for the 1979 war film Apocalypse Now, directed and produced by Francis Ford Coppola.
Although led by a healthy dose of the voice acting stylings of (arguably overused) Troy Baker, Spec Ops: The Line is a worthy cult darling that would be great on the Nintendo Switch.
Conclusion
So there you go. This list may be incomplete, but it’s a solid starting point for Gen-Seven ports that would feel great on the Nintendo Switch. This is, of course, a hypothetical wishlist rather than a reasonable expectation, but I think that, as a fun little thought exercise, this does get the mind racing at the possibilities.
