Topic: Nintendo Switch Forum Favorites

[NWR_insanolord]

Going through that list makes me realize I’ve barely played anything of Capcom’s on Switch. I tried Monster Hunter because of how much people rave about it but I just couldn’t get into it, so probably the only thing I can point to liking is the ports of Resident Evil 4 and Revelations.

[M.K.Ultra]

I tried Monster Hunter because of how much people rave about it but I just couldn’t get into it

The popularity of Monster Hunter has made me want to try it each time a new entry comes out, but I think you really need to have some friends play this with you to enjoy it. I do have the Wii U game that I will get to eventually, but unless I meet someone that wants to play coop I probably won't be hunting monsters anytime soon.

[Evan_B]

As a bit Gen 4 Monster Hunter fan, I've struggled to get into the series post Generations Ultimate. Rise and the wirebug mechanics just feel a bit too cumbersome to me and it feels like the series has had a bit of a marked shift.

...So, I need to update this topic with my picks from all the prior categories.

Best Switch RPGs
Ever the contrarian, my list for the Switch is pretty heavily based on my tenure writing about RPGs for another site, and an admission that, despite my love of Xenoblade and Monolith's big-ass worlds, I have come to the conclusion that bigger isn't always better. I mean, sometimes it is, but not always. Rather, I've found I much prefer an RPG that has extremely unique mechanics over something that tries to evoke the standards of the genre. What do I mean? Well, here's what I mean:

• Crystal Project
• Potato Flowers in Full Bloom
• Black Book
• Harvestella
• Pokemon Legends Arceus

Favorite Ubisoft Game
I haven't been a staunch Ubisoft advocate, especially since Black Flag pretty much ruined my chances of enjoying Assassin's Creed as a series, but I do have more Ubisoft games on Switch than I initially anticipated. They've released what I would easily consider to be some of my favorite games on the console, and in genres that I think go largely unappreciated by Western developers. Admittedly, I own but have not played Starlink and Rayman Legends, but the latter wasn't really a Switch release and the former... is just waiting.

• Mario + Rabbids and Sparks of Hope
• Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

Favorite Metroidvanias
Boy howdy, this genre has seen a revitalization, and we finally have a crop to pick from, rather than simply gnawing on whatever bones came our way. Luckily, there's some really incredible releases from throughout the Switch's lifetime. The Lost Crown deserves a slot here as well, but since I already mentioned it, I guess I'll let it slide.

• UNSIGHTED
• Metroid Dread
• Crypt Custodian
• Unworthy
• SteamWorld Dig 2

Favorite Multiplayer
What a genre. Though online hasn't always been a win on the system, there are some absolute bangers to be found here.

• Crawl
• ARMS
• Dokapon Kingdom Connect
• Mario Party Superstars
• Light Fingers

Favorite Capcom
If there's one publisher whose works are under-represented in my library (and kind of under-represented on Switch in general, to be honest), it's Capcom. While they've given some updated ports, a sparing Monster Hunter release, and that silly Ace Attorney series that I've never really liked, I really haven't found a new Capcom release to love and enjoy. Really, if it comes down to anything, I am grateful to have finally played Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen on the Switch. It is maybe one of my favorite games ever and I haven't even put crazy hours into it.

[M.K.Ultra]

Some hidden gems there for sure Evan B!

I see you chose Sparks of Hope specifically, did you play the first Mario + Rabbids?

I thought about Steamworld Dig 2 but wasn't sure it was a Metroidvania. Definitely a great game though.

Great to see some love for ARMS. I thought the matchmaking was pretty good for that game. Of course I hit a certain ceiling where I could not progress and then it lost some of the appeal. That still happens with Splatoon, but it doesn't seem to bother me there. 

[Evan_B]

I guess I should have bulleted both Kingdom Battle and Sparks of Hope. I really enjoyed both, but I won’t deny that the art direction of the first game is superior.

Also, if you want some more details on any of those picks, let me know. They are receive my highest recommendation.

[M.K.Ultra]

Personally, I love collecting stuff in games. Collecting items appears in a lot of genres and can significantly extend the play time of a game. But the collectibles need to be implemented in the game well for this aspect to truly shine.

What are your favorite Switch games that have collectibles?

[M.K.Ultra]

Of all the games on Switch I would have to say that Donkey Kong Country Returns and Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze have the best use of collectibles. Both games have the KONG letters and puzzle pieces. I think they are hidden just the right amount where you can always find most of them but some give you a few challenge with secret areas and others with platforming. If you are really stumped, you can use Squawks to get the approximate location of these secrets. Puzzle piece progress is saved automatically and KONG letter progress is saved at checkpoints so you don't have to get them all in one run. Most of all, the collectibles have a valuable reward; Getting all the KONG letters in level of a world opens the bonus K levels, leading to the final bonus area. The puzzle pieces just open items in the gallery so that is not quite as interesting, but still something. I should mention I have not actually played either of these on Switch, but even as re-releases they still come to the top of my list for collectibles.

[Khushrenada]

Multiplayer was last week  We're talking about Metrodvanias now!

Then you're really not going to like that I'm talking about Metroidvanias now.... 

Catching up on this thread again and shocked that Hollow Knight wasn't mentioned once. I was hesitant about it as I'd seen it getting such good reviews and wondered if I'd really feel the same way but, yes, I did. I totally got into that game and exploring every nook and cranny. Absolutely one of the best games I played on Switch and made it hard to play other stuff after. I returned to it a few times but its now been a couple years yet thinking and typing about it now has me pondering, maybe I should play it again.... But I've got XCX to replay again right now. (And put XCX on the list of best Switch RPGs!)

Definitely enjoyed Metroid Dread. Maybe not to the extent of calling it the best Metroid as some have done but a great return to the 2D style. Please, sir, may I have some more? It felt tough at first but by the time I was doing my fourth play through, and in hard mode to unlock the last of the art gallery, the challenge was pretty much gone. I'd learned the controls, systems and locations well enough to blast through quickly. It was the right level of difficulty for me.

I know the Ori series got a lot of praise from XBox users. Bought both games and started the first one. The prologue was so long and boring. I got to the end of it one night and then never ended up going back to the game when the action would have picked up. And now I've forgotten all the controls the prologue would have been showing me. Still, I should try giving those game a better chance than I have so far.

Everybody 1-2-Switch! was just too difficult for me. I couldn't figure out where I was supposed to go with it or how defeat the main villain Horace. I'd play various challenges along the way but it just didn't seem to advance the story or cause much progress. I finally just had to give up on it.

I feel like a spot should be left open here for Metroid Prime 4. The promise of that game since the beginning of the Switch is something I've been waiting to see fulfilled and we're so close to it. Looking forward to being back in that gaming space. Hope it can meet the expectations.

While I do enjoy the Metroidvania genre, I'm surprised I haven't gotten more into it. I know there's stuff like Axiom Verge, Shantae and Steamworld to name a few of the series that get lumped into and these games I've meant to play but have just dragged my feet on doing. I did play the second Shantae game on Switch (Risky's Revenge) but it's a short game and it's more like a quick taste than anything that's really satisfying like Hollow Knight or an actual Metroid game. Been meaning to get onto the third game but haven't done so. I got SteamWorld Dig on my 3DS which I know haven't touched in a year after it stayed in gaming rotation for so long. But no one else really seems to be mentioning these games so maybe I'm not missing anything big. *shrugs*

[NWR_insanolord]

I didn't care for Hollow Knight. It got such great reviews and people raved about it but I bounced off it. The lack of a proper map really hurt it for me and I just couldn't get into it.

[M.K.Ultra]

I know the Ori series got a lot of praise from XBox users. Bought both games and started the first one. The prologue was so long and boring.

I think you meant to say "cinematic". For what it's worth the second game really improves on this and gets you into the action much quicker. I also don't think there is enough of a story to really need to play the first game to enjoy the second.

[Luigi Dude]

I didn't care for Hollow Knight. It got such great reviews and people raved about it but I bounced off it. The lack of a proper map really hurt it for me and I just couldn't get into it.

Hollow Knight is one of my favorite Metroidvania titles this gen, but yeah, the map system they had in place was incredibly stupid and one of the reason I feel it's a 9/10 game instead of this amazing 10/10 masterpiece a lot of the other fans think it is.

I mean seriously, for a game that's suppose to encourage exploration, the map system does the exact opposite.  Same thing with the corpse run mechanic as well, which is not even remotely necessary for a game like this.  I mean seriously, what is it with some of these 2D games that think having to run back to the place you died to get your currency back is a good idea.  Yeah the Souls games do it, but those are slower paced 3D games that the only thing that can kill you is other enemies, and it's not that hard to sneak past said enemies since there in a 3D space.

Meanwhile 2D action games like Hollow Knight are filled with platforming sections that have spikes that can kill you very fast, as well as area's where the enemies are not easy to avoid since you're in 2D.  This makes all these 2D games that implement this mechanic way more frustrating than they should be.  Which is really annoying when the enemies encounters and boss fights in the game are top tier and a great challenge, the rest of the game didn't need all the extra BS that doesn't add a damn thing to it, and just makes all the moments between said great boss fights more annoying then they should be.

I know the Ori series got a lot of praise from XBox users. Bought both games and started the first one. The prologue was so long and boring.

I think you meant to say "cinematic". For what it's worth the second game really improves on this and gets you into the action much quicker. I also don't think there is enough of a story to really need to play the first game to enjoy the second.

Yeah the first Ori is extremely overrated.  It does pick up by the second half of the game, but it's nowhere near as good as critics made it out to be.  If you took away the story cinematic, I doubt the game would have averaged anywhere over 80% on Metacritic.  One of the most pretentious games I've ever played.  It's an average platformer that's constantly screaming "videogames are art people", and many critics just slopped it up.

Now the sequel on the other hand, this one was actually worthy of the praise.  Seriously, the jump between Blind Forest and Will of the Wisp is pretty massive.  Yeah it's still filled with pretentious cutscenes, but at least the gameplay delivers this time so I don't mind.  Literally ever problem I had with the first game was address in the second.  The second game actually feels like a Metroidvania and gives you reasons to explore, versus the first game that might as well have been a linear platformer.  The only real problem I have is the combat is still a little shallow and it could have used more boss fights to help with the pacing, but that's still lightyears better then whatever joke of a combat system the first game had.

[M.K.Ultra]

I mean seriously, for a game that's suppose to encourage exploration, the map system does the exact opposite.  Same thing with the corpse run mechanic as well, which is not even remotely necessary for a game like this.  I mean seriously, what is it with some of these 2D games that think having to run back to the place you died to get your currency back is a good idea.  Yeah the Souls games do it, but those are slower paced 3D games that the only thing that can kill you is other enemies, and it's not that hard to sneak past said enemies since there in a 3D space.

What did you this mechanic in Shovel Knight? I know sometimes the loot would appear right above the spikes and the only way to reach it was to just die again.

[Luigi Dude]

What did you this mechanic in Shovel Knight? I know sometimes the loot would appear right above the spikes and the only way to reach it was to just die again.

Not a fan of it there either for the same reason.  2D games are much easier to die when you have instant death spikes and pits, this makes you way more likely to die again before you can get your loot back.

I'm still a big fan of both games, but it's a mechanic I think both would be better off without.  It just adds more tedium to games that didn't need it since both already have decent challenges in the first place from their action and platforming.

[M.K.Ultra]

Here is a third party that we have not talked about yet:

What are your favorite Sega published Switch games?

Also, if anyone has a suggestion for a genre to look at, please let me know.

[Luigi Dude]

You know I'd like to get involved more in this topic, but the problem is I still have a massive backlog.  I recently counted and I own close to 600 games on my Switch, and have over 300 more on my eShop wishlist.  I don't even think I've played half of  the games I own, and I still over hundreds left to buy.

It's harder to pick my favorite Switch games when there's still so much left for me to play.  Like for the Ubisoft category I just finally played the first Mario X Rabbids at the end of last year and loved it, but that's the only Ubisoft game I've played on the Switch so that's win by default.  I have the sequel Spark of Hope, Prince of Persia: Lost Crown and Immortals Fenyx Rising in my backlog, so one of those my take the spot after I play them.

Don't be surprised if I bump this topic 10 years from now after I've finally played all my Switch games.

[NWR_insanolord]

Also, if anyone has a suggestion for a genre to look at, please let me know.

I think platformers would be a good one. It's a genre that's very well-represented on Switch, from Nintendo as well as third parties and especially indies.

[M.K.Ultra]

You know I'd like to get involved more in this topic, but the problem is I still have a massive backlog.  I recently counted and I own close to 600 games on my Switch, and have over 300 more on my eShop wishlist.  I don't even think I've played half of  the games I own, and I still over hundreds left to buy.

It's harder to pick my favorite Switch games when there's still so much left for me to play.  Like for the Ubisoft category I just finally played the first Mario X Rabbids at the end of last year and loved it, but that's the only Ubisoft game I've played on the Switch so that's win by default.  I have the sequel Spark of Hope, Prince of Persia: Lost Crown and Immortals Fenyx Rising in my backlog, so one of those my take the spot after I play them.

Don't be surprised if I bump this topic 10 years from now after I've finally played all my Switch games.

I am in a similar situation. I have 162 Switch games and 45 of those are unplayed. I think sharing like you just did is fine, as is bumping the thread around the time of Switch 3.

[M.K.Ultra]

For Sega published games, I already spoke about Shin Megami Tensei 5, so my next favorite is probably Sonic Forces. I hear that a lot of folks don't care for this one, but it really clicked with me and is one of the few Sonic games I 100% completed. It reminded me of Lost World which I also liked. It was weird to not be playing as Sonic but I grew to like my custom furry. I should also mention I don't have Sonic Frontiers so I can't really compare to that.

[M.K.Ultra]

Alright, not a lot of love for Sega games, but how about...

What are your favorite platformers on Switch?

Thanks to insanolord for the suggestion!

[NWR_insanolord]

It was my suggestion, so obviously I have something to say. Platformers are probably my favorite kind of game, and Switch has one of the best libraries of them, especially considering the classics available through various means.

As far as original titles go, you've got two really good 3D Mario games between Super Mario Odyssey and Bowser's Fury. They do different things, and I prefer the more traditional platforming of Bowser's Fury, but they're both excellent. Keeping with Mario, Super Mario Bros. Wonder brought a lot of new ideas to the 2D side of things.

There are also a lot of good examples in the indie space, but none stand taller for me than Celeste. Featuring a tough but fair difficulty and plenty of variety in mechanics, it's not only one of the best platformers on Switch, it's become one of my favorite games ever, and one I've already replayed at least half a dozen times.

[M.K.Ultra]

I have to agree with you on all of those. I especially enjoyed Odyssey and Celeste. I have already mentioned the DK Country games re-released on Switch as favorites earlier so it's time to dig a little deeper.
I know this did not garner the best reception, but Runner 3 is one of my favorites on Switch. I found the difficulty and controls to be perfect for me, though I get that it might be frustrating to some. The music and art style were also a joy. Highly recommend this one, especially if you liked the earlier runner games. Hey, maybe Rerunner will get a Switch 2 release?