10. Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster
Often overlooked compared to its Persona spinoffs in the West, Shin Megami Tensei is one of the most legendary JRPG series of all time, and its third entry might be one of the best. You play the role of a high school student who watches the world end, before being turned into a demon-human hybrid by Satan himself. And that’s just the first hour. From there, things stay just as bombastic, with a strong foundation of turn-based action and character development to keep everything grounded. If you’ve never played a Shin Megami Tensei, this is a great place to dive in.
9. New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
Arguably the last big Wii U release to be ported to the Switch, New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe. is a delight that not enough people have experienced. Whereas as 2017’s Mario Odyssey pushed the limits of what a Mario platformer could be, New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe. takes the formula back to its 2D basics, a move that proves to be equally successful. Up to four players can play in local co-op, making for a great party experience.
8. Diablo III: Eternal Collection
Although the package offers very little brand new aside from a Ganondorf armour set, it is objectively the most polished version of the game to date, making it well worth a pick up for old and new fans alike. Although character design struggles a bit in dock mode, this is not an issue in handheld, looking good in 720p and playing oh so buttery smooth.
7. Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy
Crash is back… again, as the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy gets ported over to the Switch. Giving all 3 original Crash Bandicoot games a fresh coat of paint, this is sure to provide a shot of nostalgia for any 90s gamer who whiled away the hours in front of the PS1 instead of socialising and making friends! A complete rebuild, rather than a mere upscale, our favourite marsupial has never played and looked so good.
6. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
As the meme suggests, you can play Skyrim on everything, and the Switch is no exception. Porting the 2011 classic in all its glory, the Switch edition also includes motion controls, meaning if you’re playing with Joy-Cons, you can actually swing your character’s sword. It adds a new dimension to gameplay, meaning fans new and old will find something to enjoy.
5. Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled
This remaster of the cult classic kart racer has managed to retain all of the charm and fun of the original CTR, making it a great game for local co-op or tearing up the leaderboards online. But this isn’t just cheap nostalgia bait, and developers Beenox has added more than a graphical update. Brand new unlockable kart parts, character skins and customisation items mean there’s even more incentive to be the fastest on the track.
4. Super Mario 3D All-Stars
To celebrate the 35th anniversary of everyone’s favourite moustachioed plumber, Nintendo have released Super Mario 3D All-Stars, a collection of some of the crème de la crème of the series, featuring Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine and Super Mario Galaxy. Playing it is like seeing the games the way they were always intended to be seen. The timeless art style finally has the technical support to show them off in all their glory. Whether you’ve played them a million times or just picking them up for the first time, there’s never been a better time to delve into the best of the past.
3. The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
A remake of one of the most beloved and bizarre Zelda titles, this has to be one of the best remasters of all time. Taking the original formula, it rebuilds the game into a 3D masterpiece without sacrificing any of the original spirit. Throw in modern conveniences to make it more palatable to the modern gamer, as well as a dungeon builder and you’ve got one of the best Switch games to date.
2. Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
Remakes of the 2006 Nintendo DS classics, Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are two excellent throwbacks. The Sinnoh region has been beautifully reimagined, full of all of the charm, puzzles and Pocket Monsters that made the originals so endearing. Whether you’re new to the 4th generation of Pokémon games, or if you’re a seasoned veteran, you’ll quickly fall for this love letter to a simpler time for the series.
Remakes of the 2006 Nintendo DS classics, Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are two excellent throwbacks. The Sinnoh region has been beautifully reimagined, full of all of the charm, puzzles and Pocket Monsters that made the originals so endearing. Whether you’re new to the 4th generation of Pokémon games, or if you’re a seasoned veteran, you’ll quickly fall for this love letter to a simpler time for the series.
1. The Legend Of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD
A remaster of the Nintendo Wii classic, The Legend Of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD does more than give Link and co. a fresh coat of paint. The motion controls from the Wii version have been adapted to the Switch’s buttons flawlessly, while still allowing you to wave around the JoyCons should you wish. As for the game itself, the story, dungeons and combat have all completely stood the test of time. If you’re looking for something to tide you over until Breath of the Wild 2 releases, look no further.
