Unlike the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, which have native backward compatibility, theNintendo Switchcannot play any Wii or Wii U games. This means a lot of the greatest hits from those two prior consoles have been remastered for the Switch.
Some have a whole lot of updates, while others simply have much better performance and visuals. There are multiplatform remasters on the Switch as well, but many run poorly, and you’re better off playing the remaster on other platforms. The ones that do run well, however, are definitely worth mentioning.
The Switch remaster of No More Heroes 1 was a much-needed release after being stuck on the Wii for so long. The greatest game by Suda51 that has yet to be topped, No More Heroes has it all: plenty of style,great voice actingand dialogue, fun gameplay, a great soundtrack, and awesome use of motion controls. That last one, in particular, is really important as it’s exclusive to the Switch remaster.
Motion controls are a core part of No More Heroes, and the PC version, while better in most areas, lacks this defining feature. The Switch remaster looks and runs sweet, and the few bugs at release have been fixed now. If you’re a franchise pursuit, you might still prefer the original Wii version, but for everyone else, the Switch remaster is the way to go.
While the Switch version ofMetroid Primeis indeed a remaster, it’s close to a remake, given how much has been redone here. The graphics are a totally different beast when you compare it to the original GameCube version, and the game looks the best it’s ever been.
The core Prime experience remains a masterpiece that you can’t help but be sucked into. It controls great, too, and the cherry on top is that it’s only $40, compared to the usual $60 Nintendo uses as the price for remasters. All of this makes Metroid Prime Remastered a must-buy.
Super Mario All-Stars was a landmark SNES remake of the 2D Mario games, so it just makes sense to eventually do that for the 3D Mario titles. You only get remasters here, but they’re solid and a great way to play these classics. Super Mario 64 features an AI-upscaled HUD interface that looks great.
Mario Sunshine runs in widescreen, and Mario Galaxy has been completely reworked with the Switch controls. You can play the entirety of Mario Galaxy using aPro Controller, and it plays great, wild for a title that used motion controls so heavily back in 2007. The collection was justifiably dunked on for its limited release, but Nintendo printed so many darn physical copies that it’s only about $10-20 above its original $60 price.
After numerousSwitch remasters of Wii U gamesthat didn’t add much to the table,Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Furyarrived and blew away everything that came before. You have the base game looking and running the best it’s ever been, but you have an entirely new campaign to play in Bowser’s Fury. A mini-successor to Super Mario Odyssey, Bowser’s Fury is an absolute blast throughout the entire short duration of the experience.
You actually have a reason to buy this remaster for $60 with this new campaign, and you can’t say that about most other Nintendo remasters. It’s so good that Sega recreated the same formula in Sonic X Shadow Generations, adding a remastered version of the base game and a whole new campaign with Shadow.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a fan ofThe Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, as you may’t deny the original Wii version had issues. The improved motion controls using Wii Motion Plus weren’t great and felt much worse and harder to use than in Wii Twilight Princess. Thankfully, this HD Switch version came along, and it threw that motion control issue in the garbage.
you may finally use traditional controls for combat, and it improves the game tremendously. Sure, there are still pacing issues, but this remaster transforms Skyward Sword into a game that can no longer be considered one of the weakest mainline Zelda games.
Devil May Cry 3is an anomaly on Switch. Most Capcom remasters on the Switch have little to no changes between the various platforms, but DMC3 is different. The Switch version of the DMC3 remaster features literally everything fans had on their wish list. you may now switch styles at any time and access all your weapons at once.
This completely changes the game’s combat, and it’s awesome to use. You even have co-op for the Bloody Palace mode, which is the cherry on top. Frankly, these features should be on every modern version, including PC, but it’s exclusive to the Switch.
Multiplatform remasters, especially towards the end of the Switch’s life, tended to run pretty badly, although, during the late 2010s, most were still pretty good. A good example of that isCrash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy. Despite looking worse than the other console versions, it still runs at 30fps, the maximum of the other systems. It runs at a very smooth 30fps as well and plays great on the hybrid console.
The poorer visuals don’t really matter here in a game like Crash Bandicoot, compared to something like The Witcher 3. The original Crash trilogy still slaps today and remains one of the best3D platformers you can play on the Switch.
Like Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy,Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2doesn’t have the looks, but it has the touch, and that’s what matters. Coming out ten months after the initial versions of the remaster, the extra time needed paid off big time. It plays exceptionally well, which is necessary for a Tony Hawk game, and the frame rate’s a locked 30.
60fps would be nice to see, but the Switch probably can’t perform at that level, so 30fps will get the job done for a portable experience. If you’re playing at home, you should play the PS5 or Xbox Series X versions, but the Switch is where it’s at for on-the-go play.
