Best Switch Ports

Few could have predicted only how successful Nintendo'due south hybrid console would be prior to launch back in March 2017. For the preceding decade or and then, third-party publishers tended to overlook Nintendo'due south hardware for a variety of reasons, simply Switch has attracted a huge number of the world's premier developers dorsum to Nintendo hardware, some for the first time in a long time.

Despite its relative lack of grunt compared to the more than powerful home consoles, Switch has hosted a number of incredibly ambitious and impressive ports, and the list below is our pick of the very best. They may not be the most beautiful games on Switch, only the fact they're running — and well! — on handheld hardware at all is pretty incredible. The list below includes not only technical marvels, but as well a couple of retro titles that polish brightest on Switch having been given the 5-star restoration treatment.

And so, permit's take a await — in no particular order — at the the best Switch ports since the console launched.

SEGA AGES Virtua Racing (Switch eShop)

SEGA AGES Virtua Racing (Switch eShop) SEGA AGES Virtua Racing (Switch eShop)

Publisher: SEGA / Developer: M2

Release Engagement: 27th Jun 2019 (United states) / 27th Jun 2019 (Britain/EU)

Not the first impressive Switch port that sprang to mind, eh? Nosotros begin with this one to highlight what a fine job port specialists M2 did with SEGA's classic arcade racer. Virtua Racing is by far the virtually impressive Sega Ages release to date, offering an incredible remaster that doesn't just replicate the arcade game simply actively improves its resolution and frame charge per unit. Newcomers should be aware that it all the same only offers 3 tracks and i auto, only those willing to accept this fairly meagre offering will detect that the new 20-lap Grand Prix mode and the online leaderboards give it a much-needed boost of longevity. Non for anybody, and so, only those who 'get' it volition adore it.

Conflicting: Isolation (Switch eShop)

Alien: Isolation (Switch eShop) Alien: Isolation (Switch eShop)

Publisher: SEGA / Programmer: Creative Assembly

Release Engagement: 5th Dec 2019 (USA) / 5th December 2019 (Uk/Eu)

Alien: Isolation is a survival horror masterpiece and directly-up 1 of the very best horror video games ever released. It's a nerve-wracking affair – a slow, methodical game of true cat and mouse confronting a brilliantly clever recreation of i of cinema'southward most infamous killers – only if yous're up to the task yous'll find one of the most satisfying gameplay experiences in the genre; a brilliant and beautiful homage to ane of the greatest Sci-Fi movies of all time. Feral Interactive, who we've spoken to well-nigh porting this and another game coming later on down the list — did a stellar job with this Switch port and the excellent movement controls and inclusion of all previously-released DLC just go to sweeten the deal. This is essential stuff for survival horror fans.

The Elderberry Scrolls V: Skyrim (Switch)

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Switch) The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Switch)

Publisher: Bethesda Softworks / Developer: Bethesda Game Studios

Release Engagement: 17th November 2017 (USA) / 17th November 2017 (United kingdom of great britain and northern ireland/European union)

Every bit this list attests, Switch isn't brusque of games that have already taken a bow, or several, on other hardware, merely Skyrim might be the 1 that near deserves another look from both hardy Elder Scrolls adventurers and absolute beginners alike. Despite its age showing, with countless little cracks in its already fractured façade, it still delivers a palpable sense of space that few games before or since have managed. May its dancing northern lights never dim.

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BioShock: The Collection (Switch)

BioShock: The Collection (Switch) BioShock: The Collection (Switch)

Publisher: 2K / Developer: 2K

Release Date: 29th May 2020 (USA) / 29th May 2020 (UK/EU)

BioShock: The Drove stands as yet another fantastic port in the Switch'south ever-growing library, combining 3 excellent games and all their DLC into one convincing parcel. Stable performance, engrossing narratives, fun gameplay, and lots of content make this one an piece of cake recommendation, even if these releases testify their age from time to time. If you're looking for a good unmarried-role player shooter to pick up for your Switch, look no further - information technology'south tough to go wrong here.

Ori And The Blind Forest: Definitive Edition (Switch eShop)

Ori And The Blind Forest: Definitive Edition (Switch eShop) Ori And The Blind Forest: Definitive Edition (Switch eShop)

Publisher: Microsoft / Programmer: Moon Studios

Release Date: 27th Sep 2019 (United states) / 27th Sep 2019 (Uk/Eu)

What nosotros take here is a flawless port of a game which admittedly deserves all of the praise it has received. From start to finish, Ori and the Blind Woods is a existent joy to play. Challenging yet never feeling unfair or discouraging, and near relaxing to control. The mesmerising art style and musical score are the icing on the cake that makes the actor actually care about the protagonist and want to keep playing to the game's conclusion. Information technology was a scrap of a surprise to see this game make its way to the Nintendo Switch, but we're glad that it did. An unmissable experience.

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus (Switch)

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus (Switch) Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus (Switch)

Publisher: Bethesda Softworks / Programmer: MachineGames

Release Date: 29th Jun 2018 (USA) / 29th Jun 2018 (Uk/Eu)

While Wolfenstein Two'south graphical downgrade is hard to miss, that doesn't detract from the fact that this is one of the best unmarried-player FPS feel on the console. The lack of a multiplayer mode (the versions on other consoles didn't take one either, so don't worry nigh being brusque-inverse) might grate, but with its brilliantly-written story and intense activeness, not even 2017's first-class DOOM port can stand upward to B.J.'southward latest war on the Reich. Given the panel'south technical limitations, we're fortunate to take access to this remarkable story on Nintendo'southward handheld.

DOOM (Switch)

DOOM (Switch) DOOM (Switch)

Publisher: Bethesda Softworks / Programmer: Panic Button

Release Date: tenth Nov 2017 (United states of america) / tenth Nov 2017 (UK/EU)

DOOM is one of the best first-person shooters we've always played - an incredible game, flaws and all - and it's certainly 1 of the best in its class on Switch. There'south a certain magical quality near having a game this good on the go. Its brilliant campaign is reason enough to choice it upwards, but DOOM's multiplayer was also surprisingly good, with modest arenas that make matches feel reminiscent of the halcyon days of first-person shooters when Unreal Tournament reigned supreme. While it'south perhaps non as polished as it is on other formats, having DOOM in portable form is a revelation, and developer Panic Push - who nosotros sat down with a while ago to discuss several games on this listing - deserves high praise for porting over id Software'due south archetype championship so brilliantly.

Doom (Switch eShop)

Doom (Switch eShop) Doom (Switch eShop)

Publisher: Zenimax Media / Developer: Nerve Software

Release Date: 26th Jul 2019 (USA) / 26th Jul 2019 (Great britain/European union)

And while we're at it, how about arguably the finest manner to play the original DOOM on console? After launching with a smattering of technical issues, subsequent updates improved things to the betoken where this ranks alongside the very all-time versions of DOOM available anywhere. Purists may advise that it should but ever be played on a PC with a keyboard, merely after a couple of minutes with this exquisite port you'll experience similar information technology was made for a gamepad. If y'all're looking to slay hordes of Hellspawn at home or on the motility, there'south actually no better way.

Dark Souls: Remastered (Switch)

Dark Souls: Remastered (Switch) Dark Souls: Remastered (Switch)

Publisher: Bandai Namco / Developer: FromSoftware

Release Appointment: 19th Oct 2018 (USA) / 19th Oct 2018 (UK/EU)

While we had to wait a little longer than those playing on PS4 and Xbox One, the await was more than worth it. Dark Souls: Remastered is a true-blue remaster of a touchstone in video game blueprint that improves overall performance while preserving all of the grapheme traits that made the original such a memorable feel. While information technology'south no less forgiving - and its menus are a piddling fiddly - this slick Nintendo Switch iteration offers the but way to experience Lordran's ultra-challenging odyssey in true handheld form. Praise the Sun, indeed.

Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice (Switch eShop)

Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice (Switch eShop) Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice (Switch eShop)

Publisher: Ninja Theory / Developer: Ninja Theory

Release Date: 11th Apr 2019 (Usa) / 11th Apr 2019 (Britain/Eu)

To have Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice on Switch in this form is a blessing that you shouldn't miss out on. The game itself is a psychological sensory experience that we thoroughly recommend, merely the fact that it'southward been translated to Switch in such a complete style is the true surprise here. It doesn't experience like a downgrade at all – it stands proudly alongside the other 'miracle' ports on the system, arguably surpassing them in some ways. It's a remarkable effort and a challenge to other developers who insist Switch couldn't handle their games. Anything's possible, it seems, and nosotros take our hats off to QLOC – bravo.