For Trek-starved fans with Nintendo consoles, Star Trek Prodigy: Supernova does a good job — far better than you might expect — of channelling the show's essence and appeal into a light, kid-friendly co-op adventure with plenty of puzzles. You'll have seen everything it offers elsewhere before, but by tapping into those Trek tenets of friendship, cooperation, and problem-solving, Tessera Studios has created something far closer in spirit to the series than any dry space sim, even if (much like the inexperienced crew running the Protostar) it can often feel a little rough around the edges. When you factor in the total absence of Star Trek games on Nintendo consoles for the decade-and-a-half prior, seeing this reliable, competent officer materialise on USS Nintendo Life's transporter pad was cause for celebration indeed. It's not set to stun, then, but it shows plenty of promise, especially if you have young cadets eager to enlist.
Gavin first wrote for Nintendo Life in 2018 before joining the site full-time the following year, rising through the ranks to become Editor. He can currently be found running from a Switch backlog the size of Normandy.
I've always wanted to give Battle for Bikini Bottom a try, since it has a good reputation. But it never quite got high enough in my priorities list, probably because it is indeed a licensed property.
When I was younger, I played terrible licenced games without a second thought lol. I had The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror on Game Boy Color, and never really considered that it was probably not a very good game.
While I haven't played it on Switch, Smurfs Mission Vileaf. Played the PC version, but it's also on Switch. I think you missed this one, because it's surprisingly good for a licensed game. The Smurfs world feels lively and it's a fun platformer to play IMO.
On Switch, I have played My Little Pony: A Maretime Bay Adventure. As an MLP fan who loved the A New Generation movie, I feel this one did a good job capturing the movie, while being a fun game. Even if it is on the short side.
I feel these two got missed, because IMHO, they're both good games, even if they're aimed towards kids.
JJBA All Star Battle R not mentioned, opinion discarded. The switch is a trash system until Strong Bad's Awesome Game for Attractive People gets ported.
I would take Xenoverse 2 over FighterZ. FighterZ is the first traditional fighting game I played in years, but Xenoverse was a lot more fun in my opinion.
Gotta admit that I’ve now bought Ghostbusters on three different consoles, and haven’t played it… Xbox 360 (original), PC, and Switch. I really want to find time to play it though because the team put so much love into the development.
I think the only licensed game I've played in recent years are LEGO City Undercover (Wii U and Switch versions plus The Chase Begins on 3DS), GoldenEye 007 (N64 and Wii versions), Epic Mickey and Popeye.
LCU is great on Wii U, on Switch the experience is deterred a little bit by its performance. If you don't mind that, it's as solid as the original Wii U version. The 3DS game is a pocket size prequel, as long as you don't mind long loading times on the 3DS, this isn't so bad.
@PBandSmelly Well... Switch version of JJBA: All Star Battle R - is the worst one. And it's even looks worse than PS3 original version! How it's can be possible?! Meh... 3D fighting games on Nintendo Switch sucks. But, Nintendo Switch is a good home for 2D fighting games, though! BLAZBLUE CENTRALFICTION Special Edition and UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH Exe:Late[cl-r] looks and works awesome on Switch. Also, Guilty Gear XX ΛCore Plus R and CHAOS CODE -NEW SIGN OF CATASTROPHE- looks and works very good on Switch as well. And... Someone still remember Strong Bad's Awesome Game for Attractive People?... That's good. I haven't played this game, but I really would like to.
I don't think it is fair to mention Ghostbusters: The Video Game Remastered without stating that Saber Interactive promised to add online multiplayer functionality post launch and then they completely ghosted that promise.
@marktornits I was under the impression that they didn’t know if they could and were looking into it. If I remember correctly, the Remaster is basically a rebuild of late development builds, and they had a hard time finding a near final build of the multiplayer component.
3D fighting games tend to get a bad rap for not being as tight or balanced as their traditional counterparts, but as far as I'm concerned, Dragonball Xenoverse 2 and Jump Force justify themselves through sheer coolness with their impressive rosters and stupidly over-the-top action. And I genuinely think the Naruto UNS games are a better way to enjoy that story than trying to sit through the stretched-out and filler-filled anime. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 also deserves a mention, though what I'd really like to see is an Underground 1+2 remaster.
I have played around 7or8 of them on that list I think. The one I spent most time on were LEGO Star Wars and Dragonball FighterZ. I think there are a few missing like Demon Slayer etc
DC Comics and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment fall under the same corporate umbrella, so that wouldn't technically qualify as a "licensed" game.
I have always had a soft spot for licensed video games! I own the majority of this list and particularly enjoyed the TMNT games, Ghostbusters, and Marvel Alliance.
The Super Robot Wars games in Japan may be a little niche but you will never find more ambitious licensed games anywhere. Each of their games (there are 4 of them on Switch) license IP from numerous companies and bring together the characters, mecha, and music from dozens of classic and contemporary robot and SF anime into glorious grid-based strategy role-playing games. The animated and voiced battle scenes are supremely cool treats for fans of the genre.
Maybe not having an official Western release bars them from this list, but they do have English language if you import from SE Asia (or even from Japan, in my experience). The series is the granddaddy of licensed crossovers, and really deserves representation here.
Gundam Battle Alliance or the Gundam G Generation games would fit right in, too.
@Rambler this is a «best of» list. If there’s a list of «worst licenses games», anything made or published by Outright games will get the dubious gold.
@Gamer83
Marvel Ultimate Alliance is such a cool game, even better if we get all meaty DLC packs. I had tons of fun with it (and still play it casually with family or friends). Still, despite selling more than 1 million copies, we don´t see many people commenting about it around the internet gaming communities. It really deserved more attention.
@TioRogerio I agree. It didn't get the best critical reception but most people I converse with who have played it, like it a lot. Seems like it sold decently but not well enough to get a sequel.
Comments 31
Shredder's Revenge and Cowabunga Collection are my votes!
I've always wanted to give Battle for Bikini Bottom a try, since it has a good reputation. But it never quite got high enough in my priorities list, probably because it is indeed a licensed property.
When I was younger, I played terrible licenced games without a second thought lol. I had The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror on Game Boy Color, and never really considered that it was probably not a very good game.
There should be an ARKHAM COLLECTION on here. Get the lead out, WB GAMES!!!!
While I haven't played it on Switch, Smurfs Mission Vileaf. Played the PC version, but it's also on Switch. I think you missed this one, because it's surprisingly good for a licensed game. The Smurfs world feels lively and it's a fun platformer to play IMO.
On Switch, I have played My Little Pony: A Maretime Bay Adventure. As an MLP fan who loved the A New Generation movie, I feel this one did a good job capturing the movie, while being a fun game. Even if it is on the short side.
I feel these two got missed, because IMHO, they're both good games, even if they're aimed towards kids.
Save a spot for Garfield Lasagna Party, guys!
I know that Disney Classic Games Collection is more of a compilation, but it still is collection of licensed games.
No SpongeBob: Battle For Bikini Bottom Rehydrated? TRASH.
...Okay, yeah, the Switch version is the worst version of that game, but still.
JJBA All Star Battle R not mentioned, opinion discarded. The switch is a trash system until Strong Bad's Awesome Game for Attractive People gets ported.
Attack on Titan 2 and Fairy Tail are great ones too.
Pretty good list. Only things I would add would be the NBA 2K games and MLB the Show, and maybe Star Wars Racer.
I would take Xenoverse 2 over FighterZ. FighterZ is the first traditional fighting game I played in years, but Xenoverse was a lot more fun in my opinion.
Gotta admit that I’ve now bought Ghostbusters on three different consoles, and haven’t played it… Xbox 360 (original), PC, and Switch. I really want to find time to play it though because the team put so much love into the development.
Isn't there a Paw Patrol game on the Switch? Seems like the obvious selection for this list
I think the only licensed game I've played in recent years are LEGO City Undercover (Wii U and Switch versions plus The Chase Begins on 3DS), GoldenEye 007 (N64 and Wii versions), Epic Mickey and Popeye.
LCU is great on Wii U, on Switch the experience is deterred a little bit by its performance. If you don't mind that, it's as solid as the original Wii U version. The 3DS game is a pocket size prequel, as long as you don't mind long loading times on the 3DS, this isn't so bad.
The less I say about Popeye, the better.
Alien Isolation is the best, no contest.
@PBandSmelly Well... Switch version of JJBA: All Star Battle R - is the worst one. And it's even looks worse than PS3 original version! How it's can be possible?! Meh... 3D fighting games on Nintendo Switch sucks. But, Nintendo Switch is a good home for 2D fighting games, though! BLAZBLUE CENTRALFICTION Special Edition and UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH Exe:Late[cl-r] looks and works awesome on Switch. Also, Guilty Gear XX ΛCore Plus R and CHAOS CODE -NEW SIGN OF CATASTROPHE- looks and works very good on Switch as well. And... Someone still remember Strong Bad's Awesome Game for Attractive People?... That's good. I haven't played this game, but I really would like to.
John Wick Hex, Blair Witch, Demon Slayer, Metro 2033, World War Z...
Jay and Silent Bob Mall Brawl
I don't think it is fair to mention Ghostbusters: The Video Game Remastered without stating that Saber Interactive promised to add online multiplayer functionality post launch and then they completely ghosted that promise.
Total scumbag move by them.
@marktornits I was under the impression that they didn’t know if they could and were looking into it. If I remember correctly, the Remaster is basically a rebuild of late development builds, and they had a hard time finding a near final build of the multiplayer component.
For me the top 3 are:
1. TMNT: Shredder's Revenge
2. TMNT: The Cowabunga Collection
3. Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3
3D fighting games tend to get a bad rap for not being as tight or balanced as their traditional counterparts, but as far as I'm concerned, Dragonball Xenoverse 2 and Jump Force justify themselves through sheer coolness with their impressive rosters and stupidly over-the-top action. And I genuinely think the Naruto UNS games are a better way to enjoy that story than trying to sit through the stretched-out and filler-filled anime. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 also deserves a mention, though what I'd really like to see is an Underground 1+2 remaster.
Not the best but still stole my attention.
Jojo Siwa, anyone ?
Good list. I really enjoyed my time with Alien Isolation and Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3.
I have played around 7or8 of them on that list I think. The one I spent most time on were LEGO Star Wars and Dragonball FighterZ. I think there are a few missing like Demon Slayer etc
@WhiteTrashGuy
DC Comics and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment fall under the same corporate umbrella, so that wouldn't technically qualify as a "licensed" game.
I have always had a soft spot for licensed video games! I own the majority of this list and particularly enjoyed the TMNT games, Ghostbusters, and Marvel Alliance.
The Super Robot Wars games in Japan may be a little niche but you will never find more ambitious licensed games anywhere. Each of their games (there are 4 of them on Switch) license IP from numerous companies and bring together the characters, mecha, and music from dozens of classic and contemporary robot and SF anime into glorious grid-based strategy role-playing games. The animated and voiced battle scenes are supremely cool treats for fans of the genre.
Maybe not having an official Western release bars them from this list, but they do have English language if you import from SE Asia (or even from Japan, in my experience). The series is the granddaddy of licensed crossovers, and really deserves representation here.
Gundam Battle Alliance or the Gundam G Generation games would fit right in, too.
@Rambler this is a «best of» list. If there’s a list of «worst licenses games», anything made or published by Outright games will get the dubious gold.
@Gamer83
Marvel Ultimate Alliance is such a cool game, even better if we get all meaty DLC packs. I had tons of fun with it (and still play it casually with family or friends). Still, despite selling more than 1 million copies, we don´t see many people commenting about it around the internet gaming communities. It really deserved more attention.
@TioRogerio
I agree. It didn't get the best critical reception but most people I converse with who have played it, like it a lot. Seems like it sold decently but not well enough to get a sequel.
@Wilforce
That narrative came later once they were already well down the path of not doing it-
The official word at time of launch was that it was happening.
where is My Hero One's Justice 2?
everyone always forgets that game exists
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