Final Fantasy VIII Remastered (Switch eShop)
Final Fantasy VIII's remaster proves to be just as weird and polarizing a release as it was when it first came out. Cool new ideas like Guardian Forces and Triple Triad are hamstrung by an absolutely wack story and the tedium of the Draw system, making for an experience that’s great in some regards and not so great in others.
Taken as a whole, however, Final Fantasy VIII Remastered proves to be a fun and enjoyable romp through the weirder side of the Final Fantasy series, notably bolstered by the new HD presentation and the inclusion of helpful quality of life features.
Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! (Switch)
For fans of the original Pokémon Yellow, Red, and Blue, walking around this reimagined version of Kanto is a dream come true; seeing all the cities and characters come to life thanks to a new HD makeover and cutesy animations brings back memories of our first experiences with the franchise, fully realising the level of detail we imagined in our heads rather than the blurry pixels present on our monochrome Game Boy screens. It isn’t just the overall art style that impresses, either; little details like Pokémon posters in bedroom walls, adorable Oddish vases in living spaces and paintings lining the walls of the much more majestic S.S. Anne make the world feel more alive than ever before.
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A Boy and His Blob (Switch eShop)
For anyone not in the know, A Boy and His Blob has a surprisingly deep history, going all the way back to 1989. Originally released on the NES under the title A Boy and His Blob: Trouble on Blobolonia, it was since re-imagined for the Wii by developer WayForward, dropping the subtitle in the process. As far as reboots go it proved to be incredibly successful, and we even declared it “one of the most beautiful and polished Wii releases”. The visuals still look incredible after all these years, with spectacular animation to boot.
Trials of Mana (Switch)
Trials of Mana proves itself to be a successful revival of a lost classic, smartly infusing new design and content where necessary while still maintaining the spirit of the original. Multi-threaded storylines, an enjoyable combat system and flexible character progression combine to make this one a fantastic experience from start to finish, even if occasional performance problems hinder the experience somewhat. We’d give Trials of Mana a high recommendation to RPG fans and newcomers alike; there’s plenty here to love for both camps, and we hope that this release could act as a blueprint for future entries in the Mana series.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD (Switch)
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD introduces a raft of technical improvements and quality of life updates that reinvigorate and revitalise this ten-year-old game. With motion controls more precise than ever before, an alternate button control scheme that totally works, crisp HD graphics, smooth 60fps gameplay and a bothersome sidekick who's been streamlined into something altogether more useful, this really does feel like Skyward Sword as it was meant to be experienced. Yes, the locking off of instant travel behind the official amiibo is a misstep, but beyond this one issue what's here is a sublime experience, a technical triumph and an absolute must-play for Switch owners and Zelda fans.
PowerSlave Exhumed (Switch eShop)
PowerSlave Exhumed is a brilliant, beautiful reworking that captures the very essence of what made it so awesome back in the day while giving the best of both the Saturn and PlayStation's distinct versions. For such a prototypical take on Metroid Prime, it's alarming and impressive just how much confidence Powerslave Exhumed shows in its design, making it the best kind of retro game — one that's even better today with full knowledge of how ahead of its time it really was. An easy recommendation to FPS fans of any vintage, Powerslave Exhumed will keep you playing and playing, searching for those last niggling secrets.
Sonic Colors Ultimate (Switch)
Sonic Colors Ultimate is a well-executed revisit of a high point in Sonic’s long career. Most of the quality here stems from the content of the original, rather than the new additions and tweaks for this re-release. Things like the Jade Ghost and extra customization options are welcome, but not game changing, and the musical and graphical improvements are minimal. At the end of the day, though, this is still a well-performing, portable version of a classic and that’s arguably all that it needs to be. We’d give this one a recommendation, then, to anyone who has yet to experience Sonic Colors, as this is certainly the best and easiest way to try it out. If you’re a fan of the original, we’d still say it’s worth a punt — you'll still love the game on Switch. Just be aware that this isn’t a massive overhaul of what came before.
Cotton Reboot! (Switch)
Cotton Reboot! is a fanfare of zany ghouls and ghosts, inventive and inimitable bosses, and a superbly catchy soundtrack in both original and remixed forms. Never being released in the West and prohibitively expensive today, it’s something of a blessing for retro gamers to be able to dip their toes in Cotton’s enduringly impressive X68000 outing. Of all the "cute 'em ups" out there, it remains one of the best, while the new Arrange mode – with its impressive overhauls and remixed ideas – has cast a rare spell of resurrection.
Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition (Switch)
Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition is an already excellent JRPG that has been improved in nearly every conceivable way, short of a complete reimagining. On top of the fantastic story, enjoyable combat, and incredible world design, Monolith Soft has included an entirely new epilogue story arc while somehow improving upon and polishing up nearly everything in the base game, from progression systems to visuals to UI design.
It goes without saying that if you were ever a fan of the original or of RPGs in general you absolutely must get this game for your collection as soon as you reasonably can. Even if you wouldn’t consider yourself a fan, we would still strongly encourage you to think about adding this one to your collection, as this is the standard against which most RPGs should be judged.
You know, when we started writing this list, we weren't convinced there were that many good remakes and remasters on Switch. Then we started compiling the list, and we realised how wrong we were. In fact, there are probably just as many average remakes that we didn't even include! It's not a huge surprise, really — the Switch is a port machine, after all — and we're excited to see even more come to the eShop soon-ish, like Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp and Live A Live.
Who needs the Virtual Console, eh?
As always, let us know which remakes and remasters deserve to be in this list by telling us in the comments!
This article is one of our Switch Essentials guides which cover a wide variety of genres, including the Best Switch FPS Games, the Best Switch RPGs, the Best Switch Games For Kids, the Best Switch Couch Co-Op Games and the Best Switch Fitness and Exercise Games. We can also help out hunting down the Best Switch Horror Games, the Best Switch Racing Games, the Best Switch Action-RPGs, the Best Nintendo Switch Roguelikes, Roguelites and Run-Based Games, the Best Free Switch Games, the Best Remakes And Remasters, the Best Switch Music And Rhythm Games, Best Feel-Good Switch Games, Best Switch Open-World Games, Best Switch Soulslike Games, Best LGBTQ+ Switch Games, and even Games to Play After You've Finished Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
Whatever your favourite genre, we've got you covered: Strategy Games, Metroidvanias, Puzzle Games, Party Games, Online Multiplayer Games, Local Wireless Multiplayer Games, Shmups, Twin-Stick Shooters, Visual Novels, Kart Racers, Fighting Games, Football Games, Funny Games, Golf Games, 'Walking Sims' And Narrative Games, Switch Games For Lovers And Lonely Hearts, Detective Games, Hidden Gems, 2D Platformers, 3D Platformers, Puzzle Platformers, Tabletop Mode Games, Run and Gun Games, LEGO Games, Sports Games, Survival Games, Beat 'Em Ups, Camera Games, Chill Games, Family Games, Retro-Inspired Games, Short Games, Card Games and Deck-Builders, and Life Sims And Farming Games.
Still hungry for more? Elsewhere we look at Wholesome Games, TATE Mode Games, Flight Sim and Space Combat, Point and Click Adventure Games, and the Best Switch Exclusives, as well as Every Arcade Archives Game, Every ACA Neo Geo Game, Every SEGA AGES Game On Switch, plus the Best Switch Ports, Best Wii U-To-Switch Ports, Best Switch Collections And Compilations, Best Cheap Switch Games, Best Switch Demos, Games That Are Better On Switch OLED, Switch Games Under $10, $20, $50, and Switch games with the Best Soundtracks and the Best Graphics. Phew!
If you're looking for the best Switch games regardless of genre, our reader-voted selection of the Best Nintendo Switch Games should help you out, and you can also find the Best Nintendo Switch Games of 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021. And finally, if you're interested in other Nintendo consoles and retro games, check out the Best Game Boy Games, Best GBC Games, Best GBA Games, Best Nintendo DS Games, Best Nintendo 3DS Games, Best NES Games, Best SNES Games, Best N64 Games, Best GameCube Games, and Best Wii Games, and Best Wii U Games, as well as Every Available Nintendo Switch Online Retro Game, and ranked lists of Every Nintendo Switch Online NES, SNES, N64 and Sega Genesis / Mega Drive Game.
Comments (69)
Notice that New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe wasn't here.
This shows that Nintendo Life actually cares about their articles.
Or maybe I just hate that game too much.
I'm really looking forward to Live A Live being on this list
@HotGoomba I don't understand why people hate on that game. Definitely the best of the New Super Mario Bros. games with its connected overworld and creative level design like the star snow level, the giant beanstalk, and the Van Gogh level.
Will take actual decent remakes any day over Nintendo's lazy full price ports, and remasters are just the same game just hd textures which is another greedy and lazy way to charge people again
Games like trials of mana, final fantasy 7 remake, let's go eevee, resident evil 2 and links awakening are examples of some decent remakes done properly
When Let's Go Eevee came out I did nothing but squeal like a girl when I interacted with Eevee. There I was a 39 year old man at the time, Switch in hand acting like I was a kid again. Oh wait how silly of me, I'm still a kid now, a big kid 🤣
@HotGoomba but that wasn't a remake, it was a port
Xenoblade chronicles definitive edition is the best imo it was made in the XC2 engine (which is not the Xenoblade Wii engine), improved the audio, tweaked gameplay and included new content with important story
Link's Awakening is what really cemented me as a Zelda fan. I had played and loved Link to the Past for the first time on NSO but was worried it was going to be a one and done since the last Zelda game I played (Triforce Heroes) burned me so hard that I was reluctant to even try LttP in the first place. However, LA was on sale for €45 at Smyths about a year ago so I took the plunge and became immersed in the kooky yet surprisingly thoughtful world of Koholint and all the characters it entailed. I'll always hold the Switch remake near and dear to my heart in that aspect and is definitely worthy to be on the list.
And if I were to put a personal favourite of mine here, Pokemon BDSP. It's got PLENTY of issues but the main story was incredibly challenging and satisfying to go through, the roster of Pokemon available to me was great (save for the fact Eevee is post game exclusive why are you like this Pokemon), the music is amazing and the post game is one of my favourites in any Pokemon game. Also, it's my game of choice for shiny hunting which has been my latest addiction as of late. Definitely doesn't deserve to be on the list, but a personal favourite of mine nonetheless.
@Ade117 The visuals are mediocre at best (excluding the Van Gogh level, the whole game should've looked like it), the game is uninspired, and Super Luigi U is better.
And that's just the Wii U version.
The Switch version has terrible touch screen controls, if you're playing with four players, someone will get a free advantage (toadette, Nabbit), and the Switch version is $60 versus the $20 Wii U version WITH Super Luigi U.
@UltimateOtaku91 Fair, but I mean you could also consider it a remaster if you will.
Glad that Pokemon BDSP isn't on that list
I feel like A Boy and His Blob is too much of a reimagining to be considered a remake or remaster. It's more like a reboot sequel. Personally I'd take that off the list and replace it with Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania. Regardless of how Monkey Target has been butchered
Edit: or maybe Destroy All Humans?
I sometimes forget the Link’s Awakening remake exists, but now I have the urge to go back and replay it. Such a satisfying game to play.
Why is Sonic colors ultimate on the list
Ninja Saviors / Ninja Warriors Once Again is pure brilliance and a great remake of the SNES original.
“Final Fantasy VIII's remaster proves to be just as weird and polarizing a release”
Indeed, it was VERY polarizing when it first released. I absolutely loved it and I remember a good friend of mine who was also a huge FF fan hating it with a passion. Some of the mechanics were kind of weird, but they were still fun and the characters in FFVIII were great. Google essays sometime regarding how Squall has schizoid personality disorder.
@Ade117
Objectively, NSMBU is the best one if we’re not counting Luigi U. The level design can be really good if uninspired, and the secrets and world map are the best in the series. I think the primary problem is when it came out. I was dead tired of these games when U came out, and I grew up on them! It’s just the same thing that it always has been, and there’s nothing really new added. The original brought 2D Mario back from the grave and introduced ideas from the 3D games, Wii brought back 4-player co-op and decently fun level themes and concepts that we hadn’t seen in a Mario game, and as much as I dislike 2, the coin gimmick was at least something new. U is just a rehash of Wii and 2, with nothing new except for maybe three new level themes that last for 2 levels each. If you were to play the games in reverse order, anyone would prefer U, but it came out at just the worse time for Mario fans.
#1 remaster is definitely the Switch port of Xenoblade Chronicles X. Don't mind it's hypothetical nature.
Seriously, though, this list needs Okami HD, Valkyria Chronicles Remastered and Tales of Vesperia.
As a casual Nintendo fan for most of my life until the Switch, the Phoenix Wright, Crash, and Spyro trilogies all get my seal of approval. I’m really glad that I got to experience the more niche or non-Nintendo consoles via the Switch. Sonic and NSMBU Deluxe are quite nice as well, but both somewhat play itself. I still need to try Zelda and Pokémon, those are the two Switch first-party games that have kind of slipped through the cracks for me.
$40 is a good price for Link’s Awakening (hint - the top end of 3DS game pricing).
No reason it should still be $60 on the eShop. Especially for NSO members.
@anoyonmus Ikr? It’s buggy as heck, and the credits take ages to finish
Could Castle Crashers Remastered be on this list? I know it released originally on Xbox One in 2015 ish but it’s still on Switch.
@HotGoomba i think that super mario bros u is a simple port and not a remastered or remake
@Scapetti I think they are saying that the Switch version of A Boy and his Blob is a remaster of the Wii game. You are correct that the Wii game is a reimagining of the NES original.
@anoyonmus
Exactly my question.. I loved the original Colours, but they butchered this remaster.
😊I would've mentioned 'Alex Kidd: Miracle World' but TLOZ:LA is DEFINITELY a beautiful game to look at.
I never played the GB or GBC version but I was always interested in this Game and the plasticine/Claymatiom-style look intrigued me.
They were many times I had to stop while playing just to admire the graphics.
No GTA trilogy?
The Ninja Saviors: Return of the Warriors aka The Ninja Warriors, deserves a place on the list. As does Outrun and Virtua Racing, especially Virtua Racing.
Don't forget The Legend of Dark Witch on Switch. A remake that happens to be the best version for reasons beyond the Capacity Gauge.
TENGO PROJECT: Wild Guns and Ninja Warriors
@OwenGamer22 it should be removed from this list
@Mauzuri it shouldn’t even be on the list
Shadow man should be up there! it is amazing!
OMG NL BIAZZAUD!!
urgh. Crash trilogy. I hate that game. soo boring and repetitive and worthless controls. glad to have been a Nintendo kid in my youth so I didn't have to put up with games like that.
Good to see a few people giving Ninja Warriors some love…..real old school gamers right there!
@homero_jimeno I forgot about Wild Guns. That definitely deserves a place. Pocky & Rocky is next from Tengo Project.
Trials of mana was amazing, loved it!
I wouldn't even put Skyward Sword on this list lol, there is almost no difference from its wii version on the switch, you might as well call it a port.
I think a problem with alot of these lists is that instead of listing the "best" of said category you just list everything including shovelware and other bad games.
I have a few of these, but I absolutely love the remake of Link's Awakening.
Also, the timing of this article makes me wonder if it was waiting to see if Chrono Cross would make the list (which it didn't)
I'm not a huge fan of Sonic Colors Ultimate (One of the most 2D 3D games ever made but with some 3D jank included for good measure) but I suspect that is the game's fault, not the quality of the port.
i remember sonic colours ultimate having some pretty big issues at launch and iirc even after the patch it still had some issues that weren't in the original such as load times being quite a bit longer, which given how colours is split into multiple small stages it made them quite a bit more noticable.
with FFVIII i remember one of my main issues being similar to what happened with FFVII and FFIX, in that it had high rez character models but the backgrounds were the original psone resolution causing them to clash with it, there were also some more subtle graphical effects missing, i think it may have been based on the PC version like VII which had similar quirks.
The powerslave Exhumed remaster was amazing, it went above and beyond what is usually expected from a remaster (though it is nightdive who have an amazing track record)
I also remember enjoying the SaGa frontier remaster, it adds some QOL stuff alongside the new character fuse whose adventure sheds some light on various plot points.
Chrono cross was dissapointing in that it still sufferent from technical issues that the psone version had (including battles going as low as 10fps) which after the various SaGa remasters and remakes felt dissapointing.
Though speaking of square enix that live-a-live looks amazing as does the DQIII one.
@JakedaArbok i think the problem with the New series is that it feels very stale at this point. I was very disappointed in NSMBUD despite the fact that i had only ever played the Wii game at a friend's house a little bit back in the day. Its a port of the fourth game in the series. It just feels really stale and uninspired.
The only times Mario has ever even had two similar games before were the original and SMB2 (japan release only), and Galaxy 1 and 2. Four games and a port for the New series is just lazy. 2D Mario desperately needs a new style game, the New series is dead from a innovation pov.
The DS and Wii games brought back 2D Mario and it felt fresh and great, they should have stopped there and then done something different for 3DS and U. Now that we're on the Switch 2D Mario soooooo needs a new take on the formula. Like imagine if on the Wii U you were playing Super Mario Sunshine 4... that's the situation the New series is. It is boring and mediocre at this point, and hopefully Nintendo is far along in development on a completely fresh take on 2D Mario right now
Zelda LA, Xenoblade, Tony Hawks and Trials of Mana are the best, imo. Good examples of how to make proper remakes/remasters.
RE: Ports vs Remasters . . . I think it is a case of six of one and a half dozen of the other. But the best is to have both, 'cuz then you get the full dozen.
I've downloaded Link's Awaken on my 2DS. (The DX version for the Game Boy.)
I think it's great that I can do that. 'cause even if I went and bought the cartridge, I don't have my Game Boy anymore. (Given to my nephew years ago.)
There is something cool about seeing those old-school graphics, and really admiring how well they were done and how such little amount of pixels could pull you into the world of Zelda so well.
And then on the other hand, I look at Link's Awakening for the Switch and think, OMG the graphics are amazing! This is a great way to explore this story.
If these new graphics makes the game more approachable to contemporary gamers, then I think . . . more people get to enjoy this story.
I wish with all my heart Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania could have made the list...but it's nowhere near
I still love it to bits...but yeah, I know what I'm playing.
At least Katamari made it. I love that game too.
Holding out hope for a Spyro 4 ♥️
1. Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition
1a. The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
Are Splatoon 2 and 3 remakes? Does it count as a remake when you release the same thing three times, with a few tweaks? Maybe it's $60 DLC?
@Moistnado I loved splatoon but splatoon 2 added salmon run. That was much bigger than dlc. I normally love hating on Nintendos pricing or more accurately gouging but this isn’t it.
A Wii port for full price a year after getting a Mario all star collection is where your anger should lie.
@Ade117 its just the burnout i think
Link's Awakening set a standard on how radically faithful, yet different any sort of remake should be. It didn't remove the features added through DX, but it also introduced numerous changes that effectively "modernized" the game outside of just updating the graphics and reusing an engine or mechanics. Supporting the same control scheme as the 3D/HD remasters and ALBW was the best decision one could ever ask for and changing certain items to be more in the background fixed a lot of the same problems that OoT was infamously known for.
I am looking forward to seeing what's next from Grezzo. Whether it be an Oracle of Ages/Seasons remake or another port/remaster, I hope it'll help fill the gap between now and Breath of the Wild 2 (as Age of Calamity and Skyward Sword were previously intended to).
Turok 1+2 and Shadowman
@HotGoomba It is a port, not a remake. Same as Mario Kart 8 or Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze
When I clicked the link I thought this article was going to have 20 pages at least….
@ModdedInkling
+1
I think LoZ Oracle games would make a lot of sense being made over in the style of Switch's Link's Awakening.
For a port, I'd like to see Gnomz (the Wiiware game where you fight for the socks) ported to the Switch.
It is one of the games that we still fire up our Wii for.
I played and enjoyed Xenoblade DE, Famicom Detective Clubs and the Zelda rereleases. Links Awakening and Skyward Sword. I like the remasters that fix issues the old version had or sharpen and make it look prettier.
That being said, I hope Grezzo remaking Link's Awakening was a testing if they could work on 2d Zelda on HD hardware and they get another chance to make their own 2d Zelda game. Much like how Mercury Steam got to work on Metroid Dread after proving themselves with Samus Returns which sold way worse then Links Awakening's Remake.
Xenoblade chronicles definitive edition is by far the best remaster ever made.
"Who needs the Virtual Console, eh?"
Hoo-boy, THAT'S a loaded question...
@ModdedInkling i believe Grezzo is working on a remake of Oracle of Age/Season.
@GinMiguel didnt Grezzo developed Legend of Zelda Triforce Heroes?
no Mario Kart 8 Deluxe? That seems like the best of the bunch. The remake has battle mode, labo support, you can get 2 items at once, the resolution is bumped up to 1080 instead of 720, and it includes all the dlc from the original.
Mario 3d All Stars was a great remaster as well, if you were going to play those games again, 3d all stars is easily the best way to play them.
@Nintendo_Thumb
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe classifies as an enhanced port rather than a remaster, because it didn't make significant changes to the pre-existing engine other than a few QoL improvements
@ModdedInkling Remasters are all enhanced ports.
@PtM
Remasters are all enhanced ports. Enhanced ports are NOT always remasters.
@ModdedInkling A remaster is an enhanced port. If you want to disqualify Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, you'd have to remove Skyward Sword, Final Fantasy VIII Remastered, Katamari Damacy Reroll, and Grim Fandango Remastered from the list also, as they all are enhanced ports with a few QoL improvements.
@Giancarlothomaz They did but that's not on HD hardware.
@ModdedInkling They arguably always are. The enhancements constitute the remastering.
@GinMiguel true, but i wonder what Grezzo is developing next for Switch next? could they be working on a remake of Oracle of Age and Season or a new Legend of Zelda game for Switch this year?
@Giancarlothomaz Could be Ever Oasis 2.
@Giancarlothomaz They said its some medieval stylish action game. Before the winter direct last year.
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