westmeadow

I remember early in the year there were some very certain-sounding rumors that the Batman Arkham collection was coming to Switch – apparently planned around August of this year, if I recall. Wonder whatever happened to that! That’s one of my personal most-wanted ports and there hasn’t been a peep about it since! ☹️

If it’s easy, that implies it doesn’t take too much time and energy, so… can we walk and chew gum at the same time, please, Nintendo? I mean if I guess I had to choose between only new games and only old games, I’ll go with new games (though it’s not exactly an easy choice, given how much I love Nintendo’s backlog), but that is a ridiculous false dichotomy!

May bite when Pokemon Stadium games drop just because of memories with online multiplayer there. DK64 may also persuade me for similar reason. Would definitely bite if Smash64 or GameCube games dropped. I still have my Wii hooked up and have several games from N64 and other consoles there via virtual console — you know, from when we could buy them from Nintendo to keep.

If you like Nintendo Music or VGM in general (and if you're reading this, I'm sure you do), check out my Ultimate VGM playlist on Apple Music. I've put a lot of work into compiling it, and it contains a lot of great arrangements! Mostly Nintendo music on there, since that's my personal jam.

As much as I like the streaming service, it's way too hard to find specific playlists via search, so I'm sharing the link with you: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/ultimate-vgm/pl.u-XkD0vNZF4E1gro
NintendoLife, I'm not trying to advertise — I don't care if anyone subscribes/saves/likes/whatever it is, and, even if they do, I don't make any money from it. Just trying to share the VGM love!

I know this is a cop-out, but it really depends on the day. Way too many equally legendary tunes to choose from.
That said, the one that I find myself humming the most is Ecruteak City from Pokemon GSC.

Fun list! Thanks for putting this together. Might give a few of these a run this week so I can enjoy the colors and atmosphere inside as well as outside.

@West3DP I had never heard of that game, but yes, I suppose some elements I mentioned are included in Evoland. Obviously not precisely what I described.

Here's what I want — a dream game with three modes:

Mode 1:
Journey through time through generations 1-7 with each game's respective Pokedex. Graphics aren't necessarily original quality/style, but they remain 2D and change as you enter each new land. When you enter a new land, you have to store all of your Pokemon from the previous one.

Mode 2:
Online, 3D, Stadium-style game where you can battle any Pokemon caught along your way in Mode 1. Also minigames. Also have cups where you can totally customize your team, a la "Pokemon Showdown."

Mode 3:
A large Wild Area where you can continue to train stored Pokemon from completed generations. Update this over time with missions, events, and map expansions. Preferably 3D.

$60 for Main game, which is Mode 1, $40 for each of the other two modes as DLC.

This game will never get made. But they could if they wanted to.

I'm guessing both — there's no way they didn't anticipate the double-meaning when choosing the title — but crying seems to be the more natural interpretation. It fits much more closely with BotW's title, for one thing — more organic and personal.

OG, baby! First game I ever beat. I was either four or five when I beat it. My parents had a very cool old school game guide that helped, especially the dungeon maps. Such a timeless game.

Scarlet: Stonjourner, Prof. Sada, less stupid academy name

Violet: Salamance, cooler legendary/bike, future theme, and preferred color
...Feeling more violet so far!

I think it looks brilliant!

Pokemon fans are truly impossible to please. For everyone who wants something to change, someone else wants that thing to stay the same. Everyone seems to want everything and nothing. Then there are the children the game is targeted at, many of whom aren't leaving comments online... They've got to make decisions one way or another, and I like just about all the ones made here.

I absolutely do not play Pokemon for graphical feats. Pokemon games have been worse than other AAA titles in that area all the way back to Gen 1. Running smoothly is most important. Art style is also important, and, while I still wish they'd do something a little more interesting, I think this style is the best yet in terms of 3D Pokemon. I'm not a fan of chibi, so I'm glad they're not sticking with that in this game.

Also, “holds up better than its N64 predecessor”??? How ……. DARE you sah!

A fantastic game? One of the best on GC? Holds up well for a 3D game of its age? Points for taking a risk? Gets too much hate? Yes to all!

Still the worst 3D Mario? Also yes! That says a lot about the Mario series. Probably the only 3D Mario that’s a 9 instead of a 10, in my book, and there aren’t a lot of games that I would award a 9!

I think mine was Super Mario Bros. 3, but it may have been the original. Those two games, Duck Hunt, and original Zelda were all played the most when I was ages 3-6 (1994-97).

IMO, Nintendo is not going to compete (or try to compete) in the all-out specs department in the foreseeable future. I really hope to see at least 1440p, consistent 60fps docked next time, but I don't see anything they do next console-wise being successful without the maintaining of a mobile component. We don't need simply a "bigger," better Switch, exactly. That might do well, but I would like to see them do something a little different without sacrificing the portable option that makes the Switch so great. Nintendo has matured technologies from past generations of hardware such as motion controls and touch screens. I'm open to something new/creative/gimmicky next time around, but absolutely not at the expense of what's already working. As others are saying, internet functionality is one area where they do need to get more competitive, and Nintendo consoles, even more than others, will benefit from excellent backwards compatibility. Finally, I'm absolutely with Reggie and most others in the camp that frequent, outstanding software should remain top priority.

I’m a pretty big LOTR fan, and platformer is even one of my favorite genres, but I’m definitely holding out for reviews on this one – not sure it’s what I’m looking for. Give me an Elder Scrolls: Middle Earth!

I like Sonic games only enough to buy one of them for my Switch. I was debating between this collection and Sonic Mania. SEGA's making the choice easy.

Switch > SNES/VB > NES/GB > N64/GBC > GC/GBA > Wii/DS > WiiU/3DS.
Closest matchup imo are 2nd and 3rd as VB is a non-contender and SNES is just barely better than NES and GB combined. The rest of it’s a pretty gradual slope. All very fun generations in their own way.

I think talking Nintendo software specifically would be an equally interesting conversation. Switch is #1 in large part because of versatility, library size, and 3rd party support. Looking exclusively at Nintendo titles would be a very different list, as wonderful as a few Ninty-published Switch games are.

Subtitle: Not again!

NintendoLife (and all gaming blogs) actually: We love to see it! Bring on the clicks!

Hey SquEnix, you know what would have sold really well?

My top 6 would be:
6. DKC2: Diddy Kong’s Quest
5. SMW2: Yoshi’s Island
4. Earthbound
3. Super Metroid
2. Zelda: Link to the Past
1. Super Mario World
But it would be just as easy to swap 4 and 5, and the top three could easily be arranged any which way. All GOATs, IMO. Even though Switch is my favorite console of all time, due partly to accessibility of so many great games from other consoles and from the past and to the flexible form factor, I still consider SNES to be Ninty’s heyday as a software developer.

Over 1,000 platinum points saved up here with no mobile games, just logging in week after week to collect my points and find that there’s still nothing worth buying with shipping and still in stock, some of the sweepstakes being the only exception. Might have actually bit on this one if it were available in the US!

Cool idea. I started watching, but the music aspect was so bad I couldn’t get far. It seems like they put all the effort into the drawings and none into the music, which led to a bad overall presentation.

I'd be very surprised if you need save data from LGP AND LGE for Mew, or from Sword AND Shield for Jirachi, which is what the article states. It's got to be one or the other of each set of games, right? It certainly seems that way from a later sentence about Sw&Sh ("...even if you have save data for both Sword and Shield..."). Would you please change the wording in the article to make it Crystal clear?

I hope, and I think the next console will be some kind of Switch 2. They've shown with their biggest console successes that they have a preference for sequels (SNES, 3DS, Wii U...). They've done it well and they've done it not so well. My guess and hope is that they're going to attempt what they attempted with the Wii --> Wii U, but do it right this time.

But, as others are saying, this is Nintendo and part of the fun and the fury of being a Nintendo fan is you just never know if they're going to do a "YES!" or a "Wtf?"

Probably not. One of my favorite series. Like many others, I about had a heart attack when I first learned of the announcement (no pun intended) and was extremely let down to quickly learn it's cloud-based. Having KH 1+2 on Switch would be a dream. I'm less turned off by the internet piece than I am by the fact that it's but a lease. I'd only bite if it were like $15 or less, and that's probably not going to happen.

Here's hoping Squenix actually ports any version 1 and/or 2 to Switch at some point with all the uproar online. They could make a killing, but I'm not optimistic.

This ranking is heresy! Here’s the correct order:
The lowest rank games were basically correct. These bottom three are not worth playing, imo, unless you love their series.
16. Dr. Mario 64
15. Yoshi’s Story
14. Kirby 64
The games in the next section are very much worth checking out, but not among the legendary, imo.
13. Winback (a surprise, to be sure, but a welcome one)
12. Sin & Punishment (very fine, indeed)
11. Mario Golf (always a good time, and quite addictive)
10. F-Zero X (so fast and fun)
9. Mario Tennis (so much fun, plus Waluigi’s first appearance!)
8. Pokémon Snap (simple but brilliant)
7. Paper Mario (lovely and funny)
6. Star Fox 64 (so tight and replayable)
The top five are what I would call legend-tier, particularly the top two.
5. Mario Kart 64 (perhaps the ultimate multiplayer game)
4. Majora’s Mask (brilliant, dark, and unique)
3. Banjo-Kazooie (too many collectibles and not quite as tight as Mario, but this game is still excellent, fun, and funny to boot)
2. Ocarina of Time (A truly awesome game. It doesn’t hold up quite as well as some would like to think without the goggles of nostalgia, but still absolutely definitive)
1. Mario 64 (genius and world-changing)

So many top comments here are about whether or not we should be impressed. When it comes to my excitement level, whether or not the port is impressive pales in comparison to whether the games are fun and whether I’ve played them in recent years or at all.
In this case, the games are legendary and I was too young to enjoy them when they were first released on PS2 and haven’t since had a console they were available on. Pretty exciting in my book!

Yeeeeess! One of my most-wanted ports for Switch! Wonderful news!!

This is a correct list. Carry on, everyone.

Liked this game a lot when it came out on Wii, 9/10 for me, but still probably my least favorite 3D Zelda. I’m happy for those enjoying it, but selfishly I hope it doesn’t sell well. Nintendo’s focus on remakes really is getting out of hand, IMO.

I personally don’t want the Steam Deck badly enough to even consider it. However, for most of us who already own a Switch and want to buy a new handheld, spending $50 more on a Steam Deck makes a lot more sense than OLED Switch, IMO.

I love these games. The GBA games were good times but the 2D never did it for me. 3 was the pinnacle, IMO, with 4 as a close second. Then probably 2 then Underground 1 then the original. I haven’t enjoyed any of the others too much that I’ve played. I greatly look forward to playing the 1+2 remake and would be thrilled to have a 3+4!

I still predict an announcement by end of summer and a release at holiday season. That said, I’m extremely unlikely to buy whatever they’re selling. I’m not one for the latest and greatest (my console before Switch was a gifted Wii), and I don’t get a lot of time to play video games. That means I’ll get to enjoy the Switch’s already-fantastic and growing library for a long time to come.

Quite sure at this point that it’s coming this year.
And number me among those who think Super Switch is the best name. I’m sick of Pro because very few of us really care to think of ourselves as pro gamers. I’m even more sick of Plus because I don’t like how it sounds (plus what?) and mostly because of way too man recent Plus streaming services. Sadly, odds are that it will be one of those and not Super Switch.

Also like others, I almost certainly will not upgrade, as I’m satisfied with my current Switch, and my dearest hope (and it seems a good likelihood) is that OG Switch has at least 3 more years of new games ahead of it.

Not too bad of a list, IMO, though there were some glaring omissions as mentioned above (Contra most of all). I definitely would put original SMB at #2 due to sheer importance.
Here’s the main thing I take from this list though: It’s easy to forget just how fantastic the NES was. So many games that hold up 30+ years later. So much fun to be had! After the Switch and SNES, the NES is the best Nintendo console of all time, and that’s still saying a lot!

$349 for Super Switch and a decrease to $249 for original would be the consumer-friendly thing to do, so they’ll probably do $399 and $299... At the same time, the original is still selling like crazy so I can’t say I wouldn’t do the same thing.

My own list is actually the same as your mathy list, except that I think most people slightly under-rate LttP and original LoZ. I’d move them each up two places, shimmying the others down.

1. LttP
2. BotW
3. OoT
4. WW
5. MM
6. LA
7. LoZ
8. LBW
9. TP
10. MC

I agree with this article. I totally get having both red and pink. The new Mario red is actually my favorite red, but they should have stuck with the Odyssey red to avoid this pickle of a situation. And when I saw the Skyward Sword joy-cons I had a visceral reaction to the colors (though I love them otherwise). They should have done one blue or two different colors like blue and purple.

I hear those who are saying “Oh, waaa, too many colors,” but I think it does something to make the Switch and Nintendo feel like they don’t really know what they’re doing.

I know this game is super huge and I'm sure I'd enjoy it, but I don't like playing games on my phone. I've always enjoyed bluffing games. Really looking forward to giving it a try!

@Damo Very helpful! Thank you!

Yeah, considering so many of your readers are on mobile, it would have been much better to retype the statement or somehow make it more readable. Lots of news outlets make this a practice. I can’t imagine that it would take much more than an extra five minutes or so?

That said, the reaction by multiple commenters had a tone that was unnecessarily harsh IMO. Is it too much to hope for high-quality articles and constructive comments?

My top 10 are:
10. Zelda: Skyward Sword
9. Smash Bros. Brawl
8. Zelda: Twilight Princess
7. World of Goo
6. The Last Story (XC is probably better but I prefer this)
5. Wii Sports (Resort is better but original is more important)
4. Metroid Prime 3 (I don’t count Trilogy)
3. Mario Galaxy 2
2. Resident Evil 4
1. Mario Galaxy

35th comment

@Ajent Surprise!

3rd-party, my top requests would be:
– Portal 1 and 2
– Half Life trilogy
1st-party, I’d love to have all the Zeldas remastered

21 years? Impossible! Why, 21 years ago I was only... oh my...

Seriously, this was the first game I spent my own money on. I played it at some friends’ houses and it was a dream come true. I went to the bank with my parents, exchanged a big ol’ jar of saved up change for bigger bills (back when they would do that for you), went to the local K-mart, and spent $50 long-saved; I never once regretted it. I put many, many hours into this game, almost all of them multiplayer against my brother and my friends. Some of my best gaming memories were with this one, surpassed by very few others, Melee being one of them. The original was so good that, when a sequel was announced, I thought about it every day despite not having my own GameCube. Ultimate is easily the best Smash game ever made, but as a father who works full time I may never make better gaming memories than playing the original for hours at a time in our damp basement against my neighbor friends. Fingers crossed that my own kids will play with me in a few years.

I picked Zelda over Mario 3-2. Breath of the Wild had a big effect. Of course, if the 2D era was in play, Mario would take the cake!

I'm a late adopter / budget gamer, so this definitely affects me. I'm still building a Wii library on the cheap and have been planning to buy a Wii U sometime next year. I've been putting off buying VC games until then because I don't want to pay to transfer my purchases. Looks like Nintendo is going to force my hand early and I'll be getting a Wii U sooner than I expected to. I'm not mad; as the author says, it was only a matter of time. I'm really glad to know well enough in advance!