10 More Amazing Switch Ports
We’ve already covered 10 of the best Switch Ports on the Nintendo Switch, but 2023 saw a bunch of incredible ports released that pushed the console’s hardware to its absolute limits! There were some ports like Batman which unfortunately didn’t make the cut in their current state, but I’m keeping my eyes on them to see if they get updated and fixed to make it on the next list! Some of these ports did come out before last year as we have had a few reader’s suggestions as well. But enough preamble, let’s take a look at 10 more amazing Switch ports!
Vampire Survivors
Vampire Survivors is a prime example of how having solid mechanics in a game trumps flashy graphics. The Switch port of Vampire Survivors is a well-executed, and well-thought-out port that includes couch co-op, all the expansions, and excellent controls. The addictive gameplay loop is perfect on handheld, with sessions only lasting 30 minutes per run (or less if you’re unlucky), and is a fantastic game to play while on the train or waiting for an appointment. The best part is that developer Poncle is constantly updating the game with expansion packs and free updates to expand the game out, and to make the deal even sweeter, you can purchase the entire package for under $10 AUD.
I gave Vampire Survivors a 90/100 when we reviewed it on launch stating “Vampire Survivors may not look like much on the outside, but for those who look past the 8-bit sprites, there’s an engrossing and addictive game that will constantly keep you coming back for more and is definitely worth more than the affordable price of entry.”
Company of Heroes
I know I rave on about Company of Heroes, but I honestly believe that both the game and the port are absolutely phenomenal. The port (handled by Feral Interactive) is a masterclass in how it should be done. It’s pixel-perfect performance, bug-free gameplay, and competitive price point are more than enough to justify a purchase, but Feral went one better by completely overhauling the controls to adapt the game to console controls. You can select groups and issue orders with a few simple taps, allowing you to take command of the battlefield when things turn south… and they always do.
I was blown away by this port, awarding it 92/100 saying “Company of Heroes strategically captures your attention with its epic scope of the campaign, near-unlimited skirmish mode, and quality-of-life improvements that make commanding a battalion on the go a breeze. Couple this with the inclusion of 2 huge and varied expansions, pixel-perfect performance, and a very reasonable price point, it’s safe to say that Company of Heroes is a victory for the team that ported it at Feral Interactive. This is not a hurried port for some quick cash, but a carefully designed and well-thought-out opportunity to introduce a new generation of commanders to this revered game.”
Hogwarts Legacy
Hogwarts Legacy is similar to No Man’s Sky in the sense it’s almost an impossible port. Portkey Games managed to move the entire Hogwarts Legacy game over intact, with only a few compromises when it comes to loading into new areas. The port is exceptional, running great, looking magical, and immersing players into the world of witches and wizards. Somehow, the performance has been further optimised since launch, smoothing out some technical issues and framerate dips which were surprisingly only really in one specific area.
My Hogwarts report card had this to say: “Hogwarts Legacy is a wondrous experience on the Switch, and Portkey Games has conjured some very powerful magic here to make it happen. The performance, scope of the world, and incredible cast of richly written characters make it an absolute joy to play. Yes, there are compromises, but none that took away from completely drawing me into this world of wonder. From learning spells with cheeky classmates to soaring above the castle on a broomstick, Portkey games have lovingly crafted a very magical experience that you can now play in the palm of your hands.”
Borderlands 3
Borderlands 3 had a somewhat rocky lead-up to launch. Rumors of a ridiculous install size, no gameplay footage, and almost 0 marketing made gamers believe that Borderlands 3 was not going to be very good. Thankfully, we were wrong, and after a 6-hour round trip through some intense Australian bushland, I had my hands on a physical copy. The port was actually very well done, except for the price point, which ran at a smooth framerate and included all the content from the other console releases. The only compromise was that it could only feature 2 players instead of the usual 4, which did in a sense disrupt the multiplayer mechanics a bit.
I was going to skip Borderlands 3 initially on its release due to the heavy lineup of titles that month, but the rumour mill and misinformation made me think checking it out would be a good idea. I’m very glad I did because there’s a lot of game, guns, and glory to be had with Borderlands 3. It’s a vibrant and unapologetic balls-to-the-wall shooter with sharp shooting and even sharper wits that’s entertaining in both story and gameplay. The price point stings worse than a Scorpion Rakk, but that pain is lessened by a complete package that performs well on the Switch. For people who are a fan of the series, then the game will be a great addition to the collection, but with limited multi-features, Borderlands 3 is a slightly less social experience on the Switch, and probably best suited for solo players on the go.
Remnant From the Ashes
Remnant: From the Ashes is a hidden gem on the Switch. The port came out much later than the initial release on other systems and may have been overlooked by many gamers at the time of release. This is a shame as Remnant expertly builds tension in a world where tree-like creatures have overrun the world as you skulk through subways, travel to distant worlds, and fight for your very survival in this soul-like experience.
The gameplay is amazing with tight combat, easily picking off enemies from afar and then hacking and slashing when they get close. You can easily get overwhelmed by the enemy and you will die… a lot. The port runs incredibly well and looks and performs great within highly detailed environments and a variety of enemies. World bosses lumber as they tower over you and swarms of enemies chase you down through the wreckage of sprawling cities. The best part? The game has a very competitive price point and can be played online with Co-op. While I know souls-like games aren’t for everyone, if you are looking for your next challenge, you can’t go wrong with Remnant: From the Ashes on Switch.
Diablo Eternal Collection
Say what you will about Diablo 3 and the Diablo 2 Remaster, but there’s no denying they are perfect for handheld play on the go. Both games have great performance, and content parity with their PC and other Console Counterparts, and are regularly updated, including the Seasonal content.
Much like the other Console ports, Diablos controls are tight and allow for quick rift runs or dungeon dives on the go, graphics are sharp and the loot (on D3 anyway) drops like there’s no tomorrow. You can play online with friends, and even couch co-op at home with up to 4 players. Both games are the classic games you can always return to here and there and I highly recommend picking up the Eternal Collection when it’s on sale, scoring hundreds of gameplay hours for less than $30 AUD.
Dragons Dogma
One of the most underrated and underappreciated original IP’s Capcom has produced, Dragons Dogma is an open-world epic, with a world like Skyrim, combat like Shadow of the Colossus, and the most unique mechanic in its pawn system. Players could upload their pawn sidekick to the servers for other players to use, and then redownload them with their knowledge of what they experienced with others, allowing them to identify weaknesses of enemies you haven’t faced yet, giving your team an advantage in battle.
The port runs well and looks incredible, somehow managing to fit the entire world of Dragons Dogma on the Switch. It has a competitive price point and I recommend it to anyone who loves a medieval adventure. You will spend hours just exploring the lush forests of this world, fighting your way through hordes of goblins, undead, and huge monsters that you can climb on to hack away at. It’s an epic adventure, and the pawn system takes it to another level. Considering it goes on sale at regular intervals, it’s a hard game to pass up on.
Ark
The journey for Ark to be on this list is incredible. It was actually considered to be the absolute worst port to ever grace the Nintendo Switch, with terrible graphics and performance it simply just didn’t work. Critics were quick to say that there was no chance a game of this scope would ever run on the Switch during its lifetime, but 4 years later after being rebuilt from the ground up, Ark now runs and looks great on the Nintendo Switch.
Our recent review finishes by stating: “Ultimately, ARK: Survival Evolved is now an incredible experience on the Nintendo Switch, addressing all of the complaints players had on launch. It looks and runs great, has all the content other systems have, and has a reasonable price point, especially for those who pick it up on sale. Sure, it took 4 years to get to this point but the dev teams behind ARK: Survival Evolved on Switch should be applauded for taking the time to rebuild the engine from the ground up to make this possible. While critics and gamers were right to think that this was an impossible task, Wild Card and Grove Street Games have managed to pull off an incredible feat.”
Factorio
Factorio is hands down, one of the most in-depth and addictive games I have ever had the joy of playing. It’s one of those games that you sit down to play and then wonder where your weekend went. The theme behind the gameplay is automation. You start by mining coal with a pickaxe, and once you establish yourself, will have automated assembly lines producing all manner of handy items with the ultimate goal of building a spaceship and taking off from the desolate world. You aren’t alone though, as ant-like aliens will be drawn towards the noise your setups will produce, making it essential to automated ammo production to feed your defensive turrets.
The port for this complex game is handled really well, with a point-and-click interface helped along with some handy button shortcuts. It performs well despite the incredible amount of activity that happens on screen, and you will find yourself constantly trying to improve your automation in this highly addictive construction simulator. The devs have never put the game on sale on either Switch of PC, but rest assured, you will certainly get your money’s worth with this game regardless!
Wreckfest
Wreckfest is the spiritual successor of the Flat Out Series (with the exception of Flatout 3, which was awful.) Bugbear Entertainment created Wreckfest to fulfill all petrolhead’s desires to smash their way through mud and tarmac courses, drive lawnmowers, and smash with the best of them in Demolition Derbys. The physics engine behind the game is outstanding, and there’s nothing better than sliding around a corner in a perfect drift and running your opponents off the track.
The port of Wreckfest on the Switch runs really well considering the amount of carnage on screen and looks amazing too with its detailed damage model. The environments are stunning and the variety of both courses and cars managed to keep Wreckfest fresh and exciting. There’s all the DLC on Switch that can be purchased separately that appears on other consoles, but even the base version of the game has plenty to do, so if you’re looking to just dip your toes in some hectic racing, you can. The game has a decent price point and also goes on sale a bit. While there are a lot of racing games on Switch, you can’t go wrong by adding one more to your collection with Wreckfest.
So there you have it, 10 more amazing ports for you to check out! Have you played some of these? Or have I missed your favorite port on both of my lists so far? Let me know and I’ll check it out! I do want to make a note from my previous article/video that a lot of people recommended I try Dying Light. Unfortunately, it’s banned in Australia and delisted from the E-shop, making physical copies a premium at the moment. When the channel gets more established, I’ll definitely track a copy down!
