The 10 Best Ports on Switch

*We’ve made another list of Amazing ports – Click here to check it out!*

We all know that while the Switch is an amazing system, its portable nature means there are hardware restrictions that separate it from its current-gen counterparts. That being said, some developers seem to be able to work a certain magic in their ports (Panic Button on Bethesda games comes to mind) to create an amazing handheld experience. With that in mind, I thought I would compile a list of the 10 best ports on the Nintendo Switch.

Now, just in case I missed one, let me know and I will revisit this list again.

This list is in no particular order.

The Witcher 3

CD Projekt Red’s subliminal Witcher 3 made the transition to the Nintendo Switch and initially was a little blurry in the graphics department, but still an enjoyable romp. Thankfully, the game has continually received support, even to the extent of users being able to tweak the graphics to a very respectable state and framerate. Not only is the entirety of the Witcher 3 available with no content compromises, but both its amazing expansions made the jump too, giving gamers hundreds of hours of sword and story on the go. The game is honestly one of the greatest games of all time with intricately written characters, enthralling quests, and an amazingly crafted world that will draw you in from start to finish.

Doom (2016 and Eternal)

Ok, it might be a cheap shot adding both Dooms on one entry but they are such frantic and fun games I couldn’t choose between the two. The fast-paced run and gun gameplay with gory finishers and balls-to-the-wall action make them hard to pass up. Both ports run smoothly despite the amount of action going on and the fluid controls make it a blast to play. While Doom Eternal may have a few more compromises due to the enhanced damage engine, both games still look out of this world. Panic Button has done an outstanding job bringing both of these critically acclaimed titles to the Nintendo Switch.

Civilization 6

A friend of mine once recommended playing Civ 6 and I managed to pick it up on sale on the E-shop many moons ago. At first, I didn’t like the gameplay style, but after watching a few tutorials on YouTube, I was hooked on the “one more turn” mentality of this in-depth and amazing game. The port of Civ 6 runs well, although there are some performance hitches when you get 500 turns in, but that doesn’t take away from the impressive scale and scope of the game. The expansions and recently released Leader Passes also made the jump to handheld, and online features make the game infinitely repayable. When I was in the Outback for a week without internet, I played the most epic single-player skirmish of Civ 6, and it’s experiences like that that make me rate the game as one of my all-time favorites on the Switch console.

Sniper Elite 4

The Sniper Elite series up until recently was a rather underrated gem. The ports on the switch are some of the best examples of how a port should be done. Graphically impressive, smooth framerate and finely tuned controls make hunting down bad guys on the go a great experience. All DLC’s can also be snapped up on this great game that regularly goes on sale, and the other games in the series with the exception of 5, are also available. It doesn’t really matter where you start in the series, but Sniper Elite 4’s open-world approach to missions easily makes it the best in the series that’s available on Switch.

Skyrim

Skyrim was what sold many people on the Switch when it was released. Sure, it might not look as visually impressive as some other games on the list, but the concept of fitting a game on the scale of Skyrim in a handheld was such a foreign concept, that many people were wondering if it could be done. Skyrim and all its expansions came to the Switch with impeccable performance, amazing open-world scale, and even some Legend of Zelda amiibo items for a little bit of added Nintendo flair. The game has recently seen the Anniversary upgrade released which adds a myriad of quests and gameplay, as well as curated mods and items that further expand the game. Skyrim paved the way for other developers to show just how amazing the console was at launch and is my favorite game of all time!

Red Dead Redemption

Since I covered Red Dead Redemption, I have found I keep getting thumbs-downs on any video that mentions the game but there’s no denying that it is a fantastic, if straightforward port. The world of RDR has been perfectly ported across and runs amazingly on both the main campaign and the Undead Nightmare expansion. Multiplayer was sadly axed which stopped this from possibly being the greatest port of all time, and the steep price on launch really irked gamers as it was priced at a AAA brand-new release. Despite these problems, from a technical standpoint, Red Dead Redemption is an amazing port and still a great game.

Nier Automata

Nier Automata features some of the craziest and most impressive set pieces on the Nintendo Switch. Despite all the crazy going ons, including the game swapping genres on the fly, the game plays perfectly, creating an amazing experience. Graphics paint a desolate and abandoned world overrun by robots, some as big as skyscrapers, and the sheer scale of battles goes off without a hitch due to the quality of the port. Combat is fluid, controls are tight, and the voice acting is great in this fantastic port. The best part? It’s very reasonably priced in both digital and physical copies, making it a great port that’s hard to say no to.

Xcom Collection

The Xcom series is an amazing port that will give you hours of tactical combat action. The collection includes the sublime (and sometimes punishing) War of the Chosen which radically alters the game for the better. The port features a great control system which makes it easy to control your units on the field, as well as runs smoothly when the action heats up. The load times can be a little taxing, but once you’re on a mission, there are no distractions stopping you from combating the alien threat on Earth. The game also features cross-save compatibility, allowing you to resume your campaign on a different device should you see fit.

Divinity 2: Original Sin

Divinity 2 is one of the greatest RPG’s to grace the Nintendo Switch system. Developed by Larian Studios, who made the recently released and critically acclaimed Baldurs Gate 3, Divinity 2 in a sprawling epic that features an intricate gameplay system, allowing you to tackle problems however you see fit. The port is high quality with amazing graphics, fully-fledged voice acting, and refined controls for a great gameplay experience. I have sunk many hours into this game, including starting over again only to discover something I missed the first time around. It’s an amazing port of a fantastic game and I highly recommend it!

No Man’s Sky

If you put a gun to my head and asked me what the best port on the Nintendo Switch is, I would say, No Man’s Sky. Even before the incredible 4.4.0 patch that upgraded the graphics, No Man’s Sky is a technical marvel that still has people scratching their heads about how it works. An infinite galaxy, full of infinite planets, procedurally generating an infinite amount of flora and fauna, No Man’s Sky is a game that has so much on offer, you will never literally see it all. Couple that with the incredible ongoing support and a constant stream of free expansion packs, No Man’s Sky is a game that has something for everyone, and what better place to explore the galaxy than in the palm of your hands?

So there’s my list of amazing Switch ports, and I know I missed some, so let me know your favorite ports and I’ll make a reader edition list!