No matter how great it is on its own, a console is nothing without good games. And as fresh and flexible as the Nintendo Switch may be as a piece of hardware, it is still its software that defines it. The last 2 years have seen a constant release of AAA blockbusters, indie hits, and everything in between. With that in mind, take a look at the best titles that have come to the Switch so far, all available to download or buy right now, for yourself or that special gamer close to your heart.
Hollow Knight by Team Cherry
In Hollow Knight, you will be placed in the middle of a map slowly stretching out, gradually revealing its scale as you gain new abilities. These include negotiating increasingly difficult pitfalls and see you able to take on progressively more barbarous foes as you go along. There are secrets around each corner, and the sense of satisfaction from backtracking to a location previously inaccessible once you're armed with the requisite skills is immense. Perhaps comparable only to lining up the winning combination of symbols for one of the online pokies NZ has to offer?
Hollow Night stands apart from its Metroidvania counterparts thanks to its distinctive art style, depicting a mysterious underground city populated by beautifully rendered bugs. Its nod to the influence of the Dark Souls series is a factor in its greatness as well. Expect the difficult boss fights and strangely detached inhabitants of the subterranean world to make for a great gaming experience.
Pokemon: Let’s Go Pikachu and Eevee
Game Freak’s Pokemon: Let’s Go Pikachu and Eevee is essentially a reinterpretation of the Pokemon Yellow Version game. The characters will be helping you navigate the region of Kanto on your mission to become the Pokemon Master. 8 Gym Leaders, 4 Elite Masters, and many members of Team Rocket will try to thwart you, but you can stay on track. Just keep your focus on mastering the Rock, Paper, Scissors-type battle system, and you will find success. It’s the kind of game that gives players the chance to enjoy a stroll down memory lane while they benefit from the latest in modern technology.
Octopath Traveller from Square Enix
Square Enix developed Octopath Traveler in collaboration with Acquire. It’s aimed at Switch players on the hunt for a little old-school, 16-bit, Role Player Game action with an HD facelift. If this has been on your wish list, then you can start celebrating, because Octopath Traveler is the full package.
Octopath Traveler channels the magic of the earlier Final Fantasy games, melding polygonal environments with pixel art. It plays out like a love letter written to the role playing games of days gone by. Although the visuals are inspired by retro RPGs, they’ve been brought to life with state-of-the art modern touches, and a dynamic, rousing musical score. The game picks up the story of 8 adventurers, each talented in their own unique way, and the stories that follow are epic, each concerned with saving the world. You’ll be choosing from 8 distinct environments as you follow the individual stories of each of the characters, and you’ll need to master a well-crafted, turn-based combat system.
