Remember the Wii U? –shows Wii- No, not that thing, this thing.
Well as of late Nintendo have been shifting a large chunk of their games over to the Switch
with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Mario Kart 8, Pokken Tournament, Bayonetta
2, Hyrule Warriors, Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze and even some third party ones like
Lego City Undercover.
And we don’t think that’s the end of it.
The Wii U had a ton of great games but with them now being stranded on a system very few
own or currently play we’re gonna bet more than a few are currently in the port pipeline.
In fact we’re so confident that let’s just put the unlikely ones out of the way
first: Star Fox Zero, Wii Party U, Mario Party 10,
Nintendo Land and Game and Wario are all very likely to come to the Switch due their reliance
on dual displays.
For instance Star Fox Zero has many scenes where you’re prompted to view a third person
perspective on the TV while you fly under enemies and shoot their weak point located
underneath them.
Examples like this demand two points of view and so I’m pretty sure Star Fox isn’t
going anywhere.
We’re also not including Super Smash Bros or Super Mario Maker as not only do we already
have an in depth video for Smash but those two sit on the border of whether they’ll
be ports or sequels.
We’re also disregarding Splatoon as the majority of its maps can now be found in Splatoon
2 and Yoshi’s Woolly World as Poochy and Yoshi’s Woolly World launched just one year
ago on 3DS and we have an entirely new Yoshi game coming later this year.
Rainbow Curse is also unlikely as it’s so touch dependent though I’d love to play
this beautiful game in a resolution above 480p.
With that said here are 10 Wii U games I feel could still be ported to Nintendo Switch ranked
in order of likelihood.
10.
Super Mario 3D World and Captain Toad Alright so we’re cheating a bit here with
dual entries but both 3D World and Captain Toad share the same pros and cons when it
comes to a Switch port.
They both have levels that rely on that darn gamepad!
Whether it’s 3D World’s Puffprod Peaks with its reliance on touch which undocked
Switch has and microphones which well, I guess you have with the mobile app?
Yeah we don’t can’t see that making it in.
Now true, Nintendo Land bypassed microphone inputs with the Donkey Kong Crash Course by
allowing you to simply hold the X button.
But touch is still a major part of this level and it’s mandatory in a handful of others
too.
If anything Captain Toad makes even greater use of the gamepad with a larger selection
focusing on manipulating puzzles through touch controls.
Now it’s possible these levels could be revamped, replaced or removed but we especially
see that being the case with Captain Toad.
–There’s too much- touch controls- in him.
So why could they come to Switch?
Well they both rank in the best selling Wii U games and are some of the highest rated
games on the platform.
Plus think of the multiplayer possibilities!
Switch is a platform all about sharing your game anywhere with anyone and that would lend
itself so well to 3D World.
Multiplayer could get a little rough in New Super Mario Brothers but with how much more
open these 3D Worlds are you won’t want to kill your friend!
Though you may do accidently as Run and Grab are the same button.
Sorry to all the friends I’ve accidently murdered.
Maybe having ZL as the grab button would be a good idea if you bring this to Switch, Nintendo?
There are more than two buttons to use afterall.
Both of these games would in theory lend themselves well to the Switch but with the gamepad road
bumps along the way, maybe sequels are more likely?
For that reason we’re giving 3D World and Captain Toad the
“Somewhat Likely” stamp Also it’s about time we got a Captain Toad
amiibo Nintendo!
Number 9: Fatal Frame: Maiden of Blackwater Remember PROJECT ZERO: Maiden of Blackwater?
No?
Well I wouldn’t blame you.
Outside of Europe this game only released on the Wii U eShop and even in Europe the
only way to get it was in this expensive collectors edition.
Yeah ever since Nintendo got their hands on the series their output has been close to
non-existent, especially in the west.
But they’re great games, especially Maiden of Blackwater.
This game takes place in Mount Hikami otherwise known as the suicide forest, yeah that’s
already a scary premise.
Mix that with patented Japanese horror and you have a game I couldn’t play without
someone in the roo- I mean –I laugh in the name of danger- …yeah that’s what I meant.
Maiden of Blackwater does use the gamepad but mostly just for gyro controls which both
the Joycon and Pro controller already have going for them so not a great deal is lost
by ditching the second screen here.
Only problem is this game didn’t exactly set the charts on fire, in fact there hardly
even a spark.
We have to wonder if there’s even an audience for this port as yeah it would function but
how many people would it really appeal to?
Maybe bundling it in a Project Zero collection featuring either the entire series or the
unlocalised Project Zero 4 which came out on the Wii in Japan.
They game even launched before amiibo were a thing in Japan so it would be cool to get
our hands on the Zelda and Samus costumes early using their respective amiibo similar
to how you can in Bayonetta 2.
We’re also giving Maiden of Blackwater the stamp of
“Somewhat likely” Number 8: Paper Mario: Color Splash
It’s no secret that Andre is the world’s biggest fan of Paper Mario: Sticker Star so
when Color Splash built upon those mechanics, he was over the moon.
Seriously though, Color Splash took one of Nintendo’s most disappointing premises and
turned it into something actually worth putting your time into.
It’s full of bright colourful worlds and some of the best writing the series has ever
had.
I’m still not the biggest fan of the battle system but it does enough to carry this jolly
adventure forward and though it does require the gamepad, I never felt it was necessary.
Basically the UI remains down on the gamepad but the combat stays focused on the TV.
Hmm, where I wonder what it would look like if you merged the two together…like every
other Paper Mario game perhaps?
Sure, selecting cards might take a tad longer when you’re not swiping with the touch screen
but I see no real drawback for ditching the gamepad in this game.
As one of the Wii U’s last major games we’d love to see more people experience this adventure
though at the same time a sequel using the beautiful engine of Color Splash would be
even better as I’m not sure how exciting people would find a port of this game, it’s
good but it’s not a classic like the initial two games.
And for that we’re giving Color Splash the stamp of
“likely” Number 7: Tokyo Mirage Sessions
This game is really good, no, really.
It may be a collaboration between Fire Emblem and Shin Migami Tensei while resembling neither
of those games but judged solely as its own thing and TMS is not only a brilliant RPG
but one of the very best from Atlus.
I’m not into Japanese idol culture myself but the brilliant combat system and dungeon
design are something any RPG fan will adore.
In fact the combat system might be one of the very best to grace a turn based RPG.
It’s real good.
And I’m willing to bet Nintendo and Atlus want to sell a few more copies of this.
Sure there are instances that use the gamepad like reading text messages on your phone but
there’s no reason why that can’t just become a sub menu.
With Fire Emblem launching later this year, Tokyo Mirage Sessions would be a great way
to keep the series momentum strong in the meantime and if anything it’s my personal
mission to get more people to play this game.
It would even be neat to include some extra scenarios based off new elements from the
upcoming Switch Fire Emblem or hey, maybe even provide an English dub for this version
as the Wii U localisation only offered English text with Japanese voices.
For that reason we’re giving Tokyo Mirage Sessions the stamp of
“likely” Number 6: Pikmin 3
Ever since the new play controls of the Wii version of Pikmin, it’s been hard to go
back to the original Gamecube control scheme and while the Wii U’s Pikmin 3 includes
these as a default, I’m willing to bet a lot of us played the game with a Wii remote
and nunchuk.
Of course the Switch can replicate this with gyro pointing but it’s just not precise
enough and desyncs in moments as demonstrated by World of Goo.
This means we’ll essentially be stuck with gamepad controls if Pikmin 3 ever comes to
Switch which aren’t so bad as they also offered some neat touch features with a content
update but IR pointing and Pikmin go together like blue Pikmin and a body of water.
The gamepad was necessary for map controls and micro managing but I see no reason why
this can’t just be shifted to a pause screen.
Heck, the gamepad was always a little awkward in this game, especially when you were using
another control scheme but had to keep the gamepad nearby.
That said Pikmin 3 is a wonderful game and it’s fully playable without both a second
screen and a Wii remote providing no real excuse for it not to be on Switch, it just
may not be the definitive version althouuugh seeing this amazing fruit in 1080p is pretty
convincing.
Seriously 5 years since this game launched and we still haven’t seen fruit that looks
as good as this.
And man this pizza!
And for that reason we’re giving Pikmin 3 the label of
“likely” Number 5: New Super Mario Brothers U and Luigi
U Now the hold the phone – I really don’t
want this.
There’s been a New Super Mario Brothers game on every system since the Nintendo DS
so why would Nintendo break tradition and just port the Wii U game on Switch?
Well because they can.
New Super Mario Bros U may be one of the best selling Wii U games but it only did 5.75 million
copies which in the grand scheme of other games in the series is tiny.
And I hear you, U is in the game’s title but that didn’t stop Super Mario 64 DS and
I don’t think it would stop them here either.
With how well Verses Super Mario Brothers is selling on the eShop it seems people are
thirsty for 2D Mario and the Switch lends itself so well to the local multiplayer of
these games.
But simply porting Mario U and Luigi U isn’t enough.
We want some interesting twists like how about some female characters this time or a new
challenging levels ala New Super Mario Bros 2’s DLC?
And let’s be honest, who’d really miss the gamepad in this game?
Sure placing blocks could be helpful when obtaining Star Coins but it always came across
as an afterthought.
Beyond that New Super Mario Brothers U really is a marvellous Mario game that doesn’t
always get the respect it deserves.
The level design is on par with the series best and certain levels showcase insane originality,
we want more of this Van Gough level!
And for that reason New Super Mario Bros U gets the label of
“Very likely” Number 4: Pushmo World
Inteligent Systems made some incredible games last gen but the 3DS’s Pushmo was one of
the cleverest in my opinion.
It’s an ingenious puzzle game built around the simple aspect of pulling and pushing blocks.
There was even a level editor that allowed you to make your own puzzles.
On 3DS you could only share your projects through QR codes and enter the big feature
of the Wii U’s Pushmo World, you can actually share your levels and have people play them
without jumping through hurdles.
For what it’s worth I would also love to see Crashmo get the HD “World” treatment
and bundling the whole series together on Switch with new puzzles and UI enhancements
would make this a must have for puzzle fans.
There’s no real gamepad use either though creating your own levels using the touch screen
is certainly quicker.
Something that Switch can still do when undocked.
That’s not really much more to say with this one, bring these wonderful games to Switch!
And for that reason Pushmo World recieves the stamp of
“extremely likely” Number 3: The Wonderful 101
Platinum and Nintendo have an interesting relationship.
Bayonetta 2 didn’t sell that well on Wii U but here we are with Bayonetta 1+2 Switch
ports and a third game on the way exclusively for Switch.
The Wonderful 101 also didn’t sell all too well but going by precedent we’re willing
to be that doesn’t matter when it comes to Nintendo and Kamiya.
That and the director has stated multiple times on Twitter that he wants the game on
Switch and Platinum even tweeted this picture showing members of the Wonderful 101 playing
on a Nintendo Switch.
We don’t think that’s just harmless art, that’s a full on tease.
But what about the gamepad?
The Wonderful 101 was a game about drawing a shape and having your team merge into it.
Now you could use the right stick to draw as well but that was a little tricky for certain
manoeuvre, not impossible though.
I wouldn’t be shocked if the touch aspect remains when playing undocked but docked simply
uses the right stick or even a quick instance of gyro controls as they’re unlikely to
desync when only being active for a few seconds.
There were also instances where you’d go in a building and then the view shifts to
the gamepad but just look what happens when you play Four Swords Adventure without a GBA,
you get a picture in picture view and that’s exactly what The Wonderful 101 could do too.
So there would need to be a few changes but I would be shocked if the Wonderful 101 doesn’t
happen.
In fact I’d sit in a puddle.
And for that reason The Wonderful 101 receives the stamp
Of extremely likely Number 2: The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
HD and Twilight Princess HD Yeah I’m cheating again.
Nintendo had a phase of remastering all of the 3D Zelda’s last gen and for what it’s
worth we’d take ports of Ocarina of Time 3D and Majora’s Mask 3D too and a remaster
of Skyward Sword but let’s focus on one thing at once, well two things.
Both Wind Waker HD and Twilight Princess HD featured some wonderful quality of life improvements
that alleviated many of the flaws of the gamecube originals.
Sailing in Wind Waker was a breeze with the new swifts sail and many steps were taken
to ensure the Triforce quest didn’t make you want to cry.
Twilight Princess HD was less drastic but smaller elements like not having to fish twice
in the tutorial and fewer tears of light were thrown in, in addition to climbing up walls
faster.
Both were improved with the gamepad UI but they also featured full pro controller support
so ditching the hunking brick – sorry Wii U, I enjoyed are time together kind of- wouldn’t
be a major loss.
Breath of the Wild’s still selling ridiculously well so maybe these two are a way off but
that being said, Hyrule Warriors is coming in just a few months.
Maybe the time’s coming for more Zelda on the Switch and if so, I think these two
Are extremely likely Number 1: Xenoblade Chronicles X
We’re incredibly thrilled that with Xenoblade 2, the series is now capable of instalments
selling over a million units and maybe with a Switch port, Xenoblade X could possibly
reach that prestige.
The biggest evidence suggesting a Switch port comes from Monolith Soft president who stated
with 4Gamer.net: “Personally, since there are times that I happen to want to play Xenoblade
Chronicles X, I get the feeling that it would be nice to play on Nintendo Switch.
Of course, that it something I will think about while discussing user demands and future
plans with Nintendo.”
If the president of one of Nintendo’s most active development teams wants a Switch port
I’m thinking the doors are pretty wide open that and with the success of Xenoblade 2 now’s
a good time for Nintendo to give the rest of the series another shot.
A remaster of the first game makes a lot of sense and hey even a HD Xenosaga Trilogy with
Bandai Namco given the large amount of KOS-MOS representation as of late with here appearing
in Project X Zone 2 alongside Xenoblade’s Fiora and being a playable blade in Xenoblade
2.
The only hurdles for Xenoblade X really comes from storage.
If a Switch game is above 16 gigabytes then they tend to have a downloadable portion and
fans don’t react too well to that.
It’s possible they can compress the 20GB game down as seen with other Wii U ports like
Pokken but storage and price is a bit of a hurdle for X.
It also featured gamepad support with a map on the second screen but this is something
that can easily be reworked, it even supported the Pro controller.
Plus we’re still waiting to find out what happens after the credits!
And for that reason Xenoblade Chronicles X gets the stamp of
“Only a matter of time” And there we have it!
Did I miss any Wii U games that you think could end up on Switch?
Let us know in the comments below and be sure to subscribe to gamexplain for loads more
on Nintendo Switch, catch you later, bye.