The 12 Days Of Switchmas: Day 11- New Life For The Wii U?
It’s my turn once again to talk about what I’m hoping Nintendo will deliver with the Switch, the company’s upcoming console. If you want to get caught up with the rest of the series, including how the Virtual Console should be revamped, and how table top gaming could change the game for the system, check us out here!
This next entry might sound a bit weird coming from me. Both on the podcast and in my writings, I’ve talked at length about how I feel like this generation has become a glorified PS3 and Xbox 360 retread. It’s hard not to think otherwise when so many recent releases are remasters and collections of games no one ever asked for, (I’m looking at you, Deadpool and Legend of Kay Anniversary). But in the case of the Switch, with so much mainstream attention being shined on it as we approach Nintendo’s big conference, what better time would there be to breathe new life into some of the Wii U’s greatest games?
If this can get a remaster, why not Donkey Kong?
Yes, contrary to what popular opinion might tell you, the Wii U has a fantastic library of exclusive titles. Due to the low install base however, most of them never got their fair shot, forcing many great games to get tossed aside. The company seems to already be on the right track when you consider the rumors that have surfaced since the system’s reveal, which include versions of Super Smash Bros., Mario Kart 8, and my two favorite games of 2015, Xenoblade Chronicles X and Splatoon. On other consoles, versions of ZombiU minus the Game Pad have already been released, while Lego City Undercover is on its way.
Splatoon is sure to be a highlight for the Switch!
But with those games on the table, you’re still missing so many games that haven’t been accounted for. Pikmin 3 was the best game in the series yet, with multiple characters and paths to play with. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is one of the best 2D platformers you’ll ever play. Imagine Super Mario 3D World with online multiplayer and a few new characters so you can play with your friends no matter where you are? Bayonetta has definitely taken back some of the spotlight since making her debut in Smash, so it makes perfect sense for her second game to make the jump to the Switch as well. And dare I mention my game of the year of 2016, Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE, a game that was so poorly promoted that even the Atlus and RPG faithful didn’t even know what it was, let alone being aware that it released. The Switch and its portable capabilities would be perfect for the simulated text messaging app that your party uses to communicate with you outside of combat. And let’s not forget Kirby’s Rainbow Curse, Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water, Pokken Tournament, and the many other games that could do well with a much larger install base. For that matter, why stop with the Wii U? The Wii had plenty of games that became casualties in the propaganda machine that convinced many that the Wii had no games for “hardcore gamers”. So I would LOVE to be able to replay hard to find gems like Zack and Wiki, Madworld, Tatsunoko vs. Capcom, The Last Story, Pandora’s Tower, and many other forgotten classics that didn’t get their due.
Bayonetta 2 would be a perfect candidate for a second chance.
While the influx of re-releases has gotten out of control in recent years, one benefit is that they fill in library gaps when the system would otherwise be pushing through a dry spell. When you pad your library with games that most people never played the first time around, they end up feeling brand new to most of your install base while having to invest very little in comparison to making a brand new game. It’s a win-win for consumers and Nintendo alike!
I’ve gone over what I want to see, so now it’s your turn. What Nintendo exclusives would you want to see get a second chance on the Switch? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to check back tomorrow for our FINAL entry in our 12 Days of Switchmas series.
