This month marks the second anniversary of the Nintendo Switch. Ever since the console's reveal in early 2017, Nintendo's unique home and portable device has captivated millions. Since 2017, the Switch has seen evermore titles released for it, from both large studios to countless indie developers, thanks to Nintendo's "Nindies" push. The Switch quickly became so popular that any new promising game that gets announced without a Switch port immediately causes people to ask when the Switch version is coming.
And that's where this feature comes from: That desire to have all of our new and old RPG/adventure favorites available for play whether at home or out and about. Nintendo themselves helped kickstart our thoughts here as they gradually bring over enhanced releases of some of their excellent Wii U titles that simply had no audience on that lackluster platform.
The RPGFan staff got together and, along with some Wii U games we wanted to see get a second life, we went back to earlier consoles like the GameCube and even some PC releases that would be at home with the Switch's growing library of point and click games. And, of course, no Nintendo game wishlist feature would be complete without THAT Game Boy Advance game that has yet to leave Japan.
Settle in and enjoy our list of 45 titles that have us asking, "Switch port when?"
Intro by Mike Salbato
This was one of the first games that came up when we talked about doing this feature, for obvious reasons. One of the cult classics of the Wii U, Tokyo Mirage Sessions' mixture of Shin Megami Tensei/Persona and Fire Emblem ended up being a fun combination. It's a game that radiates charm with its colourful aesthetic, catchy J-pop music, and loveable cast of characters.
Writeup by Nathan Lee
Also read: Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE review
The Switch has a gyroscope. It was meant to be the home of a new Pokémon Snap. Let's do it, Nintendo. Whether this takes the form of a straight N64 port, part of a Switch Online N64 library, or an HD refresh, just let us take our Pokémon photo safari again.
Writeup by Mike Salbato
DO IT, YOU COWARDS.
It's time to talk about Smash-famous Lucas, funky music mechanics, and Itoi's heartwarming and unnerving storytelling. We've never had an official Western release despite pretty consistent demand. Starmen.net is an amazing place, but let's remove the fan translation burden, please? We still need to fully understand why Pokey is the worst.
Writeup by Hilary Andreff
It's been 16 years since the GameCube port for Skies of Arcadia (almost 19 since the Dreamcast original), and SEGA are on an awesome run of porting a lot of their old IPs, so what better time to capitalize on this than right now? With hours of sailing, discoveries, bounties, and treasure hunting to dive into, you can sail your airship through the skies while on the go; and with a warm cast and inviting story, this would be the perfect discovery to find on any RPG fan's Switch.
Writeup by Alana Hagues
Also read:
Skies of Arcadia (Dreamcast) review
Skies of Arcadia Legends (GameCube) review
With Fire Emblem Gaiden (second game) and Mystery of the Emblem (third game, which is a remake of the first game) having already received remakes, it's time for the fourth game to be remade. People who have played Genealogy of the Holy War consider it to be among the best of the series. Given the game's content, a remake could very likely carry an M-rating these days, a first for the series. Be bold, Nintendo, and release one of the more mature Fire Emblem games.
Writeup by Nathan Lee
tri-Crescendo's card-based RPG has such a cult following, but because these two games are so hard to get ahold of for a reasonable price, they're exactly the kind of games people are dying to get on the Switch. Get your Magnus ready and bundle these two together for a quick win because this will allow so many more people to play one of the best card-based RPGs out there, with the most gorgeous world design and environments.
Writeup by Alana Hagues
Also read:
Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean review
Baten Kaitos Origins review
With the popularity of the "Xeno" franchise arguably at an all-time high, the time is right for us to get a remaster for the Xenosaga trilogy. Despite the sometimes unwieldy cutscenes, these games deserve more attention for their incredible storytelling and characters that might be the finest in the entire franchise.
Writeup by Zach Wilkerson
Also read:
Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille Zur Macht review
Xenosaga Episode II: Jenseits von Gut und Böse review
Xenosaga Episode III: Also Sprach Zarathustra review
Okay, we know there are licensing issues with "Eyes on Me" and that the original build of Final Fantasy VIII is missing, but we can dream. When VII, IX, X, and XII were all announced for the Switch (and Xbox One), VIII's absence was plain to see. This game has many problems, but there's no way it deserved the backlash it got in 1998; FFVIII has a fantastic world and a really interesting customization system, so a lick of fresh paint and all the extras added to Steam's VII and IX ports could be exactly what this misunderstood title needs.
Writeup by Alana Hagues
Also read: Final Fantasy VIII review
You know what "Mana" title never gets any love? This one. Secret of Evermore is what the West got instead of Seiken Densetsu 3 (so the rumors go), but it's every bit as good as its spiritual predecessor. With a greyer, gloomier palette and overall tone (which apparently could have been far darker), the ability to play as a dog, and a time-travelling adventure which sees you visit various real-world time periods, Evermore deserves more credit than it gets. A Switch port would make this experience available to a wider audience and allow them to experience one of the more underloved SNES RPGs.
Writeup by Alana Hagues
Also read: Secret of Evermore review
The Theatrhythm Final Fantasy games on the 3DS are an incredible celebration of Final Fantasy and Square Enix's music. There's even an arcade version of the game, so why on Earth isn't it on the Switch? We'd take a port of that arcade version for the console — imagine playing online in tournaments or inviting your friends over for Theatrhythm night — but think about all the other series that Nintendo or Square could tap into. Basically, any new RPG music rhythm game like Theatrhythm would be music to our ears.
Writeup by Alana Hagues
While the Wii U may never have gotten a Zelda game that was wholly its own (with Breath of the Wild having gone multiplatform), it did receive a pair of high definition ports of Link's past adventures. Both The Wind Waker and Twilight Princess are excellent action-adventure games and looked absolutely gorgeous in HD. Giving both of these titles another lease on life would be a major feather in the Switch's cap.
Writeup by Peter Triezenberg
Also read:
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD review
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD review
Xenoblade Chronicles X deserves more love. Sure, it's kind of an offbeat sequel when compared to its predecessor, but that's exactly why it deserves to be preserved and remembered. This open-world RPG was a technical marvel for the Wii U, giving players the ability to freely explore different alien landscapes in their own customized giant mechs. Here's hoping Monolith Soft gives X the second chance it deserves.
Writeup by Peter Triezenberg
Also read: Xenoblade Chronicles X review
These days, with Shulk being a mainstay in the Super Smash Bros. games, it may be difficult to remember a time where gamers had to literally beg Nintendo to localize the original Xenoblade. Along with a pair of other high-profile (and Wii exclusive!) JRPGs, Xenoblade served as the focal point for the fan campaign Operation Rainfall, and all three eventually saw Western releases. Still, being tied to a dead system with standard definition graphics is doing these games a disservice: can you imagine how good Xenoblade Chronicles would look in HD?
Writeup by Peter Triezenberg
Also read:
Xenoblade Chronicles review
The Last Story review
Pandora's Tower review
Admittedly, this one is a bit of a long shot, as both of Mistwalker's debut titles were produced by Microsoft as exclusives for the fledgeling Xbox 360. [Editor's Note: But with Nintendo and Microsoft's warm relationship these days, this might not be an issue.] Stranger things have happened, and with Lost Odyssey alone being one of the best JRPGs in recent memory, Mistwalker's early work deserves to be seen by a wider audience than was possible when locked to a platform not known for an abundance of JRPGs.
Writeup by Peter Triezenberg
Also read:
Lost Odyssey review
Blue Dragon review
At the 2018 Game Awards, it was announced that Persona 5's Joker would be the first DLC fighter for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. That's exciting news in and of itself, but the real question is, could Persona 5 itself be ported to the Switch? The time is nigh for a Persona 4 Golden-esque definitive edition of Persona 5, and taking that on the go would be a dream. Actually, while we're at it, can we have a definitive version of Persona 3, too?
Writeup by Peter Triezenberg
Also read: Persona 5 review