One of the biggest criticisms of the Nintendo Switch is the huge number of Wii U ports that have hit and are still coming to the console. Since its launch of the console, the system has been saturated with ports not only from Nintendo, but also from third party publishers. Is this a problem that will continue to plague the Switch, or is it even a problem at all?
Squeezing the last drop from the Wii U
Image Source: Game Rant
Let’s be honest, the Wii U was a flop. For a company that was following up one of the most successful consoles of all time, seeing their followup sell only about a tenth the number is a massive failure. The Wii U barely managed to outsell Sega’s underperforming platforms like the Master System, Saturn and Dreamcast.
The thing is, the Wii U was a fantastic console filled with amazing games. The comparisons to the Dreamcast are apt, as both systems sold poorly but featured fantastic libraries of games. They just failed to gain traction with the masses.
Since they appeared on a ‘failed’ platform, it only makes sense for Nintendo to update and repackage them for a new audience. While many of us played these games on the Wii U, the Switch has already outsold that system and the potential audience for these games will eventually be much larger.
The Switch has already gotten ports of Mario Kart 8, Bayonetta 2, Pokken Tournament and Lego City Undercover. On the way yet this year are ports of Hyrule Warriors, Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze and Captain Toad’s Treasure Tracker. Most of the heavy hitters from the Wii have gotten new life on the Switch, either to the delight or chagrin of those watching. It could also be argued that Breath of the Wild was a port, since it began life as a Wii U exclusive and Splatoon 2 seems to be more of an update to the original than a sequel. Smash Bros might even be a port rather than a ground-up remake. We’ll have to wait and see.
Not just a Nintendo problem
Image Source: Engadget
There seems to be very few original third party titles coming to the Switch. While third party support is improving, many of the big games are either late, old or really old remasters. While getting Doom, Skyrim, LA Noire, Rocket League, Outlast, Dark Souls, and South Park: TFBH on the Switch is great, many of them are coming far later than their original release and at a higher price. I’m surprised at how well some of these games have sold on the Switch when they can be bought on other platforms for far less. I bought my copy of Dark Souls on the PS3 from a pawn shop last year for $5.
Is this actually a problem?
Image Source: Giant Bomb
For Wii U owners, seeing our new console supported with ports of games we’ve already played or late and more expensive ports of third party titles is a bit disappointing. While the exclusives we’ve gotten have been amazing, it would be great to see more of them.
For the bigger gaming audience, most of them never owned a Wii U so this is a great chance for them to play the best versions of games they missed out on. I definitely think games like Bayonetta 2 deserve a larger audience and more sales. Ports not only get these games in the hands of many more gamers, it helps Nintendo recoup development costs of games that released on a platform with a small install base. Its another bite at the cherry, which can hopefully both help fill out the Switch library and help Nintendo’s bottom line.
Its nearly over
Image Source: Pinterest
All said and done, this is really a moot point. Its easy to hear people complaining about all the ports from the Wii U, but the reality is most of the best games from the console already are or will shortly be on the Switch. Once we get this last handful of games, we’ll have original titles to look forward to on the console as we move into 2019.
So are you tired of all the ports on the Switch or are you excited to have a shot on games you never had a chance to play on the Wii U? Let's discuss!
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