We are near the end of the first month of 2020 and it is a perfect time to look back at some retro games we can play with The Nintendo Switch Lite. These games may or may not be considered retro. Some are merely retro-inspired. But still, these games are something you might want to try out.
Last September 2019, we were blessed with an interesting variant of The Nintendo Switch, The Nintendo Switch Lite. It allows you to play your favorite Switch games on an even more portable handheld system. This truly mobile experience has a 5.5-inch LCD, a 1280x720 resolution, and weighs less than 1 lb. Believe it or not, this amazing upgrade from the Nintendo 3DS system sport an NVIDIA Custom Tegra processor for a truly immersive gameplay. The Nintendo Switch Lite is a console you might want to get if you’re looking for a compact mobile gaming experience. Let’s look at some of the nostalgic games that you can play with the Nintendo Switch Lite.
Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (20 September)
To those who played the 1993 Zelda title for the Game Boy, you’ll be happy to know that there will be a retro-modern remake released on the same month as the Nintendo Switch Lite. While it may have a revamped look, it still promises rediscovery fun and immeasurable nostalgia. This legendary gaming series is sure to be well-received by both older and newer generations alike.
Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening is great game to get for the Nintendo Switch Lite if you played the game before. Since the game was released 20 years ago, you probably fail to recall some of the moments in the game. It would be nice to revisit the adventure in this new, vibrant, and reimagined version. Despite the modern graphics, this is a faithful recreation of the classic game that you loved.
Link’s Awakening is most likely the first Zelda game for most people and that makes this remake an important addition to anyone’s Switch library. However, this game is something a newcomer can jump right in and have fun out of despite not having played any Zelda game.
Pokemon Sword and Shield (14 November)
The famous role-playing game that revolves around collecting cute battle pets came out November 2019. Pokemon Sword and Shield is a game you’ll definitely want to grab since this is the first true traditional Pokemon game for the Nintendo Switch console. Players will get to enjoy Pokemon collecting and battle mechanics as well as new ones, specifically Dynamax and Gigantamax. This also marks the return of Pokemon gyms in an open world role-playing game.
Technically, “Sword and Shield” is the second game in the Pokemon series released on the Switch. The first one is “Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu/Eevee.” However, many can agree that “Let’s Go” was more of a casual and simple version of the usual Pokemon games. The first game resembles the mobile game Pokemon Go more than the traditional Pokemon game that long-time fans were expecting. Because of this, many expected Sword and Shield to be the true Pokemon game that many have long been waiting for.
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order (19 July)
It’s been ten years since the last installment of the top-down dungeon crawler series of the popular comic book franchise. While it holds the Marvel Ultimate Alliance name, the game takes place in a different universe than the one featured in the first two installments. Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order takes inspiration more from the Marvel Cinematic Universe instead. There are a few nods to the movies here and there, but The Black Order still sets itself apart from the films. This is probably done so that it can accommodate its almost forty playable characters to date. Form a dream team of your favorite Marvel superheroes from the movies and overcome challenges in this top-down Nintendo Switch brawler.
Castlevania Anniversary Collection (16 May)
Revisit the thrills of eradicating creatures of the night unleashed by Dracula to terrorize the villagers! Castlevania is a beloved vampire hunting series that started since 1986. This, along with Metroid, laid the foundation for most 2D platforming games today.
In celebration of Konami’s 50th Anniversary, they released this extensive collection of Castlevania games. Included titles are the original Castlevania, Castlevania II Simon's Quest,
Castlevania III Dracula's Curse, Super Castlevania IV, Castlevania The Adventure, Castlevania II Belmont's Revenge, Castlevania Bloodlines, and even Kid Dracula, a title that has never been released in English before. To top this compilation off, Konami added the History of Castlevania - Book of the Crescent Moon eBook. This wonderful addition documents information and history provided by artists, developers, and other individuals who contributed to the Castlevania franchise.
Do note that Konami also released not one but two other collections you might want to add into your retro library. These are Arcade Classics Anniversary Collection and Contra Anniversary Collection, released last April 18 and June 11 respectively. Just like the Castlevania version, both classic collections include a digital bonus book with tons of additional information that any gamer would appreciate.
Inside the Arcade Classics collection are some of the favorite arcade games you may or may not have played back in the day. These shoot ‘em up games usually allow you to pilot a space ship or something similar as you battle monstrous aliens or other enemy space crafts. The arcade titles are Gradius/Nemesis, Gradius II/Vulcan Venture, Salamander/Life Force, Twin Bee, Typhoon/A-Jax, and Thunder Cross. Also included is Haunted Castle, an adaptation of Castlevania but was not included in the said series.
As for Contra, you are still up against menacing armies and aliens as well. The only difference is that you’re shooting guns instead of riding spaceships. Included are Contra (Arcade), Super Contra, Contra (both American and Japanese versions), Super C, Contra III: The Alien Wars, Operation C, Contra Hard Cops, Probotector, and Super Probotector Alien Rebels. Just remember to input the secret code if you are having trouble in the game. You know what it is, don't you?
Honorable Mention: Astral Chain (30 August)
While this game may or may not invoke nostalgia, it is still worth mentioning if you want to add games for your Nintendo Switch Lite. Astral Chain is a “synergetic” stylish action game where you play as a male or a female detective tasked to solve cases and save humanity from alien invaders. Besides your main character, you also control the living weapon called Legion with whom you can perform satisfying over-the-top combos. One of the many Switch exclusive, it also has non-combat elements such as solving puzzles and cracking cases in a cyberpunk futuristic setting.
This new IP from Platinum Games is created by Takahisa Taura, known for designing Nier: Automata, and Hideki Kamiya, creator of the Bayonetta series. With great names from renowned action games responsible for Astral Chain, it is difficult to ignore this promising game. It was nominated for “Nintendo Game of the Year” during the Golden Joystick Awards and for “Best Action Game” during The Game Awards 2019.
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