Great Games Released On The Wrong Console

Game developers usually start a new project with a particular console in mind. However, many games might have been even better if released on a different system. This could happen for a couple of reasons. Sometimes, a game comes out near the end of a console’s life and would have looked and played better on newer hardware if the developers had waited. Other times, a game’s features would have been a better fit for a different console’s unique capabilities or style of gameplay.

Sometimes, games intended for one console end up launching on another due to unexpected issues during development. Despite still being incredibly fun, the following titles could have been even more successful if their developers had chosen a different console for their initial release.

The Last Of Us

Naughty Dog’s Survival Horror Epic Came Out At The End Of The PS3’s Lifespan

Shortly after its release in mid-2013, *The Last of Us* quickly became a critical and commercial success. Its intense gameplay, captivating story, and well-developed characters made it incredibly popular. Interestingly, the game launched just months before the PlayStation 4 became available. Though it was later re-released for the PS4, *The Last of Us* was originally built for the PlayStation 3, meaning Naughty Dog had to work within the older console’s limitations. Despite this, the game’s stunning visuals prove they truly maximized the PS3’s capabilities.

If Naughty Dog had originally made *The Last of Us* for the PlayStation 4 instead of the PS3, it likely would have looked much more like the PS5 remake we eventually saw. The story and gameplay probably wouldn’t have changed much, but the game’s visuals and animations would have been considerably improved without the limitations of the older console.

Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

Slicing And Dicing Enemies Into Ribbons With A Wii Remote Would Have Been So Much Fun

Many players were excited about *Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance* because it was developed by the skilled team at Platinum Games, but also due to its innovative gameplay. While you *can* beat the game by rapidly pressing buttons, the real fun – and a way to regain health and maximize your score – comes from using “Blade Mode.” This feature lets you carefully aim each sword strike, allowing for precise and strategic combat.

The game first came out on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, but it’s fun to think about how amazing it would have been on the Nintendo Wii, taking advantage of its motion controls. The developers did eventually start making games exclusively for Nintendo systems just a year later, so adding that extra level of control—letting players physically control attacks and even deflect incoming blows—could have made the experience even more engaging and immersive, truly making you feel like a powerful cybernetic ninja.

The Wonderful 101

Hideki Kamiya’s Superhero Passion Project Would Have Seen Much Greater Success On Other Systems

Platinum Games’ *The Wonderful 101* is another fantastic game that, like some others, would have likely benefited from release on a different platform, though for different reasons. This unique superhero beat ’em up features a bird’s-eye view and lets players build a huge team of followers to fight waves of enemies in a chaotic and colorful battle. While the game’s distinctive style and fun gameplay have earned it a dedicated fanbase, it didn’t achieve widespread success because it was released on a console that ultimately underperformed.

The Wii U didn’t perform as well as Nintendo hoped, and that meant some of its exclusive games, like *The Wonderful 101*, didn’t get the attention they deserved, especially compared to bigger titles on Xbox and PlayStation. This innovative action game likely would have been much more successful if it had been released on those other systems, but that doesn’t diminish how good the game is – it’s still a great experience worth playing.

Kid Icarus: Uprising

The Most Popular Kid Icarus Game’s Only Flaw Is The Control Scheme, Which Is Tied To The 3DS

Many consider *Kid Icarus: Uprising* to be one of the greatest 3DS games of all time, and it certainly deserves that praise. However, the game has one significant weakness: its controls. A lot of the gameplay involves flying through the air and shooting enemies, and managing Pit’s movement while aiming with just one thumbstick can be tricky. This makes even the challenging boss fights feel unnecessarily difficult after a while.

Future Nintendo consoles with dual analog sticks, like the Wii U and especially the Switch, would have greatly improved the biggest problem with *Kid Icarus Uprising*. Playing the game makes it clear that Masahiro Sakurai and his team were ambitious, but the 3DS’s limitations held it back. A remaster or remake would be fantastic, allowing players to fully enjoy the game without struggling with the awkward controls.

Resident Evil: Revelations

Capcom Should Have Expanded Revelations Out By Putting It On A Home Console

The 2010s were a strange period for the *Resident Evil* series. Many fans felt the games had become too focused on action, so Capcom hinted at a return to the franchise’s horror origins with *Resident Evil Revelations*. This game successfully recreated the creepy atmosphere and frightening creatures that defined the early *Resident Evil* titles. However, it surprised many to see this ambitious spin-off first released on the 3DS.

Although the game runs surprisingly well on a handheld device, it feels like Capcom could have created a much more expansive experience if it had been released on a home console. The main setting, the Queen Zenobia ship, consists mostly of straight hallways and corridors, and could have been a much larger and more detailed environment with more powerful hardware. This feels odd considering that *Resident Evil 5*, released just a few years earlier, was primarily played on consoles like the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, making the decision to release *Revelations* on the 3DS a bit unusual in retrospect.

Until Dawn

The PlayStation 4 Wasn’t Originally The Console Supermassive Had In Mind

When *Until Dawn* came out for PlayStation 4 in 2015, players loved its immersive story and how their choices shaped the game’s outcome. Interestingly, the developers, Supermassive Games, originally intended *Until Dawn* to be a PlayStation 3 game using the new PlayStation Move controller. While the story and characters were similar, the gameplay would have relied much more on motion controls, as that was a popular feature back then.

The game was originally planned to be a truly immersive, first-person experience. However, when it became apparent that most players weren’t buying the PlayStation Move just for a few games, the developers had to rethink their approach. They switched to a third-person perspective and made the game more cinematic. This ultimately led to the game being released as a narrative-driven horror title on the PlayStation 4, where it found success, though it wasn’t the platform the developers initially envisioned.

2025-10-07 10:35