Nintendo Switch Games That Surpassed Expectations

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Summary

  • Astral Chain surpassed expectations with unique combat mechanics like the Legions.
  • Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle blended Mario and Rabbids in unexpected, fun ways.
  • The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom innovated with a unique Fuse mechanic.

With Nintendo officially unveiling the long-awaited Nintendo Switch 2, fans are now reminiscing about the exceptional library of games from the initial version. Generally, it’s safe to assume that a game from Nintendo will be a quality homerun, and they’ve consistently demonstrated this over time. Not every title has generated the same level of excitement, but there were quite a few that turned out to be among the best on the console, proving even the skeptics wrong.

Over the course of eight years, The Switch has built an impressive library of exceptional games, yet it was these specific ones that surpassed all expectations, offering more than anyone anticipated. These are the Switch games that exceeded all predictions, delivering an outstanding gaming experience that players couldn’t wait to dive into.

7. Astral Chain

A Fast-Paced Action Thrillride That Showed Up Out Of Nowhere

Back in early 2019, when the Astral Chain reveal trailer dropped, it struggled to make a splash amidst the flood of action games hitting the market. The prospect of controlling a mech-like entity alongside the main character was undeniably cool, but the uncertainty surrounding its fun factor and smoothness in gameplay left fans tentatively excited.

Fortunately, when individuals finally managed to obtain the game, it became evident that Platinum Games had devised another outstanding hack-and-slash adventure that was testing the limits of movement within action games. What truly elevated Astral Chain above the modest anticipations was the incorporation of the Legions, and their effectiveness in combat, particularly when players discover the one that aligns best with their gameplay style.

6. Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle

What Seemed Like A Goofy Collaboration Turned Out To Be A Surprisingly Addictive Strategy Game

The team-up of Ubisoft’s Rabbids characters and Nintendo’s Mario series could very well be one of the strangest concepts in video game development history. When Yves Guillemot and Shigeru Miyamoto appeared on stage at E3 in 2017, both armed with toy blasters, it was more likely to evoke a sense of bewilderment rather than enthusiasm.

It was quite unexpected when Kingdom Battle was met with universal approval, as its tactical strategy gameplay, catchy soundtrack, and distinctive graphics were lauded. The fact that each character possesses unique skills and the abundance of movement options makes the gameplay more immersive than one might anticipate from a game seemingly created by chance.

5. Fire Emblem: Three Houses

Three Houses Set A New Bar For The Fire Emblem Franchise

Following Fire Emblem Awakening’s resurgence and its entry into mainstream popularity, subsequent games maintained a similar formula of turn-based strategic combat interspersed with narrative progression via non-combat interactions. Consequently, players anticipated that Three Houses would adhere to this gameplay pattern. However, Intelligent Systems surprised fans by incorporating an entire explorable area within the Monastery, significantly enriching the overall experience.

Creating a comprehensive game world where players engage with their characters deepens the relationships, making them feel authentic and fulfilling, especially when coupled with the challenging permadeath battle scenes. Previously in Fire Emblem games, character connections would primarily develop through scripted dialogue prompts on-screen. However, the addition of the Monastery in this game surpassed everyone’s expectations by significantly improving the overall gaming experience.

4. Triangle Strategy

Triangle Strategy Ended Up Being A Lot Deeper In Its Mechanics Than Many People Expected

Triangle Strategy was sparingly displayed during several Nintendo Direct presentations prior to its launch, yet despite its tantalizing appearance, few anticipated it would rank among the top retro JRPGs from recent years. The trailers hinted at a choice system, but they didn’t disclose the substantial impact these choices would have on the narrative. Remarkably, players can engage their allies in conversation before making crucial decisions, which might influence the development of those relationships and potentially shift the global power dynamics.

At the heart of this game lies the turn-based battle mechanism, which, although it takes some getting used to, offers an incredibly rewarding experience by blending elements from ‘Fire Emblem’ and ‘Final Fantasy Tactics’. Given that ‘Octopath Traveler’ had both promise and imperfections, fans tempered their expectations for ‘Triangle Strategy’. Thus, it was a delightful surprise for JRPG enthusiasts when the game turned out to be as fantastic as it is.

3. Splatoon 3

Nobody Knew They Needed Splatoon 3 Until It Released

Over the past few years, Nintendo has been consistently putting out new versions of the popular game series, Splatoon. Initially, it appeared that Splatoon would be a standalone multiplayer shooter title, but it evolved into a trilogy. However, with the second installment providing such a polished multiplayer experience, some fans were left questioning whether another release was necessary.

As a gamer, I must say, the fresh mechanics like Squid Surge and Squid Roll have truly revitalized my gaming experience. Throw in a bunch of wacky new weapons to tinker around with, and it’s no wonder this game is being hailed as an unexpected gem, even the best in its series by many. The introduction of exciting new maps, coupled with tweaks to make old favorites even more enjoyable, has made the multiplayer a blast to dive into, especially considering the strong support it’s received post-launch.

2. Super Mario Maker 2

Mario Maker 2 Managed To Grant Even More Player Creativity With New Stages And Mechanics

Super Mario Maker truly revolutionized gaming, offering fans an opportunity to realize their creative fantasies by designing unique levels filled with diverse elements such as unusual items, foes, and platforming segments drawn from the series’ rich history. Conceiving a follow-up that could enhance a game of such solid fundamentals was no small feat, so Nintendo opted for a more experimental approach to expand the sequel’s construction possibilities.

As a devoted fan, I’d say the primary method they nailed down was by integrating the thrilling “Super Mario 3D World” stage. This addition instantly grants access to an array of fresh tools, like Warp and ‘!’ boxes, which can be employed as engaging surprises to enhance a level’s excitement. Additionally, the online functionality proved remarkably swift and user-friendly, fostering a massive crowd of creators who quickly gathered around the game post-release, eager to share their unique content.

1. The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom

Tears Of The Kingdom Turned Out To Be Much More Than A BOTW Clone

Without a shadow of a doubt, the announcement of the sequel to “Breath of the Wild” sparked unprecedented excitement. However, certain enthusiasts harbored some reservations, mainly because they felt that the environment and gameplay might resemble the previous installment too closely. Yet, even if “more of the same” wouldn’t have been a bad thing, “Tears of the Kingdom” managed to break new ground, offering an entirely fresh and distinct experience.

Much of this is attributed to the Fuse mechanic, a feature that enables players to combine various items into platforms, weapons, shelters, or vehicles using items scattered throughout Hyrule. This mechanic significantly alters the gameplay experience, broadening the sandbox’s freedom beyond what was initially imagined. Moving on to Hyrule, the introduction of Sky Islands significantly contributed to making the game feel unique; offering players multiple modes of transportation and countless new stories to discover at their leisure. Remarkably, this game exceeded even the highest expectations of its most enthusiastic fans.

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2025-02-22 12:34