The Ultimate Guide to the Best Nintendo Switch Licensed Games

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Summary

  • Licensed games have vastly improved over time, with notable examples from devs like Konami and Capcom.
  • Some of the best games on the Switch are licensed titles, such as Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance 2 and Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3.
  • Standout licensed games on the Switch like Disney Illusion Island and South Park: The Stick of Truth offer unique, enjoyable experiences.

Over the years, video games based on licenses have significantly improved. In the ’80s and ’90s, they weren’t generally of high quality, but there were exceptions, particularly when skilled developers were involved. Notable examples include Konami and Capcom, who excelled in creating games based on cartoons and movies.

Despite the fact that licensed games have progressed over time, it’s worth noting that some of the finest games available on the Nintendo Switch are indeed licensed. Ranging from popular cartoons to blockbuster movies, these timeless classics are a treasure for every Nintendo Switch owner. The ranking of these games will be based on their overall quality, even though they may not have been initially developed for the Switch.

8. Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance 2

A Simple But Enjoyable D&D Game

Back in 2004, I got my hands on Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance 2 – a fantastic hack-and-slash adventure set in the world of Dungeons & Dragons. Fast forward to 2022, and this classic game has made its way onto the Nintendo Switch. Despite being over two decades old, it continues to be an absolute blast to play!

As a devoted enthusiast, I’m drawn to the diverse array of character classes tailored to unique races in this captivating world. The dialogues serve their purpose, yet they take a back seat to the true essence – embarking on thrilling expeditions, enhancing my abilities through level-ups, and amassing an impressive stash of coveted loot. This journey can be undertaken solo or in harmony with fellow adventurers in the enticing co-op mode.

7. Ghostbusters: The Video Game Remastered

Better Than Any Of The Recent Movies

Initially launched in 2009, followed by a remastered version in 2019 on the Nintendo Switch, “Ghostbusters: The Video Game” remains the top sequel to the second movie that continues the storyline from the original team. Many of the original cast members lent their voices for dialogue, including Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Bill Murray, and Ernie Hudson – the main four characters.

As a devoted Ghostbusters enthusiast, I found myself stepping into the shoes of a new recruit amidst the chaos and panic sweeping through New York City as phantoms began to materialize everywhere. The remastered version may not have been perfectly polished or offer significant improvements over the original, but the core content remains a sturdy foundation for any Ghostbusters fan like me.

6. Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order

Ten Years Of Waiting

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 was launched in the year 2009, and fans had to wait a full decade to witness its sequel. The latest installment, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order, is exclusive to consoles, with Nintendo playing a significant role in its production alongside Team Ninja who led the main development. It continues to be an excellent choice for those seeking cooperative gameplay with a focus on intense fighting.

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve immersed myself in the Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order, a game that any Marvel fan would appreciate. It’s packed with iconic heroes like Spider-Man and Wolverine, but also features lesser-known characters such as Crystal and Elsa Bloodstone. Here’s hoping this isn’t the final chapter of the series, but if it is, they’ve certainly wrapped it up nicely.

5. Disney Illusion Island

A MickeyVania

In the year 2023, Disney’s Illusion Island turned out to be an enjoyable surprise, particularly for Nintendo Switch users. This game allowed players to select among Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, or Goofy as they embarked on a journey to aid the island’s inhabitants while exploring this fresh locale.

This is a Metroidvania-style game where players acquire abilities that aid exploration, such as climbing walls. Each ability was distinct to a particular character, and Donald usually received the more humorous power-ups. Unlike many games in this genre, it doesn’t heavily emphasize combat at first, making it accessible for all types of gamers.

4. Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic

Still A High Point For BioWare

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is still highly esteemed as one of BioWare’s finest productions, and among the top Star Wars games. Players had the option to design their character from a variety of initial pre-defined classes, embarking on an extensive journey filled with dialogue that unfolded before the movies started.

As a devoted Star Wars enthusiast, playing Combat was reminiscent of an MMO in its automatic nature, yet it offered that thrilling element where we, as players, could activate skills on cooldown. But what truly stood out was the captivating storyline, which undoubtedly ranks among the finest in any Star Wars medium. If you’re yearning for more Star Wars action on your Switch, don’t forget to explore LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga as well!

3. Dragon Ball FighterZ

The Greatest Anime Fighter Ever?

Among numerous fighting games inspired by this global trend, Dragon Ball FighterZ stands out as the most exceptional one thus far. With an impressive array of characters to select from and intriguing Easter Eggs for devoted fans to uncover, the gameplay remains robust even on the Switch platform. Notably, it mirrors the anime’s visual aesthetic perfectly.

Nowadays, it’s quite common to hear people praise something due to cel-shading technology, and rightfully so. Fans of anime and fighting games should definitely take a look at the remastered versions of the Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm series on Switch, as they are visually stunning too.

2. South Park: The Stick Of Truth

A Foul-Mouthed EarthBound Homage

Similar to how The Simpsons gained popularity earlier, South Park also quickly became a success when it first aired on Comedy Central in 1997. This was followed by a variety of games, some decent and others not so great. However, after many years, there emerged a South Park game that truly encapsulated the essence of the show – South Park: The Stick of Truth.

The game had a solid connection to the animated series, but it was also an exceptional role-playing game featuring turn-based combat, a class system, character customization, and branching dialogue options. Initially, it wasn’t available on the Switch, but the subsequent port operates smoothly, and it feels perfectly suited for the portable console, offering a more mature spin on the style of _EarthBound_.

1. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge

Tribute’s Tribute To Konami

Among the top-tier SNES games, you’ve got “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 4: Turtles in Time.” Interestingly enough, the best-licensed game on the Switch now is its follow-up, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge“. This game was developed by Tribute Games, who had previously collaborated on “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game” while they were still part of Ubisoft. Following the success of that brawling game, they went independent and established Tribute Games, where they’ve consistently produced high-quality pixel art games like “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge“.

This game significantly advanced the brawler category by introducing a six-player cooperative mode, a progression system, numerous characters, Easter Eggs, and much more. Fans of the turtles should also explore Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection on the Nintendo Switch.

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2025-01-20 08:34