ThePlayStationfamily of consoles did not have an amazing 2021 as far as exclusives go, at least when compared to previous years. ThePlayStationsystems were not in trouble either.Returnalwas a massive hit for being a challenging and niche horror roguelike. It has received end-of-the-year nominations.
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Deathloopwas also highly praised. That launched onPCas well, but it still counts asa console exclusive. A game like that could work on theSwitchas there are quite a few cloud-based gaming ports out there. However, there are other PS5 or PS4 console exclusives that would be even better fits for Nintendo’s platform. If they happen to be launch on the hardware in 2022, it would be a surprise. Let’s all look forward to Nintendo’s first Direct of 2022.
6Chicory: A Colorful Tale
Chicory: A Colorful Talefeels like it was made for the Switch. That’s because the whole game is about painting a world that has been reduced to black and white. The main character is trying to find their master, Chicory, so that she can use her magic brush to return color to the world once again.
In the meantime, that balance is up to the main character. Explore the world, use paint to solve puzzles, fight a few bosses, and repeat. Using the analog sticks feel fine, butChicorywould be easier to play with the Switch’s touchscreen capabilities. It’s a bright, whimsical adventure that adheres toNintendo’sprinciples in game design. Plus,there is co-op.
5F.I.S.T.: Forged In Shadow Torch
F.I.S.T.: Forged in Shadow Torchis a Metroidvania set in a dystopian cyberpunk future filled with anthropomorphic animals. The people are oppressed by a fearless dictator, and one day, the game’s rabbit hero, Rayton, decides he can take no more. Thanks to his friend’s giant cybernetic arm, he is not alone in this fight either.
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Rayton’s arm can at first just punch enemies but new upgrades, such as the drill arm, improve the combat. These upgrades will also help unlock new pathways. 2021 had some great Metroidvanias in it andF.I.S.T.: Forged in Shadow Torchis near the top, and it seems like a good companion piece toMetroid Dread. If Nintendo and PlayStation could swap those two franchises with each other, that would be even better than just getting a Switch port. It’s hard to see that miracle happening though.
4Guilty Gear Strive
IfGuilty Gear Strivemakes it onto the Switch then it will be a compromised experience. The portable hybrid has a lot of juice in its body, but running this game on full power would explode it. The3D cel-shaded character modelsset on the 2D landscape make this game look great onPS5.
There are ways to tone down a game’sgraphical capabilities though. Those options are there on PC, which is why that platform is widely supported due to its versatility. Fighting games are one of the most perfect genres on Switch, so getting this game on the platform would be great.
3Kena: Bridge of Spirits
Kena: Bridge of Spiritshas a funny story to tie it into Nintendo’s history. The developer, Ember Lab, first got attention for itself when it made a CG short based onThe Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask. The game features masks as one of its main thematic elements too.
Because of that fact, it’s weird thatKenaisn’t on Switch already. The gameplay is part platformer, part action-adventure game. It also has a little bit ofPikminelements too when controlling the little Rot companions. Nintendo’s DNA is all over this one. It would be great on Switch but the jaw-dropping graphics may hold it back from ever getting ported.
2Maquette
Besides fighting games, the puzzle genre also works well on portable systems.Maquetteis a metaphor for a breakup. The main character is dealing with her relationship in a unique way that is manifesting itself through a toy-like world. Every puzzlein the gameuses multiple perspectives to get the job done.
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A tiny key, for example, when viewed in a different light could become large enough to cross it as a bridge.Maquetteis not the first game to do this, but the mechanics still deserve praise. Getting stuck on something and then coming back naturally when the solution dings on the player is always a great feeling. Once players get on a roll,Maquettecan be hard to put down. That option would be more convenient on the Switch though.
1Solar Ash
Solar Ashis one ofthe newest gamesto drop at seemingly the last second in 2021. It was supposed to be out in October but got a slight delay. That’s a good thing as the experience is relatively a smooth ride on all three current platforms between the PlayStation and PC sides.
The best way to describe the game is to liken it to an adventure-based platformer but with someShadow of the Colossuselements. The developer, Heart Machine, had their previous game,Hyper Light Drifter, appear on Switch. It took a while to port it but the wait was worth it for Switch fans as it added a few features. Hopefully, the same thing will happen withSolar Ash.
