Switch 2 Remasters and Revivals

Welp, it finally happened. Nintendo finally made a console that is on par with a PS4 Pro with the recently unveiled successor to the acclaimed Nintendo Switch, known as the Nintendo Switch 2. Following the naming scheme of the Playstation family which is hard to blame them for, the Switch is arguably the companies most successful console ever so it makes sense they would make another Switch instead of another gimmick console. So of course, it’s good business to just make a Nintendo Switch with more powerful hardware. Honestly, this is probably what we’re gonna keep seeing for years to come. But that’s neither here nor there, because as the launch of the console looms over us and the tumultuous ups and downs the hype train has already garnered through not only the announcement of all the new games coming to it but also at the ridiculous price of those games. However, that’s not the point of this article. Today, we are listing out some of our most wanted remasters and franchise revivals that we want to come to the new, stronger, better, faster Nintendo Switch 2

1. Star Fox Revival

While the Star Fox franchise hasn’t really had much glory outside of Smash Melee memes, the original on SNES, the unreleased released sequel in 2017, and Star Fox 64 (both original and 3DS port) were well regarded classics that still have some merit, even today. While Nintendo may be apprehensive to even think about another Star Fox game after the failure of Star Fox 0, there is so much that this franchise can offer outside of arcade style space combat. Nintendo may think that Star Fox 0 may have failed because no one wanted another Star Fox game, it failed because of one crucial thing: it was on the Wii U. From an unconventional control scheme to a boring story to the Wii U being a failure of a console, Star Fox deserved much better. While they could go with another remaster of the N64 game, I believe evolving the franchise could very much do wonders for it. How would they do this? By turning it into the original Star Wars Battlefront games. Imagine, a third person sci-fi shooter within the Star Fox universe that incorporates not only space and air combat, but ground combat with vehicle and troop warfare. It would be a good evolution of the franchise that would honestly feel natural while not getting rid of its roots like Star Fox Adventures failed to do. Throw in an engaging campaign and a well rounded multiplayer scene with normal updates and we could have Nintendo’s next big thing since Splatoon. 

2. Punch Out!! Revival

If there’s one thing that’s lacking from Nintendo’s library of IPs, it’s a true fighting game. While CAPCOM’s Street Fighter series has often been associated with Nintendo in the past, it’s never been an exclusive for them. And while Smash Bros. is a great time that clearly has its place in the library, Ultimate is likely the last true Smash Bros. we will see for a long, long time. So what does that leave Nintendo? One true option that has not been seen since the Wii, Punch Out!! There is so much potential for a Nintendo exclusive fighting game on the same level as Street Fighter. Colorful cast of characters? Check. Unique gameplay style that feels right at a home at an arcade? Check. People clamoring for a new entry? CHECK. While ARMS tried to be what Nintendo wanted, ultimately it felt a bit too gimmicky and died out a bit too soon. So that leaves Punch Out!! as a new golden child that they can milk in the absence of Smash Bros. Upgrading the gameplay style to a more traditional style with combos and super moves while still keeping the unique perspective it has would be more than enough to draw in an audience. However, they could push it further with new interesting characters, hopefully more female characters, with engaging move sets and fun combos, an enjoyable story mode, continually updated online and content to come down the line, this could very well be a good and interesting experience that only Nintendo could deliver.

3. Donkey Kong 64 Remastered

Now, I know this may seem irrelevant because DK Bananza is coming to the Switch 2 already and it looks like it’s just DK 64 but 100x better. What purpose would DK 64 have on the new console? That purpose is…because I want it, and because holy God this game needs to be streamlined mechanically. Underneath is a fun, simple, and straightforward 3D platformer that has some annoying mechanics that really hold it back. Being forced to go back to a hub world to switch between characters so you can collect a single line of character specific bananas is very much annoying and dumb. So if a remaster comes out, hopefully things could be streamlined. Along with that, and the switch capable of 4K graphics, this game could look absolutely gorgeous. If there’s one thing that Nintendo has down, it’s a beautifully captivating art style. It would be good to celebrate DK’s roots now that just about every Donkey Kong game is on the Switch in one way or another, it’d be good to see where DK’s first 3D outing was and what that could mean for  Bananza. I mean just think about it, the DK Rap in 4K. It’ll be worth it.

4. Fossil Fighters Remastered/Revival

Ok, this one’s personal and purely selfish. Fossil Fighters is one of this writer’s favourite games of all time, right in the top 10. Many have not heard of Fossil Fighters, so imagine if you will, Pokemon, where instead of catching the creatures, you dig up dinosaur fossils and revive them to do battle with. While on the surface it may seem like your average Pokemon clone, it is very different mechanically and in tone. Where in Pokemon you can send out your strongest one and wipe the enemy team in quick fashion, Fossil Fighters forces the player to put more thought into their team as they are 3v3 battles and depending on who’s where in the battle can determine how big of boost or nerf your Vivosaurs get. Even getting more Vivosaurs for your team is unique as you have to find, dig up, and clean your fossils to the best of your ability determining how strong the Vivosaur is when revived. So from unique gameplay dynamics, fascinating and intriguing creature design, to the Sat AM cartoon feel to the story, it deserves a chance to be seen in the spotlight again that the Switch 2 can provide. With the 3rd, and currently final, game, Fossil Fighters: Frontier hitting the fan by changing too much of what made the original games great, leading to commercial failure. Please, PLEASE, Nintendo give my childhood another chance!

Well, that’s it for now. Now that Switch 2 is on the horizon and that Nintendo seems to be taking in more and more feedback for new games coming out with Kirby Air Riders, Donkey Kong Bananza, Pokemon Z-A, and Gamecube Online Services, it’ll be interesting to see just what they’ll dig out of their history and give some love too. From all of us here at Happy Hobbyist, happy hobbying.