It has been years since the NES and SNES retro programs opened up on the Switch. Some of the most classic games on those platforms remain lost to time. Where is Chrono Trigger and Super Mario RPG from the SNES? Where are any of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles games from the NES? 2021 introduced two new systems via the Sega Genesis and Nintendo 64.
The price for the Switch online subscription increased too. Hopefully, that means Nintendo will try harder to get popular, classic n in all four of these platforms more frequently. It would be even cooler if they reached outside the box and brought some never-before-seen games from Japan to these systems too. The idea is to highlight games that don’t necessarily need translations, making it easier for the porting process. There will be at least one highlight from each console.
8 Wai Wai World 2: SOS!! Paseri Jou
Wai Wai World 2: SOS!! Paseri Jou is an odd platformer that crosses over many Konami characters. Players assume the role of an original character that can then swap out for a classic hero via power-ups. Simon Belmont from Castlevania is in the game along with Bill Rizer from Contra.
One of the more obscure heroes is Upa, a literal baby, from Bio Miracle Bokutte Upa. That game never left the NES in Japan along with Wai Wai World 2. Both of these games would make for some fun platforming action on the Switch.
7 Kyatto Ninden Teyandee
This is a platform action game based on the anime Kyatto Ninden Teyandee. The West might know this show better as Samurai Pizza Cats which followed a group of crime-fighting cats in special armor. This uniqueness translated into the game by giving players different powers to play around with.
Players could swap between any member of the team on the fly to solve puzzles. Some cats could break through heavy boulders while others could fly. There may be some tricky menu navigation in Japanese but the learning curve is relatively small for an NES game.
6 Front Mission: Gun Hazard
Front Mission: Gun Hazard is unlike most games in this mecha RPG series. The typical genre is tactical RPG but this was a 2D action platformer. Mechs still played a huge role in the game though. There is a story that is not too important if gamers just want to play the game on Switch.
The menu navigation could be tricky but the customization options are nowhere near as robust as the main series. That’s why this Super Nintendo game could work without an official translation.
5 Ganbare Goemon 2: Kiteretsu Shogun Magginesu
Ganbare Goemon 2: Kiteretsu Shogun Magginesu is the SNES sequel to The Legend of the Mystical Ninja. That was the name given to the Western release and it was one of few Goemon games to escape Japan. This, and its two other sequels on SNES, follow familiar gameplay segments.
Some sections are top-down while others are in 2D. The story can be ignored but buying upgrades and items at shops might prove difficult in Japanese. This has been fan-translated though so there are plenty of references players can fall back on if they’re having too much trouble.
4 Shin Kido Senki Gundam W: Endless Duel
Shin Kido Senki Gundam W: Endless Duel is a movie tie-in to the Gundam Wing movie, Endless Waltz. This is a fighting game from the SNES. The roster is small but it is one of the easier to control Gundam fighting games out there. It also looks incredible on the SNES thanks to the high-quality sprite work.
The Switch’s Virtual Console equivalent could use some more fighting games. Why not add more anime to the list too? It's not the best game in this anime series but it can be fun with a friend.
3 Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon
The anime love continues with Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon. It is a Sega Genesis game and it is an enhanced port from the SNES. It is a beat ‘em up based on the classic magical girl anime if the title wasn’t already a clue.
It is basic as far as brawlers go but the roster is decent allowing players to grab one of the five main girls from the start. There is a co-op option which is another thing the Switch’s retro library needs more of. Everything is better in co-op.
2 Battle Mania: Daiginjo
Battle Mania: Daiginjo is the sequel to Battle Mania, or Trouble Shooter, that most may not know to exist. It is another Sega Genesis game that can help fill that library up. It’s a shooter that looked amazing then and still holds up now. It is also one of the tougher shooters on the system.
The best part is that the Japanese language barrier is almost non-existent. This feels like an easy to greenlight port and hopefully, that happens in 2022. The only thing that is missing is co-op.
1 Bomberman 64
The title of this is confusing. Bomberman 64 in the West was a platformer but it was called Baku Bomberman in Japan. Since they had their own name, Japan called this game Bomberman 64 as well. It is a more traditional title in the franchise which focuses on top-down bombing action.
It was released years later, toward the end of the Nintendo 64’s life in 2001. That might be why this never left Japan as the Western side of Nintendo might have been more concerned about the GameCube’s launch. It’s never too late to port an old game over and this would be a great one for some solo or multiplayer bombing action.