Save for the Smash Bros. series, Nintendo hasn’t been much of a player in the fighting game scene since the SNES days. Once Nintendo alienated fighting game makers with cartridge-based systems and controller designs that didn’t lend themselves well towards the genre, they left for greener pastures.
To this day, if you want to keep up with any of the juggernauts in fighting games, the Nintendo Switch still isn’t the console for you. However, if you’re looking for some under-the-radar hits, retro titles and the inevitable release of Smash Bros., the Switch might be worth a look.
Coming next month is the release of Pokken Tournament DX. Originally released on the Wii U, Pokken was a well-received fighting game that has even made its presence felt at EVO. Having come out late in the life cycle of a flopped console, the game could get a real chance at finding an audience on the Switch. This port also comes with new team battles and five new characters, making it more appealing for those who already own the Wii U version.
A few months ago, the console got ARMS, a new fighting game IP from Nintendo. Players were skeptical at first upon its reveal earlier this year, but its proven to be a worthy addition to the genre. It’s easy enough for newcomers to gain immediate satisfaction from, while fighting game fans will be surprised with the amount of depth is actually present. I’m a big fan of this one and look forward to playing more of it as Nintendo releases new free characters, arms and stages.
While its launch price is questionable relative to what’s in the box, Ultra Street Fighter II at its core is still a good version of Street Fighter II. If you want to relive your glory days of throwing fireballs in the arcades or want to introduce Street Fighter to your kids, this is a great place to start.
What potentially pushes the system over the top in terms of its fighting game chops is its seldom-mentioned Neo Geo support. Many of the publisher’s best fighting games from the past are there, including Samurai Shodown 4, Garou Mark of the Wolves and multiple installments of The King of Fighters. Better yet, their collection also includes some deep cuts such as Galaxy Fight, World Heroes Perfect and Waku Waku 7.
All of that, plus the shadow of an inevitable Smash Bros. release make it a better battleground than you would think. Playing on sideways Joy-Con controllers is probably not the way to go, but a pair of Pro Controllers or some of the fightsticks from Hori may do the trick. With the console already off to great start in terms of sales and fighting game support, the situation on Switch may only get better with time.
Buy Pokken Tournament DX Now From Amazon.com
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