Nintendo Switch 2's Most Overlooked Games

Storyline / What the episode is about

This episode of “This Week in Nintendo” is a roundtable discussion about Switch 2 games that may have been overlooked, focusing on:

• Native Switch 2 releases (i.e., not Switch 2 upgrades that rely on backward compatibility)
• Switch 1 games that run noticeably better on Switch 2 (performance/feature improvements)

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Gameplay highlights & key recommendations (by game)

Bravely Default (HD Switch 2 version)

• A classic, old-school Square Enix JRPG with turn-based combat.
• Often overlooked because it arrived as a 3DS re-release at Switch 2 launch, rather than a major system showcase.
• Switch 2 additions:
  • Extra mini-games tied to mouse controls (building on/expanding older StreetPass-style ideas)
  • Faster load screens (quicker battle entry/exit)
• Drawbacks noted:
  • Town visuals/scaling issues versus expectations
  • No 3D effects, losing the 3DS “picture book” feel

Yoshi’s Mysterious Book

• A Nintendo platformer that some initially dismissed as “just another Yoshi.”
• A recurring player pattern:
  • Early gameplay feels simple
  • The game reportedly becomes much deeper post-game, with more creativity and exploration
• Also mentioned:
  • Surprise lore implications
  • Creative use for younger players (e.g., letting kids name characters)

Dynasty Warriors: Origins (Switch 2 port)

• Presented as one of the best “what Switch 2 can do” Musou experiences.
• Standout technical/scale highlights:
  • Hundreds of enemies on screen
  • Large battlefields with quick traversal (including horseback movement)
  • An interactive, miniaturized free-roam map
  • An unlocked ~60 FPS mode (described as very close to 60)
• Commentary note:
  • Despite “vanilla” story themes compared to crossover entries, gameplay is said to feel more advanced—like “a generation ahead” compared to Age of Imprisonment.

Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess (Switch 2 mouse-enabled version)

• An action-strategy game combining:
  • Real-time combat
  • Tower defense elements
• Switch 2 highlight:
  • Added mouse controls, making it feel closer to a distinct control scheme
  • Dual input discussion: Joy-Con → seamless mouse mode transition
• Marketing/sales context:
  • Mentioned as a Capcom title that reportedly missed sales expectations—making it easier to overlook
• Overall takeaway:
  • Considered a hidden gem / underrated game

Another Code: Recollection (approx. 1-hour interactive “film”)

• A small, emotional, story-forward experience.
• Described as:
  • “Watchable/streamable in spirit,” with
  • Small interactive segments that add meaning
• Key emphasis:
  • Story is delivered through art + music + visuals, with limited direct interaction
• Estimated length: about an hour
• Switch 2 feature: mouse controls mentioned as an option
• Pricing note:
  • Relatively low-cost (eShop cited around $6–$7), with encouragement to try

Ys X: Nordics (120Hz performance showcase)

• Highlighted as one of the few Switch 2 titles that runs with 120Hz smoothness in real gameplay.
• Gameplay:
  • Real-time RPG with real-time combat
• Why it’s recommended:
  • Even if Ys X existed on Switch 1, Nordics is positioned as the best version, especially in handheld mode due to smoother performance.

Shadow Labyrinth (Switch 1 game that feels “better on Switch 2”)

• A Pac-Man-like metroidvania that surprised people expecting something else.
• Gameplay feel:
  • Surprisingly tough but amusing
  • Clever “Pac-Manisms” used in inventive ways
• Positioned as memorable even if review reception isn’t universal.

Ballb Pit (Switch 1 → better performance on Switch 2)

• An indie that may be borderline overlooked (though sales suggest it isn’t totally unknown).
• Concept:
  • Breakout-style with roguelike elements
• Main pitch:
  • Feels better on Switch 2
  • Likely benefits from a demo

Romancing SaGa 2 Remake / “Romancing Saga 2” (Switch 2 edition)

• Praised for its “unexpected sauce”:
  • Fun gameplay system
  • Unique hook around time passing
  • Exploration and customization emphasized as key pleasures
• Switch 2 note:
  • Positioned as a paid upgrade and a good reason to revisit on handheld

Trails in the Sky (First Chapter) — Switch 2 edition (upgrade path issue)

• Framed as high-profile overlooked:
  • Not a new unknown franchise, but the Switch 2 edition itself is under-discussed
• Drawback mentioned:
  • No physical release
  • Extremely low-cost ~$1 Switch 2 upgrade (attributed to regional fee requirements)
• Value:
  • Seen as a great way to access a full Switch 2 version cheaply

Harvestella (Switch 1 game that runs better on Switch 2)

• Described as a standout “lost in the shuffle” Square-era RPG.
• Core gameplay loop:
  • Farming supports dungeon crawling and exploration
  • Farming is used for health items and equipment
  • Day-timer style gameplay (described like “Majora’s Mask day”) with tradeoffs:
    • farm vs progress story
• Switch 2 improvement:
  • Switch 1 had frame rate dips; Switch 2 is said to “clear it out”
• Overall:
  • Recommended as the “time to play it” version

Everybody’s Golf / Hot Shots (Switch 2 improved uncapped 60 FPS)

• A big franchise but under-the-radar due to earlier performance choices.
• Switch 2 effect:
  • Developers uncapped/adjusted to reach consistent 60 FPS
  • Switch 1 “30 FPS breakpoint” called out as especially annoying for a series expected to run smoothly
• Additional note:
  • A later Switch 1 patch improved things, but the best experience is still on Switch 2.

Neo: The World Ends With You (Switch 1 inconsistent → Switch 2 locked 60)

• Switch 1 performance described as inconsistent (locked/unlocked behavior).
• Switch 2 is said to lock 60 FPS, improving comfort.

Scott Pilgrim EX (upgrade/positioning vs old version)

• Framed as a major improvement over Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.
• Gameplay:
  • Beat-em up improvements across the board
  • Soundtrack remains great in both versions
• Highlight:
  • If you liked the original’s grind/pacing quirks, EX is positioned as the far better version.

Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja (patch + Switch 2 edition)

• Switch 1 context:
  • Initially ran poorly
  • Later update reached 60 FPS but resolution dropped
• Switch 2 edition:
  • Presented as a cleaner fix overall

Ys / Other performance/indie callouts

• Romancing SaGa 2, Harvestella, and others mostly emphasized as being smoother on Switch 2.
• Mini Shoot Adventures:
  • A twin-stick shooter mixing twin-stick shooting with Zelda 1-style exploration
  • Improved on Switch 2 and treated as an Indie World-worthy reveal
• Fast Fusion:
  • A futuristic racing game that cooled off after launch hype but remains recommended
  • Drawbacks noted:
    • Remixed content
    • No online play
  • Also noted as Switch 2 exclusive

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Additional “keep an eye out” titles (more “upcoming” than “overlooked”)

• Dengeki Bunko: Fighting Climax
  • Considered high-profile in the indie/anime-fighting space—not treated like a deep hidden gem.
• Demon School
  • Suggested for fans of Persona-style vibes
  • Explicit comparison made to Persona 1/2-era feel

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Strategies / key tips mentioned

For overlooked titles

The episode repeatedly suggests a meta-strategy:

• Don’t judge by early gameplay, marketing, or demo impressions.
• Some games “open up” later (example cited: Yoshi’s Mysterious Book post-game depth).

For Switch 2 versions

When choosing Switch 2 releases/upgrades, prioritize games where Switch 2 provides a real improvement:

• Higher refresh rate (e.g., 120Hz / 60 FPS locks)
• Reduced frame dips
• Seamless mouse control implementations (especially Joy-Con → mouse transitions)

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Gamers / sources featured (named in the subtitles)

• Ash
• Derrick
• John
• Shellshock
• Maddie Meister
• Maddie (referenced separately in “Hello Kitty” discussion)
• Meister
• Natalie
• Manny Meister (asked about Trails in the Sky First Chapter)
• Matt (implied by “Matty Meister”)
• AGF / GBG crew (mentioned as a group)
• Alfline (comment mentioned in relation to Sega upgrade/no upgrade path)