The BEST Switch Games Of ALL TIME...

Overview

Retro Rebound runs through what the creator considers the best Nintendo Switch games of all time—mixing deep cuts, beloved first-party picks, and “third-party feels right on Switch” favorites—then closes with a few especially notable standouts and a broader “what made this era great” perspective.

Main Plot / Structure

• Intro: The host jokes about the Switch’s age (getting it “like yesterday”), explains why they’re collecting games for sale/discounts, and says they’ll cover best first- and third-party titles—while arguing that some non-exclusives “belong” on Switch.
• Digital-to-physical flow:
  1. They start with more obscure digital picks.
  2. Move into a physical collection segment.
  3. Later shift toward more major recognizable hits and “hidden gems.”

Standout Highlights & Key Reactions

Paranormite (horror visual novel)

• Praised as a definition of “does a lot with a little.”
• The host emphasizes how unsettling it is even with little to no music.
• Framed around investigating the “seven mysteries of Hanjo.”
• Noted as difficult to finish due to how constantly it unsettles them.

Astral Chain (Platinum Games)

• Labeled a top-tier Switch exclusive and a highly overlooked action game.
• Praised for:
  • the cyber-cop setting
  • legion summoning (“robot cops”)
  • polished, punchy Platinum-style combat
  • especially the soundtrack
• Also highlighted for mission and endgame depth.

Cruis’n Blast (arcade racer revival)

• Celebrated as a perfect Switch-style throwback to N64 Cruis’n titles.
• Highlights include:
  • big muscle cars
  • goofy voiceovers
  • power-ups
  • wild locations
• Particularly enjoyable co-op “romping,” including playing with their wife.

TMNT Picks (Splintered Fate + Shredder’s Revenge)

Splintered Fate

• Declared the host’s favorite TMNT game.
• Praised for:
  • a Hades-like structure
  • beat-’em-up/stage selection rhythm
  • strong story
  • fun progression
• Minor Switch hiccups noted (e.g., wave/round transitions).

Shredder’s Revenge

• Big love for helping ignite the TMNT game boom.
• Praised for:
  • side-scrolling beat-’em-up fun
  • up to 6-player co-op
  • tons of stages
  • a soundtrack by the Sonic Mania composer

Azure Striker Gunvolt (physical “Striker Pack”)

• A tough series that “starts rough” but gains momentum in later entries.
• Compared to Mega Man Zero’s trajectory.
• Laments Capcom not making more Mega Man games.
• Presented as excellent handheld action.

The Banner Saga Trilogy (Switch-friendly RPG choices)

• Remembered through a week-long power outage caused by a tornado.
• Framed as:
  • beautiful
  • choice-driven
  • notable for carryover consequences
• Compared to Witcher/Mass Effect-style import decisions.

Final Fantasy I–VI (collection)

• Called classic JRPG essentials.
• Praised for handheld-friendly visuals and pixel art that “feels at home.”
• Mentions buying on multiple platforms for trophy/Platinum flexibility.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land (first-party joy)

• Praised for Kirby’s happy transformations.
• Strong focus on post-apocalyptic environments.
• Emphasizes the contrast between bubbly protagonist energy and mildly depressing settings.

Octopath Traveler (and Live A Live)

• A mini “art style history lesson” around HD-2D.
• Credits Octopath for reviving interest in pixel-based games.
• Argues Octopath 2 improves cohesion and fixes complaints about Octopath 1.
• Praises turn-based depth, boost systems, and massive art assets.
• Connects it to Live A Live, saying Octopath’s success helped bring back an “obscure” SNES-era-style concept with:
  • multiple time periods
  • multiple gameplay varieties

Luigi’s Mansion 3

• Highlighted as one of the best-looking Switch games.
• Standout co-op features and “evolved” level design:
  • ghost hunting
  • vacuum interaction
  • goofy creepiness

Mario Spin-offs and Risks

• Mario Golf Super Rush

  • Nostalgic co-op/competitive memories
  • weather effects
  • “intense matches”

• Mario + Rabbids series

  • Described as an absurd-but-brilliant XCOM-style tactical mashup (Mario/Rabbids/XCOM).
  • Jokes about wanting to know how it got greenlit.
  • Praises interactive worlds.
  • Says it’s so good they hope it gets ported off Switch someday (because it didn’t sell as well as it should).

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3

• Reacts with amazement to the announcement.
• Calls it “a complete mess” in some design systems (currencies/modes), but still:
  • highly fun
  • great in co-op
  • strong endgame RPG depth

Pokémon Legends: Arceus

• Described as a “Star Wars-ish redemption moment.”
• After disillusionment with Sword/Shield, Arceus is framed as:
  • fresh ideas
  • staying cozy
• Highlights:
  • real-time catching
  • sneaking from bushes
  • quality-of-life improvements

Shovel Knight Treasure Trove

• A retro-feeling mega-collection with multiple titles.
• Praises:
  • intuitive shovel movement
  • secrets
  • modern quality-of-life improvements
• Notes they struggle reading tiny box text.

Smash Ultimate

• Presented as the “forever game” fighting roster:
  • massive character list (including DLC guests like Sora)
  • stages and music
• Expresses a hope for a future “Ultimate Edition” that preserves DLC on one cartridge.

Unsighted

• Described as a Zelda/Hades-ish hidden gem with a timer.
• Praises:
  • sci-fi/ancient vibe
  • music
  • being made by a two-person team
• Commended for flying under the radar.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3

• Called a masterpiece and among the best JRPGs they’ve played.
• Praises:
  • real-time-queue combat style
  • Noah’s impressive acting/range
• Notes story significance.

Knights of the Old Republic (KotOR 1 & 2)

The “for real” finale becomes a technical/platform rant:

• KotOR 1: Looks/runs better on Switch than PC.
  • Issues on PC mentioned include stretched textures/resolution and occasional lockups.
• KotOR 2: PC version preferred via restored-content mod.
  • Switch version described as buggy due to port issues.
• Host advice:
  • If you’ll play KotOR, do KotOR 1 on Switch.
  • KotOR 2 comes with cautious guidance.

Jokes / Recurring Bits

• Repeated emphasis that “Switch feels right at home” for many games—even non-exclusives.

• Playful exaggerations and moments like:

  • “I’m a psycho” for buying the Final Fantasy collection (multiple versions).
  • “What does that title card say?” for a surprise announcement moment (Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3).
  • Reading/blur troubles:
    • struggling with tiny text on the Shovel Knight box and saying they “need glasses”
    • earlier confusion linked to subtitle-like audio/blur

• Fanboying/banter:

  • Platinum storytelling critique (before Astral Chain is praised).
  • “Melee Pierce, don’t come after me” when discussing Smash feel (without claiming it’s literally Melee).
  • “Negative, bro” moment tied to KotOR/Ultimate Alliance 3 opinions.

Main “Best-Of” Takeaway

This video isn’t just a list—it’s a defense of what made Switch great:

• handheld-friendly design
• indie momentum and the HD-2D era
• quirky co-op and side-scrollers
• a few experience-defining exclusives (notably Astral Chain, Paranormite, Luigi’s Mansion 3, Kirby, etc.)
• plus careful recommendations where performance/port quality matters (especially KotOR).

Personalities Appearing (at End)

• Retro Rebound host / narrator (single main speaker; no other distinct characters shown in the subtitles).