Summary
After finding early success in arcades in the 1980s,Capcomhas gone from strength to strength,producing many popular serieslikeResident EvilandMonster Hunter. Even during those peak arcade years, the Japanese company had already ported its games to Nintendo’s hardware of the time, with the likes ofGhosts ‘n GoblinsandStreet Fighter 2transitioning to home consoles to much acclaim.
That trend has continued over the last five decades and carries on to this day, with many of Capcom’s top releases finding their footing on the hybrid console. Here are some of the best Capcom games on the Nintendo Switch, ranked based on a combination of the game’s overall quality on the console and popularity with fans.
A compilation package that certainly provides value for money, theStreet Fighter 30th Anniversary Collectioncontains thirteen classic games fromthe fighting game franchise. Starting with the arcade version of the first entry from 1987 and going through to 1999’sStreet Fighter 3: 3rd Strike – Fight for the Future, one game is exclusive to the Switch port:Super Street Fighter 2: The Tournament Battle.
Apart from the thirteen games, there is also the possibility of setting save states in single-player mode and plenty of bonus content in the museum, such as galleries and the history behind each game. Online matchmaking is also possible in some entries, and Switch players can host an eight-playerStreet Fighter 2tournament locally using four consoles.
A prequel to the original game,Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakeningon Nintendo’s hybrid console is arguably the most complete port of the classic title. Starring a devil hunter named Dante, his goal is toprevent his twin brother Vergilfrom opening a demonic realm.
Combat inDMC3is some of the slickest in the series and includes four unique combat styles, such as trickster and swordmaster. Complete with all the content of the original special edition release from 2006, the Switch version exclusively features the ability for Dante to change styles on the fly and adds a local co-op option where the second player controls Vergil.
Set in a fantasy world known as Gransys,Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisenis the upgraded version of the originalDragon’s Dogmafrom 2012. Playing as the fully customizable Arisen, players embark on an adventure with their three Pawns, who are also customizable, as they seek to defeat the dragon Grigori.
There are nine different vocations for the player to choose from, such as mage or fighter, which determines the fighting style of the protagonist. The Pawns add to this unique adventure and can even be trained to battle in a manner that will best complement the player’s style.
A treat for any fans of 8-bit gaming,Mega Man Legacy Collectioncontains the first six games in the popular and tricky side-scrolling platformer series.Playing as the Blue Bomber, players can enjoy both the Japanese and international versions of each game, and this collection features a museum mode with galleries and music tracks.
The rewind feature allows players to have a safety net if things go wrong, which can be especially useful in the Challenge mode, where levels are altered to provide new tests to returning players. The Switch port also features amiibo support, unlocking bonus levels when a Mega Man amiibo is scanned.
The second compilation intheCapcom Fighting Collectionseries,Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classicsfeatures seven titles, including the first console release of beat-‘em-upThe Punisherfrom 1993. The six other crossover titles are fighting games with some new playable characters being introduced, such as Magneto and Juggernaut inX-Men: Children of the Atom.
As with other similar collections on modern hardware, there is the ability to create save states in single-player mode, and a museum with exclusive artwork, music tracks and development documents. It’s beginner-friendly with changeable difficulty levels and a training mode, plus online gameplay allows others to be challenged in casual and ranked matches.
A compilation of two prequel titles in the series,The Great Ace Attorney Chroniclesincludes two games that were previously released in Japan only. Both games feature the classic over-the-top courtroom action that fans of the series expect, and there is a hint system for new players if they are struggling.
Playing as Ryunosuke Naruhodo, an ancestor of Phoenix Wright, both spin-off games feature five episodes of sleuthing, investigating, and examining. The period settings have been praised for their accuracy, particularly Victorian London, which is often cartoonishly misrepresented, and great care was taken during localization to ensure Western players could understand the subtleties and nuances of Meiji-period Japanese culture.
Regarded by many as one of the greatest video games of all time,Okamiis the upgraded PS3 port that made its way to later consoles, including the Nintendo Switch. One key reason to enjoy the Switch port is the ability to effortlessly swap between regular controls and touchscreen functionality when playing in handheld mode.
Often cited in discussions about video games as art,Okamitakes heaps of inspiration from Japanese mythology, starring a white wolf who is the Shinto sun goddess Ameratsu. Containing action platforming elements akin toZeldagames, the timeless cell-shaded art style is enhanced bythe unique Celestial Brush mechanic, which can help in combat, puzzles and other situations.
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detectivefeatures some mind and time-bending puzzles and an intriguing mystery.Playing as a spiritwith amnesia called Sissel, the game takes place throughout one night as he tries to piece together the events that led to his death and figure out who he is.
The puzzles are cleverly designed, giving a good level of challenge without being too easy or frustratingly obtuse, and the investigations are reminiscent ofAce Attorney. A cult classic,Ghost Trickis unique, humorous, and its art style is striking with some very sleek animations and eye-catching character designs.
In a major departure from prior entries in the series,Resident Evil 4switched to more fast-paced third-person shooter action with a dynamic camera rather than the traditional fixed perspective. Set in Spain, Leon Kennedy must rescue the president’s daughter from a religious cult who have kidnapped her and are holding her captive in a strange village.
In the village, Leon encounters many aggressive enemies infected with a mind-controlling parasite, known as Las Plagas, who are wielding weapons like axes, scythes and chainsaws. Another Capcom game often heralded as one of the best games ever made, it received praise in all areas, but mainly for its influential gameplay and gripping story.
Packed with content,Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreakis one of manystellar games from the beast-slaying serieson the Nintendo Switch. The base game introduces some new mechanics in the form of Wirebugs, which aid in traversal across the world, plus the Palamute companions, which can also be ridden.
Sunbreakadds tons more content, including new areas to explore, an expanded narrative, and the ability to swap skills in the middle of battle. The fresh gameplay mechanics, new tower defense-style mode called Rampage, and the Japan-inspired setting have all gone some way toward the game’s high sales and many award wins, appealing to both newcomers and long-time fans of the series.
