Although the Nintendo Switch has- and will have titles that show off its graphical prowess and its bevy of useful features at home and on the go, it is very much a system rooted in retro-styled gaming. From modern retellings of classics, to the inclusion of original arcade classics from Nintendo and the Neo Geo, the Switch has definitely not forgotten the roots of the industry’s greatest successes.

In this exclusive Old School Gamer Magazine list, we share with you five recent Switch releases that will give you your retro gaming fix.

Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap: A remaster of the Sega Master System and TurboGrafx-16 classic, Wonder Boy Boy 3: The Dragon’s Trap, this game allows you to literally switch between the original visuals and audio to beautiful cel-shaded graphics and a near-orchestral score. Although it was released on a plethora of next-generation consoles earlier this year, the Switch version is the only one you can take with you anywhere you want.

Kamiko: Retro visuals and old-school hack-and-slash gameplay, Kamiko is the type of game that would have fit in beautifully on the original Nintendo Entertainment System. Taking elements of games the likes of Gauntlet and even Smash TV, it’s a frenetic experience that never gets old.

Thimbleweed Park: If you grew up on games such as Maniac Mansion or The Secret of Monkey Island, then Thimbleweed Park is for you. A retro-looking, ‘80s themed point-and-click mystery adventure, it’s chock-filled with pop culture references, vulgarity and wit. And best of all, it’ll make you think.

I am Setsuna: One of the first titles released on the Switch, the game was labeled to be in the style of the SNES classic, Chrono Trigger. But to be fair, there’s one Chrono Trigger. Instead, I am Setsuna is the type of adventure that’ll take you back to the days of the early PlayStation, with games the likes of Wild Arms, Belong the Beyond and Final Fantasy VII. Deep and oozing in tone and ambiance, it’s an enjoyable RPG inspired by the greats.

Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove: There aren’t games that play as good as this one. Taking the best gameplay elements of the 8-bit and 16-bit classic action/platformers, Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove is the most complete version of what is now considered a modern-day classic.

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Patrick Hickey Jr. is the author of the upcoming book, “The Minds Behind the Games: Interviews With Cult and Classic Video Game Developers,” from McFarland And Company. Featuring interviews with the creators of 36 popular video games–including Deus Ex, NHLPA 93, Night Trap, Mortal Kombat, Wasteland and NBA Jam–the book gives a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of some of the most influential and iconic (and sometimes forgotten) games of all time. Recounting endless hours of painstaking development, the challenges of working with mega publishers and the uncertainties of public reception, the interviewees reveal the creative processes that produced some of gaming’s classic titles.

Patrick Hickey Jr. (319 Posts)

Patrick Hickey, Jr., is the founder and editor-in-chief of ReviewFix.com and a lecturer of English and journalism at Kingsborough Community College, in Brooklyn, New York. Over the past decade, his video game coverage has been featured in national ad campaigns by top publishers the likes of Nintendo, Deep Silver, Disney and EA Sports. His book series, "The Minds Behind the Games: Interviews With Cult and Classic Game Developers," from McFarland and Company, has earned praise from Forbes, Huffington Post, The New York Daily News and MSG Networks. He is also a former editor at NBC and National Video Games Writer at the late-Examiner.com