Most Technically Impressive Nintendo Switch Games According to Digital Foundry’s Picks
The folks at Digital Foundry have recently revealed their list of the most technically impressive games on the Nintendo Switch. With the next generation of Nintendo hardware likely around the corner, it’s a great time to revisit some of these games that truly pushed the limits of the hybrid console. Here’s a look at their top picks and why they stand out.
Luigi’s Mansion 3
Luigi’s Mansion 3 isn’t just considered the best-looking game on the Switch by Digital Foundry; it’s lauded as a technical marvel. Released in October 2019, the game sets a high bar in terms of visual ambition and accomplishment. Its use of real-time lighting, excellent shadow-casting, and screen-space ambient occlusion elevates it far beyond the hardware’s typical capabilities.
Next Level Games, the developers, have finely tuned every aspect from environmental design to physics. The vacuum cleaner mechanic, for instance, is impressively coded. Despite the relatively static camera angles, the game runs smoothly at a consistent 30 frames per second, making it not only beautiful but also stable.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom
Both of these Zelda titles have been praised not just for their beautiful visuals but also for their interactive worlds. Breath of the Wild, released at the dawn of the Switch era, set new standards for open-world gaming with its mechanics-driven gameplay and cel-shaded beauty. Its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, continues this legacy with even more interactive physics systems, though it doesn’t dramatically up the ante visually over its predecessor.
Paper Mario: The Origami King
This game stands out for its unique visual design, closely resembling an intricate paper world. With its pre-calculated global illumination and exceptional animation, Paper Mario: The Origami King excels in giving life to crumpled paper characters and environments. This title truly showcases the artistic flexibility that the Switch can offer, even if it runs at 30 frames per second.
Super Mario Odyssey
One of the earliest examples of what the Switch could achieve graphically, Super Mario Odyssey is packed with detail and variety. From its 2D gameplay segments integrated into 3D worlds to the impressive draw distances and consistent frame rates, the game epitomizes Nintendo’s knack for blending fun gameplay with visual spectacle.
Metroid Dread
Developed by MercurySteam, Metroid Dread is a standout title with fast transitions and fluid animations that keep the gameplay intense and visually appealing. This game features high-quality lighting and shadows, and its water rendering techniques are particularly noteworthy.
Other Noteworthy Titles
Xenoblade Chronicles 3
Monolith Soft’s open-world RPG is visually impressive with vast, detailed environments and excellent draw distances. Despite some compromises in dynamic shadows, it offers a rich visual experience with Unreal Engine-style Temporal Anti-Aliasing (TAA).
Fast RMX
Developed by Shin’en Multimedia, Fast RMX is a remaster of Fast Racing Neo on Wii U but is vastly superior. It runs at a locked 60 frames per second in both docked and portable modes, featuring impressive lighting and materials. It’s an early but enduring testament to what the Switch can achieve.
Metroid Prime Remastered
Though not on the list as a main pick, this remaster deserves mention. It offers baked lighting and improved materials, making it technologically remarkable and a hint at what future titles could achieve.
Honorable Mentions
Several other games also deserve a shout-out. Titles like The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening with its tilt-shift visual style, Yoshi’s Crafted World enriched by Unreal Engine 4, and the nostalgically charming Super Mario Bros. Wonder are all noteworthy.
Mario + Rabbids Series
The collaborations between Ubisoft and Nintendo have led to visually compelling games like Kingdom Battle and Sparks of Hope, although the latter sacrifices some visual fidelity for expanded gameplay scope.
Conclusion
In retrospect, the Nintendo Switch has proven to be a console that goes beyond its modest hardware specifications. From Luigi’s Mansion 3’s stunning visuals to the creativity of Paper Mario: The Origami King and the expansive worlds of Zelda titles, these games exemplify what can be achieved when talented developers work within and around the constraints of the system. As we look forward to the next generation, it’s worth celebrating these titles for their technical and artistic achievements.
What do you think of Digital Foundry’s picks? Do you have any other games you feel deserve a spot on this list? Let us know in the comments below!