The announcement of a Nintendo Switch port of the 3DS game Miitopia during the most recent Nintendo Direct has opened the floodgates for other beloved 3DS titles to receive a port or remaster. While the Switch is known for receiving plenty of ports from other systems past and present, most of these on the first-party side have come from the Wii U. This makes sense, as the console had plenty of great games that not many people played, so bringing them to the Switch allows the to finally reach a wide audience.
However, several popular or upcoming Switch titles, such as Bravely Default 2 and Shin Megami Tensei, have strong ties to the 3DS. Now that the handheld has been discontinued, though, these titles are less accessible, especially to those who got into gaming with the Switch. Here are some 3DS-exclusive titles that deserve a Switch port.
Persona Q
The Persona series is the most popular spin-off of Atlus' long-running Megami Tensei franchise, only skyrocketing in popularity with the release of Persona 5 and its own spin-offs and re-releases. Its protagonist, Joker, is even a fighter in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. With Persona 4 Golden's release on PC, and Atlus' plans to release other games on PC, new fans will finally be able to play older titles.
However, the Persona Q games were only released on the 3DS. With a Switch release, fans would finally have the opportunity to play these wonderfully fanservice-y spin-offs -- and have a great time poking fun at their favorite characters.
Bravely Default
Bravely Default II releasing on Nintendo Switch soon. It's the next entry in one of the most intriguing cult classic JRPG series that originated on the 3DS. Its main claims to fame are the utilization of Final Fantasy V's job system and the "brave/default" battle system of saving multiple turns to unleash a devastating combo.
While Bravely Default II is a standalone entry, the original game and its sequel, Bravely Second: End Layer, have their own sets of intriguing characters with mind-blowing plot twists. A remaster or port of the 3DS original game would be great for fans who missed out on this original adventure.
Fire Emblem: Awakening
The Fire Emblem series arose from relative obscurity in the West to a major Nintendo IP with the release of Awakening, the first Fire Emblem game for the 3DS. Introducing fan favorites Robin, Chrom and Lucina, Awakening was also many people's introduction to the series' strategic gameplay and weapons triangle, bolstered by memorable units and a refinement of the Support system.
Awakening was developed to be the final game in a struggling series, but its success ultimately saved the franchise from dying. Since then, other Fire Emblem titles have released to acclaim, including Three Houses, one of the Switch's greatest hits.
Metroid: Samus Returns
The lack of any Metroid announcements not only for this Direct, but for almost four years now has left many fans starved for any content following Samus Aran's adventures. The most recent installment, Samus Returns, came fairly late into the 3DS' lifespan and only had modest sales for a game of its status and pedigree -- not helped by some minor control issues and content locked behind Amiibo. However, a Switch remaster could help revive or expand interest in the Metroid IP while filling the void until Metroid Prime 4 finally releases.
Kid Icarus: Uprising
One of the greatest 3DS exclusives ever made, Kid Icarus: Uprising is a fantastic blend of on-the-rails shooter with third-person action coupled with a zany cast of incredibly memorable (and quotable) characters. Pit and Palutena's explosive reintroduction has solidified their personalities and presence in the greater Nintendo pantheon of icons.
It's a shame that Masahiro Sakurai has stated that he does not aim to rerelease or make a sequel to this game anytime soon. With some improved controls and visuals, Kid Icarus: Uprising could easily become one of the most beloved titles on the Nintendo Switch.