Open-world games continue to be one of the most beloved genres in gaming, offering players the freedom to immerse themselves in expansive environments. While the Nintendo Switch already boasts an impressive lineup of open-world experiences, there are numerous exceptional games from non-first-party studios that are yet to grace the console.
If you're on the lookout for top-tier open-world games deserving a spot on Nintendo's portable console, look no further. These potential ports not only present a chance for gamers to rediscover classic titles, but they would also enrich the Switch's diverse library with captivating new adventures.
7 Prototype: Biohazard Bundle
Metascore: 48
The Prototype Biohazard Bundle franchise is long overdue for a revival or sequel, but a port to the Nintendo Switch would be a more than welcome alternative. The games, Prototype 1 and 2, offered players a rare chance to feel truly formidable in an open-world superhero setting.
Players assume the role of a super-powered shapeshifter in a virus-ravaged Manhattan, where they rapidly amass new destructive abilities to vanquish adversaries. The game's fluid movement mechanics facilitated effortless traversal of the city, whether scaling skyscrapers at breakneck speeds or gliding across the urban landscape before launching into a devastating onslaught against unsuspecting foes. Pure, unadulterated empowerment.
6 The Saboteur
Metascore: 73
The Saboteur may have eluded many players upon its 2009 release. Sadly, it also marked the final project by Pandemic Studios, renowned for Destroy All Humans! and the beloved Star Wars: Battlefront 2 (2005). Given the remastering or reimagining of their other titles, the question arises whether THQ will consider porting or remastering The Saboteur for Nintendo's portable platform.
Why should it not be ported? The game offers a wealth of enjoyment, placing players in the shoes of Irish race car driver Sean Devlin as he strives to free Nazi-occupied Paris while engaging in a variety of side missions. Although not the most widely publicized game, it delivers abundant open-world enjoyment set in a unique backdrop for players to lose themselves in.
5 Batman: Arkham Origins
Metascore: 74
Batman: Arkham Origins stands out as an obvious candidate for a port, particularly as the rest of the Arkham Trilogy has already made its way to the Switch. While the game may not enjoy the same acclaim as Rocksteady's celebrated trilogy, WB Montreal's Batman: Arkham Origins is a remarkable title in its own right, featuring exhilarating combat encounters and some of the series' finest boss battles.
Admittedly, the game debuted with a somewhat forgotten PvP multiplayer mode, which a port to the Switch would likely omit. Nevertheless, players would not be deprived, as the most engaging aspects of Batman: Arkham Origins lie within its single-player campaign. Whether savoring the captivating origin story or relishing the sheer delight of navigating the open world of Mid-Winter Gotham and combating crime in true Batman fashion, equipped with an array of gadgets and considerable fisticuffs.
4 The Simpsons: Hit & Run
Metascore: 78
The Simpsons: Hit & Run remains a perennial fixture on every gamer's wish list for a contemporary remaster or port to current-gen platforms. This game holds a special place in the hearts of many gamers, owing to its ingenious Simpsons-themed narrative and nostalgic appeal, as well as the sheer joy of repeatedly kicking Milhouse Van Houten.
The Simpsons: Hit & Run epitomized open-world enjoyment, whether from the pleasure of meticulously exploring every nook and cranny of Springfield or interacting with a myriad of beloved Simpsons characters. For many, it stands as the pinnacle of Simpsons gaming, warranting its inclusion on this list.
3 Need For Speed: Most Wanted
Metascore: 84
Need For Speed has produced several exceptional entries in its extensive history, and the 2012 reboot of Most Wanted delivered an unparalleled open-world experience. The game embraced the freedom and exploration inherent to open-world games, with no cars to purchase or upgrades to acquire. Everything is unlocked by discovering them in the HUB world, and upgrades are earned by completing races and achieving specific milestones.
However, none of this would matter if the racing experience did not deliver, but the 2012 Most Wanted excelled in presenting some of the finest arcade racing in the series. The game's narrative is streamlined, ensuring that players remain focused on the thrill of racing as they accumulate speed points to challenge the top 10 most wanted racers and ascend to the number one position. In essence, Need for Speed Most Wanted epitomizes open-world racing at its zenith.
2 Middle Earth: Shadow Of Mordor
Metascore: 84
Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor is an extraordinary game, having garnered numerous Game of the Year accolades upon its original release in 2014. This is largely attributable to its exceptional narrative, but more significantly, the introduction of the nemesis system, which elevated Shadow of Mordor into an indispensable open-world experience.
The Nemesis System dynamically alters the orc hierarchy based on their encounters with the player. Defeated by an unknown grunt? Expect a promotion, complete with enhancements and taunts, when you next cross paths with the adversary. This system imbued the game with a deeply personal dimension, complemented by superlative swordplay and an immersive Middle Earth tale to captivate players.
1 Far Cry 3
Metascore: 88
Far Cry 3, released in 2012, established a new benchmark for compelling antagonists and set the standard for subsequent entries in Ubisoft's Far Cry series. Remarkably, Far Cry 3 has aged gracefully and remains an enthralling gaming experience to this day.
The narrative thrusts players into the shoes of Jason Brody, a young American ensnared by pirates while vacationing on an island with friends. Subsequently, he is propelled into a world of lethal intrigue, compelled to aid the resistance in liberating the island from its oppressors and rescuing his companions. The game encompasses all the quintessential Far Cry elements, such as hunting to enhance gear, scaling radio towers to unveil the expansive map, and exemplary gunplay. It is a superlative shooter and an even better open-world adventure, one that would undeniably flourish on the Switch, akin to Ubisoft's previously ported Assassin's Creed titles.