Thousands of Nintendo fans tuned in to the Direct on February 2, 2022, anticipating exciting game news. Fortunately, many fans were not disappointed with the assortment of titles that popped up in headlines written after the forty-minute video. It left many (including me) looking forward to the sea of new video game releases in anticipation of Nintendo Switch Sports, Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes, and Xenoblade Chronicles 3. 

We shouldn’t forget the numerous classic titles soon-to-come to the versatile console, though.

After years of practically begging for the cult classics to be ported onto the Switch, the endearingly peculiar Earthbound and its predecessor, Earthbound Beginnings, made their way to the Switch’s Nintendo Online catalog. The two games have you playing as a regular, everyday suburban kid tasked to save the world… from aliens. Yes, you read that right. So, it’s not surprising that these over two-decade-old RPGs quickly burrowed their way into thousands of hearts with their offbeat humor, strange dialogue, and surprisingly profound themes that bring both smiles and tears.

Even more, fans of old RPG gems found themselves blessed with remakes and remasters. Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition, Kingdom Hearts Integrum Masterpiece for Cloud, and LIVE A LIVE are hitting the Switch shelves soon. With each one rendered in sparkling HD graphics, there’s no need to sacrifice graphical standards for the fantastic nostalgic adventures of old. Chrono Cross, in particular, is known for being the sequel to Chrono Trigger—a title widely considered the golden standard of RPG since its 1995 release date.

As for Kingdom Hearts Integrum Masterpiece, avid followers of Sora’s adventures (or Disney as a whole) can journey into various worlds from ten out of sixteen entries of the franchise, such as the beloved Kingdom Hearts II. However, it’s important to note that playing through Cloud Streaming (downloading a game on a connected device and streaming it to the Switch) can lead to slow frame rates and performance issues. Keep that in mind if you’re considering picking up the game.

Next up is LIVE A LIVE, an Octopath Traveler-esque game that was never released outside of Japan—until July 22, 2022, that is. The title offers a lot of fun with its seven wildly varying stories and protagonists. In fact, the game set the foundation for Octopath Traveler’s iconic “each storyline can be played together, but they all intertwine at the very end” mechanic. Unlike the latter, LIVE A LIVE possesses stronger narratives than gameplay. A few examples of the diverse plots include: a wandering cowboy battling outlaws, a prehistoric-era caveman hunting to survive, and a psychic orphan who can control giant robots. (We’re speaking ginormous!)

Not only do RPGs get the fancy makeover, though. Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp and Front Mission 1st: Remake, two classical map-based strategy games, are ready for a remake. They are set in warzones, waiting for the players to lead them to victory through thorough planning and thoughtful decision-making. Both games are relatively similar as far as tactical games go. If you prefer a light-hearted, charming atmosphere full of likable characters and colorful cartoon graphics, revisit Advance Wars. Want a gritty, intricate world dominated by politics and conspiracies? Go for Front Mission 1st.

These are only some of the recently announced classic titles coming to Switch. If you’re itching for some ultra classic retro games, dive into the console’s expansive Super NES and NES library! For an oldie’s fan, it’s worth the cost.