We have been enjoying the Switch in my family recently. What’s worked the best have been games that combine the old and the new. As I mentioned, the boys loved challenging each other (and me) to Pac-Man high score contests, and that desire to “go arcade retro” as they put it, has brought us to some of the not-so-old games on the switch.
This is a package of three amazing classic Mario games. I know not everyone loves Super Mario Sunshine, but I got it with my Gamecube and have had a soft spot for it ever since. Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Galaxy have also had a lot of playtime.
The games commemorate Mario’s 35th anniversary in some style. Each game is in high-definition and completely true to the original. They run on emulation technology so they are exactly as you remember. Only better looking.
In particular I liked the attention to controller-detail. Of course we don’t have Wii Remotes to play Mario Galaxy like I used to, but the game lets you use the Joy-Cons in the same pointing fashion. This means you can play with another player assisting you by collecting gems and shooting them at enemies.
We also enjoyed the music compilation that’s included, not least because Mario Galaxy has such a beautiful musical score. Best of all you can play the music with the screen off, while you are doing other things. It’s become our Fall soundtrack.
Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics
This is a whole different kind of retro. Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics is a collection of board games, pub games and general party games for the Switch. It follows up Clubhouse Games on the DS which we also enjoyed back in the day.
You each choose a toy figure as your player-piece and then go into your game of choice. What I wasn’t expecting here was how much depth there was in each of these games. We spent an entire evening working on the Darts game and perfecting our throwing technique.
Other favourites in the collection have been Backgammon, Chess, Golf and Toy Tennis. Our youngest also appreciated the toy piano that you can play with as an added extra. If you are looking for something to while away the winter months, this is a great option.
Paper Mario is a franchise I go a long way back with. They have changed considerably over the years, and I know some are frustrated about that. What I appreciate about these design choices is that they have firmly got a wider audience in mind.
It’s a role-play game where you explore a world as a paper version of Mario. You collect coins and other items as well as encounter enemies. What I liked about these fights are the more puzzle nature to them. Because there’s now a geographical lining up of the right characters to maximise damage, it was something the whole family could get involved with contributing too. This ring-based combat works really well for families, and I couldn’t imagine going back to more static battle choices.
If you are looking for a game that will not only challenge the older children in your ranks, but also offer ways for younger family members to contribute, this is a great option.
