10 F2P Games That Would Totally Kill It on Nintendo Switch

Hearthstone

F2p Games That Would Kill It On the Switch

Hearthstone has remained hugely popular since its initial PC release in early 2014, coming to mobile not long after, and it could easily continue that success on Nintendo Switch. It’s a collectible card game that builds on the lore of World of Warcraft, using the same characters, elements, and powers that anyone who has played the MMO will be aware of. The turn based game is a compelling challenge, where you need to construct decks and make use of the right cards at the right time. Also, since it’s quite a simple game, and one that works well and has been very popular on mobile devices, it makes sense that it would make its way over to Switch. There’s less of a worry like with say Overwatch, that the Switch couldn’t handle it. It has also made Blizzard a lot of money, and a Switch release could be a chance to take that success elsewhere.

Emily Is Away

F2p Games That Would Kill It On the Switch

Ever wanted to re-live your old Instant Messenger days, switching up your band-based profile pic and trying to maintain a conversation with the girl you like? Well, Emily Is Away allows you to do just that. You can approach the conversations however you’d like, but they’re all with the titular Emily, a girl you know. While you get to choose your responses, the story is quite linear, but it’s compelling and realistic. If you spent hours on IM when you were younger, it’ll feel like you’ve time-travelled back to 2002, and there’s also a paid-for sequel that tells a deeper story. It may be based on a computer program, but the basic single-screen, text-based nature would work well on Switch.

H1Z1 Battle Royale

F2p Games That Would Kill It On the Switch

Arguably the game that started the battle royale genre’s rise to prominence, H1Z1’s Battle Royale mode has been given another kick recently by launching on PlayStation 4 as a free-to-play game. Stylistically, it falls kind of in the middle between Fortnite Battle Royale and PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds. Its presentation is quite realistic, if a bit bland, but the action is fast paced. If you’re after a fun Battle Royale game that you can jump into quickly, but don’t like the cartoony style of other similar games, it might be right down your 100 person alleyway. With the recent popularity of Fortnite on Switch, H1Z1 should feel right at home.

Realm Royale

F2p Games That Would Kill It On the Switch

Previously known as the less catchy name, Paladins: Battlegrounds, Realm Royale is another game that was given a refresh to take advantage of the widespread Battle Royale success. For the most part, it works like other games in the genre, seeing players land on a map, trying to collect weapons and be the last one alive, but there’s some differences. You choose one of five character classes, each of which has their own unique abilities, and there’s a crafting system that allows you to break down unwanted items. You therefore don’t have to simply discard unwanted loot like you would in the likes of Fortnite and PUBG. It’s another lighthearted, cartoon style battle royale game, and could provide some competition to Fortnite on Switch.

Gwent

F2p Games That Would Kill It On the Switch

It’s currently only in open beta, but Gwent, much like Hearthstone, has the potential to be a hit on Nintendo Switch. If you never played the magnificent The Witcher 3, you might not be familiar with it, but it is a card game that began as a mini-game in CD Projekt Red’s open-world RPG. You collect cards, build decks, and use tactics and abilities to best an opposing player. People enjoyed it so much in The Wild Hunt that it was broken out and expanded into a full, free-to-play experience, which would work well on the Switch, especially in handheld mode. As you’d expect from a card game, it’s a simple experience, not requiring the power of a high-end PC or console.

War Thunder

F2p Games That Would Kill It On the Switch

War Thunder is a MMO based solely on vehicular combat. Player can choose from 800 vehicles (aircraft, tanks, or ships), from a variety of eras from the Spanish Civil War to modern times, and they fight it out in one of three main modes. The action is large in scale, and based on the spectacle of real-world battles from history, but it’s fast paced and fun. You can choose to take part in battles that feature just your vehicle class of choice, or opt for something with more variety. It’s at its best when you can experience that variety and are comfortable with each of the three classes. It’s not on the same scale as some other larger online games, but its own depth and breadth may be an issue on Switch. If it isn’t however, it could become  hit.

World of Tanks

F2p Games That Would Kill It On the Switch

World of Tanks has been around for nearly eight years now, constantly developing, adding new tanks, and making its way to other systems. Much like the previously mentioned War Thunder, World of Tanks is a vehicular combat focused MMO, but it’s just tanks you’re fighting in. The tank combat is deeper than in other games, however, with you being able to choose from a variety of different tank types considering factors such as your preferred play style, the terrain of the map, and what you and your allies need to succeed. The tanks are all based on real-world ones from the mid-20th century, but there’s plenty of customization options, with more being available to players who sink money into the game. It came to Xbox 360 back in 2014, so it should be able to run on Switch without any issues.

Smite

F2p Games That Would Kill It On the Switch

Smite has become hugely popular on PC and consoles, and has developed an esports scene as well over the years. If you’re unaware, Smite is a third person MOBA in which players control a god, goddess, or famous mythological figure and engage in dramatic team oriented combat. As is the case with other MOBAs, teams decide on their characters with tactics in mind. Each character has unique abilities, and using them correctly alongside those of other characters is vital to success. There’s also plenty of different modes that see you try to come up the best tactical approach. The style and popularity could make it a hit on Switch, and it’s a genre that the system’s severely lacking in right now.

Brawlhalla

F2p Games That Would Kill It On the Switch

Come December, the Switch will be the home of a certain other arena fighting game, staring some of the system’s best loved characters, but there’s nothing for fans of that type of game to jump into now, nor is there one that is free. Brawlhalla is very similar to Smash Bros., with you picking a character, attacking other players, and trying to knock them off the stage. It’s not quite as deep as Nintendo’s game promises to be, but with 39 characters and plenty of modes, both online and off, there’s more than enough to play, especially with it being free. It could be the perfect game to tide fighting game fans over until December. They may even find that they prefer it.

Trove

F2p Games That Would Kill It On the Switch

There’s some clear similarities between Minecraft and Trove. Originally released in the summer of 2015 on PC, presumably to take advantage of the popularity of Minecraft, Trove is Sandbox MMO in which you explore the worlds, searching for loot, or fighting to be the last Trovian standing. The characters play more of a role in Trove, however, with there being 16 classes to choose from, including the likes of foxy lancers and draconic mages. It’s great fun with friends, and due to the block based art style, it’s unlikely to put much of a strain on the Switch itself, unlike more realistic MMOs.