It’s not every day you stumble upon a game collection that feels tailor-made for the Nintendo Switch, but UFO 50 isn’t here to play by your average rulebook. If there was a checklist for why this game works so beautifully on Nintendo’s hybrid console, UFO 50 would tick all the boxes, underline them for good measure, and add a few bonus exclamation marks. This indie gem isn’t just a game collection; it’s a love letter to retro gaming with a modern twist. And spoiler alert? This might just be the best thing to pop into your Switch since the invention of detachable Joy-Cons.
First off, UFO 50 is essentially a collection of 50 new—but retro-infused—games spanning every genre under the sun. That’s right, 50 games. Not minigames, not demos, not bite-sized gimmicks slapped together for nostalgia points. These are full-fledged, thoughtfully crafted games, each feeling like it could’ve been its own indie darling, snuggled away in the corner of the eShop.
The collection is designed as though it’s from a “forgotten” gaming console that deserved its time in the spotlight decades ago. From JRPGs to platformers, puzzlers to strategy games, UFO 50 nails every genre it touches. It’s like the developers woke up one morning, shrugged, and said, “You know what? Mastering one game genre isn’t impressive enough. Let’s master them all.”
And master them they did. Playing UFO 50 on the Switch feels like it was always meant to be this way. Its blend of bite-sized brilliance and deep gaming marathons fits seamlessly with the Switch’s play-anywhere, play-however-you-want philosophy. Whether you’re grinding through campaign levels at home or sneaking in a few rounds of “Paint Chase” on your latest commute, UFO 50’s versatility feels built for this console.
Here’s the thing about UFO 50 that makes it such a knockout candidate for the Switch. Yes, the games are wrapped in retro aesthetics, complete with pixel art that could make NES devs jealous, but the gameplay isn’t actually stuck in the past. Each title feels modernized in ways that fix the frequent frustrations of old-school gaming. You know, inconsistent difficulty spikes, clunky controls, and rage-quit-inducing unfairness? None of those made it past UFO 50’s velvet ropes. Instead, we get smooth handling, fair challenges, and design that’s clearly brimming with care and expertise.
It’s rare to see so much love poured into a game this ambitious. The developers even threw in fictional backstories for the games themselves, which may or may not make anyone else shed a nostalgic tear, but hey, this level of charm works. It all comes together to form the “complete package.” Any rough edges are smoothed over with enough polish that even Mario’s hat would approve.
You know what else helps UFO 50 shine? The Switch’s dual local-and-portable nature. While it’s admittedly disappointing that multiplayer modes in UFO 50 are limited to local play, it sort of works with the whole retro charm. Picture it now: a group of friends, a Switch docked in your living room, huddled around “Avainos” (a surprisingly addictive strategy title) or “Kick Club” (an arcade platformer that makes “Bubble Bobble” look tame by comparison). No online multiplayer? Sure, it’s a bit of a sticking point. But does that take away from UFO 50’s charm? Not really. The local sessions bring back that old-school couch co-op vibe we’ve all been chasing since the ’90s.
And for solo Switch fans? This collection keeps on giving. The sheer variety of genres means you’re basically guaranteed to find at least ten games you love. I mean, how many collections let you go from strategy games to JRPGs to first-person dungeon crawlers and Metroidvanias, all tied into one stunner of a package? If you get bored here, it’s probably time to look inward.
No game’s perfect, right? And as much love as UFO 50 deserves, we’ve gotta talk about the elephant in the emulator-themed room. The lack of online multiplayer might be thematic, but man, some of these games would absolutely crush as online hits. “Avainos,” for instance, could easily slot into your Friday night multiplayer rotation. And yet, it sits there begging for an online option it’ll never have. A missed opportunity? For sure. A dealbreaker? Not even close.
Few consoles are as brilliant at championing indie games as the Nintendo Switch, and to be honest, UFO 50 might just be one of its best-suited companions. There’s something magical about its seamless gameplay loops, retro-modern design, and the way it casually whisks you back to your childhood afternoons gaming in a sunlit living room.
UFO 50 isn’t just a game collection; it’s a handheld treasure trove that reminds you why you fell in love with gaming in the first place. And if you haven’t tried it yet? Well, looks like you’ve got 50 reasons to dust off your Switch tonight. Don’t blame us if it hooks you for the next few weeks.
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