13 Former PlayStation Exclusives That the Switch Robbed
Undertale is a work of love from developer Toby Fox that compiles the gameplay of classics like Mother and Mario & Luigi together in one convenient package. It originally released on PC via Steam in September 2015, then debuted on consoles via the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita nearly two years later on August 15, 2017. Now the modern cult classic is set to release sometime in 2018, as revealed by last week’s Nintendo Direct.
The Minecraft-inspired, kid-friendly Dragon Quest Builders released exclusively for PlayStation 3, 4, and Vita back in 2016, again perhaps due to the franchise’s niche popularity in Japan. It didn’t receive a Switch iteration until this past February, possibly in a move by publisher Square Enix to release more ports of its games on the platform.
If the anime and mobile game serve as any indication, the Fate series is very popular with consumers in Japan, with the latter accounting for one of the principal reasons why parent company Sony experienced great numbers last month. Its latest console release, Fate/Extella: The Umbral Star, released exclusively on PlayStation 4 and Vita in 2016, then went on to release for the Switch in July 2017.
The colorful, retro throwback that is Furi released exclusively on PlayStation 4 and PC in July 2016. It came out on Xbox One in December that year, and recently launched on the Nintendo Switch this past January. This fun hack and slash shoot ’em up fits nicely inside the hybrid’s screen, evident in how the game’s cutscenes look while on the go.
Night in the Woods, a charming single-player indie that focuses on exploration through the lens of a college dropout, released as a PlayStation 4 console exclusive in February last year. It didn’t release on another platform until December, where it saw a launch on the Xbox One. As of last month, Switch owners can also enjoy the game through the Weird Autumn edition.
Rocket League launched as a PlayStation 4 exclusive back in July 2015 when it was announced as one of PlayStation Plus‘ monthly offerings. It only came to Xbox One in February 2016, then moved on to the Switch in November 2017 with Nintendo mascot designs exclusive to the platform (because who doesn’t want to settle the long rivalry between Mario and Luigi through a super-charged soccer battle with cars?).
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Axiom Verge
The Metroidvania 2D sci-fi epic that is Axiom Verge was made by Thomas Happ exclusively for the PlayStation 4 back on March 31, 2015. It later moved onto PC in May that same year, then journeyed to the PlayStation Vita nearly a year later on April 19, 2016. Axiom Verge went on to release on Wii U and Xbox One in September 2016, then came to the Switch on October 5, 2017.
Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy
Of all the entries in this list, the pretense of the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy is probably most contentious because of the animal's status as a PlayStation mascot during Sony's first foray into console gaming. This reworking of the first three games in the franchise released exclusively on PlayStation 4 last June and will come out on all of the machine's competitors - Xbox One, Switch, and PC - this July.
I Am Setsuna
I Am Setsuna is the result of a new initiative by publisher Square Enix that brings back the traditional Japanese role-playing game aesthetic for modern audiences to enjoy. Seeing as how its target audience is most geared toward Japanese gamers, it made sense that the game released as a console exclusive on the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita. This being said, Square Enix decided to see whether or not I Am Setsuna would also sell on the Switch, releasing it on the hybrid console the very same day it launched worldwide.
Undertale
Undertale is a work of love from developer Toby Fox that compiles the gameplay of classics like Mother and Mario & Luigi together in one convenient package. It originally released on PC via Steam in September 2015, then debuted on consoles via the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita nearly two years later on August 15, 2017. Now the modern cult classic is set to release sometime in 2018, as revealed by last week's Nintendo Direct.
Enter the Gungeon
The bullet-hell thrill ride that is Enter the Gungeon released as a console exclusive on PlayStation 4 on April 5, 2016. It came to Xbox One an entire year later, then showed up on the Switch right before the year ended in December. The version of the game on Xbox currently has cross-play with PC users enabled, so it remains to be seen whether or not Nintendo will opt for the feature on their platform too in the future.
Mercenary Kings
Mercenary Kings originally launched quite a while ago on PlayStation 4, cementing itself as one of the indie titles that released within the console's launch window on April 4, 2015. A Vita, Xbox One, and Switch version of the game didn't launch until this past February as Mercenary Kings: Reloaded Edition.
Outlast
The modern cult horror classic Outlast also released as an indie exclusive during the PlayStation 4's launch window, arriving February 4, 2014. Its exclusivity on the platform didn't last very long, as it came out for Xbox One in June that same year. A port of the title on Nintendo Switch released this past February.
Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance
The sixth main installment in the classic Disgaea series originally released exclusively on PlayStation 4 in March 2015. Seeing as how the series doesn't usually release on other platforms due to its niche Japanese target market, its exclusivity was all but secure until the Switch was announced. Afterward, publisher NIS announced that Disgaea 5 would be receiving a Complete Edition tailor-made for the hybrid console's launch date.
Dragon Quest Builders
The Minecraft-inspired, kid-friendly Dragon Quest Builders released exclusively for PlayStation 3, 4, and Vita back in 2016, again perhaps due to the franchise's niche popularity in Japan. It didn't receive a Switch iteration until this past February, possibly in a move by publisher Square Enix to release more ports of its games on the platform.
Fate/Extella: The Umbral Star
If the anime and mobile game serve as any indication, the Fate series is very popular with consumers in Japan, with the latter accounting for one of the principal reasons why parent company Sony experienced great numbers last month. Its latest console release, Fate/Extella: The Umbral Star, released exclusively on PlayStation 4 and Vita in 2016, then went on to release for the Switch in July 2017.
Furi
The colorful, retro throwback that is Furi released exclusively on PlayStation 4 and PC in July 2016. It came out on Xbox One in December that year, and recently launched on the Nintendo Switch this past January. This fun hack and slash shoot 'em up fits nicely inside the hybrid's screen, evident in how the game's cutscenes look while on the go.
Night in the Woods
Night in the Woods, a charming single-player indie that focuses on exploration through the lens of a college dropout, released as a PlayStation 4 console exclusive in February last year. It didn't release on another platform until December, where it saw a launch on the Xbox One. As of last month, Switch owners can also enjoy the game through the Weird Autumn edition.
Rocket League
Rocket League launched as a PlayStation 4 exclusive back in July 2015 when it was announced as one of PlayStation Plus' monthly offerings. It only came to Xbox One in February 2016, then moved on to the Switch in November 2017 with Nintendo mascot designs exclusive to the platform (because who doesn't want to settle the long rivalry between Mario and Luigi through a super-charged soccer battle with cars?).
About the author
David Lozada
David is an Italian/Latino New York City-based writer whose passions include music, anime, cosplay, movies, bike riding, video games, and just being an all-around nerd. He's always out and about, going to anime and gaming conventions alike across America and posting all of his shenanigans on social media for the world to see. If you bump into him, wherever he may be, don't be shy to say hello!