It’s easy to name games that are considered to be Switch essentials; Super Mario Odyssey, Fire Emblem: Three Houses, and Metroid Dread are often named as must-have titles. However, it’s not always exclusives that leave an impact on a console, since some games feel like they were just made for that system, even if they weren’t.
Hollow Knight is a shining example of this.
While this game is considered an indie giant now, it came out of nowhere and somehow became beloved on the Switch. This title did have some buzz with PC fans, but it’s fair to say the metroidvania reached legendary status on Nintendo’s hybrid system. In fact, it was initially released on PC and Switch before being ported to PlayStation and Xbox, highlighting the immense popularity of this underpowered system and its enduring appeal.
This is why Hollow Knight: Silksong is a perfect sunset game for the original Nintendo Switch. Hardcore fans will say it's Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and they aren’t wrong, but that original gem showed everyone that the Switch was a perfect home for indie darlings. Honestly, seeing Silksong get released on this handheld is enough to bring gamers like me to tears.
A Silksong for the Ages
Pretty much everyone, and their gaming mother, knows that Hollow Knight: Silksong was the most anticipated game release of the past seven years. Most of that hype came from Team Cherry’s first Hollow Knight, which is still one of the best-looking Metroidvanias to date. Even now, this game holds up incredibly well, thanks to its dark atmosphere, lovely hand-drawn characters, and intense boss fights.
I was shocked that Hollow Knight reviewed so well without much hype behind it, so for me, getting it on Switch was a huge must. The fact that it was a mere $15 made getting this game an easy choice. Many say they would have paid $25 or $30 for this experience, and I can’t blame them; for some reason, just using the knight’s little sword or absorbing energy for a laser blast feels as satisfying now as it did the first time.
Seeing Silksong released on the same console brings some of that feeling back. Knowing that I can see these beautiful visuals again on a system that’s now considered last-gen just feels right. The fact that it’s only $20 is even more impressive and goes to show that these smaller games can sometimes outdo AAA titans.
Not Hollow at All
Like a lot of games that take cues from various Souls titles, Hollow Knight has a fascinating world filled with unique lore and danger. Despite all that danger, there’s also a sense of whimsy when exploring these areas, mostly due to the cute bug-like sounds some of these supporting characters make. Whether it’s the unamused storekeeper, Iselda, her map-making husband, Cornifer, or the ever-grumpy Zote the Mighty, these characters are just jam-packed with personality through their animations and voice lines alone.
It’s this odd mixture of cute characters and horrifying enemies/locations that keeps me coming back to this game. There’s something about going through these creepy jungles and dark caves, being incredibly stressed about the health I’ve lost, only to see fellow warriors like Quirrel, Cloth, or Cornifer, who I already mentioned, make things more lively. You could argue these are general Soulslike functions to check, but they’re enough to keep me moving through all this depression.
Knowing that I can go through that again with Hollow Knight: Silksong, presumably with major gameplay improvements, is tantalizing. Based on the trailers alone, this looks like a much brighter game with even more horror-inspired bosses to fight. The fact that we’re also using Hornet this time is intriguing, given how she acted as both enemy and ally in that original title.
Can’t Switch Off My Love
It bears repeating, but having Hollow Knight: Silksong on the original Switch is special. Sure, the game won’t look as good when compared to the Switch 2 or PC versions, but that won’t matter; just continuing the legacy of this special title on the system that made its predecessor legendary is worth celebrating.
As somebody who is going through some major life milestones and can’t get a Switch 2 right away, having this highly anticipated sequel on my Switch OLED means the world to me. You can say that it’s out of convenience or money, but I wouldn’t be surprised if this was one of the last Switch games I ever bought.
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