BEST CONSOLE EXCLUSIVE
Previous Winners
2018: Super Smash Bros: Ultimate
Last year was the first time we added this category, combining the various console exclusive categories into one category all its own. We did this because there really aren’t many console exclusives these days. There are quite a few once exclusive PlayStation games that have been ported to PC. Some of those games have also been announced as headed to Xbox soon. Not to mention all of the new games that now release on both Nintendo Switch and PS4 right from the start. That aside, let’s get on to our top three nominees for best console exclusive.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses
NA Release Date: July 26th 2019
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch
Review
Fire Emblem: Three Houses is the latest entry in the Fire Emblem series. I think a lot of fans were tired of where the series had gone on 3DS and we were ready for Nintendo to really update the series again and do something different. The events of this latest entry transpire in a place called Fódlan, where the land is separated into three different nations. As it so happens, the future leaders of those nations are all attending school together and you as the player are given the choice of whose class you wish to teach. As the story progresses, lines in the sand will be drawn and ultimately, the class you chose will be the side you’ve taken, which gives FE3H multiple story paths to experience.
Pokémon Sword and Shield
NA Release Date: November 15th, 2019
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch
Review
Pokémon Sword and Shield has had a lot of controversy with the changes Game Freak made to the series, mainly the stuff they’ve taken out. Nonetheless, they are still huge new Pokémon games, the very first of the traditionally paired entries to release on a home console. Yes, the Switch is a hybrid system, but it doesn’t change the fact that it’s given developers the chance to make and release much fancier, more home console sized games. Sword and Shield are the start of the 8th generation of Pokémon and received huge new features, such as the Wild Area, which resembles a more open world RPG. I believe those of us here who have gotten to try out the newest generation have found a lot to have fun with and enjoy regardless of the flaws. And thus, Pokémon Sword and Shield has earned its spot in our top three.
Tetris 99
NA Release Date: February 13th, 2019
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch
Battle royale games have become somewhat of a thing in recent years. Tetris 99 has put a unique twist on it though, taking classic Tetris puzzle gameplay and pitting you against 98 other very real players across the globe. You will find yourself in the most extreme endurance test of puzzle gaming, where you’ll try to plan for big moves to take out the competition, but also not want to wait so long that you get taken out first. Those who’ve experienced Tetris 99 this past year have surely found it to be a fun challenge. Each match goes by quick and every loss motivates you to try that much harder to move up the ranks.
And this year’s best console exclusive is…
Fire Emblem: Three Houses!
The newest Fire Emblem has successfully evolved the series yet again. Some of us Fire Emblem fans, myself in particular, had our doubts about how good it would be, and didn’t expect anything truly spectacular. Fortunately, FE3H turned out to be one of the most fun games of 2019 by far. It got rid of what it needed to from the 3DS era of the series, kept newer quality of life features which were still a welcome addition and topped it off with an engaging and exciting story, characters and a whole lot of replayability aspects. It has absolutely earned its win as our best console exclusive of 2019.
