Summary
Throughout its life cycle, the Nintendo Switch has been one of the best consoles on the market. One of the reasons for its consistency has been itshigh-quality software library, as it featured one of the best launch years that any console has seen, and has produced some spectacular games. Some of these games have been able to live past their expiration date, as well, as they have featured some outstanding examples of post-game content in the industry.
The ending of these games almost feels like the beginning, whether it’s content that requires endgame completion or even completing the list of leftover tasks from the main game. Some of them have offered full-blown, story-based adventures that feel like their own games, while others have offered content that rivals the activities from the base experience. Post-game content on the Switch was some of the best one could find during its lifespan, and it’s just one of many reasons that this incredible piece of hardware has become the phenomenon it has.
Astral Chainwas published and funded by Nintendo, who requestedPlatinumGames to create a difficultaction game for the Switch. And as they always have been, Platinum was more than up to the task, creating one of the Switch’s best titles in 2019. With its post-game content,Astral Chainoffered some truly fantastic ways to extend the life of this unique experience.
The main story contains 11 chapters, known as “Files”, but a new one becomes available after completing the main game. File 12 is a series of increasingly more challenging combat missions, with each one escalating the difficulty. The end of File 12 also offers a brand new, secret boss that grants a new ending. It also offers PT Ultimate, a new, much harder difficulty setting that is absolutely worth diving into.
ThePokemonfranchise is well known for its commitment to post-game content, as dating all the way back toRedandBlue, this iconic monster-catching series has allowed players to continue playing after the credits roll. WithSwordandShield, released on Switch in 2019, GameFreak offered some of the best post-game content that the franchise has seen sinceHeartGoldandSoulSilver.
After becomingPokemonChampion, one of the first orders of business in the Galar Region is the Legendary Quest. Completing it will grant the player the legendaries, Zacian and Zamazenta depending on whether one is playingSwordorShield. Additionally, acquiring the Master Ball from Professor Magnolia, filling out the League Cards, catchingall the ShinyPokemonand breeding are some of the most fun things to do once the adventure in Galar has ended.
Initially discussed during the development of the second game,Xenoblade Chronicles 3took steps to bridge some of the gaps between the games, even going so far as to include fan-favorite Shulk from the first game in a DLC calledFuture Redeemed. In terms of its post-game,Xenoblade Chronicles 3featured even more direct links between the games and offered some fantastic pieces of content along the way.
After the credits roll inXenoblade Chronicles 3, players can explore the vast world of Aionios and recruit Melia fromXC1to their team. Another post-game character, Nia fromXC2, is a welcome addition to the team and players can also unlock the Monado, Shulk’s powerful sword. It also has a terrific New Game Plus option, re-spawning all the unique monsters and setting players back on oneof gaming’s greatest adventures.
InMario’sfirst adventure for their newest hardware, Nintendo EPD pulled out all the stops and produced what is still one of the finest 3D platformers of all time.WithSuper Mario Odyssey, the journey through distant lands, known as kingdoms, ended in spectacular fashion, leading to the game’s outstanding host of post-game content.
Starting with three new kingdoms,Odyssey’sgreatest challenge in its post-game is the Darker Side of the Moon, a brutally difficult test of everything the player has learned to this point. It makes use of all of Mario’s skills and Cappy in order to survive. Meanwhile, exploring aSuper Mario 64-inspired version of the Mushroom Kingdom and Peach’s castle is a delight, while new costumes become available at the Crazy Cap Shop.
Despite beingone of the best gameson the Nintendo Wii,Xenoblade Chronicleswas in need of some refinement and Monolith Soft did just that in 2020, launching an upgraded version of the game on the Switch. Labeled as theDefinitive Edition, the Switch version ofXenoblade Chroniclesalso features the same post-game content as the original, but with a few new surprises.
With the Switch version, Monolith Soft added an entirely new campaign that takes place after the main game, known asFuture Connected. Reconnecting with the fan-favorite characters is wonderful, as it has been quite some time since the original release on the Wii in 2010. Additionally, tackling the newly opened area of the Tephra Cave is fantastic and can prepare the player for finding the numerous optional superbosses. It’s still one of the best games on the Switch, and it features the most engaging post-game experiences on the platform.
