5 days ago
Switch 2 has a secret feature that's perfect for an overlooked genre
Aside from its docked, handheld, and tabletop modes, Nintendo has unintentionally created a fourth way of playing games on Switch 2.
Everyone knows the Nintendo Switch can be played in one of three different ways: connected to your TV via the dock, as a handheld, and in tabletop mode where you use its kickstand to rest it on a table.
This all applies to the Nintendo Switch 2 as well, but it has a different and more versatile stand, which anyone who's played Welcome Tour will know is made of a special high strength metal.
As such, it's been discovered that there's a secret fourth way of playing the Switch 2; one Nintendo probably didn't even mean to make and yet is an ideal set up for playing vertical shooters… and Donkey Kong 3.
If you remove the Joy-Con 2 controllers and turn the kickstand 90° you can stand the Switch 2 on your desk or table vertically. It's extremely stable, and just leans a little, back because the stand isn't flush with the end of the console.
As regular readers will know, we love our vertical shooters and the Switch 1 is home to a decent number of them, even if there are even more in the Japanese eShop than here.
This includes the likes of genre classic Ikaruga, the Psikyo Shooting Stars Alpha and Bravo collections, and Vasara Collection; all of which can run on Switch 2 through backwards compatibility.
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These games already came with TATE (*tate* is Japanese for 'vertical') mode support, which allows them to be played when the Switch is rotated vertically. This was something certain older TVs used to be able to do, for the same reason. 1942 series (as part of Capcom Arcade Stadium)
AngerForce: Reloaded
Arcade Archives Alpha Mission
Arcade Archives Argus
Arcade Archives Donkey Kong 3
Arcade Archives Front Line
Arcade Archives Heroic Episode
Arcade Archives Image Fight
Arcade Archives Omega Fighter
Arcade Archives Star Force
Arcade Archives Terra Cresta
Arcade Archives Xevious
Atari Flashback Classics
Commando (as part of Capcom Arcade Stadium)
Contra Anniversary Collection
Danmaku Unlimited 3
DoDonPachi Resurrection
DoDonPachi SaiDaiOuJou (unconfirmed)
Downwell
Dragon Blaze
Ghost Blade HD
Gunbarich
Gunbird
Gunbird 2
Horizon Shift '81
Ikaruga
Konami Anniversary Collection: Arcade Classics
Namco Museum
Psikyo Shooting Stars Alpha & Bravo collections
Psyvariar Delta
Raiden 4 X Mikado Remix
Samurai Aces
Sega Ages: Gain Ground
SNK 40th Anniversary Collection
Sol Cresta
Strikers1945 For Nintendo Switch
ACA NEOGEO Strikers 1945 Plus
Strikers 1945 2 for Nintendo Switch
Strikers 1945 3 for Nintendo Switch
Vasara Collection
There may well be more, so if you know that TATE mode works with a Switch game do let us know and we'll update this list.
While these games could be played like this on Switch 1, you couldn't rest it on a table with the kickstand, which prompted someone to design an accessory called the Flip Grip, which can be slotted into the Joy-Con rails.
This accessory isn't compatible with Switch 2, since the Joy-Con 2s attach via magnets, but it's arguably no longer necessary since the Switch 2 feels tailor made for TATE mode.
We first spotted this over on ResetEra but had to test it for ourselves and are pleased to report that it works incredibly well with the sturdier stand. More Trending
Ikaruga automatically detects when the Switch 2 is vertical and reorients itself, which is great, though we also tried Raiden 5 which, tragically, lacks a TATE mode and thus won't change no matter how many times you spin the console.
We've half a mind to believe this was intentional on Nintendo's part, but the company has never acknowledged this as a potential function for the console. Although Donkey Kong 3 does have a TATE mode, so it's not like they've never made their games that way.
Regardless, this could make the Switch 2 the go-to console for vertical shooter fans and encourage studios to ensure any new vertical shooters or retro collections get a Switch 2 release and come with a TATE mode option.
At the very least, we'd love to see Japan exclusive games receive dedicated Western releases. There are a number of vertical shooters that are regrettably only available on the Japanese Nintendo eShop, including gems like 1998's ESP Psi.
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