When it comes to potential games Nintendo could port to the Switch, most of the time the conversation centers around Wii U titles. However, Nintendo may also want to look to its 3DS library of games for potential titles that it could bring to the Switch in order to boost its current system's lineup.
A number of recent Nintendo trademark renewals have fueled some speculation that Nintendo may be considering just that, whether through its Switch Online service or releasing the games as individual purchases, not unlike how it brought original DS games to the Wii U. Of course, it's also possible that Nintendo has absolutely no intention of porting any of its big 3DS games to the Switch, and so fans should keep that in mind as well.
If Nintendo did decide to bring some of its 3DS games to the Switch, here are the titles that would be the most exciting.
Bravely Default Series
Square Enix uses its Final Fantasy series to experiment with traditional JRPG game mechanics, and it's gotten to the point that new games in the series don't really resemble the original FF games at all. To satiate classic JRPG fans, Square Enix has started the Bravely Default series, releasing both Bravely Default and Bravely Default: Second Layer to positive reviews on the Nintendo 3DS. Now Square Enix has announced Bravely Default 2 for the Switch, but Switch owners who never owned a 3DS will be missing out on the original titles. By bringing the first two Bravely Default games to the Switch, Square Enix could potentially create new franchise fans and convince more people to pick up Bravely Default 2 than would have otherwise.
Fire Emblem: Awakening
Prior to Fire Emblem: Awakening, Nintendo's turn-based strategy series was fairly niche. The innovations made by Fire Emblem: Awakening thrust the franchise into the mainstream, and as a result, it has become one of the best-selling Fire Emblem games to date. Unfortunately, Fire Emblem: Awakening is still pretty expensive if anyone wants to pick up the retail version, with it now going for $50 despite being eight years old. The inflated cost of admission for Fire Emblem: Awakening may very well be keeping some gamers from checking it out, so a Switch port could go a long way in breaking down that barrier.
Fire Emblem Fates
The critical and commercial success of Fire Emblem: Awakening saw Nintendo commission Intelligent Systems to get to work on the next game in the series right away. The massive Fire Emblem Fates actually ended up being split into three distinct games, and so a Switch port provides the opportunity to collect the entire story together in one package. It would be similar in scale to Fire Emblem: Three Houses, and could go a long way in tiding Fire Emblem fans over while they wait for a proper new entry in the long-running tactical RPG series.
Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon
Last year, Luigi's Mansion 3 launched on the Switch to rave reviews, with many hailing it as one of the 2019's best games. Unfortunately, the other two Luigi's Mansion games are largely inaccessible on modern platforms, with the original Luigi's Mansion trapped on the GameCube and Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon exclusive to the 3DS. The bright side is that Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon can be purchased for the 3DS relatively cheap compared to some other older 3DS games, but that doesn't mean much if fans don't have a 3DS to play it. Bringing Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon (and the original Luigi's Mansion, for that matter) to the Switch could help Nintendo capitalize on the popularity of Luigi's Mansion 3 while also introducing the games to a brand new audience.
Metroid: Samus Returns
One of the first games announced for the Nintendo Switch was Metroid Prime 4, but the game is likely years away from release. While Bandai Namco Entertainment was originally developing it, development on the project has been rebooted, with the reigns handed over to Retro Studios. In the meantime, Metroid: Samus Returns, a remake of the Game Boy's Metroid 2: Return of Samus, just released for the 3DS a few years ago. Since Metroid: Samus Returns launched months after the Switch, it's always been a head-scratcher as to why Nintendo opted to have it skip its new console, but bringing it and the Metroid Prime Trilogy to Switch could help keep fans busy while they continue the long wait for Metroid Prime 4.
Pokemon X and Y
Pokemon Sun and Moon are still fairly easy to find in stores, but Pokemon X and Y are a little rarer. X and Y are notable for being two of the highest-scoring Pokemon games released to date, while making a number of significant innovations for the franchise. This includes the introduction of fairy-type Pokemon, upgrading the graphics significantly, and introducing the Mega Evolution mechanic. Nintendo never released the traditional "third" game for Pokemon X and Y, so the Switch provides a great opportunity for it to do so. Of course, some fans may be upset if Nintendo leapfrogged the long-awaited Pokemon Diamond and Pearl remakes for X and Y, but even a simple port would likely appease fans of the franchise.
Pushmo Series
The 3DS eShop may not have had as many runaway hits as one would have hoped, but it did have some popular games nevertheless. This includes the Pushmo series of puzzle games that all took full advantage of the 3DS' 3D functionality. The problem with porting Pushmo and its sequels is how much the games relied on the 3D gimmick, but some tweaks could make ports of the games feasible. A collection featuring Pushmo, Crashmo, the Wii U's Pushmo World, and Stretchmo would be ideal, but even individual releases would be nice and much-appreciated by fans of the underrated puzzle game franchise.
Super Mario 3D Land
Nintendo has a history of re-releasing almost all of its Super Mario series games, with a couple of notable exceptions. Super Mario Sunshine is still trapped on the GameCube, and Super Mario 3D Land has never been brought to a platform other than the 3DS. Super Mario 3D Land is a bite-sized take on the Super Mario Galaxy-style gameplay, and while there were aspects of it that would simply not work without 3D technology, the game is still fun enough to warrant a Switch port of some kind. Nintendo is rumored to be celebrating the Super Mario franchise's 35th anniversary in a big way in 2020, and a Super Mario 3D Land port could be the perfect way to celebrate.
The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
The 3DS received a couple of brand new Zelda games, with one being Tri Force Heroes, which received mixed reviews at the time of its release. The other was The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, which launched to widespread acclaim from critics and fans alike. A direct sequel to the beloved Super Nintendo game A Link to the Past, A Link Between Worlds is considered by many to be one of the best handheld Zelda games ever, and is notable for making some significant innovations to Nintendo's long-running franchise. Perhaps a remake with an art style similarly to the Switch's Link's Awakening remake is in order.
The Legend of Zelda Nintendo 64 Remakes
Two of the highest-rated 3DS games were actually originally released for the Nintendo 64. First Nintendo remade The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for the 3DS with enhanced visuals and new gameplay features, which was very well-received by fans of the franchise. And then Nintendo followed that up with a similar remake for The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, upping the graphics and adding a number of quality-of-life improvements to make the overall experience more enjoyable for Zelda enthusiasts.
If the Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask remakes were to come to the Switch, they would likely need some more graphical upgrades, but the gameplay could otherwise stay the same. Nintendo could even include some of the optional motion controls that were added for the 3DS versions of the games.