Wednesday saw a slew of gaming news and announcements at the February Nintendo Direct, with the announcement of Portal: Companion Collection offering ports of bothPortalandPortal 2for the Nintendo Switch and Switch Lite this year.
With this classic puzzle-platformer game soon being available for Nintendo Switch users, it is a wonder this particular port has taken so long, with the gameplay ofPortalcomplimenting the experience that the Switch has become known for so well.
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Portal’s Praised Puzzle Gameplay
Fans have often praisedPortalas one of the most revolutionary and well-received puzzle gamesof all time. Originally releasing back in 2007, the game pioneered and combined multiple facets of puzzle games to create a first-person puzzle-platformer with a distinct escape room-style experience.
The concept of the game is simple enough, with the player only having one tool at their disposal,the now-famous portal gun. Using this portal gun to transport objects and yourself through multi-layered and physics-based test chambers, the game becomes increasingly difficult over time, with the addition of more complex tests and increasingly lethal and frequent obstacles.
That being said, the game does not just have its gameplay to thank for its legacy and success, but also the world building and lore behind the precarious tests the player is forced to endure and overcome.Portalis set inside the Aperture Science Enrichment Center, a rival facility to theHalf-Lifeseries’Black Mesa, withbothHalf-LifeandPortalexisting in the same shared universe. Players are then guided through the facility by the increasingly-ominous AI GLaDOS, who’s initially cheerful and research-oriented personality eerily turns maniacal and psychologically tormenting as the game progresses.
As the game gradually turns from completing test chambers in the name of science to thinking on your feet to solve puzzles in life or death situations, the way players must approach and think about the tasks at hand is constantly shifting and evolving. This aspect lends credence to the legacy thatPortalstill possesses to this day.
Portal And Nintendo Switch: A Perfect Match
With this classicPortalexperience returning with a modern release, the Nintendo Switch makes sense as a platform for Valve’s puzzle platformer. The game, being 15 years old, can be easily optimized and ported over to the handheld-capable console. This is further evidenced in the vastAssassin’s Creed: The Ezio Collectioncoming to Nintendo Switchconsoles this month, showcasing the capability of the console’s hardware.
On top of that, the Switch has fostered a reputation for adding this kind of bite-sized, mentally stimulating puzzle games to its library over time. Considering the originalPortaltakes only three hours to complete, the iconic level of puzzle-quality and storytelling perfectly fits the parameters for the Nintendo Switch’s library.
Additionally,Portalcomplements the Switch’s focus on wireless and on-the-go versatility as well. The aforementioned high quality and relatively fast completion time make it the perfect title to play during long journeys or other scenarios in which gamers may find their Switch in their hands. WithPortal 2getting polished for its availability on the Steam Deck, it is clear thatPortaland its gameplay is a perfect addition for the handheld market, with the Switch being no exception.
Portal: Companion Collectionis set for a 2022 release date on the Nintendo Switch.
