When we talk about a shadow dropped game, we’re referring to when a video game is released without any prior announcement or marketing. We saw it earlier this year whenThe Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remasteredwas released immediately after its reveal.
Companies shadow drop a game to capitalize on peak excitement. There’s nothing like the thrill of watching a trailer for a new game only to be told that it’s available now. There’s no need to wait; we can dive right into the action.
The concept of shadow dropping games has become more common, especially with remasters or ports. It makes sense; these are games where we already know how beloved and iconic they are, so releasing them immediately after their big reveal makes perfect sense.
With that in mind, we did some digging through the history of video games and came up with the best shadow dropped games of all time.
Shadow Dropping Oblivion Remastered “Buried” Indie Games According To One Publisher
The company co-founder does have a very valid point.
9Unravel Two
A Charming Co-op Drop
Unravel Two
2016’sUnravelwas a pleasant surprise from the Electronic Arts portfolio. Itssequel improved on the originalin virtually every way.
This is a game that feels like it was designed from the top down to be played with two players. While It Takes Two and Split Fiction may get all the headlines today, there’s no denying the impact Unravel Two had on the co-op genre at the end of the 2010s.
Before the co-op platform genre really took off at the start of this decade, there was a certain stigma around these types of games. Was it worth investing all the time and money for a wholly cooperative experience at the cost of a single-player adventure? The answer is a resounding yes.
Developer Coldwood Interactive deserves all the kudos and praise for listening to player feedback from the original game and directly addressing the concerns in the sequel. It’s a textbook example of how a sequel can improve on its predecessor. Being able to dive back into the world of Unravel on the same day as its announcement was an absolute treat.
8Halo Infinite Multiplayer
Take Me Back
Halo Infinite
The surprise release ofHalo Infinite’s multiplayer before the game’s official launch was a very welcome one.
Following the disappointment that was Halo 5, Microsoft desperately needed its former flagship franchise to return in a big way.
While thesingle-player campaign may not have aged well, its multiplayer sessions have more in common with the original Halo trilogy than anything else 343 ever developed. Playing Halo Infinite’s multiplayer for the first time felt like traveling back in time to Halo’s glory days.
Halo’s future may be in doubt, but for now, I’m perfectly content to boot up Infinite’s multiplayer every now and then. If Microsoft can build on the momentum and excitement Infinite had on its release, then we’ll be in business.
7Tetris 99
The Battle Royale We Never Knew We Wanted
On February 13th, 2019, a free digital download was made available for a game nobody asked for:Tetris 99.
I love Tetris as much as the next person, but a Tetrisbattle royale? Surely that couldn’t work, right? Well, about that.
Tetris 99 is an excellent twist on the iconic gameplay, adding to the tension as puzzle blocks start to overwhelm you. You’re not just competing against the game itself, but other players as well, as they attack you and throw an endless amount of obstacles in your direction.
Believe it or not, this is one of the games I’ve played the most on my Nintendo Switch 2. Not Mario Kart World, Tetris 99. It’s become a nightly ritual for me to wind down and play a couple of rounds.
6Hollow Knight (Nintendo Switch)
An Indie Gem
Hollow Knight
Fextralife Wiki
Hollow Knightimmediately won people over with its 2017 Windows launch, establishing itself as not just one of the best indie games of all time, but an excellent mash-up of theMetroidvaniaandSoulslikegenres.
However, if you were a console gamer, you were forced to sit on the sidelines. Until June 12th, 2018, that is. Hollow Knight was a pleasantly surprising shadow drop for Nintendo Switch following a Nintendo Direct.
Team Cherry’s masterpiece is a work of art, combining impressive combat and controls influenced by FromSoftware’s best games, and places it in a more traditional, 2D side-scrolling environment.
Combined with its charming aesthetic that’s perfectly juxtaposed alongside the game’s tendency to make you feel like a small, insignificant bug in a big, scary world, Hollow Knight knows how to grab hold of its players and never let go. If, for some reason, you’ve missed out on Hollow Knight, now’s the perfect time to play before Silksong’s release.
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5Apex Legends
One Of The Better Battle Royales On The Market
Apex Legends
It may not beTitanfall, butApex Legendsis the next best thing. It’s all we’re going to get, especially after theRespawn layoffs, so I guess we’re going to have to be okay with that.
Since Apex Legends is a fantastic Battle Royale backed by Respawn’s trademarked fast-paced and high-octane gameplay, I see it as a good thing.
Prior to its February 2019 release, rumors were starting to appear about Respawn’s next project, before officially revealing and releasing Apex Legends out of nowhere.
In addition to its top-notch gameplay, Apex succeeds thanks to its ping system, which makes it easier than ever to communicate with friends, making the ability to play online easier than ever before. Naturally, efficient non-verbal communication leads to more success while playing.
4Ninja Gaiden 2 Black
Clash of Ninja
Ninja Gaiden 2 Black
I mentioned this in myNinja Gaiden 2 Black review: I have no idea why theNinja Gaidenfranchise isn’t seeing mainstream success, given the popularity of the Soulslike genre.
Thankfully, that all might be changing. First, we’re getting Ninja Gaiden 4 later this year. Second, there’s the surprise shadow drop of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black from January, which reminded everyone just how good this game was.
Yes, the original Ninja Gaiden Black gets all the mainstream praise, and for good reason, but the sequel is just as impressive.
It’s a testament to the game’s quality that I was able to overcome its still atrocious camera system and get lost in the game’s combat. This is Ninja Gaiden 2 perfected, offering an excellent balance between accessibility and difficulty while leaning into the over-the-top gore that has you feeling like a true ninja.
3Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered
Return of the King
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered
Someone at Microsoft clearly likes shadow drops, because following Ninja Gaiden Black 2 cameElder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered.
Developed by Bethesda Game Studios and Virtuous, the Oblivion Remaster brings the fabledopen world RPGinto the modern era, overhauling the game’s visuals with Unreal Engine 5.
What truly makes the remaster work, though, is the game’s commitment to staying true to what makes it so beloved. Yes, Oblivion is a fantastic game with an enjoyable gameplay loop, but it’s also pretty janky in certain places.
This is the best kind of remaster: one that updates certain aspects of the game, such as the visuals, leveling system, and other outdated features, while retaining the heart and soul of the original experience.
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2Hi-Fi Rush
Give Me A Beat
Hi-Fi Rush
One of the biggest reasons why Microsoft’s decision to close Tango Gameworks was upsetting, as well as baffling, was the runaway success of their 2023 shadow dropped game,Hi-Fi Rush.
In many ways, this is the type of game I wish Sunset Overdrive (which I still enjoy, mind you) was. It’s oozing with style and personality, all of which do a great job of tying into its musical theme.
The best part about shadow drops is that they let studios experiment with smaller, more focused games instead of massive AAA blockbusters that are bogged down by bloated budgets and marketing campaigns. Hi-Fi Rush feels like a throwback to a forgotten era, with simple yet addictive gameplay that works extremely well.
With the increased focus on AA games, we need more gems like Hi-Fi Rush.
1Metroid Prime Remastered
Perfection
Metroid Prime Remastered
The original Metroid Prime had one flaw: its control scheme was dated and finicky. The 2023 remaster, shadowdropped following a Nintendo Direct, gives us the ability to play Metroid Prime with a more modern control scheme.
That’s literally all they needed to do, and yetMetroid Prime Remasteredis so much more.
This is how I imagined the game looked back in the day. Bringing Metroid Prime’s enhanced HD visuals to the Nintendo Switch hardware nonetheless does an excellent job of making the game shine. It’s one of the Switch’s best looking games and gives other modern titles a run for their money.
Metroid Prime is as good as you remember it, whether you’re like me and playing it again, or my wife, who played it for the first time and immediately fell in love. Here’s to hoping Nintendo gives us the rest of the trilogy on Switch 2.
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