Nintendo switch ported games are a fun and enjoyable experience. A well-made port can bring a classic game to the table or bridge the gap between older consoles like the Nintendo switch and newer consoles like Xbox one X. What makes them so special? They’re best when they are done by a seasoned developer who knows what they are doing. The developers are usually given the original code to a game, and they’re expected to translate it into another language. After the translation has been completed, they’re tasked with testing the game to make sure that everything works properly.
How to port games to consoles?
To port a game to a console, first, it’s imperative that the developer talks with the developer of the original console to make sure everything works on their hardware. If the hardware is not compatible with the game, then porting it for one of these consoles can be incredibly difficult. The following are some of the steps on how to port games to consoles.
1. The developer must have a physical copy of the original game on a cartridge or disc
This is the single most important thing that needs to happen before someone can actually port a game. The original console that developed the game will usually make it available in a digital format on their website. The developer must then download this version and make a copy for themselves.
2. Find out the compiler for the original game, and purchase it
The programmer doesn’t need to know how to write on another developer’s system, but they will need to know how to use their own. Most compilers are available online, usually at large development sites like Github or Google Code. These sites have numerous free libraries available for any programmer who wants access to them.
3. Download the original game’s code and run it in the compiler
Now that the developer has purchased a compiler, they can download the entire source code for an original game from a large archive site such as Archive.org. The source code will include every line of code for the game, and it will need to be translated into portable C++.
4. Start writing new code that translates everything in their old compiler to their new one
This is where all of the work starts to happen. After downloading the source code, they need to read through it and try to understand all of the different functions, variables, methods and more so they can translate it into their language.
5. Make sure everything is in the correct format
If the developer needs to change a variable’s value, they need to make sure that it’s changed to a different variable. There are many different rules when it comes to how variables work, and the developer must be careful not to break any of them. After making sure that everything looks right, they need to make sure their new code will translate correctly into their new compiler. This step is what most people forget about when porting games from one console to another, but it’s very important.
6. Write the new code
This is where it gets really fun. The developer can now write the new code that will translate everything in their compiler to a different system. This usually goes by quickly, and the developer gets to work on the final product. Once it’s all done, they can begin sending out beta versions for feedback and testing by others.
7. Make sure there are no conflicts when running code on different consoles and devices
The developer must double check that everything works between all of the various consoles and devices they are going to be releasing their game on. It’s important that this happens because a bug or problem can cause problems for everyone who plays the game.
8. Upload the game to the source code archive
After all of the game’s code has been translated, it must be uploaded to an archive site so that it can be downloaded and used by others. The developer should make sure that everything is done correctly before they upload their files to the website.
9. Start marketing and selling your game on exchange sites like Steam or Humble Bundle
The developer needs to start promoting their game so that people will know about it and try it out when they’re looking for games to play on their console of choice. There are many different marketing sites online where people can post ads for games, as well as sell them directly at places like Humble Bundle or on Steam.
10. Continue promoting and selling your game, and play the long game
This is where many developers stop making money from their games. They should continue to develop their games and make sure that things are updated for any necessary changes, bugs or glitches that could be upcoming in future releases. If there’s something like a new console coming out, they will want to make sure that they can port their game before it hits store shelves. The developer will also want to talk with the console manufacturers to make sure everything goes well when it comes time to release a new version of the game on a special edition console.
11. Release multiple updates to the game
After a while, some games will start to become outdated. The developer can do this by releasing an update that translates all the code into the new version of their preferred language or system. This step is very important when it comes to any game that is being played on a number of different devices and consoles.
12. Make sure you’re getting paid for your work
If you’re working for someone else, make sure they are paying you for everything you are doing on and off the clock because of your skills as a programmer, as well as how much time you put into translating their game over to another console or device.
Final words
This is how to port games to consoles. It’s a fun and exciting process that requires a lot of work and attention to detail, but it’s something that every developer should strive for. A game as good as this is something that everyone wants to play when they use one of these systems, so developers who know what they’re doing will always be in demand.