The last year brought multiple awesome titles to Nintendo Switch making it tough to select only one as the best. While the hybrid console has its limitations, game developers have released masterpiece after masterpiece despite that. But with so many options available, where to even start? Worry not, here’s our list of the best Nintendo Switch games that you should not miss out on. The games mentioned here are based on our favorites, as well as those with critical acclaim, award wins, and great player reception.
We’ve not only included recent releases but dived back to some iconic titles across various genres from the last few years. So, if you’ve recently bought a new console or want to get back to it in full force, here are all the best Switch games to play first.
Best Nintendo Switch Games
Scroll through the entire list and you’ll surely find something that you may like because Nintendo Switch has something for every kind of gamer.
22. Advance Wars 1+2 Re-Boot Camp
Advance Wars 1+2 Re-Boot Camp is a 2023 remake of the beloved turn-based strategy series Advance Wars (2001) and Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising (2003). If you’re into the classic military-themed strategy games but wished they had a modern touch, well, now they do! Advance Wars 1+2 Re-Boot Camp adds better visuals as well as a revamped soundtrack and new features. This is the best choice for veteran gamers or for those who want to try out this genre.
21. Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a platform-adventure game that is a sequel to the critically acclaimed Ori and the Blind Forest. In this breathtaking game with a heartfelt story, you guide a little spirit named Ori through an emotional journey packed with dangerous enemies, challenging puzzles, and more.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps is not just a visual feast; it’s a game that goes into themes of loss, resilience, love, and the power of hope in tough times.
20. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is a fighting game crossover that features a massive roster of over 80 iconic characters from all over gaming. Yep, this includes characters from Pokemon, Metroid, Mario, Sonic, Final Fantasy, Street Fighter, and even Animal Crossing and Splatoon.
If you’re looking for the best Nintendo Switch game where you can battle your friends and family in classic brawls or team up with them, this one’s for you. The controls are easy, so all types of gamers can pick this one up and have endless variety so you’ll never get bored.
19. Celeste
If you’re looking for a pixel art platformer, we recommend Celeste. It’s a critically acclaimed, award-winning indie platformer with challenging gameplay, a heartwarming story, and stunning pixel art visuals.
In this game, you must help Madeline overcome her anxieties and self-doubt as she ascends Celeste Mountain. Through her journey, you’ll encounter themes of depression, fear, and ultimately, self-acceptance and empowerment. While the game’s controls look simple, you will need pixel-perfect precision which brings the challenge to the gameplay.
18. Undertale
Undertale is not your typical RPG experience; this one goes off the beaten path in its gameplay. It’s a whimsical underground world populated by monsters. But in this world, violence isn’t always needed – sometimes friendship and mercy are the answers you need.
In Undertale, you can befriend monsters instead of fighting them, leading to unique encounters and dialogue options. What makes it different is that tour choices have real consequences, affecting the relationships with the monsters and changing the course of the story. So, if you are looking for something different, Undertale should be your choice.
17. Bayonetta 2
Bayonetta 2 is a stylish and action-packed hack-and-slash video game that continues the adventures of the protagonist Bayonetta. She’s a powerful heroine who wields magical guns and takes out demons with acrobatic combos, all with a sassy attitude to match.
Do note that Bayonetta 2 has been rated “M” for Mature, that is, for players over the age of 17.
16. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a leveled-up version of the game Mario Kart 8 for the Nintendo Switch. Released in 2017, it brings back everything you loved about the original and throws in a whole lot more, making it the ultimate kart racing experience for friends and family.
It has a number of your favorite Nintendo characters including Mario, Luigi as well as Link and Splatoon’s Inklings. As you pick up the easy controls, your next task is to master drifting, figuring out the best item strategies, and knowing the track like the back of your hand.
There are multiple difficulty levels and assist options so that players of all ages and skill levels can enjoy the thrill of the race in local or online multiplayer modes.
15. Sonic Mania Plus
Want to relive the classic Sonic the Hedgehog experience? Sonic Mania Plus is a pixel art remaster that lets you do exactly that. This game brings back the side-scrolling speed and charm of the Genesis era with a modern twist.
You can play as Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles as you speed past through familiar zones as well as some new ones you’ve never seen before. There are quite a few hidden secrets that you must discover, ensuring that the game feels fresh throughout.
14. Hades
Love fast-paced combat and super challenging gameplay? Hades is a must-pick. It’s a roguelike where you play as Zagreus, the immortal son of Hades, the Greek god of the underworld. You want to escape the Underworld and reach Mount Olympus, defying your father, but the road towards an exit isn’t so easy.
This game features an addictive gameplay loop if you’re into similar games. Each time you die, you return to the start of the Underworld but you keep some experience and boosts from your previous runs. This lets you try another run but with better strategy and hopefully, better results! It helps that Zagreus is a charming protagonist, and his interactions with the gods are often witty.
13. Persona 5 Royal
Anyone who’d heard of JRPGs has heard about Persona games and the Phantom Thieves. Persona 5 Royal boasts a stylish aesthetic, a compelling story about teenage rebellion, and fun turn-based combat. It combines a story of high school life with supernatural encounters, along with refined combat mechanics, and is bound to be an engaging experience for gamers.
12. Super Mario Odyssey
Super Mario Odyssey is an innovative 3D platformer, making its return to the open-world exploration style of classics like Super Mario 64.
The core mechanic revolves around Cappy, Mario’s sentient hat that allows him to capture and control various creatures and objects. This opens up a world of possibilities, from controlling Goombas to Bullet Bills, setting up for hilarious situations.
Moreover, each “captured” character comes gets its own unique movement abilities and special powers, keeping the gameplay constantly surprising and engaging.
11. Persona 4 Golden
Another Persona game on our list is Persona 4 Golden! Similar to other titles, this story is a journey of self-discovery and supernatural mysteries alongside a group of high school students. Since Persona 4 Golden is an enhanced and definitive edition of the critically acclaimed JRPG Persona 4, it brings along a remastered soundtrack, visual upgrade, reworked battle mechanics, and various quality-of-life improvements.
10. Vampire Survivors
Vampire Survivors is an addictive roguelike with minimalist pixel art and fast-paced action gameplay. It’s taken the world by storm and rightly so! It might seem simple at first but once you understand the gameplay loop, you will find yourself hooked for hours.
It’s a frantic bullet-hell action where you fight endless hordes of enemies, unlock new characters and abilities, and see how long you can survive the ordeal. While getting into the game is easy, mastering it needs precise movement, strategic power-up choices, and an understanding of how enemy waves spawn and move. If you’re interested in this genre, Vampire Survivors is one of the best Nintendo Switch games to play this year.
9. Pikmin 4
Pikmin 4 is a real-time strategy series that follows the core gameplay of guiding cute Pikmins as they overcome hurdles and collect various treasures. It’s got puzzles, interesting obstacles, and familiar Pikmin types like Red, Yellow, Blue, and Purple. Plus, two brand new Pikmin types Ice Pikmin and Glow Pikmin also join the list this time.
In a nutshell, Pikmin 4 is a delightful evolution of the series, retaining its strategic gameplay while introducing fresh elements and accessibility options.
8. Super Mario RPG
This charming SNES RPG gets a long-awaited port to the Switch. In this game, you team up with Mario, Mallow, and the gang to save the Mushroom Kingdom from the evil Smithy Gang. This 16-bit adventure features the classic turn-based combat and stays faithful to the original, ensuring that OG fans feel right at home. It’s the quirky charm that comes together with upgraded visuals that pulls in veteran gamers as well as newcomers.
Do note that the remake isn’t just a reskin. It includes several quality-of-life improvements, like faster menus, adjustable difficulty, and much more. It’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games for Mario fans.
7. Sea of Stars
A love letter to classic JRPGs like Chrono Trigger, Sea of Stars (developed by Sabotage Studio) boasts charming pixel art, a captivating story, puzzle-solving, and turn-based combat. Set in the same universe as their previous game, The Messenger, it tells the story of two Children of the Solstice who combine the powers of the sun and moon to fight monsters created by an evil alchemist.
6. Xenoblade Chronicles 3
This JRPG epic boasts a massive open world, a complex combat system, and an engrossing story about two warring nations on the brink of destruction. The story takes place in the world of Ionios, where two nations, Keves and Agnus, are locked in perpetual war. Players take on the roles of Noah and Mio, soldiers from opposing sides who must team up to unravel a dark secret behind the conflict.
5. Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Super Mario Bros. Wonder is one of the most creative Mario games to ever release. It’s a 2D side-scrolling platformer featuring the iconic elements that fans have loved for decades with surprises on every level. Mario can transform into different versions of himself which can help him take on enemies via unique abilities.
If you’re a fan of classic Mario games or simply looking for a fun and colorful platformer to enjoy, Super Mario Bros. Wonder is definitely worth checking out. It offers a familiar yet refreshing experience with plenty of surprises and challenges to keep you entertained.
4. Pokemon Games
There are quite a few Pokémon games available on the Nintendo Switch, offering variety for different preferences and experiences. There’s Pokémon Scarlet and Violet which offers a truly open-world experience with new Pokemon, then there’s Pokémon Legends: Arceus which takes players back to the ancient Hisui region and unique gameplay mechanics like crafting and direct Pokémon capture. You can also try Pokémon Sword and Shield which includes the Galar region and new Dynamax and Gigantamax mechanics. The choice is yours!
3. Metroid Prime Remastered
Metroid Prime Remastered brings Samus Aran’s thrilling hunt on Tallon IV to the Nintendo Switch with modern enhancements and a fresh coat of paint. It features a graphical upgrade giving modern details to Samus’ Power Suit.
While you can still opt for the classic GameCube-style controls, Metroid Prime Remastered introduces dual-analog controls for a more familiar feel for modern players. The core gameplay of Metroid Prime Remastered remains faithful to the original and so, this adventure deserves to be played.
2. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is the highly anticipated sequel to the critically acclaimed Breath of the Wild. The world of Hyrule returns but this time, it adds even more verticality. Link can now explore floating islands and traverse the skies with new abilities, adding a whole new dimension to the exploration.
While combat may seem similar to BOTW, there’s an addition of new abilities that give the game a fresh aspect. Link can control objects with his Ultrahand, fuse items together to create new tools, and even rewind time. Plus, you also get innovative Zonai devices with which traversal becomes so much more interesting. All of these, combined with crafting, puzzle-solving, construction of structures, and boss fights, the game will constantly keep you on your toes.
1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Released in 2017, Breath of the Wild marks a groundbreaking entry in the Zelda series, offering a vast and dynamic world filled with exploration, discovery, and thrilling combat. Hyrule, the kingdom once brimming with life, is in ruins after a century-long calamity. You step into the shoes of Link, the hero who has woken up from deep slumber and one who has no memories. However, he’s tasked with saving Princess Zelda and uncovering the secrets of the past.
There’s just so much to do in this game. You can climb towering cliffs, paraglide through canyons, swim through rivers, clear shrines, and discover hidden secrets. Every path promises unique and unforgettable experiences. For this reason, BOTW tops our list of the best Nintendo Switch games.
And there you have it! Hopefully, our list helped you make a decision (or multiple!) and you’re ready to dive into some captivating stories, innovative gameplay, and masterpieces of video game design. For more such lists, be sure to check out our Features category.