The Nintendo Switch is a great console with plenty of good games, but it can be hard to know which ones are worth your time. There’s a lot of hype surrounding the system and its early success among fans, but what does that mean for you? What are the best games on Nintendo Switch?
The Nintendo Switch is home to a wide selection of both single-player and multiplayer games that run the gamut from side-scrolling platformers to first-person shoot-’em-ups to party games, which means no matter what you like to play, there are plenty of great options for you.
And, if possible, try and grab a friend or three to sit down with when you play – some of the launch titles like 1-2-Switch and Snipperclips are even made for more than one person to play together. Overall, you’re in for quite a ride with this console; it’s already enjoyed a strong first year and there’s more on the way from Nintendo and third parties alike.
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The Nintendo Switch was designed to be taken wherever you go and played whenever you want. Whether you’re on the bus or at a coffee shop, you can enjoy the console’s innovative gameplay on-the-go. The Switch has a wide variety of games available, and the system’s portability makes it easy to have fun anywhere.
There are so many great games to choose from on the Nintendo Switch, it can be hard to know where to start. So I’ve put together a list of the best games for you—the ones that are sure to provide both fun and value. If you’re looking for a new game to play on your Switch, or if you’re trying to figure out which games you want to buy once you’ve already got your hands on the console, I’ve got all the answers you need right here.
What makes these games great is that they can be played with your friends or family members in the same room, or by yourself when you need some downtime. Even though some of the games on this list were created for consoles other than the Nintendo Switch, they work just as well on this system.
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If you’re a fan of open-world exploration games and RPGs, then check out The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. The game has an enormous amount of content and does well at taking advantage of the Switch’s versatile gameplay mechanics—whether you want to use the console in handheld mode or docked with a television, this game is sure to entertain.
The Super Mario Odyssey game is another great choice if you’re into 3D platforming games. As with Breath of the Wild, this game makes use of the Nintendo Switch in unique ways—you can take it with you wherever you go (in handheld mode), and even use your joycons while playing!
These are the 10 best Nintendo Switch games to play
Well, without getting into personal preferences and opinions too much, here’s a list of some of the top titles on the system so far.
1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Best action-adventure Nintendo game)
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (BotW) is an open world video game in the The Legend of Zelda series. The game was released worldwide on March 3, 2017 and sold more than 1.3 million copies in its first week. It was Nintendo’s fastest selling game in company history. The game has been called a masterpiece by several reviewers, with many considering it to be one of the greatest video games of all time.
This is said to be the most ambitious Zelda game ever, as it expands upon the open world concepts of previous entries in the series with a much more detailed and interactive environment while also retaining the familiar elements from previous games like puzzles, dungeons and a focus on exploration. BotW features similar gameplay found in previous installments of the series where players control Link from a third-person perspective, though this time players can use a weapon to attack enemies directly instead of using melee weapons like swords or clubs as in past titles.
Additionally, players can now climb anywhere on top of buildings or other structures, swim in water indefinitely without having to resurface for air, and use different items to help them battle enemies and solve puzzles throughout their adventure.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a huge, magnificent masterpiece. It’s a game that I have spent hours and hours in and will continue to do so. It’s one of the best games I’ve ever played.
2. Metroid Dread
Samus Aran, intergalactic bounty hunter, has been fighting her way across SR388 for the last 25 years. As she ventures deeper into the alien planet’s caverns, Samus will be confronted with a slew of new forms and abilities.
The Metroids are far from the only creatures inhabiting SR388 that are exhilarating to fight and explore. Otherworldly horrors await as you discover more about this dangerous world. As you progress through your adventure, use the morph ball to explore hidden areas and uncover secret paths. You might find power-ups that will help you on your journey or give you a better chance at defeating a difficult boss.
The Metroid series is known for its intense atmosphere and suspenseful gameplay—and Metroid Dread is no different. A haunting soundtrack and constant threat of danger makes every moment thrilling. This can be seen most clearly in Dread’s vivid art style and detailed environments, which create a foreboding atmosphere as you stalk your prey in the darkness.
Playing as Samus Aran brings back fond memories of being a child playing my first Metroid title on my NES console with my brother (who was actually more interested in playing than I was). Memories of our time playing together have stuck with me until today; after all
3. Super Mario Odyssey (Incredible 3D adventure game for Nintendo Switch)
Super Mario Odyssey is not the first Mario game on the Switch, but it’s the first one that gives you a sense of what this console can do. The graphics are stunning, and being able to take your games with you anywhere makes it an ideal device for gaming. It comes with this crazy controller called the “Joy-Con,” which looks like a combination of an Xbox controller and a Wii remote with a screen in it.
It makes playing in handheld mode possible, and also lets you play with two players on one device. That’s right: two people can play together using only one device! The controllers even have motion sensors built in so you can do things like swing them to hit imaginary balls or fight baddies. In fact, there is another character that joins you on your journey named “Cappy” who lets Mario donuts around his body like he’s wearing a cape.
As a lifelong Nintendo fan and someone who grew up with Super Mario Bros., I wasn’t sure what to expect when the company announced a new title in the series for the first time in several years. The last title I’d played in the series was Super Mario 3D Land on my 3DS, and while I loved it, its departure from the classic side-scrolling format had me worried that this would be another example of Nintendo “dumbing down” their classic titles to make them more palatable to kids. However, I was very pleasantly surprised by Super Mario Odyssey. It is by far the most expansive gaming experience that Nintendo has ever delivered.
A huge part of Odyssey’s appeal is that you can play it however you want. There are normal levels where you’re running through familiar Mario terrain (grasslands, snow fields, etc.), but there are also epic boss fights that have you racing against time or taking on massive creatures using all sorts of new powers including being able to possess certain enemies or even use your hat as a weapon. But those aren’t even close to the only ways you can play Odyssey.
4. Pokémon Legends: Arceus (Best RPG game for Nintendo Switch)
If you’re in the market for a new Pokémon game, I have a recommendation! Pokémon Legends: Arceus on the Switch and it’s a great way to scratch your Pokémon itch while also learning some interesting facts about the franchise.
It takes players back to the beginning of Pokémon and lets them relive the story of its first generation. If you’ve never played one of these games before, you’re in for a treat!
There are three modes that you can play in this game. The first is story mode, which is reminiscent of old-school RPGs and allows you to relive the story of how it all began as a person who has just been gifted a pokédex and set out on your journey to become a powerful trainer. Depending on your preferences, you can choose whether you want it to be more like a visual novel where you click through dialogue or like an interactive movie where you move around between dialogue segments.
5. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (Crossover fighting game )
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is the latest in a very long line of fighting games from Nintendo. This one features all of the characters from the previous games, but adds a few new faces to the mix.
This is good for fans who already know and like the characters, but this might be a turn-off for people who have never played these games before and want to get into them now that they’re older and can appreciate the story.
For those of us who are used to Super Smash Bros., it’s easy to pick up and play because we’ve played the other games in the series. The controls are simple, intuitive, and easy to remember.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate also has a single player mode that’s full of challenges that you can do over again if you don’t get them right on your first try. This is good for people who want more to do than just fighting with other people.
The game also has multiple different ways you can play with other people: you can play against each other on one screen or over several different screens, depending on how many TV sets or computers you have set up for multiplayer.
The graphics are shiny and bright and make it easy for us to see our favorite characters battling each other in all their glory.
6. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Must have racing game for Nintendo Switch)
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is all about choice. Not only can you use your Joy Con controllers to play with your friends, but if you prefer to play solo (or if you have a couple of friends coming over, but not enough controllers for everyone), there are ways to play alone or against the computer. The new Battle Mode also allows single players to race alone or in teams of up to four people against other combinations of players and AI opponents.
When it comes to unlocking new characters and vehicles, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe takes a page from Super Smash Bros., where players can unlock characters by playing the game, or they can buy them outright with coins earned from winning races. It’s a refreshing change from the typical “pay-to-win” model that a lot of other games employ.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a solid pick for anyone looking for a fun racing game on Nintendo Switch, and it’s especially great for anyone who is already familiar with previous Mario Kart games. It’s just as much fun as the others, with an added layer of strategy with items and character selection thanks to its new multiplayer modes. It’s a great game to play when you’re waiting in line at the bank, too.
7. Portal: Companion Collection (Great Puzzle game for Nintendo Switch)
Portal: Companion Collection is a game made by Valve, the same company that created Portal and Portal 2. If you love the idea of Portal but feel like you’ve played through all of its levels, Portal: Companion Collection might be right up your alley.
The Portal: Companion Collection is a collection of three games for the Nintendo Switch, all of which are designed to be played with a friend. The collection brings together both old and new games in the Portal series (Portal, Portal 2, and Bridge Constructor Portal) in one place.
I found that this game was the perfect way to spend my time while waiting at the airport or sitting on a train. My favorite part of the game is learning how to play Bridge Constructor Portal, which is a mash-up of two very different video games. It’s exciting to learn how to build bridges in the same way that I learned how to solve puzzles in Portal 2. Now I can use all my puzzle-solving skills in Bridge Constructor Portal and build myself an escape route from an exploding moon!
8. Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Best Nintendo Switch Simulation game)
Animal Crossing: New Horizons, the latest in the Animal Crossing series, is a big step up from the last game, with more characters to interact with and a lot more to do. Instead of being limited to one town, your character can now travel from island to island using a boat, which is an exciting new way to see new places and spend time with friends.
In addition, there are now tools that you can use to make your life easier. There’s a net that lets you catch bugs; a fishing rod that helps you catch fish; and a slingshot (which is actually called the “Cannon”) that you can use to shoot down balloons or take out troublesome animals. These tools can help you collect items and complete requests faster—and collecting items faster means more money!
The primary way that players will make money in this game is by turning fruit they grow into fruit juice at the Juice Stand and then selling it.
With New Horizons, Nintendo has once again given us a delightful game with plenty of fun and heartwarming moments. Although it’s certainly not without its flaws, Animal Crossing: New Horizons will have you counting down the days until your next play session, whether it’s in a minute or an hour. The game is wonderfully immersive and encourages you to actively engage with everyone around you in a way that few other games do. You’ll feel truly welcomed into a new town that you can call home, one that’s constantly changing and developing.
Additionally, there are new ways players can decorate their homes, including carpets and wallpaper. You’ll find patterns for these new decorations as part of special rewards when visiting other islands or celebrating special occasions like birthdays or holidays.
9. Hollow Knight
One of the latest Nintendo Switch games that is getting a lot of buzz is Hollow Knight. It’s a metroidvania-style game for Nintendo Switch by Team Cherry, and it’s a beautifully hand-drawn side-scrolling action adventure game. It features an eerie but beautiful world to explore, and the creatures in it are strange and fantastical. The controls feel smooth, and the soundtrack is wondrous.
Hollow Knight is a game developed by Team Cherry and published by Team Cherry for the Nintendo Switch. The game has received critical acclaim, especially for its art style and music. Hollow Knight is an action adventure and platforming game; players control the character of the Knight they play as to explore a large interconnected land, with each area having its own challenges to overcome.
The Knight can jump, dash, and climb walls. During his journey he can also find other non-player characters (NPCs) that will either assist him in battle or provide him with goods in exchange for coins collected from fallen foes. The player is tasked with exploring the land of Hallownest and defeating the bosses that lie within it; along the way, they can discover new abilities to help them traverse previously impassable obstacles. The game’s story is told through the player’s interactions with NPCs and through messages left behind on item descriptions.
While Hollow Knight initially releases on Steam in February 2017, it would not be until March 2018 when the Nintendo Switch port was announced. Hollow Knight as a whole has always been a game meant to be played both on PC, specifically Steam where it originated, as well as on consoles such as the PlayStation 4 console and Nintendo Switch console. With its release, players
10. Dead Cells
You’ll explore a sprawling, ever-changing castle as a nameless character who has been resurrected with no memory of their past. As you advance through the castle you will find weapons, battle with enemies and bosses, and collect useful loot to your aid on your quest.
While the core combat mechanics are fairly simple (two attack buttons and a dodge), Dead Cells gives the player an incredible amount of depth by allowing them to customize the various weapons and mutations that you find throughout your travels in order to create a playstyle that suits them best. It also features an extensive meta-progression system where you can unlock new permanent abilities, passive stat bonuses, and purchase permanent perks.
Dead Cells is not just a game about beating levels or finding the next boss fight; the game encourages players to experiment with different builds and approaches in order to fully master its combat system which is one of the most satisfying I’ve experienced in any videogame.
In addition to its addictive gameplay loop, Dead Cells also features an incredible amount of replayability thanks to its procedural generation system which is highly detailed but without feeling overwhelming.
Conclusion
The Nintendo Switch is proving to be one of the hottest consoles this year, with plenty of incredible titles to choose from. From classic House of the Dead ports to open world games that you can play anywhere, there’s something for everyone on this list. So if you’re already a Switch owner, read on to see some great options for your console. And if you’re thinking about picking one up soon, it might be time to start making room for a few of these upcoming titles!
Regardless of the theme or genre, these top ten best Nintendo Switch games will give you hours upon hours of fun and entertainment. Don’t hesitate to try out one or two of them today.