Many great games have been added to the Nintendo Switch since it first came out in 2017. We are, of course, in a bit of a jam because we have too much software and not enough time to play it all. To be fair, it’s a great problem to have. Help! There are too many great games to pick just one!
But which games are the best for Nintendo Switch? What are the best games for the Switch? What should I play on Switch first?
So, we asked users of Nintendo Life to rate the best Nintendo Switch games since the system came out. This is the list of the best Nintendo Switch games to play right now. As with our lists of the Best Games from different platforms, years, and series, this list is based on the User Rating for each game in Nintendo Life’s games database and can change at any time. This means that as soon as new games come out, they will be added to our list of the Best Switch Games.
Whether you’re looking for the best Nintendo Switch games or just want to have some fun with your family, we’ve put together a list of the best ones. You have come to the right place to find the best Nintendo Switch games. When it comes to portable games, we at Pocket Tactics have played a lot of them, from big adventures with Link to island life with Tom Nook. Of course, everyone has their own tastes, but we think these choices should have something for everyone.
Best Nintendo Switch Games to Play
Among the games on this page, you’re sure to find one that you like. Let’s get right to it and look at these top-rated Nintendo Switch games.
1. Stardew Valley
Stardew Valley is a well-known farming simulation game that will keep you glued to your computer. You should play it if you want to spend time planting, raised animals, and mining for materials.
Aside from its cute pixelated art style, Stardew Valley stands out for its deep action. They can also build their perfect farm without any limits in the game.
On top of the endless hours of farming and resource collecting. There’s also a group online where players can talk to each other. Finally, the pixelated art style makes Stardew Valley even more special.
2. Fortnite
Does Fortnite need to be introduced? For those who own a Nintendo Switch, you can play the wildly famous and highly rated game Fortnite for free. However, Xbox and PlayStation are where most players like to play this game.
Each time you play, it will be fun and different because the goal is to be the last person left in a standard battle royale style.
3. Dead Cells
As a mix of rogue-likes and metroidvanias, Dead Cells is an important game that will likely be remembered as one of the best in both categories for years to come. You play as a reanimated mass of cells that have taken over the body of a prisoner in a procedurally created castle.
The house is very complicated and full of dangerous enemies and hidden things that need to be found. Every time you die, which is pretty often, you have to start all over again. The most important thing is that there are permanent upgrades that let you move forward and see new places with each run.
4. Hollow Knight
Thanks to Hollow Knight’s great metroidvania gameplay, you can easily jump into it whenever you feel like it. This makes the wait for its follow-up Silksong a little easier to handle. Some things were not quite right with the first game, but they were fixed over time, and the bug’s life adventure that came from it was truly amazing.
Hollow Knight is both creepy and beautiful. It’s an intense mix of fighting and exploring that works well on the Switch. This version also has all of the game’s DLC, which is a big chunk of material that adds a lot to the game and makes it look even better.
5. Splatoon 3
The third time around, Splatoon 3 isn’t as new, but this squid-tastic game still knows how to make a splash. Splatoon 3 improves on the original game’s formula and adds a highlight reel of fun zone features for online competition, a single-player mode that is delightfully hard, and smart multiplayer maps.
Thanks to its huge number of multiplayer modes and choices, Splatoon 3 is like a buffet of content that you will never run out of. People who have played other games in the series might need more of a reason to go back to familiar ground, but Splatoon 3 is a great game for people who have never played one before.
6. Super Mario Odyssey
Super Mario Odyssey is a 3D platformer that is always fun to play and gives players a lot more freedom than in other 3D Mario games. There are a lot of big, open levels in Super Mario Odyssey. You can find Power Moons by finishing tricky platforming sections, beating enemies, and figuring out puzzles.
It also adds a bunch of new moves thanks to Cappy, Mario’s smart hat. The joint mode in Super Mario Odyssey is great for playing with little kids because it lets one person control Cappy and protect him from damage. Super Mario Odyssey is Mario’s biggest journey yet. It has more things to see and do than any other 3D Mario game.
7. Animal Crossing
Do you remember when Animal Crossing was a rare DS game? which has strange people and gyroids that move around a lot. Okay, Animal Crossing:
Over 30 million Nintendo Switch copies of New Horizons have been sold since it came out. It was such a hit that it led to many other Animal Crossing games and a huge collection of plush animals and toys. The show became a worldwide hit thanks to lucky timing and a tonne of new ways to customise not only your house but also your island.
8. Fire Emblem
After the success of Fire Emblem Awakening on 3DS, this niche series is now more famous than ever. The series has continued to grow and get better, with many saying that Fire Emblem: Three Houses is the best game in the decades-long series. Fire Emblem is a strategy game where you take charge of a group of characters and fight against other forces while levelling up and getting new weapons and skills. Think of it as anime chess.
9. Pokémon Legends
Game Freak has called Pokémon Legends: Arceus a mainline entry in the series. It feels like the developers have been working on the formula for 25 years, learning from their mistakes and finally taking the brand in a new, very exciting direction. Even though it has some technical problems, Pokémon Legends: Arceus is one of the best Pokémon games ever made in our opinion. It has a great roster of Pokémon, a focus on very rewarding exploration, and a sense of scale that’s unlike anything else in the series.
10. Bayonetta 2
How do you describe a witch who loves bombs? Hey Michael Bayonetta… Plus, Bayonetta 2 is a great example of PlatinumGames at their best, and thank goodness it wasn’t only available on WiiU. Both games in the series are available on Switch and are great action games with a crazy attention to detail. However, the sequel is slightly better for us because it has bigger set pieces and a few Nintendo references. These are both must-play action games that action game fans must experience.
11. Live A Live
Live A Live is a version of a Super Famicom game that was only available in Japan in the 1990s. It’s about a bunch of short stories, or “vignettes,” that take place in different places and times. There’s a reason why this game is so popular—it might sound a little random.
12. Legend of Zelda
Live A Live is a version of a song from Japan.Tales of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is another game on the list. This game is better than the last one in some way. It has a good plot and a lot of epic experiences.
There is an open world in Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdoom. Players will have more freedom to check out different parts of the game. There are also hard puzzles to solve as part of the game. Legend of Zelda looks great on the OLED screen of the Nintendo Switch because it has its own special 3D graphics. If you like the Zelda games, this is one to play.this is an old Super Famicom game from the 1990s that is about a bunch of short stories, or “vignettes,” set in different places and times. There’s a reason why this game is so popular—it might sound a little random.
13. Tetris Effect
Since the Nintendo Switch and Tetris go well together, it’s no surprise that the best version of the old puzzle game made it to this list. Fans have loved Tetris Effect: Connected for a few years now, with its amazing mix of puzzles, music, and special effects. However, it didn’t come out on Switch until 2021.
This is just Tetris, but it has a lot of style added to it that makes it very interesting and easy to get hooked on. It has a great single-player story mode and a lot of different game modes in its Effects mode. The “Connected” part of the game lets three people work together to fight bosses managed by the computer. Tetris Effect: Connected is the best way to play Tetris, whether you just want to play by yourself or with friends.