The 35 Best Games You Can Play Right Now on the Nintendo Switch
No gaming console has ever done quite what the Nintendo Switch has.
Thanks to the Switch's ability to be played handheld on the go or hooked up to the TV, and for its Joy-Cons to detach, enabling instant multiplayer play, it offers something no one else has to this point. And that's not to mention their ever-growing library of games.
It didn't take long for the Nintendo Switch to cement itself as our favorite gaming console of all time, and just over three years after its release, the switch can boast more incredible titles than ever. If you're not sure where to get started, we've ranked the 35 best games you can play on the Switch right this minute.
(Animal Crossing: New Horizons)
35. TumbleSeed
In our humble opinions, TumbleSeed is one of the most underrated games on the Nintendo Switch. This tricky puzzle roguelike involves balancing a seed on a sliding bar as you navigate treacherous obstacles and enemies in an attempt to scale a mountain and save your own. Though it takes a minute to master the controls, doing so is incredibly rewarding, and new upgrades and increased skill make each attempt more exciting than the last.
(TumbleSeed via aeiowu)
34. Forager
Forager is a little open-world adventure game that's all about gathering resources and building out what you need to explore everything the world has to offer. It starts out small, but as you expand, you can plunder dungeons, become a master fighter, build out massive weapons and even create your own economy. With new goals rising every minute, it's tough to put down, and will keep busy completionists busy—and very happy—for a while.
(Forager via Humble Bundle)
33. Battle Chef Brigade
Battle Chef Brigade combines thrilling combat with a cooking competition show to become one of the most strangely delightful games on the Switch. It takes place in a fantasy world filled with all kinds of unique characters, with gameplay that blends slaying monsters to harvest cooking ingredients with a puzzle that transforms those parts into delicious meals. It's fast-paced, and stressful at times, but the experience is well worth it.
(Battle Chef Brigade via Adult Swim Games)
32. Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker was one of our favorite games on the underappreciated Wii U, so we were so happy to see it come to the Switch with added content inspired by Super Mario Odyssey. This unique puzzle game sees Toad navigating collage-like levels to complete various tasks while wearing a heavy backpack that prevents him from jumping. Lucky for Captian Toad, he has some special tricks up his sleeve.
(Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker via Nintendo)
31. Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle
We have to admit we were initially a bit skeptical about the bizarre fusion of characters and genres in Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle, but we only had to play it once to be totally sold on the game. In the title, Mario and a team of friendly Rabbids team up against another invading group of Rabbids, utilizing turn-based strategical tactics to take them down and save the Mushroom Kingdom.
(Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle via Ubisoft)
30. Baba Is You
Baba Is You is a puzzle game that's difficult to define. In general, the player controls a sheep-like creature called Baba, who has the ability to push around blocks, including blocks that define the rules of the level. By manipulating these rules, you can change the conditions of the level in order to realize something that was once impossible. Maybe that means allowing yourself to walk through walls, or changing the character you control, or making the goal a different block entirely. It's wonderfully mind-bending, and puzzle fanatics will adore it.
(Baba Is You via Hempuli)
29. Super Crush K.O.
Super Crush K.O. is a colorful brawler that's easy to pick up but tough to master. Players take control of a young woman named Karen who sets off to rescue her cat from a gorgeous space invader, fighting hordes of robotic enemies along the way. As you learn more fun-to-control moves, you can begin stringing them together in more impressive combos, swiping baddies and avoiding hits to get the best scores possible in each captivating level.
(Super Crush K.O. via Vertex Pop)
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28. Iconoclasts
Iconoclasts is a must-play for lovers of the Metroidvania genre, combining great platforming with exciting combat and creative puzzles, and wrapping it all up with a gripping narrative. You won't be able to stop playing, not only because you want to know what happens next, but because getting there is so satisfying, and the wrench-wielding heroine Robin is an instant icon.
(Iconoclasts via Bifrost Entertainment)
27. Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield
Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield are the next-gen Pokémon titles we'd been waiting on for years, delivering an all-new experience in an adorable package complete with more than 80 new monsters. The Britain-inspired setting makes it unlike any Pokémon title to date, and with Dynamax and the amazing new Wild Area full of incredible Pokémon, it's sure to delight any fans of the series.
(Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield via The Pokémon Company)
26. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Mario Kart 8 was one of the most beloved titles on the Wii U, and it was wonderful to see the game resurrected on the Nintendo Switch. Not only is this the sleekest of the Mario Kart games, but the fact that this game deluxe version came packed with all of the previous games' DLC—including 42 familiar characters and 48 different tracks—meant it was also the fullest experience.
(Mario Kart 8 Deluxe via Nintendo)
25. Donut County
We first played Donut County as a mobile game, but that doesn't make its gameplay on the Nintendo Switch any less rich or delightful. The game is all about controlling a little hole in the ground, swallowing up as much of the landscape as you can. Every time something falls into the hole, it grows, until it becomes big enough to envelop cars, and buildings and entire cities. It's not a particularly long game, which is exactly why it demands to be played.
(Donut County via Annapurna Interactive)
24. Yoshi's Crafted World
Yoshi's Crafted World takes the enchanting formula of Yoshi's Woolly World on the Wii U and builds upon it in wonderful ways. The paper-crafted environments are a joy to traverse, while Yoshi's classic gameplay brings all of their elements to life. With the addition of scavenger hunts and Poochy Pup remixes of the levels, it's a completionist's dream.
(Yoshi's Crafted World via Nintendo)
23. Sayonara Wild Hearts
Sayonara Wild Hearts has been advertised as a playable pop album, and we don't think anything could be more appropriate. The game, featuring tarot-inspired characters, stars The Fool as she goes on a journey to unbreak her heart and restore harmony to the world. She plays through arcade-style levels in bold neon shades against Little Death, the Dancing Devils, the Howling Moons and more, all to a soundtrack you won't be able to get out of your head.
(Sayonara Wild Hearts via Annapurna Interactive)
22. Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the Necrodancer
We were honestly surprised to see Nintendo give the makers of Crypt of the Necrodancer the rights to use characters from The Legend of Zelda in this unusual title. However, playing the final game showed us that their faith was well-placed. This rhythm-based dungeon crawler is unlike anything we've played before, and the familiar Zelda characters, locales and tracks make it even easier to return to it again and again.
(Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the Necrodancer via Nintendo)
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21. Celeste
Celeste is one of the most precise and challenging, but rewarding, platforming games on all of the Nintendo Switch. Its hero is Madelaine, a woman who sets out to climb Celeste Mountain just to prove she can, with the help of a trusty dash move. As she ascends, she's also confronted by the embodiment of her depression and anxiety, learning a surprising lesson about herself along the way. We also love that Celeste features some amazing accessibility options for those who want to experience the story but are struggling with the gameplay.
(Celeste via Matt Makes Games)
20. Untitled Goose Game
Untitled Goose Game was a phenomenon when it released in 2019, selling more than a million copies in less than three months. The game is all about controlling a rascally goose, and basically making life a terror for the inhabitants of a quaint village. As you steal keys, drop people's belongings in water and break their valuables, you check objectives off a list, allowing you to move to the next area and annoy even more people. The dedicated "honk" button is our favorite little touch.
(Untitled Goose Game via Panic Inc.)
19. Golf Story
You don't have to care about golf in the slightest to become totally obsessed with Golf Story. Unlike most golfing games, it's more of an RPG that uses golf moves as its core mechanic, telling the story of a man who just wants to become a master golfer. The game's wacky sense of humor is also unmatched, and makes us so excited for the upcoming release of the sequel, Sports Story.
(Golf Story via Sidebar Games)
18. The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
The original The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening released back in 1993 on the Game Boy Color, and the Nintendo Switch remake of the game gives it a much-needed overhaul in visuals and accessibility will also maintaining the charm and structure of the original. In this game, Link finds himself washed up on a strange island that isn't quite what it seems. He must fight and puzzle his way through devious dungeons to awake the Wind Fish and return home, discovering many secrets along the way.
(The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening via Nintendo)
17. Pokemon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Pokemon: Let's Go, Eevee!
While Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee! are far from the only Pokémon experiences on the Nintendo Switch, they happen to be our favorites. These remakes of the original Kanto region games stick to the classic 151 Pokémon in a way that allows them all to shine, and the bonds between the character and their starting Pikachu and Eevee are unmatched in the series. Plus, we love the way this game implemented shiny-hunting, allowing players to catch unique variations of their favorite Pokémon.
(Pokemon: Let's Go, Pikachu!and Pokemon: Let's Go, Eevee! via The Pokémon Company)
16. Tetris 99
With the popularity of games like Fortnite, it was only a matter of time before the battle royale formula was applied to different genres, and Tetris 99 is the perfect blending of the two. In this version of Tetris, players go up against 98 competitors online. Other players can target you and send junk blocks your way when they play well, but you can do the same with your opponents, with the goal being the one to outlast the rest.
(Tetris 99 via Nintendo)
15. Snipperclips
Snipperclips is the perfect game for showcasing precisely what a single Nintendo Switch system can do. It's a cooperative and collaborative game that has each player take one Joy-Con, having them snip their paper-like characters into different shapes in order to create solutions for different puzzles and obstacles. It's great for bringing people together and teaching teamwork while generating tons of fun.
(Snipperclips via Nintendo)
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14. Luigi's Mansion 3
Luigi's Mansion 3 was the long-awaited sequel to a beloved franchise, and it proved that the wait was well worth it. In the game, Luigi and his friends are invited to a V.I.P. hotel experience, only to find that it's a trap. When everyone else is captured, Luigi straps on a ghost-busting vacuum backpack and explores the entire hotel to stop the evil ghosts and rescue the folks he cares about, sucking up a lot of cash and other valuables along the way.
(Luigi's Mansion 3 via Nintendo)
13. Cuphead
Cuphead is well-known not only for its incredible '30s animation-inspired aesthetic, but also for its punishingly tough gameplay. The run-and-gun game stars Cuphead and his brother, Mugman, who are tasked with collecting soul contracts from a number of colorful characters after making a deal with the devil. The memorable boss fights are the star of the show in Cuphead, and that's good, because you might spend more than an hour trying to best some of these baddies.
(Cuphead via Studio MDHR)
12. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
The "ultimate" in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is no joke. This fighting game brings back every single character from the past Super Smash Bros. games to face off in incredible battles across all of Nintendo's most beloved locations. Anyone can pick up Super Smash. Bros. Ultimate and have a good time, but mastering the game is another beast altogether, and we're obsessed. It also helps that additional characters are often being added as DLC. We're excited to see who'll be part of the full 86-character roster when all is said and done.
(Super Smash Bros. Ultimate via Nintendo)
11. Wandersong
Wandersong may not be one of the most famous games on the Nintendo Switch, but we still regard it as a must-play. The puzzle adventure stars a kindly singing bard, with gameplay revolving around singing different colorful music notes, as he goes on a mission to save everyone from a universe-destroying song. It's gorgeous and heartwarming at every term, with a story based around joy, empathy and kindness that's sure to leave a lasting impression.
(Wandersong via Humble Bundle)
10. Minit
With its minimalistic black and white pixel look, Minit may not be all that impressive at first glance, but this is one book you shouldn't judge by its cover. Once its hero picks up a cursed sword, it finds that it dies every 60 seconds. That gives the player just one minute to explore the world and discover more of the secrets it holds before starting the journey anew from home. You might think that wouldn't be long enough to get anything done, but the ingeniously crafted game makes every traversal of its world worth every second.
(Minit via Devolver Digital)
9. SteamWorld Dig 2
SteamWorld Dig 2 is so much fun to play because of its incredibly satisfying gameplay loop. It stars a steampunk robot named Dorothy who goes on a quest to find the missing hero Rusty, using a pickaxe to adventure deep into the earth. As she digs, she'll discover not just treasure (which can be traded in for increasingly valuable upgrades) but bizarre secrets that threaten to upend everything she knows about her world. From beginning to end, you won't be able to put this one down.
(SteamWorld Dig 2 via Image & Form)
8. Super Mario Maker 2
We were in love with the first Super Mario Maker game when it came out on the Wii U, and Super Mario Maker 2 improves upon the original in every way possible. While it's called a "maker" game—and Mario Maker 2 adds amazing new world designs and level-making pieces so the sky is the limit—you can have all the fun in the world in the game without making a single level on your own. More than 10 million courses have been uploaded in the game, so you'll never run out of great content to play.
(Super Mario Maker 2 via Nintendo)
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7. Paper Mario: The Origami King
Paper Mario: The Origami King may not exactly return to the roots of the first two Paper Mario games, but that doesn't mean it isn't a return to form in its creativity and incredible fun factor. This time around, a paper version of Mario is tasked with stopping an evil prince from transforming a 2D paper world into origami creations. It has an innovative ring-based combat system and phenomenally funny (and surprisingly touching) writing, and collecting Toads will keep you busy long after your initial adventure is through.
(Paper Mario: The Origami King via Nintendo)
6. Splatoon 2
The first Splatoon game made a huge splash on the Wii U, despite the underperformance of that console, and we were delighted to see the franchise find success on the Nintendo Switch with Splatoon 2. The game features squid-kid creatures called Inklings who use Super Soaker-like weapons and more to compete in ink-based challenges, and this game packs even more gameplay modes than the first.
(Splatoon 2 via Nintendo)
5. Undertale
Undertale is another game that should be never be judged on appearances. Despite its simple pixel-art style, this is one of the most thematically complex games of the last decade, putting the direction of the narrative and its lessons entirely in the players' hands. Will you be a pacifist, sparing every enemy in battle to share the goodness in your heart? Or will you ruthlessly take down every enemy that crosses your path? Depending on what you decide, you'll wind up playing a very different game, but either way, your heart is about to go for a ride.
(Undertale via Toby Fox)
4. Hollow Knight
There's a good reason Hollow Knight is such a beloved new addition to the Metroidvania genre. It stars a nameless bug knight, wielding a nail as a weapon, who traverses a huge and lonely kingdom called Hallownest. Hallownest is haunting, twisted and gorgeous all at once, concealing all kinds of strange secrets, and the more of them you're willing to uncover, the more likely it is that you'll stumble upon the true ending. Plus, the gameplay is tough as nails, with dozens of boss fights to satisfyingly conquer.
(Hollow Knight via Team Cherry)
3. Super Mario Odyssey
Super Mario Odyssey is the 3D Mario platformer fans had been awaiting for nearly a decade, and it did everything they could have asked for, and more. It brings back the satisfying movement of classics like Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Sunshine with the addition of Cappy, who can both be used to increase jump potential and "capture" enemies. Capture is a possession of sorts, temporarily allowing Mario to inhabit the bodies of classic Mario characters. With Mario traveling across vast and varied worlds, this might be his most exciting adventure yet.
(Super Mario Odyssey via Nintendo)
2. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
If you haven't heard all about Animal Crossing: New Horizons this year, you're probably living under a rock. This relaxing, casual life simulator sees players start a new life on a deserted island inhabited by adorable animal neighbors and shopkeepers. From there, the adventure is up to them as they expand their home, decorate and shape the island to their whims, and befriend the locals. It's a needed respite from the troubles of daily life, and we've played it every day since it released.
(Animal Crossing: New Horizons via Nintendo)
1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild launched alongside the Nintendo Switch, and all of this time later, it's still the golden child of the console. This adventure with Link reveals an incredible open world where there's something to explore in every nook and cranny, and where you're limited only by your imagination. Every mountain is climbable, every solution is possible, and if you're good enough, you can run straight to the final boss as soon as you've left the Great Plateau to finish the game. It's open-ended magic, and we believe the sequel will be more of the same.
(The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild via Nintendo)
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