Best Switch Games: Best Games for Switch | How to buy Switch games
Best Switch Games; Are you a happy Nintendo Switch owner or are you about to buy this peculiar console but you still don’t know which are the most deserving games among those in its vast catalog? Are you looking for information to understand which are the best games for Nintendo Switch, that is, those so-called “pearls” capable of leaving you completely satisfied with your purchase? Don’t worry, if you want I can help you find the most suitable titles for you.
Of course, this task is by no means simple. In addition to the now immense catalog of Switch games, the question relating to your personal tastes, which I cannot know, remains relevant. In any case, it is still possible to draw up a list of “must have” titles with the help of a comparison of the opinions of specialized critics and with the prevailing opinions of the majority of players who have already tried video games for Nintendo’s hybrid console (including the undersigned). I therefore wanted to create this guide following the aforementioned approach and with the ultimate aim of giving you a clearer and more organized idea of the best buying advice for a new user, like you.
With this intent firmly in mind, here is a guide on the best games for Switch, divided by genres and types of game, also including a chapter on those free titles available on the Nintendo store and commonly considered among the most valid. In short, there is something for everyone! To find the best titles for you, all you have to do is get comfortable for a few minutes and relax with this reading. I wish you good discoveries and, above all, have fun!
Index
- How to buy Switch games
- Best Switch games ever
- Platform and adventure
- Sportsmen and racing
- Role play games
- Party Game
- Pokémon games
- Other games
- Best free Switch games
- Best multiplayer Switch games
How to buy Switch games
It is really worth starting this guide on the best games for Switch by providing you with an agile summary on how to buy them . Nintendo Switch is, in fact, a modern console, capable of supporting both the physical format of the games and the digital one.
In practical terms, this means having the possibility to buy games in memory cartridge format in physical stores or online, or in digital format through an online service, specially prepared and from which you can buy and download thousands of titles (including Nintendo classics of the past).
The service I’m referring to is called Nintendo eShop and it’s the only official Nintendo digital content store dedicated to all of its consoles (including Switch, of course). I would like to add that the online catalog also includes totally free games. Basically, when it comes to games, you are spoiled for choice.
Although I will tell you in detail about the best games (even the free ones), I invite you, if you have not already done so, to sign up for Nintendo online services by consulting my guide on how to create an account on Nintendo Switch.
Obviously there is also the possibility to buy the titles for Switch in physical format, both in video game and electronic stores scattered throughout the territory, and online on platforms such as Amazon.
Best Switch games ever
At the time of writing this guide on the best Switch games ever , Nintendo’s hybrid console has been available on the market for more than four years. In this time frame, also thanks to the enormous sales success achieved by the latter, the stock of available titles has become enormous. Also considering indie games and classics of the past, Switch has a catalog of over 5,000 games to its credit !
Well, in this guide I thought I’d make a selection of the best titles, based on how much success with audiences and critics they have had and, obviously, also on my personal experience. Are you ready to find out what games it is? I really think you are not in the skin! All you have to do, therefore, is to remain comfortable and continue reading: good consultation!
Platform and adventure
I start this list with the genre of games that most distinguishes Nintendo consoles, associated with big names in the gaming world, such as Mario and Donkey Kong. I’m talking, of course, about the platformer. Quite simply, this genre refers to all video games whose main game mechanics (gameplay) are based on overcoming obstacles through jumps and on the exploration of a virtual world (at the time of 2D it was said to jump “from one platform to another “).
Mario’s most recent adventure is Super Mario Odyssey , a game characterized by a setting inspired by the real world but at the same time imaginative, varied and in turn made up of other worlds full of secrets to explore and a perfect 3D platformer gameplay.
The more “mature” players will find in Odyssey a natural evolution of the great success of Super Mario 64 in the now retro Nintendo 64, with the addition of an open world component that manages to marry well with the historical mechanics of the titles dedicated to mustachioed plumber.
The latest solo adventure from Mario’s brother who expertly mixes platform and adventure is Luigi’s Mansion 3 . The third chapter of the famous saga resumes the fight of the perpetually frightened Luigi against ghosts. On this occasion King Boo and fellow ghosts will trap Mario, Peach and the Toads in a gigantic hotel full of ghosts of all kinds that will take Luigi on a 20-story long hunt each with its own puzzles and peculiarities.
From the kitchens to the basement of the hotel, passing through the main salon, the lobby, the garages, the fitness room, the shopping area, the museum, the botanical garden and even a pirate ship. If you love puzzles, objects to collect and a pinch of thrill, you absolutely must not miss Luigi’s Mansion 3.
If you want to relive old Mario titles, Nintendo has a huge selection on this front as well. Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’S Fury resumes, optimizes and extends Super Mario 3D World previously released on the ill-fated Wii U, allowing you to rediscover this great game on Switch and also play via motion controls with up to 3 friends on the same console . In addition to online multiplayer, which includes several party challenges, this new version includes the brand new Bowser’s Fury chapter with new scenarios and a gigantic and monstrous version of Bowser.
Super Mario 3D All-Star is an unmissable collection that brings together 3 of the best games dedicated to the mustachioed plumber and which can finally be played in an optimized version and thanks to the convenience of Nintendo Switch. Unfortunately, these are not real remake versions, but only HD remasters of Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine and Super Mario Galaxy. A pack that remains of a high level and that offers three cornerstones of Nintendo for the price of a Switch game and also includes a music player to play the songs of the games with the console in standby.
Mario’s adventures never end and games such as Super Mario Maker 2 and New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe must also be included among the best platformers , both excellent representatives of the precious 2D platforming legacy launched with the first Super Mario Bros. released on NES (Nintendo Entertainment System).
At the beginning of this chapter I mentioned another big name in the platform genre: Donkey Kong. The excellent Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze is available on Nintendo Switch , an identical but improved edition of the version originally released on Nintendo Wii U.
Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze is a 2D platformer with three-dimensional graphics that stands out for its sometimes very high difficulty, for the use of a couple of characters. To the already high quality of this platformer, the Switch version adds the playable character Funky Kong and a simplified game mode called Funky Mode, ideal for less experienced players. Obviously all the controls have been revised and perfectly adapted to the Switch Joy-Con.
Sportsmen and racing
The sports genre and that of racing on Nintendo consoles have always taken on a different, innovative and imaginative character. Not surprisingly, one of the best games in the racing genre has already become a classic for Switch: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe . What is it about? Of the enriched and improved re-edition of the already excellent Mario Kart 8 for Nintendo Wii U.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has the strengths of the original chapter, with the addition of tracks released as DLC (extra downloadable content after release), new characters, the reintroduction of battle mode and the ability to hold up to two special items at the same time . This latest addition is by no means small, in fact it puts more spice on the already tense kart racing with the characters of the Mario series!
What to do if you already have Mario Kart 8 Deluxe? Well, if you are passionate about the racing genre and are looking for other valid exponents of this category, there are other tips I can give you and both wink at the Mario game, these video games are: Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled and Team Sonic Racing .
And for the Sport genre instead? OK, it’s true that titles widely considered the best of their kind such as FIFA and NBA 2K are available on Nintendo Switch , but if you are looking for something different and original then the choice must necessarily be on the sport seen from the eyes of Mario. If you love tennis you can try Mario Tennis Aces while if you are looking for a more “quiet” title then I recommend Mario Golf: Super Rush.
But wait to define them as simple ” sports games with Mario “, once you try it you will realize that you are absorbed; these games, especially if played in pairs or in groups (thanks to the multiplayer modes), are among the best sports around for Nintendo Switch!
Staying on the subject of sports games, it is appropriate to name a title that is truly unique in gameplay. The game in question is Ring Fit Adventures , the only “sports RPG” that combines fitness and yoga exercises with an exciting adventure! Ring Fit Adventure is sold as a bundle with a rigid plastic flexible ring and leg strap to hold a Joy-Con.
The progress and success in the game therefore depend not only on the skill in defeating enemies and overcoming the adversities of the adventure but also on one’s physical performance. Fun and exercise go hand in hand with Ring Fit Adventures!
Role play games
The genre of role-playing games, often abbreviated as RPG , or in English as RPG , belong to the best series ever, loved by a large slice of fans and enthusiasts. It is a genre with many characterizing elements, from the great care of the narrative sector, to the variety of game situations and the presence of a large map to be explored. Because of their versatility and longevity, the successful elements of RPGs have made their way into all other genres in recent years.
Due to the multiplicity and complexity of this genre, recommending a single title as best would be a sin of difficult atonement. For this reason I feel I recommend more than one, each for its peculiarities.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a must of which there is very little left to say, if you have a Switch you must definitely try it! To be honest, however, I believe this game cannot be included in the RPG genre alone, especially given its free roaming and open world character, which leads to adventure.
The fully explorable map has infinite surprises inside and the pleasure one feels at its progressive discovery remains a more unique than rare sensation. In the opinion of most critics and audiences, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is not only one of the best games for Switch, but one of the best ever.
Staying on the Zelda theme, I would also like to mention The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening , a must if you want to (re) discover a classic released at the time of GameBoy Color. That same epic adventure is now available in a state-of-the-art, colorful visuals and whole new areas to explore.
Shin Megami Tensei V is considered to be one of the best chapters of this Japan RPG saga, the mother series from which the most famous Persona video game series came to life. In this fifth episode, usable without necessarily having to play the previous ones, the RPG mechanics have been lightened and made more understandable to everyone without abandoning their strategic strength. Also in this chapter the protagonist is a high school student who will discover an alternative world made of demons to “capture”.
Just as it happens in Pokémon in fact, in SMTV the player will be able to make alliances with numerous demons that he can then reuse in battle, but not only because thanks to a profound system of choices the narrative will move towards missions with a double ending and so will the story. main full of films and themes so dear to the poetic Atlus. If you know the saga this is a chapter to have absolutely, but if you don’t know it SMTV could be the perfect opportunity to discover a new universe parallel to that of Persona.
Mario is also present in this list of RPG titles with an all-paper adventure that turns out to be, in terms of story and gameplay, among the most adult and interesting of the mustachioed plumber. Paper Mario: The Origami King takes the player to a world entirely made of paper in which the origami king wants to fold and transform everything by subjecting it to his domination. As Mario and his little helper Olivia you will have to make your way through numerous levels that will even take you to the depths of the sea and a ninja amusement park to cut all the ribbons and free the kingdom from the yoke of the origami king.
The adventure is full of hidden objects, secret bosses, an entire museum to fill with numerous artifacts, mini-games and even some alternative endings that increase the replayability of a title that already promises hours of fun with just the base story. And if you love a bit of strategy, this Mario adventure also features RPG-style turn-based combat with truly brilliant mechanics.
Among the latest news in terms of strategic RPG combat, Fire Emblem: Three Houses is the title that you can consider as a real cornerstone of the genre. The latest chapter in the successful Fire Emblem saga, this game leads the player to choose between one of the 3 available houses: the Black Eagles, the Blue Lions and the Golden Deers, to face the evil that is raging in the kingdom. The strategic turn-based combat, the trademark of the saga, also returns in this chapter, improved and with a greater weight towards the troops and the management of the battles.
But Fire Emblem: Three Houses is not only a fighting game but also an all-round RPG in which to deepen the bonds with the numerous secondary characters, face a multitude of tasks and secondary missions, upgrade your army, develop romances and explore the military academy of the kingdom.
To be added immediately to the list of the best RPGs for Switch there is also Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and the Definitive Edition of the first episode, role-playing games that draw from the more traditional past to innovate those more classic elements and re-propose them in a modern way in an open world. and free roaming with a unique style.
The team behind its development has so much experience in creating virtual worlds that they also contributed to the development of the map for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Add to this an epic story and a huge amount of main and side missions.
Remaining on the RPG theme, it is impossible not to mention the remastered and optimized version of the original first chapter of the Dark Souls saga. Dark Souls Remastered is the definitive, and unmissable, version of an action RPG that in less than ten years has already placed itself in the annals of the best of all time. Its gloomy and dark aspect fascinates precisely because it is mysterious and at the same time curious. These elements go perfectly with a gameplay that always focuses on the importance of keeping the level of challenge between the player and the game world high.
Other unmissable RPGs arrived on Switch “late” but with well-made editions are The Witcher 3 and all the Final Fantasy of the PlayStation 1 and 2 era.
A must to include in the list of the best RPGs for Switch the title that in recent years has paid homage to the classic old-school 16-bit RPGs better than many others. What game am I referring to? Obviously to Square Enix’s Octopath Traveler . A title that incorporates the mechanics of the most classic Final Fantasy with turn-based battles, adding a retro graphics, fascinating artwork and a captivating and surprising adventure.
Perhaps more appreciated by the most experienced and nostalgic players, but no less beautiful and advisable than the other RPGs. Of the same vein, I also recommend the second chapter of the excellent Bravely Default which immediately established itself as one of the best titles in this vein on Nintendo Switch.
I conclude my advice on RPGs ever with what was one of the first announced for the Switch, despite the fact that it came out on the market long after the launch. This is the best version of Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of a Lost Age , as it was designed and developed with the portability factor of the Nintendo console in mind.
The gameplay of Dragon Quest XI is typical of a Japanese RPG that alternates phases of exploration with strategic and intense turn-based battles. As with Xenoblade Chronicles 2, the quality of the game transpires from the attention to detail and the spectacular interweaving of events.
Party Game
Nintendo has always placed a lot of emphasis on group play, trying to encourage competition and sharing of the gaming experience, it is no coincidence that Nintendo Switch allows you to separate the two side Joy-Con to give one to a friend at any time. wishes. By the way, do you remember how to play Nintendo Switch with two? It might not seem like it, but there are several things to know about it, so feel free to consult this guide of mine to learn more about the subject.
In light of Switch’s “party-goer” vocation, I felt that the Party Game category could not be missing from the list of the best games for this console. The most deserving title in this genre carries the word “party” in its very name, in fact it is called Super Mario Party .
Once again the name of the Nintendo mascot is back in this list of the best; the reason? Super Mario Party is a well-known series with a renowned reputation for the ability to offer many competitive mini-games to play in two or in groups, as extravagant as they are fun and challenging at the right point. But be careful, to win it is required to maintain a constant and sustained roar: the gameplay of Super Mario Party does not deny at all the fast and convulsive pressing of keys, but rather encourages movements of all kinds to be done with the Joy-Con in hand!
Also available is the new chapter of the saga called Mario Party: Superstars , with new and hilarious minigames to discover and which was nominated for Best Family Game at The Games Awards 2021.
But I would also like to offer you three alternatives to what is widely believed to be the best Party Game for this console. For lovers of dance, even the most rowdy and arrhythmic, the Just Dance series continues to offer opportunities for fun in all its editions (just check that the playlist is to your liking).
In addition to this dance series, a bit like Wii Sports did on the Nintendo Wii, 1-2 Switch , although released as a launch title, remains a great gaming product to entertain partygoers. At the same time, this title is excellent for introducing the great aggregation potential of Nintendo Switch with curious functions such as the famous one of the ice cube inside the Joy-Con.
Finally, the new chapter of a famous party game saga that makes the absurd its strong point. Warioware: Get It Together! it will ask you to sharpen your reflexes and to think “think outside the box”, as they say. Its minigames are lightning-fast, sometimes nonsense and designed to challenge even the most skilled player. Surely it is a game that can amaze and fill the evening with laughter.
Pokémon games
The titles related to Pokémon are among the most famous in the gaming landscape and have always been exclusive to Nintendo consoles. Switch begins to have an important title park dedicated to this brand which not only evolves what has been seen so far in the saga but also moves into the past to merge the RPG genre (which characterizes every Pokémon game) to adventure.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus , out on January 28, promises to offer a classic Pokémon adventure set, however, in a sort of fantasy feudal Japan and with exploratory gameplay similar to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
A truly unique adventure that I recommend you try with your eyes closed if you are a Pokémon fan and where, in addition to the new creatures to capture, there will also be secondary missions to be carried out, hundreds of objects to be created through the crafting features, a brand new combat system that allows you to challenge Pokémon with the trainer (as well as with other Pokémon of course) and much more.
Let’s continue with the two last chapters of the classic or almost classic Pokémon series: Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield , titles that offer the best of the saga by perfecting the shortcomings and expanding the open world exploration. Sword and Shield re-propose a modernized version of the gameplay that has always distinguished and brought the series to success, putting the strategic depth of the clashes and the capture of Pokémon at the center. Also available with the included expansion pass of The Snowcapped Lands of the Crown and Lonely Island of Armor which expands the game’s storyline and adds an island full of Legendary Pokémon to catch.
If you are never tired of Pokémon, you should also consider buying Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu and Pokémon Let’s Go Evee . Two very classic adventures, identical to each other, but which as always differ in the different Pokémon that can be caught.
The chapters in question are not the best of the series ever released, but they have always been the first of this historic series to be available for Switch. Both games also refer to the classic Pokémon Red, Blue, Green and Yellow, originally released on GameBoy. Unmissable for fans and to try for lovers of the genre especially thanks to the two-player mode that allows you to experience the main adventure in multiplayer.
This roundup of the best Switch games dedicated to Pokémon closes with a remake that updates, both in terms of graphics and gameplay, the Pearl and Diamond versions of the series. Pokémon Shining Diamond and Shining Pearl bring back two of the most popular chapters of the franchise and in which the Dungeons were present, which for this new version become Great Dungeons. These are dungeons in which to meet other players and where to capture numerous types of Pokémon from other chapters of the series. If your goal is to become a great trainer and collect all the Pokémon available in the Pokémon bank, you absolutely must not give up this chapter.
Other games
I am perfectly aware that this list of the best Switch games has so far left out some genres that boast titles of absolute importance and that I absolutely cannot skip.
When we talk about simulation it is impossible not to mention one of the most played titles of 2020, Animal Crossing: New Horizons . This is the last chapter of the simulation series of the same name and leads the player to create their own island which, thanks to the online mode, can be visited by other players to interact with and face new adventures. Nintendo pays great attention to Animal Crossing updates that follow real seasons so that they always feel empathetic with the game’s characters.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is an almost endless title, full of things to do, buildings to build, merchants to meet and an entire museum to fill. If you are looking for calm and tranquility it is a game that you must not miss, suitable for themes and gameplay even for the youngest children.
Speaking of the melee-fighting genre, however, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is not only the best exponent of the series, but probably one of the best of the genre. This pioneering crossover series features a stellar cast of characters, drawn directly from Nintendo masterpieces.
Its gameplay is immediate and at the same time profound, perhaps precisely because it is based on a simple concept: whoever remains last on the combat arena wins. Each fighter has unique skills, some special, while the game modes vary from single-player challenges to online and offline multiplayer tournaments to which you can add numerous other fighters thanks to the Fighters Pass.
If for many Super Smash Bros. Ultimate remains unattainable, lovers of the strategic genre have certainly had bread for their teeth playing with Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle .
This turn-based strategy is one of the best strategy games ever developed: deep, colorful, with multiplayer support and with exceptional protagonists. For courage, innovation and quality, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle enters the list of the best games ever for Nintendo Switch.
Despite the different and very valid metroidvania games present on the Switch (such as the unmissable Hollow Knight, Owlboy or the two Ori chapters), Nintendo also has in its exclusive stable the game that gave its name to this videogame genre, or Metroid. The Samus Aran saga continues with Metroid Dread , not only one of the best metroidvania ever but also one of the best chapters of this series.
Among the novelties this time the protagonist bounty hunter will have to face the fearsome EMMI of apparently indestructible creatures able to hunt the player for various areas (a bit like the famous Nemesis and Mr. X did in Resident Evil). Strategy and exploration are the keywords of the welcome return of this saga, a game that should not be missing in any library of a Switch player.
I conclude this chapter with two games belonging to the action genre. The first is called the Astral Chain . A title perhaps little known, but its developers, Platinum Games, are masters of the genre (Bayonetta, Nier: Automata, The Wonderful 101).
In this fast-paced action game with a purely Japanese design, the player is called to take on the role of a detective who is a member of a special task force, involved in an investigation that spares no battles with melee and firearms.
The level of action is kept constantly at high levels, the difficulty is increasing and for those who want there is also to try their hand in a rather particular multiplayer mode.
The second is instead a collection of 3 games that bring the GTA saga to Nintendo Switch. Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – Definitive Edition renews the graphics of three of the most representative chapters of the Rockstar Games saga, bringing players back to San Andreas (GTA: San Andreas), Vice City (GTA: Vice City) and Liberty City (GTA 3 ).
If you know this series I’m sure you will also know the tricks to get weapons, unlimited ammo, tanks and so on in the games. Well, even in these remastered versions they continue to be fully functional!
Best free Switch games
How do you say? Did you think it wasn’t possible? But you read that right, Nintendo Switch offers a selection of free games. In fact, it is no coincidence that I have dedicated a specific guide on how to download free games for Nintendo Switch !
In this article, however, I want to show you the best game among this free catalog. With very few doubts, either because of its success, or because of its quality, the game in question is Fortnite . Impossible not to have at least heard of this real videogame phenomenon, one of the most played and long-lived ever.
How do you say? Have you never tried this famous game? Then, if you want, you can do it in the blink of an eye by discovering how to download it directly to your Nintendo Switch . Also remember to link your account with the Epic Games account name to take advantage of cross-play and challenge your friends playing the PS4, PC, Android and Xbox One versions!
I want to conclude this chapter by adding a free game that I also consider the best available for Nintendo Switch. On the other hand, how could I have done differently since it is a timeless classic ?! The name alone is a guarantee: I’m talking about Tetris 99 .
In this free version for Switch, the classic Tetris is enriched with a multiplayer mode at an increasing pace, as well as a battle roayle mode. Tetris 99 is the perfect example of how to take a classic, improve it and give it new life.
Best multiplayer Switch games
If you have read this far, you will have understood that practically every game (or almost every game) worthy of being included in this “list of the best” has a very good multiplayer mode. But which one to choose among all of these as the best multiplayer gaming experience on Nintendo Switch?
I will be honest, it is a very difficult choice to make and perhaps also oriented by personal tastes. To facilitate this choice, however, it is possible to distinguish between online and offline multiplayer.
Considering the success, the huge community of fans that follows it, the constant support of the developer and the overall quality, one of the best online multiplayer games ever is Fortnite .
Speaking instead of offline multiplayer games, then the choice almost necessarily goes to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate , a game with a following of fans with decades of experience. Such a long-lived and experienced community of players is enough by itself to understand the quality of the game. To be honest, after the most recent updates, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate also has a decent online mode on its side.
It is evident, however, that there are many other valid multiplayer titles on the Nintendo Switch software bulletin. Among these, the highly refined Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the evergreen Super Mario Maker 2, the now classic Super Mario Party and others that I have not mentioned before, such as Splatoon 2 and Arms.
There is really a lot of choice, but I’m sure that among all these titles there will be more than one that will be able to give you pure and healthy fun and exciting with hours and hours of healthy game in company!