Best Nintendo Switch games for 2024

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is Nintendo’s crowning achievement on the Switch. Set in the vast land of Hyrule, you play Link, as he sets out on a quest to save the eponymous princess and defeat the evil Ganondorf. So far so normal for the franchise. However, what sets Tears of the Kingdom apart is its focus on discovery and the numerous game-changing tools at your disposal. Link can manipulate objects and create elaborate constructions with his new Ultra-Hand ability, which opens up near-limitless gameplay opportunities. Tears of the Kingdom also look particularly stunning on Nintendo Switch OLED. This masterpiece did the impossible by surpassing its adored predecessor.

Super Mario Odyssey is the iconic plumber's most inventive and enjoyable 3D adventure to date. Teaming up with a sentient hat named Cappy, Mario transverses across a colorful collection of Kingdoms each bursting with secrets to discover, platforming challenges to conquer and all manner of objects and animals to take control of via Mario’s new possession ability. From a ginormous T-Rex to a stack of Goombas, Mario can capture a diverse range of creatures, and use these forms to complete rewarding puzzles and explore new areas. Put simply, Super Mario Odyssey is a delight from start to finish with an emphasis on pure fun factor and odd humor.  

Metroid fans had to wait a long time for the return of Samus Aran, but Dread was more than worth the two-decade interval between 2D outings. In Metroid Dread, Samus is tasked with exploring the mysterious Planet ZDR. Once there, the sci-fi hero finds new powers to equip, and deadly E.M.M.I robots to avoid. Dread is a throwback to the franchise’s roots. There’s a compelling focus on exploration via backtracking, hunting for rewarding secrets and white-knuckle boss fights. There have been many games inspired by classic Metroid released for the Nintendo Switch, but Dread proves that sometimes you can’t beat the OG.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate more than earns the “Ultimate” moniker as this is one of the most content-rich fighting games on any console, ever. Every single character and every stage included in a previous Super Smash Bros. game is here from fan favorites like Mario and Kirby to more out-of-the-box picks like Solid Snake from the Metal Gear series. Plus, there’s a wealth of newcomers like Splatoon’s Inkling and Metroid’s Ridley. And if the base roster isn’t enough, there are 13 optional DLC characters including Banjo-and-Kazooie and Joker from Persona 5. Oh, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate isn’t just stuffed with content, it also plays nearly flawlessly with sharp fighting mechanics and loads of depth for pro players to dig into. 

Animal Crossing: New Horizons was the game that everybody was playing in 2020 when the demand for digital escapism was at its peak. And while the cozy life simulator was very much “the right game, at the right time”, it remains hugely enjoyable even now in 2024. You’re a newcomer to a tropical island, and starting with nothing more than a tent must gather resources to build the sun-soaked location into a true paradise of your dreams. With its strong focus on player customization, and cast of charming villagers to meet, Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a game that will quickly become part of your daily routine. 

Mario has been running and jumping through 2D levels for almost 40 years so it’s quite remarkable that Super Mario Bros. Wonder feels so darn fresh. The first traditional side-scrolling Mario title since 2012’s Super Mario Bros. U, Wonder takes its name from the new inclusion of the magical Wonder Flower that can radically transform levels, and even offer the ability for Mario and pals to gain new powers like being able to turn into an Elephant. Mario Wonder is a hugely creative game positively bursting with new ideas, but at its core is the same rock-solid platforming that has made Mario such a gaming treasure. 

Pokémon Legends: Arceus was the shot in the arm the monster-collecting franchise needed after years of samey sequels and routine remakes. Taking place in the universe’s past, during a period in time when humans and Pokémon weren’t living side-by-side, Pokémon Legends: Arceus sees you step out into a lush open space to find “noble” creatures that are exhibiting strange behavior. You’re also on the hunt for the mythical Arcues which could be the solution you need. Unfortunately, the visuals are less than impressive, but if you’re craving a Pokémon game that is a little different from the rest, Legends is worth your time. 

It’s hard to believe that there’s a Switch owner on Earth who doesn’t already have a copy of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe in their collection. But if you skipped this best-in-class kart racer, there’s still time to reverse course. This is a fantastic re-release of an already excellent racer, with all the content from the original, alongside new characters and a reworked Battle Mode. There are 48 courses in the base game, encompassing classic tracks and new favorites, and if you want more, you can double the number with the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass which adds another 48 and long-request characters like Petey Piranha and Kamek. 

Nintendo rarely releases more than a single game in a franchise per console generation, but shooter fans can pick from two Splatoon titles. While Splatoon 2 has its merits, the obvious choice is the latest installment Splatoon 3. Not only does it have the most active online community, but its single-player campaign is surprisingly deep, and there’s enough to unlock to keep you playing for a very long time. The lack of new ideas is disappointing, but when the fundamentals are as strong as Splatoon’s there isn't a need to reinvent the wheel each time. In short, Splatoon 3 is among the best multiplayer experiences on Nintendo Switch. 

If you’re looking for a single-player Nintendo Switch game you can play for more than 100 hours look no further than Xenoblade Chronicles 3. Don’t worry about the number “3” in the title, this is the perfect starting point for newcomers. In this vast RPG, you explore a rich world packed full of quests to undertake and characters to meet, and te mechanically complex combat keeps things compelling even after playing for dozens of hours. Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is also highly story-driven, providing an epic adventure that will grip you quickly. If you’re still craving more quests in the world of Aionios after rolling credits there’s also a sizeable expansion, Future Redeemed, that adds a significant amount of new content.

Released alongside the Nintendo Switch in March 2017, there is a compelling argument to be made that The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild remains the console’s best game. While we’ve given the nod to its 2023 sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, BotW remains a stellar example of open-world game design done right. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild sets you loose in a massive, gorgeous open world, where you can battle through dungeons, solve puzzles, paraglide around the skies, or simply cook some food for a variety of benefits. It changed gaming and is still inspiring the latest releases to this day, it’s every bit as essential as its wonderful successor. 

Bayonetta 3 is very much a “more of the same” sequel but that’s not a criticism when the previous two games so perfectly nailed the fundamentals. In Bayonetta 3 spectacular battles are the norm, and the stakes are raised as the franchise’s bizarre narrative spins even further out of control, in the best way possible. The action is slick, and the combos hugely satisfying, but more than many games on this list Bayonetta 3 does feel held back by the Switch’s rapidly aging hardware. Framerate drops are a little more common than we’d like, but don’t let that prevent you from playing because Bayonetta 3’s action highs are worth enduring some technical hiccups. 

Metroid Prime was a groundbreaking game when it launched on Nintendo’s fondly-remembered GameCube console in 2002, and just over a decade later it’s been given a shiny makeover on the Nintendo Switch. Metroid Prime Remastered is now the definitive way to experience this legendary first-person shooter. In Metroid Prime, you play bounty hunter Samus Aran as she explores the planet of Tallon IV and battles against a horde of Space Pirates. Bursting with inventive puzzles, cleverly crafted boss battles, and the series’ trademark intricate level design that sees players slowly unlock new areas by obtaining unique abilities, Metroid Prime Remastered is a thrilling adventure and a great taster ahead of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond in 2025. 

In Persona 5 Royal you play as a seemingly-ordinary Tokyo high schooler who moonlights as a member of a clandestine group known as The Phantom Thieves. That’s rather fitting because Persona 5 Royal is itself a massive time thief. Once you start playing this stylish role-playing game, it’s extremely hard to stop, and a full playthrough will easily take you more than 100 hours. Part life simulator, and part dungeon-crawler, Persona 5 Royal successfully transports you to its Japanese setting (and beyond) and also boasts a charming, if rather simplistic, story featuring a cast of seriously compelling supporting characters. Plus, Persona 5 Royal is the only game on this list where you can do homework, and trust us, you’ll actually want to study as doing so upgrades your character's stats in turn-based battles. 

Nintendo has released two Mario Party games on the Switch (with a third on its way this year), but Mario Superstars is our top pick. That’s because it includes plenty of content with five boards remade and remixed from the series’ Nintendo 64 trilogy, and there’s also a sizeable collection of 100 minigames. That’s plenty of Mario Party action to keep you and your loved ones entertained for weeks. And you don’t have to be in the same room either as Mario Party Superstars offers full online play. For newcomers to the franchise, in Mario Party you move across a board, competing with your fellow players in colorful mini-games along the way. It’s the perfect party game, but it does have a reputation for ruining friendships so beware.