The Nintendo Switch continues to be one of the most popular consoles around. The hybrid system is now more than seven years old (with a successor on the way), and is in the final stages of its lifecycle. But that doesn’t make the best Switch games any less compelling.
Over the years, the Nintendo Switch has built one of the strongest libraries in gaming, with dozens of epic exclusives and loads of excellent cross-platform ports - that can all be played at home or on the go. The best Nintendo Switch games run the gamut from open-world wonders like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom to inventive side-scrollers like Super Mario Bros. Wonder. And those are just two of the must-play titles on Switch, there's plenty more that you'll want in your collection.
The Nintendo Switch’s library is also amongst the deepest in gaming, with experiences that suit every taste imaginable. With so many excellent Nintendo Switch games to choose from, we’re breaking down the best Nintendo Switch games you can play right now...
The best Nintendo Switch games
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 usually releases one game per franchise on each of its consoles, but Mario Party is one of the few exceptions. There are three Mario Party titles on Switch. Our top pick is the latest, Super Mario Party Jamboree. That’s because this vibrant party game offers both quality and quantity. Featuring seven new boards, and more than 110 mini-games, this is a Mario Party experience you’ll be playing with friends and family for months. Plus, you don’t need to be in the same room as your loved ones as Jamboree features full online play. This latest installment in the long-running series also offers a variety of additional modes outside of the core Mario Party experience, and while not every one of these is a winner a couple prove to be very enjoyable.
If you’re looking to play as Nintendo’s adorable pink mascot you’ve got a few choices ranging from Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe to Kirby: Star Allies but our pick is Kirby and the Forgotten Land. Not only is this Kirby’s first ever fully 3D adventure, but it brings a new twist to a formula that was starting to get a little repetitive. Kirby is once again on a mission to recuse Waddles Dees that have been kidnapped but with new abilities like “Mouthful Mode” that lets you inhale oversized objects like an entire car, the platforming and puzzling possibilities have never been richer. Plus, the game’s art style is seriously unique blending an overgrown city with Kirby’s more cartoon aesthetic is a little bizarre but quite compelling.
A survival horror where you’re stalked through the corridors of a retro-futurism space station by an alien creature perfectly designed for killing might not seem like a natural fit for the family-friendly Switch, but Alien: Isolation is a grown-up game that plays remarkably well on Nintendo’s console. You play Amanda Ripley, daughter of "Alien" franchise hero Ellen Ripley, on a mission to discover what happened to your mother. This brings you into contact with the titular Xenomorph and a desperate battle for survival begins. It’s your job to avoid detection from the alien, while also dealing with the other inhabitants of the Sevastopol Station, some are friendly, and some will shoot on sight. This graphically stunning game recreates the look of the original 1979 movie perfectly, and its Nintendo Switch port is a true technical marvel.
Luigi’s Mansion 3 sees Mario’s scaredy-cat brother take the spotlight as he explores a haunted hotel in search of his missing pals. Armed with his trusty Poltergust 5000 to suck up spooky specters, and with some help from his new pal Gooigi, a slimy doppelgänger of Luigi, it’s the green-hat-wearing plumber's job to solve puzzles, defeat ghosts and hoover up all the gold coin he can find. Each floor of the hotel offers a different theme from a medieval castle to a sandy pyramid tomb which adds a level of visual variety to the relatively simple game design. Luigi’s Mansion 3 is also bursting with charm, and the spooky, but still very family-friendly, atmosphere helps it stands out compared to other Nintendo Switch games. If you want more ghost-hunting fun, also check out Luigi's Mansion 2 HD.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is available to play on pretty much every modern platform, so you might think you don’t need another copy, but Skyrim on the Nintendo Switch remains one of the best ways to play this legendary RPG. It may lack the technical prowess of its PlayStation, Xbox and PC counterparts but having the entire region of Skyrim available on the go is liberating. Plus, Skyrim is surprisingly enjoyable in small bursts. You can dip in and complete a quest or two in shorter play sessions, making it well-suited to portable play. Just resist the urge to play through the game as a stealth archer yet again.
When Nintendo and Ubisoft announced they were mashing together the worlds of Super Mario and the (usually supremely irritating) Rabbids, it seemed like a recipe for disaster. The end result was Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle an unexpectedly compelling cartoon turn-based tactical RPG. A sequel followed in 2022, and Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope is the best version of an idea that sounds utterly bonkers but proved to be truly delightful. You lead your hybrid squad of Mario characters and Rabbids (all dressed up like Mario and pals) on an intergalactic adventure full of planets to explore, tactical battles to win and an overwhelming amount of stuff to unlock.
How to choose the Nintendo Switch game
When trying to choose the best Nintendo Switch game for you, the best place to start is to consider which genre do you want to play. Some games can be categorized as more than one genre, but looking at the type of game will give you a surface-level understanding of what the game is about and how you'll spend your time with it.
Another great reference point is to look up reviews so you can see what critics and other players make of a particular Switch. You'll find links to our reviews above. You should also look to see if any of the games you're considering have a free demo. These let you get a taste of a game before committing your cash to a purchase.
You should also consider how much time you want to spend with a game before buying. Do you want a shorter story-driven game you can play in a few evenings or a meaty RPG that you can play practically non-stop for weeks on end? If you want the best value around, some multiplayer games offer almost infinite repayable as you can spend hundreds of hours mastering them and still have fresh tactics to learn.
Consider all these factors when selecting from our list of the best Nintendo Switch games, and you're almost guaranteed to land on something you really enjoy.
What are the best Nintendo Switch games?
If you're on this list of the best Nintendo Switch games purely to find out the best options, then we'll save you some time. Our top picks consist of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Metroid Dread and Super Mario Odyssey. These are all quite different in style, ranging from an enormous 100+ hour RPG to a dense and tightly-packed action-adventure to 2D side-scrolling platformer, but they're likely to provide you hours and hours of top-quality entertainment.
There are other big Nintendo titles high up the list if you're into multiplayer games. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate offers the series' biggest roster yet of playable iconic characters from Nintendo franchises and beyond. Meanwhile, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe remains the definitive kart-racing game that the whole family can enjoy together.
For gamers looking for something beyond the typical Nintendo fare, the Switch has a surprisingly wide library of games meant for a more mature audience. The colossal The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Complete Edition brings the grim and gripping RPG onto a portable console for the first time, Alien Isolation is a sweat-inducing horror that tasks you to survive against the perfect predator and Dark Souls Remastered is a brutally difficult game, but offers some of the most satisfying moments in gaming.
