Even though mobile gaming may have put a huge dent in the handheld console market, the Nintendo Switch remains a popular choice for a number of consumers looking for a portable console that they can carry around wherever they go. As of January 2020, Nintendo had shipped over 61.91 million units of the Nintendo Switch which makes it stand out of the rest. If you happen to be among the many who purchased a brand new Nintendo Switch, I’m sure you’d be on the lookout for some cool games to play on the console. Well, we’ve got you covered with an extensive roster of the 30 best Nintendo Switch games you must play.
In this roundup, we have chosen a variety of games for Nintendo Switch. From power-packed shooting games to action-filled adventure games to fun-loving farming games, the roundup has got the variety to appeal to your gaming fantasy.
1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is one of Nintendo’s most popular releases on any console to date, and for good reason. The game takes the Zelda franchise to a whole new level, offering players a stunning open world where they can choose to do whatever they please.
The Nintendo Switch is the perfect device to experience some of the best Nintendo exclusive titles out there and if you’re on the lookout for any such titles, then you should definitely consider checking out Super Smash Bros Ultimate.
Another great offering from the Mario universe, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is another must-have game for the Nintendo Switch. The game will appeal to all of you who love fun, action-packed racing games, packing in some new characters, new karts, and unlocked DLC content.
If fighting or racing games aren’t really your thing and you’d rather play a great platformer on your Nintendo Switch, then you should consider purchasing Celeste. The game follows the story of a girl named Madeline as she makes her way up a mountain while avoiding deadly obstacles.
Besides, you control Madeline and can make her jump, climb up walls or dash mid-air, which is fairly easy to get a hang of but difficult to master. Do you think you have what it takes to help Madeline reach the summit?
Splatoon 2 is another great game that has made its way from the Wii U to the Nintendo Switch, offering players a fun multiplayer shooting experience on the popular handheld console. The game packs in a ton of different characters for you to choose from, along with a great selection of wacky guns.
Super Mario Odyssey is another great title you absolutely shouldn’t miss as it’s the first Mario game that is set in a realistic world. Even though you’re still on a quest to find Princess Peach, the beloved mushroom kingdom has been replaced by dense forests, urban areas, or a desert in Super Mario Odyssey.
7. Undertale
For those of you who appreciate a good role-playing game, take look at Undertale – a retro-style RPG for the Nintendo Switch that puts you in the shoes of a child who has fallen into the Underground. The Underground is a large, secluded region under the surface of the Earth which is separated from the surface by a magical barrier and you have to find a way back to the surface.
Another Wii U game to make it to the Nintendo Switch, Bayonetta 2 follows the story of Bayonetta – a witch who is capable of shapeshifting and using a variety of different firearms. The game follows the same action-adventure hack and slash gameplay of its predecessor and is set on the fictional sacred mountain of Fimbulventr and the nearby town of Noatun.
One of the most popular RPG titles out there, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, is also available on the Nintendo Switch and you should definitely get it if you haven’t played the game before.
The game features everything you’d find in the PC version of Skyrim, right from the character creation to killing the dragon, along with a ton of side quests that you can embark on if you’re not too keen on completing the main questline. Even if you’ve played Skyrim before, I’d recommend you to try it out once again on the Nintendo Switch, I’m sure you’re gonna love it.
One of the best arcade-style fighting games released of late, Dragon Ball FighterZ is definitely worth purchasing on the Nintendo Switch. In the game, you can form a squad of any three of your most favorite characters from the Dragon Ball universe and go head-to-head against another player in an action-packed 3v3 match.
Buy from Nintendo ($59.99)
Rightly described as an atmospheric adventure through a surreal bug-infested world, Hollow Knight is another epic platformer that you can enjoy on your Nintendo Switch. The game features some stunning hand-painting style visuals and coupled with the amazing soundtrack, Hollow Knight offers one of the best sensory experiences ever.
12. Sonic Mania Plus
Sonic Mania Plus is a side-scrolling adventure in which you can play as the beloved hedgehog Sonic or one of his friends. As with most Sonic the Hedgehog games, the objective of Sonic Mania is to collect as many rings as possible, while also taking down the bosses at the end of each level.
I’m not a huge fan of sports games but I liked NBA 2K20, which speaks volumes about how good the game actually is. The game is the first NBA title to make it to any Nintendo console since NBA 2K13 and it’s definitely worth checking out if you’re a fan of sports games or basketball games to be more specific.
Dead Cells is another great action platformer that you can play on your Nintendo Switch. Set in an ever-changing castle, Dead Cells puts you in the role of a body of cells that have taken control over a corpse in a dungeon. You now have to fight your way out of the dungeon and collect weapons, loot, and other tools on the way.
Be careful of your actions, however, as there are no checkpoints and if you die, you’ll have to start all over again. Frustratingly challenging is a good way to define Dead Cells.
Rayman Legends is one of the best platformers out there and it’s been ported to the Nintendo Switch with a few new features in tow. The colorful visuals, coupled with the fun, fast-paced gameplay, make Rayman Legends a worthwhile buy for you.
It’s 1961, the Nazi army dominated World War II and has now set up a totalitarian regime in America. You take the role of William B.J. Blazkowicz, a war veteran who’s still making an effort to overthrow the Nazi regime.
17. Into the Breach
If strategy games are your jam, you need to check out Into the Breach – a retro-style strategy title in which you have to protect the human civilization using powerful mechs.
Moonlighter is a great game to pick up if you’re a fan of dungeon crawlers and enjoy exploring, fighting enemies and collecting loot. In Moonlighter you play as Will, an adventurous shopkeeper who has to tend to his shopkeeping duties during the day and give in to his fantasies of becoming a hero by night.
Minecraft really doesn’t need any introduction. It’s a vast sandbox world made up of a variety of different blocks and there’s no set objective. You’re free to do whatever you want and there’s actually quite a lot you can do.
If you’ve never played Minecraft before, now would be a good time to start and in case you have, there’s no harm having a portable version of the game that you can carry along with you at all times.
Rounding off the list is INSIDE, a chilling horror game that you can enjoy on your Nintendo Switch. INSIDE isn’t your run of the mill horror game, instead, it’s a puzzle-platformer in which you play as a young boy lost in a dystopic world. Hunted and alone, you have to keep moving ahead by solving mind-bending puzzles.
Buy from Nintendo ($19.99)
“Animal Crossing: New Horizons” is the sort of game that you will never get tired of playing. The game is all about collecting bugs, decorating your paradise, and exploring the amazing island. Probably the most fascinating thing about this game is the freedom to live your life on your own terms.
22. Paper Mario: The Origami King
If you are fond of Paper Mario, you shouldn’t miss out on Paper Mario: The Origami King. Set in the 2D paper version of Mario, the comedy-filled adventure. After the kingdom has been destroyed by an origami menace, Mario and his partner Olivia are left with no choice but to fight out the evil soldiers.
23. Untitled Goose Game
If you have set your sight on a light-hearted game to play on your Nintendo Switch, I would recommend you to give a shot to Untitled Goose Game. The game is about a terrible goose (that’s you!) that’s hell-bent on making life extremely difficult for everyone around him.
24. Pokemon Sword & Shield
This one is primed for the pokemon fans! And if you are one of them, you should give it a shot. In Pokemon Sword & Shield, you would enjoy catching, battling, and trading pokemon in the Galar region. To get going, you need to choose from three new partner Pokemon and then set out to unravel the secrets behind the iconic Pokémon Zacian and Zamazenta.
Developed by Next Level Games, Luigi’s Mansion 3 is a top-notch action-adventure game. The game is about Luigi who has to explore a haunted hotel and rescue his friends from the ghosts. Aside from featuring several gameplay elements from the previous installments, the game has also got a range of new features.
For the folks who never seem to get enough of adventure games on Nintendo Switch, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle seems to be a fantastic choice. The game revolves around the huge clash between Mario and Rabbis. Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Yoshi team up with four Rabbis heroes to take on the challenges head-on.
Developed by Brace Yourself Games, Cadence of Hyrule is a rhythmic action-adventure. What makes this game fun-loving is the gameplay of Crypt of the Necrodancer in the setting of The Legend of Zelda series.
Featuring randomly generated overworld with a number of surprising elements coupled with the intriguing gameplay, it’s up to the task for hours of fun.
28. Doom
If action-packed gaming is what you are after, Doom is the one name that should be on your radar. Developed by id Software, it’s designed to provide a scintillating shooting experience. With the mighty powerful demons, robust guns, and challenging gameplay, it’s got everything covered to make for a strong case on your Nintendo Switch.
29. Stardew Valley
Look no further than Stardew Valley, if you are willing to indulge in a fun-filled farming game. In this game, you have inherited your grandfather’s old farm plot which you have to use to not only earn your livelihood but also fulfill all of your dreams.
30. Super Mario Maker 2
If you have tried your hands on the Super Mario game, chances are pretty high that you would find Super Mario Maker 2 highly appreciable. With over 100 built-in courses in the single-player story mode at disposal, it has got you fully covered both in terms of numbers and varieties.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Nintendo Switch Games Should I Buy?
It all boils down to what appeals to your gaming fantasy. If you are fond of farming, a game like Stardew Valley could be a great choice. And if you are fond of shooting, Doom should be the way to go.
There are so many games that deserve the tag of the best games for Nintendo Switch for adults. However, I find The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Smash Bros Ultimate more appealing.
Undoubtedly yes! Switches have always been top-notch. And they continue to be one of the most loved video game consoles even in 2020. However, if you can wait a few months, you might want to wait for the 2021 refresh of Nintendo Switch.
The main reason why Nintendo Switch games are so expensive is the comparatively high cost of development. Notably, the cartridges that the Switch features cost more to make than Blu-ray discs.
