Thanks to the best Nintendo Switch games, brilliant experiences are also usefully portable. In fact, the team here at 12DOVE has been in love with this handheld hybrid for years now, and we've played just about every title that the platform has to offer. That's made pulling a list of the 25 best Nintendo Switch games together pretty tricky, but we are confident there's something for everyone here.
Whether you're after excellent Switch exclusives or just looking for a little indie game to tide you over while you're waiting for one of the upcoming Switch games on the horizon for this year, we've got you covered. We've also made this list of the best Switch games as varied as possible to make sure you get the complete handheld experience, whether you're a fan of JRPGs or a collector of all the best Mario games.
You're sure to find your next gaming obsession down below, so get your Joy-Cons ready and keep reading: here are the very best Nintendo Switch games that you can play today!
25. Balatro
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Release date: February 20, 2024
Developer/Publisher: LocalThunk / Playstack
Once you start playing Balatro, you won’t be able to stop. Seriously, this game has taken the world by storm for a reason. Its gameplay loop is addictive, and soon, you’ll be playing poker like a champ. Following the basic rules of poker, your objective is simple: you have to score enough chips to pass the requirements. Once you do, you’ll move to the next boss and spend your earned cash on upgrades that can give you a ton of cool features, such as combos, new cards in your deck, or buffs.
This is a deck-building roguelike that is fast-moving and extremely satisfying, and the sounds of each round send endorphins straight to our brains. It is also the kind of game that is perfect for playing on the go on a handheld system, as you don’t have to lock in for a deep story or need a constant power source to run this one for a good few hours. It’s a perfect Switch game. If you are after more recommendations, you can also check out our list of the best roguelikes to play right now.
24. Kirby and the Forgotten Land
Release date: March 25, 2022
Developer/Publisher: HAL Laboratory / Nintendo
Kirby and the Forgotten Land takes you on a memorable adventure packed with delightful features, challenges, and new standout additions. Taking place in a mysterious world with wonderfully creative stages, every level hides plenty of secrets you'll want to experience for yourself. The platforming is more open, so you can take the time to explore and make the most of the pink puffball's first proper step into the realm of 3D.
Forgotten Land also introduces the new Mouthful Mode skill that allows you to become a car, cone, water balloon, and more. And when you want to take a break from the platforming, you can even take a breather at Waddle Dee Town, with mini-games and side activities galore. We had nothing but good things to say about this title in our Kirby and the Forgotten Land review. It's one of the best Kirby games ever made, and honestly, we can't get enough!
23. Ōkami
Release date: 20 April 2006
Developer/Publisher: Clover Studio / Capcom
Since releasing in 2006 for the PlayStation 2, Okami has been recognized as one of the best adventure games around. Combining Japanese folklore and mythology, the game makes you take on the role of the Shinto sun goddess Amaterasu (whose form is a white wolf) as you work to save the land from darkness. With an art style resembling an ink painting and a combat and exploration system that makes you draw shapes with a celestial paintbrush, the game still feels like a marvel today.
In our Okami on Nintendo Switch review, we also mentioned how the port for the Switch runs like a dream and actually brings this iconic game to a whole new immersive level. Mechanics such as drawing with your celestial paintbrush to fight enemies and solve puzzles around the world are seamless in handheld mode, and the motion controls are intuitive throughout the entire game. Basically, it’s hard to believe that Okami is a port because it feels like it was made for this system.
22. Bayonetta 2
Release date: February 16, 2018
Developer/Publisher: PlatinumGames / Nintendo
Originally released as a Wii U exclusive, Bayonetta 2 has now been re-released on Switch. That means you now have no excuses not to play one of the best action games of all time. Although, when the heroine is a witch with magical hair and (literally) killer stilettos, you won’t really need an excuse not to. This Switch release allows you to experience some of the most action-packed, brutal moments from the last decade of gaming wherever you want.
Although it’s a shame the resolution is locked to 720p, it doesn’t detract from the fact it’s a better game than it was on Wii U, even if you look at the major frame rate improvements alone. In our Bayonetta 2 review, we point out how the game looks stunning regardless, and if you’re an action game fan in the slightest, you owe it to yourself to play it. In fact, when you buy Bayonetta 2, you actually get a free Switch game, too, because the original game is included with your purchase. Bargain.
21. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Release date: March 20, 2020
Developer/Publisher: Nintendo
Not many games offer you the chance to build something that will last an entire console generation, but Animal Crossing: New Horizons does just that. After Nook whisks you away to your very own tropical island - for a fee, of course - it's down to you to build a life there. You'll invite new residents to move to your sandy shores, grow local businesses, create a community, and craft an island you can all be proud of.
Running in line with real-world days, Animal Crossing: New Horizons isn't one to be rushed, but it is the idyllic getaway we all need right now. If you want to learn more about Tom Nook's Bell empire, read our Animal Crossing: New Horizons review.
20. Minecraft
Release date: May 11, 2017
Developer/Publisher: Mojang
Minecraft on Switch means an ultra-portable, buildable delight. You can sit with a friend to play together on the local network. You can also play online if you're not eager to go exploring alone, or try out one of its mini-games: Battle (straightforwards PvP), Tumble (a race that involves shovels or snowballs), or Glide (get to the end of the course asap). A plethora of achievements makes for pleasantly directed playing, giving you something to aim for.
But, when it comes down to it, you never feel like you've quite beaten Minecraft, even if you've been playing for tens of hours. Whether you're tenacious, easygoing, or just rabidly curious, think of Minecraft as a gracious host that will make you and anyone you choose to co-op with delirious with happiness. We also gave the game five-stars in our Minecraft review, so it's definitely worthy of its spot on our best Nintendo Switch games list.
19. Octopath Traveler
Release date: July 13, 2018
Developer/Publisher: Square Enix
What Octopath Traveler really excels at is scale. Whereas any other game would put all of its focus onto a single protagonist, Square Enix's JRPG tells the story of eight - yes, eight - heroes, and all of their beautifully told stories are given the same gravitas, which is quite the feat. It's a wonderful collection of stories, told in a world inspired by some of the best JRPGs of old, particularly in terms of art style, and its combat is some of the best turned-based systems the JRPG world has to offer.
If any of this intrigues you, then Octopath Traveler needs to be on your wishlist immediately. Or, preferably, under your thumbs. Get involved with this excellent addition to the best Switch games list, and read our Octopath Traveller review if you're still unconvinced.
18. Stardew Valley
Release date: October 5, 2017
Developer/Publisher: ConcernedApe
There's a reason Stardew Valley was one of the most highly anticipated titles coming to the Nintendo Switch and now ranks so highly on this list of best Nintendo Switch games. This adorable, simple, life-farming simulator is the perfect game for taking advantage of the Switch's portability. Farming at home, farming on the go, farming wherever the heck you fancy farming.
It's a fantastic game for whiling away the evenings with farming, mining, animal rearing, fishing, and other super-relaxing activities. Trust us, you'll soon be as immersed in the world of Stardew as we are. We also have a list of the best games, like Stardew Valley, to check out after you're done with Pelican Town.
17. Super Mario RPG
Release date: November 17, 2023
Developer/Publisher: ArtePiazza / Nintendo
If anyone missed out on playing Super Mario RPG the first time around, as so many of us did, this remake is well worth investing in. Super Mario RPG is legendary for a reason, and this takes what was epic in the first place, adding tweaks that make it even more engaging.
Yes, it's still '90s RPG storytelling, but it's one of the most surprising Mario games of all time because of it. So, for that reason, we had to do the right thing and make sure this classic was on our list of the best Nintendo Switch games of all time. Read our Super Mario RPG review for more details!
16. Hollow Knight
Release date: February 24, 2017
Developer/Publisher: Team Cherry
Some are suggesting that Hollow Knight is Dark Souls for beginners. But it's really a Dark Souls with stunning hand-painted aesthetics, a color palette to make you cry, and a stunning orchestral soundtrack that you want to bathe in. It's one of our best Nintendo Switch games for a reason, folks.
In true Metroidvania style, you'll be exploring a labyrinth of underground areas, each more distinct than the last, and all filled with strange creatures to fight and bizarre bugs to befriend. (Yes, really.) As you progress you gain new abilities, grow in power, and more devoted to uncovering all of Hollow Knight's secrets. One of the best Switch games to date.
15. Paper Mario: The Origami King
Release date: July 17, 2020
Developer/Publisher: Intelligent Systems / Nintendo
Paper Mario: The Origami King might not be the RPG you'd hope for, but it is special. Nintendo has tapped right into the fun, light-hearted spirit that has always pervaded the Paper Mario series and also introduced a tonne of new features, including a ring system for battling.
It'll have you twisting and turning your enemies into place before whacking them with hammers or stomping them with your boots, while Boss battles see stationary taking a dark turn. As we mention in our Paper Mario: The Origami King review, ultimately, this is a fun, light-hearted celebration of Super Mario with a strong story, great humour, and brilliant characters.
14. Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
Release date: September 20, 2019
Developer/Publisher: Nintendo
If you want a slice of more classic, dungeon-focused gameplay on the Switch, then you need Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening in your life. It takes the Game Boy Colour game - Link's Awakening DX - and gives it a fresh art style, a chibi-esque toy village vibe that makes this one of the best-looking games on Switch – and the most adorable.
In that way, it manages to feel like a brand-new game while still maintaining the essence and story of the quirky original. Definitely one of the best Switch games right now and one of the best Zelda games you can play on the platform. Check out our Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening review for more Hyrule fun!
13. Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope
Release date: October 20, 2022
Developer/Publisher: Ubisoft
Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope is a strategy game that works incredibly well, even if you're not a fan of strategy games. Seriously, we didn't expect to love it as much as we do or give it a near-perfect rating in our Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope review. But here we are! The game features brilliant, polished mechanics that are introduced in stages to let you get to grips with the game's surprisingly deep tactical gameplay.
But it mixes that gameplay with real knowledge of the Super Mario universe and wraps it up in a level of detail and graphical quality that you can regularly mistake for a Nintendo-made title. It's an absolute joy and definitely worth its place on this best Switch games list, especially as it takes what the original game does and adds more freedom, creativity, and further Super Mario-ness.
12. Pikmin 4
Release date: July 21, 2023
Developer/Publisher: Nintendo
Turns out Pikmin's fourth entry is also its best. With so many improvements on the classic strategy formula to make it the most approachable ever, it also becomes the most fun. It's a huge game with so much to see - even after the credits roll - and new additions like space-dog Oatchi, ice and glow Pikmin, and more make for a really memorable strategy experience.
Also, Pikmin have always been cute, but in Pikmin 4, they are extra adorable, and we can't help but love those little guys. You can read more about our unhealthy attachment to this game in our Pikmin 4 review.
11. Luigi's Mansion 3
Release date: October 31, 2019
Developer/Publisher: Nintendo
Proof that the green plumber can be the star of the show, Luigi's Mansion 3 takes you on a journey full of memorable spooks, creative puzzles, fantastic level design, and charm that oozes from every pore. Oh, and have we talked about Gooigi? Luigi's goo-filled compadre that can slip straight into places the human Luigi just can't?
Well, it all combines to find the right balance between new and old, delivering a refreshing spin on the Luigi's Mansion formula and earning its place on this best Switch games list. As we mention in our Luigi's Mansion 3 review, newcomers and longtime fans are sure to delight in exploring everything the hotel has to offer.
10. Xenoblade Chronicles 3
Release date: July 29, 2022
Developer/Publisher: Monolith Soft / Nintendo
If you want a JRPG that's really going to take over your world, you need Xenoblade Chronicles 3. It's easy to sink upwards of 150 hours into this one, thanks to its gargantuan world and the fact it delivers an epic sci-fantasy tale.
The combat is the best and most complicated in the series to date, and combined with engrossing systems, there's almost limitless progression on offer here. It's an almost flawless game, and although it isn't perfect, what's here is more than enough to justify any shortcomings.
9. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Release date: December 7, 2018
Developer/Publisher: Bandai Namco / Sora Ltd / Nintendo
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is pulling out all the stops when it comes to characters and is easily one of the best two-player switch games you can play today. With a whopping 74 characters available to unlock, this is definitely the busiest roster of them all. That total includes 11 brand-new characters - and that's before you've even started on the DLC.
That means a whole new set of fighters to learn in the heat of battle, but thankfully, this is the best Super Smash Bros. title yet in terms of its looks and the way the stages are detailed and animated. Fighters move more naturally and with additional flare, and the KO animations are more satisfying than ever. Plus, there's even a surprisingly meaty single-player story to dive into. This is quite the package. Find out more in our Super Smash Bros. Ultimate review!
8. Pokemon Legends: Arceus
Release date: January 28, 2022
Developer/Publisher: Game Freak / The Pokemon Company / Nintendo
Pokemon Legends: Arceus is Game Freak's foray into an open-world Pokemon adventure, and it's achieved something quite special. The game takes us back to a point in time where the Sinnoh region is known as the Hisui region. There are no cities, no Pokemon Gyms, no trainers, just a quest to figure out what's going on in the region, and build the locale's very first Pokedex.
You'll catch, battle, and train up wild Pokemon you meet in the overworld and work with them and the brilliant humans you'll meet to solve quite the mystery. It's an excellent new direction for the series and a refreshingly different approach to the core mechanics. Honestly, it's one of the best Pokemon games that we have seen released in recent years, and we gave it a near-perfect score in our Pokemon Legends Arceus review for a reason.
7. Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Release date: July 26, 2019
Developer/Publisher: Intelligent Systems / Koei Tecmo / Nintendo
The future of Fódlan rests on the decisions that you make, and that alone serves as quite the selling point. But, in all seriousness, if you're already a fan of the series Fire Emblem: Three Houses, this is one of the best strategy games to date. It realises a new, more meaningful direction for the series where stories are prioritised over combat.
The challenging, tight, turn-based combat is still there, of course, but it's not all that Fire Emblem is anymore. This is an epic evolution for the series, and if you want more information on why it's a must-play title, check out our Fire Emblem: Three Houses review.
6. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Release date: April 28, 2017
Developer/Publisher: Nintendo
Apart from the telling clue in the line above, the Nintendo experience isn't complete until you've enraged your closest friends by beating them at Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. It's a rite of passage on every Nintendo console. This immediate, relatable, pick-up-and-play fun is exactly what the Switch was created for.
Up to eight people can locally, letting you pretend that you're in a Nintendo lifestyle advert, and it's a novelty that two people can play anywhere using a single console. But best of all, this is the ultimate version of an already amazing game and perhaps the clearest and best example of how great the Switch could be. Read our five-star Mario Kart 8 Deluxe review if you are still unconvinced that this is one of the best racing games of all time.
5. Splatoon 3
Release date: September 8, 2022
Developer/Publisher: Nintendo
As the title might suggest, Splatoon 3 is the third entry in Nintendo's zany multiplayer shooter. It manages to walk the line between being family-friendly by using ink blasters and rollers instead of guns and being a really strong competitive title.
It's wonderfully fast-paced at all times and offers a compelling single-player campaign to complement its online features. Not only is this one of the best Nintendo Switch games you can pick up, but it's also one of the best multiplayer Switch games on the market. A winner all round. Check out our Splatoon 3 review for more details!
4. Super Mario Wonder
Release date: October 20, 2023
Developer/Publisher: Nintendo Planning and Development
Who knew it was possible to reinvent the 2D Mario platformer in 2023? But, by Jove, they've done it. Super Mario Bros. Wonder uses the titular Wonder Flowers to mix up the levels in continually unexpected ways, surprising and delighting with every discovery.
Throughout the revamped game, we see how new power-ups are inventive and creative, and the attention to detail means it's not a Mario adventure worth missing. In fact, in our Super Mario Bros. Wonder review, we compared it to feeling like a trip to Disneyland, so you know it's a good time.
3. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Release date: March 3, 2017
Developer/Publisher: Nintendo
Breath of the Wild takes ideas originally introduced in the first Legend of Zelda game along with concepts expanded on by Skyrim and other modern open-world RPGs and Nintendoizes them, distilling them into purest parts, and polishes the hell out of them. It's a world of wonder, and it actually lets you experience that wonder without beating you over the head with hours of tutorials and incessant text boxes re-explaining everything you already know.
Playing it on the TV is a treat, but being able to lift the Switch from the dock and take a game of this size and scope wherever you want is a perfect summation of the Switch's potential. For more information on one of the best games of 2017, read our The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild review.
2. Super Mario Odyssey
Release date: October 27, 2017
Developer/Publisher: Nintendo
Thanks to Mario's new friend Cappy, Super Mario Odyssey manages to successfully bring the series up to date by gifting Mario a ton of new moves. And by moving out of the Mushroom Kingdom, Mario feels fresh and new while still retaining every ounce of its nostalgia and retro charm - there are still ground pounds and green pipes, don't worry.
This is very much Mario as his best self so far, and his latest adventure looks absolutely beautiful on the Switch. As our Super Mario Odyssey review mentions, it's also a Mario game for newcomers and seasoned fans alike. A true new classic.
1. Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Release date: May 12, 2023
Developer/Publisher: Nintendo
First, there was Breath of the Wild, but now there's The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. This is, perhaps more than anything, the biggest showpiece for what the Nintendo Switch can do - even more so than its predecessor did. It's a game about creativity, officially giving players the tools they need to fuse and bind together objects to conjure up new weapons, vehicles, and other inspired devices for solving puzzles or taking down another Bokoblin troupe.
It's Hyrule again, but bigger and somehow filled with even more secrets. It's a genuine joy and 100% worth the wait. You can find out more about our top pick as the best Nintendo Switch game with our Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom review.
For more handheld fun, check out our guide breaking down everything we know about the Nintendo Switch 2. You can also take a look at our lists of the best Switch indie games and all the new games heading our way this year.
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