Despite being released way back in early 2017, the Nintendo Switch remains one of the world’s best-selling consoles. According to a report by Nintendo themselves, they’ve shifted a whopping 155.92 million of them so far. That’s a lot of Switches.
Why? Maybe because it’s unique. You can plug it into your TV or take it with you wherever you go. And whether you’re button bashing or throwing shapes, you’ll be having a whale of a time. With everything from beat ‘em ups to sprawling RPGs, there’s genuinely something for everyone here.
So, if you’ve gone and bagged a Switch – or are thinking about picking one up – here are some of the best Nintendo Switch games that you definitely don’t want to miss.
The best Nintendo Switch games at a glance
Here’s a quick roundup of our favourite Switch games right now…
Best epic adventure – The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Best party multiplayer – Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Best cosy, creative game – Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Best competitive couch play – Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Best 3D platformer – Super Mario Odyssey
Best Pokémon twist – Pokémon Legends: Arceus
Best co-op experience – Super Mario Bros. Wonder
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
If you’re looking for one game that really shows off what the Switch can do, It’s The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
This huge adventure (and it’s really, really huge) drops you into a massive fantasy open world. It’s full of puzzles to solve and enemies to fight – with plenty of surprises along the way too. But what really makes it stand out is the freedom it gives you. Using new abilities, you’ll be building vehicles and machines to solve problems in creative ways. There’s rarely just one correct solution here.
For a lot of players, this is the best single player experience on the Switch. The main story can easily keep you busy for dozens of hours. While proper completionists will spend over 100 hours exploring every corner of the map and unearthing all those hidden secrets.
Best for: Open-world adventurers, explorers and players who love creative problem solving.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
This is probably the easiest game for us to recommend on our list. The formula is simple – race against your mates and family on wild and whacky circuits, with power-ups and shortcuts adding an extra heap of chaos to the mix.
One reason it’s so popular is how accessible it is. New players can get behind the wheel straight away with handy steering assists, making it the definitions of pick up and play. Advanced players aren’t left out though. Master drifting techniques and you’ll be leaving the competition in the dust!
It’s also arguably the best multiplayer game available on Switch. Up to four players can hit the track together on one console and battle it out for top spot on the podium. So, it’s ace for parties and family gatherings where lots of people might want to play.
Best for: Families, parties, petrol heads and anyone who likes multiplayer gaming.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Not every game has to be about saving the world or defeating giant monsters. Sometimes it’s nice to chill out a bit and slow things down. That’s exactly what Animal Crossing is all about.
After arriving on a deserted island, you’re free to transform it into your dream destination. Decorate your home with some new rooms and furniture. Or potter about the garden and design the whole landscape from scratch. Personally, we just like heading out for a spot of fishing and chatting with our charming animal neighbours.
There’s no time-sensitive quest here. Take things at your own pace and settle in for some cosy evening gaming.
Best for: Creative players and casual gamers.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
When it comes to couch multiplayer, it’s hard to beat Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Rather than regular one-on-one fighting, the game throws loads of players into a single arena. Your objective is to knock your opponents off the stage and be the last player standing. It’s as chaotic as it sounds.
The roster here is enormous. You’ll play as characters from Nintendo’s biggest franchises, alongside gaming icons from gaming’s biggest titles. Now you’ll be able to find out whether Mario could beat Link in a fistfight. Our money’s on the scrappy, moustachioed plumber.
It doesn’t matter about your skill level either. Beginners will still have a blast button mashing and causing all out mayhem. While experienced Smash players can master advanced moves to give them the edge.
Best for: Competitive gamers, party gaming and couch co-op sessions.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus
The Pokémon series has been around for decades now. And while you could argue the formula is getting a tad stale, Pokémon Legends: Arceus manages to mix things up.
Instead of following the normal gym-based structure, this adventure is all about exploration and discovery. You’ll venture into large open areas and observe Pokémon in their natural habitat. Then, when you find one you want to capture, you’ll have to physically catch it to add it to your roster.
This makes the gameplay faster and more involved than previous titles. And there’s a lot of variety too. While battles are the main highlight, you’ll need to gather resources and complete research tasks to stay competitive in a fight.
Best for: Pokémon players looking for something different from the usual.
Super Mario Odyssey
This colourful adventure sends Mario across the galaxy. You’ll explore imaginative worlds chock full of secrets and collectibles. All while working through a stack of inventive challenges that’ll really test your skills. Each location introduces new ideas too, keeping the gameplay fresh right up until you roll the credits.
Our favourite feature is Mario’s sentient hat, Cappy (yes, that’s really its name). With Cappy, you can temporarily take control of enemies and objects, opening up creative ways to complete each level.
You’ll probably finish the story in about 12-15 hours – but collecting every Power Moon and discovering every nook and cranny will take you way, way longer. So, you’re getting plenty of bang for your buck here.
Best for: Platforming players, families and new Switch owners.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Nintendo have made plenty of incredible platformers in their time. With Super Mario Bros. Wonder though, they made one of the most creative out there.
Every level brings surprising ideas through the Wonder Flowers. These pesky plants completely transform the stage and the gameplay. Pipes might come alive. Or if you’re really unlucky, the entire environment could change shape. That constant variety makes every level memorable and really bumps up the challenge.
It’s also excellent for local co-op. One of you could play as Mario while the other controls Luigi – no arguments over who gets to be who though! It all happens on the same screen too, making it ideal for group family game sessions.
Plus, with hidden collectibles – and a bunch of alternative paths and unlockables – there’s loads of reason to replay levels over and over.
Best for: Fans of classic Mario adventures, co-op gaming and families.
Nintendo Switch 2
If you’d rather play Nintendo’s latest games machine, you can check out our full selection of Nintendo Switch 2 consoles & bundles right here. Don’t forget the games either!
FAQs
What are the best Nintendo Switch games for beginners?
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Animal Crossing: New Horizons are great places to jump in. They’re easy (and quick) to learn, so you won’t have to learn a gazillion different button presses to have a good time. We reckon even nan will be able to get involved!
What’s the best Nintendo Switch game for families and kids?
Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe are great fun for all the family. They’re both easy enough to learn the controls and come with multiplayer play straight out of the box.
What are the best multiplayer Nintendo Switch games for couch co-op?
You can’t go far wrong with any of the Mario titles on our list. They’re all among the best multiplayer Switch games for playing together on the same sofa.
Do you need Nintendo Switch online to play multiplayer games?
Not for local multiplayer. If everyone is playing sat in the same room, you usually won’t need Nintendo Switch Online to start battling. If you’re planning on going head-to-head with other gamers around the world though, you’ll have to grab yourself a subscription.
Do Nintendo Switch games work on Nintendo Switch 2?
A lot of Nintendo Switch games will work on the Switch 2 – but not all of them. For the ones that are, it’s incredibly handy, letting you carry over your collection (and most importantly your saves!) to the newer console.
What’s the best single player Nintendo Switch game for story and exploration?
We’d go for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Its huge world and exploration that actually feels rewarding make it one of the best single-player adventures you can play. Trust us, you’ll be sinking well over 100+ hours into this one.
Is it better to buy Switch games digitally or on cartridge?
Both have their own pros and cons. Digital games are really convenient, as they’re always ready to play right there on your console. On the flip side, cartridges can be shared, traded or sold on when you’re done with them. The choice completely depends on how you want to build your game library.
Need more advice?
For a full rundown on Nintendo’s two consoles, we’ve got you covered. Have a read of our article Nintendo Switch vs. Switch 2: why you should upgrade. And if you never want to miss a release, head on over to the upcoming games page. We might even have a discount or two waiting for you…
