Since launching in 2017, the Nintendo Switch has amassed a wealth of great software. As a result, it’s now a fantastic platform for playing games that push the console to its limits. But with so many titles to play, it can be difficult to know where to start. To help, we’ve rounded up our picks for the best Nintendo Switch games, from high-powered action to heartwarming adventure and everything in between.
It’s a bit of a shake-up at the top of our list, with The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom skydiving into the number one spot to oust the original Breath of the Wild from its long-held position. The latter game remains a remarkable accomplishment, however, and is still an absolute must-play for anyone with a Switch.
Whether you want to battle friends online or simply build up a house to call your own, Minecraft is an utterly addictive experience that oozes creativity and makes the most of the Switch’s unique portable nature. You can even sit down with a friend and play locally, thanks to the Joy-Con controllers’ built-in split-screen capabilities.
Astral Chain is another of the most unique and satisfying games you can play on the platform, with Platinum Games’ typically high-quality combat providing a supremely satisfying twist in a futuristic anime setting that’s complemented by detective missions and fun environmental puzzles. Whether you’re a fan of the genre or just looking for a new way to spend your afternoon, this is an action game unlike any other.
A re-release of a Wii U exclusive, Bayonetta 2 is a stunningly beautiful action game with a unique and compelling take on the genre. Rather than a pure combat game, it asks players to choose between different actions and responses to other characters as they explore ruins across the moons of The Nebula. The resulting decisions can have major impacts on the story, making this an archeological RPG where exploration and translation are just as important as fighting.
Despite a few issues with its performance on aging hardware, Pokemon Arceus is a surprisingly good Pokémon game that proves the Switch can hold its own in the crowded RPG genre. Its story is well-written and entertaining, while the gameplay provides an abundance of new experiences, including battling unique monsters and exploring a vibrant world.
The ultimate Nintendo Switch game, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the ideal platformer for two-player local co-op and is a perfect example of what makes the console so special. Easily the most fun you can have with a friend, enraging your friends by beating them at this venerable series is a rite of passage that every Switch owner should partake in at least once. Nintendo Switch games