The 15 Best Nintendo Switch Games Right Now

In early 2017, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild fundamentally changed the Zelda franchise formula. I'd dabbled in past entries, but Breath of the Wild's expansive open world called to me in a way that no other Zelda game did, featuring puzzles with multiple solutions and encouraging novel approaches to combat encounters. And then Tears of the Kingdom came along in May 2023 and made Breath of the Wild feel immediately obsolete. 

The design choices in this game advance everything that made its predecessor special. Among several new ways to interact with the world, the Ultrahand power took over the internet for a hot minute after Tears of the Kingdom dropped, and that's for good reason -- it's not often that someone gets to build a bomber jet in a completely unmodded fantasy RPG.

Despite inheriting much of the same map from Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom entertainingly remixes the terrain -- and has its own inventive geography. Not only does the landscape radically change as floating islands dominate the horizon, but a new underworld called the Depths ensures that players will have exciting new locations to explore for a very long time. Figuring out how to handle the vertical slices of content can be a headache, and the new powers can be unwieldy. But as soon as you make it over those small barriers to entry, you'll revel in the total player freedom and expansive world in Tears of the Kingdom.

- Tyler Graham

Even if you've never owned a Nintendo console, you've still probably played Mario Kart at some point in your life. It's practically the go-to party game, as pretty much anyone can pick up a controller and jump in. Mario Kart 8 actually originates from the Wii U era, but the game was ported to the Switch in April 2017, with "Deluxe" attached to the title and several content expansions released. 

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is one of my favorite entries in the Mario Kart series purely for its selection of race courses. The game has 48 different tracks you can play, and with the DLC, this doubles to 96 tracks. These tracks come from all over the place. There's new tracks exclusive to Mario Kart 8, remastered retro tracks from older Mario Kart titles and some tracks from Mario Kart Tour on mobile. 

I also particularly like the accessibility options that Mario Kart 8 has. Most notably, a smart-steering feature that you can toggle on or off while you're selecting your kart. It's basically an assisted steering option that keeps your kart from tipping over the edge of the track, which makes it so that pretty much anybody can have a good time racing. Now, I can finally play Mario Kart with my parents and not have to worry about them constantly falling off the side of the track.

- Sarah Drolet

It's hard to believe the original Super Smash Bros. that came out in 1999 for the Nintendo 64 only featured 12 playable characters. That might be a solid roster for another fighting game, but it's almost laughable compared to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, which launched in December 2018 with a roster of 76 fighters (expanded to 86 with post-launch DLC).

Other games have more fighters than Ultimate (looking at you, Dragon Ball Sparking Zero), but none of them pull from such a diverse range of heavy-hitting gaming franchises. Smash has become ubiquitous with pulling in gaming legends, and it's really no surprise why that is: this is a game where you can choose to play as Mario, Sonic, Cloud Strife, Pac Man or Sora. I can annoyingly pester opponents from across the map with Solid Snake's missile launcher in one match and then do the same thing with Richter Belmont's axes and holy water during the next one.

Ultimate isn't a phoned-in IP parade, either. It's a game that proves that Smash Bros. is still the premier platform fighter, with fast-paced movement, frame-perfect parries and killer combos defining high-level gameplay. You don't have to be super skilled to have fun, either -- it's a fantastic party game to boot up with friends. Just turn on item drops or open the World of Light story mode and everyone will have a good time.

- Tyler Graham

Released in September 2022, Splatoon 3 is the latest entry in Nintendo's family friendly third-person shooter franchise. You're a kid, you're a squid and it's up to you to ink the majority of the multiplayer battle arena in order to win the match.

Splatoon's third entry includes more customization than ever before, featuring new Inkling and Octoling cosmetics that change in-game abilities and even more weapons. It's a strange sort of power fantasy to ride around blasting globs of ink out of the turrets of the Crab Tank or to jet into the opposing team on the toothy Reefslider, but it's a blast nonetheless.

If you don't have an internet connection (or a subscription to Nintendo Switch Online), there's still a single player campaign for you to play -- one that will still let you mess around with all of the chaotic weapons from multiplayer game modes as you embark on a covert mission to prevent the final mammals on Earth from destroying all aquatic life.

There aren't many shooters on the Switch, but Splatoon 3 is an exception that combines zany, chaotic movement and inventive weaponry with some seriously satisfying gunplay.

- Tyler Graham

If you like farming sims, or are simply just looking for a new cozy game filled with pleasant tasks, you have to give Stardew Valley, first released in February 2016, a try. It's kind of like playing a Harvest Moon or Story of Seasons game but with much more to do and an adorable retro art style. The farmland you start with is inherited from your character's grandfather, which sounds awfully nice of him if it weren't for the trees, boulders and weeds everywhere. It's up to you to clear everything out and build up your own farming empire. 

This game will have you running around all over the place, making it something of a cozy time management puzzle -- there's always something to do. Between tending to your crops and animals, trips to the store and the mines, fishing, foraging and visiting NPCs, you'll have a pretty packed schedule. The good news is that you can go at your own pace working through the four seasons per in-game year. And while there technically isn't an end to Stardew Valley, there are certain crops that you'll want to make sure get grown in certain seasons. 

There's also some robust crafting features to create tools and machines to automate farm chores  (I don't like watering crops, so I'll craft an army of sprinklers) and process crops into more profitable goods. (I fill my sheds with kegs and preserve jars to process fruits into wines and jellies.) In short, Stardew Valley is a great game to build your own little farming world, as busy as you want to make it.

- Sarah Drolet

The Animal Crossing franchise was a childhood staple, and I have fond memories of rushing off the school bus to grab my Nintendo DS and see what my Animal Crossing Wild World villagers were up to. Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Nintendo's most recent Animal Crossing game, brings that childhood nostalgia back full force and is easily the best in the series. 

New Horizons couldn't have launched at a better time. The game came out in March 2020, during a time when Covid was at its peak. Like many others, I was stuck inside nearly around the clock, and New Horizons provided a cozy way to escape from the global chaos of pandemic lockdowns. You start your game on a deserted island with nothing but a tent, the clothes on your back and a few friendly neighbors (along with a Nook-sized debt to pay off). As you play, you'll invite more NPCs to live on the island, gather materials to construct new buildings and decorate things however you want. 

Much like older Animal Crossing titles, you'll still be fishing, catching bugs and digging up fossils. But New Horizons spices things up by giving you more freedom than ever before to perfect your little island world. This is the only Animal Crossing game that lets you place furniture and objects outside and even (eventually) shape your island's rivers and cliffs to be the way you want. While it's been a few years since its peak, New Horizons is still one of the best cozy games on the Switch with an active community (and subreddit) that would still be delighted to visit your digital paradise.

- Sarah Drolet

Nintendo has been rehashing some of the same gimmicks in its Super Mario Bros. games for years, which is fine when they're some of the best platformers out there, but the repetition gets stale after a while. Super Mario Bros. Wonder, released in October 2023, freshens up the formula and is easily the most fun I've had with a Mario game in a long time. It's a classic 2D Mario platformer that's brimming with creativity.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder's secret ingredient is transformation. Each level contains what's called a wonder flower, and touching the wonder flower transforms the entire level in a way that you probably aren't expecting. The ground may start to move, enemies might burst out into song or you might even start floating until you reach outer space. Expect a new surprise in every level, especially if you're going in blind (which is what I recommend.)

I also love the way the game looks, as the colors in Mario Wonder really pop. The color palette for each level feels bright and vibrant, but also darker when it needs to be, like during Bowser or Boo levels. The new animations and voice work for Mario and friends are a welcome addition as well. Like the best Mario games, Wonder executes its plethora of fun ideas so well that players will find joy around every corner.

- Sarah Drolet

As the first 3D Mario built for the Switch, Super Mario Odyssey debuted in October 2017 to immense acclaim, with a lot of praise for the new enemy-controlling mechanic courtesy of the Italian plumber's new pal Cappy. Though I remember at the time that I had my doubts about the game (using a hat to possess different enemies appeared to be a little too gimmicky) I was very wrong: Super Mario Odyssey stands out as one of the 3D Mario all-time greats.

As expected for a Mario game, there's a wealth of worlds to enjoy, which are opened up in new ways when Mario possesses different enemies. One of Odyssey's big strengths is how  satisfying it feels to move around each colorful locale. Movement mainstays such as Mario's triple and backwards crouch jump return, but now Mario can dive onto Cappy for a massive boost in the air, too. The hat also allows the player to rampage around as a T. rex, surge through a powerline and more, breaking up some of the more intensive platforming sections.

Completionists have a lot to chew on as there's also a wealth of content to enjoy, as there are 999 so-called Power Moons to hunt down across the entire game -- some you need to progress to new areas, but most are for the pleasure of finding. Some of these are definitely filler content (119 of these moons are just bought outright with coins), but true collectors will have their hands full with Odyssey for a long time. No matter how much you play, Super Mario Odyssey is not only one of the best platformers on the Switch -- it's one of the best Mario games ever made.

- Tyler Graham

If you're interested in adding a few indie games to your lineup, Spiritfarer, released in August 2020, should be at the top of your list. As the developers describe it, the game is "a cozy management game about dying." You play as the new titular Spritfarer, Stella, in a world where spirits are stuck between the living world and what lies beyond, like a purgatory of sorts. It's Stella's job to fulfill spirits' last requests; when they're ready, you'll take them to the other side. These spirits can be a bit needy at times with onerous requests, but thankfully, you'll have a boat to house them on -- and form your own little post-life community. 

Your boat is almost like a cruise ship for the dead with you as its captain. As you play, you'll make port at various islands and collect resources to build new homes and specialty rooms for the residents of your ship. You might even welcome a new spirit or two aboard your ship when you dock at a new area. Spiritfarer breaks up the afterlife catharsis missions with some casual 2D platforming elements, which keeps things fresh and interesting. Just make sure you're ready for more than a few tearful goodbyes before playing -- don't be surprised if, like me, this game gets you sobbing.

- Sarah Drolet

If you're a fan of the Xenoblade games, then you'll be happy to know that Xenoblade Chronicles 3, released in July 2022, is one of the best in the series. And if you've never played a Xenoblade Chronicles game before but are looking for a narrative-driven JRPG that takes over 60 hours to beat (or double that for completionists), then you'll likely enjoy this game too, even if you don't know anything about the previous games. Don't worry, Xenoblade veterans, you'll enjoy some fun easter eggs and nods to the previous titles.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 builds on its predecessors with a large open world to explore, refined action-RPG combat mechanics and one of the most compelling narratives I've ever experienced in a JRPG. In a world where a person's life source is literally fueled by taking the lives of others, the game's story takes players through heavier topics like what it really means to be alive, the morality of killing and what happens after death -- suitably weighty and existential for a JRPG. The story is definitely better when experienced blind, so try and avoid spoilers if you can.

- Sarah Drolet

It's always nice to see Nintendo giving some love to its older franchises, especially those that haven't had a new entry in over a decade. If you're a 3D Metroid fan, picking up Metroid Prime Remastered is a must. The game is a faithful remaster of the original Metroid Prime which originally came out on the GameCube in November 2002, bringing the groundbreaking sci-fi adventure shooter on the go in HD. 

The remaster updates graphics and sound design for the Switch, as well as a remarkable four control modes to choose from: a classic version replicating the original GameCube setup (move with the left stick and hold ZR to look around with the same stick), a dual stick version replicating how most FPS games control today, a Pointer mode that replicates the Wii-and-nunchuck setup to aim with motion controls and a Hybrid that combines classic and motion controls. You're spoiled for choice on how you want to play through the game.

But most importantly, Metroid Prime itself is a great example of how to transition a treasured 2D game into a 3D space as the first in the series to be designed in three dimensions. The game has a strong emphasis on exploration as you traverse diverse biomes and scanning every bit of the world as you face off against various alien creatures. And while I wouldn't say this is a combat-focused game, there are definitely some gunplay and retro shooter elements in here to enjoy that, combined with an all-time score and great bosses, makes for a gem of an older game well-polished for today's gamers.

- Sarah Drolet

Super Mario 3D World is another game that made its way to the Switch from the Wii U. The main gimmick of the game is in the title: it's a 3D Mario platformer, but it shares beloved elements from its 2D Mario counterparts. You'll still be racing to the flagpole and the levels are still timed, but they're all set in a 3D space. And despite the clock ticking down as you play, there's still plenty of areas to explore and challenge items to collect, including three green stars to collect on each level that you'll need to progress through the game. 

Along with the re-released Mario 3D World, you'll also get to play Bowser's Fury, a standalone 3D Mario platformer that's exclusive to the Switch. I personally had more fun with Bowser's Fury, which plays more like Super Mario Odyssey with its large open areas full of collectible cat shines. The game itself is pretty short and there are only 100 shines to collect, but it's still tons of fun and feels close enough to an open world Mario game.

- Sarah Drolet

There are over 200 official versions of Tetris floating around on over 60 gaming platforms. Some are barebones block droppers, some have power ups, yet the fundamental Tetris gameplay is preserved in all of them: pit two players against each other to see who can clear the most lines in the least amount of time. But in 2019, one of my favorite iterations of Tetris was released for the Switch, which dared to ask the question: why compete with just one opponent when you could play against 98?

Tetris 99 is a high octane battle royale, where the steeliest tetromino spinnin' speed demons test their mettle. The game is just like any other modern version of Tetris -- t-spins are pretty easy and you've got the ability to hold a piece for later -- but you're fighting to knock out 98 other players in order to take the crown. I've never played any version of Tetris where the stakes are so high, and if you're able to clinch a win it's more satisfying than any Fortnite victory royale or PUBG chicken dinner.

Have I only ever won two Tetris 99 matches? Yes. Does the simple joy of large-scale block-based combat keep me coming back for more? Absolutely. And if you have any love at all for this gaming classic, Tetris 99 is one of the few versions I'd say is a must-play.

- Tyler Graham 

As one of the tough pink puff's rare foray's away from Planet Popstar, Kirby and the Forgotten Land stands out as a fantastic platformer that also has an incredibly distinct visual identity compared to the rest of the series. 

Gone are the pleasant, bucolic Green Greens and the Float Islands; instead, the titular Forgotten Land is a modern world disconcertingly similar to ours, though advanced in its decay. I felt a strange thrill plodding Kirby through concrete jungles, dead malls and sunken construction sites. He's a character that doesn't "fit in" with these places, but the disparity just left me wanting to explore even more of this world.

The actual gameplay is standard fare for a mainline Kirby game, though that isn't a ding against it. The platforming is entertaining, with additional obstacles and enemies placed about to account for our hero's ability to float over most gaps. Kirby's copy abilities also return -- my favorite was the Ranger ability, which allows our puffball to tote around an adorably oversized blunderbuss -- and unlocking upgrades for them in the endgame helps balance the odds in some surprisingly difficult boss fights.

If you're a massive Kirby fan, fascinated by liminal spaces like the ones featured in the game or just enjoy a fun, family-friendly platformer, Kirby and the Forgotten Land is the perfect match for you.

- Tyler Graham

I first played Pokemon when Diamond and Pearl came out and they still hold a special place in my heart, but the reimagined generation four games, Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, were middling (and fairly disappointing) Switch remakes of their original namesakes. Pokemon Legends: Arceus, on the other hand, was the truly impressive return to Sinnoh I had been waiting for.

Delving into the Hisui region lets players peek into a formative early time period we've never been able to experience before, where Pokemon are a very real and largely untamed threat. This game was the first time where I was personally attacked by a Pokemon, and it was thrilling. I learned to avoid Alpha Pokemon, steer clear of prowling Ursalunas and avoid antagonizing Kleavors. Legends: Arceus finally created a world where Pokemon ecosystems feel alive.

Long-term players will have a lot to do outside of completing the Pokedex, with activities ranging from hunting for super rare "shiny" versions of their favorite pocket monsters to capturing a fragment of the Pokemon god of creation. This is the only Pokemon game where you can capture this particular titular deity without hacking in a special item -- if you're a hardcore fan, you won't want to miss the chance to adventure alongside Arceus.

- Tyler Graham

What Nintendo Switch games are coming out?

The Switch still has a respectable slate of games from many of Nintendo's biggest IPs slated to release in 2025, including Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD and Pokemon Legends: Z-A. There are also major third-party releases coming in 2025, including Sid Meier's Civilization VII.

What is the best selling Nintendo Switch game of all time?

The bestselling Switch game over the console's lifetime is Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Since it was released in April 2017, the game has sold close to 63 million copies worldwide.

What is the best Nintendo Switch game?

Picking out the best Nintendo Switch game is subjective and answers will vary according to each gamer's preferences. The authors of this article, however, voted that The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom was the best game on the Switch overall. The game is jam-packed with content, allowing players to explore two new layers of Hyrule, create their own weapons and vehicles and discover more secrets than ever before as they embark on their quest to save Princess Zelda from the reawakened Ganondorf.