25 Best Nintendo Switch games to play

Nintendo Switch remains the latest edition before its successor arrives and it goes out with a bang. It has become the third best-selling console having sold 122.55m units and has surpassed PlayStation 4 and Game Boy. After adding Game Boy and Game Boy Advance games to its online version, Nintendo also signed a 10-year deal with Microsoft to port Call of Duty to future consoles if Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard gets approved. While that might take some time, we have curated a list of 25 Best Nintendo Switch games to play whether you are picking the console up for the first time or have been a veteran:

Popular Nintendo Switch

The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood

Unravel destinies and craft your fate in The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood, a narrative adventure game for Nintendo Switch and PC (developed by Deconstructeam, and published by Developer Digital). You play as Fortuna, an exiled witch banished to an asteroid for a millennium. After 20 years, a pact grants her power to design a tarot deck.

Key Features:

Design your tarot deck: Unleash your creativity and craft a personalized deck using the in-game editor.

Perform tarot readings: Interpret the cards to guide fellow witches and uncover hidden truths.

Unravel the mystery: Explore Fortuna’s library, research the world, and piece together the story.

Single-player adventure: Immerse yourself in a captivating narrative experience.

Check out The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood’s gameplay here.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land

Explore a vibrant post-apocalyptic world in Kirby and the Forgotten Land, the best-selling Kirby game and a hit on Nintendo Switch (developed by HAL Laboratory, published by Nintendo). This 3D platformer (first fully 3D mainline Kirby game) sees Kirby inhaling enemies and objects to gain powers, with new additions like Drill and Ranger.

Key Features

3D Platforming Adventure: Explore a captivating world in full 3D for the first time in the Kirby series (excluding spin-offs).

Classic & New Copy Abilities: Inhale enemies to gain their powers, including new additions like Drill and Ranger.

Mouthful Mode: Swallow large objects like cars and vending machines to control them in unique ways.

Cooperative Multiplayer: Team up with a friend as Bandana Waddle Dee, wielding a spear for exciting co-op play

Watch Kirby and the Forgotten Land’s gameplay here.

Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury

Get two Mario adventures in one! Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury brings classic 3D platforming and a new open-world challenge to Nintendo Switch (developed and published by Nintendo).

Two Games, One Package

Super Mario 3D World: Enjoy the original co-op fun with improved character speed and Snapshot Mode.

Bowser’s Fury: Explore Lake Lapcat, tackle challenges, and free Bowser from a mysterious black sludge in this open-world adventure.

Key Features

Classic 3D Platforming: Team up with friends (up to 4 players!) in the beloved Super Mario 3D World.

Open-World Challenge: Explore, collect items, and battle enemies in the expansive Lake Lapcat of Bowser’s Fury.

Multiplayer Mayhem: Play cooperatively in both Super Mario 3D World and Captain Toad levels.

Amiibo Support: Spawn power-ups with compatible Amiibo figures.

Check out Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury’s gameplay here.

Bayonetta 2

Unleash the chaos in Bayonetta 2, the sequel to the acclaimed action-adventure game (developed by PlatinumGames, published by Nintendo) now available on Nintendo Switch!

Bayonetta’s Back: Control the iconic Bayonetta with a new look and dominate enemies with a stylish blend of melee attacks and gunplay.

Key Features

Hack and Slash Combat: Master fluid combos and unleash devastating Torture Attacks for over-the-top action.

Angelic Onslaught: Battle angelic and demonic forces in a thrilling narrative.

Two-Player Mode: Team up with a friend for cooperative showdowns (Nintendo Switch version only).

Stylish Action: Dodge attacks at the last moment to slow down enemies and unleash epic combos.

Earn High Scores: Compete for the highest grades with stylish combat and brutal Torture Attacks.

Watch Bayonetta 2’s gameplay here.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Build your dream island life in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, the social simulation phenomenon for Nintendo Switch (developed and published by Nintendo).

Relaxing Gameplay

Create your island paradise: Design your island, collect DIY recipes, and decorate your home.

Befriend adorable animals: Meet and befriend a cast of charming animal neighbors.

Real-time Seasons: Experience the changing seasons with beautiful weather effects.

Play at your own pace: Explore, collect, craft, and unwind at your leisure.

Award-Winning & Critically Acclaimed

Nominated for Game of the Year and over a dozen awards.

Over 44 million copies sold, breaking sales records.

Check out Animal Crossing: New Horizons’s gameplay here.

Minecraft

Build anything you can imagine in Minecraft, the global phenomenon now available on Nintendo Switch (developed by Mojang Studios)! With endless possibilities and over 300 million copies sold worldwide, Minecraft is the best-selling video game ever.

Show Your Creativity

Build without limits: Construct anything from simple houses to elaborate castles and sprawling cities.

Explore vast worlds: Discover diverse biomes, from lush forests to fiery Nether landscapes.

Survive the night: Craft tools, weapons, and armor to fend off monsters and survive the wilderness.

Play your way: Explore in single-player or join friends for an epic multiplayer adventure.

Watch Minecraft’s gameplay here.

Octopath Traveler

Ocotpath Traveler was developed by Square Enix along with Acquire and was released for Nintendo Switch in 2018. This role-playing video game got praised for its presentation, music, and battle system and had sold over 3 million copies all over the world up till September 2022. Also. sequel, Octopath Traveler II, was released worldwide for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Windows in February 2023.

A graphically aesthetic design caleld “HD-2D” has been featured in the game wherein retro Super NES-Style character sprites have been combined with textures with polygonal environemnts and high-definition effects. Players choose a protagonist which begin their journey in different parts of the world. Also, each player character has a unique “Path Action” that can be used while interacting with the NPCs.

Check out Octopath Traveler’s gameplay here.

Stardew Valley

A 2016 farm life sim game developed by Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone, Stardew Valley is an open-ended game that allows players to grow crops, raise livestocks, fish, cook, mine, forage, and socialize with townspeople, including the ability to marry and have children.

Players create a character who inherits a plot of land and a little house. There is an option to choose from different types of farms with a unique theme and benefits as well as drawbacks. The farmland is overrun with boulders, trees, stumps, etc. initially, and players have to clear this in order to start farming. Up to 4 players can play online.

Watch Stardew Valley’s gameplay here.

Super Mario RPG

While the legendary game came out in 1996 as a role-playing game developed by Square, a remake for Nintendo Switch was developed by ArtePiazza in 2023, which received fairly positive reviews. The game was so famous that it sold 1.47 million copies in Japan, making it the third highest-selling game in Japan in 1996. The humor and 3D-rendering of the game received praise from the critics.

In the game, there are two main sections (adventuring and turn-based battle sequences). Most of the Super Mario RPG’s gameplay is outside monster battles and plays like an isometic 3D platformer. Also, the game consists of random encounters and enemies who who are visible on the field. However, a battle only commences if Mario approaches one.

Check out Super Mario RPG’s gameplay here.

Hollow Knight

Published & Developed by independent developer Team Cherry, Hollow Knight is a 2017 Metroidvania (Sub-genre of action/adventure games) video game that was released for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. By February 2019, the game had sold 2.8 million copies and a sequel Hollow Knight: Silksong is currently in works.

The gameplay involves a 2D side-scrolling camera wherein the player controls an insectoid silent protagonist named “the Knight” who explores an underground fallen kingdom called Hallownest. Also, the players have an opportunity to unlock new abilities as they explore new locations with lore and flavour text that are spread throughout the kingdom.

Watch Hollow Knight’s gameplay here.

Paper Mario: The Origami King

This marks our third Mario game in this list. Released in 2020, Paper Mario: The Origami King was developed by Intelligent Systems and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch console. This marks the sixth game in the Paper Mario series and follows the story of Mario and his friends who out on a journey to prevent the Mushroom Kingdom from being transformed into origami.

It is a cross-genre game and contains elements from action-adventure, RPG, as well as puzzle games. The player controls a 2D paper version of Mario and has the opportunity of exploring a linear open world designed to look like paper and cardboard. The player has to destroy 5 decorative origami streamers created by King Olly and follow each of 5 streamers.

Check out Paper Mario: The Origami King’s gameplay here.

Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening

Developed by Grezzo and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch, Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening was released worldwide in 2019 and is a remake of the 1993 version of the game. Till December 2022, the game had sold 6.46 million copies, making it one of the best-selling games of Nintendo. The game features customizable dungeons which the player can create and then complete for rewards.

The story of the game is set on Koholint Island, where Link, the player character is stranded after his ship is caught up in a storm. He is then rescued by a girl named Marin and later embarks on a quest to collect the eight instruments of the Sirens and awaken Koholint’s legendary Wind Fish to escape the island. The player has to explore through open worlds, solving puzzles and fighting enemies along with sidequests.

Watch Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening’s gameplay here.

Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope

Developed by Ubisoft Milan and Ubisoft Paris and published by Ubisoft for the Nintendo Switch, Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope was released in 2022 and features a crossover between Nintendo’s Mario and Ubisoft’s Rabbids franchises and is a sequel to Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle (2017). However, according to Ubisoft, the game underperformed commercially.

The players have to build out their roster of characters from returning characters like Mario, Luigi, and Peach, along with their Rabbid counterparts. New characters like Edge, Rabbid Rosaline, and Bowser have been introduced and players are also challenged to rescue the Sparks throughout the galaxy, who provide distinct powers that will help them in battle.

Check out Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope’s gameplay here.

Pikmin

The Pikmin series is a real-time strategy and puzzle video game series that consists of four main entries, and also two spin-offs. Pikmin 1+2, Pikmin 3, and Pikmin 4 were released for Nintendo Switch. The game is available to play on GameCube, Wii, Wii U, Nintendo 3DS, Switch, Android, and iOS.

The game focuses on leading a horde of plant-like creatures called Pikmin to collect items and destroying obstacles, avoiding hazards, and fighting fauna that are dangerous to both player character and Pikmin. Solo Pikmin are small and vulnerable against most predators, and some are best suited for certain tasks, it is the responsibility of the player to direct the Pikmin appropriately to ensure successful retrievals of any items.

Watch Pikmin’s gameplay here.

Luigi’s Mansion 3

Coming back to the world of Mario, Luigi’s Mansion 3 was released in 2019 as an action-adventure game, developed by Next Level Games and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. This game marks the third installment in the Luigi’s Mansion series and has sold over 13.93 million copies as of December 2023.

The game features both single player and multi player modes. The player controls the character of Luigi from a fixed 3D perspective as they capture ghosts across a large hotel setting. The multiplayer mode challenges the players to catch ghosts by stunning them with Luigi’s Strobulb, snag them with Potergust, and weaken their health to 0 to capture them.

Check out Luigi’s Mansion 3’s gameplay here.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3

Released in 2022, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 was developed by Monolith Soft and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. This game is an installment in the open-world Xenoblade Chronicles series, itself a part of the larger Xeno franchise. It had sold 1.86 million copies by March 2023 and an evolution taking place before the events of the game, Future Redeemed, was also released in April 2023.

This game allows up to 7 party members to perform in a battle at once, including main 6 and one additional “Hero” character. The players can choose from 19 heroes in the base game, that have different skills and abilities. They can be recruited to the party through story events or sidequests. Furthermore, 4 more heroes were added in the DLC. The game features a fast travel option for quicker traveling, and an option to activate navigation that will mark a line on ground for the players to find the way.

Watch Xenoblade Chronicles 3’s gameplay here.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

A 2018 crossover fighting game developed by Bandai Namco Studios and Sora Ltd., Super Smash Bros. Ultimate was published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. This game marks the 5th installment in the Super Smash Bros. series and follows the series’ classic style of gameplay wherein players control one of the different characters and use attacks to debilitate their opponents and knock them out of the arena.

Up to 8 players can join the game in which characters from Nintendo games and third-party franchises fight to knock each other out. Every player has a percentage meter which increases as they take the damage, thus increasing knockback they take. Standard battles use 1 of 3 vicrory conditios: Timed, Stock, and Stamina. Furthermore, the players can adjust rules according to their liking and save them for future matches.

Check out Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s gameplay here.

Pokemon Legends: Arceus 7

Released in 2022, only for Nintendo Switch, Pokemon Legends: Arceus was developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo. It was a commercial success that sold over 14.83 million units until March 2023. Furthermore, it also received critical success, receiving favorable reviews, and got nominated for several end-of-the-year awards, including Best RPB at The Game Awards.

The players roam freely across the game map, divided into 5 large areas of individual biomes. Every time the player enters such areas, they are spawned in a camp and can fast-travel to other camps in the same areas. However, on the outside, players have to unlock rideable Pokemon to explore the areas faster. Different Pokemon are found in different areas, and while some are friendly, some may act aggressively and attack the players. If the player takes enough damage, they will fall unconscious and reappear at the base camp.

Watch Pokemon Legends: Arcues 7’s gameplay here.

Fire Emblem: Three Houses

Developed by Intelligent Systems and Koei Tecmo’s Kou Shibusawa and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch, Fire Emblem: Three Houses is a tactical role playing game that was released in 2019. It is the sixteenth entry in the Fire Emblem series and has has sold 4.12 million copies worldwide, making it the single best-selling game in the franchise. Also, this game won the Best Strategy Game and the Player’s Voice Award at The Game Awards 2019.

The players control a player character whose gender and name are picked before starting the game. The game is initiated by the character being a teacher at Garreg Mach Monastery, which also acts as a hub for game activities. Gameplay is divided between story-based battles that advance the main narrative and periods in Garreg Mach. Later, the story skips ahead 5 years and focuses more on battles.

Check out Fire Emblem: Three Houses’ gameplay here.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Race as your favorite Mario characters on wild courses and use wacky power-ups! Originally a Wii U hit, this Switch remake is the console’s best-seller (60.58 million copies) – and a must-have for any Switch owner! (Up to 8 players locally, online play available)

Watch Mario Kart 8 Deluxe’s gameplay here.

Splatoon 3

Released in 2022, Splatoon 3 is a third-person shooter video game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. The game marks third addition in the Splatoon series and consists of online multiplayer (player versus player and player versus environment) alongside a single-player campaign. The game was a commercial success, 11.71 million copies worldwide, making it the fastest-selling game in the franchise and one of the best-selling Switch games

Splatoon 3 is a third-person shooter game where players can choose to be either an Inkling or Octoling as their character. Both of these characters wield weaponry that uses colored inkn as ammunation. Main weapons are able to be chosen by the player, sub weapons are assigned to main weapons and act as secondary weapons that use up more ink. Furthermore, weapons have a limited quantity of ink ammunition, and dipping in ink via the swim form replenishes it quicker than in humanoid form.

Check out Splatoon 3’s gameplay here.

Super Mario Wonder

Released in 2023, Super Mario Wonder was developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. This game is the first traditional side-scrolling Super Mario game since New Super Mario Bros. U (2012). It was an instant hit as it became the fastest-selling Super Mario game, selling 4.3 million units in its first two weeks and reaching 11.96 million units by December 31, 2023.

As one of the 12 player characters- Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Princess Daisy, yellow and blue Toads, Toadette, Nabbit and four types of Yoshis, the player has to complete levels across the Flower Kingdom. The character is assisted by its flower-like denizens and just like previous Super Mario games, the player has to guide their character to the end of the levelm avoiding enemies, and transporting through Warp Pipes.

Watch Super Mario Wonder’s gameplay here.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” is a Nintendo Switch game that sold over 10 million copies in its first 3 days and 20.28 million by December 2023. It features open-world gameplay, including exploration of Hyrule, the sky, and the Depths. As Link, players can climb, ride horses, and use a paraglider. Shrines, Korok seeds, and a new recipe system enhance the gaming experience.

Check out The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’s gameplay here.

Super Mario Odyssey

Super Mario Odyssey takes the top Mario spot! This critically-acclaimed platformer (27.65 million copies sold) lets you control enemies and objects with Mario’s incredible hat, Cappy. Explore vibrant Kingdoms, rescue Peach from Bowser, and collect Power Moons on your cap-tivating adventure!

Watch Super Mario Odyssey’s gameplay here.

Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Zelda’s latest soars above the rest, selling millions in 3 days! Originally Breath of the Wild DLC, it became a full-fledged sequel.

Key Features

Hyrule’s floating islands create a stunning new world (think Zelda meets Elden Ring!)

Link’s Fuse ability lets him combine objects for creative tools and weapons.

Get ready to explore a transformed Hyrule and craft your way to victory!

Check out Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom’s gameplay here.

Best Nintendo Switch games to play in 2024 – FAQs

What is the #1 best game on Nintendo Switch?

Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.

What is Nintendo number 1 game?

By December 31, 2023, Nintendo had shipped 139.36 million Switch consoles, alongside over 1.2 billion game copies. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe leads as the top-selling game with over 60.58 million copies sold.

What is the most common Switch game?

Most Popular, Switch Game is:

Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ leads as the top-selling Nintendo Switch game, boasting over 33.89 million copies sold globally.

Following closely is ‘Mario Kart 8 Deluxe,’ securing the second spot with 28.99 million copies sold.

‘Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’