Nintendo melds their flair for portable gameplay with the polish of their console offerings on the Nintendo Switch. Here are the best games out right now.
(List current as of January 23, 2018)
Leave the Wii U in the past; it’s time to enter a new era with the Nintendo Switch. Since the console launched on March 3rd, 2017, Nintendo has fought an uphill battle to convince its audience that it has a solid roster of titles available for the system. It’s a battle that will get nothing but easier as more are released, though, in its early stages, the Switch presents a very, very mixed bag. But that’s true of any console on launch.
More app trigger: 50 Best 3DS and Wii U Games Right Now
As with our other best games lists, we intend to round this list of the best Nintendo Switch games out right now at 50, at which point we’ll begin replacing older entries with better games until this becomes a comprehensive guide to the best of the best on the system. In its current form, this represents all the games out for the Nintendo Switch right now, ranked from worst to best.
More app trigger: 50 Best PS4 Games Right Now
This listing of the best 50 Nintendo Switch games right now ranks Switch titles based on multiple factors: graphics, design, gameplay, narrative where applicable, how much fun they were, and replayability. Staff experience was taken into account, along with the public’s reception to these games.
More app trigger: 50 Best Xbox One Games Right Now
We’ll be adding to this list extensively over the next several months and years, so keep checking back for the updated rankings. Let’s-a-go!
Best Nintendo Switch Games #50 – Puyo Puyo Tetris
Developer: Sonic Team
Synopsis: You thought you understood how to clear lines in Tetris, so Sonic Team turned them into Puyos or Slimes, and now you have to match four of one color to clear them instead of just making neat lines with blocks. Regular Tetris makes an appearance in Puyo Puyo Tetris too, though, and you can even play both versions at the same time!
Why it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games: Our continued fascination with the game Tetris and all sorts of deviations from the formula never ceases to amaze me, but I can’t argue that the endless string of re-imaginings aren’t effective. Puyo Puyo Tetris certainly satisfies as yet another new spin on the stacking game, though it (like surprisingly many of the titles on the first rendition of this list) suffers from a high difficulty level: you either get it, or you don’t. Puyo Puyo Tetris nonetheless feels right at home on the Nintendo Switch, especially with its portable capabilities as a title you can play a quick round of anytime, anywhere.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #49 – Blaster Master Zero
Developer: Inti Creates
Synopsis: Blaster Master Zero is a remake of the 1988 title Blaster Master for the NES, and mixes 2D platforming while in the tank SOPHIA III with top-down exploration as Jason, her driver. New areas, bosses, and sub-weapons will greet veteran players alongside tighter graphics, but control of SOPHIA III will feel as tight and bouncy as ever as you blast your enemies out of your way, look for dungeon entrances, and take down the Plutonium Boss.
Why it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games: Thank you, Inti Creates, for going above and beyond a basic “Virtual Console” version of Blaster Master! With new bosses and areas added, Blaster Master Zero feels fresh again–and it was a tight game to begin with! The mixture of both top-down gameplay and 2D platforming was new for its time and is still rarely, if ever present in games today. Blaster Master Zero is the kind of blast from the past that manages to succeed even today.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #48 – Graceful Explosion Machine
Developer: Vertex Pop
Synopsis: Relaxing electronic music and bright colors greet you in every corner of the galaxy you’ll explore in Graceful Explosion Machine, a side-scrolling shooter where your tiny craft must clear waves of space enemies with one of four weapons. You’ll swap between a sword, a beam, heat-seeking missiles, and your basic blaster as you twist and turn through circular levels, avoiding lasers, obstacles, and hordes of enemies.
Why it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games: Graceful Explosion Machine has the kind of relaxing rhythm that’s almost zen to play…until you die yet again on the third wave of a level and have to start all over! It’s not that the game is too difficult, but rather that its difficulty is derived from throwing more and more waves at you rather than any kind of strategy or skill. Nevertheless, Graceful Explosion Machine is a competent side-scrolling shooter, and darn nice to look at and listen to, as well.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #47 Fast RMX
Developer: Shin’en
Synopsis: In the spirit of F-Zero, these anti-gravity racers zoom through tracks bordered by enormous skyscrapers, dense jungles, and outer space itself. The key to Fast RMX is a color-swapping mechanic that allows you to gain boosts from certain parts of the track, alongside your ability to collect energy for controlled boosts later. For those after a more serious Switch racer than the Mario Kart titles, Fast RMX is your best early bet on the system.
Why it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games: With a more serious coat of paint than the other major racing title on the Switch’s shell-throwing antics, Fast RMX gives those who yearn for high speeds exactly what they want in a well-polished racing title with a wide variety of cars and courses to experiment on. Single and local multiplayer run solidly, though the game seems ill-equipped to handle the online multiplayer you’d think would be a staple for such a title.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #46 – Sine Mora EX
Developer:
Synopsis: Sine Mora is a side-scrolling, first-person shooter where you blast your way through beautiful, 2.5D environments, shooting down enemies from an aircraft. It has some elements of bullet hell games, and features four different difficulty levels to dodge your way through. Rather than focusing on health, Sine Mora is all about time. How fast can you beat a level? Will you let enemies damage you and get the clock ticking faster?
Why it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games: You may not be familiar with Sine Mora, as its debut on the Switch was relatively hush-hush. But the game’s been out since 2012 and was met with a positive reception due to its wide variety of gameplay modes, careful balance of challenge and enjoyability, and beautiful art that seemed to pop right out of the original concept art. Sine Mora EX on Switch brings the extended version to a Nintendo console at last, offering a perfect excuse to shoot your way through its beautiful environments at home or on the go.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #45 – Mighty Gunvolt Burst
Developer: Inti Creates
Synopsis: Beck from Mighty No. 9 and Gunvolt (Azure Striker Gunvolt) team up in a platformer reminiscent of the classic Mega Man series, but with several twists such as weapon customization and the ability to create deadly combo chains as you fight your way through levels.
Why it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games: After the burns left by Mighty No. 9’s disappointing showing, some may be surprised to learn that a game exists that, while not quite the pristine nostalgia trip we remember Mega Man X to be, is actually a pretty darn good spiritual successor. It’s weird, too, as it is also made by Inti Creates and co-stars Beck, the protagonist from the Kickstarter disaster. Why aren’t they just marketing this game instead? Satisfying level design pairs nicely with the game’s unique weapon customization system that allows you to mix and match elements and shot styles to play the way you want. Also, the game functions, which is more than we could say about similar titles.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #44 – Little Inferno
Developer: Tomorrow Corporation
Synopsis: In a world grown disturbingly cold, you must burn objects to keep warm. As you experiment with throwing different items into your fireplace, a strange and dark story unfolds involving your next door neighbor, a weather man in a balloon, and the Tomorrow Corporation itself. Keep burning more things to stave off the cold, even as you wonder what lies outside your warm house.
Why it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games: Few titles or companies could pull off giving players such a vague, aimless objective as throwing things in a fireplace and have it work for them, but Tomorrow Corporation does with Little Inferno through a carefully-timed series of plot revelations that allow the player to infer their own meaning from their insatiable burning. The quirky, dystopian aesthetic Tomorrow Corporation games are known for serves them well as they craft a tale that will chill you to the bone.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #43 – I and Me
Developer: Wish Fang
Synopsis: What if there were another you, and that you could observe yourself (and be observed) by yourself? How would you feel? I and Me takes this strange and melancholy question and puts it into the perspective of a platformer, where you control two identical cats with the same controls, using the environment to solve puzzles with the both of them simultaneously. Since a single input produces the same action in both characters, you’ll need to be quite clever to overcome the obstacles you encounter as you progress through four seasons of levels.
Why it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games: Platformers are a dime a dozen on the Nintendo Switch, but I and Me presents a different perspective in more ways than one. Its clever use of two characters at once forces you to look at levels in a new way, and inspires some interesting and engaging design choices. But I and Me’s true impact perhaps lies in its relaxing aesthetic and gentle piano and string soundtrack. Some platformers inspire rage and frustration, but I and Me encourages introspection at every turn, jump, and drop.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #42 – Overcooked: Special Edition
Developer: Ghost Town Games
Synopsis: You and up to three friends are chefs in a busy kitchen, where you must work together to cook orders, serve them, and clean up as quickly as possible while orders continue to come in. The layout of the kitchen will often make it difficult for you to do what needs to be done, escalating even to the point of preparing food on two moving food trucks, crossing back and forth from one to the other!
Why it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games: The Nintendo Switch was seemingly made for co-op experiences exactly like this. Overcooked was pure fun and mayhem in its other console iterations, but something about the Switch’s portability and its status as a Nintendo console gives it just the edge it needs as a couch co-op title. Its ridiculous scenarios pit players in that glorious situation of forced teamwork alongside playful exasperation with their teammates, making it perfect for family or friend game nights or those rooftop parties we saw in the Switch commercials.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #41 – Shantae: Half-Genie Hero
Developer: WayForward Technologies
Synopsis: Shantae’s return as the titular half-genie hero and guardian of Scuttle Town wouldn’t make sense without the simultaneously return of Risky Boots, an evil pirate and Shantae’s nemesis, who is threatening the town and the entire genie realm with a mysterious device. Shantae must collect all the pieces necessary to assemble a protective machine for Scuttle Town while helping those she encounters along the way. Using her hair as her primary attack, Shantae will also learn dances throughout the game that will grant her new abilities.
Why it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games: There’s a darn good reason why Shantae games keep getting made and released for every new console that launches. Shantae: Half-Genie Hero is hopefully not the only Shantae game we’ll see on the Switch, as the series certainly belongs there despite Nintendo’s usual saturation of platformers. Though you may be missing some story context from the previous game if you haven’t played it, Half-Genie Hero combines the fun platforming we’ve come to expect from Shantae with a memorable story and a quirky cast of characters you’ll want to play the sequels to see again.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #40 – Jackbox Party Pack 3
Developer: Jackbox Games
Synopsis: The third of the Jackbox Party Packs includes five games: Quiplash 2, Tee K.O., Fibbage, Guesspionage, and Trivia Murder Party. The games are played via smartphone, and you can fit up to eight players in a game with an even larger online audience cheering along or voting on favorites for some of the games.
Why it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games: Though designed for streamers, the Jackbox Party Pack 3 feels right at home on the Nintendo Switch when you imagine the commercials for the system that involved showing up at rooftop parties. Jackbox is the kind of game you’d want at such a gathering, offering three games for party hilarity, one for enjoyable frustration, and one for the statistics buff at the party. The addition of a family-friendly mode to keep the prompts kid-safe meshes well with Nintendo’s marketing aesthetic, especially in this version of the game. And the prompts are seemingly endless! Jackbox Party Pack 3 boasts hefty replay value as a game to take along with you to any type of gathering.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #39 – VOEZ
Developer: Circle Entertainment
Synopsis: The band VOEZ is made up of Japanese high schoolers, each with a different role to play. Use the touch screen to tap out rhythms in songs with increasing difficulty levels, or take on specific challenging to unlock new diary entries revealing the story of the band as you progress.
Why it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games: I was astonished to learn that there was a good rhythm title on the Nintendo Switch already, and happy to discover how well it used the Switch’s touchscreen–a feature Nintendo themselves have been rather quiet about after the Wii U and 3DS touted it so heavily. It’s difficult to explain what makes VOEZ so unique among rhythm games without actually watching the gameplay. Suffice to say, the way that each member of the band contributes to the song with their color coded lines, the moving rhythm lines, and wide range of difficulties make VOEZ an excellent surprise in the Switch’s library. If you hadn’t picked it up before now, definitely give it a shot on the Switch.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #38 – GoNNER
Developer: Art in Heart
Synopsis: What would you do to cheer up your whale best friend? Ikk is willing to accept help from the devil himself and descend through level after level of challenging platforming areas saturated with enemies, just to find the perfect trinket for Sally the landbound whale. Ikk will progressively unlock new abilities and achievements as he travels, allowing him to use a wide arsenal of things to shoot enemies with. As it is a roguelike, no two runs will ever be the same, and GoNNER lets you select certain abilities at the start of each new attempt
Why it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games: Pick up GoNNER for the cute whale, stay for the fabulous music and enjoyable roguelike elements. Art in Heart admirably offered more than enough unlockables and secrets to keep us venturing back into the darkness again and again for your cetaean friend. Though the game’s self-description as “tough as hell” can at times be a bit too apt, those with patience will find GoNNER an absorbing addition to the Switch library, and an awful lot of fun to play on the go, too.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #37 – Super Bomberman R
Developer: Konami
Synopsis: Bomberman is back for a rebooted story, with White ready to take on Emperor Buggler…if he could only get his siblings to join him! The same classic Bomberman gameplay that you remember returns in Super Bomberman R, asking you to move across a 2D grid, dropping bombs in strategic spots to clear floor space and defeat enemies to move to the next level. Co-op and 8-player competitive modes are also available.
Why it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games: Admittedly, Super Bomberman R doesn’t shock and awe with any shake-ups of the same Bomberman gameplay we’ve come to love. But, that’s all right. With over 50 playable stages and the multiplayer modes, the new puzzles will satisfy anyone missing the explosive, strategic play of Bomberman. The ability to take the game on the go and play with friends anywhere is a huge plus. Post-launch updates promise new characters and have already delivered on improving the framerate issues the game launched with.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #36 – Kamiko
Developer: Skipmore
Synopsis: Three Japanese priestesses must defeat enemies and bosses in a top-down adventure game similar to old-school Legend of Zelda titles. Each of the three playable characters has a different weapon you can use to vanquish foes, and you’ll need to solve puzzles and open gates to progress. Kamiko is a short game, but leaderboards encourage you to beat the game as fast as possible and experiment with the three characters.
Why it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games: It’s too bad that Kamiko is so short, but for its very low price point, it’s a truly enjoyable throwback to top-down adventures. Its gorgeous art-style and music immerse you in its ancient Japanese aesthetic as you play. There’s a solid challenge in Kamiko, too, as taking damage forces you to drop necessary items, and enemies continuously respawn. You may have to make quick decision to determine what you kill and how, ensuring a clear path ahead.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #35 – Sonic Mania
Developer: PagodaWest Games, Headcanon
Synopsis: Sonic just can’t stop going fast in Sonic Mania, which hearkens back to the style of old-school Sonic platformers in every way. Art, music, level design, and game structure bring the memories of Sonic flooding back, though admittedly with some improvements such as original and remastered stages and improved (if not perfect) checkpointing.
Why it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games: After trying every imaginable variation on the 3D Sonic formula in an attempt to keep the chili dog-loving hedgehog’s dreams alive, Sega finally hearkened back to its roots by handing the development off to indie studios who were huge fans and let them make exactly what Sonic-lovers wanted: old Sonic made new. Though the sprites are more detailed, the levels more complex, and the boss battles quirkier, Sonic Mania is the same classic Sonic you remember from your childhood, with all the fast-paced loops and frustrating collisions you remember. If there’s an excellent Sonic for the modern era anywhere, Sonic Mania is all it.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #34 – Cave Story+
Developer: Studio Pixel, Nicalis
Synopsis: Deep within a floating island populated by rabbit-like creatures known as Mimigas, our hero awakens with no memory or knowledge of how he or she arrived. There’s trouble brewing as someone known as the Doctor terrorizes the Mimigas, and the player is caught up in a strange political and magical adventure as they explore the interior of the island, Metroidvania-style.
Why it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games: Cave Story remains one of the most popular and enjoyable indie games around no matter what platform you’re playing on, making the Nintendo Switch the best place to experience it if you haven’t already. Aside from being a stellar Metroidvania with a deep, fulfilling story, Cave Story+ on the Nintendo Switch offers a few new upgrades, such as improved visuals and added animations to character portraits. There’s also a co-op mode that will be added sometime post-launch, allowing you to experience the adventure with a friend at home or on the go. Cave Story+ is one of the Switch’s must-have games, and perfect for players who are eagerly awaiting a new Metroid game.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #33 – ARMS
Developer: Nintendo
Synopsis: One day, a bunch of people woke up to find they had springs for arms. It just happened, I guess. Some of those people decided to use these devices, which they cleverly called “ARMS,” to fight each other for fun and money, and thus ARMS was born. Cue a bunch of puns about this game having legs.
ARMS is a fighter where you can play either with a controller or by holding the Joy-Cons and punching. Fighters can execute combos and moves based on the types of ARMS they have attached, which can be customized to suit your playstyle. Online and local multiplayer modes are available, as well as a single-player campaign.
Why it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games: Like Splatoon brought the shooter genre to folks who didn’t play it, ARMS is here to bring some goofy fun to fighting games and entice a new, perhaps unfamiliar audience. It remains deep enough for seasoned fighters to get into the game as well, and while pros will desire the precision of a controller, ARMS is darn fun to play on Joy-Cons, too. Simply being fun to play seems a strong enough advantage, but when you consider the short, shallow single-player campaign and the relatively low number of characters, ARMS might run out of steam fairly early on if Nintendo doesn’t keep up the updates. A variety of game modes will help keep us occupied until then, fortunately.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #32 – Cat Quest
Developer: The Gentle Bros.
Synopsis: Your sister is kidnapped, and dragons roam the land of Felingard. You’re of the Dragonblood, which means you can slay dragons, but you’re also a cat. That last one isn’t a problem, because so are all your neighbors in Cat Quest. You’re off on a quest to save your sister and the land by slinking your way across the overworld, smashing up monsters with hack n slash play, clearing dungeons, and trying to survive an onslaught of cat puns. Good luck!
Why it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games: Cat Quest may be simple, but its wholesome hack n slash play is the kind of easygoing adventure we need in complicated times. Cat Quest shines by being cute and polished, and by having convenient inventory and menu systems that save you troubles you had long assumed were just a part of video games, like handling duplicate items for you to make your existing stuff more powerful. Though the story doesn’t have a lot of depth to it, this short kitty romp is another purr-fect example of the Nintendo Switch’s embrace of enjoyable indies.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #31 – LEGO City Undercover
Developer: TT Games
Synopsis: In a parodic reversal of Grand Theft Auto, you play as Chase McCain, a cop in LEGO City who must track down criminals in the city as he pursues the one ultimately responsible for the crime wave. He can drive both cars and helicopters around the city, as well as traverse the city by swinging on ropes and performing wall jumps, and he can (of course) use LEGO bricks to build helpful objects that enable him to progress.
Why it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games: The LEGO games’ recent history has been stellar, and LEGO City Undercover is no exception. Peppered with humorous references to Grand Theft Auto and held aloft by the usual excellent writing of the LEGO series, LEGO City Undercover’s Nintendo Switch rendition features improvements in the remastered version such as improved loading screen times and a desperately-needed co-op mode. Since it’s highly likely you missed this game in its Wii U-exclusive era; the Switch makes a comfortable new home for this and future LEGO titles.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #30 – Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime
Developer: Asteroid Base
Synopsis: 1-4 players (with the single player also controlling an AI helper) are on a space station together. Your mission? Rescue cute animals lost in space, but keep the ship flying and enemies at bay while you do so. The interior of the ship has multiple stations, each with a different function. Players must move between them intelligently to keep the ship moving, animals coming in, the ship defended and enemies brought down. Stations can be upgraded, but only true teamwork and coordination will keep the ship safe and save the animals.
Why it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games: Nintendo is a haven for co-op play and always has been, so Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime showing up on the system was a natural fit. The unique gameplay style requiring teamwork, focus, and skill as you fly the ship and try to capture cute space critters is sure to inspire friendship, especially with the mellow aesthetic and music. Play this game with the people you love, it’s a gorgeous, fun and silly ride.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #29 – World of Goo
Developer: 2D Boy
Synopsis: When pipes mysteriously appear throughout the world, bunches of strange balls of goo awaken and begin to, inexplicably, travel toward the pipes. By controlling the Goo Balls, you must build structures from them to cross gaps and reach the pipes with certain numbers of those Goo Balls in tow. New Goo Balls will appear with each new chapter of the game with new abilities. Another game mode, World of Goo Corporation, allows you to compete online to build the tallest tower of Goo Balls.
Why it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games: The strange dystopian nature of World of Goo winds up being part of its attraction–the rest is in the way the different Goo-stacking puzzles engage you. It doesn’t hurt, either, that each level has its own unique aesthetic, themes, and music to keep each world fresh. World of Goo is a fine example of difficulty progression in a puzzle game gone right, as it gently teaches you while you play and ramps things up carefully, leaving you feeling brilliant by the end.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #28 – Ittle Dew 2+
Developer: Ludosity
Synopsis: Ittle and Tippsie are back to their adventuring ways, this time on a funny little island seemingly designed for intrepid explorers just like them. In a top-down, action-adventuring romp, these two will travel through eight distinct dungeons to obtain the raft pieces necessary to sail home. But it’s hard to stay on task when there are so many hidden secrets and strange puzzles distracting you at every turn.
Why it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games: Too often, top-down action-adventures borrow too liberally from The Legend of Zelda and are describable as clones–fun for nostalgia, but not unique. Ittle Dew 2+ laughs at this designation and does what it can to iterate on the formula with new puzzle stylings and an open world so full of twists and turns that you can just as easily spend hours on this game as you can breeze through it accidentally. Its most distinctive feature is its ribbing humor, poking fun at everything from art to social media to itself. The “+” of the title hints at brand new dungeons that help pad out the campaign a bit more from the base game released previously on other platforms.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #27 – Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap
Developer: Lizardcube
Synopsis: After defeating a Mecha Dragon, the hero has been turned into a Lizard Man and must defeat all the other dragons in the land to return to his normal form. Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap is a remake of Wonder Boy III from 1989, and contains the same familiar story and platforming mechanics as the adventurer tries to regain his humanity. Along the way, he’ll gain the ability to transform into various other animals, allowing him to explore new areas in different ways.
Why it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games: Whether or not you played the original title, Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap is a confluence of witty dialogue and enjoyable platforming puzzles. The different animal transformations provide continual variety to the various dungeons you’ll venture through in your efforts to bring down the dragons. The new, 2017 version of the game offers options to play as Wonder Girl or Wonder Boy; in 8-bit or HD. Games like this just go to show how remakes done right can breathe new life into a series many modern gamers may not have been aware of.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #26 – Tumbleseed
Developer: Benedict Fritz, aeiowu
Synopsis: You, a seed, must get to the top of the mountain. The mountain is full of holes and rain and enemies and rocks and obstacles. Seed-you is controlled via gyro controls, tilting the platform the seed sits on back and forth to avoid the dangers of the mountain while collecting offensive and defensive upgrades to help bolster your survival chances.
Why it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games: Tumbleseed isn’t just rolling around; it is an incredibly difficult game. It will take you some time to get used to how the gyro controls affect your seed, and the game is relentless in throwing enemies at your pathetic, rolling character as it steadily makes its way up the mountain. It will take patience and practice to perfect the skills necessary for your seed to achieve its mountaintop goal, but the rewarding gameplay loop of struggle, failure, and improvement through that failure will see you through.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #25 – Oxenfree
Developer: Night School Studio
Synopsis: Alex and her friends Ren and Jonas head out to Edwards Island one weekend, and meet up with some other friends when they arrive. They know that the island is shrouded in mystery and rumors, but don’t realize they’re about to be caught up in it all until it’s too late. By tuning her radio, Alex begins to create strange rifts in time and space, scattering her friends across the islands, creating alternate timelines, and delving into a ghostly world where her choices have drastic consequences on the lives of those around her.
Why it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games: Do you love stories with bizarre twists and turns? Do you love mysteries, explorations, and laidback gameplay that nonetheless makes you ask and try to answer tough philosophical questions? Oxenfree is the game for you. It’s a talking and exploring game, but Alex is able to make dialogue choices that impact her relationships with the characters and determine their eventual fate in the mystery of Edwards Island. Story is everything, and Oxenfree delivers if that’s what you’re after.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #24 – Snake Pass
Developer: Sumo Digital
Synopsis: Forget everything you knew about platformers, and step into the scaly skin of a snake in Snake Pass. Snake Pass forces you to rethink a video game obstacle course by using your long, slithery body to climb, wrap around, and swing through colorful 3D levels–fifteen in total. Noodle the Snake, guided by Doodle the Bird, must navigate the obstacles in Haven Tor to get rid of unwanted visitors in their home.
Why it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games: Very few games anymore manage to rethink platforming in a way that’s truly unique. Added gimmicks or powers do little to force players into mental gymnastics, but Snake Pass provides a fresh diversion. By keeping it simple with a smaller number of levels, Sumo Digital was able to put an increased amount of time and detail into each one, resulting in a visually and musically pleasing adventure that may tie you in snakey knots before the end.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #23 – Snipperclips – Cut It Out, Together!
Developer: Nintendo, SFB Games
Synopsis: Solve puzzles using geometry! It’s okay; learning is fun–you (or you and a friend) control two shapes with the ability to, by overlapping one another, snip and clip segments of one another away to create new shapes. Using these shapes, you must accomplish various tasks such as carrying items, dunking basketballs, or popping balloons. Up to four players can get together to play through special puzzles designed for more than two.
Why it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games: Nevermind the almost-creepy-cute aesthetic, Snipperclips is an excellent idea that hasn’t gotten nearly the attention it deserves. Couch co-op is the most fun, especially when you take into account the weird coordination of trying to cut specific shapes or the bizarre expressions of the main characters when you do. Snipperclips can easily turn itself into the best kind of mayhem while you work together…or not…with others to solve its puzzles. We just wish this game was longer.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #22 – The End is Nigh
Developer: Edmund McMillen, Tyler Glaiel
Synopsis: Ash, an amorphous blob, has survived the end of the world, and he has no friends, because everyone died. When he can’t play video games anymore, he sets off on a journey to make a friend and repopulate everything. But the world is treacherous and everything wants to kill Ash, so he must keep moving from spike-ridden path to enemy-encrusted wall to reach his goals. The End is Nigh’s brutal difficulty makes death a near-certainty, and things only get more difficult if you collect the hidden tumors to unlock secret, challenging areas.
Why it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games: Mr. McMillen and Mr. Glaiel have a flair for designing difficult, streamable games, and The End is Nigh is no exception. The End is Nigh may be brutal, but smooth controls and design consistencies remind you, always, that it’s definitely your fault you died. There’s plenty of world to explore and multiple endings, as one would expect, so make a stiff drink and prepare yourself for some of the best and most challenging platforming on the Switch, with a killer soundtrack backing it all.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #21 – Axiom Verge
Developer: Thomas Happ Games
Synopsis: While many games use the Metroidvania style without borrowing the aesthetic, Axiom Verge does both while telling a completely different type of story. As Trace, you must explore the strange, alien world of Sudra in an attempt to stop a mad scientist, Athetos, who has already destroyed much of the Sudran civilization. As you dive into the depths of Sudra, you’ll uncover new weapon upgrades and gadgets to help you progress while you fight the bizarre monsters and machines that block your progress.
Why it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games: Despite looking outward like a Metroid clone, playing Axiom Verge is a different experience entirely. This is largely due to the game’s intriguing and haunting story of science gone too far and a confused identity, but the polished gameplay remains fun and familiar if platforming, shooting, and finding upgrades is what you love. There are over 60 items and power-ups and plenty of hidden corners to explore as you make your way through Sudra. If you haven’t yet picked up Axiom Verge on another platform, the Nintendo Switch makes a perfect home for the nostalgic adventure.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #20 – Thimbleweed Park
Developer: Terrible Toybox
Synopsis: Remember point and click adventures? Get ready for one hell of a blast from the past with Thimbleweed Park. The game opens with Ray and Reyes, two FBI agents investigating a murder in the titular location and interrogating various suspects, but each character has their own agenda that may interfere with the ongoing investigation. Things quickly get out of hand as the characters discover that their lives and experiences may not be what they think they are, and a drastic decision must be made to ensure the freedom of everyone involved.
Why it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games: Good point and click adventures are hard to come by these days, as we’ve mostly moved on. But Thimbleweed Park manages to pull a truly inventive story off in the medium while keeping creative exploration at the heart of things. The kicker that makes Thimbleweed Park truly memorable is is twisted ending and meta commentary on the nature of playing games, but I won’t spoil it here. Bust out your FBI badge and use the balloon animal with the corpse, already!
Best Nintendo Switch Games #19 – Rayman Legends: Definitive Edition
Developer: Ubisoft
Synopsis: The Teensies are in trouble, and it’s up to Rayman and his friends once again to pursue the captured creatures through over 120 different levels, 40ish of which are remakes of old levels from prior Rayman games. The story has a loose grip on your activities, as you can freely hop between multiple worlds at once, pause to play some Kung Foot, test your skills with daily or weekly challenges, or work on your collectible game.
Why it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games: Though we question what exactly makes this particular rendition of Rayman Legends “definitive,” that doesn’t mean the game isn’t incredible still even years after its release. The updated graphics bring Rayman’s distinctive style and personality into full, vibrant color at every turn, right down to the goofy little animations paired with clever sound cues. There’s a healthy mix of fast-paced platforming levels and slower, more deliberate collecting puzzles, and it’s all framed with a splash of co-op interactivity and challenge to keep fans wanting to improve. Rayman Legends is hard to top as a platformer–we just wish they’d make a new one!
Best Nintendo Switch Games #18 – Xenoblade Chronicles 2
Developer: Monolith Soft
Synopsis: Rex is just an ordinary salvager diving into the “cloud sea” from the Titan he lives on, which he affectionately calls Gramps, when he makes an incredible discovery. He can use beings known as Blades, entities that function both as swords and as sentient companions. He bonds with Pyra, a blade capable of determining the fate of the world, and thus begins his adventure to save humanity in the face of a dying world.
Why it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games: Xenoblade Chronicles 2 had big shoes to fill. The first Xenoblade Chronicles dazzled on the Wii with its enormous, gorgeous world, compelling story, and complex yet enjoyable combat system. Xenoblade Chronicles X on the Wii U, meanwhile, left fans frustrated and disappointed. Although arguably Xenoblade Chronicles 2 doesn’t quite reach the heights of the original due to some frustrating design choices here and there, its expansive universe and unique Blade system are still a delight to investigate. You’ll find yourself pouring hour after hour into the tale of Rex and Pyra’s friendship and growing excited with each new Blade acquired or location uncovered. It’s big and beautiful enough of a game to help you see past its handful of flaws and enjoy the Switch’s premiere RPG.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #17 – Thumper
Developer: drool Games
Synopsis: Thumper is a rhythm game where you play as a beetle running along a track through…space, or something. As you glide along the track, you’ll need to time your button presses to hit notes, brace for obstacles, slide along corners, and fight opponents to the beat of the music and sound, resulting in pounding, powerful rhythms and culminating in boss take-downs.
Why it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games: Thumper did not lose much by leaving VR and gained plenty by allowing for the portability of the Nintendo Switch. Unlike many other rhythm games, Thumper does not hold your hand with obvious cues but teaches you what to expect exactly once, then sends you down the track to your rhythmic doom–step it up, or fail. But this challenge only makes the game more appealing; the visual and audio reactions to pulling off the game’s most powerful rhythms are immensely satisfying. You’ll get lost immediately in the entrancing, rhythmic void of Thumper.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #16 – Shu
Developer: Coatsink, Secret Lunch
Synopsis: Shu’s village is destroyed by a Storm, and survival is of the utmost importance. In a 2.5D platforming adventure, Shu travels to find a way to stop the Storm from encroaching further. Along the way, he encounters fellow villagers stranded by the trouble who lend Shu their special abilities to help him journey further. A total of 21 levels and 10 friends lie in wait for Shu as he tries to stop the end of the world.
Why it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games: The Nintendo Switch is hardly starved for platformers, so when a title jumps out at us the way Shu does, you know it’s something special. It’s not just the gorgeous artwork and music, though those are certainly stand-out factors. Shu combines gentle, combat-free platforming with a different style of foe to test your mettle, opening its beauty to a wider range of players than many other games of its type. The ability to better your time in each level and explore different options with different characters doesn’t hurt, either.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #15 – Severed
Developer: DrinkBox Studios
Synopsis: A young woman with a severed arm returns home to find everything destroyed, her parents and younger brother missing, and a mysterious, Death-like creature offering her a strange, living sword. With it, she sets out to bring her family back, exploring the wilderness outside her home while slashing her way through a host of dangerous, bizarre, and mythical creatures.
Why it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games: So very few games put the touchscreen to actual, good use, that it’s refreshing to find one that finally nails it. Severed’s many accolades for its mobile appearances were well-deserved, as every facet of this short, gruesome title is stylistic and polished. From the artstyle to the music to the story to the enemy designs, you’ll find yourself immersed in a strange, beautiful world right out of South American mythology. The gameplay is the best aspect by far, though, as it keeps the touchscreen slashing varied and active as you progress. The Switch’s large screen is particularly adept for this playstyle.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #14 – Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle
Developer: Ubisoft
Synopsis: It’s a quiet day in the Mushroom Kingdom when suddenly, a bunch of Rabbids show up, including some that looks suspiciously like the heroes and heroine of the Mario universe! In an XCOM-style RTS, the Mario cast and the Rabbids lookalikes must team up to unravel what has happened to the Mushroom Kingdom and put a stop to it…if only they can get the Rabbids to stop goofing off long enough to get it done.
Why it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games: Sometimes, it’s the absolutely bonkers ideas that magically work out. Mario and Rabbids may sound like a bizarro combination, but the pairing’s goony humor and colorful universe made for a brilliant stage on which to bring a lighthearted version of what we loved in XCOM. Though not quite as deep as its darker cousin, Mario + Rabbids nonetheless brings its own set of challenges as you play through its various levels, shooting around cover, diving through pipes, and strategizing your way around new, dangerous Rabbids enemies. You’d be remiss not to let Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle surprise you if you haven’t already.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #13 – Minecraft: Switch Edition
Developer: Mojang
Synopsis: In Minecraft, you might feel most at home progressing through the harsh survival mode, fighting off monsters and forging your way to the Ender Dragon with scraps of what you find. Others might embrace the freedom of Creative mode, using various texture packs to build entire worlds out of blocks. Bring a friend along using a second pair of Joy-Cons, or share your creations with your friends online for endless adventures.
Why it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games: Minecraft’s broad appeal is, in my opinion, generally wasted on consoles without the robust sharing features of PCs and seemingly infinite mods to play with. But a generation of Minecraft-lovers does not agree. Minecraft on Nintendo Switch merely offers yet another avenue for kids and adults alike to stretch their creative muscles, this time with the option to take the game anywhere and play with a friend locally at the same time. Minecraft, regardless of platform, brings endless hours of fun that last as long as your imagination can come up with new things to build.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #12- I Am Setsuna
Developer: Tokyo RPG Factory
Synopsis: Setsuna, a young maiden chosen by fate, must journey to the Last Lands to become a sacrifice in order to appease the monsters that plague the world. She is accompanied by a mysterious wanderer named Endir and an entourage of companions who will assist her along the way through the snow-covered world. I Am Setsuna’s ATB battle system, story, and set-up pay homage throughout to Chrono Trigger.
Why it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games: Nostalgia is a hell of a thing, and in many cases, obsession with remaking the past can drag a title down. But I Am Setsuna is nostalgia done right, combining a gorgeous piano soundtrack, an enjoyable battle system, and just enough gentle references to satisfy those thirsty to relive their childhoods while still experiencing a new, traditional RPG adventure. Don’t worry if you haven’t played Chrono Trigger, though. I Am Setsuna is a testament to why the essentials of Japanese RPGs have remained stalwart over the years through countless adventures. It’s a wonderful start to what I’m sure will prove an enjoyable Switch RPG collection.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #11 – Disgaea 5 Complete
Developer: NIS America
Synopsis: The world of Disgaea is actually a conglomeration of Netherworlds, each with its own ruling Overlord. An evil demon lord, Void Dark, rises up and begins to destroy Netherworld after Netherworld, at the helm of his army of The Lost. As a young demon with a long history of pain caused by Void Dark and a penchant for revenge, Killia must unite the various Overlords against Void Dark and stop his reign of terror for good.
Why it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games: Some might scoff at the fact that the Nintendo Switch’s library is mostly comprised of games that were already out elsewhere, but Nintendo has done their best to ensure that what you’re getting on the Switch is a definitive edition of an already-amazing title. As such, the Switch is the best way to play great games like Disgaea 5 that you may have missed on their initial launch due to not owning a PS4 or something.
Disgaea 5 isn’t an RPG you want to miss, and partners nicely with I Am Setsuna in setting the console up for RPG success. Already an engaging game with over 40 hours worth of content and a cast you’ll love spending time with, Complete includes all the DLC that released for PS4, as well. And don’t be afraid of the number “5” in the title. Disgaea 5, as with all other games in the series, is a standalone story that explains its strategic RPG battle mechanics very, very well. It’s easy to jump in, but very, very hard to put down.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #10 – Golf Story
Developer: Sidebar Games
Synopsis: Twenty years ago, your father instilled in you a love of the game of golf. Now, as an adult, you’re trying to reclaim it despite having a terrible swing. Eight unique courses await you as you try to hone your skills, earn money, complete quests, and gain fame as a golfer in this RPG/golf game mash-up. You can also dabble in disc golf, mini-golf, or lawn bowling, if you feel so inclined, but the game of golf and Golf Story’s various nine-hole courses will reign supreme.
Why it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games: The popularity of golf video games may surprise people who haven’t picked up a Mario Golf or Everybody’s Golf title before, and somehow the combination of golf and RPGs hit a hole in one with a lot of Nintendo Switch gamers. Golf Story has a solid golf game at the heart of it, but that game is buoyed by the title’s quirky humor, fun and unique course mechanics, and heartfelt story of family and legacy. Now, if only we could all figure out how to play disc golf properly…
Best Nintendo Switch Games #9 – Stardew Valley
Developer: ConcernedApe
Synopsis: Bored and unfulfilled in your desk job at Joja Corp, you accept the gift of your late grandfather’s farm in Stardew Valley. It’s run-down at first, but as time moves on you begin to clear the rubble and turn it into a serviceable farm. Do you plant crops, raise animals, explore the depths of the monster-infested mines, build a fishing empire, befriend the townsfolk, or all of it at once? Your destiny is your own; feel free to take your time in this Harvest Moon-inspired sim.
Why it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games: When ConcernedApe started Stardew Valley, he imagined a game that was just like the Harvest Moon games of yore without all the fluff the series had attracted over the years, and with a few key expanded features. He took a gamble that others might want such a game too, and won it tremendously. Stardew Valley is far better than old-school Harvest Moon–it’s how we remember old-school Harvest Moon, only now we can smooch anyone regardless of gender and waste even more hours digging into an infinite mine in search of elusive, rare ore. Placed on the Switch, Stardew fares even better with its short bursts of play and visual appeal on a handheld device.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #8 – The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+
Developer: Nicalis
Synopsis: In this bizarre, psychological, roguelike dungeon crawler, you play as a young child named Isaac, who escapes his crazed mother into a secret basement beneath his house filled with both biblical and biological horrors. Using his tears as a weapon, he must defeat everything from angels to mutilated babies to poop monsters in order to escape the darkness of the cellar (or not) and unlock one of the games’ many, many endings. With different items and abilities appearing in each run, different bosses, and plenty of new characters to unlock, you’ll be hard-pressed to see everything this game has to offer.
Why it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games: The glorious nature of The Binding of Isaac is that it is never the same game twice, even more so than most roguelikes. With Nicalis’ continual updates culminating in The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+, the Nintendo Switch has been blessed with the most complete, complex, and replayable edition of The Binding of Isaac to take with them anywhere and everywhere. It even includes some of the best community mods, and will continue to be updated over time with new ones as they surface. Many of the games on this list are good, but may not be worth your time if you’ve already beaten them on another platform. The Binding of Isaac is not one of those games.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #7 – The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Developer: Bethesda
Synopsis: Dragons have returned to the land of Skyrim, just as a brewing conflict between two factions comes to a head. While they fight to realize their vision of Skyrim, you, the Dragonborn, are summoned by the Greybeards to hone the power of your Dragon shouts so that you might battle the coming threat. Will you immediately vanquish the dragons, join the war, or just traipse across the snowy wilderness, digging through caves and fraternizing with vampires? It’s up to you–your story is your own.
Why it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games: Skyrim’s popularity, so many years after its release, is a testament to the breadth and depth of the world Bethesda created. Even as its graphics become increasingly outdated, we still love to revisit Skyrim on any console we can, though never before has the game been portable. Picking up the adventure of the Dragonborn and taking it anywhere allows for busy adults to embrace the journey once again or even for the first time. Whether you haven’t yet seen the story of the Dragonborn through or just want a few hours to wander solitary snowscapes, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim remains an incredible and worthy journey.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #6 – Steamworld Dig 2
Developer: Image & Form
Synopsis: Get mining. Dorothy from the first Steamworld Dig game is your new protagonist as you navigate the underground, mining your way ever deeper for resources in a Metroidvania-style adventure. Uncover the mystery behind the strange earthquakes and the disappearance of your familiar friend Rusty by fighting the enemies underground and exploring the remains of an ancient evil.
Why it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games: Steamworld Dig 2 settles comfortably in the shining hall of fame reserved for sequels that improved on their already-excellent predecessors. If you loved the satisfying digging and steampunk fun of Steamworld Dig, Steamworld Dig 2 will quickly captivate you with its intelligent environmental puzzles, expanded explorable world, and its fantastic forward momentum. Plus, it can be played easily in short bursts and looks great on the go, making it a natural fit for the Nintendo Switch.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #5 – Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove
Developer: Yacht Club Games
Synopsis: In a magical land filled with intrepid adventurers, the Order of No Quarter has taken up residence to terrorize the kingdom, led by The Enchantress herself. Shovel Knight, armed with only his titular garden tool, must dispatch each of the Order’s members in their respective dungeons and bring peace to the land again. Shovel Knight will need to defeat enemies and survive dangerous platforming challenges to make it to the end, and once you’re done, there are further adventures starring two of the Order’s members: Plague Knight and Specter Knight.
Why it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games: From its initial release, Shovel Knight has proved a perfect example of Kickstarter done right. Yacht Club Games has gone above and beyond to meet their campaign incentives with hours of excellent story content on top of an already-enjoyable platformer. By allowing their game to be a gentle throwback to a classic style while still telling their own story, Shovel Knight managed to avoid many of the traps that other nostalgia-based Kickstarters have abused to their detriment. I could go on all day: beautiful pixel art, a catchy, coverable soundtrack, challenging yet enjoyable platforming, characters stuffed with personality and witty writing make Shovel Knight consistently one of the best entries on any platform it visits. Treasure Trove, as the definitive version, stands as the best of the best.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #4 – Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Developer: Nintendo
Synopsis: We all know what Mario Kart is: Mario racing mayhem on crazy, colorful tracks with a playing field continuously leveled by shells, banana peels, mushrooms, and more RNG nonsense. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe throws the Wii U’s Mario Kart 8, all the DLC, plus new Battle Modes, characters, karts, and items into one pot and presents it in a shiny, visually-upgraded format for your entertainment. Have you always wanted to race as Dry Bowser on an Animal Crossing track in a Legend of Zelda kart? It’s 2017. Get to it.
Why it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games: Before picking up Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, I struggled to understand why Nintendo felt it would be better to publish a definitive edition of an excellent karting title not nearly enough people got to play initially (due to the Wii U’s weak sales) over working on a new version. But after picking up Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for myself, I realized there was no question. The original Mario Kart 8’s excellence shines through with its brilliant track design and set-up for endless hours of fun (and shouting) racing your friends and family. Much more than racing, Battle Modes provide a new spin on karting that turn the tables on those who typically rush to the front of the pack and ignore those behind. I feel confident that several years down the road, I’ll still be packing up Mario Kart 8 Deluxe to take with me when visiting friends and family, just for one more opportunity at chucking a blue shell and laughing madly.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #3 – Splatoon 2
Developer: Nintendo
Synopsis: Splatoon 2 takes all the best elements from the first game and brings them to a new platform with new game modes, new weapons, a brand new campaign and story, and plenty of tweaks and polishes. Now, your squid-kid is more customizable than ever both in terms of fashion choices and in the array of weapons you can send it into Turf War, Ranked, League, or Salmon Run with. Brand new maps help make the experience totally fresh, and we’ll see loads of new content rolling out over the next two years to keep it that way.
Why it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games: We didn’t make any secret about loving the first Splatoon, and we won’t hide it here, either: Splatoon 2 remains Nintendo’s best new IP in years, bringing a newer, fresher take on the shooter genre that you won’t feel bad about letting your kids play alongside you. The colorful cast of Inkopolis leads the way into a largely-unchanged battle style that nonetheless sports plenty of tweaks and updates to ensure every battle is a new experience. It’s easy to get caught up playing for hours on end as the maps change around. Splatoon 2 promises to be an even better experience with Nintendo’s voice chat debuting alongside its launch, and with two years worth of updates on the way, we’re sure to keep splatting for a long time yet.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #2 – Super Mario Odyssey
Developer: Nintendo
Synopsis: Princess Peach is kidnapped by Bowser, and Mario must rescue her. What’s new? This time, he has a mysterious hat companion named Cappy who acts as weapon, jump assistant, and helper as the two travel the globe, pursuing the villain. Mario explores multiple kingdoms, from the lush Cascade Kingdom to the gooey Food Kingdom to the bustling, bright Metro Kingdom. Along the way, he collects Power Moons to get his ship, the Odyssey, to its next destination. He’s assisted in this by Cappy’s signature move, the Cap-ture, which allows him to take control of enemy creatures and make their powers his own.
Why it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games: Super Mario Odyssey is a true refinement and realization of all that came before it. Each new kingdom is a massive playground stuffed with rewards. Some are as easy to find as walking over to pick them up. Others are rewards for difficult platforming challenges or for cleverly solving environmental mysteries. Super Mario Odyssey includes such a wealth of diverse, interesting activities in each kingdom that you’ll find it hard to put down, even after the credits roll. Plus, there are plenty of easter egg throwbacks for classic fans to get excited about.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #1 – The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Developer: Nintendo
Synopsis: You don’t want Breath of the Wild spoiled for you, so I’ll be brief: Link wakes up in a strange room with no memories of why he is there. A voice guides him out into a gorgeous, natural, open world where Link must use the environment to survive and strengthen himself. Assisted by a mysterious old man, Link gradually learns what has transpired to bring Hyrule to its ruined state, and gathers his strength for the battles ahead. Depending on the path you choose, you can face the evil plaguing Hyrule with nothing but a tree branch, or you can gather your power and memories again to bring a true battle with you to Hyrule Castle.
Why it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games: Every inch of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild speaks to the intimate detail of its design. If you can think to do something with the items, creatures, characters, or physics of the game, by golly, you can do it. Sure, you can bolt your way to the end of the game in less than an hour if you really want to, but aside from speedrunning, who would want to? You can effortlessly spend 60, 70, 80+ hours in Hyrule and still discover new secrets, beautiful sunsets, or quirky moments of game design done right.
And that’s to say nothing of the game’s story, which is easily the most detailed and moving of the series yet. Told via optional, findable cutscenes, Nintendo uses exactly the right amount of well-placed, specific details to lay out a moving and meaningful story, even (finally) placing Zelda in the true heroine role she has always deserved.
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The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild isn’t just the best game on the Nintendo Switch. It’s easily a Game of the Year, and the kind of title that will be remembered long, long after its time as an artistic masterpiece. I don’t know how Nintendo can possibly top this game on the Switch, and I know I’ll still be picking Breath of the Wild up again and again, especially as more DLC drops!