Quick Links
The Nintendo Switch released in 2017, so if you’re just getting one now you’ve got a lot of gaming to catch up on.Fantastic new Switch gamesare still coming out every year, but don’t miss these classics if you’re new to the console.
10The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
This Game-of-the-Year-winning Zelda adventure is the reason many players picked up a Switch in the first place.The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wildreturned the Zelda series to its open-world roots while revolutionizing the format at the same time.
If you haven’t played it, you need to. And when you’re finished with that, pick up the equally impressive follow up,The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
Forget everything you know about The Legend of Zelda games. Step into a world of discovery, exploration and adventure in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, a boundary-breaking new game in the acclaimed series.
9Super Mario Odyssey
Since the N64, every Nintendo home console has had its own 3D Super Mario game to go with it, but the Switch’s entry beats all the competition in my opinion.Super Mario Odysseyis a beautiful adventure with all new movement and jumping abilities thanks to Mario’s new friend, Cappy
Not only can you traverse the platforming challenge in new ways, Cappy also lets you take control of a wide variety of creatures for extra abilities. It’s not to be missed. And if you want more, be sure to check out the re-release ofSuper Mario 3D Worldwith the all-newBowser’s Furyadd-on.
Super Mario Odyssey
Jump into a lovingly crafted 3D Mario adventure with Super Mario Odyssey, the first Switch-exclusive Mario title from Nintendo.
8Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Although this game originally released for the Wii U (much likeBreath of the Wild) it has lived its best life on the Nintendo Switch. Available asMario Kart 8 Deluxe, this “deluxe” version of Nintendo’s popular kart racer comes with all the DLC of the Wii U version along with some extra characters, items, and expanded battle mode.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
The best Mario Kart experience to date, with better graphics, improved battle mode, all the DLC from the Wii U version and more DLC on the way.
7Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
IfMario Kartisn’t wild enough, you may battle it out inSuper Smash Bros. Ultimateinstead. If you’ve never played Smash before, it’s a manic fighting game that includes characters from a wide range of Nintendo properties, wielding special abilities and powerful weapons to smash each other off of the stage.
It’s a lot of fun to play with friends and this version of the game comes with more characters, challenges, and stages than ever before.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
The Ultimate version of the classic fighting game that anyone can place, featuring every character from previous releases and a flurry of new DLC fighters to boot.
6Metroid Dread
Metroid Dreadis the first original 2D Metroid game Nintendo released since 2002’sMetroid Fusion, but it was worth the wait. This continuation of the 2D Metroid story sees you controlling Samus Aran as she finds herself on a dangerous new planet having lost most of her abilities.
True tothe Metroidvania genre partly named after this franchise, you’ll have a large 2D map to explore that only becomes possible as you regain Samus’s weapons and abilities.
Metroid Dread
2D Metroid is back, and this time it looks better than ever. Fusing stealth elements with traditional Metroidvania exploration-based gameplay, Dread is a tense and exciting return to form for Nintendo’s genre-defining franchise.
5Animal Crossing: New Horizons
If Metroid looks a little too intense,Animal Crossing: New Horizonsis the antidote you need. In this charming game, you’ve moved to a quaint island to set up a new home for yourself. That mostly involves raising funds to pay off your loan to Tom Nook and buy new furniture and decorations, but while doing so you’ll fall in love with the animal villagers and a peaceful pace of life on the island.
Anybody who’s played previous Animal Crossing entries will feel right at home, though this is also a perfect entry point to newcomers. That’show it took the world by stormafter releasing during global lockdowns.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Lose yourself in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, a chilled life simulation about making friends, customizing your home, and perfecting your desert island.
4Pokémon Legends: Arceus
Every list of recommended Nintendo games needs a Pokémon entry. There are a few to choose from for the Switch, but if you only play one, then it needs to bePokémon Legends: Arceus. As you explore the ancient open land, you’ll see Pokémon dotted around the landscape and you’ll be able to capture and battle them without shifting to another screen.
This builds on The Wild Area ofPokémon Sword and Shield, which only offered the feature in a limited capacity, and adds an exciting shot in the arm to the franchise’s gameplay. It’s not a perfect game by any stretch, but it’s a must-play for any Pokémon fans.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus
In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, you choose when to take on battles and when to run. Mixing stealth gameplay and open zones, Arceus shakes up the Pokémon formula for the better.
3Super Mario Maker 2
Rather than suggesting a single 2D Super Mario game, likeSuper Mario Wonder, I’ve essentially recommended all of them withSuper Mario Maker 2. This brilliant game makes it easy and enjoyable to create your own Super Mario courses, and then play through them or share them online. Better than that, you with a Switch Online membership you may enjoy the genius courses created by thousands of other players online.
Even if you don’t feel creative enough to develop your own courses from scratch, the game comes with a fulfilling story mode that sees you completing innovative courses to earn coins and rebuild Peach’s castle. Seeing what can be done by Nintendo’s game developers will definitely make you want to try your hand at making your own courses though.
Super Mario Maker 2
Mario fans of the world, unite! Now you’re able to play, create, and share* the side-scrolling Super Mario courses of your dreams in the Super Mario Maker 2 game, available exclusively on the Nintendo Switch system!
2Luigi’s Mansion 3
If you’re up for a little bit of spooky fun,Luigi’s Mansion 3shouldn’t be missed. Don’t worry if you haven’t played the previous installments, you’ll easily catch up: Luigi and his friends are staying in a magnificent hotel, that turns out to be haunted.
It’s Luigi’s job to traverse the strange building in search of his friends, aided by the Poltergust G-00 (which you’re able to use to suck up ghost, furniture, coins, and other objects) and his gooey alter ego Gooigi.
Luigi’s Mansion 3
Luigi’s invited to the towering Last Resort hotel, but when Mario and friends go missing, our green-clad hero will have to conquer his fears to save them!
1Splatoon 3
You won’t findCall of Dutyon the Switch, but for those of you looking for an online competitive shooter, you’ve gotSplatoon 3instead. This family-friendly game sees you shooting ink instead of bullets, fighting the opposing team to cover the map with more of your own color. Playing as Inklings, you’re able to even dive into your own color to speed across the map in squid form.
Splatoon 2was also immensely popular on the Switch, but most players are likely to have moved to the third iteration, so you’ll have better luck finding matches there. It also has everything fromSplatoon 2and then some, so you won’t be missing anything.
Splatoon 3
WHERE TO PLAY
Enter 4-on-4* ink-slinging battles in this colorful action shooter packed with style and attitude.
It wasn’t easy to limit this list to 10 games, so don’t think this is all the Switch has to offer. We haven’t even touched on the innumerable indie games that are well worth your time available on the Nintendo eShop. So once you’ve got a grounding with some Switch classics, be sure to explore theavant gardeoptions as well and make the most of your new console; it’s a good one!
