Must-Plays on the Nintendo Switch
More than seven years after its initial release, the Nintendo Switch remains a beloved console that has revolutionized how we play games. And that's no surprise—portable, versatile, and boasting a seemingly endless library of games, its popularity is well-deserved. But which titles are absolute must-plays, you ask? From Super Mario Odyssey to Stardew Valley, here are the 20 best games you need to play on the Switch.
1. Super Mario Odyssey
Hailed as one of the games you absolutely must get for the Switch, Super Mario Odyssey sees Mario and his hat-shaped ally (and weapon), Cappy, traversing different lands beyond the Mushroom Kingdom. Cappy is arguably what makes this game so fun: you can throw him onto enemies for Mario to take over their powers.
2. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Another must-play on the Switch is Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and you'll often see this abbreviated to ACNH. What makes this game so fun and addictive is likely the freedom you get—your entire objective is to build your own island paradise, go hunting, fish for food, construct cool furniture, decorate your home, and more. Plus, the days and seasons in ACNH match real-time.
3. Pokemon Legends: Arceus
If you're a big Pokemon fan, then Pokemon Legends: Arceus is the game for you. Set in the ancient Hisui region, survey missions and wild Pokemon abound, and your goal is to complete the region’s first Pokedex. You'll battle and discover new Pokemon along the way, like the Mythical Pokemon Arceus.
4. Firewatch
Set in the year 1989 and in the wilderness of Wyoming, Firewatch is a first-person mystery game centered around Henry—you. Alone in the mountains, you're tasked to look out for smoke from the fire tower, and your only contact outside of the wild is your supervisor, Delilah.
5. Persona 5 Royal
Persona 5 Royal is an RPG (role-playing game) that takes place in modern-day Tokyo and follows the life of a high school student who goes by the codename "Joker". If you've played the original Persona 5 on the PlayStation, the experience will be familiar on the Switch—only upgraded.
6. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
A sequel to Donkey Kong Returns, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze centers around Donkey Kong and his crew as they try to defeat the Snowmads who have invaded their island. This is also the first game in the series with more than two playable characters, featuring Diddy, Dixie, and Cranky alongside Donkey Kong.
7. Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Praised on its narrative, Fire Emblem: Three Houses is an RPG set in the continent of Fodlan. Taking on the role of a professor, you're invited to teach in one of the three boarding schools of Officers Academy—namely, the Black Eagles, the Blue Lions, and the Golden Deer—to train students how to wield weapons and magic.
8. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Another absolute must-play on the Switch is The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. It's a refreshing take on the Zelda series, with engaging gameplay and a hyper-interactive world.
Breath of the Wild promises an adventure like nothing you've played before.
9. Astral Chain
Astral Chain is an action game like no other. Set in a futuristic city in the aftermath of a catastrophic event, you're recruited into an elite police force, Neuron, and are responsible for protecting the remaining population by fighting off invaders called chimeras.
10. Kirby and the Forgotten Land
If you love this adorable pink floof ball (and honestly, even if you don't), then you're bound to like Kirby and the Forgotten Land. In this 3D adventure, you'll defeat enemies, go on a journey, and explore abandoned landmarks in a mysterious new world.
11. Stardew Valley
What exactly is it about Stardew Valley that makes its gameplay so addictive? Is it the fact that it sparks nostalgia for those who have played Harvest Moon? Is it how interactive the world feels? Or is it simply because there is so much to do that there's never a dull moment? Whatever it is, there's a reason why this remains one of the most popular games on the Switch.
12. Luigi's Mansion 3
Armed only with the Poltergust G-00, Luigi in Luigi's Mansion 3 is tasked to defeat and complete each themed floor of the Last Resort Hotel to ultimately rescue Mario and their friends. Luigi is also able to call Gooigi for help, his all-green doppelganger who can fit through tight spaces and step on spikes.
13. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
If you're fond of Mario Kart on other consoles, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on the Switch is even better than you can imagine. Here, you can choose from 42 characters (ranging from the classic duo Mario and Luigi to villagers from Animal Crossing) and 48 race courses—including special-themed ones, like The Legend of Zelda.
14. Xenoblade Chronicles 3
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is a combat RPG which centers around the protagonists Noah and Mio, who are part of opposing—and warring—nations, Keves and Agnus. The narrative is highly praised in this game, as the characters set off to find the "true enemy".
15. Cave Story+
First released in 2004 on Microsoft Windows, Cave Story has since evolved in many ways and is known as a quintessential indie game. On the Switch, it boasts an interactive, challenging gameplay with a memorable soundtrack, where you're tasked to control an amnesiac robot named Quote.
Bruno van der Kraan on Unsplash
16. Little Kitty, Big City
Have you ever wondered what it'd be like to explore the world as a cat? Well, wonder no more. In Little Kitty, Big City, you get to do exactly that—roam through streets, make new friends, complete quests, and maybe, if you're keen, find a way back home at the end of the day.
17. The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
Because of course we couldn't only have one game from The Legend of Zelda on the list, what with so many memorable ones in the series worth mentioning. The Echoes of Wisdom is no exception: in this story, Princess Zelda is the main playable character who is tasked to save her Kingdom of Hyrule—and a captured Link.
18. Mario Tennis Aces
You don't need to be a fan of tennis or even know how to play the sport to enjoy Mario Tennis Aces. After all, anything in the Mario series is sure to be fun.
If you are competitive, though, Adventure mode lets you take on challenges and battles as you learn to master the controls.
19. Pokemon Sword
Pokemon Sword is set in the Galar region, and your adventure begins by choosing one of three Pokemon pals to join you on your journey: Grookey, Scorbunny, or Sobble. Play in single-player mode to encounter different Pokemons as you traverse the town, or head into multiplayer mode to battle against the Dynamax Pokemon.
20. Metroid Dread
Critically acclaimed, Metroid Dread follows bounty hunter Samus Aran on a mysterious alien planet called ZDR. As you navigate through the world, you'll encounter new enemies, uncover new secrets, and battle through various missions.
