Discover our 20 best Nintendo Switch games available for Nintendo’s hybrid handheld in this handy guide!
Since its release in 2017, the Nintendo Switch has become one of the most successful game consoles of all-time. And after 6 years, the console now has an impressively varied library of games, from huge triple-A hits through to niche and cosy indie games. And luckily, we’ve had the pleasure of reviewing many of these games here at Qualbert.com!
So to celebrate the anniversary of the console’s release, we’ve put together a detailed list of our best Nintendo Switch games to help you decide which games are best for you. This doesn’t include every single game on the console, but instead focuses on the games that we’ve covered previously so that you can explore each and figure out if you should try out each game. So read ahead to find out 20 of our best Nintendo Switch games, why you should try them out, and click on each to find out more through our detailed reviews.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #1 – Xenoblade Chronicles 3
The biggest entry in the series to date, and quite possibly the biggest JRPG series on a Nintendo platform, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is as expansive as the worlds it is set in. Xenoblade Chronicles 3 draws upon all gameplay elements that made its predecessors so beloved: interlinking worlds, characters, and gameplay concepts with flawless polish. Now available exclusively on Nintendo Switch, this game truly deserves the first spot on our list of the best Nintendo Switch games.
A decade since the original game, having constructed a monolithic series from a solid foundation, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 polishes its experience beyond any expectations. The latest entry features endlessly expansive environments and honed combat, accompanied by vibrant visuals and stellar score. Yet the real highlight is the loveable cast of characters, all of whom breathe life into the game at every moment. So for the JRPG fans of you out there, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is a near flawless Switch experience you won’t soon forget.
Read our Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Review
Best Nintendo Switch Games #2 – Cult of the Lamb
Cult of the Lamb is yet another absolutely amazing indie game for the Nintendo Switch, that we’re also very proud to say was born right here in Australia. This is a cute and psychologically disturbed experience where you take the cutest of characters through dark ordeals only to satiate the desires of the demon that saved you from death. Tight roguelike combat crossed with town building is a genius combination and causes you to enter an addictive yet charming gameplay loop.
And best of all? Cult of the Lamb is undeniably fun to play. It is funny. It is disgusting… in the best way. An absolute pleasure to play from start to finish, around 15 hours well spent. Looking for a devilish new indie game? We strongly recommend that you join the cult and sacrifice your spare time to one of the best indie games on the Nintendo Switch.
Read our Cult of the Lamb Review
Best Nintendo Switch Games #3 – Triangle Strategy
This oddly-named strategic RPG captures every single element that makes this genre great: thought-provoking combat interspersed with gripping stories with themes of human morality, and a stellar cast of memorable characters. Thrusting the player into the midst of a nation at war, Triangle Strategy not only requires the player to command their people in the battlefield, but take charge in forging the path ahead through their own convictions. Where will your convictions guide you? Will you save the nation from injustice, prosper at the expense of the kingdom, or wage war like the very tyrants you thought to overthrow?
Where Final Fantasy Tactics established the strategy RPG, Triangle Strategy manages to perfect it. Spanning 40 hours for a full playthrough, and boasting multiple endings and alternate pathways, there’s a significant amount of content to keep strategy fans coming back for more. Through its compelling narrative, satisfying strategic combat, and uniquely modern retro-inspired visuals, this is undoubtedly a love-letter to the games that made this genre so admired. Square Enix has proven that that strategy games are not only alive and well, but flourishing in an era of gaming where expansive open world games and cinematic masterpieces hog the limelight.
Read our Triangle Strategy Review
Best Nintendo Switch Games #4 – Metroid Prime Remastered
Is it possible to improve on a game so close to perfection? Now 20 years since the original Metroid Prime’s debut, that’s exactly with Nintendo achieve through Metroid Prime Remastered, released exclusively for the Nintendo Switch. Tiding over fans’ hunger as they await the long-anticipated release of Metroid Prime 4, this remaster offers far more than just a fresh coat of paint for Samus’ shiny Varia Suit.
Metroid Prime Remastered is a classic made flawless and an essential title to add to your Nintendo Switch library. In my opinion, it’s the best game on the Nintendo Switch. With the release of Remastered, the Nintendo Switch is without a doubt the definitive way to experience the crown jewel of Nintendo’s timeless Metroid series. Given a complete visual overhaul, modern dual-stick controls, and a surreal surround sound mix with more atmosphere than ever, this is Metroid at its absolute Prime.
Read our Metroid Prime Remastered Review
Best Nintendo Switch Games #5 – Unpacking
Unpacking is a truly unique experience, much like moving house. Taking boxes and recreating your life in a brand new location, making it yours and turning an otherwise lifeless house into a colourful environment full of personality. This charming thrill is exactly what to expect in Unpacking, a short and thoughtful videogame about an activity that is undeniably human. Crafted by Witch Beam, a small Australian indie team based in my hometown of Brisbane, and published by Humble Games, Unpacking offers zen gameplay, a charming pixel art aesthetic, and a deeply fascinating depiction of emotion.
There are few games I’ve played that I can say are truly beautiful, heart-warming and touching, but Unpacking is all that and so much more. Such a simple gameplay concept not only manages in itself to be incredibly entertaining and strangely satisfying, but when combined with detailed pixel art and themes of human emotion, manages to become almost poetic. Even the simplest moments of the game have the ability overwhelm the player with joy and happiness. Witch Beam have created a game unlike any other I’ve played, and if you are a human with a heart, I implore you to experience it as well. Unpacking truly is a moving game in every sense of the word.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #6 – Wayward Strand
We love charming Australian indie games here at Qualbert – and we love even more being able to share them with the world! One such Australian indie game that deserves a place as an iconic Aussie indie title is Wayward Strand, the charming, character-driven interactive narrative from Melbourne devs, Ghost Pattern. Drawing upon its fascinating setting and sprinkled with a vibrant cast of memorable characters, this unique game offers an unforgettable and insightful look into the delightful setting of a fictional Airborne Hospital.
Wayward Strand is absolutely oozing with charm. The experience aboard the floating hospital is a dialogue delight thanks to its wonderful cast of unique characters, all of whom are voiced with passion and emotion. There’s really only one major downside to Wayward Strand, and it’s that after finishing it, I just wanted to keep playing, delving into the lives of each of the residents even further. This is a heart-warming tale than fans of Australian indie games must experience.
Read our Wayward Strand Review
Best Nintendo Switch Games #7 – Bayonetta 3
Now 8 years after the Umbra Witch’s last outing, Bayonetta returns and offers its players a tantalising climax to the trilogy in Bayonetta 3 on Nintendo Switch, this time featuring a whole multiverse of beautiful buxom Bayonettas for your viewing pleasure. With one of the best action games on the Nintendo Switch (if not the best), you can now strap in and experience the most exhilarating and bombastic Bayonetta has ever been right in the palm of your hands.
Bayonetta 3 is the definitive Bayonetta experience polished to near perfection over the last decade of the series. Despite being held back by the technical limitations of the Switch, this latest entry delivers some of the most bombastic, ridiculous, and extravagant gameplay featured in any videogame. Platinum have taken their distinct action game style and turned it up to 11 at every given opportunity. So whether or not you’re a fan of action games, or whether or not you’ve played any of the previous Bayonetta games, if you enjoy fun, you won’t want to miss the Umbra Witch on the Switch.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #8 – OlliOlli World
Given a fresh visual overhaul, OlliOlli World sees the beloved indie skating series return on Nintendo Switch in its most polished entry yet. With a focus on huge weaving levels, quirky characters, and high scores waiting to be smashed, this game be the beginning of a side-scrolling skater renaissance. Jump on board, strap on your kneepads, and and experience smooth and slick skating perfection.
OlliOlli World is everything you could ask for in a side-scrolling skater. Simple and intuitive controls, a tonne of unlockables, and varying difficulty choices based on each track to suit the play style of any player paired with its unique vibrant art style and chill lo-fi soundtrack, and you’ll find yourself in Gnarvana before you know it. Over the course of the adventure, there was rarely a single moment that I didn’t thoroughly enjoy. Where the earlier OlliOlli games re-introduced the concept of side-scrolling skating gameplay, OlliOlli World has polished it, perfected it, and created a game that is truly radical.
Read our OlliOlli World Review
Best Nintendo Switch Games #9 – LIVE A LIVE
Rather than limiting themselves to a single story, Square Enix sought to combine the plights of seven heroic protagonists from across time and space through a series of creative short stories. Thus Live A Live was born – a cult classic that would elude a Western audience for close to 3 decades. Thankfully, the wait is over. With the retro revival of the 16-bit era thanks to Square Enix‘s very own HD-2D series, Live A Live lives another life on Nintendo Switch!
This retro JRPG that once remained elusive to Western audiences has been polished, modernised, and perfected for Nintendo Switch, once again showcasing the power of HD-2D. With a compelling cast of characters, superb voicework and soundtrack, and a visual style that timelessly rejuvenates classic sprite art, Live A Live for Nintendo Switch proves that classic JRPGs are a-live and well. All JRPG fans must experience Live A Live.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #10 – Death’s Door
Devolver Digital have certainly garnered a reputation for being one of the best indie videogame publishers in the business, and Death’s Door is the perfect example of this. An intriguing hack & slash that follows the tale of a soul-collecting crow set in a stylish yet gloomy world. Created by Acid Nerve, the small indie team responsible for Titan Souls, this immediately grabbed my attention thanks to its unique visual style and its avian cast of characters.
Few games can achieve world-building and gripping gameplay in an 8 – 10 hour experience quite like Death’s Door. Through its unique story and characters, stunning presentation, clever exploration and thrilling intuitive combat, this is yet another superb indie game to add to Devolver’s arsenal. Fans of action/adventure RPGs would be foolish to pass by Death’s Door, which is quite honestly one of the most polished games I’ve played so far this year. It’s a game to die for.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #11 – Fire Emblem Engage
Fire Emblem Engage is unabashedly a celebration of its franchise’s history. Series developer Intelligent Systems leans on their illustrious legacy with a new battle mechanic, the Emblem Rings. This system allows you to fight alongside the heroes of Fire Emblem’s past titles. As a franchise fan, seeing characters like Lucina, Lyn, Roy, and many others pop up through this 50-hour adventure kept me excited to see what would happen chapter after chapter, despite the occasional dialogue of questionable quality.
I was initially unsure if this tribute to the Fire Emblem series would be too reliant on nostalgia and gameplay gimmicks to stand out amongst the crowd. Fire Emblem Engage instead pleasantly shows restraint with its returning heroes and makes room for its fun narrative and genre-defining battle system to shine. Still, with an addictive core gameplay loop, stunning visuals, a sweeping score, and an engrossing plot that will appeal to fans and newcomers alike, the tale of the Divine Dragon is one worth engaging with.
Read our Fire Emblem Engage Review
Best Nintendo Switch Games #12 – Necrobarista: Final Pour
Most of us here love coffee, and there’s no better place to enjoy a beautiful brew than in a cosy cafe. That’s exactly the concept of Necrobarista, a narrative-driven indie game from Melbourne-based developers Route 59 Games. This relaxing and classy establishment known as The Terminal is tucked away in the back alleys of Melbourne, beckoning visitors with the enticing scent of a fine coffee blend wafting through the air. The only catch? Most of its customers are dead.
Although its gameplay is minimal, Necrobarista offers up a bold story, served with deep emotions, and memorable characters. Alongside an attractive aesthetic and a perfectly-matched soundtrack, this proves to be a visual novel that is likely to impress most fans of the genre. Those who enjoy engaging narratives will be left satisfied upon leaving the Terminal, especially thanks to the uniquely Australian writing and humour of each of its patrons.
Read our Necrobarista: Final Pour Review
Best Nintendo Switch Games #13 – NEO: The World Ends With You
The true sequel to this cult classic is finally available in NEO: The World Ends With You, a direct continuation of the Reaper’s Game available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and planned for a PC release in the near future. After nearly 14 years, we’re finally back on the streets of Shibuya. Does this sequel feel just as fresh and stylish as the original, or have the newest gaming trends left it feeling dated like last season’s clothing?
With great satisfaction I can say that NEO is a worthy sequel that manages to retain the sense of style of the original while effectively modernising all other elements of the game. With a vibrant and delightful city to explore, intriguing story with a colossal cast of characters both new and old, heavily-stylised visual aesthetic, and a soundtrack like none other, NEO: TWEWY is an essential JRPG that has certainly been worth the wait.
Read our NEO: The World Ends With You Review
Best Nintendo Switch Games #14 – Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin
Five years after the original Monster Hunter Stories, the next chapter in the story unfolds on Nintendo Switch with the sequel, Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin. Featuring a multitude of monsters, crisp animated visuals, and a deep story of ruin and redemption surrounding a loveable cast of characters, is this the Monster Hunter spin-off we’ve been patiently waiting for all this time? Well, don’t be quick to judge this story by its cutesy cover, because Wings of Ruin is possibly the most engaging storytelling experience the entire series has to offer.
Despite being so dissimilar to the series on which it is based, Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin achieves a unique blend of gameplay and manages to deliver a relaxed, charming, and engaging plot-centric JRPG experience over a ~40 hour adventure. What may seem like a Pokémon game with a Monster Hunter skin on the surface is actually a standout spin-off with more than enough to set itself apart in the monster-battling genre.
Read our Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin Review
Best Nintendo Switch Games #15 – Theatrhythm: Final Bar Line
After almost 10 years, Theatrhythm triumphantly makes its Nintendo Switch debut in its most sweeping score yet: Theatrhythm Final Bar Line. Combining the simple yet addictive gameplay of its 3DS predecessors with an absurd library of over 400 individual songs, Final Bar Line is truly a love letter to the series’ surreal soundtracks. So don a pair of headphones and lose yourself in distant worlds in this flawless rhythm game.
Theatrhythm Final Bar Line truly is the Ultima musical love letter to Final Fantasy. With a gargantuan offering of tracks from across 35 years of musical history, and a tonne of added gameplay to keep you hooked, this is easily one of the most impressive rhythm games ever made. Where the series set a solid foundation on the 3DS with the original and Curtain Call, Final Bar Line lifts the bar in every single way possible.
Read our Theatrhythm: Final Bar Line Review
Best Nintendo Switch Games #16 – Card Shark
Card Shark’s clever and stylish gameplay revolves around understanding the various mini game-like card tricks such as QTEs and memory tests. Techniques that would normally take years to learn in real life become mere trifles as you cavort with the Comte, tricking pretty ladies and powerful lords in flickering candlelight. Fleecing at taverns, saloons and estates becomes second nature, as your coffers grow ever larger.
These visuals are a sure-fire way straight to my heart. If you love hand-crafted art like Hollow Knight, the visuals will also captivate you. I was immediately charmed by this game’s aesthetic, with its lavish style based on Rococo oil paintings, a dash of Impressionism, and storybook whimsicality. So if you’re looking for an immersive world and story wrapped in a unique style, with challenging, smart mini games, then Card Shark could be one of your best games on the Nintendo Switch.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #17 – Persona 3 Portable Remaster
Persona 3 is the kind of game that comes along maybe once in a decade. This title revolutionised Persona and developed the core gameplay of the series as we now know it. For the longest of time, Persona 3 has been inaccessible for millions, with many new fans of the series lacking any means to play it. The Persona 3 Portable remaster has changed this completely and brings one of the finest games of all-time finally to the Nintendo Switch.
While missing certain gameplay elements of its PS2 predecessors, the P3P remaster is still an essential game that should be on your JRPG bucket list before you shuffle off this mortal coil. Like the themes throughout its superb narrative, this really is a game worth dying for.
Read our Persona 3 Portable Remaster Review
Best Nintendo Switch Games #18 – Inscryption
Dark and dysturbing deck-bylding. Inscryption combines roguelike elements, deck-building mechanics, and escape room puzzles into a creepy and complex package that is constantly reinventing itself. With an incredibly tight gameplay loop that remains consistent throughout, Inscryption is a wildly unique take on the deck-building genre with unapologetic shifts in art direction and bursts of meta-narrative moments that, while memorable, won’t hit the same for everyone.
Its card game mechanics are as addictive as they are layered, with constant additions that keep the core gameplay fresh until the very end. It runs great on the Nintendo Switch in both docked and handheld modes and boasts polished sound design and compelling moments of meta-narrative. This may not be a game that everyone will enjoy at every step. Still, the mystery of Inscryption is engrossing, dread-inducing, and a testament to how wonderfully weird storytelling in video games can be.
Best Nintendo Switch Games #19 – Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion
This prequel to Final Fantasy VII, named Crisis Core, released exclusively for Sony’s PlayStation Portable to critical acclaim, introducing both new and familiar characters from the world of Mako, magic, and malevolent megacorporations. And if, like myself, you had missed out of the PSP release, you’ve just rolled a 777 with Square Enix’s Crisis Core remake, Reunion, now available on Nintendo Switch in this brilliant port.
It’s obvious to see why Crisis Core is revered as such a PlayStation Portable classic, revitalised on Switch. Returning to Midgar for this thrilling prequel will give newcomers far more of an appreciation for the world of Final Fantasy VII and its characters, while those who have played the PSP original will appreciate the significant improvements in Reunion. Overall, this remake is one of the best Nintendo Switch games that should be considered as part of the core Final Fantasy experience.
Read our Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion Review
Best Nintendo Switch Games #20 – Splatoon 3
While on the surface it may seem like Splatoon 3 isn’t that different from its 2017 predecessor, the more we played, the more we realised how much this game is worth the upgrade. With tightened gameplay, clever updates to familiar multiplayer modes, and satisfying quality-of-life changes, Splatoon 3 presents a charming, polished, and addictive game that is a must-have for Nintendo Switch owners.
Splatoon 3 is brilliant. As the best game in its trilogy, it refines so many already well-designed game modes and mechanics to deliver a polished package with plenty to do. With diverse level design and captivating boss fights, the compelling single-player content commands attention for the first time in the Splatoon series. While some connectivity issues let me down, and the handful of the new game features aren’t as interesting as the core modes, Splatoon 3 is the best the series has ever been.
Can you provide a list of Nintendo Switch games that didn’t make the top 20 but were still highly recommended in your reviews?
For your first question, some games that didn’t make our top 20 but were still highly recommended in our reviews include “Hollow Knight,” “Outer Wilds,” “Hades,” “Celeste,” and “Animal Crossing: New Horizons.” Each of these games received high praise for their gameplay, storytelling, and overall enjoyment factor.
Are there any upcoming Nintendo Switch games that you’re particularly excited about reviewing?
As for upcoming games, we’re particularly excited about reviewing Princess Peach: Showtime!, Pokemon Legends: Zygarde, and Metroid Prime 4 (if it ever happens). These highly anticipated titles have generated a lot of buzz, and we can’t wait to dive into them and share our thoughts with our readers.
How do you decide which games to review and feature in your lists? Is there a specific criteria you follow?
When it comes to deciding which games to review and feature in our lists, we consider a variety of factors. We look at the game’s popularity, critical reception, gameplay mechanics, story, and overall impact on the gaming community. We also take into account our readers’ interests and feedback to ensure we’re covering games that resonate with them.
Did some of your best Nintendo Switch games make the list? If not, be sure to join the official Qualbert Discord and let us know which ones to check out! Remember, this is a non-exhaustive list that covers only Switch games we’ve reviewed, but we’d love to about some of your favourites.
