With the Nintendo Switch 2 set to release in a month, it’s time to say goodbye to the original Nintendo Switch.
Releasing on March 3rd, 2017, the Switch was a return to form for Nintendo, not just in terms of commercial success but also an incredible achievement in terms of games.
I can’t remember the last time a Nintendo console had such an impressive library, especially in the modern era. So with that in mind, let’s remember the best games for Nintendo Switch, ranked from worst to best.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land
The debut of a brand new Kirby game on Nintendo Switch was a very welcome one, especially when it’s as enjoyable as Kirby and the Forgotten Land is.
Not only is it a brilliant change of pace from the 2D platformer remakes and remasters we saw released, but it’s the perfect Kirby game for the modern gaming environment.
For far too long, it felt like Kirby was a second class citizen in the platforming genre. Prior games had a certain stigma about them. Forgotten Land kicks that stigma to the curb and delivers an incredibly rewarding platforming experience.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus
The Pokémon franchise has desperately needed a breath of fresh air for quite some time. Despite Game Freak’s best efforts, the mainline releases feel like they’re getting worse and worse.
Enter Pokémon Legends: Arceus, a brand new take on the traditional Pokémon experience. It felt like Nintendo and Game Freak were eager to try something new and daring with this spin-off, and the result is a smashing success.
Like Kirby, Pokémon Legends: Arceus is an excellent way to bring the franchise into the modern era of gaming. Instead of the turn-based combat and desire to collect ’em all, Arceus is about exploring and surviving in an open world before humans and Pokémon lived together in peace and harmony.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses
There were two Fire Emblem games releasing on the Switch, but only one of them is good enough for our list of best Nintendo Switch games.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses is a massive game that combines everything that makes the franchise great: excellent tactical gameplay, a deep story, and the ability to build relationships with every character.
Three Houses takes full advantage of releasing on the Nintendo Switch hardware, offering a vastly improved experience compared to past handheld titles, which ranks among some of the best in the series. Turn-based strategy doesn’t often get better than this.
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Into the Breach
Subset Games.
Having said that about Fire Emblem: Three Houses, you can argue that Into the Breach is the superior turn-based strategy game.
It may not have the depth or complexities of Three Houses, but it makes up for that in innovative gameplay design.
Into the Breach is a fresh experience and an indie gem that shouldn’t be missed.
Tetris 99
I know what you’re thinking: It’s just Tetris. Is it really that good? Well, yes, it absolutely is.
Who knew that Tetris would be one of the games that would most benefit from the Battle Royale treatment? It’s an excellent, modern take on the classic game, especially since it doesn’t mess with the core gameplay.
This is the same Tetris you know and love, now with a new multiplayer element that adds beautiful mayhem to the equation.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
I still can’t believe this game was a launch title for the Nintendo Switch.
Nintendo came out of the gates firing on all cylinders with Breath of the Wild, resulting in one of the best open-world games I’ve ever played.
Yes, its weapon durability system can be frustrating, but Breath of the Wild is a fresh take on the Zelda franchise that isn’t afraid to let players learn from their mistakes and make it on their own without outside assistance.
Super Mario Wonder
I was curious how Nintendo would follow the 3D platforming delight that was Super Mario Odyssey. Turns out, the answer was a 2D Mario platformer that throws so many new ideas at your face that it never stops being a joyride.
Super Mario Wonder is, pun intended, a wonderful experience from start to finish. It’s a masterclass in not just level design but also knowing how to properly use power-ups and new abilities to its advantage. It offers so much creativity that you can’t help but tip your cap in appreciation.
Mario Kart 8: Deluxe
One of the best-selling games of all time, Mario Kart 8: Deluxe is technically a Wii U game that happened to launch alongside the Nintendo Switch with the added benefit of its DLC.
It turns out that it’s all we needed. We’ve been playing Mario Kart 8 for over a decade with no complaints. The added DLC exclusive to the Nintendo Switch made it easier to stay invested, not that we needed any help. Like many, I put over 1,000 hours into the game, and I can’t wait to do the same with Mario Kart World on the Nintendo Switch 2.
Metroid Dread
Despite the success of the Metroid Prime franchise, it had been quite some time since we last saw a “proper” Metroid release. The most recent entry was 2002’s Metroid Fusion for the Game Boy Advance.
Nearly two decades later, all that changed with Metroid Dread, developed by MercurySteam, best known for their work on remaking other classic Metroid titles.
It’s nice to see them have a spin at an original title, and we’re rewarded with an incredible, challenging, and authentic 2D Metroid experience.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Everybody was indeed here.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has a line-up of playable characters that makes every other game feel jealous. It’s not a perfect fighter, but the Smash Bros. series isn’t meant to be.
They work their best as party games, and that’s where Ultimate succeeds. It’s the ultimate (pun not intended) party experience that lets you pit Mario, Sonic, Sephiroth, and Banjo-Kazooie against each other.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
I loved my time with Breath of the Wild, which makes what Nintendo pulls off with Tears of the Kingdom that much more impressive.
Some people dismiss the game as a “fully priced DLC” with some extra content over the already existing map, but that’s selling it incredibly short. This is a whole new Hyrule to explore with the added benefit of floating islands in the sky. Oh, and there’s also a gigantic underground cavern, too.
Where Tears of the Kingdom truly succeeds, though, is the crafting system, allowing you to create anything your mind can conjure. Best of all, no matter how crazy your design is, it somehow works.
Super Mario Maker 2
As much as I love Super Mario Wonder and its impressive creativity, it doesn’t compare to what the community created with Super Mario Maker 2.
On a surface level, these games shouldn’t work; being at the mercy of community created levels is such a gamble. Mario’s 2D gameplay loop is so accessible, though, that it doesn’t matter.
Yes, sometimes it’s frustrating to sift through the poor, unimaginitive levels, but once you find the best of the best, you’re in for a treat. I sincerely hope we see a sequel on Nintendo Switch 2.
Pikmin 4
It’s a shame we had to wait so long to see follow-ups to the GameCube Pikmin games. They were some of the most impressive console real-time strategy games ever made.
Pikmin 3 was a treat, but it was released on the Wii U, so like ten people played it.
Pikmin 4, on the other hand, is a perfect game. It builds upon the success of Pikmin 2 and delivers a refined, full-fledged experience that proves nobody can beat Nintendo when they’re at the top of their game.
Super Mario Odyssey
There are a lot of people who love the Super Mario Galaxy games, including me. Still, they failed to capture the magic and innovation present in Super Mario 64.
Super Mario Odyssey is the first game since that Nintendo 64 classic to evoke that feeling. It offers the same control scheme, freedom, and gameplay that I love about Mario 64, but with some much-needed quality-of-life updates.
It’s an absolute achievement in game design that’s only surpassed in the Nintendo Switch library by, ironically, a GameCube game.
Metroid Prime: Remastered
I don’t care that this is a remaster of an older game; Metroid Prime: Remastered is the best game for Nintendo Switch.
Metroid Prime is already one of the best games ever made, and the remaster fixes its main issue: the control scheme.
Combined with improved graphics that are an absolute sight to behold, you’ve never experienced Metroid Prime like this before. Holy cow, this game is fantastic.
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