Best Switch games 2023: we've ranked our favorite Nintendo Switch titles of all time
Best Switch games 2023: we've ranked our favorite Nintendo Switch titles of all time
These are the best Nintendo Switch games you can play right now, independently tested and played by us
The best Switch games are suitable for players of all ages. There’s a long list of brilliant releases for Nintendo’s hybrid console, which continues to sell like hotcakes even six years on. You’ll find familiar faces from gaming history like Mario, Link, Kirby, Samus Aran and many more on Switch – but Nintendo’s console also supports fantastic third-party games and indie gems.
We’ve sunk countless hours into every game on this list. After playing and completing every one of them, we’re confident in recommending these Switch games to you and hope the Nintendo Switch 2 is backward compatible so we can experience them all over again.
Like our best PS5 games and best Xbox Series X games lists, our pick of the best Switch games won’t remain static for long. As new games are released, we’ll be sure to update this list, so you can keep on top of all the platform’s greatest titles.
As you might expect, Nintendo’s favorite portly plumber makes a few appearances on this list, but not every one of Mario’s outings is so acclaimed to earn a place. Take a peek at our round-up of the best Mario Nintendo Switch games for titles specific to the Italian hero.
If you want to take your gaming experience to the next level, don’t forget to pick up the best Nintendo Switch accessories. And you can always improve the tactile action of whatever game you’re playing with one of the best Nintendo Switch controllers.
15. Kirby and the Forgotten Land 💕
➕ Pristine platforming
➕ Charming characters and gorgeous animations
➖ A limited range of abilities
Kirby’s latest mainline adventure is his most ambitious. Forgotten Land sends the pink puffball into the realm of three dimensions for the first time, throwing you a heap of new abilities along the way. Each level is varied and creative but also stuffed full of hidden secrets that will keep you coming back for more.
Where Forgotten Land really shines, though, is in its point-perfect platforming and concise levels that never outstay their welcome. The new Mouthful Mode, meanwhile, adds a whole lot of silliness, letting Kirby inhale cars, light bulbs, and even roller coasters to take on their powers. The two-player co-op mode also lets you bring a Waddle Dee buddy into the game, so you can find all Forgotten Land’s secrets together.
14. Pokémon Legends: Arceus 🍬
➕ An inventive shake-up of the Pokémon series
➕ Exciting new combat
➖ Restrictive open-world exploration
Leading the Nintendo Switch’s growing pack of Pokémon games is Legends: Arceus, a bold reinvention of the staple monster-catching series. Set in the distant past, you’ll roam around the wildlands, catching untapped pocket monsters as you attempt to complete the very first Pokédex.
After years of Pokémon games that didn’t reach far from their predecessors, Arceus finally offers fans something tangibly new. Switching up the tired turn-based battle formula to allow for less structured fights, and encouraging uninterrupted exploration, this is Pokémon at its freest. Here's hoping Pokémon Scarlet and Violet follow suit.
13. Metroid Prime Remastered 🔫
➕ An elegant, moreish puzzler
➕ Delightfully abstract art style
➖ Will only keep you occupied for so long
Samus Aran’s first 3D adventure now looks better than ever, thanks to this pristine and faithful remake of one of the best GameCube titles of all time. Shadow dropped by Nintendo, this remake is the definitive way of playing Metroid Prime, both for those returning to Tallon IV and new arrivals.
Metroid Prime follows the template of the series: Samus arrives on an unknown planet, promptly loses all of her gear, and has to gradually make her way to safety while accumulating new gadgets and weapons along the way. There’s lots of exploration, heaps of interconnected areas, and ground to retread with newly acquired weapons to unlock paths forward.
12. ARMS 🥊
➕ Motion controls work extremely well
➕ Rock-solid online play
➖ Nintendo has stopped supporting the game
ARMS is perhaps the most underrated Nintendo Switch game of all time. The ingenious fighting game was sadly abandoned by Nintendo after receiving a couple of years of post-launch support, which added new characters and modes for players to enjoy.
And that’s a real shame because ARMS is one of those games that really needs to be played to be appreciated. The Switch’s Joy-Con controllers do an amazing job at tracking your movements as you throw powerful elongated punches at your opponent, who can either swing back in anger, dodge, or try and jump out of the way. You can also use traditional button controls if that’s more your thing.
11. Celeste 🧗♀️
➕ Super satisfying platforming
➕ A powerful story
➖ This isn’t an easy game
A game about climbing a mountain shouldn’t be such an emotional rollercoaster but Celeste weaves a heartwarming story into a pin-sharp platformer that will keep you hooked no matter how many times you fall into the abyss below.
And you will fall. Celeste’s simple pixel art style may give it the welcoming appearance of a cutesy platformer, but what lies underneath the surface is an extremely challenging game that requires patience and precise platforming. Thankfully, the game never feels unfair, and a bit of persistence often reaps dividends.
10. Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury 😸
➕ Bowser’s Fury is a short, sharp platforming adventure
➕ Combines everything that makes Mario great
➖ Slim playtime, even for completionists
While Super Mario 3D World was originally released on Wii U in 2013, it was relaunched on Nintendo Switch in 2021. A semi-3D platformer, its main gimmick is the introduction of four-player co-op, adding a dose of family fun to the Mario playbook.
But the Nintendo Switch version really turned heads because of Bowser’s Fury – an additional mini adventure that comes packaged with 3D but stands completely separate from the main game. It distills all the essential components of the Mario formula into a tight caper that only takes a handful of hours to complete.
9. Hollow Knight
➕ Beautiful art style and unsettling atmosphere
➕ Expertly crafted combat system
➖ Navigating the map can be overwhelming at first
If you’re a fan of Metroidvania-style games, Hollow Knight is easily one of the best titles the genre has to offer. It’s easy to lose hours in the labyrinthine yet beautiful world of Hallownest, which is teeming with hostile creatures, each of which often presents a new challenge.
You’ll slowly gain new abilities that let you advance into new areas and take on more powerful enemies, and the game’s excellent combat system ensures encounters are always thrilling. Boss battles, in particular, can lead to some white-knuckle moments as you use your arsenal of abilities to dodge their devasting attack patterns and inflict some damage for your own.
8. Stardew Valley 🐄
➕ Addictive gameplay mechanics
➕ A mind-boggling amount of things to do
➖ It’s a bit slow, to begin with
Imagine if you could pack up your day job, move to the country, and live off the land. Well, that’s exactly what Stardew Valley lets you do, and it’s utterly engrossing.
You’ll take your farm from an untilled mess into a thriving business, as you grow crops, tend to livestock, and integrate into the local community. Each day is filled with new challenges and responsibilities for you to work through, and it’s incredibly cathartic when you jump into bed after a hard day’s labor.
7. Metroid Dread 👽
➕ A slick return to form for 2D Metroid
➕ Cinematic boss battles
➖ Doesn’t stray far from the core Metroid formula
Metroid Dread might take Samus back to the world of two dimensions, but rather than taking a step backward, it launches the side-scrolling series to new heights.
In standard Metroid style, Dread’s intricate level design sends you back and forth across an abandoned underground facility, discovering weapons and items with which to unlock new portions of the map. It’s a love letter to the acclaimed Metroid games of the past but introduces enough fresh ideas to constantly feel exciting.
6. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate 👊
➕ A love letter to video games
➕ Impeccable fighting mechanics and tons of content
➖ Online play isn’t always stable
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate pits some of the most iconic video game characters against each other in frantic battles. From Mario to Pac-Man and Solid Snake to Ryu, you’ll be able to live out your dream matchups as you utilize each character’s unique abilities to knock each other off-screen in a fight to the finish.
It’s unlikely that Nintendo will ever be able to top the sheer scale of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, which contains 89 playable fighters if you purchase the DLC characters. Throw in stages that span the archives of Nintendo, Sega, Square Enix, and Capcom, and you’re left with the best party game ever made. Genuinely.
5. Super Mario Odyssey 🎩
➕ Clever level design
➕ So much to see and discover
➖ The game only really begins once you “complete” it
Mario’s thrown his hat into the ring for all sorts of endeavors – be it golf, tennis, soccer, or participating in larger-than-life board games. But in Super Mario Odyssey, Mario’s hat, Cappy, has transformative powers that form a pivotal part of the game’s pristine platforming.
You’ll guide Mario on a classic crusade to save Princess Peach from the long-clawed grasp of Bowser, collecting power moons as you go to power up your starship. The more moons you collect, the more of the game’s world you can explore where you’ll discover new and exciting abilities.
4. Animal Crossing: New Horizons 🏠
➕ Relaxing and chill gameplay
➕ Heaps of stuff to collect
➖ Can become repetitive
The shining star of indoor gaming during the pandemic, Animal Crossing: New Horizons shouldn’t be dismissed as a has-been hit. The latest release in Nintendo’s life sim series casts you on a deserted island to build a thriving community for a bunch of anthropomorphic animal chums.
Simple, direct, and elegant, New Horizons follows the Animal Crossing template faithfully. You’ll gather resources to craft new buildings, redecorate your home with snazzy furnishings, and probably spend a good chunk of time trying to catch very specific fish. Everything from the writing to the soundtrack oozes charm, creating one of the most relaxing and accessible games on the Nintendo Switch.
3. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe 🍄
➕ Accessible for casual gamers
➕ Mario Kart at its best
➖ Few tracks in the base game
Is any Nintendo Switch library complete without Mario Kart 8? Not by our estimation. The family-friendly kart racer jumped from Wii U to Switch way back in 2017 but feels as fresh as ever. With a bunch of new characters, items, and a revamped battle mode, this is peak mustachioed motoring.
For the full experience, grab the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass. The DLC comes packaged in all Switch Online Expansion Pack memberships and will add a total of 48 new tracks to the game. So far, only 16 of those have been released, so we’re eagerly waiting for the remaining waves to launch.
2. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 🗡️
➕ An expansive, adventure that you can get lost in for hundreds of hours
➕ Gives you almost complete player agency
➖ Performance can be choppy
Surprised? Probably not. There’s a multitude of reasons why The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild tops so many best Nintendo Switch game lists. Nintendo's reinvention of the series’ tried-and-tested formula won the praise of critics and fans alike, as players were treated to a game that essentially gives you complete freedom.
The traditional underpinnings of great Zelda games from the past are alive and well, but it’s the ability to go anywhere, tackle things however you like, and craft an adventure that’s unique to you that truly makes Breath of the Wild an all-time classic.
1. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom 💚
➕ Unprecedented player freedom that simply can’t be matched by other games
➕ A breathtaking amount of things to discover and places to explore
➖ Performance still leaves a little to be desired
It seems only fitting that our previous best Nintendo Switch game has been toppled by its sequel. Tears of the Kingdom expands, refines, and reimagines the rock-solid foundations of Breath of the Wild in ways few players could have imagined. The world of Hyrule feels more expansive and exciting to explore than ever before, as you take to the skies and dive into the dark depths below.
The game’s new Ultrahand ability lets you create limitless inventions and works beautifully as you solve countless physics-based puzzles that will leave you grinning from ear to ear. There’s a reason why The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is the highest-rated game of all time on Opencritic – it’s time you find out why for yourself.
How we test the best Switch games 🧪
We played all of our picks using a Nintendo Switch OLED, which offers the brightest color vibrancy and largest screen size of any Switch model. We’ve also tested a few of these games on a Switch Lite, largely out of curiosity to see how they look on a smaller screen.
We swapped between handheld and docked modes pretty frequently, using a standard Nintendo Switch Pro controller. When it comes to sound, we alternated between using the Switch’s built-in speakers and pair of Bluetooth headphones.
Is there a Nintendo Switch game that you love that isn’t on our list? Let us know in the comments. You can also check out our Nintendo Switch vs OLED and Nintendo Switch vs Lite comparisons for a comprehensive overview of both consoles.
Updated: August 4, 2023