Best Nintendo Switch games

Nintendo Switch has achieved something that few consoles manage: remaining relevant almost a decade after its launch. With 154.01 million units sold worldwide by June 2025, Nintendo's hybrid has not only broken records but also redefined how we understand portable and home console gaming. But owning the console is just the first step. The real question is: which games are worth your time and money?

I have spent hundreds of hours exploring the Switch catalogue, from major releases to those indie gems that barely appear on conventional lists. What I have discovered is that this console's library has surprising depth, with titles for virtually every type of player. The best Nintendo Switch games are not necessarily the best-selling ones, although some do coincide. They are those that take advantage of the console's unique features and offer experiences you simply won't find elsewhere.

The Must-Play Nintendo Switch Games

There are certain titles that define a console, and Switch has several that have marked an entire generation of players. I'm not just talking about sales, although Mario Kart 8 Deluxe with its 68.20 million copies sold by July 2025 shows that quality and popularity can go hand in hand. I'm talking about experiences that justify the purchase of the console on their own.

Epic Open-World Adventures

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is probably Nintendo's greatest technical and creative achievement in this generation. The sequel to Breath of the Wild didn't just repeat the formula: it expanded it with building mechanics that have inspired millions of players to create everything from impossible vehicles to ingenious puzzle solutions. It's no coincidence that it was one of the most played titles by European users during 2023.

Breath of the Wild remains a fundamental experience. If you haven't played it, you have over a hundred hours of exploration in a world that rewards curiosity like few games do. The sense of freedom it offers, where you can literally go anywhere from the start, changed expectations about what an adventure game can be.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 offers an alternative for those seeking a more traditional yet equally epic narrative. Its combat system has enough depth to keep genre enthusiasts hooked for weeks, and its world is visually impressive considering the console's technical limitations.

Classic and Modern Platformers

Nintendo dominates the platformer genre like no other company, and Switch demonstrates this in spades:

• Super Mario Odyssey reinvented the genre with its possession mechanic, allowing control of enemies and objects in surprising ways.
• Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze offers a considerable challenge for veteran players with brilliant level design.
• Kirby and the Forgotten Land took the pink ball into three dimensions for the first time with excellent results.
• Metroid Dread revived the saga with a perfect balance between action, exploration, and tension.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder deserves special mention. Nintendo showed that it can still surprise in the genre it practically invented, introducing wonder flowers that transform each level in unpredictable and delirious ways.

Multiplayer Experience and Online Games

The versatility of Switch shines especially when playing with others. Whether on the home sofa or connected with friends across the world, the console offers options that other platforms simply cannot replicate in the same way.

Competition and Racing with Friends

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe remains the undisputed king of multiplayer on Switch. Its 68.20 million copies don't lie: it's the perfect game for family gatherings, hangouts with friends, or competitive online sessions. The Extra Tracks Pass added 48 additional circuits, multiplying its value and longevity.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate brings together over 80 characters from video game history in a crossover that seemed impossible. From Mario to Sephiroth, passing through Sonic and Snake, the roster is a celebration of the medium that works for both casual matches and serious competitions.

Splatoon 3 offers a fresh alternative to traditional shooters. Its premise of covering the stage with ink instead of focusing solely on eliminating rivals creates unique dynamics accessible to players of all ages.

Local and Online Co-op

Super Mario Party Jamboree became the best-selling Switch game during the 2025 fiscal year, with 7.48 million copies. The minigame format works especially well at gatherings, and this instalment significantly expanded the content compared to previous ones.

For online co-op, these options stand out:

• Monster Hunter Rise offers smooth cooperative hunting with up to four players.
• Diablo III allows addictive looting sessions in company.
• Overcooked! All You Can Eat tests friendships with its chaotic cooperative kitchen.
• It Takes Two won awards for good reasons: its cooperative design is brilliant.

Nintendo Online Benefits and Catalogue

Nintendo's subscription service has evolved significantly since its launch. What started as a requirement for online play has become a considerable value proposition for those who appreciate nostalgia and classics. To play online with friends and access a growing library of games, you need a Nintendo account.

Access to Classic NES, SNES, and Game Boy Games

The basic Nintendo Online subscription includes NES and SNES libraries that continue to grow. We're talking about fundamental titles:

• Super Mario World, considered by many the best platformer in history.
• The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, an adventure that defined the genre.
• Super Metroid, a masterpiece of atmospheric exploration.
• Earthbound, the cult RPG that inspired generations of developers.

Game Boy and Game Boy Advance games add another layer of nostalgia. Being able to play classic Pokémon, portable Zelda games, or the Advance Wars saga on the Switch screen is invaluable for those of us who grew up with those consoles.

Exclusive Benefits of the Expansion Pack

The Expansion Pack elevates the offer with Nintendo 64 and Mega Drive catalogues. Games like Super Mario 64, Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, and Paper Mario are available at no additional cost beyond the subscription. Additionally, the Nintendo Online subscription can be shared, so several family members can enjoy these classic games at a very reduced price.

Exclusive benefits include:

• Free DLC for games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Animal Crossing.
• Early access to demos and special content.
• Cloud storage for saved games.
• Mobile app with voice and statistics features.

The price is higher than the basic subscription, but for those who take advantage of the included DLC, the savings can be considerable.

The Console's Future: Nintendo Releases in 2026

Switch has had an extraordinarily long commercial life, but rumours about its successor are becoming more concrete. This doesn't mean the current console is dead: Nintendo has historically shown that it continues to support its platforms even after launching new generations.

Rumours About the Successor and Backward Compatibility

The supposed Switch 2 has been the subject of constant leaks. The most relevant for current users is the unofficially confirmed backward compatibility: physical and digital Switch games should work on the new console. This means your current library won't become obsolete.

Speculation includes substantial improvements in power, a higher resolution screen, and better performance in portable mode. For those who have built extensive digital collections, the transition should be relatively smooth.

Most Anticipated Titles for Next Year

Nintendo's releases in 2026 include several titles generating excitement:

• Metroid Prime 4 has been in development for years and could define the new generation.
• A new 3D Mario is rumoured to take advantage of the improved hardware.
• The Pokémon franchise is preparing its next main generation.
• Zelda could receive a new instalment or significant remaster.

Regardless of the new console, Switch will continue to receive releases during 2026. Nintendo never abruptly abandons its platforms.

Hidden Gems and Indies You Can't Miss

Beyond major releases, Switch has become the preferred platform for many independent developers. The console's portability perfectly matches the shorter, more concentrated experiences offered by indies.

Hades revolutionised the roguelike genre with a narrative that progresses with each death. Celeste offers precision platforming with a surprisingly emotive message about mental health. Hollow Knight delivers over forty hours of metroidvania for a ridiculously low price.

Other titles worth attention:

• Stardew Valley for relaxing and addictive farm simulation.
• Dead Cells brilliantly combines roguelike with metroidvania.
• Ori and the Blind Forest dazzles visually and emotionally.
• Undertale subverts RPG expectations in memorable ways.
• Disco Elysium offers literary-level narrative in game format.

These games demonstrate that you don't need million-dollar budgets to create memorable experiences. Many of them work better on Switch than on other platforms precisely because of their portable nature.

The Switch library represents one of the most complete and varied of any console. From epic adventures to intimate indie experiences, through multiplayer games that bring families and friends together, there is something for every type of player. The best games on the console are not just entertainment: they are experiences you will remember for years.