80 Recommended Nintendo Switch Games Worth Playing

The Nintendo Switch has a superpower: it turns “I have 10 minutes” into
“How is it midnight?” Whether you play docked, handheld, or perched like a gremlin on the couch,
the Switch library is stacked with all-timers: first-party classics, indie darlings, couch co-op chaos,
and ports that feel suspiciously good on a tiny screen.

This guide rounds up 80 Nintendo Switch games worth playing and organizes them by vibe
(because “I want a cozy game” is a perfectly valid medical diagnosis). You’ll find big adventures,
bite-size indies, deep RPGs, party staples, and a few “how is this on Switch?” open-world flexes.

How This List Was Built (So You Can Actually Use It)

Instead of dumping 80 titles into a single chaotic pile, the recommendations are grouped by genre and
play styleso you can match a game to your mood, your time, and your tolerance for learning a 37-step
crafting recipe. These picks reflect what consistently shows up across major U.S. game outlets’ “best of”
lists, critic aggregates, and Nintendo’s own best-sellersplus the games players keep buying, replaying,
and arguing about online.

Quick shortcut: If you’re brand-new to Switch, start with the “Nintendo Flagship Adventures”
section. If you mostly play with friends or family, jump to “Multiplayer, Party, and Family.” And if you’re
the type who collects indies like shiny Pokémon, the “Indies & Modern Classics” and “Cozy & Life Sims”
sections will feel like home.

Note: Game availability can shift by region and storefront, and some titles are rated for older
players. If you’re shopping for a younger gamer, check the ESRB rating and the game’s content summary.

80 Recommended Nintendo Switch Games Worth Playing

Nintendo Flagship Adventures (1–8)

1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild A freedom-first adventure where curiosity is the real compass.
2. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Bigger, weirder, and wildly creative building-driven exploration.
3. Super Mario Odyssey Joyful 3D platforming with constant surprises and grin-inducing levels.
4. Super Mario Bros. Wonder Classic side-scrolling, then suddenly everything gets delightfully strange.
5. Metroid Dread Fast, tense, and slickstealthy chase sequences meet precision movement.
6. Kirby and the Forgotten Land Cute, clever 3D Kirby with inventive powers and co-op fun.
7. Pikmin 4 Strategy meets charm; multitask your way through a surprisingly deep campaign.
8. Luigi’s Mansion 3 Ghostbusting with personality, puzzles, and one very useful goo sidekick.

Multiplayer, Party, and Family (9–16)

9. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe The gold standard for “one race” that turns into 30.
10. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate A massive roster, endless matchups, and legendary couch energy.
11. Mario Party Superstars The greatest-hits party board with minigames built for friendly betrayal.
12. Super Mario Party Accessible party chaos with motion options and team modes.
13. Nintendo Switch Sports Pick-up-and-play motion sports that shine at gatherings.
14. Splatoon 3 Stylish team shooter where paint is ammo and fashion is also a weapon.
15. Overcooked! 2 Cooperative cooking that tests teamwork… and your friendships’ warranty.
16. Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics A polished, relaxing collection of board and card staples.

RPGs & JRPGs (17–24)

17. Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition Epic scale, big emotions, and huge zones to explore.
18. Xenoblade Chronicles 2 A sprawling sequel with deep systems and memorable characters.
19. Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Massive party-based RPG storytelling with standout combat flow.
20. Fire Emblem: Three Houses Tactical battles plus school drama you’ll take way too seriously.
21. Octopath Traveler Beautiful HD-2D style with classic turn-based comfort.
22. Octopath Traveler II Smarter structure and richer stories with the same gorgeous look.
23. Dragon Quest XI S A warm, traditional JRPG with modern quality-of-life polish.
24. Persona 5 Royal Style, strategy, and storyan iconic RPG that fits handheld perfectly.

Strategy & Tactics (25–32)

25. Triangle Strategy Political storytelling paired with weighty grid-based decisions.
26. Into the Breach Bite-size tactical perfection where every move feels like chess.
27. Wargroove A modern, charming spin on classic turn-based warfare.
28. Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle Surprisingly smart tactics with Nintendo-level charm.
29. Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope More flexible battles and slicker systems than the original.
30. Sid Meier’s Civilization VI “One more turn” syndrome, now portable.
31. Tactics Ogre: Reborn A legendary tactics RPG rebuilt with modern tweaks.
32. Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp Bright presentation with classic, satisfying strategy campaigns.

Action, Platformers & Metroidvanias (33–40)

33. Hollow Knight Atmospheric exploration with razor-sharp combat and deep secrets.
34. Celeste Precision platforming that’s tough, fair, and emotionally resonant.
35. Dead Cells Fast roguelite action with builds that keep runs fresh.
36. Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition Gorgeous movement and heartfelt, challenging traversal.
37. Ori and the Will of the Wisps Bigger, bolder, and more combat-focused than the first.
38. Cuphead Hand-drawn boss fights that are equal parts art and panic.
39. Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove Retro-inspired platforming packed with multiple full campaigns.
40. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Brilliant level design with tough-but-rewarding momentum.

Cozy & Life Sims (41–48)

41. Animal Crossing: New Horizons Your slow, sweet island routinedecorate, fish, vibe.
42. Stardew Valley Farming, friendships, and “why did I just min-max parsnips?”
43. Disney Dreamlight Valley A quest-filled life sim with familiar characters and constant updates.
44. Spiritfarer Cozy management meets meaningful stories; gentle gameplay with real feelings.
45. Rune Factory 4 Special Farming plus RPG adventuring in one surprisingly deep package.
46. Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town Classic farm life comfort with modern presentation.
47. Cozy Grove Daily, relaxing exploration and crafting with adorable ghost-bear neighbors.
48. Unpacking A calm puzzle of organizing stuff that somehow tells a life story.

Indies & Modern Classics (49–56)

49. Hades Story-forward roguelike action where dying is just plot development.
50. Slay the Spire Deckbuilding brilliance that turns “one run” into a full weekend.
51. The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+ Endless run variety with weird items and dark humor.
52. Undertale Quirky RPG subversion with unforgettable characters and choices.
53. Deltarune (Chapters 1 & 2) A new adventure with familiar weirdness and big heart.
54. Katana ZERO Stylish, fast action with sharp replay loops and narrative surprises.
55. A Short Hike A tiny, perfect getaway game that feels like a warm breeze.
56. Balatro Poker-inspired roguelike deckbuilder that’s dangerously easy to binge.

Adventure, Mystery & Story (57–64)

57. The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening A charming remake with clever dungeons and toy-like visuals.
58. Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door A beloved RPG with hilarious writing and satisfying battles.
59. Disco Elysium: The Final Cut A dialogue-driven detective RPG where your brain is the battlefield.
60. Life is Strange: Arcadia Bay Collection Choice-based storytelling with strong characters and consequences.
61. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy Courtroom drama that’s part mystery, part comedy, all iconic.
62. The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles Clever cases, great writing, and a stylish historical twist.
63. The House in Fata Morgana A critically acclaimed visual novel with gothic atmosphere and depth.
64. Night in the Woods A moody, funny narrative about growing up and going home again.

Shooters, Roguelites & Arcade Energy (65–72)

65. Metroid Prime Remastered A landmark first-person adventure with exploration that still feels modern.
66. DOOM (2016) Fast, confident action that runs impressively on Switch.
67. DOOM Eternal Aggressive, skill-based combat that rewards smart movement and weapon swapping.
68. Fortnite Free-to-play fun with constant events, modes, and cross-platform play.
69. Apex Legends Squad shooter with tight movement and distinct characters (best with stable Wi-Fi).
70. Risk of Rain 2 Chaotic co-op runs where builds become wonderfully ridiculous.
71. Enter the Gungeon Bullet-hell dungeon crawling with endless weapons and jokes.
72. Hotline Miami Collection Fast, neon action built on trial, error, and “okay one more attempt.”

Big Ports & Open-World Commitments (73–80)

73. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Complete Edition Huge quests and great storytelling in a portable package.
74. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Still a top-tier sandbox for wandering, looting, and shouting at dragons.
75. Minecraft Creative building, survival adventures, and endless “let’s just expand the house.”
76. Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen A cult-favorite action RPG with satisfying combat and wild encounters.
77. NieR: Automata The End of YoRHa Edition Stylish action with a story that keeps unfolding in layers.
78. Dark Souls Remastered Tough, iconic exploration with a rewarding sense of mastery.
79. Monster Hunter Rise Snappy hunts, great movement, and a loop that’s pure “just one more.”
80. No Man’s Sky Explore space, build bases, and chase that next planet “just to see.”

What Playing These Games Actually Feels Like (A 500-Word Experience Section)

Reading a list is helpful, but the Switch’s magic is more about the moments it creates. Over time, most
players develop a very specific set of “Switch experiences”the kind that sound silly until they happen
to you, and then you’re texting your friend, “I swear I only meant to play for five minutes.”

• The “Handheld Time Machine” Moment: You boot up Hades or Slay the Spire
  while waiting for somethingfood delivery, a ride, a sibling to finish getting ready. Next thing you know,
  you’ve played three runs, learned a new strategy, and completely forgot why you picked up the Switch in
  the first place.
• The “One Race” Lie: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the ultimate social trap. Someone says,
  “Just one race,” and 45 minutes later, there’s a household debate about the fairness of blue shells.
  The weird part? Everyone is still having fun.
• The Cozy Reset: After a long day, games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons,
  Unpacking, or Stardew Valley feel like changing into comfy clothes for your brain. You
  don’t “win” the sessionyou just end it calmer than you started.
• The Couch Co-op Test: Overcooked! 2 can turn best friends into project managers.
  You learn who communicates clearly, who panics and grabs every ingredient at once, and who quietly saves
  the team while everyone else yells “PLATES!” It’s chaos… but it’s the memorable kind.
• The “I’m Lost, But Happily” Feeling: In Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom,
  the best stories aren’t always scripted. You spot something strange on a hill, climb toward it, and end
  up in a completely different adventurepuzzle, shrine, battle, or a surprise view you’ll remember.
• The Strategy Brain Glow: Tactical games like Into the Breach and Triangle Strategy
  create a very specific kind of satisfaction: you stare at the screen, think you’re doomed, then find one
  clever move that fixes everything. You feel like a genius. You are, briefly, a genius.
• The Indie “How Have I Never Played This?” Discovery: One weekend you try A Short Hike
  because it’s short. Then you fall in love with the mood, the writing, and the way it respects your time.
  Suddenly you’re hunting for the next gem and telling everyone, “No really, play it.”
• The Big Portable Flex: At some point, you’ll launch a huge game like The Witcher 3
  or Skyrim in handheld mode and think, “This shouldn’t be possible.” It’s not always the absolute
  sharpest version visuallybut the tradeoff is playing a massive world wherever you want, whenever you want.

Put all that together and you get why a “best Nintendo Switch games” list is more than shopping advice.
It’s a menu of experiences: laughter in the living room, quiet nights under a blanket, epic boss fights on
a commute, and the delightful shock of realizing your new favorite game came from a tiny studio you’d never
heard of last week.

Final Take

The Switch library is deep enough to match almost any moodbig adventures, competitive showdowns, cozy
comfort, or a tactical challenge that makes you feel like you just solved a puzzle box. Start with a couple
of “anchor” games you’ll play for months (Zelda, Mario, Smash, Animal Crossing), then layer in indies and
genre favorites. Your backlog will grow… but at least it’ll grow with excellent taste.