The Nintendo Switch may slowly get phased out now with the release of its successor, but console owners can still enjoy numerous quality titles on this console. In hindsight, the sheer number of quality titles on the Switch has been immense.
Best Nintendo Switch Ports, Ranked
While certainly not a technical powerhouse, the Nintendo Switch has managed to gather a wonderful collection of top-notch video game ports.
From Zelda's reimagining to Mario's evolution, this console was a much-needed success for a company that could've drowned following the Wii U's failure. Instead, they innovated once again and let fans enjoy what is possibly one of the best video game consoles ever made, which is full of quality, must-play titles.
8 The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
A Generational Open-World Game That Needs No Introduction
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
- Released
- March 3, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
Breath of the Wild is one of the best video games ever made and a title that any fan of open-world games should check out. Nintendo did what Nintendo does and innovated on the formula to create one of the best sandbox titles in the genre.
From the very moment players are dropped into Hyrule, they'll marvel at the sheer number of immersive elements in the game that promote player agency and freedom. The challenge of the combat was also a breath of fresh air (no pun intended) and went against the notion of Nintendo making easy games, although crafty players could always break the system to make things trivial in the long run, anyway.
7 Super Mario Odyssey
An Evolution For 3D Mario That Elevated The Platforming To New Heights
Super Mario Odyssey
- Released
- October 27, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ for Everyone 10+: Cartoon Violence, Comic Mischief
- Genre(s)
- Platformer
Super Mario Odyssey is one of the best platforming games ever made, pushing the 3D Mario formula to new heights. Movement feels incredible and rewarding as players nail tricky jumps and complete tough challenges.
Every Moon is satisfying to get in levels that are expansive and promote player freedom. Sure, there's an intended route for players to take to get from point A to point B, but veering off the beaten path along the way will almost always lead to a valuable secret worth acquiring.
6 Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
One Of The Best Entries In The Series
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
- Released
- April 27, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Genre(s)
- Racing
With Mario Kart World out, not many people may be playing Mario Kart 8 Deluxe now. However, this should take nothing away from the excellence of this kart racing title that never gets old.
8 Nintendo 3DS Games That Have Aged The Best, Ranked
The Nintendo 3DS released more than a decade ago, yet these games for the system still manage to hold up even after all this time.
The formula was polished to a tee in this game, which is why its sequel needed to go open world to continue the trend of innovation that Nintendo prefers from its games. Controlling one's favorite characters across several lovely tracks never gets old and is a huge part of what makes Mario Kart 8 Deluxe such a blast to play.
5 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Boasts A Massive Roster And Classic Smashing Gameplay
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
- Released
- December 7, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E for Everyone: Cartoon Violence, Comic Mischief, Suggestive Themes
- Genre(s)
- Fighting
A Smash game can make or break a console, and the Nintendo Switch was lucky that Sakurai decided to bring his A-game and let fans enjoy one of the biggest rosters in a Smash game to date. This allowed Super Smash Bros. Ultimate to become one of the best games in the series, which is almost on the level of Melee.
The fighting mechanics are as tight and refined as ever, with players loving the act of experimenting with their favorite video game characters to see which moves are perfect for them. The quality of this fighting game makes it clear why the Smash Bros. Series dominates e-sports, with players loving its tight mechanics and (mostly) fair gameplay.
4 Super Mario Bros. Wonder
A 2.5D Mario Game Made With Great Love And Care
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
- Released
- October 20, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E For Everyone // Mild Fantasy Violence
- Genre(s)
- Platformer
Super Mario Bros. Wonder could've wallowed in obscurity as yet another 2.5D platformer in a time when players prefer full movement. Instead, what fans got was one of the most charming Mario games, where every animation has been made with great love and care.
The Wonder Seeds do a great job of breathing new life into every level and flipping the script. The creativity on display in every level is incredible and will keep fans pining for more as they try to find all Wonder Seeds in every level, which can be somewhat frustrating at times.
3 Animal Crossing: New Horizons
One Of The Most Successful Entries In This Social Simulation Series
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
- Released
- March 20, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Everyone / Comic Mischief, Mild Fantasy Violence, Users Interact, In-Game Purchases
- Genre(s)
- Simulation
It was a twisted stroke of good luck that a much-anticipated title in a social simulation series arrived during a time when people were locked behind their doors and couldn't go out. COVID protocols indirectly turned Animal Crossing: New Horizons into one of the most popular video games of the Switch, even if people felt that it wasn't as great as other titles in the series.
10 Best Nintendo Sequel Games, Ranked
Nintendo are champions of the video game world, and these sequels to their popular titles prove exactly why that's the case.
Post-launch support may not have lived up to fan expectations, but this must-play Switch title is still something fans can sink a ton of hours into without getting bored. It's a testament to how active the Animal Crossing community is that New Horizons is still widely talked about, and fans can only wonder if an Animal Crossing game on the Switch 2 will make the same numbers as this smash hit.
2 Metroid Dread
Marked A Successful Return For Samus
Metroid Dread
- Released
- October 8, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
After what felt like a long wait, Metroid fans were finally glad to get their hands on a new title starring everyone's favorite bounty hunter. Hunting down aliens as Samus while trying to avoid the horrifying E.M.M.I. Robots, who can instantly kill her once spotted, is quite riveting.
The small yet meaningful changes made to the gameplay ensure that Metroid Dread will feel like a breath of fresh air for fans of the series. Hopefully, this incredible Switch title will mark the start of a period where Samus gets as much love as Mario and Link on the Nintendo Switch 2.
1 Splatoon 3
Another Excellent Entry In This Beloved Third-Person Ink Splatter
Splatoon 3
- Released
- September 9, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ for Everyone 10+: Cartoon Violence
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter
Splatoon's wild and wacky concept has been an instant hit with fans. So, it's easy to see why this game has received two sequels, with the third one continuing the series' trend of excellence.
Given how Nintendo usually sticks to pre-established IPs, it's nice to see them giving Splatoon the love it deserves. Just like other games in the series, Splatoon 3 takes the competitiveness of third-person shooting gameplay and adds the novel concept of covering an arena with ink to make for fun multiplayer matches that never get too violent.
The Nintendo Switch is a hybrid console launched in 2017, capable of being played in handheld mode or docked to a television. The Switch Lite, a handheld-only model, followed in 2019, with an OLED refresh coming in 2021.
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