The Best Nintendo Switch Games To Pass The Time On Long Flights

The Nintendo Switch is widely praised for its portability and convenience, making it a great choice for gaming while traveling. With a diverse selection of engaging single-player and multiplayer titles, the Switch ensures hours of entertainment during users' downtime on long flights (or, at least, ensures a distraction from the cramped legroom and crying babies).

The following games are perfect for passing the time on long flights, as they don’t require an internet connection to play. Moreover, each game offers either endless gameplay or hours of immersive entertainment, ensuring players can stay captivated long after the flight ends.

1 Xenoblade Chronicles 3

A Real-Time RPG With Expansive Exploration Opportunities

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is an excellent game to play on long flights due to its immersive world and infamously captivating storyline. With its expansive environments and real-time combat system, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 provides hours of entertainment while keeping players engaged through deep and emotional character narratives.

The game's soundtrack is a particular highlight and is definitely elevated with headphones (which are, of course, a staple for long-haul flights). Moreover, there are plenty of diverse activities and side quests that players can explore and undertake to keep occupied. Allowing players to explore its expansive world at their own pace is yet another reason why this iteration of Xenoblade Chronicles is a perfect choice for passing the time on lengthy journeys.

2 The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom

Soar Through The Skies Both Literally And On The Switch

Like Xenoblade Chronicles 3, Tears of the Kingdom offers players the freedom to explore its beautiful, expansive world at their own pace. This open-ended approach invites creativity, allowing players to experiment with crafting and make use of Link's new abilities, such as Ultrahand and Fuse. Plus, Tears of the Kingdom is a great fit for an aerial journey, since it quite literally allows players to soar through the sky as Link while they soar through the sky themselves.

With intricate puzzles, dynamic combat, and various characters and creatures to encounter, new and old Zelda fans are guaranteed to stay entertained throughout their journeys. Additionally, like any great Zelda game, Tears of the Kingdom doesn’t disappoint with its story, adding even more depth and immersion to the experience.

3 Stardew Valley

Sink Hours Into Farm Maintenance And Blossoming Friendships

It’s easy to see why Stardew Valley is beloved by fans of cozy gaming, thanks to its charming pixel art, calming music, and simple yet rewarding gameplay. The game provides a relaxing and immersive experience with each in-game day lasting around 15 minutes in real-time, making it easy to enjoy Stardew Valley for as little or as long as desired.

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With activities ranging from farming and fishing to crafting and forming friendships, Stardew Valley excels in all the key elements of a farming simulator. Its intuitive mechanics, unique storylines, and addictive management systems elevate the experience, making it a standout in the genre.

4 Undertale

A Quirky RPG With Around Seven Hours Of Gameplay

An indie classic! At around 7 hours long, Undertale is a fantastic, relatively short game that can easily be completed in a single flight (depending on the destination, of course). With quirky characters, a heartwarming story, and an abundance of puns, it’s a lighthearted yet engaging RPG that’s perfect for either binging or savoring, with frequent save points throughout.

Even without playing the game, listening to Undertale’s soundtrack can be incredibly captivating, as Toby Fox’s attention to detail shines through in his music, as well as in the art, concepts, and narrative. Playing handheld on the Nintendo Switch is a particularly strong vessel to play Undertale, as the game does not require overly complex button control... Unless you try the genocide route.

5 The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood

Dive Into A Rich And Witchy Narrative Adventure

The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood is a great option to play to pass the time on long flights if players want a truly rich and emotionally complex narrative experience. The game’s premise follows an exiled witch stranded on a floating island in space. As she strives to regain her freedom, reconnect with her coven, and hone her divination magic, she finds herself making a dangerous deal with a demon, adding layers of intrigue and conflict to her journey.

The game's vibes remain consistently cozy, thanks to its slightly retro, illustrative art style, even with some darker themes woven throughout. Additionally, building the tarot deck serves as a creative and engaging experimental minigame, adding an extra layer of depth to the experience.

6 Super Mario RPG

A Classic Reimagined For The Nintendo Switch

Super Mario RPG on the Switch is a perfect game for a long flight, offering a fun mix of classic Mario charm and engaging RPG mechanics. With its turn-based combat, quirky characters, and whimsical story, it provides hours of entertainment without being too complex.

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The game’s lighthearted tone and colorful visuals make it easy to enjoy without it being emotionally taxing (unlike The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood), while the accessible mechanics allow for more relaxed gameplay. Whether battling enemies or exploring the Mushroom Kingdom, Super Mario RPG is a great companion for passing the time.

7 Suika Game

Endless And Addictive Gameplay

Suika Game is an addictive arcade-style game with excellent replayability. Its simple concept of matching fruit to achieve higher scores makes time fly by surprisingly fast while keeping your mind engaged. The game is a great option for those who do not wish to commit to a narrative-driven experience but still want the immersion of gameplay.

The easy-to-pick-up gameplay helps distract from the monotony of long-haul flights, offering a fun way to stay occupied. Whether aiming for a high score or just enjoying casual play, Suika Game provides the perfect mix of entertainment and mental stimulation for your journey.

8 Layton's Mystery Journey: Katrielle And The Millionaire's Conspiracy

Pass The Hours With Puzzles

Layton’s Mystery Journey on the Switch offers a great mix of intriguing puzzles and a captivating storyline. With over a hundred brain-teasing challenges, the game keeps players engaged while its charming art and quirky characters add a fun, lighthearted touch.

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The episodic format makes it easy to enjoy in short bursts or to binge, and the simple saving and travel mechanics ensure it’s easy to jump in and out of without needing to return to a save point. Layton’s Mystery Journey delivers hours of enjoyable, immersive gameplay.

9 Luigi's Mansion 3

Around Thirteen Hours Of Pure Entertainment

For something with a little more spooky vibe, Luigi's Mansion 3 is a great option for extra-long flights. With around 13 hours of gameplay featuring captivating stages, unique environments, and thrilling boss battles, this adventure is ideal for picking up and passing the time.

Players take control of Luigi as he explores a haunted hotel, solving puzzles, capturing ghosts, and uncovering hidden secrets. The game’s whimsical art style, familiar characters, and lighthearted tone balance the spooky atmosphere, making it an enjoyable and immersive experience that’s easy to pick up during travel.

10 Pikmin 4

A Good Option For Split-Screen Multiplayer

Pikmin 4 is a fantastic choice to pass the time on long flights due to its inoffensive, lighthearted gameplay. The game offers a perfect blend of strategy and exploration, where players guide colorful Pikmin to solve puzzles, defeat enemies, and explore vibrant environments.

Its charming art style, relaxed pace, and consistently rewarding progression keep players engaged without being too overwhelming or grind-focussed. If traveling with a friend, Pikmin 4 has a split-screen multiplayer mode where players must race to grab as many treasures as possible before time runs out. This adds a competitive edge, making it a super fun way to pass the time and keep entertained throughout the flight.

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