The Best Open-World Switch Games, Ranked

While some players may argue that the Nintendo Switch has lagged behind compared to other consoles, there are still plenty of incredible games players are able to experience on this device; be it in handheld mode or docked to the TV, there is plenty for players to enjoy on the Nintendo Switch.

With a wide variety of genres to enjoy on the platform too, one that many have found themselves getting lost in is the open-world titles. These games give players the freedom to explore large maps and create their own adventures. These are the best open-world games that players can enjoy on the Nintendo Switch right now.

Updated on February 1st, 2025, by Megan Smith: Since the announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2 finally exists, with the handheld console planning to be released this year, players were thrilled to hear that the vast majority of their open-world Nintendo Switch games will also work on the next console in the Nintendo family. With plenty of great open-world games for the Nintendo Switch, players can still hope to play plenty of these games on their current handheld console before the release of the Nintendo Switch 2, in order to make the wait for this upgraded Nintendo console that much easier. These are the best open-world Nintendo Switch games a player can enjoy in the meantime, which should hopefully also work on the Nintendo Switch 2 when it releases.

21 Palia

A Massive Multiplayer Cozy Title

Palia is a massively multiplayer title that has an incredibly large world for the player to explore. As a simulation title, this open world is unlike many others on the list as players are free to explore Palia however they see fit. It's quite a surprise to find such a great experience that works so well on the Nintendo Switch, but this MMO is truly one of the greatest, as players can explore this phenomenal open world with other Nintendo Switch users.

An open world is only made greater by its activities and Palia has lots of them, from insect catching, cooking, hunting, and much more to make Palia one of the best open-world games that has recently been added to the Nintendo Switch.

20 Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

A Pokemon Adventure Where Players Are Free To Explore

Nintendo itself has created a few open-world titles that can be enjoyed on its console. One such example is the 2022 release of the ninth generation of the Pokemon franchise.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet really leaned into the open-world aspect of Pokemon in this title as players were left to explore Paldea freely as they had to adventure across the map to find the different gyms to battle, not to forget mentioning the other tasks available to the player in this version of the game.

19 No Man's Sky

Explore The Entirity Of Space And Its Planets

Many players are likely to be surprised to hear that the open-world sic-if adventure of No Man's Sky can be enjoyed on the Nintendo Switch. However, even with this surprise, players are in for an incredible survival adventure as they fly to various planets in the galaxy.

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With the galaxy at their fingertips, the player is free to either follow the story of No Man's Sky or simply spend their time exploring the stars, with this being available on a handheld console is an incredible experience for any player on the Nintendo Switch.

18 Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2

Explore As Various Marvel Heroes

Lego has some of the best games not only for creativity but also for exploration, especially when they create games that partner with various brands, such as Marvel. In Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2, players are able to play some of their favorite characters from the franchise as they take on Kang the Conqueror.

This open world isn't just one singular map, as players will get to take on the role of these Lego counterparts of various Marvel Heroes and Villains as they travel across time to visit and explore Tokyo in 2099, to even Ancient Egypt, with each of these locations looking wonderful built out of Lego on the Nintendo Switch.

17 Slime Rancher

Run A Ranch For Slimes On A Slime-Filled Island

Slime Rancher is an incredible open-world game that can be enjoyed on the Nintendo Switch. Players can find and combine different slimes to collect plorts that can then be used to earn them extra gold. With an interesting storyline to discover while exploring the island, Slime Rancher can make for an intriguing little adventure.

As this version of the game has been specifically made for the Nintendo Switch, this also means that the simulator title runs perfectly on the small device.

16 Lego City Undercover

A Whole World Created From Lego

Open-world Switch games come in an assortment of styles, and a variety of Lego games have also been released on the Nintendo Switch. One of the most promising games that many players on the Switch have praised is Lego City Undercover. This open-world Lego game sees the player take on the role of a police officer inside Lego City as he hunts down an escaped crime boss.

Players are free to explore the entire city as Chase McCain, making the most of all sorts of fashionable Lego vehicles to chase after the various criminals of Lego City. As the game was originally exclusive to the Nintendo Switch, exploring this open world will reveal all sorts of Nintendo Easter eggs for the player to uncover too.

15 Red Dead Redemption

Enjoy A Chunk Of The Wild West On The Nintendo Switch

Red Dead Redemption

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Open-World

Adventure

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Released

May 18, 2010

Developer(s)

Rockstar San Diego

Platform(s)

Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Android, iOS

Genre(s)

Open-World, Adventure

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Red Dead Redemption was originally released on PS3 and the Xbox 360 in 2010. However, as of 2023, this classic Wild West tale has made its way onto the Nintendo Switch. Players can finally control John Marston as he lives the life of a cowboy in a world that is drastically changing.

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Even when using the Nintendo Switch in handheld mode, Red Dead Redemption remains a steadfast open-world game that players can now enjoy no matter where they go. Besides this, the game also includes Undead Nightmare, which allows players to enjoy the supernatural version of the title.

14 Immortals Fenyx Rising

A World Based On Greek Mythology

Immortals Fenyx Rising is another great open-world game that can be enjoyed on the Nintendo Switch. Made by the same team that created Assassin's Creed Odyssey, Immortals Fenyx Rising has an interesting art style as well as an incredible world to explore filled with stories and puzzles.

This vibrant world is only made better through players being able to even enjoy it on a smaller screen like the Switch. The open world of Immortals Fenyx Rising is only made better through being able to explore it with the wings of Fenyx themselves.

13 Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen

A Classic ARPG Adventure In An Expansive World

Even though Dragon's Dogma 2 was released in March 2024, many players continue to explore Dragon's Dogma lore by playing the previous titles of the franchise. One of the greatest RPGs made by Capcom can even be enjoyed on the Nintendo Switch, with many enjoying Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen.

To many fans' surprise, the port of Dragon's Dogma works great on the Nintendo Switch. Even with how large the map is, and how intense some battles can be in this open-world RPG, players will not be disappointed if they decide to start their adventure on the Switch.

12 Don't Starve

Survive On A Large Randomly Generated Map

Don't Starve is an open-world survival game where the main goal of the game is to not starve to death. Besides starving, players will have plenty of other goals, such as preparing for the winter months, fighting off wolves, and remaining sane while the darkness creeps closer.

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Players may set up their base in one place, but to find all the resources they need, they will have to adventure across the randomly generated world to find what they are truly after. This combined with the interesting Gothic art style of Don't Starve makes the survival title the perfect sort of game to enjoy while playing the Nintendo Switch handheld.