Switch Games To Play If You Miss AA-Style Projects

Since its release in 2017, the Nintendo Switch has boasted one of the company's most expansive video game libraries. From modern-day classics of noted indie developers or highly-anticipated AAA titles from Nintendo themselves, the Switch has a lot of variety to offer players of all ages between their eShop, virtual console library, and retail options.

However, it may be hard to find Switch games that qualify as AA. This label covers games that aren't developed on the budget of AAA games, nor do they cost as much. While these studios might be tackling smaller franchises or spin-offs, they're also too big to qualify as "indie." Here are the best Switch games that players should check out if they want AA-style experiences.

9 Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

Funky Kong Joins This Wii U Upgrade

Retro Studios have been collaborating with Nintendo on AAA titles for years now, with some of their biggest projects being the Metroid Prime franchise and Mario Kart 7 on 3DS. However, a much smaller scale production from the team was Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, the Wii U sequel to the Wii reboot of Donkey Kong's 2D platforming series.

Tropical Freeze thankfully got ported to the Switch, with Retro Studios adding in an easy mode featuring Funky Kong. While the company has been hard at work with their upcoming AAA release Metroid Prime: Beyond, the Switch remake of Tropical Freeze is still a fun AA experience. But don't take it for granted — it challenges even the most seasoned gamers.

8 Bayonetta 3

Everyone's Favorite Angel Hunter Made It To Switch

PlatinumGames are notably one of the most popular AA developers who work with Nintendo. Their company has been behind AA titles for Nintendo's consoles like The Wonderful 101, as well as AAA titles like Star Fox Zero. However, their main bread-and-butter is the beloved Bayonetta franchise, which saw its third installment hit the Switch.

Bayonetta has skyrocketed in popularity since joining the Super Smash Bros. Series, but Bayonetta 3 doesn't stray too far from its roots. While Platinum likely wasn't working with an AAA budget on it, they certainly cranked out an AAA experience for this AA series, which isn't surprising given the care that the studio gives to the franchise.

7 Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition

A Hack-'N-Slash Tribute To The Zelda Franchise

Back in 2014, The Legend of Zelda crossed paths with Koei Tecmo's Dynasty Warriors franchise to bring Hyrule Warriors to the Wii U. The action game allows players to take control of characters from throughout the Zelda series, from obscure side characters to iconic villains, battling original foes who threaten the stability of Hyrule.

The game was an absolute blast on the Wii U, but has since seen ports for both the 3DS and the Switch, under the name Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition. It's a much more solid, fleshed-out spin-off than its successor on Switch, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, and will delight both longtime and fresh fans of the Zelda series.

6 New Pokemon Snap

Never Has The Pokemon World Looked More Beautiful

Fans had been begging for a new Pokemon Snap game since the original's release on Nintendo 64 in 1999. It took over 20 years, but it finally came with New Pokemon Snap, where fans compile an all-new Pokedex by taking photos of over 200 wild Pokemon. Despite being fully priced at $60, it's still a small-scale remake of a tried-and-true gaming formula.

As such, the game doesn't innovate a lot on the original's gameplay, which is perhaps for the best, as fans get an authentically nostalgic experience in this AA title. It might not appeal to all Pokemon fans who are obsessed with the AAA mainline series, but for those who grew up playing Pokemon Snap, it shouldn't be overlooked just for being a smaller adventure.

5 Luigi's Mansion 3

Luigi's Not Alone This Time

The first Nintendo Switch iteration of the Luigi's Mansion franchise was helmed by a much smaller subsidiary studio of Nintendo, Next Level Games, who previously helmed AA games like Metroid Prime: Federation Force, the Wii's Punch-Out!!, as well as the 3DS predecessor to Luigi's Mansion 3, Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon.

Luigi's Mansion 3, at the very least, feels like the proper upgrade the horror series has deserved since the original GameCube title, despite being made with a smaller budget than a typical Mario adventure. With the addition of a multiplayer mode, it's a great adventure for those who want a little more Luigi in their lives, though it's priced like a AAA Switch title.

4 The Legend Of Zelda: Link's Awakening

A GameBoy Classic With A Cute New Look

Although it was priced at $60, this Switch remake of the GameBoy title Link's Awakening was developed by Grezzo, the subsidiary studio who have handled previous The Legend of Zelda remakes for the 3DS. However, this AA game is a step above other Zelda remakes, with all-new graphics, a dungeon creation mode, and Zelda-series amiibo functionality.

As a remake of an oft-forgotten Zelda title from the '90s, Link's Awakening might not impress those expecting the scale of Breath of the Wild, but its scale and polish warrants the beefier price tag. This remake of Link's Awakening proves there is more than meets the eye when it comes to this GameBoy classic, and brings a lot of fresh ideas to the series.

3 Metroid Dread

To Tide Metroid Fans Over Until Metroid Prime 4 Releases

Metroid Prime: Beyond is set to blow expectations away when it finally releases in 2025, but until then, Metroid fans have a AA game on Switch to tide them over. Metroid Dread is a return to the series' 2D roots, taking place shortly after the events of Metroid Fusion on GameBoy Advance from 2002.

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Metroid Dread is a reminder of why this franchise inspired the namesake for the frequent "Metroidvania" games in the indie world. Although its length was criticized, especially given its AAA price tag, it's still a 2D sidescroller that will offer a lot of fans a premier Metroid experience as Metroid Prime: Beyond remains in development.

2 Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition

Thanks To Smash Bros., Shulk Gets An HD Makeover

Monolith Soft is far from Nintendo's most expensive studio, but in recent years, they've come into their own with the Xenoblade series. The Switch has seen the release of two new Xenoblade titles: Xenoblade Chronciles 2 and Xenoblade Chronicles 3, but for those looking to catch up on where the franchise began, the original Wii title got ported in 2020.

Before diving into the AAA titles Monolith Soft cranked out for the Switch, RPG fans should first explore Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition. It features a gorgeously massive open world, deeply empathetic characters, and even a new epilogue that updates fans on the goings-on of Melia, one of the characters from the game.

1 It Takes Two

A Co-Op Game Everyone Can Get Behind

It Takes Two, a co-op adventure created by AA developer Hazelight Studios, isn't a Switch exclusive, originally releasing on Sony and Microsoft consoles in 2021. However, it saw a Switch port in 2022, which was helmed by the even smaller studio Turn Me Up. Avid gamers should take advantage of that privilege, seeing as It Takes Two has lots of hype.

Not only did the game win Game of the Year at the Game Awards in 2021, but it also makes for a cooperative game that is guaranteed not to frustrate couples, which can be tough to find in today's oversaturated game market. It Takes Two might not be the flashiest experience, but its Switch version offers a perfect amount of AA fun for only $39.99.

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