Five years ago, Nintendo stood at a critical crossroads, with the Wii U struggling in the console wars. But now, in a stunning turnaround, the Switch is poised to become Nintendo’s best-selling “home console” ever. Seven Switch games have already outsold the entire Wii U console. Nintendo is experiencing a remarkable resurgence, fueled by the Switch’s innovative hybrid format and an ever-expanding game library with strong third-party support.
Yet, the Switch’s online store can be a daunting maze to navigate. Fear not! This guide is here to help newcomers embark on their gaming journey with confidence. Discover the essential games you must own—for now. We constantly update and expand this list to keep it relevant. And if you’re rocking a Switch Lite, don’t worry, every game on this list is fully compatible with the portable-only console. Get ready to level up!
Number 1. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a social simulation game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. It is the fifth main entry in the Animal Crossing series, following Animal Crossing: New Leaf for the Nintendo 3DS. In New Horizons, the player controls a character who moves to a deserted island after purchasing a getaway package from Tom Nook, accomplishes assigned tasks, and develops the island as they choose. They can gather and craft items, customize the island, and develop it into a community of anthropomorphic animals.
The game was released worldwide on March 20, 2020. It received critical acclaim, with praise for its relaxing gameplay, charming characters, and creative customization options. New Horizons was a commercial success, selling over 33 million copies worldwide as of March 2023.
One of the most notable features of Animal Crossing: New Horizons is its emphasis on island customization. Players can use a variety of tools to terraform their island, including cliffs, rivers, and beaches. They can also place furniture, decorations, and buildings anywhere they want. This gives players a great deal of freedom to create their own unique island paradise.
Another key feature of New Horizons is its multiplayer mode. Players can visit each other’s islands, trade items, and collaborate on projects. They can also participate in special events, such as fishing tournaments and bug-catching contests. This makes New Horizons a great game for playing with friends and family.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a relaxing and charming game that offers players a variety of ways to express their creativity. It is a great game for anyone looking for a fun and stress-free way to pass the time.
Number 2. Bayonetta 3
Bayonetta 3 is a 2022 action-adventure game developed by PlatinumGames and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. It is the sequel to Bayonetta (2009) and Bayonetta 2 (2014), and follows the titular Umbra Witch as she faces against a new threat, the Homunculi.
The game was announced in December 2017, and was released on October 28, 2022. It received critical acclaim, with praise for its gameplay, visuals, and story.
The gameplay of Bayonetta 3 is similar to that of the previous games, with Bayonetta using her signature guns and hair to fight enemies in a variety of combos. However, the game introduces a new mechanic called “Demon Masquerade,” which allows Bayonetta to fuse with a demon to gain new abilities.
The game also features a new style of stage called “Inferno,” which is a large, open-ended area where Bayonetta can explore and fight enemies.
The story of Bayonetta 3 picks up after the events of Bayonetta 2. Bayonetta is still recovering from her battle with Jubileus, and she is now being hunted by a new group of enemies called the Homunculi. The Homunculi are bioweapons created by humans, and they are incredibly powerful.
Bayonetta must team up with her friends Jeanne and Rodin to stop the Homunculi and save the world. Along the way, she will uncover the truth about her past and her connection to the Homunculi.
Bayonetta 3 is a stylish and action-packed game that is sure to please fans of the series. It features stunning visuals, fluid combat, and a compelling story. If you are a fan of action games, then Bayonetta 3 is definitely worth checking out.
Number 3. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is a 2023 action-adventure game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. The sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017), Tears of the Kingdom retains aspects including the open world of Hyrule, which has been expanded to allow for more vertical exploration. The player controls Link, who must help Princess Zelda to stop Ganondorf from destroying Hyrule.
Tears of the Kingdom was conceived after ideas for Breath of the Wild downloadable content (DLC) had exceeded its scope. Its development was led by Nintendo’s Entertainment Planning & Development (EPD) division, with Breath of the Wild director Hidemaro Fujibayashi and producer Eiji Aonuma reprising their roles. A teaser was shown at E3 2019 with a full reveal at E3 2021. Tears of the Kingdom was initially planned for release in 2022 before being delayed to May 2023. It received acclaim for its improvements, expanded open world, and features encouraging exploration and experimentation. It sold more than 10 million copies in its first three days of release.
In Tears of the Kingdom, Link and Zelda must travel to the skies above Hyrule to investigate a mysterious force that is causing the kingdom to crumble. Along the way, they will encounter new enemies, solve puzzles, and discover ancient secrets. The game features a new grappling hook ability that allows Link to swing across gaps and reach new heights, as well as a new ability to fuse objects together to create new tools and weapons.
The game’s open world is larger and more vertical than Breath of the Wild, with players able to explore floating islands, ancient ruins, and hidden caves. The game also features a new weather system that affects the way Link and Zelda can traverse the world. For example, rain can make it difficult to climb, while wind can help Link sail across the skies.
Tears of the Kingdom is a critically acclaimed game that has been praised for its improvements over Breath of the Wild. Critics have praised the game’s expanded open world, new abilities, and challenging puzzles. The game has also been a commercial success, selling more than 10 million copies in its first three days of release.
If you are a fan of the Legend of Zelda series, then you will definitely want to check out Tears of the Kingdom. It is an excellent game that offers a ton of content and a challenging adventure.
Number 4. Metroid Prime Remastered
Metroid Prime Remastered is a 2023 remaster of the 2002 first-person shooter game Metroid Prime developed by Retro Studios and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. It was released on February 8, 2023.
The remaster features enhanced visuals, including 1080p resolution and 60 frames per second, as well as updated textures and lighting. The game also includes new control options, such as the ability to use the Switch’s gyroscope for aiming. Additionally, the remaster includes a new Casual difficulty mode, which makes the game easier for players who are new to the series.
Metroid Prime Remastered received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised the game’s updated visuals and controls. However, some critics noted that the game’s core gameplay has not changed since the original release, and that some of the game’s puzzles can be frustrating.
Overall, Metroid Prime Remastered is a faithful remaster of a classic game. The updated visuals and controls make the game more enjoyable to play, and the new Casual difficulty mode makes it accessible to a wider audience. However, the game’s core gameplay has not changed, and some of the puzzles can be frustrating.
Number 5. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is an open-world action-adventure game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch and Wii U consoles. It is the sequel to 2011’s The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword and was released worldwide in March 2017.
The game is set at the end of the Zelda timeline, and follows Link, a young Hylian who awakens from a hundred-year slumber to find Hyrule in ruins. Link must explore the open world of Hyrule to find the scattered Great Fairies, who can grant him the power to defeat Calamity Ganon, a powerful entity that has taken over Hyrule Castle.
Breath of the Wild is a departure from previous Zelda games in several ways. It features a large, open world that players can explore freely, with no set order in which to complete the game’s objectives. The game also features a physics engine that allows players to interact with the environment in a variety of ways, such as using fire to melt ice or bombs to blow up rocks.
Breath of the Wild was critically acclaimed upon release, with many critics praising its open-world design, gameplay, and visuals. The game won numerous awards, including Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2017.
