🎮Best Nintendo Switch Games of All Time
The Nintendo Switch launched in 2017 and quickly became home to genre-defining adventures, innovative hardware experiments, and massive multiplayer hits. These titles shaped the console's identity and continue to drive debates over what makes a Switch game truly essential. Vote to rank them.
What counts: Best means critical acclaim, sales impact, innovation, and lasting replay value on Switch hardware. Figures are approximate.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild▲ Rising
Breath of the Wild reinvented the open-world formula with physics-driven exploration that rewarded curiosity at every turn. Its 2017 launch defined the Switch era and set a new standard for Nintendo's flagship series.
Release Year: 2017Metascore: 97/10Units Sold: 30 MOnline Play: —Strong Portable: ✓
added by IJRin 11 rankingsThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
19Pokémon Legends: Arceus▲ Rising
Arceus shook up the formula with open-zone catching and action gameplay that pointed the series toward the future despite its rough edges.
Release Year: 2022Metascore: 83/10Units Sold: 15 MOnline Play: —Strong Portable: ✓
added by IJRin 3 rankingsPokémon Legends: Arceus
18Deluxe refined the definitive kart racer with every track and character ever made, turning it into the ultimate party staple that still leads Switch sales charts.
Release Year: 2017Metascore: 92/10Units Sold: 59 MOnline Play: ✓Strong Portable: ✓
added by IJRin 9 rankingsMario Kart 8 Deluxe
14Splatoon 2▲ Rising
Splatoon 2 refined the ink-shooter formula with addictive ranked modes and regular free updates that kept the community thriving for years.
Release Year: 2017Metascore: 81/10Units Sold: 13 MOnline Play: ✓Strong Portable: ✓
added by IJRSplatoon 2
12Super Mario Odyssey▲ Rising
Odyssey brought back pure platforming joy with inventive level design and the capture mechanic that turned every kingdom into a playground. Its 97 score and massive sales cemented it as a Mario pinnacle.
Release Year: 2017Metascore: 97/10Units Sold: 26 MOnline Play: —Strong Portable: ✓
added by IJRin 10 rankingsSuper Mario Odyssey
11Hades▲ Rising
Hades brought roguelike excellence to Switch with razor-sharp combat and one of the strongest narrative deliveries in gaming.
Release Year: 2020Metascore: 93/10Units Sold: 1 MOnline Play: —Strong Portable: ✓
added by IJRin 13 rankingsHades
11Dread revived 2D Metroid with tight precision platforming and a tense cat-and-mouse pursuit that reminded fans why the series is legendary.
Release Year: 2021Metascore: 88/10Units Sold: 3 MOnline Play: —Strong Portable: ✓
added by IJRin 3 rankingsMetroid Dread
8New Horizons became the pandemic comfort game by letting millions build their own islands with deep customization and social features. Its record sales proved the Switch's broad appeal.
Release Year: 2020Metascore: 90/10Units Sold: 43 MOnline Play: ✓Strong Portable: ✓
added by IJRin 6 rankingsAnimal Crossing: New Horizons
7Luigi's Mansion 3 delivered polished ghost-hunting puzzles across a lavish hotel with inventive new tools that made every floor a delight.
Release Year: 2019Metascore: 86/10Units Sold: 9 MOnline Play: —Strong Portable: ✓
added by IJRLuigi's Mansion 3
7Fire Emblem: Three Houses▲ Rising
Three Houses combined deep strategy combat with a rich school-life sim that gave every student memorable arcs and multiple branching paths.
Release Year: 2019Metascore: 89/10Units Sold: 4 MOnline Play: —Strong Portable: ✓
added by IJRin 3 rankingsFire Emblem: Three Houses
5Stardew Valley thrived on Switch with its relaxing farm life loop and constant updates that kept players returning for years.
Release Year: 2017Metascore: 89/10Units Sold: 1 MOnline Play: ✓Strong Portable: ✓
added by IJRin 12 rankingsStardew Valley
2Xenoblade 2 expanded its massive world with deep blade-collecting systems and emotional storytelling that rewarded long play sessions.
Release Year: 2017Metascore: 83/10Units Sold: 2 MOnline Play: —Strong Portable: ✓
added by IJRin 2 rankingsXenoblade Chronicles 2
1Ultimate delivered the biggest roster in fighting-game history and near-perfect balance that made every character viable for casual and competitive play alike.
Release Year: 2018Metascore: 93/10Units Sold: 34 MOnline Play: ✓Strong Portable: ✓
added by IJRin 7 rankingsSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate
0Forgotten Land brought Kirby into full 3D with creative copy abilities and level design that proved the pink puffball still delivers pure platforming charm.
Release Year: 2022Metascore: 85/10Units Sold: 6 MOnline Play: —Strong Portable: ✓
added by IJRin 2 rankingsKirby and the Forgotten Land
0Celeste proved pixel-perfect platforming and a heartfelt story about anxiety could coexist on the Switch with masterful level design.
Release Year: 2018Metascore: 94/10Units Sold: 1 MOnline Play: —Strong Portable: ✓
added by IJRin 15 rankingsCeleste
0Bayonetta 3 pushed the action spectacle further with new demon summons and set pieces that made it the biggest entry yet.
Release Year: 2022Metascore: 84/10Units Sold: 1 MOnline Play: —Strong Portable: ✓
added by IJRin 2 rankingsBayonetta 3
-2Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury▼ Falling
The package combined a polished 3D World with the open-zone Fury mode that hinted at the next Mario evolution.
Release Year: 2021Metascore: 89/10Units Sold: 9 MOnline Play: ✓Strong Portable: ✓
added by IJR
-2Ring Fit turned exercise into an RPG adventure with motion controls that made fitness genuinely fun and accessible on Switch.
Release Year: 2019Metascore: 83/10Units Sold: 15 MOnline Play: —Strong Portable: —
added by IJRRing Fit Adventure
-3Astral Chain delivered stylish action with unique legion commands and a gripping detective story that showed PlatinumGames at its peak.
Release Year: 2019Metascore: 87/10Units Sold: 1 MOnline Play: —Strong Portable: ✓
added by IJRAstral Chain
-3Monster Hunter Rise▼ Falling
Rise streamlined the hunt formula with wirebug mobility and fast sessions that made the series more approachable on Switch.
Release Year: 2021Metascore: 87/10Units Sold: 13 MOnline Play: ✓Strong Portable: ✓
added by IJRMonster Hunter Rise
-3Splatoon 3 refined the formula again with new stages, weapons, and a fresh story mode that kept the ink-fueled competition alive.
Release Year: 2022Metascore: 83/10Units Sold: 10 MOnline Play: ✓Strong Portable: ✓
added by IJRin 2 rankingsSplatoon 3
-4Dragon Quest XI S
XI S brought the epic JRPG to Switch with added content and a robust 2D mode that made the long journey portable.
Release Year: 2019Metascore: 87/10Units Sold: 2 MOnline Play: —Strong Portable: ✓
added by IJRin 2 rankings
-6The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Tears of the Kingdom built on Breath of the Wild with new building and ascent mechanics that expanded player creativity even further.
Release Year: 2023Metascore: 96/10Units Sold: 20 MOnline Play: —Strong Portable: ✓
added by IJRin 8 rankingsThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
-7Hollow Knight▼ Falling
Hollow Knight offered massive Metroidvania exploration with hand-drawn beauty and challenging combat that felt perfect in handheld.
Release Year: 2018Metascore: 90/10Units Sold: 3 MOnline Play: —Strong Portable: ✓
added by IJRin 15 rankingsHollow Knight
-8Octopath delivered gorgeous HD-2D visuals and eight distinct character stories that gave the JRPG formula a fresh twist.
Release Year: 2018Metascore: 81/10Units Sold: 3 MOnline Play: —Strong Portable: ✓
added by IJRin 2 rankingsOctopath Traveler
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