With Nintendo dropping the reveal trailer for the successor to the ever-popular Switch, fans can’t wait to get more information about the system. Until the day comes when they’re finally able to get their hands on the new handheld, the only thing they can do is wait, and what could be better than killing time by playing games that were exclusive to the Switch?
10 Best Switch Games of All Time
More than seven years on from its initial release in March 2017, these are the ten games that helped shape the console’s monumental success.
The following Switch exclusives span nearly every genre, from platforming toJRPGto even horror, and encapsulate the essence of the Switch and all that it represented in its lifetime.
10Splatoon 3
Painting The Town (And Your Opponents)
Splatoon 3
Nintendo’s chaotic and colorful ink-shooter,Splatoon 3, takes everything great about its predecessors and cranks it up a notch. With an expanded single-player campaign and an array of fresh weapons, maps, and modes, the game keeps players splatting for hours. Splatoon 3’s standout feature is its multiplayer, offering fast-paced turf wars and ranked battles that are both accessible to newcomers and deep enough for veterans.
What makes this game a perfect distraction while waiting for the Switch 2 is its sheer replayability. The customization options, regular updates, and rotating events like Splatfests mean there’s always something new to try.
9Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Infinitely Replayable
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
With a roster of over 80 fighters and a vast number of stages,Super Smash Bros. Ultimateis a celebration of gaming history. There is no shortage of things to do in the game, whether it involves duking out with friends in chaotic four-player matches or mastering every move in single-player Classic Mode.
The game’s World of Light campaign offers an epic solo experience, while the sheer variety of fighters, from Mario and Link to Sephiroth and Steve, ensures there’s a playstyle for everyone. Even players who have played Smash before will find a plethora of things to do and can challenge themselves to further their skills.
8Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Escape to a Digital Paradise
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Sometimes, all players need is a game to slow things down, andAnimal Crossing: New Horizonsis the perfect candidate for this. This charming life sim arrived at the perfect time during the pandemic, giving players a tranquil island to escape to.
What keeps players coming back is the game’s seasonal events and the near-limitless ways to personalize their island. New Horizons is a perfect companion for fans eagerly waiting for Nintendo’s next big thing.
7Luigi’s Mansion 3
Spooky, Silly, And Surprisingly Clever
Luigi’s Mansion 3
It’s hard not to root for Luigi, the eternal underdog of the Mario universe, especially when he’s armed with a vacuum and is battling ghosts. Luigi’s Mansion 3 takes players on a delightfully spooky adventure through the haunted Last Resort Hotel, with each floor offering a unique theme and puzzles to solve.
The game’scouch co-opmode is a great way to pass the time with friends, and the clever level design ensures there are plenty of humor and surprises to uncover.
6Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
The King Of Kart Racers
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Nintendo’s signature kart racer has been around for years, butMario Kart 8 Deluxecontinues to dominate with its smooth gameplay and extensive roster of characters and tracks. The Deluxe version includes all the DLC from the original Wii U release, plus a revamped Battle Mode that’s perfect for multiplayer mayhem.
8 Reasons to Pick Up Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Whether players are racing online, perfecting their time trials, or just throwing shells at their friends, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe offers endless fun. Its pick-up-and-play nature makes it an evergreen title for Switch owners and the perfect way to kill time while the countdown to the Switch 2 continues.
A Strategic Garden Adventure
The long-awaited Pikmin 4 introduces a few new twists to the beloved strategy franchise, including the addition of Oatchi, your loyal canine companion. With stunning visuals and improved controls, the game offers a more accessible experience without sacrificing the depth fans have come to love.
Exploring lush environments, solving puzzles, and commanding an adorable Pikmin army is as satisfying as ever in this newest release in the series. Players who missed this gem or want to relive its captivating charm have no excuse to skip it now.
4Xenoblade Chronicles 3
A Vast World Of Drama And Combat
Xenoblade Chronicles 3
ForRPGfans,Xenoblade Chronicles 3is nothing short of a masterpiece. With its sprawling landscapes, intricate combat system, and a deeply emotional story, the game draws players in and doesn’t let go. The connections between its characters and the philosophical themes it explores set it apart as one of the Switch’s most ambitious titles.
The game’s massive scope means players can easily sink 100+ hours into it, making it a perfect long-term investment as they anticipate the Switch 2’s release.
3Metroid Dread
Tension And Triumph
Metroid Dread
Samus Aran’s return inMetroid Dreadis a masterclass in action-platforming. The game combines the classic exploration of earlier Metroid titles with a modern sense of speed and fluidity. The E.M.M.I. robots stalking players through certain areas add a layer of tension that keeps your heart racing.
What makes Metroid Dread stand out is its balance between challenge and satisfaction. Everyboss fightand puzzle feels like a true test of skill, and the sense of accomplishment when players overcome them is unparalleled.
2Super Mario Odyssey
A Joyful Journey Around The World
Super Mario Odyssey
Few games capture the spirit of adventure as well asSuper Mario Odyssey. With its open-ended level design, creative power-ups like Cappy, and a soundtrack that’s impossible not to hum along to, this game is a masterclass in fun.
Even if players have already saved Princess Peach from Bowser’s latest wedding scheme, the sheer variety in how they can approach levels ensures there’s always something new to discover when they return to the game.
1The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
A Masterpiece Worth Revisiting
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
No list of Switch exclusives is complete withoutBreath of the Wild. This game redefinedopen-worlddesign, offering players an unprecedented level of freedom to explore, experiment, and create their own adventures.
Whether players are climbing mountains, cooking up stat-boosting meals, or diving into the story of how Hyrule fell to Ganon, Breath of the Wild is a game that tends to stick with them for quite a while. Even if players have beaten BOTW before, revisiting its breathtaking landscapes is a great way to remind them of why they fell in love with the Switch, and how the Switch 2 could take these experiences even further.
10 Games to Play if You Love The Legend Of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
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