The Nintendo Switch is a cultural phenomenon with a vast library, featuring the 100 best Nintendo games ever made ranked for quality, including the best Nintendo Switch titles, best Nintendo games, and iconic Nintendo games that defined its legacy.
The Top 10 Titans of Switch
These are the monumental titles that stand at the pinnacle of the Switch library—games that are not only system-sellers but also genre-defining classics. [5][4]
| Rank | Game Title | Metascore | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild | 97 | A masterclass in open-world design that redefined a genre, casting players into a breathtakingly organic Hyrule and empowering them with true freedom and a physics-driven sandbox. |
| 2 | The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom | 96 | The ambitious sequel that built upon its predecessor’s foundation, introducing revolutionary “Ultrahand” and “Fuse” mechanics that transformed players into master creators. |
| 3 | Super Mario Odyssey | 97 | A vibrant, joyful explosion of 3D platforming perfection that captured the boundless spirit of Mario on a globe-trotting adventure filled with secrets and charm. |
| 4 | Mario Kart 8 Deluxe | 92 | The undisputed king of local multiplayer and the best-selling game on the platform, offering a perpetually thrilling and accessible racing experience for all ages. |
| 5 | Metroid Prime Remastered | 94 | A stunning restoration of a genre-defining classic, introducing a new generation to the atmospheric brilliance and masterful world design of Samus Aran’s first-person adventure. |
| 6 | Super Smash Bros. Ultimate | 93 | The ultimate celebration of gaming history, featuring an unparalleled roster of fighters, stages, and music in a deeply complex yet endlessly fun party game. |
| 7 | Animal Crossing: New Horizons | 93 | A global cultural touchstone that offered a serene, customizable escape to a deserted island, becoming a source of comfort and connection for millions. |
| 8 | Hades | 93 | A rogue-like masterpiece that fused lightning-fast combat with a compelling, story-driven structure, making each escape from the Greek underworld feel meaningful. |
| 9 | Celeste | 92 | A pixel-perfect platformer with a heart of gold, offering a profoundly moving story about mental health beneath its deceptively challenging gameplay. |
| 10 | Persona 5 Royal | 94 | A stylish and supremely deep JRPG that captivated players with its unique blend of turn-based combat, social simulation, and a killer soundtrack. |
Read also: Nintendo Store App for iOS and Android”
The Full Top 100 Nintendo Switch Games
Here is the complete, organized list of the 100 best games, each with a brief highlight of its significance. [6]
The Elite Nintendo Switch Games
- Tetris Effect: Connected (94 Metascore) – A transcendent puzzle experience that combines classic gameplay with breathtaking audiovisual synesthesia. [7]
- Hollow Knight – A sprawling, beautiful, and punishingly fair Metroidvania with a world and lore that rivals the very best in the genre.
- Xenoblade Chronicles 3 – A massive, epic JRPG with a profound story and a combat system that is both complex and deeply rewarding.
- Super Mario Bros. Wonder (92 Metascore) – A brilliant reinvention of the 2D Mario formula, bursting with creativity, wonder, and delightful multiplayer chaos. [3]
- Divinity: Original Sin II – Definitive Edition (93 Metascore) – One of the most acclaimed RPGs of all time, offering unparalleled freedom in its turn-based tactical combat.
- Ori and the Will of the Wisps (93 Metascore) – A gorgeous, emotional, and impeccably designed action-platformer that builds upon its predecessor in every way.
- Fire Emblem: Three Houses – A masterclass in strategy RPGs, blending deep tactical gameplay with a compelling social system and multiple storylines.
- Stardew Valley – A charming and endlessly addictive farming simulator that offers a perfect escape into a world of community and relaxation.
- Luigi’s Mansion 3 – A visually stunning and endlessly creative puzzle-adventure game brimming with personality and clever ghost-hunting mechanics.
- Bayonetta 2 (92 Metascore) – A stylish, over-the-top, and impeccably designed action game that remains one of the best character-action titles ever made. [2]
- Kirby and the Forgotten Land (90 Metascore) – A delightful and accessible 3D platformer that seamlessly translates Kirby’s charm into an open-ended, explorable world.
- Undertale (93 Metascore) – A quirky and subversive RPG that subverted expectations with its unique “spare or kill” mechanic and unforgettable characters.
- Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age (91 Metascore) – The pinnacle of classic JRPG design, featuring a charming story, a beautiful world, and a heartwarming score.
- Portal: Companion Collection (95 Metascore) – Two of the most ingenious puzzle games ever made, perfectly ported with sharp wit and mind-bending gameplay.
- Sonic Mania Plus (91 Metascore) – A love letter to the classic Sonic era, delivering blistering 2D platforming with pixel-perfect precision and passion.
“read more: Nintendo Store App Launches”
Modern Masterpieces & Indie Darlings
- Splatoon 3 – A vibrant and stylish third-person shooter that reinvents the multiplayer genre with its ink-based turf wars. [9]
- Metroid Dread – A triumphant return to 2D Metroidvania form, offering tense, fast-paced gameplay and a masterful sense of atmosphere.
- Pikmin 4 – An accessible and charming strategy game that deepens the franchise’s mechanics while retaining its unique, miniature-world charm. [8]
- Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak – A colossal expansion to an already excellent action RPG, adding new monsters, quests, and depth to the hunt.
- New Pokémon Snap – A relaxing and enchanting on-rails photography game that captures the wonder of Pokémon in their natural habitats.
- Octopath Traveler II – A beautiful “HD-2D” JRPG that weaves eight unique character stories into one grand, satisfying adventure.
- Slay the Spire – A brilliantly addictive deck-building rogue-like that offers near-endless replayability and strategic depth.
- Inside – A haunting, atmospheric puzzle-platformer from Playdead that tells a powerful wordless story with stunning visual artistry. [1]
- SteamWorld Heist (91 Metascore) – A clever turn-based strategy game where you command a crew of space-faring robots in intense shootouts.
- Sayonara Wild Hearts – A dreamy, musical arcade game that is a euphoric rush of color, sound, and emotion.
- PowerWash Simulator – A surprisingly satisfying and zen-like simulation game about cleaning everything from gardens to Mars rovers.
- Suika Game – A simple yet dangerously addictive puzzle game about combining fruits that became a viral sensation.
- Untitled Goose Game – A hilarious stealth-puzzle game where you play as a horrible goose on a mission to cause chaos.
- The House in Fata Morgana (96 Metascore) – A gothic visual novel spanning centuries, renowned for its deeply emotional and tragic storytelling.
- Astral Chain – A stylish and fast-paced action game from PlatinumGames where you fight alongside a chained legion companion.
- Disco Elysium – The Final Cut – A groundbreaking RPG with no combat, focusing instead on dialogue, skill checks, and a masterful narrative.
- Sea of Stars – A stunning turn-based RPG that is a love letter to classic JRPGs, featuring beautiful pixel art and a gripping story.
- Balatro – A highly addictive rogue-like that combines the mechanics of poker with deep synergies and strategic deck-building.
- Cuphead – A visually stunning run-and-gun game with notoriously difficult boss battles inspired by 1930s cartoons.
- Dead Cells – A fluid and fast-paced rogue-like platformer with tight controls and a satisfying loop of permanent upgrades.
- Hades.
- Hollow Knight: Silksong (Upcoming) – The highly anticipated sequel to the beloved Metroidvania masterpiece.
- Ori and the Blind Forest – The predecessor to Will of the Wisps, a beautiful and emotional platformer that set a new standard for the genre.
- Stardew Valley.
RPGs & Epic Adventures
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition – One of the greatest RPGs of all time, fully portable, featuring a vast world and unparalleled storytelling. [11][10]
- Xenoblade Chronicles 2 – A sprawling JRPG with a unique combat system and a massive, imaginative world set on the backs of titans.
- Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition – A remaster of the Wii classic, a fantastic JRPG with a huge world and a fascinating story.
- Shin Megami Tensei V – A challenging and dark RPG from the creators of Persona, featuring demon fusion and a post-apocalyptic Tokyo.
- Fire Emblem: Engage – A vibrant strategy RPG that focuses on the classic gameplay of summoning iconic heroes from across the series.
- Pokémon Scarlet & Violet – A true open-world Pokémon adventure that pushes the series forward, despite technical hiccups.
- Pokémon Legends: Arceus – A bold reinvention of the Pokémon formula, focusing on exploration and action-oriented catching mechanics.
- Pokémon Sword & Shield – A solid, traditional Pokémon RPG that introduced the Wild Area and Dynamaxing.
- Dragon Quest Builders 2 – A charming blend of RPG and block-building creativity, set in a post-apocalyptic Dragon Quest world.
- Triangle Strategy – A beautiful HD-2D tactics RPG from Square Enix, reminiscent of classics like Final Fantasy Tactics.
- Romance of the Three Kingdoms XIV – A deep and complex historical strategy game focusing on the grand scale of ancient China.
- Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition – A classic Dungeons & Dragons RPG, perfectly suited for portable play on the Switch.
- Chained Echoes – A fantastic 16-bit style JRPG with a turn-based system that eliminates random encounters for a more focused experience.
- Elden Ring – FromSoftware’s masterpiece of open-world design, challenging combat, and cryptic lore, now playable anywhere.
- Dark Souls: Remastered – The notoriously difficult and influential action RPG that defined a genre, perfectly ported to Switch.
- Ni no Kuni I & II – A bundle of two charming JRPGs from Level-5 and Studio Ghibli, filled with wonder and magic.
- Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster – A landmark RPG duology with a powerful story and a classic turn-based battle system.
- Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age – A remaster of a beloved entry, featuring a unique Gambit system and a politically charged story.
- Chrono Trigger: The Complete Collection – Widely considered one of the greatest RPGs ever made, now with its sequel on a single cartridge.
- Persona 4 Golden – A beloved entry in the Persona series, featuring a murder mystery and a deep social simulation.
Platformers, Action & Puzzle
- Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury – A package containing a fantastic 3D platformer and a short, brilliant open-world Mario adventure. [13][12]
- Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze – A masterclass in 2D platforming with challenging levels, gorgeous visuals, and an incredible soundtrack.
- Yoshi’s Crafted World – A charming and visually unique platformer where you traverse a world made of crafts and everyday objects.
- New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe – A fun and polished 2D Mario platformer that is perfect for multiplayer sessions.
- Celeste.
- Hollow Knight.
- Ori and the Will of the Wisps.
- Rayman Legends: Definitive Edition – One of the best 2D platformers ever made, bursting with creativity, variety, and co-op fun.
- Braid – A seminal indie puzzle-platformer that rewound time and told a deeply personal story.
- Limbo – A minimalist black-and-white puzzle-platformer that creates a haunting and unforgettable atmosphere.
- Inside.
- Tetris Effect: Connected.
- Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 – A brilliant and addictive puzzle game that combines two classic franchises into one perfect package.
- Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker – A delightful puzzle-platformer where you navigate diorama-like levels to find hidden treasures.
- Super Mario Maker 2 – A powerful tool that lets you create and share your own Mario levels, offering endless creativity.
Multiplayer, Party & Sports
- Super Smash Bros. [14]
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
- Super Mario Party – A return to form for the Mario Party series, with engaging boards and a huge collection of mini-games.
- Nintendo Switch Sports – A modern successor to Wii Sports, offering fun and accessible motion-controlled sports games.
- ARMS – A unique and stylish motion-controlled fighting game that showed off the Switch’s capabilities at launch.
- Overcooked! All You Can Eat – The definitive co-op cooking chaos simulator, perfect for testing friendships.
- Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle – A surprisingly brilliant and charming tactical RPG that combines the Mario and Rabbids universes.
- Diablo III: Eternal Collection – A superb port of the iconic action-RPG, perfect for grinding demons on the go.
- Minecraft – The infinite sandbox game, allowing for limitless creativity and adventure wherever you are.
- Rocket League – The high-octane sensation of soccer with cars, perfectly suited for quick, competitive matches on Switch.
- Fortnite – The global battle royale phenomenon, available anytime, anywhere on the Switch.
- Apex Legends – A fast-paced and strategic hero-based battle royale that runs impressively on the hardware.
- NBA 2K series – The premier basketball simulation, offering a deep and realistic sports experience.
- FIFA series – The world’s most popular soccer game, bringing the sport to life on Nintendo’s console.
- Just Dance series – A fun and energetic party game that uses motion controls to get you dancing to the latest hits.
Spotlight on Iconic Franchises
The Switch’s success is built on the bedrock of Nintendo’s legendary franchises, each receiving a definitive entry on the platform. [16][15]
- Super Mario: From the sandbox freedom of Odyssey to the 2D reinvention of Wonder, Mario has never been more creative or joyful.
- The Legend of Zelda: The series was reborn on Switch, with Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom setting a new gold standard for open-world adventure.
- Pokémon: The franchise embraced full 3D open worlds with Scarlet & Violet and experimented with new formulas in Legends: Arceus, continuing its global dominance.
- Metroid: After a long hiatus, Samus returned in triumphant fashion with the tense, fast-paced Metroid Dread and the gorgeous Metroid Prime Remastered. [17]
The Legacy of Ports and Remasters
A key part of the Switch’s identity is its role as a “museum of masterpieces.” It became the definitive console to play modern classics like The Witcher 3, Skyrim, and Dark Souls on the go. Furthermore, Nintendo lovingly remastered its own gems, such as Metroid Prime, bringing timeless experiences to a new and appreciative audience. [18]
As the sun begins to set on the original Switch’s era, its library stands as a monumental achievement in gaming history. It’s a collection that offers something for everyone, from epic, system-defining adventures to small, perfectly formed indie experiences. These 100 games represent the very best of what made the Switch so special: innovation, joy, and the magic of playing anywhere, anytime.
