As well as a stellar first-party lineup, the Nintendo Switch now offers an incredibly solid library of third party ports and big name titles to keep you playing at home and on the go.
Nintendo always brings amazing experience out of its own studios, and the Switch has already seen some of the best games of all time in its first year. Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Mario Kart 8: Deluxe, Splatoon 2, ARMS, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, Fire Emblem Warriors, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and the astounding Super Mario Odyssey have all wowed us.
But then there’s what other developers are bringing to the table, and there’s simply so much to choose from. From the smaller indie titles like Super Meat Boy, Human Fall Flat and Overcooked to the big budget ports like FIFA 18, Skyrim and Minecraft.
We’ve compiled the very best titles to be found on Nintendo Switch so you can decide which ones are best for you!
Related: Best Switch Deals
Xenoblade Chronicles 2
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Developer: Monolith Soft
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is a positively staggering JRPG offering hundreds upon hundreds of hours of content for players ready and willing to dig into its sprawling story and uncompromising systems. Its addictive combat system is complimented by an excellent ensemble cast you’ll come to root for as they aim to save the world of Alrest.
Buy Xenoblade Chronicles 2 from Amazon UK | Amazon.com
At times it’s hard to believe something like this is running on Nintendo’s portable console as you climb vast mountains and trawl through dark industrial cities. It’s one of Monolith Soft’s finest efforts yet, and feels right at home on Switch.
Related: Upcoming Nintendo Switch Games
DOOM
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Developer: id Software
When DOOM was first announced for Nintendo Switch we were genuinely blown away. We never imagined such a bloody, demanding shooter would makes its way onto Nintendo’s console. But here it is, and despite some visual compromises, it’s a great experience.
Buy DOOM from Amazon UK | Amazon.com
The satisfying gunplay, ferocious monsters and fantastic setting remain, and it plays great on Nintendo Switch both docked and in portable mode. Keep in mind that the multiplayer mode is a separate download, unlike other platformers.
Related: Pokemon Nintendo Switch latest news
Super Mario Odyssey
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Developer: Nintendo
Super Mario Odyssey is near-perfect. It carried ginormous expectations, but somehow Nintendo has managed to leapfrog over the bar by a huge distance. Offering the most satisfying gameplay experience of any Mario game to date.
Buy Super Mario Odyssey from Amazon UK | Amazon.com
Some will debate whether or not it matches Galaxy, but for me it does, thanks to its brilliant reinvention of the sandbox formula and incredible use of so many different tools.
You’ll become obsessed with collecting outfits and Power Moons, and fall in love with every kingdom you visit. Nintendo has had a wonderful 2017 and is rounding it off in style with the best Mario.
Related: Metroid Prime 4 latest news
Stardew Valley
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Developer: ConcernedApe
ConcernedApe’s fantastic farming adventure has finally made its way to Nintendo Switch, and the wait has definitely been worth it.
Upon growing fed up of modern life you are given the opportunity to move into Pelican Town, an idyllic community where you’re free to create your own farm and live peacefully.
Through Stardew Valley you’ll grow crops, tend to animals and even blossom a romance with your favourite sweetheart. It sounds uneventful, but it’s one of the most engrossing games we’ve played in years.
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle
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Developer: Ubisoft
Nobody imagined Mario and Rayman’s Raving Rabbids would make such a wonderful match. We especially didn’t expect the pairing to translate into a deep, compelling and unbelievably charming strategy title.
Buy Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle from Amazon UK
Games Editor Brett Phipps had lots of fun with the Switch exclusive, as you can see from his 8/10 review:
“Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle is yet another great Nintendo Switch exclusive, and one of the most original Mario titles we’ve seen in a long time. It may not do much outside of the core combat, but even that is enough to keep you entertained for its duration.”
Related: Nintendo Labo latest news
Developer: Ubisoft
Rayman Legends is a masterful platformer that excels in almost every way. It’s stunningly crafted levels, adorable visuals and excellent music all leave a deep, lasting impression.
Buy Rayman Legends: Definitive Edition from Amazon UK
Those who’ve yet to experience it also have the best version yet to look forward to on Nintendo Switch with great visuals, additional levels and the added bonus of playing it anywhere you like.
Developer: Nintendo
Breath of the Wild is a masterpiece of modern game design. It’s beautiful open world is absolutely packed with unique mysteries to discover, all of which feel brilliantly rewarding in their own way.
Despite overhauling many of the series’ core ideas, it’s quintessentially Zelda, updated for the modern age with what feels like an imaginative stroke of genius.
You’ll also stumble upon a number of firsts for the franchise such as voice acting, shrines and an expansive open world that never, ever holds your hand.
Buy The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild from Amazon UK
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
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Developer: Nintendo
Nintendo has delivered the definitive Mario Kart experience to Nintendo Switch. Combining the greatest Mario Kart ever in the form of MK8 with the versatility and dynamism of the Switch is a match made in heaven.
With plenty of new customisation options to help newer players get to grips, as well as added depth via new levels of drift boosting, 200cc trial modes and the all-new Battle Mode, this is an absolute must-buy for Nintendo Switch owners.
ARMS
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Developer: Nintendo
ARMS is another example of Nintendo creating something entirely new and it working a treat.
A boxing game like you’ve never played before, ARMS lets players take on friends on the couch or online and take full advantage of the Joy-Con’s motion controls. Throwing punches with twists and turns to bend your character’s spaghetti-esque mitts, there’s a surprising level of strategy involved in what at first looks like a simple bash-em-up.
Once you get hooked on ARMS, it’s hard to stop playing, as there’s always a new challenger on the horizon.
Buy ARMS now from Amazon UK | Amazon.com
Developer: Bethesda
One of the biggest games of all time – and one that has come to every console under the sun since its initial 2011 launch – now comes to the Switch as a Special Edition.
Sporting special Nintendo-inspired skins, motion controls and of course the ability to play the game as a portable, this is an incredible proposition.
Buy Skyrim on Switch from Amazon UK | Amazon.com
It may not offer the high-res graphics of its PS4 and Xbox One counterparts, but this is the first Skyrim you can play on the loo… we think.
Snipperclips
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Developer: SFB Games
If you’re looking for a fun, accessible and downright hilarious multiplayer experience on Nintendo Switch, look no further than Snipperclips. With a Joy-Con in hand, you and up to four friends can work together or duke it out in a series of addictively creative puzzles.
All of these are designed wonderfully around the Switch’s portable screen, making it perfect for popping out in the cafe or on a commute. The charming shapes you control only add to the fun, pulling off a series of ridiculous facial expressions as they contort across the screen.
Super Meat Boy
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Developer: Team Meat
Super Meat Boy has been a sensation ever since it launched way back in 2010. Requiring unparalleled reflexes, superlative precision and the patience of a saint to overcome its incredible challenge, this is high-level 2D platforming at its finest.
Also, when you fail, you get to see a lump of meat splatter into lots of tiny little chunks, which is the only satisfying thing about losing a level at the very end.
Disgaea 5 Complete
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Developer: Nippon Icchi Software
Disgaea 5 gives Switch players a healthy dose of strategy RPG goodness at home and on the go. It helps that it’s a very good one that’ll keep you invested for hours on end.
Fans of JRPGs in particular have hundreds of potential hours of gameplay here to enjoy with so many endearing characters to meet and a beautiful aesthetic to boot.
Buy Disgaea 5 now from Amazon UK | Amazon.com
Snake Pass
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Developer: Sumo Digital
Sumo Digital has managed to somehow deliver a truly unique gaming experience in a year where we have more games to play than ever.
As Noodle the snake you must work through a series of levels collecting remnants to open the end portal, but how you collect these items is what makes the game so fun. Using the right trigger will see Noodle slither along, with the face buttons used to help him climb higher to reach ledges, but Noodle must be supported to climb otherwise he’ll fall.
It’s basically like a 3D adventure version of the classic Nokia Snake game.
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Shovel Knight
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Developer: Yacht Club Games
Yacht Club Games’ modern platforming classic has launched for countless platforms at this point, and feels right at home on Nintendo’s new console.
Taking clear inspiration from the likes of Super Metroid, Castlevania and Mega Man, Shovel Knight is packed with challenging levels to overcome that are perfect for home and portable play.
Its countless expansions are also worth a punt, presenting a varied twist on the core experience without sacrificing any of the creatively devious level design.
Related: Super Mario Odyssey
FIFA 18
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Whenever a big-budget title has been ported to a Nintendo platform, it’s often come at a huge cost meaning the Nintendo version has been far inferior. This is not true of FIFA 18.
It looks great, it plays superbly and thanks to the unique functionality of the Nintendo Switch, not only can it be enjoyed at home or on the go, but also has multiplayer built into the console with the Joy-con.
Buy FIFA 18 from Amazon UK | Amazon.com
Granted it isn’t a perfect port: you can’t enjoy its most popular mode, Ultimate Team, without an internet connection, and The Journey is absent. But if you want to enjoy a brilliant game of football on a Nintendo platform, this is the best example of it.
Puyo Puyo Tetris
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Developer: SEGA
Puyo Puyo Tetris combines the most iconic puzzler of all time with an adorable bubble block puzzle game to create something entirely new and unique. Including a bizarre story mode, players can choose to play rounds of Puyo Puyo, Tetris, or fusions of the two.
There’s loads of modes to enjoy and a ton of content to keep puzzle fans hooked, and the AI offers plenty of challenge to keep you coming back. The only downside is the added cost of buying it on the Switch compared to PS4, but if you want to play it at home and on the go, it’s still worth the investment.
Buy Puyo Puyo Tetris from Amazon UK | Amazon.com
Splatoon 2
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Developer: Splatoon 2
Splatoon 2 is a multiplayer shooter unlike any other, and it’s exactly the charming outing you’d expect from Nintendo. Instead of bullets, your weapons are filled with coloured ink used to splat your enemies and cover the environment in paint.
Matches are incredibly fast-paced and satisfying, offering a tense competition that always feels fun and refreshing. You’ve also got a meaty solo campaign to dig into alongside a bunch of neat customisation options for your personal squid kid.