Top titles to play on Nintendo’s hybrid console

Breath of the Wild has long been regarded as the very best game to play on the Nintendo Switch, but that could be about to change. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, builds upon its outrageously good predecessor with new game mechanics, an ambitious story and a new-look Hyrule to ensure there are new locations to explore. 

The best upgrade of them all is Link’s new ability to build new constructions. Link can build virtually anything from a makeshift hot air balloon to a Max Max-style monster truck. This new feature also enables you to upgrade weapons, whether that’s fixing an icicle to a sword or using a boulder as a hammer. 

Tears of the Kingdom has some outstanding puzzles too, which require you to think outside the box in order to complete. It does admittedly use the same blueprint as Breath of the Wild, with hundreds of shrines dotted across the kingdom, but they make use of all of the new gameplay mechanics to prevent the sequel from ever feeling stale. 

If you enjoyed Breath of the Wild, then you’re guaranteed to love this sequel. We really do believe this is the absolute best Nintendo Switch game you can buy right now, so make sure it’s right at the top of your wish list. 

Reviewer: Ryan Jones
Full Review: The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Review

Even though it boasts the same art style as 2019’s Link’s Awakening remake, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is very much its own game with an entirely new gameplay mechanic for the series which puts a greater emphasis on puzzle solving than combat.

For the first time ever it’s Princess Zelda who needs to step up to the plate as our main protagonist after Link gets swallowed up by a rift that threatens to replace the Kingdom of Hyrule with the Still World, where inhabitants are frozen into stone. It’s a great twist on the tried and tested formula, particularly as Zelda has been long overdue a game of her own. Of course, because she isn’t a swordfighter, Zelda has to approach the game’s challenges in a different way.

Assisted by Tri (a helpful entity from the Still World), Zelda is able to create ‘echoes’ of objects and subjects that she encounters. For instance, she can summon a bed or a box to overcome an obstacle, or send a Moblin into battle on her behalf to take care of any nearby enemies.

From a puzzle solving perspective, the echoes system encourages players to experiment as there’s often more than one way of achieving your goal, leaving it up to the player to sift through the echoes in their collection to see what works best for them.

Even combat takes on an element of puzzle solving. Sure, you do need to move Zelda around in real time to avoid taking damage but it’s up to you to figure out which echoes have the upper hand against certain enemies and then deploy them at the right time to make sure they land a hit.

It’s a great game that’s only held back by a few minor technical issues. While not as egregious as the slowdown visible in Link’s Awakening, Echoes of Wisdom’s frame rate does take a hit at certain points, particularly during the game’s intro which otherwise undermines the excellent production values that can be found elsewhere.

Reviewer: Thomas Deehan
Full Review: The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Review

Metroid Dread is one of the best Nintendo Switch games we’ve tested, with faultless combat mechanics and stunning 3D cutscenes. We noted in our review how bright and bold the colours looked, especially on a Switch OLED, with Samus’ suit almost popping out of our display.

We do concede that this game may not be for everyone; we found that the harder difficulty may make this a little inaccessible for younger players, though we loved how challenging this game was. Relentless pursuers in the stealth sections really upped the scare factor for us, and made the title feel really satisfying to complete. 

Unlike other Metroidvania games, we loved how Dread always felt like a non-linear game but proved difficult to get completely lost, despite having so many vast areas to explore. We also liked how many skills and upgrades you can unlock, including the Phantom Cloak that enables you to turn invisible and avoid detection. 

There are plenty of other Metroidvania-style games to consider if Dread seems like too much of a challenge, including Ori and the Will of the Wisps, while indie gems such as Hollow Knight retains the high difficulty but swaps sci-fi guns for melee weapons. But if you want a game in the same vein as Super Metroid, then Metroid Dread is our top recommendation.

Reviewer: Ryan Jones
Full Review: Metroid Dread Review

Moving from one of the hardest games on our list to one of the most relaxing, Animal Crossing: New Horizons was the best game our reviewer played in 2020 and is still one of our favourite titles two years on.

After being dropped off on an island, you’re given the freedom to explore and build up your own community, slowly upgrading a tent into a huge house. From the moment we made it onto Tom Nook’s island we were enamoured with wonderfully inclusive avatar creation and vastly expanded options for hairstyles and skin tones.

During the review, we noted that there are plenty of things you can do each day, with the game actively encouraging you to poke and prod at everything you see. This added to our overall sense of wonder as you explore more of your island. 

Stardew Valley is another amazing option if you’re looking for a little more structure in your fantastical-fake town. But while Stardew Valley is a little more complex, New Horizons is perfect for players of all ages and we guarantee that even after days of gameplay you will be coming back for more.

Reviewer: Jade King
Full Review: Animal Crossing New Horizons Review

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe may be a remastered edition of the Wii U entry, but we found the Switch’s bonus of portability really took this game up a gear, allowing you to get some laps in on your daily commute before committing to a Grand Prix on the big screen back home.

Our reviewer’s favourite aspect of this game is Battle Mode, making a welcome return to the series and featuring five modes. Each one is incredibly fun to play and brings in eight well-designed battle courses. The new courses keep the game feeling fresh and the extra modes make the game feel a lot more full, giving players even more to conquer. 

With many games on this list coming in as single-player experiences, this is one of the best multiplayer titles available in general, never mind just for the Switch. Our review found local multiplayer (which is supported with up to eight consoles) to be extremely worthwhile, as you can race against friends or take on players from around the globe. 

While there are plenty of other cart racers on the Nintendo Switch, including the likes of Team Sonic Racing and Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled, nothing comes close to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe given its wealth of characters, race courses and items.

Reviewer: Brett Phipps
Full Review: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

The Mario franchise is a cornerstone of the 2D gaming landscape and Nintendo’s latest entry, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, has built on everything that’s come before to provide a revamped experience that is a must-have for Mario enthusiasts. 

Nintendo has added three brand-new power-ups to the mix; the Elephant Fruit, Bubble Flower and Drill Mushroom. The Elephant Fruit (as you might expect) transforms your character into an elephant, letting players blast through obstacles, water flowers using the trunk and throw enemies up into the air. The Bubble Flower allows you to create helpful bubbles that can capture enemies or be used as platforms while the Drill Mushroom grants the ability to dig into the ground and appear in areas that would otherwise be off-limits. 

There are 12 characters in total to choose from and they can be mixed and matched as you make your way through the overworld. Mario, Luigi, Peach and Daisy are all present alongside Toad, Yoshi and the elusive Nabbit. The last two characters are not affected by power-ups but also don’t take damage, making them ideal choices for younger players who are still learning the ropes of the Mushroom Kingdom. 

One of the biggest changes to Wonder is the introduction of the Wonder Flower and Wonder Seeds. The latter is needed to progress onto new levels and eventually, new worlds. The former can be found in various stages and bring about changes to the level itself; in Scram, Skedaddlers!, picking up the Wonder Flower turned the level into a beautifully star-lit night, with Star Men raining down from the sky. We felt that Wonder Flowers were a lot more compelling than the Star Coins of old as they brought about more changes to the level and were more exciting to find. 

Super Mario Bros. Wonder doesn’t have the same learning curve as some other Nintendo titles, so it may not be the best pick for anyone after a real challenge. However, if you’re looking for a brand-new experience within the Mario world then this game is definitely worth adding to your library, regardless of whether you’re a Mario veteran or just stepping into the franchise for the first time. 

Reviewer: Gemma Ryles
Full Review: Super Mario Bros. Wonder

If you’re looking for a unique game that combines adorable graphics with great strategic elements then Pikmin 4 is a very easy recommendation. It reinforces its predecessor’s strengths by adding in new Pikmin types, new gameplay styles and Oatchi, the sweet Rescue Pup that joins the player on their journey. 

The story of Pikmin 4 is slightly convoluted but easy to follow, with no prior knowledge of the franchise needed. Players are mainly tasked with gathering as many Pikmin types as possible, collecting treasure and rescuing stray members of your crew who have gotten lost on this strange, new planet. 

Pikmin 4 introduced two new types of Pikmin to the franchise; Ice and Glow Pikmin. Ice Pikmin can freeze bodies of water and can even freeze certain enemies, making them vital allies in a fight. Glow Pikmin primarily appear in the Night-time Expedition sections; they can fly, go underwater and once charged up they can transform into a large, glowing green ball that descends upon enemies to inflict massive amounts of damage. The inclusion of these new Pikmin will add a lot more variety for veterans of the series and give new players even more types of Pikmin to discover and play with. 

The animation in Pikmin 4 can only be described as enchanting; every area is dripping with personality and buckets of colour, making every experience really pleasing to the eye. The relatively simple gameplay and general aesthetic make this game ideal for younger players, although older players will still find some challenges in the later sections of the game.

Pikmin 4 is unlike almost every other game on this list and is a very easy title to play for hours on end. Whether you’re familiar with the franchise or not, Pikmin 4 offers up enough variety for it to be a must-have in your Switch library. 

Reviewer: Gemma Ryles
Full Review: Pikmin 4 Review

Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe is a fantastic game, even if it won’t appeal to all audiences due to its family-friendly focus. One of the biggest advantages of this game is that you can play with up to three friends via local play, with iconic characters like Meta Knight, King Dedede and Waddle Dee being playable characters. Jump through the campaign with a friend or play alone as you help to rebuild Magolar’s Lor Starcutter ship.

The campaign is made up of five levels, which are all beautifully designed. Our reviewer noted how vibrant and detailed this game was, with cute monsters and cutscenes waiting around every corner.

Kirby is also kitted out with a fantastic range of copy abilities that transform the pink puffball into something new. Pick up the Sword copy to slash your way through the stage like Link, or the Fire copy to burn down sections of the stage. There are 25 regular copy abilities and five super copy abilities throughout the game, which gave us a great incentive to replay old levels and see what secrets we could uncover with every new ability. 

The main downfall of Return to Dream Land Deluxe is that it does not offer any intricate platforming or challenging bosses, meaning that hardcore gamers may not find as much satisfaction here as in some other Switch titles, like Super Mario Odyssey or Bayonetta 3. However, we would still encourage anyone to pick up this title, as not only does it offer up gorgeous aesthetics, but it is also the perfect game to play with family and friends and could introduce younger gamers to everyone’s favourite pink puffball.

Reviewer: Gemma Ryles
Full Review: Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe

Pokémon Legends: Arceus is the refresher that the franchise needed, with brand new gameplay mechanics that make capturing monsters more fun than ever before.

There are over 25 hours of the main campaign to get through, with dozens of sidequests after that, which means this is a great choice for anyone looking for their next big project. While this isn’t the most challenging game, it’s still incredibly charming and is a perfect Pokémon game to get into, whether you’ve played it before or not. 

We loved the satisfying gameplay loop that Arceus sets up, where you go to a new area, capture some monsters and then complete the main task. While less open-word than Breath of the Wild, there are still plenty of opportunities to wander around and explore all the nooks and crannies that Pokémon could be hiding in. 

We think that Arceus is one of the most innovative Pokémon titles to date, as it puts a whole new take on an old story and offers up brand new mechanics that will shock the most veteran players. But if you’re craving a more classic Pokemon game, then check out the likes of Pokemon Sword and Shield or Pokemon Brilliant Diamond / Dazzling Pearl instead.

Reviewer: Gemma Ryles
Full Review: Pokémon Legends: Arceus

Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is our absolute favourite Lego game, once again focusing on collectables while revisiting all of the most memorable moments in Star Wars history.

Compared to previous Lego games, we found the combat to be a lot more engaging and requires more than simply mashing buttons to take down the enemy. Our reviewer mentioned that it’s still very much accessible for younger players, but there are more options on how you can get through a level. 

We loved rummaging around the barren wastelands of Tatooine and the wealthy streets of Canto Bight, which are filled to the brim with secrets, collectables and Easter eggs. We wouldn’t class these as open-world locations, although the levels did remind us of Super Mario Odyssey, as you’re free to explore at your own pace.

The co-op aspect of this game is also wonderfully implemented, and we loved seeing characters that weren’t much use in previous titles get their time to shine. While Lego games may not appeal to everyone, any Star Wars fan will love the massive amounts of content here. And if you’re looking for additional Lego games on Nintendo Switch, check out Lego City: Undercover and Lego Marvel Super Heroes.

Reviewer: Thomas Deehan
Full Review: Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga Review

Splatoon 3 is the best Nintendo Switch game for multiplayer shootouts right now, featuring a wide range of weapons from ink-spitting paintball pistols to rollers that can squash enemies like a bug. For this new entry, Nintendo is even introducing katanas and bows to the mix for even more variety.

Aside from the classic Turf War battles, other fantastic multiplayer modes include the co-op venture Salmon Run, as well as Splat Zones, Tower Control, Rainmaker and Clam Blitz which are creative spins on other multiplayer shooters. Winning matches will see you unlock more advanced weapons, as well as additional accessories for beefing up your stats.

Nintendo has added a completely new single-player campaign, acting as bitesize tutorials and challenges for various ink-based mechanics. It doesn’t take long to complete, although there are lots and lots of optional missions you can jump in to test your skills.

The only major criticism we have about Splatoon 3 is that it’s very similar to its predecessor, besides the new story mode. But if you’re happy for more Splatoon action, or you’re a newbie to the series, then we can’t recommend this threequel enough.

Reviewer: Ryan Jones
Full Review: Splatoon 3 Review

If you’re looking for a massive action RPG to play on the Nintendo Switch, then Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is our top recommendation. This high fantasy world is breathtaking, with various environments and wonderfully detailed monsters that roam the planet.

The story follows six characters trapped in a perpetual war, featuring classic Japanese tropes such as talkative monsters and giant mecha combat suits. But despite the high fantasy backdrop and action-packed cutscenes, Xenoblade still provides an emotional story that’s both captivating and relatable.

Monolith Soft has been incredibly ambitious with the gameplay too, scaling up to 7-character parties for combat, and allowing you to swap between character classes at any point in the game. During the review, we did find the combat to become repetitive without a deeper progression system, but it still kept us entertained throughout the 50-hour adventure.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 may not be for everyone, as its lengthy campaign may well put some people off, but it’s still a fantastic entry for the Nintendo Switch library. It will be a surprise if many upcoming games for the system will have a better story.

Reviewer: Ryan Jones
Full Review: Xenoblade Chronicles 3 review

Most RPGs can be quite complex, and so usually aren’t the best options for young children. But Super Mario RPG, a gorgeous remake of the SNES classic, is a wonderful entry point to the genre. The combat is simple enough to get to grips with, placing more emphasis on button-bashing timing than elaborate thinking.

This remake has gorgeous new 3D animations that bring the characters to life. In fact, it’s arguably one of the best-looking games on the Switch yet, especially the bombastic cutscenes that sees the likes of Mario, Bowser and Peach duking it out with the various villains.

In typical Nintendo fashion, the story is simple yet still very much enjoyable. There are a lot of rib-tickling jokes, with Mario’s exaggerated reactions delivering top-notch slapstick comedy. It sticks faithfully to the original game too, so will be a welcome nostalgic treat to those who played the original back in the 90s.

So if you’re looking for a more approachable RPG than the likes of Xenoblade Chronicles 3 and Fire Emblem Engage, there’s no better Switch game to buy than Super Mario RPG.

Reviewer: Ryan Jones
Full Review: Super Mario RPG review

Potentially one of the best Nintendo Switch games on this list to be enjoyed by children, Kirby and the Forgotten Land is brimming with charm. While some of the levels may be a little too easy for some – and for those people, we will point back to Breath of the Wild – we still loved the goofy animations and endearing mechanics. 

The linear level design is similar to Super Mario 3D Land, but with oodles of unique features to keep this game feeling unique. We rode rollercoasters and fled from boulders, meeting an abundance of adorable enemies along the way. The platforming here is not tight or intricate, as Kirby can happily inflate himself and float away if you mistime a jump, but we still loved gobbling up enemies and stealing their abilities.

In a similar vein to The Skywalker Saga, there is a huge emphasis on seeking out collectables here. This gave the game more depth and meant we could keep exploring every level to find all the kidnapped Waddle Dee characters that needed to be saved. 

We think this is a perfect entry point for younger gamers who just want to experience a colourful adventure. Other easy 3D platformer games include SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated and Spyro Reignited Trilogy.

Reviewer: Ryan Jones
Full Review: Kirby and the Forgotten Land review

Fire Emblem Engage is the latest entry in the turn-based RPG series, which sees you navigate a small army across a grid-based map like an elaborate game of chess.

Engage doubles down on combat, building upon the already excellent foundations with the new Emblem Ring mechanic. This gives gamers an extra element to consider, requiring cunning strategy to defeat your foes. A Permadeath mode is available, which sees characters removed from your roster permanently after death. Although Engage provides various difficulty settings if you want a more forgiving experience.

With such a great focus on combat, the simple story does suffer somewhat, with little time to focus on the large cast of characters. But if story and character development is something you appreciate, it’s worth checking out the preceding Fire Emblem Three Houses instead, which offers it in spades.

And if you like the idea of a turn-based RPG, but find yourself a little intimidated by the number-heavy mechanics, then we recommend playing Mario and Rabbids Sparks of Hope instead.

Reviewer: Ryan Jones
Full Review: Fire Emblem Engage Review

Bayonetta 3 is an outlandish game that’s not fit for all audiences. However, if you’re looking for a completely new and outlandish experience, this is definitely a game to consider.

Our reviewer noted how all-out this game is, with a barrage of enemies around every corner and plenty of side missions to keep you busy. You play as multiple characters but most notably is the titular Bayonetta, who now has more powers than ever before.

Take on enemies using iconic weapons like Colour My World, or take on a boss battle with Demon Slaves. Demon Slaves come in various forms – like humanoid butterflies and giant toothy cats – and make the gameplay feel even more diverse, giving players a multitude of options when it comes to every battle.

While we did note that the breakneck speed does make the story a little hard to follow, it doesn’t have a negative effect on the gameplay, and we feel that any hack-and-slash fans could enjoy this title, regardless of if they’re familiar with the series. With so many foes to battle and such an immersive art style, we would recommend this game to anyone who’s looking for something a little different to what Nintendo usually has to offer.

Reviewer: Gemma Ryles
Full Review: Bayonetta 3

Metroid Prime made some serious waves when it first launched on the Gamecube – taking the series from its side-scrolling roots and bringing it into the modern era with a new genre to boot. Metroid Prime doesn’t play like a lot of modern first-person shooters which is exactly why it feels like a breath of fresh air to dive into, making it a worthy addition to your Switch library.

Everything that made Metroid Prime great, including its atmosphere, art style and core gunplay, have been elevated in Metroid Prime Remastered. For starters, the game has never looked better. With the updated textures applied to Samus and the alien occupants of Talon IV, the game does a much better job at achieving the vision set out by the original title.

The Gamecube’s dated controls have also been given a refresh as you now have the option to swap over to motion controls (inspired by the Metroid Prime Trilogy on the Nintendo Wii) or dual-stick controls, which more closely mirror that of a modern FPS.

What holds Metroid Prime back is its reliance on backtracking as a means of padding out the game which unfortunately, only serves to disrupt the pacing and turn progression into something of a chore at times.

The game also doesn’t do a particularly good job of telling you where to go next. A marker will be placed on your map if you dawdle for too long, but the game seems to assume that you have a near photographic memory of its many maps, which also happen to be somewhat confusing to look at.

While parts of the game haven’t aged all too well, the sum of Metroid Prime’s parts are still worth revisiting, so if you fancy diving into a unique FPS or simply want to try a different take on the series after Metroid Dread, then Metroid Prime Remastered is well worth checking out.

Reviewer: Thomas Deehan
Full review: Metroid Prime Remastered

It’s very rare that Nintendo ever acknowledges some of its more cult classic titles, but that’s exactly what has happened with the Nintendo Switch remake of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. Instead of opting to give the original Paper Mario a new coat of paint, Nintendo’s given its fan-favourite sequel a refresh from the ground up, making it an excellent buy for fans and newcomers alike.

It’s also worth pointing out that this is the first time the game has been made available in any official capacity since its original GameCube launch back in 2004, so if you weren’t able to play that initial version then now’s your chance to see what all the fuss is about.

While far from boasting the most complex story on the Switch (it’s another Mario title where the plumber seeks to rescue Princess Peach), The Thousand-Year Door comes to life in its dialogue and side-characters. Not only does the game get surprisingly deep in its characterisation of Mario’s allies, but its sense of humour has aged like fine wine.

The turn-based battle system also remains tons of fun to play, 20 years later. Sure, it’s not the most in-depth of its kind, so those who are after a challenge would be better suited with one of the many Fire Emblem games on Nintendo Switch, but Paper Mario’s battles have been designed so that they are accessible to kids and adults alike.

There is an amount of skill involved however, as precisely timed strikes can increase the damage that you dish out to enemies, and there are certain attacks that work best depending on the situation at hand, so you’ll never find yourself simply going through the motions.

The only thing that does hold the game back is that, as far as remakes go, it is a bit lacking. Instead of looking for areas to add new content or modes, Nintendo has instead opted for a very faithful recreation of the original Thousand-Year Door, leaving almost all of it intact but with a few quality of life changes and of course, greatly improved graphics. Even so, it’s still an essential buy for any Nintendo Switch owner.

Reviewer: Ryan Jones
Full review: Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door