The 10 Must Play Nintendo Switch Games
10 best games that everyone should buy for their Switch!
The Nintendo Switch is officially a smash hit. Sales numbers have been through the roof, and Nintendo continues to support its flagship console with big game after big game.
If you don’t have a Switch yet, now’s the time to fix that. I’m writing this article to point you in the right direction for your future gaming purchases: If you could only own 10 Switch games, what would be worthwhile pick-ups? Here are the 10 must play Nintendo Switch games (in no particular order).
Super Mario Odyssey
It’s doesn’t get much more Nintendo than this. Super Mario Odyssey has once again crafted a Mario platformer for the ages.
It’s stuffed to the brim with new gaming ideas: Cappy the Hat is a ground-breaking achievement in game design that once again proves that the big N is one of the best in the business. Between the inventive levels and all the Moons to collect, Super Mario Odyssey will keep you very busy indeed.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Open world game design went stale a long time ago. Ubisoft and other publishers continue to mandate the same icon-littered maps time and time again. Then along came The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
I think everyone was a little shocked when this franchise dropped a lot of the standard Zelda trappings. But from the ashes of that loss came one of the greatest games of the last decade. It’s an epic adventure worthy of the Switch, complete with ground-breaking innovation and addicting combat systems. Whatever form the Zelda series picks up next, it has large Link-sized boots to fill.
Pokemon Sword and Shield
Pokemon Sword and Shield was my favorite game of 2019. It helps that I’m a huge Pokemon nerd (not sorry) but it also helps that Game Freak brought their A-game here.
Though the lead up was filled with controversy, the adventure we got was everything we could have needed from a Pokemon title. Some of the best new Pokemon we’ve seen in generations, the Wild Area feature, and Gigantamax Pokemon boosted this typical Pokemon tale above it’s standard trappings. If you love Pocket Monsters, Sword and Shield are the games for you.
Stardew Valley
Time for the first non-first party game of this list: Stardew Valley! A farming/life simulator made only by one man (!), Stardew Valley is a powerful tribute to the Harvest Moon series.
If you want a game to chill out with, this should 100% be your pick. Just be careful: the central game play is an addicting loop of farming, socializing and slice-of-life beauty. So gather up seeds and pick up your watering can… Stardew Valley is waiting for you!
Dragon Quest 11: Echoes of an Elusive Age
Ah yes… JRPGs. Few of them are as classic as Dragon Quest. Now that Dragon Quest 11: Echoes of an Elusive Age has arrived on the Switch, we can play it as it deserves to be played. Handheld!
It’s hard not to enjoy Dragon Quest 11. Dialogue heavy, turn-based magic that feels classic but modern all at once. Although this is a port, the Switch version adds the ability to play the game in 16-bit art. That’s a win, and a very real reason you should pick this game up.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Ah… Fire Emblem. One of my all time favorite franchises, out now on Switch! Three Houses is Fire Emblem at its best. It takes everything you could want from this series and a strategy RPG and fits it into one attractive package.
It’s Game of Thrones turned anime: this cast of characters is one of the best ensembles around. Couple that with 3 different stories (depending on which house you choose to teach) and some truly tough battles, Fire Emblem: Three Houses is the Switch’s premier strategy title.
Wargroove
Speaking of strategy games… Do you remember Advance Wars? Developer Chucklefish does. Wargroove is the developer’s attempt to create an accessible strategy game that pays tribute to the classics of yesteryear.
And MAN do they succeed. This game is equal parts charming and challenging. There are 15 different commanders that you can pick (each with their own path and back-story). You’ll lead them through colorful pixel battles that will make your inner strategist very happy.
Dead Cells
If you want a little more action in your life, you can’t go wrong with Dead Cells. This is another port, but don’t let that scare you away.
You play as an unnamed/undead hero tasked with fighting your way out of a dangerous dungeon. Each time you die, you lose most of your progress. But each loop allows you to carry forward certain items and currencies, making each run through a worthwhile adventure. This is some of the most satisfying combat that you can find on the Switch. Dead Cells is one of the most addicting rogue-likes on the market.
Slay the Spire
Card game alert! I’m a sucker for these kind of games. I’ve been playing Magic: The Gathering for years now. Gwent is one of my favorite parts of The Witcher 3.
But we’re talking Slay the Spire. This game melds card collection/battling with a rogue-like system. You start off a run with a weak deck and build up your powers and new cards as you go along. Careful deck building will get you far. But don’t fret if you lose! Much like Dead Cells, your progress carries through in small ways from run to run. Slay the Spire is a perfect game to play on the Switch. Handheld card games don’t get much better than this.
Super Mario Maker 2
This list started with Mario, so I figured we may as well end with the jovial plumber. Super Mario Maker 2 is a game creation tool for the ages. Using the system carried through from the first game, you can create brand-new Mario levels from a bevy of tools and styles.
If you’re intimidated at first, don’t worry. Super Mario Maker 2 comes with a story mode of sorts. This mode teaches you all the basics to make your ultimate level. The real longevity of SMM2 is that you can play an endless amount of user created content: this is all the Mario you’ll ever need.
That’s 10 Must Play Nintendo Switch games! This is by no means a complete list. The Switch has an out-standing library that I love. I’ll likely write more about it in the future.
