The Nintendo Switch has racked up a huge number of great games since its launch four years ago. The Japanese video game company has finally started listening to the demands of Western fans for more third-party titles, and more importantly, fresh additions to everyone’s favorite Nintendo franchises such as The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario, Animal Crossing, and more.
But which exclusive Switch games are the best? To answer that question, we’ve compiled a list of the best Nintendo Switch exclusives that can only be found on the Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo Switch Lite.
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- Best free Nintendo Switch games
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Luigi’s Mansion 3
Who would have thought that on a system that is home to multiple Mario and Zelda games that second fiddle Luigi would still be able to shine? Luigi’s Mansion 3 builds on Dark Moon’s foundation with a similarly hilarious and over-the-top story, classic ghost-vacuuming gameplay, and the return of the bizarre professor Elvin Gadd. For his third outing, Luigi ventures into a hotel to rescue his friends — who have all been trapped in paintings — and climbs up themed spooky floors to capture ghosts along the way.
If you get tired of playing the game alone, you can check out the ScreamPark and ScareScraper modes, which add competitive and cooperative options, respectively. Luigi’s Mansion 3 is the perfect first “horror” game for kids and an adventure that every Switch player should own.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Looking for a small vacation while still at home? Look no further than Animal Crossing: New Horizons! You’re encouraged to create and design your own island from the ground up. You are in control of almost every aspect of the island. From placement of homes to how rivers flow, you’re able to decide where everything goes and how your island looks. Other players have managed to build magnificent islands, bringing together designs that are based in reality to some of the coolest island designs.
It’s also nice that the game gives you different visitors every day, which gives you the opportunity to do what you need at the pace you prefer. Although the game can feel a bit slow, it’s fun and relaxing to be able to slowly make your island the way you want. Plus with lots of seasonal updates, there’s always a reason to come back. Take a look at our guides for how to make money in Animal Crossing as well as how to catch fish and you’ll do great.
Read our full Animal Crossing: New Horizons review
Astral Chain
What do you get when you combine manga-inspired visuals, PlatinumGames’ fast and frantic gameplay, and the combat expertise of Nier: Automata’s lead game designer? You get Astral Chain, and we are very thankful for that. The Nintendo Switch exclusive is one part character-action game, one part investigation simulator, and one part open-world adventure, and centered on an interdimensional attack that threatens destroy all of humanity.
Astral Chain doesn’t feature a traditional combat system, as you’re joined in battle by a chained “Legion” who can do additional attacks while you also engage in direct battle. These Legions are also used to solve puzzles in the world and offer a nice twist on the PlatinumGames gameplay loop.
Super Mario Odyssey
Nintendo moved away from the open-ended 3D Mario platformers during the 3DS and Wii U’s lifecycles, preferring to focus on course-based levels instead. That changed with Super Mario Odyssey, a whimsical game that brought back all the wonder and discovery of Super Mario 64, but added in the character Cappy to completely change how you approach obstacles.
Cappy is capable of turning Mario into nearly any object or enemy he comes across; he can traverse giant lava pits, sneak through narrow openings, and even go 2D in order to run along a painting on a wall. The gorgeous, jazzy soundtrack makes every moment even more joyful, and the bizarre and creative environments are unlike anything we’ve seen in one of the best Mario games before.
Read our full Super Mario Odyssey review
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order
For the first time in 10 years, the Marvel Ultimate Alliance series returns, and it’s exclusively for the Switch. You’re able to assemble the ultimate team of Marvel Super Heroes from a huge cast including the Avengers, the Guardians of the Galaxy, the X-Men, and more. Heroes and villains work together to stop Thanos and the Black Order from finding the Infinity Stones and unleashing cosmic chaos. You’re also able to move the camera to an over-the-shoulder view, or a “Heroic Camera” view. This will immerse you further into the game and story. It’s definitely a must for anyone who loves the best superhero games.
Super Mario Maker 2
A sequel to one of the Wii U’s best games, Super Mario Maker 2 is an absolute joy on Nintendo Switch, whether you’re an eager level designer or just a 2D Mario enthusiast. On the design side of the coin, Nintendo has added some really cool features like custom clear conditions and slopes. The level design suite features an easy drag-and-drop system that works well with either a controller or touchscreen in handheld mode.
Nintendo also included a full-fledged campaign mode featuring 100-plus zany levels that really capture what Super Mario Maker 2 levels are all about. Even if you don’t want to make your own courses, Super Mario Maker 2 is brimming with excellent platforming content.
Read our full Super Mario Maker 2 review
Yoshi’s Crafted World
Perhaps the cutest game on Switch, Yoshi’s Crafted World is a cleverly crafted side-scroller set in a reworked version of Yoshi’s Island. Everything looks as if it was built out of cardboard and paper, giving Yoshi’s latest adventure a unique sense of charm.
Though it adheres to the same set of mechanics in most Yoshi side-scrollers, depth is added, allowing you to move into the backdrop of environments and toss eggs off into the distance, both behind and in front of you. Along with lengthy platforming levels, there are a variety of novel stages, such as one that puts you inside of a giant Yoshi mech. Better yet, Yoshi’s Crafted World can be enjoyed cooperatively on one console, making it an ideal experience for a parent and child.
Kirby Star Allies
One of the most kid-friendly franchises in Nintendo’s library, Kirby has floated through the air and copied enemies’ abilities for decades; and his first outing on the Switch understands what makes Kirby great. The basic 2D platforming structure remains largely unchanged in Kirby Star Allies along with Kirby’s ability to steal powers but now he can also recruit enemies as part of his squad.
Kirby can even combine powers to create even more powerful attacks during particularly challenging areas, and if you can’t handle the game alone, you can bring up to three friends along for the ride. It’s certainly one of the easier games on the Switch, but if you want to introduce your kids to the system, Kirby Star Allies is a great choice.
Read our full Kirby Star Allies review
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate isn’t drastically different than Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, with similar combat speed and mode offerings, but it’s in the sheer volume of content that Ultimate shines. Every character ever included in another Super Smash Bros. game, including long-lost heroes like Young Link and Mewtwo. It also has DLC for players to obtain newly added characters. Local multiplayer is easier than ever with the Switch’s handheld mode, and the game still supports classic GameCube controllers for veteran players.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate doesn’t just cater to Nintendo fans, however: It remains committed to the fighting game genre, with options to turn the more than 100 different stages into Battlefield and Omega variants. It deserves the Ultimate titles, and it’s hard to imagine the franchise getting any better seeing as it’s already one of the best multiplayer games on Switch.
Read our full Super Smash Bros. Ultimate review
Arms
If you ever need to show a prospective Switch player just what the system can do across its different modes, you can do a lot worse than Arms. The hybrid fighting game plays out like an over-the-top boxing match, as players use either the Joy-Con motion controls or traditional analog sticks to send punches soaring across the arena into their opponent’s face.
With a ton of different characters to choose from — and more being added since launch via free DLC — you can customize your fighter to fit your particular playstyle. After tackling the offline Grand Prix mode, it’s time to take things online, where you’ll face enemies capable of dodging nearly every attack as they line up a hook or jab of their own.
Read our full Arms review
Mario Tennis Aces
Mario’s last outing on the tennis court, Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash, was a bare-bones game that did little to help the struggling Wii U attract more players. Thankfully, the same can’t be said for Mario Tennis Aces.
The Switch exclusive not only gives us strategic and intense tennis matches that force you to use every trick at our disposal, but also a hilarious campaign mode that helps to teach you the basics before ever squaring off against another player. With a special Swing mode for newcomers not used to traditional controls, it’s the perfect game to pull out at parties, and it runs beautifully when in handheld mode.
Read our full Mario Tennis Aces review
Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
There are quite a few Legend of Zelda games, but none like Breath of the Wild. The graphics have stepped up their game, breathing new life into the franchise. The environments and backgrounds throughout the game are breathtaking, giving a realism to the Switch that few games get. The biggest difference between this game and others in the franchise is the open-world aspect.
The game is entirely open, allowing you to even skip the main story and explore the entire Hyrule kingdom. It’s addictive, and those who are accustomed to traditional Legend of Zelda games will have no trouble navigating the controls. Even three years after the games initial release, it’s still a popular Switch game. Additionally, Nintendo is working on a sequel, Breath of the Wild 2, making it a game Switch players should definitely pick up.
Read our The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild review
Super Mario Party
After a string of underwhelming entries in the Mario Party franchise, Super Mario Party brings the board game action back to its root. Like the original format, up to four players race across a board to collect stars and compete in minigames at the end of each turn. All of the 80 minigames are simplistic, but that’s the point. They don’t require much skill but are fun for the whole family.
There’s also a new Partner Party mode that lets you team up with a friend and enjoy the board game format cooperatively. It offers a nice spin on the formula and can potentially reduce the number of arguments you get in with friends and family. Unfortunately, Super Mario Party can only be played in console mode, but it’s an ideal choice for family game nights.
Read our Super Mario Party impressions
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Yes, Mario Kart 8 was released on the Wii U, but the sheer amount of content in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe makes it feel like an entirely new racing game. All courses and characters from the Wii U release are included, including all DLC characters previously offered as paid content.
New downloadable content featuring Link and his Breath of the Wild gear was also released for free and if you use the cardboard Nintendo Labo kits, you have entirely new ways to play. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the perfect choice for trips, as you can use the Switch’s built-in stand, hand your friend a Joy-Con, and start racing head-to-head where you are. While there are other racing games on the Switch, you’ll be hardpressed to find a better one.
Read our full Mario Kart 8 Deluxe review
Tetris 99
Tetris 99 is one of the most bizarre concepts for a video game we’ve ever heard of, and yet it’s also one of the most enthralling. The game is essentially the Tetris take on free-to-play battle royale, pitting 99 players against each other in online matches for a shot at being the last one standing. On a moment-to-moment basis, it’s classic Tetris puzzle-solving, with all the pieces you remember, but you are also “attacking” other players by sending extra lines to their boards.
The process is mostly automatic, but you get to decide if you want to attack random players or those on the verge of being knocked out. Other players can set their own attacks to go after the most aggressive players, which means you risk losing quickly if you fly too close to the sun.
Snipperclips: Cut it out, together!
An under-appreciated launch title for the Switch, Snipperclips: Cut it out, together! tasks two players with completing simple paper puzzles by literally cutting out segments of their own bodies with scissors. This might be to carry an object from one end of the screen to the other or reach a difficult button, but the experimentation and trial-and-error gameplay loop is a big part of its charm.
You’ll have just as much fun failing with a friend as you do succeeding, and up to four players can enjoy it at the same time in Party mode. Extra downloadable content has also been released for the game, and you can bundle it with the game in the Snipperclips Plus version.
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle
Nintendo fans everywhere were scratching their heads when Ubisoft unveiled Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, as it combined the Mushroom Kingdom’s classic levels and heroes with the largely annoying Rabbids characters. We scratched our heads more when we discovered it was essentially an XCOM clone, but against all odds, Kingdom Battle is great.
The strategy game delivers turn-based combat that’s as good as anything in the XCOM series, alongside a healthy dose of puzzle solving and plenty of goofy humor. The Rabbids are surprisingly not annoying here, either, as they play on the Mario series’ tropes in the best way possible.
Read our full Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle review
Fire Emblem: Three Houses
For years, Fire Emblem games were one of the most underappreciated series on Nintendo systems. Awakening ushered in a new age of popularity for the strategy-role-playing games, leading to a ton of Fire Emblem titles releasing in the years that followed. We weren’t exactly overdue for a new one when Fire Emblem: Three Houses launched on Switch, but it’s a testament to its quality that we were still blown away.
Unlike the more linear mission-to-mission approach of the other Fire Emblem games, Three Houses is separated into months, during which you can battle enemies, teach students in the game’s central monastery, or work on building relationships. It’s a lot to take in and Three Houses somehow manages to stick the landing, even as it offers some major changes to the classic combat system, including the removal of the weapon triangle.
Splatoon 2
The first Splatoon offered a uniquely Nintendo take on multiplayer shooters, focusing on covering a map with ink rather than killing other players. Splatoon 2 builds on that foundation with an even more exciting and hilarious campaign mode and brilliant multiplayer maps that encourage teamwork and tactical thinking.
The new cooperative Salmon Run is a blast, as well, with giant boss-type enemies storming the shores as you attempt to fend them off, and special limited-time Splatfest events pit two teams against each other for bragging rights. If you’re competitive, Splatoon 2 is for you, but even those more interested in a casual shooter will find something to love here.
Read our full Splatoon 2 review
Pokémon Sword and Shield
The perfect game to release just after the Nintendo Switch Lite’s launch, Pokémon Sword and Shield is the most gorgeous and fully detailed Pokémon game ever made, resembling the anime more than any previous iteration. Fully playable in handheld and in docked modes for Nintendo Switch, it can work as your console game of choice or as a companion when you go out, letting you trade and play with other players just like the classic Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, DS, and 3DS games. More streamlined so that a wider array of players can enjoy it, Sword and Shield certainly aren’t as difficult as past games, but they do still contain the nitty-gritty details that hardcore fans love.
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening is a remake, but the improvements made to the dreamy adventure move the needle enough to view it as a Switch exclusive. For starters, the graphics have been radically altered, turning Koholint Island into a bright and colorful world filled with characters who look like toy dolls. This new style complements the weird story that somehow features Super Mario characters and other peculiarities.
Link’s Awakening has excellent dungeon and enemy design, along with a beautiful overworld to explore. Inventory management is exponentially better in the Switch remake, allowing to have far more than two items equipped at once. Exploration is also a step up thanks to a map pin system that lets you mark points of interest on the fly. And since there are more Heart Pieces and Secret Seashells this time around, the map pins can get put to great use.
A new Chamber Dungeons mode lets you build makeshift dungeons using rooms from existing dungeons. It’s decent optional content, but the main adventure is far more compelling. Link’s Awakening a gem and serves as an important reminder that top-down Zelda games still totally rule.
Read our full The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening review
Pokémon: Let’s Go
Longtime Pokémon fans were worried about the more casual approach of Pokémon: Let’s Go, but the changes made to the iconic catch-’em-all formula are mostly positive. Designed as a remake of Pokémon Yellow, Let’s Go manages to both breathe new life into the franchise and serve up a quality helping of nostalgia.
Let’s Go drops random battles, replacing them with simple catch sequences inspired by Pokémon Go. Pokémon spawn on the map, so you always know what you’re trying to catch before going in. Despite removing random encounters with wild Pokémon, it’s still a thrill to fill out your Pokédex. If anything, seeing a rare Pokémon pop up in the tall grass only adds to the charm. The turn-based foundation of mainline entries in the series remains during trainer battles, allowing Let’s Go to feel pleasantly familiar.
Whether you’re new to the series or have kept up with it from the very beginning, Let’s Go is an excellent experience. It’s not a matter of if you should buy it, but which version you should choose: Let’s Go, Pikachu! or Let’s Go, Eevee!? They’re both too cute.
Read our full Pokémon: Let’s Go review
Octopath Traveler
The mid-‘90s was the golden age of role-playing games, with Square (now Square Enix) releasing phenomenal adventures like Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy VI. Octopath Traveler doesn’t try to emulate the structure of those games, with its more modern pacing and level design feeling appropriate in 2018, but the game wonderfully emulates the pixel art style of its characters.
These characters are placed on a 3D environment to create something akin to a pop-up book, and Square Enix’s tremendous turn-based battle system is the icing on the cake. Octopath Traveler is a lengthy game loaded with stories to hear and bosses to fight, and you’ll be ready to play it all again after you see the credits roll.
SteamWorld Quest: Hand of Gilgamech
Image & Form’s SteamWorld franchise has gone through multiple reinventions. First, it was a tower defense game, then it turned to platforming, then it went to turn-based strategy, then it returned back to platforming. Now it’s a role-playing game with a card-battling loop in SteamWorld Quest: Hand of Gilgamech. And yet again, Image & Form has nailed it.
With a charming, colorful art style and humorous writing, Image & Form has created a traditional RPG with an inviting atmosphere. Each party member has their own cards, so building a party complete with 24 possible moves is a never-ending experiment. The emphasis on switching it up lets you get to know each of the lovable party members well and helps to keep the action fresh throughout the roughly 10-hour adventure.
Paper Mario: The Origami King
The release of the newest Paper Mario game was a surprise announcement. We weren’t given much notice that the newest addition to the Paper Mario series was going to arrive, but it was a blessing once it did. Paper Mario: The Origami King is distinctly different from its predecessors. The game gives a new twist on how the fight system works and gives us puzzles rather than straight RPG battles.
The game is an absolute delight to play. Although it’s not incredibly difficult, there are moments in the game that some players will struggle with. Each boss requires a different approach and a specific way of looking at the battle puzzle, which can lead to frustration. However, the cheerful art and entertaining gameplay make it worthwhile. The helpful side characters are easy to love and can bring you to tears with some of their heroics.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is an immense role-playing game that serves as a worthy successor to its Wii and Wii U predecessors, telling a sprawling story that has all the mystery, goofiness, and suspense you’d expect from a Japanese anime-style game. The battle system allows you to fully customize your attacks and abilities to fit your style, with Blade characters assisting you.
When you aren’t battling monsters, though, you’ll be staring in awe at the game’s gorgeous world. Built on the literal backs of beings called Titans, the floating world is surreal and beautiful. You can even explore it all over again in the paid Torna – The Golden Country expansion. The combination of excellent graphics and challenging gameplay means you’ll spend hours on this Switch exclusive.
Nintendo Labo
As it’s a series of constructible sets rather than a standalone game, Nintendo Labo might be the most creative thing Nintendo has done so far with the Switch, and that’s saying something. Each set comes with a series of cardboard sheets as well as stickers and rubber bands. You build the contraptions with the instructions found in the packaged software. Together, the construction set and software make for innovative building experiences. Most recently, Nintendo released the Labo VR Kit, an impressive introduction to the burgeoning technology of VR.
Players of all ages can create working RC cars, a piano, a robot suit, and even a fishing rod using the included pieces. Plus, with the Toy-Con Garage mode, you can even create your own unique designs. Players have managed to make some remarkable items thus far, including a working pinball machine and even an alarm clock.
Read our full Nintendo Labo review
Ring Fit Adventure
If you’re looking for a game that encourages you to get a little more active, then Ring Fit Adventure is the perfect solution. With Ring Fit Adventure, you’re able to interact with the game through your own movements. Think Xbox Kinect but more intuitive (and not defunct). In the game, you can traverse grass-swept plains by jogging in place, attack enemies with overhead shoulder presses, and refill your health with yoga poses. Odds are, you’ll be sweating by the end.
To get moving, you’ll need the Ring-Con and Leg Strap, which work with the Joy-cons to ensure you’re moving. Ring Fit Adventure combines traditional gaminess with customizable workout routines, making it the perfect game to get you up and moving. The game also offers an adventure mode, with more than 100 levels in over 20 worlds. You’re able to defeat enemies with real-world exercises. While it might sound like something that’s more appealing to kids than adults, all ages will have a thrilling time meeting the challenges (and fighting big bosses).
Cadence of Hyrule
Cadence of Hyrule, a musical adventure inspired by Zelda, comes from the same studio that delivered the instant classic Crypt of the Necrodancer. This becomes pretty clear when you realize Cadence of Hyrule has similar gameplay to Crypt of the Necrodancer, but don’t completely write it off. The game has a Zelda twist, making this title ideal for gamers who want to explore with Link.
You won’t have any problem sliding into your role in this game’s ecosystem because it feels so much like a classic Nintendo title. Brace Yourself Games has made a name for itself as a top-tier indie studio that delivers Nintendo-quality games.
Cadence of Hyrule features include elements you didn’t realize you’d been missing from Zelda, like a procedurally generated map and rhythmic gameplay.
Musical gameplay isn’t the only perk; attacking enemies to a beat also gets you rewards. You can turn off the music and play Cadence as if it were a 2D Zelda experience if you don’t like the soundtrack. Dance fights notwithstanding, you can’t miss the intricacy and care that Brace Yourself Games packed into Cadence of Hyrule.
Pac-Man 99
Following in the footsteps of Tetris 99 and Super Mario 35 comes Pac-Man 99, yet another battle royale game for Nintendo Switch Online members. This game mixes the famous Pac-Man formula with a battle royale component that requires you to eliminate other players to be the last one standing.
On the surface, the gameplay is a lot like what you’d expect in a Pac-Man game, but much like Tetris 99, it adds a risk/reward system to attack and eliminate other players. It’s a fun twist on Pac-Man, while feeling accessible and approachable even to those who aren’t as familiar with battle royale games. Plus, it offers a variety of extra modes (for a small fee), giving you lots to do.
Monster Hunter Rise
Monster Hunter Rise is the latest entry in the acclaimed Capcom action RPG series. While Rise keeps many of the new ideas introduced in Monster Hunter World, it also has fresh mechanics that streamline it, making it one of the most accessible entries in the series. For starters, it features a much easier multiplayer component that allows you to pair up with hunters who are looking to take on specific quests.
Aside from that, nearly everything in the game has been sped up, which makes the gameplay feel faster and easier to digest. One example of this is the implementation of the Palamute, a dog companion you can ride around to get from point A to B faster. The series has always been known for being clunky, but this game streamlines a lot of the slow aspects, while preserving the essence of what makes it feel like Monster Hunter. You’ll still want an experienced veteran to show you the ropes, but Rise is certainly the most approachable Monster Hunter game by far.
