The Nintendo Switch has one of the best game libraries in gaming history. Whether you just picked one up or you have owned one since 2017, finding the best Switch games can feel overwhelming with thousands of titles to choose from.
We cut through the noise. This list covers the 25 best Nintendo Switch games across every genre — action, RPG, platformer, multiplayer, and indie — so you know exactly what is worth your time and money.
And with the Nintendo Switch 2 now available, most of these titles are backward compatible — so your library carries forward.
Why the Best Switch Games Stand Out From Every Other Console
The Switch changed gaming. It is the first console you can play on your TV at home, then unplug and take anywhere. That hybrid design shaped the kind of games that work best on it.
Nintendo first-party exclusives consistently hit 9/10 or higher on Metacritic. Third-party and indie games also found a perfect home on Switch, with titles like Stardew Valley, Hades, and Hollow Knight becoming some of the best-reviewed games of the decade.
The result is a catalog of hundreds of excellent games — and the 25 below are the ones you should play first.
The Best Switch Games Overall — Our Top 25 Ranked
1. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Genre: Action-Adventure | Players: 1 | Score: 96/100 (Metacritic)
Tears of the Kingdom is the gold standard for open-world gaming. It takes Breath of the Wild, adds sky islands, underground caverns, and a physics-based building system, then asks you to save Hyrule all over again.
The Ultrahand and Fuse abilities let you build vehicles, weapons, and contraptions from scratch. No two players approach a problem the same way. This is 100+ hours of content done right.
Why it makes this list: It is the best game on Nintendo Switch, full stop.
2. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Genre: Action-Adventure | Players: 1 | Score: 97/100 (Metacritic)
The game that launched the Switch and redefined open-world gaming. Breath of the Wild drops you in Hyrule with almost no direction and trusts you to figure it out. That freedom is exactly what makes it special.
Even after Tears of the Kingdom, BOTW holds up as a masterpiece. It is still one of the best games on Nintendo Switch for first-time players.
3. Super Mario Odyssey
Genre: Platformer | Players: 1-2 | Score: 97/100 (Metacritic)
Mario’s hat becomes a weapon, a platform, and a way to possess enemies and objects in Odyssey. The game takes Mario around the world in a collectathon of Power Moons, each world filled with secrets and surprises.
It is pure joy from start to finish, and the post-game content adds dozens more hours if you want 100% completion.
4. Hades
Genre: Roguelite | Players: 1 | Score: 93/100 (Metacritic)
Hades is the best roguelike on Nintendo Switch and arguably the best in the genre ever made. You play Zagreus, son of Hades, trying to escape the underworld. Every run is different. Every death teaches you something.
The writing is sharp, the combat is fast, and the progression never gets old. It won dozens of Game of the Year awards in 2020 for a reason.
5. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Genre: Life Simulation | Players: 1-4 | Score: 90/100 (Metacritic)
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is the best games on switch for relaxation. You build an island paradise at your own pace. There are no fail states, no time pressure, just daily life with charming animal villagers.
It sold over 44 million copies and remains one of the best-selling Nintendo Switch games of all time.
6. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Genre: Fighting | Players: 1-8 | Score: 93/100 (Metacritic)
“Everyone is here” is not just a tagline. Smash Ultimate has 89 playable fighters, hundreds of stages, and thousands of music tracks. Whether you play casually with friends or compete online, this is the definitive party game for Switch.
The best 2 player Switch games list always starts here for fighting game fans.
7. Hollow Knight
Genre: Metroidvania | Players: 1 | Score: 87/100 (Metacritic)
Hollow Knight is the best indie game on Nintendo Switch and a masterpiece of atmospheric world-building. You explore a vast underground insect kingdom filled with difficult bosses, secrets, and lore.
Made by a three-person team and priced at $15, it offers more content than most $70 games. A must-play for anyone who likes exploration-heavy gaming.
8. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Genre: Racing | Players: 1-8 | Score: 92/100 (Metacritic)
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the best-selling Nintendo Switch game with over 67 million copies sold. It is the go-to multiplayer Switch game for parties, families, and competitive players alike.
The Booster Course Pass added 48 more tracks, making this already massive game even bigger. If you own a Switch, you own Mario Kart 8.
9. Stardew Valley
Genre: Farming Sim / RPG | Players: 1-4 | Score: 89/100 (Metacritic)
Made by one person, Stardew Valley is one of the best coop Switch games available. Build a farm, explore a mine, fall in love with a villager, and lose 200 hours before you notice.
The four-player co-op mode makes it perfect as one of the best coop games for Switch when you want something relaxing to play together.
10. Metroid Dread
Genre: Metroidvania | Players: 1 | Score: 88/100 (Metacritic)
Metroid Dread brought back a beloved franchise with tight controls, terrifying EMMI enemies, and a satisfying loop of exploration and power-ups. It won Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2021.
One of the best single player Switch games for anyone who wants a challenge.
Best Multiplayer Switch Games — Play With Friends or Family
The Switch is built for multiplayer. Joy-Cons detach so two people can play anywhere. These are the best multiplayer games on Switch for every type of group.
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate — best for competitive groups and parties
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe — best for families and casual groups
- Stardew Valley — best co-op games on Switch for relaxed play
- Overcooked 2 — best 2 player Switch games for chaotic fun
- Splatoon 3 — best multiplayer switch games for online competition
- Nintendo Switch Sports — best for families and younger players
- Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe — best coop games switch for kids
For the best 2 player games for switch, the top pick is Overcooked 2 if you want laughs, or Super Smash Bros. Ultimate if you want competition. Both work perfectly with two Joy-Cons.
Best Indie Games on Switch — Hidden Gems Worth Playing
The best indie games on switch often outshine AAA titles. These are the ones that define the platform:
- Hollow Knight — dark, deep, and one of the greatest Metroidvanias ever
- Celeste — tight platforming with a genuinely moving story about mental health
- Hades — the best roguelike on the platform by a wide margin
- Stardew Valley — made by one developer, still one of the best games on Nintendo Switch
- Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove — retro platforming done perfectly
- Undertale — a genre-defying RPG that every gamer should experience once
Best Switch Games for Kids and Families
The best switch games for kids are safe, fun, and great for the whole family. Here are the top picks:
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe — simple enough for young kids, deep enough for adults
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons — zero violence, endless creativity
- Kirby and the Forgotten Land — easy difficulty, adorable characters
- Super Mario Odyssey — great for best nintendo switch games for kids age 6+
- Nintendo Switch Sports — gets kids moving, works with just one Joy-Con
- New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe — four players, beginner-friendly
Best Free Nintendo Switch Games — Good Games That Cost Nothing
The best free switch games are worth downloading right now, no Nintendo Switch Online required:
- Fortnite — the biggest free-to-play battle royale runs surprisingly well on Switch
- Warframe — one of the best free games on Nintendo Switch for action fans
- Pokémon Unite — free-to-play MOBA with Pokémon characters
- Apex Legends — full battle royale experience at no cost
- Rocket League — free since 2020, still one of the most competitive games on the platform
The best free games on switch are mostly live-service titles. They are free to download but may offer in-game purchases. None of the core gameplay is locked behind a paywall.
Best RPG Games on Switch — Deep Stories and Long Playtimes
If you want 60-100 hour adventures, these are the best rpg games on switch:
- Xenoblade Chronicles 3 — massive JRPG with incredible world-building and combat
- Fire Emblem: Three Houses — tactical RPG with real story consequences
- Pokemon Legends: Arceus — the best rpg games switch for Pokemon fans
- Hades — action RPG that combines combat with narrative progression
- Octopath Traveler II — gorgeous HD-2D JRPG with eight unique storylines
Best Games on Switch 2 — What Changed and What Carries Over
The Nintendo Switch 2 launched in 2025 with improved performance, a larger screen, and a new GameChat feature. Most of the best switch games on this list are backward compatible and run better on Switch 2.
New exclusive titles include Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza, both of which are strong additions to any list of the best games for Switch 2.
If you already have a Switch library, your games work on Switch 2. If you are buying fresh, start with Tears of the Kingdom and Hollow Knight, then build from there.
How to Pick the Right Switch Game for You
Not every great game is right for every player. Here is a quick guide based on what you want:
- You want open world exploration: Tears of the Kingdom or Breath of the Wild
- You want to play with family: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe or Nintendo Switch Sports
- You want a challenge: Hollow Knight or Metroid Dread
- You want to relax: Stardew Valley or Animal Crossing
- You want the best co op games on switch: Stardew Valley or Overcooked 2
- You want free: Fortnite, Warframe, or Rocket League
- You want a deep RPG: Xenoblade Chronicles 3 or Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best games on Nintendo Switch right now?
The best games on Nintendo Switch right now are The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Super Mario Odyssey, Hades, Hollow Knight, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. These consistently rank at the top of every best switch games list and hold up in 2026.
What are the best multiplayer switch games?
The best multiplayer Switch games are Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for competitive play, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for casual racing, and Stardew Valley for relaxed co-op. Overcooked 2 and Splatoon 3 are also top picks for the best multiplayer games on switch.
What are the best switch games for kids?
The best switch games for kids include Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, and Nintendo Switch Sports. All are age-appropriate with no content concerns and work great for the best nintendo switch games for kids of all ages.
Are the best switch games backward compatible with Switch 2?
Yes. The Nintendo Switch 2 is backward compatible with virtually all Nintendo Switch game cards and digital titles. The best switch games on this list all work on Switch 2, often with improved performance and load times.
What is the best Pokemon switch game?
The best switch pokemon game depends on your preference. Pokemon Legends: Arceus offers open-world catching. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are the most recent mainline entries. For pure nostalgia, Pokemon: Let’s Go Eevee and Pikachu bring back the Kanto region in HD.
Final Thoughts
The best switch games cover every type of player. Whether you want deep single-player adventures, family-friendly fun, the best coop games switch has to offer, or free titles to jump into right now, the library delivers.
Start with Tears of the Kingdom if you have not played it. Add Mario Kart 8 Deluxe if you have friends or family. Pick up Hollow Knight or Hades for solo depth.
The best games on Nintendo Switch have kept players coming back for nearly a decade. That is not an accident — it is quality.
