Best Nintendo Switch Games: Top Picks For 2024
Hey guys! Are you ready to dive into the awesome world of Nintendo Switch games? This console is a total game-changer, offering a fantastic mix of exclusives, indie gems, and classic titles that’ll keep you glued to your screen. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or new to the Switch, there’s something here for everyone. Let’s jump into the top games that you absolutely need to check out!
1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
When we talk about must-have Nintendo Switch games, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild invariably tops the list, and for good reason. This isn't just a game; it's an epic adventure that redefines what an open-world experience can be. From the moment you step into the vast kingdom of Hyrule, you're greeted with a world teeming with secrets, challenges, and breathtaking vistas. Nintendo truly knocked it out of the park with this one, creating a masterpiece that honors the legacy of the Zelda series while forging its own unique path. The sheer scale of Hyrule is staggering, with rolling hills, dense forests, towering mountains, and mysterious ruins all begging to be explored. What sets Breath of the Wild apart is the incredible freedom it offers. Unlike many open-world games that guide you along a linear path, this game throws you into the deep end and lets you chart your own course. Want to climb that massive mountain in the distance? Go for it! Curious about what lies beyond that dense forest? Venture forth and discover its secrets. This sense of freedom is incredibly liberating, making every playthrough feel unique and personal.
The game's physics engine is another standout feature, adding a layer of depth and interactivity to the world. You can use fire to create updrafts, chop down trees to build bridges, and even cook up delicious meals using ingredients you find along the way. Experimentation is key, and you'll often find yourself discovering new ways to interact with the environment, leading to emergent gameplay moments that are both surprising and delightful. Combat in Breath of the Wild is strategic and engaging. Link has access to a wide array of weapons, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. You'll need to learn how to effectively use these weapons, as well as master techniques like dodging, parrying, and flurry rushing, to take down the game's challenging enemies. The game also features a variety of armor sets, each offering different buffs and resistances, allowing you to customize Link's abilities to suit your playstyle. The story of Breath of the Wild is a tale of courage, resilience, and the enduring power of friendship. Link awakens from a century-long slumber to find Hyrule in ruins, with the monstrous Calamity Ganon looming over the land. It's up to Link to gather his strength, forge alliances, and ultimately confront Ganon to save Hyrule from destruction. The narrative is presented in a non-linear fashion, allowing you to tackle the game's dungeons and bosses in any order you choose. This freedom extends to the game's ending, as you can even challenge Ganon right from the start if you're feeling brave enough. Beyond the main story, Breath of the Wild is filled with countless side quests, challenges, and secrets to uncover. You'll encounter a colorful cast of characters, each with their own stories and motivations. Exploring Hyrule and helping its inhabitants is a rewarding experience in itself, and you'll often find yourself getting sidetracked by interesting discoveries and unexpected encounters.
Breath of the Wild's art style is a departure from previous Zelda games, embracing a more stylized and painterly aesthetic. The world is vibrant and beautiful, with stunning vistas that will take your breath away. The game's soundtrack is equally impressive, featuring a mix of orchestral scores and ambient melodies that perfectly capture the mood and atmosphere of Hyrule. The game runs flawlessly on the Nintendo Switch, both in docked and handheld modes. The game's visuals hold up remarkably well on the Switch's screen, and the gameplay feels just as smooth and responsive whether you're playing on your TV or on the go. All of these elements combine to create an unforgettable gaming experience. It’s a game that will stay with you long after you’ve finished playing, and one that you’ll want to revisit time and time again. If you own a Nintendo Switch, Breath of the Wild is an absolute must-play. It's a masterpiece that deserves all the praise it has received, and a shining example of what the Nintendo Switch is capable of.
2. Super Mario Odyssey
Another absolute must-play on the Nintendo Switch is Super Mario Odyssey. This game is a joyous celebration of everything that makes Mario so beloved, while also introducing fresh new ideas and mechanics that make it feel like a truly modern platformer. From the moment you boot up the game, you're greeted with a vibrant and whimsical world that's brimming with creativity and charm. Nintendo has a knack for creating games that are both accessible and challenging, and Super Mario Odyssey is a perfect example of this. The core gameplay is easy to pick up and play, but the game also offers a wealth of depth and complexity for those who want to master its mechanics. Mario's move set is incredibly versatile, allowing you to perform a wide range of jumps, rolls, and dives. The game also introduces Cappy, a sentient hat that allows Mario to "capture" enemies and objects, taking on their abilities and forms. This mechanic opens up a whole new dimension of gameplay, allowing you to control everything from Goombas and Bullet Bills to T-Rexes and tanks.
Each kingdom in Super Mario Odyssey is a self-contained world with its own unique theme, challenges, and characters. You'll explore bustling cities, tropical islands, frozen tundras, and even the moon! Each kingdom is packed with secrets and collectibles, encouraging you to explore every nook and cranny. The game's level design is simply outstanding, with each kingdom offering a variety of challenges and gameplay scenarios. One moment you might be solving a tricky puzzle, the next you might be racing through a treacherous obstacle course. The game constantly throws new ideas and mechanics at you, keeping things fresh and exciting throughout the entire experience. The capture mechanic is the heart and soul of Super Mario Odyssey, and it's used in incredibly creative ways throughout the game. You'll need to use your capture abilities to solve puzzles, defeat enemies, and even traverse the environment. Some captures are purely functional, like the Bullet Bill, which allows you to zoom across gaps and obstacles. Others are more whimsical, like the T-Rex, which is just plain fun to control. The game's boss battles are another highlight, each one offering a unique challenge and requiring you to use your capture abilities in clever ways. Defeating a boss often unlocks a new ability or area to explore, adding to the sense of progression and discovery.
Beyond the main story, Super Mario Odyssey is filled with collectibles to find and challenges to complete. Each kingdom has hundreds of Power Moons to collect, which are used to power the Odyssey, Mario's airship. Finding all the Power Moons is a challenging and rewarding task, and it will require you to explore every corner of the game's world. The game also features a variety of costumes for Mario to wear, each with its own unique look and style. Some costumes are purely cosmetic, while others offer gameplay advantages. You can unlock costumes by collecting coins and spending them at the Crazy Cap stores in each kingdom. Super Mario Odyssey is a visual and auditory treat. The game's graphics are vibrant and colorful, with a level of detail that's truly impressive. The game's soundtrack is equally fantastic, featuring a mix of classic Mario tunes and original compositions. The game's main theme, "Jump Up, Super Star!," is an instant earworm, and it perfectly captures the game's upbeat and energetic spirit. Whether you're a long-time Mario fan or new to the series, Super Mario Odyssey is a game that you absolutely need to play. It's a masterpiece of game design, a joyous celebration of the Mario franchise, and one of the best games on the Nintendo Switch.
3. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
For a more relaxed and social gaming experience, Animal Crossing: New Horizons is the perfect choice. This game is a charming and addictive life simulation that allows you to create your own virtual paradise. From the moment you arrive on your deserted island, you're given the freedom to shape it into whatever you desire. Whether you want to build a bustling town, a peaceful retreat, or a whimsical wonderland, the choice is yours. The core gameplay of Animal Crossing: New Horizons revolves around daily activities like fishing, bug catching, crafting, and interacting with your villagers. The game operates on a real-time clock, so there's always something new to discover each day. You'll find yourself eagerly anticipating the arrival of new seasons, holidays, and events, each of which brings its own unique content and challenges.
The game's crafting system is a major highlight, allowing you to create a wide variety of furniture, tools, and decorations. You'll need to gather resources like wood, stone, and iron ore, and then use them to craft items at your workbench. Crafting adds a new layer of depth to the gameplay, and it's incredibly satisfying to create your own unique items and decorate your home and island. Interacting with your villagers is another key aspect of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Each villager has their own personality and quirks, and you'll need to build relationships with them by talking to them, giving them gifts, and helping them with their requests. As you become closer to your villagers, they'll share their stories with you, invite you to their homes, and even give you gifts in return. The game's multiplayer features allow you to visit your friends' islands and invite them to visit yours. You can explore each other's islands, trade items, and even participate in mini-games together. Visiting other players' islands is a great way to get inspiration for your own island, and it's also just plain fun to hang out with friends in the game.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a game that's designed to be played at your own pace. There's no pressure to rush through the game or complete any particular objective. You're free to spend your time however you like, whether you want to focus on decorating your home, catching rare bugs, or simply relaxing on the beach. The game's relaxing and meditative gameplay makes it a perfect antidote to the stresses of daily life. The game's graphics are charming and colorful, with a distinctive art style that's instantly recognizable. The game's soundtrack is equally delightful, featuring a mix of upbeat tunes and relaxing melodies that perfectly capture the game's mood. If you're looking for a game that's relaxing, social, and endlessly customizable, Animal Crossing: New Horizons is the perfect choice. It's a game that you can play for hours on end, and one that you'll keep coming back to for years to come. It’s easily one of the best Nintendo Switch games for those who love a more laid-back experience.
4. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
For those who love a good fighting game, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is an absolute powerhouse. This game is a massive crossover event, bringing together characters from a wide range of Nintendo franchises, as well as third-party favorites like Sonic the Hedgehog, Pac-Man, and Cloud Strife. With over 80 playable characters, hundreds of stages, and a wealth of game modes, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate offers an unparalleled amount of content. The core gameplay of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is easy to pick up and play, but it's also incredibly deep and complex. The goal is to knock your opponents off the stage, and you can do this by using a variety of attacks and special moves. Each character has their own unique move set, and mastering these moves is key to success.
The game's World of Light mode is a massive single-player campaign that tasks you with rescuing the game's characters from a mysterious force. This mode is filled with challenges and battles, and it's a great way to learn the game's mechanics and characters. The game's online multiplayer is another major draw, allowing you to battle against players from all over the world. The game's online matchmaking is generally excellent, and you'll be able to find matches quickly and easily. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is a game that's designed to be played both casually and competitively. You can have just as much fun playing with friends on the couch as you can competing in online tournaments.
The game's graphics are vibrant and detailed, and the character models are incredibly faithful to their original designs. The game's soundtrack is equally impressive, featuring a mix of classic Nintendo tunes and original compositions. If you're a fan of fighting games, or if you're simply looking for a game that's packed with content and replayability, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is a must-have for your Nintendo Switch library.
5. Pokémon Sword and Shield
No list of top Nintendo Switch games would be complete without mentioning the Pokémon series, and Pokémon Sword and Shield are excellent entries in the franchise. These games introduce a new region, the Galar region, which is based on the United Kingdom. You'll explore a variety of environments, from rolling hills and grassy plains to industrial cities and snowy mountains. The core gameplay of Pokémon Sword and Shield is the same as in previous Pokémon games. You'll travel around the region, catching Pokémon, battling trainers, and completing gym challenges. The games introduce a new mechanic called Dynamaxing, which allows Pokémon to grow to enormous sizes during battles. This adds a new layer of strategy to the battles, and it's also visually impressive to see your Pokémon towering over your opponents.
The games also introduce a new area called the Wild Area, which is a vast open-world environment where you can encounter a variety of Pokémon. The Wild Area is a great place to explore and catch Pokémon, and it's also a fun place to team up with friends and battle Max Raid Battles, where you face off against Dynamax Pokémon. Pokémon Sword and Shield are games that are designed to be enjoyed by both longtime Pokémon fans and newcomers to the series. The games' story is engaging, the characters are memorable, and the gameplay is addictive.
The games' graphics are colorful and detailed, and the Pokémon models look better than ever before. The games' soundtrack is also excellent, featuring a mix of classic Pokémon tunes and original compositions. If you're a fan of Pokémon, or if you're looking for a fun and engaging RPG for your Nintendo Switch, Pokémon Sword and Shield are definitely worth checking out.
Conclusion
So there you have it, guys! These are just a few of the top games you can play on the Nintendo Switch right now. From epic adventures to relaxing simulations, there’s a game for every type of player. The Nintendo Switch continues to be a fantastic console with a diverse library, and these titles are a great place to start your gaming journey. Happy gaming!
