10 Nintendo Switch games you need to play
In our 21st century world of stern black boxes sitting under TVs, the Nintendo Switch is a shining beacon of hope. Sure it comes in grey, but we’re sure you went for the neon variety.
With all the indie games in its library, breaking down the best Nintendo Switch games is an almost impossible task, but below are the Heavy Hitters, the very best Switch games to tick off when you first get your console.
Super Mario Odyssey
Everyone’s favourite Italian plumber got some new headwear for his first multi-dimensional adventure since Super Mario 3D World. The adorable Cappy lifts Super Mario Odyssey to new heights for the series as Mario possesses enemies with a throw of his hat. Bowser has nabbed Princess Peach again but with all new locations like New Donk City and a raft of new moves Odyssey effortlessly keeps Mario the King of the 3D platformers.
Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
Here it is. The master sword of Switch games. Whether you’ve never played a Zelda game before or slogged through every entry, Breath of the Wild is a dazzlingly fresh sandbox. Hyrule is open in front of you from the get go, making whichever direction you go in a true adventure. Taming a horse for the first time, uncovering a shrine, cooking a new dish, big or small, everything you do here feels incredible. A masterpiece.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
There’s no getting around it. Mario Kart 8 is perfect on Nintendo Switch. There’s nothing like handing a friend (or indeed enemy) a single Joy Con before huddling around the Switch screen together and loading up Sunshine Airport or Baby Park. Eye-meltingly pretty on the big screen as well as the small, Mario Kart 8 defines the joy of the console with its perfect racing experience.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
For the fighting game’s first entry on Switch, Nintendo took a Pokemon approach and just played catch ‘em all with game characters. From Metal Gear’s Solid Snake to Final Fantasy’s Cloud, this is a chaotic brawler to scratch every pop culture face-off itch. Importantly, Smash Bros. Ultimate is accessible for new players, but peer beneath the surface and the granularity on offer for the competitive set hands over a different game altogether.
Pokemon Let’s Go: Eevee/Pikachu
The first main entry Pokemon game to land on Switch, Let’s Go is a glorious redesign of 1998’s Pokemon Yellow. Whether you choose Eevee or Pikachu, Let’s Go is a beautiful adventure that takes many of its cues from Niantic’s Pokemon Go. Reducing the grind, you don’t need to battle wild Pokemon, only throw Poke Balls using the intuitive motion controls. You can even transfer ‘mon from the mobile title to fill out your Pokedex.
Hollow Knight
If all the bright colours of this list have been giving you a headache, don’t worry. Hollow Knight has a “one Tim Burton drew earlier” flavour. It is a beautifully atmospheric 2D Metroidvania full of charming characters and dexterity-testing wall jumps. The hand-drawn setting of Hallowsnest is incredible to explore, and constantly challenging for your tiny bug hero armed with a mere nail instead of a sword. D’awwww
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle
Sometimes games are like maths. In this case XCOM + Mario + Ubisoft’s zany Rabbids = Kingdom Battle. In so many ways it just shouldn’t work but the turn based combat, beautiful Mario worlds, and ridiculous humour fit together perfectly. Even if you’re not an XCOM fan, you’ll find yourself gazing at each level for hours, prepping meticulously for your next bout of Rabbid-flavour madness. And if you thought you hated them? This will make you think again.
Splatoon 2
The closest that Nintendo gets to a bonafide multiplayer shooter, this follow-up to the Wii U exclusive Splatoon is a colourful delight. You play as what’s known as an Inkling. Your aim is to coat as much of the map as possible in your team’s colour while the opposing team tries to do the same. Complete with a single player mode and some fiendish challenge options, Splatoon 2 constantly keeps the simple concept fresh and addictive.
Stardew Valley
The Nintendo Switch version of Stardew Valley is potentially the farming sim in its most dangerous and potent of form. It can be taken anywhere, played wherever you are, and, unlike the mobile version, doesn’t need your thumbs all over the screen.The pull of ‘just one more day’ of looking after your pixel-perfect fruit, vegetables, and chickens is almost terrifyingly addictive. Consider this a warning.
Tetris 99
Get ready to block and load. It’s time for Battle Royale Tetris. Yes, seriously, and it’s really, really good. Pitting you against 98 other online players, the free Tetris 99 takes your block spinning skills to a whole new level. While you are of course clearing lines of tetrominoes as usual, you can choose to send those lines directly to other players. Who and how you choose is up
