The Ten Best Nintendo Switch Games as of August 2023

A few months have passed since the release of the Nintendo Switch, and they were already able to produce highly successful games, with some ported from other consoles. One of the best features of the Switch includes its portability, which allows gamers to simply bring the console with them and play it anywhere, anytime. If you own a Nintendo Switch, and you are looking for new games to play, feel free to check out our list below for ten of the best Switch games that were released since the console came into existence. For Xbox One games, you may refer to our separate list for ten of the best Xbox One games that were released in 2017.

1) The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Developer : Nintendo EPD

Publisher : Nintendo

Release Date : March 3, 2017

Overview

Breath of the Wild is the latest title to the Legend of Zelda video game franchise, and serves as the 18th major entry to the series, which was released for the Nintendo Switch on March 3, 2017. As with most of its predecessors, this game is being developed and published by Nintendo themselves.

Synopsis

For a very long time, there have been recorded conflicts between the kingdom of Hyrule and the ancient evil, Calamity Ganon. After Ganon was defeated, the kingdom was at peace for many years and took advantage of their knowledge in technology to prepare themselves for Ganon’s return.

On this game, Ganon has emerged once again and is planning on exacting revenge on the kingdom of Hyrule. This is when the game’s protagonist, Link, was awoken from his hundred-year slumber by a mysterious voice telling him to embark on another adventure to defeat Calamity Ganon, before the latter gets the chance to destroy Hyrule.

Gameplay

The game features an open world environment, which is a first in the series. The overworld for this game is about twelve times larger than that in Twilight Princess, which allows the player to freely explore Hyrule. Unlike previous games, the weapons here need to be constructed using specific items found in the environment, and these weapons may break after excessive use, forcing the player to gather more resources to be able to build more weapons.

Aside from the weapons, the player will also need to gather up meat from animals or even from defeated enemies and use these to cook various meals. These food combinations will also allow you to make elixirs that can be used to aid Link in replenishing his health and stamina, or in providing temporary boosts in strength or resistance from environmental factors. The changes in the weather also affects the game, wherein Link will need to wear the appropriate clothing or eat the right food in order to survive the harsh environment.

Reception

IGN : 10 out of 10 – “It’s the open world Zelda game we’ve always wanted”

GameSpot : 10 out of 10

Metacritic : 97%

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2) Disgaea 5 Complete

Developer : Nippon Ichi Software

Publisher : Nippon Ichi Software (Japan) ; Nippon Ichi Software America (Worldwide)

Release Date : March 3, 2017 (Japan) ; May 23, 2017 (North America) ; May 26, 2017 (PAL)

Overview

Disgaea 5 is a tactical RPG developed and published by Nippon Ichi Software that was first released for the PlayStation 4 back in 2015. Disgaea 5 Complete, which is the port for the Nintendo Switch, was released on March 3, May 23, and May 26, 2017 in Japan, North America, and Europe and Australia, respectively. This complete version already includes all downloadable content from the original release.

Synopsis

The game is about a young demon named Killia, who assists the Overlords of the Netherworld in taking revenge against the evil demon emperor, Void Dark. This demon emperor has just risen to power and plans on destroying numerous Netherworlds with the help of millions of evil soldiers called The Lost. Now, it is up to Killia and the Overlords to rise up against Void Dark and The Lost to save the Netherworlds.

Gameplay

The game is played by traveling across multiple Netheworlds to try and bring together the Overlords and the rightful heirs of each world in the battle against Void Dark. The combat system of this game involves a turn-based mechanic, which allows the player to move each member of their party within the battle area, and set each of their attacks before giving the enemy the chance to do the same.

New features of this game include the revenge system, which is triggered when one of the party members are knocked out. Another feature is called fusion skills, which gives certain characters the ability to pair up in order to perform special attacks.

Reception

IGN : 8.7 out of 10

GameSpot : 8 out of 10

Metacritic : 83%

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3) Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Developer : Nintendo EAD

Publisher : Nintendo

Release Date : April 28, 2017

Overview

Mario Kart 8 is a kart racing game developed and published by Nintendo, and is also the eighth entry to the Mario Kart franchise. It was first released in May 2014 for the Nintendo Wii U, but is then ported to the Nintendo Switch with enhanced features. This ported version was then released worldwide on April 28, 2017.

Gameplay

Following its predecessors, this game continues the traditional gameplay in which characters from various Mario titles race against each other while picking up and using weapons or power-ups along the way. Features that have made a comeback from previous installments include motorbikes, hang gliders, and the underwater racing. Additionally, new features for this game include the anti-gravity racing, wherein racers will be driving on walls and ceilings.

Reception

IGN : 9.3 out of 10

Eurogamer : 10 out of 10 – “The most vibrant home console racing game in years”

Metacritic : 92%

4) Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove

Developer : Yacht Club Games

Publisher : Yacht Club Games

Release Date : March 2017

Overview

Shovel Knight is a 2D side-scrolling platformer developed and published by Yacht Club Games. It was first released in June 2014 for the Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Wii U, and Microsoft Windows. In April 2015, ports for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One were released. And in March 2017, another port was released, and this time, it is for the Nintendo Switch, which already includes two additional campaigns.

Synopsis

The game is divided into three campaigns, each with its own storyline. Shovel of Hope, which is the first campaign, follows Shovel Knight as he returns to journeying to rescue his friend, Shield Knight, from a curse caused by an amulet, and also to stop the Enchantress from spreading evil across the land.

On the second campaign, Plague of Shadows, it follows Plague Knight in his plan of stealing essences from other Knights and Order members in order to make the ultimate potion. This potion will grant its user anything that they desire, which in Plague Knight’s case, to win Mona the Witch’s heart.

On the third and final campaign called Specter of Torment, these events occurred prior to Shovel of Hope, and follows the undead, Specter Knight, who is sent out to recruit knights to join the order of the Enchantress. With each knight that he is able to recruit, the locket given to him by the Enchantress will be filled with power, and once the locket is fully powered, it will be capable of bringing Specter Knight back to life.

Gameplay

This game is inspired by retro platform video games that were made popular on the Nintendo Entertainment System such as Super Mario Bros., Mega Man, and Ninja Gaiden. It is a 2D side-scroller presented in 8-bit graphics with the player controlling the respective protagonist in order to collect treasure and battle against members of the Order of No Quarter. As for Shovel Knight, he has his shovel that he can use as a weapon to fight off enemies, as well as a tool for digging up treasure.

Reception

IGN : 9 out of 10

GameRankings : 89.38%

Metacritic : 91%

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5) Arms

Developer : Nintendo EPD

Publisher : Nintendo

Release Date : June 16, 2017

Overview

Arms is a 3D fighting video game developed and published by Nintendo, which was released on June 16, 2017. Unlike most fighting games that are on a one-on-one basis, and are presented from a side perspective, this game involves up to four fighters in a free-for-all match and are held in a 3D arena.

Gameplay

As of now, players can choose up to eleven playable fighters that have their own unique characteristics and fighting method. Up to four players can control one of those eleven fighters and battle against each other by performing basic fighting actions using their extendable arms. Though each character already has their default arms that they can use during a fight, you can get additional arms by unlocking them from the Get Arms game mode.

Reception

IGN : 8 out of 10

GameSpot : 7 out of 10

Polygon : 8 out of 10

6) Puyo Puyo Tetris

Developer : Sonic Team

Publisher : Sega

Release Date : March 3, 2017 (Japan) ; April 25, 2017 (North America) ; April 28, 2017 (PAL)

Overview

Puyo Puyo Tetris is a puzzle video game developed by Sonic Team and published by Sega, which was released for the Nintendo Switch in April 2017. It was first released for the Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Wii U, PlayStation Vita, and PlayStation 3 in February 2014, then for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in December 2014 in Japan. This game is a crossover between the games Puyo Puyo and Tetris, and is the first one released by Sega since Tetris Collection on the Sega Ages series.

Gameplay

Puyo Puyo Tetris combines the gameplay mechanics from both Puyo Puyo and Tetris where you need to keep the board from getting filled with the pieces in order to continue the game, because if these pieces reach the top of the board, the game will end.

For Puyo Puyo, colored bubbles called Puyos drop down and start filling up the board, and to be able to pop them, you will need to match at least four of the same color by placing them next to each other. You may be able to pop Puyos one after another if the remaining Puyos match the ones that are already on the board resulting in combos that can help you earn additional points.

For Tetris, shaped blocks called tetraminoes fall down on the game board, and to be able to get rid of them, you will need to fill an entire horizontal line of tetraminoes. Successfully doing so will make that filled line disappear, and if remaining pieces fill up another line, then that will disappear as well, resulting in a combo.

Reception

IGN : 8.7 out of 10

Metacritic : 81%

7) Splatoon 2

Developer : Nintendo EPD

Publisher : Nintendo

Release Date : July 21, 2017

Overview

Splatoon 2 is a third-person shooter video game developed and published by Nintendo, and is focused more on team play even in single-player mode. This game was first announced in January 2017 and was released worldwide in July 2017 for the Nintendo Switch. It is a sequel to Splatoon, which was released in 2015 for the Nintendo Wii U.

Synopsis

The game takes place around nine months after the first game, where Marie the pop idol won over Callie, who is a fellow Squid Sister and also a cousin of Marie. During this time, Marie discovers that her cousin and the Great Zapfish have gone missing, and starts investigating as Agent 2 with the help of an Inkling from Inkopolis Square whom she enlists as Agent 4. With the assistance of a weapons expert, Agents 2 and 4 make their way to the base of the Octarians to save Callie and recover the Zapfish.

Gameplay

This game is a team-based third-person shoot-em-up in which players choose character known as Inklings and use different colored inks to shoot enemies and complete goals. Since their ink supply is limited, they may be able to replenish it by being in squid form, which allows them to swim through ink. New features of this game include new weapons, the ability to perform dodge rolls, and the use of jetpacks.

Reception

IGN : 8.3 out of 10

GameSpot : 8 out of 10

Metacritic : 84%

Game Revolution : 4 out of 5 stars

8) Thumper

Developer : Drool

Release Date : May 18, 2017

Overview

Thumper is a music-themed action video game, otherwise known as a “rhythm violence” game that was developed by Drool. It was first released for the PlayStation 4 and Microsoft Windows in October 2016, which supports both PlayStation VR and the Oculus Rift, respectively. A port was released for the Nintendo Switch on May 18, 2017, and another will be released for the Xbox One sometime near the end of 2017. The game was first announced during the Game Developers Conference back in 2015.

Gameplay

Thumper is played by controlling a futuristic space vehicle along a predetermined track and through a series of colorful worlds in a third-person perspective. To be able to progress through the game, the player will need to press a button at the perfect time when notes are highlighted on the track. As a helpful guide, you may listen to the background music to be able to press the required button in time. The player will also need to evade obstacles, leap over spikes, and even defeat enemies all by simply pressing buttons in time with the music.

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Reception

IGN : 9 out of 10 – “The game’s trippy sounds, visuals, and intense rhythm action create a terrifying VR experience”

Metacritic : 87%

9) The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth

Developer : Nicalis

Publisher : Nicalis

Release Date : March 17, 2017

Overview

The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth is the remake of The Binding of Isaac, with the latter being designed and published by Edmund McMillen. Rebirth, on the other hand, was developed and published by Nicalis but was still designed by McMillen. This was initially released for the Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, PlayStation Vita, and PlayStation 4 in November 2014. Then in July 2015, it was released for the Xbox One, Nintendo Wii U, and Nintendo 3DS. And in March 2017, a port for the Nintendo Switch was released.

McMillen first developed the game as a Flash application, and released it in 2011, but this had limitations that led McMillen to seek assistance from Nicalis to produce a much more complete game, and this is where Rebirth came into existence. Nicalis used a more advanced game engine to work around the limitations, which allowed McMillen to include other content and features.

Synopsis

Based on the biblical tale of the same name, this game follows a young boy named Isaac, who is living with his mom, who believes that his son had become corrupted by evil. Isaac’s mom first gets rid of all his toys and clothes because she believes that these may have been the cause of his corruption, and then locks him in his room to protect him from the evils outside. After knowing that his mother “seemingly” heard instructions from a supernatural entity that she needed to sacrifice her son, Isaac flees from his mother through a trap door, which leads then to the beginning of the game.

Gameplay

The game is played in an overhead 2D crawler, and the player controls the protagonist Isaac as he makes his way through his mother’s basement filled with monsters. To be able to fight off these monsters, the player will need to make Isaac cry and use his tears as bullets to shoot down enemies.

Reception

IGN : 9 out of 10

Destructoid : 10 out of 10

Metacritic : 85%

10) Snipperclips: Cut It Out, Together!

Developer : SFB Games

Publisher : Nintendo

Release Date : March 3, 2017

Overview

Sniperclips: Cut It Out, Together! is a puzzle game developed by SFB Games and published by Nintendo, that was released for the Nintendo Switch on March 3, 2017.

Gameplay

Snipperclips is a puzzle game that can be played for up to four players. The main World game mode can be played with one or two players, and they will be controlling the characters Snip and Clip, who each have shaped bodies that can be used to solve puzzles regarding shapes. When one player overlaps another, they can snip out the overlapped part which will alter their shape. Players will then need to think of ways to solve puzzles and accomplish objectives by snipping each other up.

Reception

IGN : 8 out of 10

The Guardian : 4 out of 5 stars

Metacritic : 81%

(Honorable Mention) Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition

Developer : Mojang

Publisher : Mojang

Release Date : May 11, 2017

Overview

Minecraft is an award-winning video game developed and published by Mojang but is designed by Markus Persson. It was first released worldwide on November 18, 2011 and received praise from critics and gamers alike. As of February 2017, the game is considered as the second best-selling video game of all time, with the first being Tetris. On May 11, 2017, a version was released for the Nintendo Switch.

Gameplay

Minecraft is a sandbox game, which means that there is no specific goal for the game and gives the player total freedom to do whatever they want. It may be played either in first person or third person perspective, depending on the player. Some activities involved in the game include constructing buildings out of cubes, exploring the open world environment, gathering resources, and even fighting various creatures.

Reception

IGN : 9.5 out of 10 – “The Switch version provides an authentic Minecraft experience which you can play anywhere with physical controls”

Trusted Reviews : 8 out of 10 – “The Switch version is the only one to give you all the Minecraft goodness wherever and whenever you want to play”

Metacritic : 86%

For more related topics, you may want to check out our list for some of the most anticipated games for the PlayStation 4 and some upcoming Xbox One games that everyone is excited about.