The best Nintendo Switch games cover all bases, from epic open-world adventures and farming sims to quirky cartoon racers. You'll play them again and again, making them excellent investments.
One of the best features of the Nintendo Switch is its removable controllers (known as Joy-Cons), which let you play in hand-held, table-top or TV mode. This means you can play a huge variety of games with no limits.
Below, you'll find the very best Nintendo Switch games available today. We regularly update this list based on new releases (if they're any good), so bookmark this page and keep checking back.
Also see our guides to the best Nintendo Switch accessories and best Nintendo Switch travel cases. And if you haven't bought a Switch yet, check our regularly updated hub for the best Nintendo Switch deals.
The best Nintendo Switch games 2023
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Best adventure game for Nintendo Switch
Players: 1
Genre: Adventure
Set in a vast open world, this title takes the classic Zelda elements and shakes them up to create an absolute pearl of a game. We've been playing and replaying it since launch and are still finding new missions, secrets and hidden items years later. There's also plenty of fantastic DLC.
Best Nintendo Switch game for Super Mario fans
Players: 1-2
Genre: Platformer
Every Mario game has its own twist. Here, that comes in the form of Cappy, a sentient hat that lets you possess objects, animals and enemies to help you save Princess Peach from Bowser. Overall, the game offers top-rate Mario action all the way, with some brilliantly weird touches thrown in; a must-buy.
Best Nintendo Switch game for fans of cute adventures
Players: Up to 2
Genre: Adventure
Join Kirby, a beloved Nintendo character, on his latest adventure as he explores a mysterious new world where civilisation and nature have come together as one. Solve puzzles and save his friends, with the help of mysterious new companion Elfilin. Double up the fun in local co-op mode.
Best Nintendo Switch game for speedy thrills
Players: Up to 12
Genre: Racing
The fun racing game is chock-full of daft power-ups, a huge cast of Nintendo characters, and stacks of race tracks. Yes, it's silly, but its sheer playability still makes this high octane titles a joy, whether you're battling on single-player mode, huddling around the TV with friends, or racing against players from all over the world.
Best Nintendo Switch game for messy fun
Players: Up to 8
Genre: TPS
Want a third-person shooter without the violence? Then you'll love Splatoon 3, which uses the same kind of mechanics but shoots ink not bullets, and is full of colour and silliness. The main emphasis here is on online multiplayer mode; players have two main forms and you can switch between them at will.
A new take on the Pokémon franchise
Players: 1-2
Genre: Action role-play
Pokémon Legends: Arceus is a welcome reimagining of the ever-popular franchise that allows you to play through a 3D open world. This unique and fun take on the series completely changes the way you encounter and learn about each creature, reimagining those classic Pokémon battles into something completely new.
Relaxed world building
Players: Up to 8
Genre: Simulation
Want a chilled, laid-back experience? This title lets you jet off to your own little island and turn it into your own personal getaway, in a relaxing world-building game filled with delights. From the starting point of a deserted island, you can build your own home, add furniture and decorations and even customise the landscape.
Best Nintendo Switch game for sci-fi fans
Players: 1
Genre: Action
In this sequel to the action-classic Metroid Dread, your mission this time around is to explore a planet, gain powers and avoid deadly robots. There are interesting developments as you go, progressing the Metroid Dread story. And along the way, you'll encounter some of the best-designed bosses to ever appear in a 2D action game.
Best farming game for Nintendo Switch
Players: 1-4
Genre: Farming sim
Stardew Valley takes players on a journey of building up their own farm, befriending charming characters in a quaint country town and discovering the secrets of the valley. Manage your farm through the seasons to make sure you crops don't die off and your animals are happy! It's a great game to switch your brain off whilst playing.
What modes does the Nintendo Switch have?
There are three modes that you can play in with your Nintendo Switch. Handheld, Table top and TV mode. But what are the differences between each? They are all pretty self-explanatory, but we'll break down the main differences for those not in the know. Handheld mode means the Joy-Cons are attached to the console and you're playing it as a handheld device not too dissimilar to older Nintendo consoles like the Wii U or the DS. Table top mode is when the Joy-Cons are detached from the console and you are playing on the Switch's primary screen - this is a great way to play multiplayer games whilst out in public. Finally TV mode is the term for when the Nintendo Switch is placed into the dock and the image is being displayed on your TV or monitor.
