Top games on Nintendo Switch

The Nintendo Switch has become one of the fastest selling home video game systems of all time. As a result, over 80 million units have been sold worldwide. Without a doubt, the Nintendo Switch family of systems have become quite popular in many households.

Over the past several years, we have seen a ton of great games get released for the system. Let’s take a look at the top games on Nintendo Switch and a few exciting upcoming games!

Animal Crossing New Horizons

Developer(s): Nintendo EPD
Publisher(s): Nintendo
Genre: Social simulation
Modes: Single-player, multiplayer
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

There has never been a bad Animal Crossing released by Nintendo, but previous titles in the franchise pale in comparison to Animal Crossing: New Horizons. As a result, Nintendo has added a number of amazing features to this release that have never before been seen in the franchise, highlighted by do-it-yourself recipes that allow you to use your island’s resources to create fantastic items.

And, Animal Crossing: New Horizons periodically gets free updates that deliver events and features to the game such as the latest update on March 18, 2021. This new update includes six new Sanrio-inspired villagers with items, new seasonal holiday items, more custom design slots and much much more!

Buy Animal Crossing: New Horizons for Nintendo Switch

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Developer(s): Bandai Namco Studios, Sora Ltd.
Publisher(s): Nintendo
Genre: Fighting
Modes: Single-player, multiplayer
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10+)

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is quite possibly the best fighting game of all time. It is developed by Bandai Namco Studios and Sora Ltd. and contains every playable character from the previous four games and many newcomers. In all, there are currently 78 characters to play as with Pyra and Mythra planned for an early May release.

In addition to fan favourite modes such as Classic and Special Smash, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate includes several new modes to keep things fresh and the action going. Furthermore, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is one of the best and most fun fighting games that I have ever played. Not only is the game accessible so that everyone can play, it also features deep rich and complex gameplay for long-time and hardcore competitive fans. The amount of content included in the game is simply amazing.

Purchase Super Smash Bros Ultimate for Nintendo Switch
Get Super Smash Bros Ultimate for Nintendo Switch Digital Download

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Developer(s): Nintendo EPD
Publisher(s): Nintendo
Genre: Racing
Modes: Single-player, multiplayer
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

Nintendo has brought over the hit Wii U racing game to the Switch and added all kinds of new features. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the definitive version delivering new characters, new vehicles, the return of fan-favourite items. New characters include the Inkling Girl and Boy from Splatoon, Bowser Jr., King Boo, and my personal favourite, Dry Bones. You’re also now able to hold onto two items at once, which makes the kart racing action even more hectic.

The biggest change, however, is the revamped Battle mode that brings back classic balloon-popping competition. Battle mode also includes the explosive Bob-omb Blast, coin-collecting Coin Runners, and the highly competitive Shine Thief. In the end, it’s easy to see why Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the ultimate party game.

Get Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for Nintendo Switch
Buy Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Digital Download for Nintendo Switch

Luigi’s Mansion 3

Developer(s): Next Level Games
Publisher(s): Nintendo
Genre: Action-adventure
Modes: Single player, multiplayer
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

Luigi’s Mansion 3 is developed by Canada’s very own Next Level Games and is one of my favourite Nintendo Switch games. Luigi and the crew are invited on an all expense paid trip to a luxurious hotel resort. After arriving at the hotel, Luigi and friends retire for the evening to their rooms. It’s not long before something goes awry and all of Luigi’s friends have gone missing.

Equipped with an upgraded Poltergust-OO and with the help of Professor E. Gadd, Luigi searches through the haunted hotel to find his friends. Luigi has some new moves this time around and a green gooey doppelganger called Gooigi to help solve puzzles and capture ghosts. Each floor on the hotel acts as its own unique world and is fun to explore.

Finally, there are several different multiplayer options that include local Co-op play and online play with friends. Luigi’s Mansion 3 is a game that gamers of any age will enjoy on the Nintendo Switch.

Get Luigi’s Mansion 3 for Nintendo Switch

Pokemon Sword and Shield

Developer(s): Game Freak
Publisher(s): Nintendo
Genre: Role-playing
Modes: Single player, multiplayer
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield takes place in the new Galar region and features several new gameplay elements. Two of the most notable being Dynamax and Gigantamax. This allows your Pokémon to grow to a massive size and gives them access to Max Moves. These moves are essential super powered attacks that can also have additional effects on your opponents. Each version of the game features exclusive content including Pokémon and Gym Leaders.

Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield are amazing evolutions of the series. The world is artistically beautiful, and the new generation of Pokémon are interesting and visually stunning. The overall formula remains relatively the same—you battle Gym Leaders, earn Badges, and ultimately become a Champion—but it’s nice comfort food for long-time series veterans.

Get Pokémon Sword for Nintendo Switch
Purchase Pokémon Shield for Nintendo Switch

Upcoming games on Nintendo Switch

Now that we have looked at the top games on Nintendo Switch, let’s “switch” gears and take a look at some upcoming games.

New Pokemon Snap

Developer(s): Bandai Namco Studios
Publisher(s): Nintendo, The Pokémon Company
Genre: First-person rail shooter simulation
Modes: Single-player
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

The premise of New Pokemon Snap is simple, seek out and take in-game pictures of Pokemon in their native environments. In addition to taking pictures of Pokemon, you’ll also see behaviours and expressions from Pokemon you know and love that you’ve never seen before. And, as part of your research, you’ll use these photos that you take to build your own Pokemon Photodex.

Seek out Pokémon in their natural environments as you venture through diverse landscapes, including dense jungles and vast deserts, to uncover the mystery behind the Illumina phenomenon.

Pre-order New Pokemon Snap for Nintendo Switch

Mario Golf: Super Rush

Developer(s): Camelot Software Planning
Publisher(s): Nintendo
Genre: Sports
Modes: Single-player, multiplayer
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

Tee off in the latest installment of the Mario Golf series. In the Mario Golf: Super Rush you’ll enjoy golfing with familiar Mushroom Kingdom characters through a variety of lush, scenic courses. Mario Golf: Super Rush features several local and online multiplayer modes, including Speed Golf, which finds players teeing off at the same time and racing to the green.

The game also features a Story Mode, starring your Mii character as they interact with Mushroom Kingdom characters, compete in golf challenges and earn experience points to power-up stats. Moreover, you can even use motion controls by holding the Joy-Con controller as a golf club!

Pre-order Mario Golf: Super Rush for Nintendo Switch

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD

Developer(s): Nintendo EAD
Publisher(s): Nintendo
Genre: Action-adventure
Modes: Single-player
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10+)

Originally released in 2011 for the Wii system, and depicting the earliest story in the series’ timeline, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD is coming to Nintendo Switch. The game features smoother and more intuitive controls, in addition to improved frame rate and graphics. Additionally, this enhanced version of the game runs at a smooth 60 frames per second.

Additionally, you can choose to play using motion control with the two Joy-Con controllers in a similar way to the original, or use newly added button-only controls to play the game with the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, in handheld mode or using a Nintendo Switch Lite system.

Pre-order The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD for Nintendo Switch

Top games on Nintendo Switch

And, that wraps our look at the top games on Nintendo Switch as well as a few upcoming games. Let me know in the comment section below what your top Nintendo Switch games are and what upcoming games you are looking forward to.

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