There’s something truly magical about the Nintendo Switch. It’s not just that you can play on your TV and, two seconds later, be curled up on the couch in handheld mode. It’s how the system draws you into worlds that feel both massive and personal, competitive and calming, fantastical and familiar.
For many of us, the Switch has become more than just a gaming console – it’s a cozy sidekick and a go-to way to unwind after a long day. Whether you’re sneaking in a quick session on your commute or sinking an entire weekend into a new world, the Switch is there for everyone.
Over the years, we’ve played (and replayed) some incredible titles on this little console – and narrowing down the best of the best is no easy feat. But whether you’re new to the Switch or just searching for your next adventure, these are the games that truly capture what makes Nintendo’s hybrid system so special.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Ok we’ll just say it: Breath of the Wild is an actual masterpiece. It’s not just the best Switch game – it might be one of the best games of all time. It’s hard to not pause in wonder the first time you step out onto that cliffside overlooking Hyrule. Somehow the game packs incredibly beautiful graphics into such a portable device.
The game’s most compelling element, for many people, is its movement and fighting mechanics – which are a really liberating departure from the fairly limiting movement dynamics of most RPG adventure games. You can climb any mountain, glide across canyons, cook suspicious meals (and watch Link make faces when they go horribly wrong), and solve puzzles that make you feel like a genius.
It’s the kind of open-world game where exploration isn’t just gentle encouragement – the game is designed from the ground up to reward exploration. Nintendo made sure that there’s always something interesting just over the next hill and, somehow, even after dozens of hours, that something never stops feeling fresh. If you’ve never played a Zelda game before, this is the one to start with.
Skyrim
Yes, it’s 2025 and we’re still talking about Skyrim. And yes, the Switch version is absolutely worth it. There’s something surreal about being able to slay dragons, join a guild of assassins, and shove people off mountaintops – all while on the bus or lying in bed.
What most people love about Skyrim is how its open world isn’t just a physical one, it lets you be practically whoever you want. You can play as a sneaky archer, a tanky dual-wielding berserker, a fire mage, or pretty much any other combination you can think of – including playing as different races for different perks. The movement mechanics now feel a bit dated, but the game is nearly 15 years old at this point – so we think it can be let off the hook!
What’s certain is that the slightly clunky movement is more than made up for by the depth of worldbuilding that Bethesda achieved with Skyrim. Endless hours of side quests and variable-ending main quests makes this game feel more intimate, like your own personal fantasy novel.
Minecraft
It doesn’t matter how many times we’ve played it – Minecraft on the Switch never gets old. It’s the sandbox equivalent of Skyrim, making the game anything you want it to be. One day you’re building a quiet cottage in a meadow; the next, you’re diving into caverns full of creepers and desperately hoping you remembered to bring enough torches.
What’s especially cool is that it offers cross-platform play, so it’s easier than ever to jump into a game with friends because you don’t both need to have the same device.
There’s something really satisfying about crafting with a buddy or showing off your latest redstone contraption. Good, clean fun!
Stardew Valley
If we had a nickel for every hour we’ve lost to Stardew Valley, we might be able to buy JojaMart. Stardew Valley is the epitome of cozy. You start with a run-down farm, a handful of seeds, and a lot of free time – and somehow, that’s all you need to get completely hooked.
What begins as a relatively simple farming sim, quickly becomes a whole world of routines and relationships. You fall into the rhythm of planting and harvesting, attending seasonal festivals, and learning the quirks of the townspeople. There’s even a bit of dungeon crawling for those days when you need to break rocks and beat up slimes. And on the Switch, the pace of the game feels even more natural – you can play in short bursts or long, lazy sessions, and it always feels just right.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
There’s not much like the high-pitched chaos of Mario Kart. It’s one of those games that brings people together; either in laughter or in rage, but always in good fun. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is, hands down, the best version of the game. It’s fast, colorful, full of ridiculous items, and packed with tracks that are as nostalgic as they are creative.
What we love is how easy it is to get into. We’ve played with seasoned racers and complete newcomers, and everyone always ends up having a blast.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
When the world got a little too real in 2020, Animal Crossing was there to offer a digital escape. And even now, years later, it still feels like the perfect place to unwind. Your island is your canvas – build it up, decorate it, invite villagers, visit friends. There’s no rush, no pressure, just a slow, satisfying sense of progress.
It’s a game that you can also just log back in to in order to chill out, pick some fruit, and chat with your villagers. There’s a simple joy in hearing Blathers nerd out about fossils or watching K.K. Slider play a tune. It’s calm. It’s charming. It’s a reminder that sometimes, games are at their best when they give you the space to just hang out.
Portal: Companion Collection
Portal’s one of the few games that makes you feel really smart without having to do a whole physics degree (though, in this instance, that might actually come in handy). If you’ve never heard of Portal, it’s an offshoot game set in the Half-Life universe where you play as a person trapped in a testing facility. Using a “Portal Gun” (a gun that lets you shoot portals to jump between) you have to escape using planning and coordination.
With the Switch’s Companion Collection, you get both Portal and Portal 2 in one package – and they’re just as brilliant today as they were when they first came out.
The puzzles are clever without being too frustrating, and the laugh-out-loud funny writing is something that’s stuck with every player since the game’s first release all the way back in 2007. For many people, GLaDOS remains one of the best-written characters in gaming, period.
Portal 2’s co-op mode is also a fantastic way to test (and maybe slightly endanger) a friendship. If you’ve never played these before, you’re in for a treat. But they’re also great to replay after enough of a break to have forgotten the solutions.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3
If you’re into epic JRPGs with sweeping stories and huge worlds to explore, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is essential. It blends intricate combat with a surprisingly emotional narrative that touches on identity, purpose, and friendship – but it’s also really fun to play.
The world is vast and imaginative, filled with strange creatures and dramatic landscapes that beg to be explored. The characters are richly written, and the relationships between them evolve in ways that feel genuinely meaningful. Now, we have to be honest – it is a time investment. But if you’re looking for a really deep game that pulls you into an expertly crafted story, this is the one for you.
Spiritfarer
This one tends to catch players off guard. You go in expecting a fairly cutesy management sim but tend to come out emotionally wrecked – in the best way possible. In Spiritfarer, you play as Stella, ferrying souls to the afterlife. Along the way, you build your boat, care for your passengers, and say goodbye to them when they’re ready to move on.
It’s peaceful and melancholic and beautiful all at once. The hand-drawn art is stunning, and the writing is deeply personal. It’s the kind of game that lingers with you long after you put it down. What’s even better is that Spirifarer is an indie game – so it doesn’t come in at the (sometimes) eyewatering costs of AAA games and more directly supports a really creative team.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus
This was the Pokémon shake-up we’d all been waiting for. Pokémon Legends: Arceus finally gave us an open-world experience where catching and battling Pokémon feels natural and exciting again. We love sneaking through tall grass, lobbing Poké Balls at unsuspecting Bidoofs, and getting ambushed by angry Alphas when we’re not paying attention (ok, that bit is a little annoying – but it does keep the game engaging)
What’s more, the historical Hisui region adds a fresh spin on the Pokémon lore (which is extensive but also a little samey at this point) and the streamlined game mechanics make it easy to fall into a satisfying loop of discovery and collection. It’s not just a small step forward in the franchise, but a really positive leap into another way of exploring the world.
Show off Your Favorite Games with Displate Posters
So that’s our list of standout Nintendo Switch games. Whether you’re drifting through the Mushroom Kingdom, tending pixelated crops, or solving puzzles with a sarcastic AI, these titles are unforgettable.
And once you’ve found your favorites, why not bring a bit of that magic into your space? With Displate’s officially licensed metal posters, you can turn your walls into a tribute to the worlds you love. They’re bold, durable, and incredibly easy to hang. Whether you game in a full setup or a cozy corner, it’s the perfect way to show off your player pride.
