You can find the complete, updated ranking on our dedicated page for the best Nintendo Switch games.

25. Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age

Apr 30, 2019 — playscore 8.9

This is a complete overhaul of the 2006 PlayStation 2 title. The Zodiac Age amps up the JRPG elements, adding new Skill and Job trees to make its lengthy adventure worthwhile. That means Vaan, and the rest of his team, make the most out of these upgrades in this unforgettable story.

24. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

May 4, 2018 — playscore 8.9

It’s not a Nintendo list without their #1 ape. Tropical Freeze not only improves the series’ traditional platforming, it mixes it up with inventive levels and a variety of game modes. Its banana-collecting and barrel-bursting action is even made better with its cast of colorful characters.

23. Sonic Mania Plus

Jul 17, 2018 — playscore 9.0

The blue speedster snags a spot on the list. It’s Sonic’s greatest hits packed into one game. Blitz your way across iconic levels while jamming to familiar tunes. If you want to get a jumpstart into the Sonic series, this one’s for you.

22. No Man’s Sky

Oct 7, 2022 — playscore 9.0

If you told me 7 years ago that No Man’s Sky would get a Switch release, I wouldn’t believe you. Yet here we are. The limitless galaxy is on portable and yours for the taking. Unfortunately, this port doesn’t come without sacrifices. It’s a purely single-player experience, and multiplayer is nowhere on the horizon.

21. Shin Megami Tensei V

Nov 12, 2021 — playscore 9.0

If it weren’t for the SMT series, Persona wouldn’t be possible. This latest entry is as dark and edgy as the previous titles. Imagine Pokemon, but you’ll be collecting Demons from hell and a few mythological icons.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope Switch game

20. Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope

Oct 20, 2022 — playscore 9.1

Nintendo’s Mario and Ubisoft’s Rabbids team up in this collaboration of two industry giants. Catch all your favorite Mario characters in their Rabbid forms. As weird as they may be. This strategy game may look kid-friendly, but it has all the brain-teasing mechanics from a game like XCOM.

19. AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES - nirvanA Initiative

Jun 24, 2022 — playscore 9.0

A visual novel to satisfy fans of the genre. From the man behind the Zero Escape, step into another detective mystery waiting for a gumshoe like you. With a cast of adorable and obscene characters, it’s just like watching classic anime.

18. Bayonetta 2 + Bayonetta

Feb 16, 2018 — playscore 9.1

Unfortunately, Bayonetta 3 didn’t get a high enough playscore to get into this list. But this two in one pack of Nintendo’s sexiest character is here to represent. Before you can get your hands on her latest, catch Cereza in her early days of stylish hack and slash action.

17. BUSTAFELLOWS

Jul 30, 2021 — playscore 9.1

A visual novel game where it’s part mystery, part otome. Well, why not check out handsome candidate while solving a grueling murder mystery on the side? Talk about a lover by night, and a detective by day huh.

16. The Legend Of Zelda: Link’s Awakening

Sep 20, 2019 — playscore 9.1

It goes without saying that Zelda games are great single-player adventures. Link’s Awakening is one of them. A remake of its 1993 hit, this is Zelda at its most colorful and also at its darkest if you dare to check its lore. Explore a surreal diorama-like world filled with adventures to do and puzzles to solve.

15. The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles

Jul 27, 2021 — playscore 9.1

For more visual novels on your Switch, CAPCOM’s popular Ace Attorney series reintroduces this duology to the West. You’re not the spiky-haired lawyer here. Instead, you’re his ancestor from the 20th century. Enjoy ten complex cases and work together with Sherlock Holmes in this fantastic entry to the series.

14. Kirby And The Forgotten Land

Mar 25, 2022 — playscore 9.1

It’s Kirby’s very own post-apocalyptic adventure. Worry not, there are no zombies here. Maybe a few aliens? Who knows. With Kirby’s powerful mouth magic, gobble useful tools to solve the creative platforming puzzles. It’s a relaxing game worthy of the Kirby name. You can even go fishing if you want!

13. Fire Emblem: Three Houses

Jul 26, 2019 — playscore 9.1

Hogwarts for anime enthusiasts. Three Houses mixes up the traditional turn-based strategy with some fun visual novel elements. You’re not just a character bred for war, instead you can forge relationships with other characters depending on which House you take. It’s a great JRPG with a lengthy story. Perfect for the Switch!

12. Death’s Door

Nov 23, 2021 — playscore 9.1

There’s something special about playing a bird in a bureaucratic version of hell. Death’s Door’s minimalist design made it shine among the other Zelda-like indies out there. It’s challenging, but not frustrating. Encouraging players to explore and find every little detail scattered in this dark domain.

11. 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim

Apr 12, 2022 — playscore 9.2

A recent masterpiece from renowned creators Vanillaware. 13 Sentinels is a celebration of what makes the sci-fi genre great. It’s packed with an intriguing story about 13 playable characters. It combines turn-based strategy with a visual novel setup that just works well together.

NieR:Automata The End of YoRHa Edition game

10. NieR:Automata The End of YoRHa Edition

Oct 6, 2022 — playscore 9.2

If you want to scratch that sci-fi itch more, there’s also the Switch port of Yoko Taro’s gift to mankind. Enjoy 2B’s adventures in this barren Earth full of existential questions and big robots. It’s a fantastic port as well. With a stable 30 frames to keep the hack and slash action going.

9. DRAGON QUEST XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition

Swp 27, 2019 — playscore 9.2

A JRPG that fits the Nintendo Switch playbook. It’s lengthy and worth your time on a portable platform like the Switch. It features a fresh new look, all the bonus content, and even has a cute 16-bit graphical mode to replicate the 3DS experience. Best 3DS games

8. Metroid Dread

Oct 8, 2021 — playscore 9.2

Before we get our hands on the elusive Metroid Prime 4, Dread takes us back to its roots. It’s a true Metroid experience, with its labyrinthine halls and secret corners begging to be explored. It even has us chased by terrifying robots. Now we get why it’s called ‘Dread’.

7. Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury

Feb 12, 2021 — playscore 9.2

For Mario fans, this is a theme park of adventure. It’s a complete rework of the Wii U originals, adding more levels and challenges that both old and new fans can enjoy. With Bowser’s Fury, you’re at risk of sinking even more hours into it.

6. Xenoblade Chronicles 3

Jul 29, 2022 — playscore 9.3

Nintendo’s premier JRPG. This is the series' biggest entry yet. Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is a hundred hour journey set in a massive world. It’s also the series’ most mature entry, with a cast of relatable characters that each have their charms.

5. Ori and the Will of the Wisps

Sep 17, 2020 — playscore 9.4

The second chapter of the Ori series. It might not be as much of a tearjerker as the first game, but the gameplay is a complete upgrade. Ori’s new skills make combat more exciting, and marching through the forest with their Owl bestie, faster than ever.

4. Hades

Sep 17, 2020 — playscore 9.5

The demigod Zagreus is your go-to buy for an endless single-player experience. Escape from the clutches of the Underworld and rebel against your father. Hades is roguelike on a godlike level. It’s the complete package of story, characters, and gameplay.

3. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Mar 3, 2017 — playscore 9.5

If you own a Switch, you shouldn’t skip this masterpiece. Breath of the Wild is the Elden Ring before Elden Ring. It has a staggering open world with a gameplay that rewards curious players. There’s more to uncover in this broken world, even after playing for a hundred hours.

2. Persona 5 Royal

Oct 21, 2022 — playscore 9.5

Of course we saw it coming. ATLUS finally came to their senses bringing the Persona series to the Switch. With over 80 hours of story, a cast of fantastic characters, and a perfect balance of style and substance, Persona 5 Royal is a JRPG haven.

1. Super Mario Odyssey

Oct 27, 2017 — playscore 9.6

Odyssey is still at the top of Nintendo Switch’s games. Mario’s big break in New Donk City gives us new locales, a sentient cap buddy, and another chance to save the Princess Peach from Bowser’s hands. Many Mario Worlds have come before, but this one takes the cake. We can’t wait for more.

Top 25 Switch Single-player Games

The best story-driven games to get on the eShop