10. Pokémon Sword / Shield
Arguably the most popular handheld RPG series ever, Pokemon Sword and Shield prove the franchise is as strong as it’s ever been. Taking the adventure to a pseudo-London open world, it’s one of, if not the prettiest Pokemon experiences ever. Couple this with a great soundtrack, as well as all the classic battles and exploration fun, and you’ve got one of the definitive Pokemon generations.
9. The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
A remake of one of the most beloved and bizarre Zelda titles, this has to be one of the best remasters of all time. Taking the original formula, it rebuilds the game into a 3D masterpiece without sacrificing any of the original spirit. Throw in modern conveniences to make it more palatable to the modern gamer, as well as a dungeon builder and you’ve got one of the best Switch games to date.
8. Mortal Kombat 11
Mortal Kombat 11 is predictably incredible. You can expect the usual affair of tight, fluid mechanics and brutal fatalities that are just as wince-inducing on the tablet screen as they are in docked mode. The X-ray view of the more violent attacks pops with all the gruesome beauty we’ve come to expect and justifies MK11’s position on this list alone.
7. Burnout Paradise Remastered
Burnout is a legendary racing series, and the remaster of Burnout Paradise is without a doubt one of the most satisfying racing experiences on the Switch. Set in Paradise City, races and challenges are held through an open sandbox world full of traffic-heavy roads. There’s no end to the joy of finding new alleyway shortcuts, pulling off more near misses and making the most of the living, breathing fantasy race world around you.
6. Super Mario 3D All-Stars
Worthy of entry on this list for giving us the best looking versions of some of the best games of all time, Super Mario 3D All-Stars is one you won’t want to miss. Celebrating the 35th anniversary of Super Mario Bros., the collection features the killer triple threat of Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine and Super Mario Galaxy. Each title has never looked better, and the timeless gameplay means it can now be enjoyed by players young and old.
5. LA Noire
One of the more story-driven open-world games on this list, there’s a reason LA Noire remains relevant nearly 10 years after it first released. You play as Cole Phelps, a detective working on increasingly big cases in 1940s Los Angeles. When you’re not on a mission, you’re welcome to explore this rich period setting, either by foot or car. It’s a much more refined, mature experience than similar games in the genre, but give it the time it deserves and you won’t regret it.
One of the more story-driven open-world games on this list, there’s a reason LA Noire remains relevant nearly 10 years after it first released. You play as Cole Phelps, a detective working on increasingly big cases in 1940s Los Angeles. When you’re not on a mission, you’re welcome to explore this rich period setting, either by foot or car. It’s a much more refined, mature experience than similar games in the genre, but give it the time it deserves and you won’t regret it.
4. NBA 2K21
It still boggles the mind that they can squeeze a full sports game into a tiny, portable console, but by Jove Nintendo finds a way! NBA 2K21 is the latest entry in the basketball sim series, offering fast-paced, accessible gameplay, as well as full career and online modes to keep you slam dunking all year. For this entry, the graphics have been tweaked so that facial animations are a lot more natural, and the ball moves around much more believably. This all makes for arguably the best-looking sports game on the Switch.
3. Doom
Consider the rampant disembowelling found in the Switch port of Doom to satiate your sadistic streak. The frenetic, non-stop action feels right at home on the Switch, as you mow down wave after wave of hellspawn. It offers some of the most creative kill animations we’ve ever seen, each looking good enough that you’ll think blood’s splattering through your screen!
2. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
There aren’t enough superlatives to describe how good this game is. Never have we played an open-world game that’s so immersive, so deep and just so gosh darn fun to play. Every aspect of the game is flawless, and the fact it works on a tablet is nothing short of witchcraft. It may not have the most realistic graphics on the console, but I’d defy anyone to find a more beautiful digital world.
1. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
How they managed to fit a game the size of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - arguably one of the biggest and best games of this console generation - into a portable console is a minor miracle. Sure the textures might not pop like that do on a PC, but the entire game functions perfectly on the Switch, and the controls translate just as well to handheld mode. Long live the Switcher!
