10. Super Mario 3D All-Stars
To celebrate the 35th anniversary of everyone’s favourite moustachioed plumber, Nintendo have released Super Mario 3D All-Stars, a collection of some of the crème de la crème of the series, featuring Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine and Super Mario Galaxy. Playing it is like seeing the games the way they were always intended to be seen. The timeless art style finally has the technical support to show them off in all their glory. Whether you’ve played them a million times or just picking them up for the first time, there’s never been a better time to delve into the best of the past.
9. Pokémon Sword / Shield
Although Pokemon Sword and Shield both have limited multiplayer features, they’re single-player experiences at heart. Taking the adventure to a pseudo-London setting, 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.
Although Pokemon Sword and Shield both have limited multiplayer features, they’re single-player experiences at heart. Taking the adventure to a pseudo-London setting, 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.
8. 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.
7. Fire Emblem: Three Houses
The 15th entry in this long-running tactical RPG series returns to home consoles for the first time in over a decade as a Switch exclusive. Like most JRPGs, the lore is pretty deep, so we’ll sum it up by saying you spend the first half of the game in a school system, building relationships and currying favour with your chosen house. After that, there’s a significant time jump which leads to more battles and higher stakes. Gameplay-wise, expect all the usual turn-based fight mechanics set against a pretty anime backdrop.
6. Pikmin 3 Deluxe
The third entry in the delightfully quirky series, Pikmin 3 Deluxe is an RTS, in which you control three interplanetary explorers looking for food to sustain their starving world. They, in turn, control plant-like beings called Pikmin, who help you as you search for items and avoid being eaten by native beasties. The deluxe edition adds some equally fantastic content and small quality of life updates to ensure there’s enough to please new and old fans alike. If you’re looking for the perfect balance between action, strategy, pressure and fun, look no further.
The third entry in the delightfully quirky series, Pikmin 3 Deluxe is an RTS, in which you control three interplanetary explorers looking for food to sustain their starving world. They, in turn, control plant-like beings called Pikmin, who help you as you search for items and avoid being eaten by native beasties. The deluxe edition adds some equally fantastic content and small quality of life updates to ensure there’s enough to please new and old fans alike. If you’re looking for the perfect balance between action, strategy, pressure and fun, look no further.
5. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Toss a coin to your Switcher! 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.
4. Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus
Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus is another stellar FPS by Bethesda, who’ve really dominated the genre on the Switch. Taking place immediately after the finale of its predecessor, The New Colossus sees you reprise the role of B.J. Blazkowicz in his mission to take down the Nazi regime in a grim, alternate version of the USA. Tight gunplay and impressive graphics for the console make this a joy to play.
3. Doom
In a market dominated by multiplayer shooters, consider the rampant disembowelling found in the Switch port of Doom to satiate your sadistic streak. Entirely focused on the single-player experience, the frenetic, non-stop action feels right at home on the Switch, as you mow down wave after wave of hellspawn. If you’re looking for a deep storyline, look elsewhere, if you’re looking for some of the tightest gameplay around, rev up your chainsaw and get chopping.
2. Super Mario Odyssey
Super Mario Odyssey is a belter, and there’s not many better feelings than getting yourself lost in the Mushroom Kingdom. Rather than resting on its laurels, Nintendo takes their moustachioed mascot and freshens him up in a new direction; new worlds, new mechanics and new challenges make playing it an absolute delight and a testament to the company’s expertise in game design.
1. The Legend of Zelda: The Breath of the Wild
The undisputedly best single-player experience we’ve ever encountered, The Legend Of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a rare delight. 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. Trust us, it’s worth buying a Switch for this game alone.
