10. Immortal Realms: Vampire Wars
A turn-based strategy title set in an alternative Europe which is ruled by feuding vampire clans, this is a really slick game with a really fun premise. It’s nice that it isn't needlessly complicated for the sake of it, making it a great title for newer players to dive into the genre. We’d recommend picking it up on the Switch above anything else, as the fast pace of combat makes it perfect for the portable console.
9. Disgaea 6: Defiance of Destiny
A tactical RPG series that definitely doesn’t take itself too seriously Disgaea is an absolute hoot, and its sixth entry Defiance of Destiny might be the best yet. You play as a zombie boy named Zed, who is tasked with defeating a god of destruction terrorising the netherworld. Among all the hilarious anime humour, the game mechanics have been polished and streamlined, making Defiance of Destiny accessible for newcomers, without sacrificing the depth that veteran players will be accustomed to.
8. Valkyria Chronicles 4
Chances are you haven’t played all (if any) Valkyria Chronicles games before, given the series’ sporadic availability, both by region and console. Fortunately, the fourth main entry is a great entry point and is arguably the best game to date. You control a group of elite soldiers in a major world war, engaging in turned-based combat against a beautiful, painterly world. It’s a gripping narrative that offers plenty of replayability.
7. Two Point Hospital
The spiritual successor to the iconic 90s classic Theme Hospital, Two Point Hospital makes running a medical empire an absolute joy. You’ll start with one hospital, keeping everything ticking along while treating patients for whacky ailments such as lightheadedness (where your head turns into a lightbulb) and ‘Mock Star’, where you’re compelled to strut like Freddie Mercury. Before long you’ll be running a veritable chain of surgeries, balancing everything like plates on sticks. It’s challenging, hilarious and top make it all the sweeter, the Switch version comes with all available DLC!
6. Transformers: Battlegrounds
Transformers: Battlegrounds serves as a great introduction for younger players looking to get into more strategy minded games. It teaches all the basic mechanics that will serve them well as they go on to more advanced titles later down the line. Set in the same universe as the Transformers: Cyberverse animated TV show, it’s dripping with colour, charm and comedy and will delight players of all ages.
5. Diablo III: Eternal Collection
Although the package offers very little brand new aside from a Ganondorf armour set, it is objectively the most polished version of the game to date, making it well worth a pick up for old and new fans alike. Although character design struggles a bit in dock mode, this is not an issue in handheld, looking good in 720p and playing oh so buttery smooth.
4. This War of Mine Complete Edition
This War Of Mine sees its first-ever physical release on the Switch this month, bundling in all available DLC content for good measure. The anti-war survival game sees you take control of a number of civilians, as they attempt to endure life in a war-torn city in a poignant, sometimes heart-wrenching narrative that demonstrates that we truly are in the midst of an indie game renaissance.
3. 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.
2. Civilisation VI
Being that the empire-building strategy game had already been previously ported to tablets and phones, it’s no surprise that it’s nothing short of flawless on the larger, bespoke for a gaming console. I’d recommend playing in handheld mode first, as personally, we found the touch controls easier to navigate than using the Joy-Cons, but honestly, that’s nitpicking to the extreme. If you haven’t picked up a Civ game before, there’s never been a better time.
1. 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.
