Best Nintendo Switch Games to Play in 2021 | Video Top 10

Discover the best Nintendo Switch games you should be playing today! Whether you want better-looking versions of your Wii U titles or are just picking up a Fortnite Special edition Switch console today. There is something for everyone to enjoy in our list of top 10 Switch Games of all time.

Check out all of the games mentioned in this video and so many more at our Nintendo Switch Game Buyer's Guide!

Top 10 Nintendo Switch All-Time Best Games

10. 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.

9. 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. 

8. Splatoon 2

A multiplayer shooter game that’s suitable for kids and not insufferable like Fortnite - whodathunkit? Splatoon 2 definitely fits the bill, replacing blood and gore with vibrant paint without scrimping on the excitement and addictive gameplay. It takes the formula of its predecessor and builds on it with the inclusion of a single-player campaign as well as a smorgasbord of new multiplayer modes. Whether you're flying solo or squadding up, you’re bound to have a good time!

7. 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 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. 

6. Monster Hunter Rise

It’s Monster Hunter, but not as we know it. Much like recent games in the franchise, Rise streamlines the combat mechanics to be much more welcoming to new players. You still overcome mighty beasts in over the top action, only now you don’t have to sift through 20 menus to do so. The other big addition is the Wirebug, a tool that lets you zip around the world map like a feudal Spider-Man, making traversal much faster. This helps to make the world feel much more connected, and despite technically being a smaller game than previous entries, the series feels grander than ever.

5. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

The king of the kart racers, nothing comes close to Mario Kart on the Switch. With the near-perfect balance between pick-up-and-playability and challenge, MK8D truly does cater for everyone. Whether entertaining your grandparents or duking it out with the best online, you’ll find a satisfying experience no matter what you’re looking for.

4. Animal Crossing: New Horizons

The most complete, immersive and downright best Animal Crossing game to date, playing New Horizons is a joyous experience. There’s so much to see, do and explore as you help build your new home town, and it’s easy to lose several blissful hours doing jobs that would seem mundane in the real world. But such is the magic of Animal Crossing, even the every day is made to feel pleasant. 

3. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Nintendo has been perfecting their Smash Bros series for the past 2 decades, an effort that culminates with the near-obnoxiously good Super Smash Bros Ultimate. The fighting/party game boasts one of the best rosters of characters found in any game ever, ranging from Pikachu to Solid Snake to Sonic and even the Wii Fit Trainer (because why not?), and each character feels unique, with a deep move set and individual play style.

2. Mario Odyssey

Mario Odyssey is a belter! 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: Breath of the Wild

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. Trust us, it’s worth buying a Switch for this game alone.

TOP 10 Nintendo Switch Racing Games

10. Nickelodeon Kart Racers 2: Grand Prix

An often-overlooked entry in the kart racer genre, Nickelodeon Kart Racers 2: Grand Prix deserves your attention. While you might not be able to play Mario Kart on the PS4, the addition of Nickelodeon’s pantheon of toon characters makes this a more than worthy alternative. With a much more expansive roster of racers compared to its predecessor, you can now play as characters from all eras of Nicktoons, including classics like Rocko’s Modern Life and Hey Arnold!, as well as the most popular shows releasing today. 

9. Monster Energy Supercross 3

Motocross might be a niche sport in the grand scheme of things, but you shouldn’t overlook Monster Energy Supercross 3. It builds upon its predecessor, combining realistic racing with thrilling online multiplayer for endless replayability. Throw in an intuitive track building feature, and the long-awaited inclusion of female racers, and you’ve got the best two-wheeled racer on the Switch.

8. Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled

This remaster of the cult classic kart racer has managed to retain all of the charm and fun of the original CTR, making it a great game for local co-op or tearing up the leaderboards online. But this isn’t just cheap nostalgia bait, and developers Beenox has added more than a graphical update. Brand new unlockable kart parts, character skins and customisation items mean there’s even more incentive to be the fastest on the track.

7. Grip: Combat Racing

Essentially Rollcage for the modern generation, Grip is full-throttle fun. You can drive on any surface: the ground, walls and even the ceiling, in highspeed, low-gravity races. Throw in extensive vehicle customisation options and some cool course designs, and you’ve got a larger than life racer that’s not to be missed.

6. Gear.Club Unlimited 2

Featuring over 30 iconic cars, 200 unique courses and a meaty career mode to sink your teeth into, Gear.Club Unlimited 2 is an underrated gem not to be missed. Couple this with gorgeous graphics that really pop on the Switch screen and gameplay that deftly straddles the line between arcade accessibility and realistic driving physics, and you’re on to a winner. See you on the track!

5. Moto GP 20

The latest entry in the Moto GP series remains the high benchmark for motorcycle sims. An advanced AI system means your opponents react to you and other racers in real-time, meaning no two laps will ever feel the same, making for one of the most realistic motorcycling sims ever. Couple this with a meaty career mode, as well as a chance to play using bikes from some of the most famous races in history, and you’ve got one of the best racing games ever to grace a handheld console.

4. 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. 

3. Team Sonic Racing

Often overlooked in the world of character kart racers, Team Sonic Racing is definitely worth your time. Why? Unlike many of its peers, it has a full campaign full of races and challenges, and an overall emphasis on teamwork. Whether you’re playing solo or in multiplayer co-op, you’ll have to work with a cavalcade of characters to ensure you finish at the top of the podium.

2. WRC 8

WRC 8 is the perfect game if you like to get dirty… in a muddy rally car that is! The latest entry in the storied rally championship series, WRC 8 features a comprehensive career mode, 100 unique tracks and a solid 30fps in docked mode. Like rally driving itself, it’s a difficult game to master, requiring split-second decision making. But this also makes it one of the most satisfying racing sims on this list.

1. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

The king of the kart racers, nothing comes close to Mario Kart on the Switch. With the near-perfect balance between pick-up-and-playability and challenge, MK8D truly does cater for everyone. Whether entertaining your grandparents or duking it out with the best online, you’ll find a satisfying experience no matter what you’re looking for.

TOP 10 Nintendo Switch Horror Games

10. Immortal Realms: Vampire Wars

Ever played Civilisation IV and thought ‘there aren’t enough vampires’? Immortal Realms: Vampire Wars has your back. 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. Call of Cthulhu

Based on the tabletop RPG of the same name, Call of Cthulhu is the game to play to get your hit of cosmic horror. Taking place just after WWI, you play as an army veteran tasked with investigating a mysterious fire that took place on the island of Darkwater. Like Professor Layton’s gothic cousin, this game combines satisfying deduction and puzzles with a truly oppressive, gloomy atmosphere. Fans of Lovecraftian horror cannot miss this game.

8. Vampyr

One of the more nuanced horror titles on this list, Vampyr is a hidden gem that deserves your attention. Putting you in the role of blood transfusion specialist turned vampire, you have to wrestle with your morals and new desire to consume human blood. With a great story, solid gameplay and enough player autonomy to get you truly invested, this is one game that definitely doesn’t suck!

7. Deadly Premonition 2: A Blessing in Disguise

Deadly Premonition 2: A Blessing in Disguise is a bit like the old jacket you like - completely broken but oozing with charm. The time-hopping horror crime thriller picks up the surreal plot left by its predecessor, in which you have to solve a murder mystery in a small Louisiana town. It might not be the most technically competent game, but the characters are some of the most charming found in gaming, the gameplay is campy fun and you can skateboard while wearing a suit. Now that’s the American Dream!

6. Death Mark

A point and click game for a new generation, Death Mark isn’t to be tackled lightly. This adventure combines the every day with horrific monsters that would make Junji Ito’s stomach turn. The game relies on ratcheting up an impending sense of dread, rather than bombarding you with frights, making it a test of your bravery to even continue playing. One for only the bravest!

5. Little Nightmares: Complete Edition

A platformer-puzzler in the same vein as Limbo and Inside, Little Nightmares’ dark palette feels as if it were plucked from Tim Burton’s notebook. You play as Six, a nine-year-old girl who has to escape a giant ship called The Maw. Genuinely creepy without relying too heavily on jump scares, it’s definitely one to play alone on a dark, stormy night.

4. Friday the 13th: The Game

The king of slasher movies has become the king of asymmetrical horror multiplayer! You play as either Jason Voorhees himself, or one of a gang of campmates on a mission to outwit the world’s most violent hockey fan as you attempt to escape with your life. With a ton of extra skins, weapons, signature kills and more, this complete edition couldn’t be any more stacked with DLC.

3. Luigi’s Mansion 3

If you’re looking for a horror game to play with the kids, look no further than Luigi’s Mansion 3. In the third instalment of the cult classic series, our beloved hero Luigi has found himself in another haunted manor, where he’ll have to use all his courage and cunning to save the day and his friends. The perfect balance of puzzles, action and charm, it demonstrates how Nintendo can master any genre. It also has to be in the running for the best looking game on the console, the citizens of the Mushroom Kingdom have never looked better.

2. Dark Souls Remastered

The granddaddy of the ‘git gud’ style of games, Dark Souls looks stunning and plays even better on the portable console. Full disclosure, you’ll have to play in docked mode to see the infamous ‘You Died’ screen in glorious 1080p, but once you’re hacking and slashing on the go, I guarantee this won’t bother you much. There’s also an exclusive Solaire of Astora Amiibo that released alongside the game which is exciting if you’re into that stuff.

1. Doom

The best horror FPS by a country mile, consider the Switch port of Doom to satiate your sadistic streak. The frenetic, non-stop action feels right at home on the console, 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.