The Top 10 Switch Games

The Nintendo Switch boasts an incredibly strong library of games, with many titles worth recommending. For our top 10 absolute favorites, check out the list below. We will update this list as often as new games worthy of inclusion are released.

Please note that while this list contains 10 entries, they are not ranked. If a game has made it onto this list (and managed to stay here), it’s a must-play. Therefore, we’ll be listing the entries in reverse chronological order. Additionally, you’ll find a rundown of previous entries at the bottom of the list. Although these titles have been bumped for bigger and better experiences, they are still great games and worth exploring if you’re already caught up on the latest hits.

Here are Game Informer’s picks for the top 10 games on the Switch.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder

It is astounding that Nintendo can still innovate within the genre it popularized four decades ago. Super Mario Bros. Wonder takes everything fans have come to love and expect from the Super Mario Bros. series and adds fun and unique twists. The platforming mechanics and level design remain top-notch, but the creative new enemies, gameplay-modifying Badges, and the show-stealing Wonder Effects elevate Wonder to rare heights, even for the Super Mario Bros. franchise. Every Wonder Flower brings about new surprises and delights as you traverse the title's Flower Kingdom. It may not be the most difficult Mario game to date, but it's brimming with creativity and is easily one of the best games on the Nintendo Switch.

Sea of Stars

Nostalgic, pixel-art RPGs are plentiful today, but even in that crowded field, Sea of Stars stands out as a genre leader. Drawing inspiration from legendary titles like Super Mario RPG and Chrono Trigger, Sea of Stars perfectly caters to fans of '90s role-playing games. However, it distinguishes itself by expanding on those classic formulas, easing and streamlining many outdated mechanics and game design conventions. Combined with its exemplary art style and expertly crafted soundtrack, Sea of Stars is a must-play on Switch or any console.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

To say The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom had lofty expectations would be the understatement of the century. Following one of the greatest games of all time is no simple task, but Tears of the Kingdom succeeded in carrying forward many of the successes of its predecessor. Link's new suite of powers—most notably, Ultrahand—fundamentally changes the experience of moving through the world and delivers something undeniably novel, even within the long-running series. Add in explorable islands in the sky, a massive underground area, a compelling new narrative, and the intimidating presence of Ganondorf, and it's easy to see why Tears of the Kingdom has captivated so many Switch owners.

Metroid Dread

Metroid fans have been pleading with Nintendo for a brand-new 2D Metroid adventure for nearly two decades. Thankfully, when Nintendo finally delivered, it did not disappoint. As the name implies, Dread is a tense experience, filled with challenging boss fights and deadly robots that relentlessly pursue Samus across the various biomes of Planet ZDR. Metroid's classic exploration-based platforming remains intact, and we eagerly hunted down new upgrades like the Phantom Cloak and the Spider Magnet. The race to 100 percent was over all too quickly, but we can't wait to see what Dread's significant story reveals mean for the series' future.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

The tranquil, low-stress Animal Crossing: New Horizons arrived at precisely the right time in the world. As the news cycle has become increasingly tumultuous since 2020, New Horizons offers refuge on a virtual tropical island. Building and customizing your house and island to your liking is immensely rewarding, as New Horizons provides a fun daily loop full of goals and rewards.

Fire Emblem: Three Houses

The Fire Emblem series has built a cult following through handheld platforms in recent years, but with Three Houses, the turn-based strategy series makes a triumphant return to TV screens in the best way possible. Featuring outstanding strategic gameplay, an engaging story that you can interact with and influence, and multiple narrative paths to explore, Fire Emblem: Three Houses stands out as one of the best strategy games available today.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

A crossover event two decades in the making, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate represents the series in its most realized form. Featuring superb fighting mechanics, an excellent suite of modes to play, and a roster of fighters that includes every character in series history and more, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is an essential title for the Switch.

Super Mario Odyssey

Every Nintendo console must have at least one fantastic Mario platformer, and the Switch is no exception. Mario Odyssey, released a few months after the console's launch, hits all the classic Mario checkboxes and adds a few surprising new elements. It’s whimsical, features perfect controls, has tons to discover, and includes a city level where all the humans have normal proportions while Mario runs around as his short, cartoony self. It’s a strange adventure and a must-have for Switch owners.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Far more than a simple port of the excellent Mario Kart 8 for Wii U, Deluxe includes all the original game's DLC (extra tracks, racers, and cars) and reintroduces Battle Mode, which was curiously absent from the original release. Playing split-screen Mario Kart is always a hit, and having a version of the game with two controllers you can take anywhere makes it the perfect showcase for the Switch. Additionally, in 2022 and 2023, Nintendo doubled the number of available courses and added several new playable characters through the Booster Course Pass, making Mario Kart 8 Deluxe perhaps the best Mario Kart game ever.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

We don't say this lightly: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild stands as one of the greatest games ever created. Awarded a rare 10/10 in our review and crowned our 2017 Game of the Year, it sets a new benchmark for open-world video games. The ability to traverse anywhere visible on the map is fully realized in Breath of the Wild, accompanied by the outstanding puzzle design typical of the Zelda series. It's an unforgettable journey, enhanced further by optional DLC packs that introduce additional challenges and valuable new items to discover in the expansive world.