As theNintendo Switchbegins its official goodbye to make way for the Nintendo Switch 2, it’s time to look at some of the gems this console gave us over its 8-year lifespan. WhileSwitch games will be playable on the Switch 2, the number of games that will still be produced with compatibility with the original Switch will lessen until it is eventually phased out altogether.
While there are hundreds of amazing games on the Switch, several of them are also available on other platforms or, likeMonster Hunter Rise, eventually received ports for other platforms despite originally being Switch exclusives. That being said,true Switch exclusives are where this console truly left its mark on players, and we can only hope the Nintendo Switch 2 will see an exclusive lineup with just as much impact.
10Pokémon Legends: Arceus Was An Unexpected Change For The Franchise
Metacritic Metascore: 83
While the original Nintendo Switch saw severalPokémonreleases in its lifespan, not all of them stood out or met expectations.Let’s Go Pikachu & Eeveewas a uniquePokémon GO-esque take on the original games with strange mechanics,Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearlwas a somewhat lackluster remake for Gen 4,Sword & Shieldwas a great Gen 8 gamebut predictable, and finally,Scarlet & Violetfaced several critiques for its quality.
However, in the midst of all of this,Pokémon Legends: Arceuswas unlike anything players of the franchise had ever seen.Taking place in the past and featuring a randomized selection of starter Pokémon with new final evolutions, nobody truly knew what to make of this experimental game, but despite some initial concerns, it became a fan-favorite because of how different it was. Now withLegends: Z-Areleasing this year, this has become an anticipated spin-off series with the opportunity to recapture that same noveltyArceusbrought to the table.
Metacritic Metascore: 88 | Screen Rant Rating: 10/10
WhileMetroid Prime Remasteredwas another stand-out for the franchise on the Nintendo Switch, it is technically a remaster of an already existing phenomenal game, so it didn’t surprise anyone that it was just as incredible as the original. That being said, oneMetroidgame that did stand out wasMetroid Dread. Despite being critiqued as extremely difficult,Metroid Dreadis a blast, with incredible pacing, graphics, and mechanics.
While it may have been a bigger challenge than players were anticipating, that struggle just made the payoff that much better.CompletingMetroid Dreadwas a featand one that Nintendo Switch players aren’t likely to forget soon. This rewarding experience might have left you exhausted, but I’d argue that it’s a bit rarer to findgames with a truly difficult final boss, andMetroid Dreadfalls right in that sweet spot of being punishing, but not impossible.
8Fire Emblem: Three Houses Put A Unique Spin On A Familiar Franchise
Metacritic Metascore: 89 | Screen Rant Rating: 9/10
While plenty of games might suck you into their world first, or have you fall blindly in love with their characters,Fire Emblemis a franchise known for doing a bit of both.Right from the start, you know you’re in for an emotional rollercoaster as you’re introduced to the case of characters, but that’s not all that makesThree Housesa standout among the rest. As an approachable introductory game to the franchise,Three Housesmanaged to bring plenty of newFire Emblemplayers into the fold.
Everything aboutThree Housesis designed intentionally to draw you into its compelling story, starting first and foremost with its wonderful writing. While it does have its awkward moments, so does nearly every game, and they are almost entirely outweighed by the good here. The school system offers an interesting extra layer toFire Emblemgameplay, and new battle mechanics make some bold changes to the formula.Three Housesis already a game that players frequently return to because they aren’t ready to say goodbye, and I don’t expect that to change anytime soon.
7Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Was A JRPG For Everyone
Metacritic Metascore: 89 | Screen Rant Rating: 10/10
JRPGs are a unique genre of games that can inspire both deep passion and general avoidance in different audiences. Those who enjoy the genre have played the majority of the heavy-hitters, likeXenoblade,Persona, andFinal Fantasy, but every once in a while, one of these games makes its way to the wider market and becomes a game for everyone.Xenoblade Chronicleshas been making waves from the start, andXenoblade Chronicles 3built on that momentum. An undeniable hit among franchise fans, it also introduced an incredible world to audiences who had never given the franchise a chance.
Building on the foundation of thefirst twoXenobladegames,Xenoblade Chronicles 3implements several QoL features that make this the best way to experience the franchise for the first time. It’sa perfect introduction to JRPGsand a good gateway to both the series as a whole and other JRPG franchises. Overall,Xenoblade Chronicles 3was anincredibly well-built game with masterful gameplay and character narrativesthat serves as a reminder of how much the genre has to offer.
6Super Mario Bros. Wonder Shook The Foundation For Mainline Mario
Metacritic Metascore: 92 | Screen Rant Rating: 9/10
When Super Mario Bros. Wonder was first announced, there was no doubt it would beunlike anything the mainline Mario series had ever produced before. Seeing Mario stomping around as an elephant or characters shrunk down into slime-looking globs gave fans every indication thatMario Wonderwould be a magical experience, and it was. In addition to being genuinely difficult at times, Mario Wonder utilized all the features that madeSuper Mario Bros.games incredible and expanded on them in a way that felt almost experimental.
Singing flowers, dancing enemies, and chaotic power-ups are just a few of the things that can be triggered on any given level, and you never know what you’re in for. While I’ve always enjoyed Mario best with friends, this is the first time the game itself brought me as much laughter and joy as my co-op players did. I find myself returning to it again and again, and I hope that when the Nintendo Switch 2 inevitably sees aSuper Mario Bros.release, it’s half as insane as this one.
5Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Was With The Switch From Start To Finish
Metacritic Metascore: 92
WhileMario Kart 8was technically originally released on the Wii U, one of Nintendo’s most disappointing consoles, I think everyone would agree that theDeluxeversion on the Nintendo Switch is not the same game. With the release ofMario Kart 8 Deluxeon the Nintendo Switch, which featured several changes to modes and other aspects of the game, Nintendo also releasedseveral DLC waves that included new tracks and occasionally new characters, some of which were other Nintendo IPs.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxewas not just a port of the Wii U version to the Nintendo Switch, but instead a fully remastered game with additional content to give the game another chance on a more successful console.
With steadily updated content and changes that kept the meta forMario Kart 8 Deluxeon the move,players were always on their toes, and the game never had a chance to truly phase out of popularity. Although the sixth and final wave was released right before 2024, over a year before the end of the Switch’s lifespan, it was left with plenty of content for players to enjoy beforeMario Kart Worldreleases as a launch titlefor the Nintendo Switch 2.
4Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Felt Like A Dream
Metacritic Metascore: 93
TheSuper Smash Bros.franchise has been a staple for Nintendo since the original game’s release in 1999 for the Nintendo 64. Since then, it’s had several notable releases, and to this day, there’s still debate over which one was the most significant. That being said, it’s hard to argue with the impact ofSuper Smash Bros. Ultimateon the franchise.Featuring an already impressive base roster,Smash Ultimatethen saw several waves of DLC characters that changed things forever.
FromPersona 5’s Joker toMinecraft’s Steve, these DLC character announcements were the kind of event you had to see to believe. Crowds gathered on the edge of their seats to watch these reveals, and the characters' trailers themselves still get views today from players reliving the nostalgia. Closing things out with the impossible,Kingdom Hearts' Sora inSmash,Masahiro Sakurai ledSmash Ultimateout with a bang that I don’t think can ever be replicatedfor the franchise.
3Super Mario Odyssey Still Leaves Me Longing For Another 3D Mario
Metacritic Metascore: 97
While there are several notable 3DMarios, most of which are phenomenal games,Super Mario Odysseytruly stuck the landing by creating a near-perfect 3DMarioexperience.Marioplatformers are a staple in overall video game history, but there was just something about exploring the world and elements ofMarioin a new way that was so captivating you couldn’t look away.
Although no 3DMariohas been announced for the Switch 2,Donkey Kong Bananzais a Switch 2 exclusivethat bears a striking resemblance toMario Odyssey, and might just fill that void until we get word about the next official release.
ForSuper Mario Odysseyin particular,you’ll visit several worlds, all vastly different from each other, and each with several things to do. For once, I didn’t even mind the amount of backtracking required, as the worlds are enjoyable enough to avoid wearing out their welcome. With a generalized objective of finding what you need to progress,you’re encouraged to explore and actively rewarded for it. The graphics, gameplay, and worlds were all so incredibly well-orchestrated that I can only hope the Nintendo Switch 2 uses the foundation built here for the next 3DMario.
2Animal Crossing: New Horizons Was There When Players Needed It Most
Metacritic Metascore: 90 | Screen Rant Rating: 9/10
Animal Crossing: New Horizonsis a game that couldn’t have possibly had a better-timed release. Releasing in March 2020,Animal Crossing: New Horizonslanded on the Switch right as a majority of countries began to see major lockdowns relating to the ongoing pandemic at the time. With millions of people stuck inside with nothing to do,everyone was looking for a way to ease their minds and connect with people again, and that’s whereACNHcame in.
As a peaceful game that allows you to build an island town in real time by doing slow, quiet tasks,Animal Crossing: New Horizonswas an incredible experience and the perfect way to escape reality. I still remember the flood of people on social media every Sunday morning discussing Turnip prices, invitingothers to their islands, and just connecting in a way that I had never seen a game result in. It wasa unique experience that can’t be replicated, and it’s precisely whyACNHstill holds a special spot for so many.
1The Legend Of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Was An Unforgettable Launch Title
Metacritic Metascore: 97 | Screen Rant Rating: 9/10
WhileThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wildwas also released for the Wii U, despite beinga Nintendo Switch launch title, it essentially served as the end for the Wii U. Withitsbreathtaking views, responsive gameplay, and overwhelmingly incredible story,Breath of the Wildmarked a change for not only the future of Nintendo, but theZeldafranchiseas a whole. An expansive and interactive open world showcased what the Nintendo Switch was capable of while simultaneously telling the story of a brand-new type of journey for Link.
While the sequel,Tears of the Kingdom, received some critique rehash ofBOTW, I feel that the major reason for that criticism was that the first step intoBOTWwas so monumental thatTOTKcouldn’t replicate it. Other than the release of a few spin-offs, we have heard zero word from Nintendo regarding what’s next for the series. One thing’s for sure, though—Nintendo will need to drastically raise the bar if it hopes to matchThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’s launchon theNintendo Switch.
Nintendo Switch
The Nintendo Switch is the successor to 2012’s Wii U console. The Nintendo Switch allows gamers to easily switch between playing on a TV to a handheld console. The first model was released in 2017, followed by the Nintendo Switch Lite, which is strictly a handheld console. In October 2021, Nintendo released an upgraded Switch console with an OLED screen.
