Seven years into its release, Nintendo Switch continues to offer an exceptional service. I’ve been covering Nintendo games since the Switch launched in 2017, and I’ve watched its library grow from promising to truly impressive.
In 2025, the Switch's hybrid concept still feels very unique. Being able to play on my way to work or dock and finish the session on TV is perhaps a gamer-wanted feature. And a little more than that, in the meantime, Nintendo and third-party developers have figured out how to squeeze every bit of performance from the hardware.
Essential Nintendo Switch games
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017)
Genre: Open-World Adventure | Players: 1 | Price: $60
This game permanently changed how we think about open-world design. In some ways, six years later, I am still mining the depths of the physics system for untested interactions. Climbing any surface, experimenting with environmental puzzles, and approaching objectives from multiple angles create genuine freedom that few games match.
The game respects your curiosity. See that mountain? You can climb it. Wonder if fire spreads through grass? It does. Experimentation in a world-building setting ensures everything is rewarded. Some minor drawbacks: Weapon durability frustrates some players, and rain makes surfaces unclimbable, thus hindering exploration flow.
Super Mario Odyssey (2017)
Genre: 3D Platformer | Players: 1-2 | Price: $60
Mario's hat-throwing gimmick takes some of the familiar platforming and adjusts it. Using possession to solve puzzles seems creative rather than contrived, as you possess enemies, objects, and even electrical wires.
Personal experience: My favorite moment in the game came in the Luncheon Kingdom after commanding Cappy to possess a lava bubble and float through molten rock; these "aha" moments are regularly scattered throughout the roughly 12-hour campaign.
What hooked me: Each kingdom presents new mechanics without saturating them with tutorials. The game chooses to teach players through play rather than exposition.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (2017)
Genre: Kart Racing | Players: 1-12 | Price: $50
Still the definitive party game on Switch. The anti-gravity sections and refined handling make this the most polished Mario Kart entry. With 48 tracks (expanded to 96 with DLC), the variety stays fresh even after almost a decade of play.
Multiplayer excellence: Four-player split-screen runs smoothly, online matchmaking connects quickly, and the skill ceiling accommodates both casual and competitive players.
Recent updates: The Booster Course Pass doubled the track count, though some selections clearly originated from mobile Mario Kart Tour with simplified designs.
Best games by category
Best single-player experiences
- Metroid Dread (2021) Nintendo did everything to exceed expectations with its return to 2D Metroid for the first time in 19 years. The EMMI sequences provide genuine tension, and Samus controls with such precision that difficult instances feel fair. Exploration rewards the curious without excessive backtracking.
- Fire Emblem: Three Houses (2019). This tactical RPG pairs strategic combat with social simulation. Negotiating relationships adds emotional weight to your tactical decisions in between battles.
- Xenoblade Chronicles 3 (2022) An 80-hour epic barely gets more ambitious than this JRPG. By and by, the complex battle and systems reveal their depth, while the story handles subjects of war and identity with surprising maturity.
Not for everyone, but essential for genre fans.
Best multiplayer games
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (2018): A total of 82 fighters and numerous stages from Nintendo's long and illustrious history make a tantalizing assortment in this fighting game. The single-player World of Light mode provides tons of content for solo players, while local multiplayer never fails to keep players entertained.
Splatoon 3 (2022): Ninjas of a sort in this team shooter set their sights on territory, not elimination. Think color spectacle overlapped with complex gameplay systems, rewarding solo and coordinated team effort.
Overcooked! All You Can Eat (2020): Cooperative cooking under pressure is a fantastic test of communication and coordination. Manage kitchen chaos while levels literally fall apart into moments of sheer hilarity that go well with family or friends.
New Nintendo Switch games in 2025
2025 brought some genuine surprises alongside expected ports.
- Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition (March 2025) Finally ported from Wii U with additional story content. The sci-fi setting feels fresh compared to other entries, though the learning curve is steep.
- EA Sports FC 25 (September 2025) First Proper FIFA successor on the Switch, arguably one that does not feel like a mobile port.
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (October 2025) Activision finally brought a full CoD experience to Switch. Campaign runs surprisingly well, though multiplayer is 30fps.
- Tales of Graces f Remastered (January 2025) Quality-of-life improvements make this JRPG so approachable. The friendship themes work better than I expected.
- Hogwarts Legacy Switch Edition (July 2025) Took them long enough, but the port is solid. Some visual compromises, but the magic system translates well to handheld.
Upcoming Switch games 2025-2026
What's actually confirmed vs. wishful thinking
Late 2025 releases
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes Enhanced - December 4, 2025Source: Nintendo Direct September 2025. Enhanced version of the GameCube classic with modern controls.
Professor Layton and the New World of Steam - November 2025 Source: Level-5 Press Release New puzzle adventure, though no gameplay footage yet.
Hollow Knight: Silksong - "Coming Soon" At this point, it's become a meme. Team Cherry keeps saying it exists.
Early 2026 expectations
- Mario Kart 9 - Heavily rumored for Switch 2's first year
- Pokémon Legends Z-A - Officially announced, but radio silence since
- New 3D Mario - Pure speculation based on Nintendo's usual cycles
Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives
The Switch 2 launched on June 5, 2025, but exclusive games are limited so far:
Enhanced editions available:
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (4K docked mode)
- Breath of the Wild (60fps patch)
- Mario Odyssey (improved loading times)
True Exclusives: Currently just enhanced versions. Nintendo is clearly taking its time with native Switch 2 games.
Free Nintendo Switch games worth playing
- Fortnite - Still huge, constant updates, crossplay works great.
- Rocket League - Soccer with cars never gets old.
- Apex Legends - Best free shooter on the platform.
- Fall Guys - Perfect for family gaming sessions.
- Warframe - Surprisingly deep for free-to-play
Complete Game Comparison Chart
Best multiplayer games for 2025
Local multiplayer on Switch remains unmatched in the console space. Here's what actually gets people gathered around the TV:
Being an eight-year-old title, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe prides itself on being the paramount party game. The rubber band AI keeps things neck-and-neck, so everyone feels like they have a chance.
Pro tip: turn off items for more skilled groups, keep them on for families with young kids.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate works for both button-smashers and hardcore whippits. Newer fighters like Steve from Minecraft and Sora from Kingdom Hearts introduce fresh mechanics, preventing staleness within the meta.
Boomerang Fu deserves more attention as a party fighter. Up to six players throwing boomerangs in tiny arenas creates hilarious chaos. Matches are quick enough that losing doesn't sting.
Overcooked! All You Can Eat tests friendships like no other game. Coordinating a kitchen under time pressure while the level literally falls apart around you? Pure stress in the best way. Fair warning: this game has ended relationships.
Splatoon 3 keeps things interesting as Nintendo's somewhat wonky take on shooters. Seasonal events and gear rotations help keep the community alive.
Hidden gems and underrated Switch games
The Switch's massive library means great games get lost in the shuffle. Here are titles that deserve more attention:
A Short Hike costs $8 and provides more joy per dollar than most $60 games. Climbing a mountain to get a cell phone signal sounds boring on paper, but the relaxed exploration and charming characters create something special.
Outer Wilds finally got its Switch port in 2025, and it runs surprisingly well. This time-loop space exploration game respects your intelligence in ways most games don't. No quest markers, no hand-holding - just pure discovery.
Monster Train brings tower defense to card games with incredible depth. Each run feels different thanks to randomized card combinations and upgrade paths. Perfect for strategy fans who want something fresh.
Cadence of Hyrule combines Zelda with rhythm gameplay in ways that shouldn't work but absolutely do. Moving to the beat becomes second nature after an hour, and the remixed Zelda music is fantastic.
Spiritfarer disguises heavy themes about death and letting go in a cozy management game about caring for spirits. Spiritfarer delivers heavy emotional moments, but it wraps them in a cozy, heartwarming experience.
Nintendo Switch vs Nintendo Switch 2: what's actually different
The Switch 2 started with minor improvements rather than major changes. Here's what matters in practice:
5-10% performance boost, which is nice but insufficient to carry the game on its shoulders. Apart from this, load times were slashed by half or more. Even though it used to be a big thing to have a steady 60fps in Breath of the Wild, now there are a few exceptions.
4K docked output looks crisp, but you need a good TV to appreciate the difference. The OLED screen option makes handheld gaming more vibrant, though it drains the battery faster.
Backwards compatibility works flawlessly. Every original Switch game I tested runs at least as well, with many getting automatic performance improvements. Save data transfers seamlessly between systems.
Joy-Con improvements address drift issues that plagued the original. The new sticks use different sensors that feel more durable, though only time will tell if drift is truly fixed.
The biggest disappointment? No major exclusive games yet. Enhanced versions are nice, but nothing screams "you need to upgrade immediately." Nintendo's clearly saving their heavy hitters for 2026.
Gaming on a budget: best value Switch games
Not every great Switch game costs $60. Here's how to build a solid library without breaking the bank:
Nintendo Switch Online subscription ($20/year) includes NES, SNES, Game Boy, and N64 games. The selection keeps growing, and cloud saves alone justify the cost. The Expansion Pack ($50/year) adds Genesis games and some quality GameCube titles.
Hades regularly goes on sale for under $15 and provides 100+ hours of roguelike action. The story integration with gameplay mechanics is brilliant, and every failed run teaches you something new.
Celeste costs $20 full price and delivers one of the best platforming experiences ever made. The difficulty is punishing but fair, and the story about anxiety and self-acceptance hits harder than expected.
Wait for sales on older Nintendo first-party games. Mario Odyssey and Breath of the Wild drop to $40 during major sale events, which is still expensive but more reasonable for games several years old.
Current state and future
The Nintendo Switch, in its late 2025 avatar, can entertain every type of player. First-party titles give the Seal of Polish and Creativity, while third-party titles nowadays entertain major releases that once refused to grace the platform.
What's working: The hybrid concept remains unique among gaming devices, Nintendo's software quality remains uniformly high, and the indie game ecosystem flourishes on the platform.
What could be working: The online infrastructure lags behind competitors, the hardware itself so far is showing its age when asked to work on demanding games, and of course, Nintendo keeps an insane price tag on older titles.
With the new Switch in hand, keep the pair of Breath of the Wild and Mario Odyssey in the forefront of your mind while you understand what makes the platform special. Taking off from there, hit the road of your own choosing: The library is thick enough to satisfy any thirst.
Richard Adrian
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