Top 10 Best Nintendo Switch Games of All Time

The 2023 sequel scored 96/100 on Metacritic by expanding Breath of the Wild's world vertically into the sky and underground while adding the revolutionary Ultrahand and Fuse mechanics. It sold 10 million copies in its first three days, becoming the fastest-selling Zelda game ever.

Mario's globe-trotting 3D platformer scored 97/100 on Metacritic and sold over 26 million copies by reintroducing the free-roaming sandbox design of Super Mario 64 with the addition of Cappy — a hat that can possess almost any object or enemy in the game world.

The best-selling Switch game of all time with over 64 million copies sold, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe refined the definitive kart racer with 96 tracks (following the Booster Course DLC), all-new battle modes, and seamless online play that made it a must-own for virtually every Switch owner.

Masahiro Sakurai's magnum opus assembled every character in the franchise's 23-year history (89 fighters) into the most content-rich fighting game ever made. With over 33 million copies sold, it remains the best-selling fighting game in history and a fixture at competitive gaming events worldwide.

Released on 20 March 2020 — the first day of COVID-19 lockdowns across much of the world — Animal Crossing: New Horizons became the collective coping mechanism of a generation, selling 45 million copies and hosting virtual political events, fashion shows, and graduation ceremonies.

The best Metroid game since Super Metroid in 1994, Dread scored 88/100 on Metacritic and won multiple Game of the Year awards in 2021. Its precise combat, terrifying E.M.M.I. robot sequences, and satisfying ability progression reminded the world why the Metroidvania genre takes its name from Nintendo's series.

The most acclaimed Fire Emblem game in the franchise's 30-year history, Three Houses sold over 4 million copies and scored 89/100 on Metacritic. Its Hogwarts-style academy setting, three dramatically different story routes, and deep tactical combat made it an unmissable JRPG for Switch owners.

The most innovative Pokémon game in 25 years, Arceus abandoned the traditional turn-based formula for a seamless open-world where players catch Pokémon in real-time. Selling over 14.8 million copies, it pointed the way toward what the franchise could become and delighted long-time fans craving something new.

Nintendo's ink-based third-person shooter sold 10.6 million copies in its first three days — the fastest-selling Nintendo Switch game in Japan's history. Its vibrant aesthetic, unique gameplay mechanics, and robust competitive and co-op modes cemented the Splatoon franchise as one of Nintendo's most important new IPs.

The 2023 sequel scored 96/100 on Metacritic by expanding Breath of the Wild's world vertically into the sky and underground while adding the revolutionary Ultrahand and Fuse mechanics. It sold 10 million copies in its first three days, becoming the fastest-selling Zelda game ever.

Mario's globe-trotting 3D platformer scored 97/100 on Metacritic and sold over 26 million copies by reintroducing the free-roaming sandbox design of Super Mario 64 with the addition of Cappy — a hat that can possess almost any object or enemy in the game world.

The best-selling Switch game of all time with over 64 million copies sold, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe refined the definitive kart racer with 96 tracks (following the Booster Course DLC), all-new battle modes, and seamless online play that made it a must-own for virtually every Switch owner.

Masahiro Sakurai's magnum opus assembled every character in the franchise's 23-year history (89 fighters) into the most content-rich fighting game ever made. With over 33 million copies sold, it remains the best-selling fighting game in history and a fixture at competitive gaming events worldwide.

Released on 20 March 2020 — the first day of COVID-19 lockdowns across much of the world — Animal Crossing: New Horizons became the collective coping mechanism of a generation, selling 45 million copies and hosting virtual political events, fashion shows, and graduation ceremonies.

The best Metroid game since Super Metroid in 1994, Dread scored 88/100 on Metacritic and won multiple Game of the Year awards in 2021. Its precise combat, terrifying E.M.M.I. robot sequences, and satisfying ability progression reminded the world why the Metroidvania genre takes its name from Nintendo's series.

The most acclaimed Fire Emblem game in the franchise's 30-year history, Three Houses sold over 4 million copies and scored 89/100 on Metacritic. Its Hogwarts-style academy setting, three dramatically different story routes, and deep tactical combat made it an unmissable JRPG for Switch owners.

The most innovative Pokémon game in 25 years, Arceus abandoned the traditional turn-based formula for a seamless open-world where players catch Pokémon in real-time. Selling over 14.8 million copies, it pointed the way toward what the franchise could become and delighted long-time fans craving something new.

Nintendo's ink-based third-person shooter sold 10.6 million copies in its first three days — the fastest-selling Nintendo Switch game in Japan's history. Its vibrant aesthetic, unique gameplay mechanics, and robust competitive and co-op modes cemented the Splatoon franchise as one of Nintendo's most important new IPs.