The best Nintendo Switch games you can play right now

Looking for some of the best games to play on the go? You can’t go wrong with the Nintendo Switch or the Nintendo Switch OLED Model. Some of the most popular consoles on the market right now, they offer three ways to play: handheld, tabletop and via your TV. They boast an expansive library of games as well, from classics featuring Nintendo mainstays like Mario in “Super Mario Bros. Wonder” to adaptations of beloved stories like “Harry Potter” in “Hogwarts Legacy.” 

Do you want to explore a far-off land with an expansive game like “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom”? Or would you rather play a fun, whimsical adventure with tiny ant-like creatures doing your bidding in “Pikmin” instead? We’ve curated some of our favorite games for the Nintendo Switch right now.

Explore some of our favorite picks below. 

Our top picks for the best Nintendo Switch games you can play now

Best Nintendo Switch game overall: “Super Mario Bros. Wonder”

Release date: October 20, 2023 | Genre: Platforming | Rating: E

The newest adventure in the beloved “Mario” series is a total gem. You get to pick from the classic lineup, including Mario, Luigi, princesses Peach and Daisy, Toad and Toadette, the mischievous Nabbit, and Yoshi as you set off to explore the Flower Kingdom. In addition to jumping over mushrooms and dodging the likes of Goombas and Piranha Plants, you’ll zip through Warp Pipes and gathering Wonder Seeds peppered throughout each level.

These Wonder Seeds are game changers, giving Mario and the gang some pretty wild new looks and abilities, like turning into an elephant. Imagine trapping your foes in bubbles with a special flower, or drilling right through barriers with a mushroom. Then there’s the Wonder Flower. This thing can animate pipes, summon hordes of enemies and shake up your character’s appearance and skills in unexpected ways.

You can also collect badges, which are power-ups for every character scattered about the world. Want to spice up your moves? Grab an action badge. Looking to beef up your skills? A boost badge is what you need. And for the players craving that extra edge, expert badges are there to uncover even more surprises. There’s a badge to match every play style.

Whether you’re all about that solo journey or you’re ready to join forces with up to three other players, this game’s got you covered. You can gather your crew for some couch co-op on a single Switch, or connect online through Nintendo Switch Online to bring the party to your pals no matter where they are. Just don’t hold us responsible for friendships broken while you’ve been playing a “Mario” game together. They’re still pretty cutthroat. 

Best Nintendo Switch real-time strategy game: “Pikmin 4”

Release date: 7/21/23 | Genre: Simulation | Rating: E10+

“Pikmin 4” is the fourth in a series of strategy games where you’re a member of the Rescue Corps, a tiny group of characters looking to save their leader, Captain Olimar.

They work with squads of adorable aliens called Pikmin, who can perform a variety of tasks, from carrying objects to fighting enemies to lifting heavy objects to walking underwater. It’s your job to direct them so they can help you.

There’s also an adorable dog named Oatchi, who steals the show every time he comes onscreen. Dog lovers, it’s going to be a tough competition of cuteness, between the Pikmin and Oatchi.

There’s also a swath of fun multiplayer competitions. You can challenge others to find treasures, for example.

“Pikmin 4” is a fun respite from the norm when it comes to challenging strategy, and easily one of the Switch’s cutest adventures, though also deep and satisfying. 

Best Nintendo Switch remastered game: “Metroid Prime Remastered”

Release date: 2/6/23 | Genre: Action/Adventure | Rating: T

This remastered version of the classic 2002 GameCube release is one of the best ways to experience “Metroid Prime,” and a can’t-miss experience on the Switch. 

As “Metroid” heroine Samus Aran, you’ve got to head to the planet of Tallon IV to stop space pirates and their wicked experiments. As one of the most beloved GameCube titles of all time, it found its way to the Switch and made a home for itself with improved graphics, performance, sound and more. 

As Samus, you’ll explore the world in third-person as you solve puzzles, engage in platforming, and defeat a wide range of enemies on Tallon IV. Find the twelve Chozo Artifacts to make your way to the Phazon crater, where Samus can learn even more skills, like how to turn into her Morph Ball form, where she rolls around like an armadillo.

This satisfying and challenging game is still one of the best you’ll find in Nintendo’s cadre, and now that it’s back with much-needed quality of life improvements, it’s time to return and see how much things have improved. 

Best Nintendo Switch action/adventure game: “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom”

Release date: 5/12/23 | Genre: Role Playing / Adventure | Rating: E10+

If you’re a Nintendo Switch owner, you’ve got to make sure you snap up “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom,” or you’ll be missing out. This game takes you on another epic adventure with Link, where he’s not just the hero you know and love, but also a pioneer in a breathtaking version of the kingdom of Hyrule. 

This is your ticket back to the sprawling area you first explored in “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild,” but this time, you’re not just wandering the wilds.  You’re also taking to the seas and soaring through the skies. There’s a whole new level of freedom in how you can explore, and with fresh abilities to master and weapons to forge, the possibilities feel endless.

Whether you’re a teenager or an adult, “Tears of the Kingdom” offers a lush, action-packed playground where you’ll face off against formidable foes and unravel the land’s deepest secrets.

As the successor to the wildly popular “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild,” this game doesn’t just live up to its legacy; it continues it and expands on it. There’s a good reason it continues to dominate the Switch bestseller charts, after all.

Best Nintendo Switch role-playing game: “Super Mario RPG”

Release date: November 17, 2023 | Genre: Role-playing | Rating: E

Nintendo Switch breathes new life into the 1996 Super Nintendo classic “Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars” with this remaster, and knocks it out of the park.

While respecting the SNES original’s soul, the remake shines with polished graphics and refined gameplay. This isn’t your average RPG, after all. It stars your favorite Mario characters, all on a quest to (you guessed it) save Princess Peach.

It’s a colorful, whimsical adventure that’s set up like a darker game like “Final Fantasy,” but opts for a more lighthearted approach. It’s a great starter RPG for younger players, or those who aren’t familiar with more recent game mechanics. 

Seasoned vets will appreciate how closely this remake sticks to the original game’s vision. It’s a classic for a reason, and despite the high price to purchase a real copy these days, it’s now more accessible to anyone who just wants to see what a “Mario” RPG looks like. 

Is the Nintendo Switch worth it?

If you want a Switch, you should absolutely get one. It really shines in its ability to support at-home and on-the-go play. If you love the idea of switching between a home console and mobile gaming that you don’t have to use your phone for, the Switch might just be your perfect match.

Nintendo is known for serving up some seriously addictive exclusive games like “The Legend of Zelda,” “Super Mario,” and “Animal Crossing.” If you’re a fan, there are plenty of new installations in the works, and even more new games in other classic Nintendo series to play on the way. It’s also the social butterfly of gaming consoles, perfect for multiplayer sessions whether you’re lounging with your family or laughing with friends.

But let’s talk money. The Switch doesn’t come in a one-size-fits-all configuration. There’s the original model, the portable Switch Lite, and the fancy Switch OLED with its crisp, bright screen that, if you’re always playing on your own system, you’re going to want to pick up. Each has its own price tag, but there are often sales on these systems all the time so you’re not expected to pay full price for a new system every time you buy one. 

Keep in mind, too, that games for the Switch hold their value well, which means you shouldn’t expect huge price drops on them, and if you want to play online, you’ll need a Nintendo Switch Online subscription. Don’t forget to factor in any extra accessories you might want.

Consider how the Switch would fit in with any gaming gear you already have. What new experiences can it offer? How might it enhance what you’ve got? And because the tech world never stands still, it’s smart to keep an eye on what Nintendo has in the pipeline – you wouldn’t want to miss out on the next big thing. There’s already a new Switch rumored to be on the horizon, so soon we’ll be talking backward compatibility. If you’re still into it, the Switch is definitely a no-brainer for most gamers. 

Brittany Vincent

Brittany Vincent has been covering gaming, tech, and all things entertainment for 16 years for a variety of online and print publications. She’s been covering the commerce space for nearly a decade. Follow her on Twitter at @MolotovCupcake.