2026 might finally be the year the Nintendo Switch becomes the best-selling console of all time. That alone speaks volumes about the handheld’s legacy, but the fact that it’s still receiving brand new games perfectly encapsulates its evergreen status. While there’s no denying that the console is pretty dated at this point, it still possesses one of the strongest video game libraries of all time. With this in mind, we’ve put together a list of the 15 best Nintendo Switch games that you should check out in 2026.
List of Best Nintendo Switch Games to Play Right Now
Before jumping into detailed overviews of each title, we’ve added a handy list of the best Nintendo Switch games below. All of these entries also rank among the best games on Nintendo Switch 2, since the 2025 handheld offers full backwards compatibility.
| Name | Genre | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| Super Mario Bros. Wonder | 2D Action Platformer | October 20, 2023 |
| The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom | Third-person Action RPG | May 12, 2023 |
| Hollow Knight: Silksong | Metroidvania | September 4, 2025 |
| Animal Crossing: New Horizons | Life-Sim | March 20, 2020 |
| Dave the Diver | Action-Adventure, Simulation | October 27, 2022 |
| Slay the Spire | Card-playing Roguelike | November 14, 2017 |
| Another Crab’s Treasure | Action-Adventure | April 25, 2024 |
| Little Kitty, Big City | Casual Adventure | May 9, 2024 |
| Cuphead | Run and Gun, Platformer | September 29, 2017 |
| Overcooked Special Edition | Strategy, Simulation | July 27, 2017 |
| EA Sports FC 26 | Sports Simulation | September 26, 2025 |
| Poppy Playtime | Puzzle, Horror | December 25, 2023 |
| Pokemon Legends: Z-A | Action RPG | October 16, 2025 |
| Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown | Action-Adventure, Platformer | January 14, 2024 |
| Hades | Roguelike | September 17, 2020 |
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
- Released: October 20, 2023
- Developer(s): Nintendo
- Genre: Platformer, Action
This entire list could be packed with at least five Super Mario games, including Odyssey and 3D World + Bowser’s Fury. But since we’re trying to stick with one game per franchise, Super Mario Bros. Wonder takes the cake for what is best described as joyous creativity.
The 2D Mario won the best family game at The Game Awards 2023 for a reason, as it is one of the best games on Nintendo Switch. Throughout its 12-hour runtime, the Wonder Flowers completely change the gameplay, from music and movement to level design. The game maintains a great balance between surprises while keeping the core Mario formula intact. So, if you want nostalgia and action, this is a must-play.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
- Released: May 12, 2023
- Developer(s): Nintendo
- Genre: Adventure, Action, Role-Playing
While Breath of the Wild is undoubtedly a must-try as one of the best games on Nintendo Switch, Tears of the Kingdom deserves its own place. The game adds many new mechanics that feel fresh and challenging. Gamers who are into open worlds and puzzles will especially love it. Besides the fresh additions, this Zelda game also has the familiar lore and visual appeal you’ve come to love.
Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Released: September 4, 2025
- Developer(s): Team Cherry
- Genre: Metroidvania
After years of intense anticipation, Team Cherry finally lifted the curtains on Hollow Knight: Silksong, and somehow, it exceeded all expectations. The 2025 release sharpens the combot loop by making Hornet sharper than ever before. It also delivers in the art and music departments, delivering some of the best-looking and sounding levels that you’ll ever come across.
If you’re still on the fence about picking this one up, you’re missing out on one of the best Nintendo Switch games ever made.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
- Released: March 20, 2020
- Developer(s): Nintendo
- Genre: Simulation
There’s no shortage of cozy life sims on the Switch, but Animal Crossing: New Horizons really is the master of them all. In fact, the game played a massive role in turning the Nintendo Switch from a novelty to a fixture in every household. New Horizons arrived during the thick of the pandemic and brought a slice of much-needed warmth and joy to the entire world.
The core premise follows other entries in the Animal Crossing franchise, as you’re tasked with developing a community on a deserted island. It carries many real-life elements, including seasons, characters, mortgages, and more. New Horizons also has many multiplayer modes you can try with friends. So, if you want a fun, social experience, check this one out!
Dave the Diver
- Released: October 26, 2023
- Developer(s): NEXON
- Genre: Adventure, Role-Playing, Simulation, Action
Dave the Diver joined Switch one year after its initial release. The game fit right into the Nintendo Switch thanks to its core gameplay. The game’s mechanics are simple and fun for any kind of player. The story revolves around Dave as he tries to help run a restaurant while fishing for ingredients in the deep sea! While packing simple aesthetics, this game packs a lot of RPG mechanics, making it one of the best Nintendo Switch games.
Slay the Spire
- Released: November 14, 2017
- Developer(s): Mega Crit
- Genre: Card-playing Roguelike
Few games can claim to be as genre-defining as Slay the Spire. The deck-building roguelike blew all its contemporaries out of the water on release, through its addictive blend of power management, upgrade acquisition, and the sheer unpredictability of its format. It’s the quintessential “one more run” game, and you can fully expect Slay the Spire 2 to join this list of best Nintendo Switch games as soon as it is released on the Switch.
Another Crab’s Treasure
- Released: April 25, 2024
- Developer(s): Aggro Crab
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Platformer, Role-Playing
Another Crab’s Treasure can be a good choice if you love challenging games. It takes inspiration from the best Soulslike games to create a combat loop that’s tough but fair. Unlike most fixtures of the Souls genre, Aggro Crab’s release actually offers accessibility features to make it easier for newcomers to the genre.
Plus, the underwater world is full of colorful creatures to fight and secrets to uncover, making exploration rewarding. While there are some performance issues, the game is great if you can look past that, and is one of the best Nintendo Switch games.
Little Kitty, Big City
- Released: May 9, 2024
- Developer(s): Double Dagger Studio
- Genre: Adventure, Simulation
Little Kitty, Big City is a charming adventure where you play as a kitten exploring a bustling city. The adorable visuals and realistic cat animations bring the world to life. Plus, the controls are designed for feline fun as you’ll swat objects, leap across rooftops, and zoom around corners like a real cat. So, if you’re bored of playing Stray on PC, check this one as it is one of the best games out on Nintendo Switch.
Cuphead
- Released: April 18, 2019
- Developer(s): Studio MDHR
- Genre: Action, Arcade, Platformer
While most players look for relaxing Switch games, you might be looking for the hardest video games on the platform. Well, look no further than the impeccably detailed, impossibly stylized, and bone-crushingly difficult run-and-gun romp known as Cuphead. The charming platformer was an instant hit upon release, and its Switch port was also met with plenty of fanfare.
The handheld’s portability lets you play Cuphead in short bursts, which is perfect for its challenging boss battles. You can die and retry a boss without feeling like you must dedicate much time to the game.
Overcooked Special Edition
- Released: July 27, 2017
- Developer(s): Ghost Town Games
- Genre: Strategy, Party, Simulation
There have been a handful of Overcooked Special Edition games over the years, but you can’t deny the game’s nostalgic drive. Its fun and frantic co-op gameplay makes it a perfect fit for the Nintendo Switch as one of the best games. It includes all the base game levels plus two DLC packs, giving you a ton of kitchens to conquer with friends. The controls are simple, making playing in both Switch modes easy. But don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s easy, as the kitchens get harder with each level.
EA Sports FC 26
- Released: September 26, 2025
- Developer(s): EA Sports
- Genre: Sports Simulation
There’s no denying that the Switch is the ultimate console for local multiplayer. The simple fact that you can plop down the tablet on any surface and whip out the Joycons for an impromptu gaming session is honestly mind-blowing. And when it comes to accessible multiplayer gaming, there are few games as popular as EA Sports FC 26.
FC 26’s Switch version offers almost no upgrades over its predecessor, but the core gameplay is still so fun that you can overlook this shortcoming. It’s also worth mentioning that EA FC 26 could very well be the last franchise entry to land on the portable, so this is the best time to invest in the football sim while it is still one of the best games on Nintendo Switch.
Poppy Playtime
- Released: December 25, 2023
- Developer(s): Mob Entertainment
- Genre: Puzzle, Horror
Playing horror games on Switch can be a little too much for many. However, Poppy Playtime is simply a must-try. The central loop of using your unique grabby hands to solve puzzles and avoid creepy toys translates well to the Switch’s controls. Over time, the game’s small length has also been addressed, and we’re now up to Poppy Playtime Chapter 5. This means that new players have a ton of spooky goodness to check out in one of the best Nintendo Switch games.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A
- Released: October 16, 2025
- Developer(s): Game Freak
- Genre: Action, Role-Playing
Pokémon Legends: Z-A was nothing less than revolutionary for the franchise. That’s not the biggest of compliments, considering Pokémon games have been pretty rudimentary for the longest time. But still, Z-A finally made the jump to a real-time combat system and paired with a dense urban environment for a truly unique adventure. Sure, the game looks like it belongs on the Wii U, and Lumiose City feels like a step back from the open-world environments of Arceus. But at the end of the day, it’s more Pokémon in one of the best Nintendo Switch games.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
- Released: January 18, 2024
- Developer(s): Ubisoft
- Genre: Action, Adventure
If you read our love letter for Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, you will know how much we loved the game’s overall style. Considering the game is a platformer, it slots in quite naturally alongside the best Nintendo Switch games. The title rewards mastery with new abilities that open up new areas and let you pull off stylish moves in combat. Its difficulty is well-balanced, making it fun for both newcomers and experienced gamers. So strap up and control Sargon now.
Hades
- Released: September 17, 2020
- Developer(s): Supergiant Games
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Role-Playing
Even with the excellent Hades 2 available on the Switch, the franchise’s first go-around is still our pick for this list. This is because Zagreus’s escape from the Underworld is such a compact, tightly-knit story that hits the spot every time you play through it. When combined with the fast-paced action and dungeon-crawling gameplay, Hades turns into an all-time classic. And as such, it’s the perfect title to round out this list of the best Nintendo Switch games.
That concludes our list of the best Nintendo Switch games. What game are you going to get? Let us know in the comments below!
Sanmay Chakrabarti
