The Nintendo Switch has an incredible list of great games. You can search online and find several good lists with game recommendations, however—many of the games I love on the console are often missing.
So here is my list of great games for your Nintendo Switch. The list has two sections; first are games suitable to play alone, and further down you’ll find the list of multiplayer games to play together either in the sofa or online.
Clicking any of the eShop icons 
takes you to the Nintendo eShop, allowing you to easily buy the game. If you buy it digitally, it can be downloaded to your Switch automatically.
Single Player
Fantastic games to enjoy all by yourself. All of the games below are of unusually high quality, and they all bring something unique to the table. I highly recommend all of them.
Firewatch
This game is described as a “single-player first-person mystery set in the Wyoming wilderness”. It features wonderful voice acting, a great story, beautiful visuals and good sound.
It’s a very immersive experience, thanks to a good story, great acting and lovely visuals. I loved it from start to finish, and will probably play it again some time, paying even more attention to everything.
I think this game has the same entertaining qualities as a good movie or a captivating book. Highly recommended if you want a “grown up” and down-to-earth believable adventure.
Gris
The level design is lovely, and together the levels present you with an interesting emotional journey. Great design, lovely visuals. It may start off a bit slow, but give it time. This is one of the few games where I found myself clapping for the brilliant design.
If you want more when you complete this gem of a game, consider buying Neva. It’s made by the same team, and offers possibly an even more emotional experience. They both look fantastic, and has about the same play time. They can be played in any order, as they have very little in common besides being very well made.
Inside
A must-have dystopian puzzle-solving journey is absolutely fantastic. No text, no narration—it is up to you to work out the backstory. The game is short, but you may want to play it at least twice to see the alternative ending.
If you seek a similar game experience, but not as dark and dystopian as this, you could consider Planet of Lana. It’s brighter, with lush vegetation and blue skies, and was clearly inspired by Inside. In fact Planet of Lana was at times too similar to Inside, though never quite as good.
Desvelado
This is a lovely hand drawn and super polished 2D puzzle platformer that is stuffed with charm and beefed up with instant retries. You simply never waste a second playing. Even the introduction cartoon gets the goal across in seconds.
The art style is saturated and lovely, with neat details that either adds atmosphere or provides a hint. I love figuring out how to reach the exit on each meticulously designed level!
If you want an even more challenging experience, that leans more into a narrative, consider getting Celeste—an absolutely fantastic experience! Desvelado was clearly inspired by it, but stands on its own two feet as a perfectly balanced puzzle-variant of Celeste. I loved playing both, though Celeste towards the end became too difficult for me, so I turned on assistance to finish it.
Portal 1 & 2
Two very entertaining sci-fi experiences. I don’t feel it matters which order you play them in—part of the surprise is ruined either way.
The games takes the player on a mind-boggling, funny and captivating puzzle-solving journey through a highly immersive environment―forcing you to think out-of-the-box.
Luigi’s Mansion 3
First of all, this game looks stunning. You will be moving around in a hotel, where each floor has a unique design.
This is a lite-hearted explorative adventure with beautiful environments and extremely satisfying game mechanics: catching ghost and finding treasure has never been this fun!
You can also consider the 2024 remake of Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD first published on the 3DS in 2013. Despite offering less stunning visuals, it has the same joyful puzzles and ghost busting.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
This classic game series has been completely revitalised with this new open world narrative. If you love exploring and adventuring, you’ll very likely enjoy this—a lot. In my mind this is among the best adventure games I have ever played.
The follow-up, Tears of the Kingdom, is even bigger. I have only played it for a handful of hours, and I actually find it a bit overwhelming: the sheer amount of content and freedom in Tears of the Kingdom is baffling.
A Short Hike
A lovely platform adventure with satisfying puzzles as you work your way to the final destination.
This short game is in the same category as Inside and Gris, in that I was eager to keep playing. This game however, is light and bright, and overall just a joyful experience.
You can reduce the size of the pixels in the in-game settings. Compare the two screenshots above to compare the resolution.
Mario + Rabbits Kingdom Battle
A tactical turn based action adventure, with a lot of heart and great design. The follow-up game is also available, but I still want to recommend this one. It is fun and easy to pick-up and play.
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
A charming puzzle-adventure game where you guide Captain Toad and Toadette through intricate, diorama-like levels to uncover hidden treasures.
You rotate and tilt the camera to explore every angle, solving puzzles, dodging enemies, and collecting stars and gems. Instead of relying on speed or combat, you succeed through careful exploration, clever thinking, and attention to detail.
Dr Kawashima’s Brain Training
Among the most science-based brain trainers available. It offers weekly world championships where you compete for the highest score.
Fun Together
A list of very entertaining multiplayer games to couch-play.
Bonito Days
This game is such a quirky, cute and entertaining skilled-based racing game. We love playing it.
You are basically a .. bird-fish that can transform into something like a bowling ball. Each race starts with rolling downhill to gain momentum, which you then use to glide to one of the many targets in each level.
You score points by collecting hearts and bonuses while trying to avoid stalling, cause if you do, you are unlikely to reach the goal. Your landing will also score you some points, depending on where you land on the target.
The winner of each race, and the tournament, is the player with the most points.
Boomerang Fu
Incredibly satisfying hack-and-slash game with fruits, vegetables and beverages. Basically, you have a boomerang you can throw or slice with, to ideally chop your opponents in half.
Super smooth graphics and frame rate; it also looks and feels great. The levels are very well made with a lot of variation. The menu is a beauty. The overall attention to detail makes this game stand out.
The Stretchers
This is a two player collaborative game, that is great for kids and grown-ups. The goal is simple: drive the ambulance to a location on the map and perform a task or save some people.
The challenge is that most things require both players to work and move together, holding the stretcher, saw or other object to accomplish the task.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
In Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, you jump into chaotic multiplayer races where quick reflexes and smart item use are key to victory.
You battle friends and players around the world on vibrant tracks, drifting, boosting, and launching shells to stay ahead. Whether you’re teaming up or going head-to-head, every race is a fast-paced, unpredictable showdown.
Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes
In Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes, you and your friends must work together to defuse a bomb before time runs out. One of you handles the bomb while the others frantically read the manual, guiding you through complex puzzles without seeing what you see.
Communication, quick thinking, and teamwork are your only hope to survive each tense, hilarious round.
Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain
Nintendo made this game to entertain and stimulate. The brilliant feature, that I haven’t seen in other games, is the ability for each player to set their own difficulty for each challenge. It evens the odds and makes it the ideal family game,
Mario + Rabbits Kingdom Battle
In versus mode you and a friend battle in turn-based match. You each control your own team, moving, shooting, and using special abilities to outsmart your opponent. Success depends on how well you plan, cover, and deploy your powerful arsenal.
Overcooked! All You Can Eat
Work together to prepare, cook, and serve meals in chaotic, ever-changing kitchens. You race against the clock, shouting orders, dodging obstacles, and coordinating tasks to keep up with the nonstop orders.
Only by communicating and staying calm under pressure can you keep your kitchen — and your friendships — from falling apart.
Screencheat: Unplugged
All players are invisible, so you have to watch each other’s screens to figure out where to aim and shoot. You race through colorful arenas, memorizing landmarks and guessing your rivals’ positions before they get you first.
Victory depends on how well you can cheat — and how fast you can react.
Portal 2
In Portal 2’s co-op mode, you and a partner take control of two testing robots, solving mind-bending puzzles using teamwork and clever portal placement. You each create your own set of portals, combining your efforts to cross deadly obstacles, activate switches, and outsmart complex test chambers.
Communication, timing, and trust are key as you laugh, argue, and celebrate your way through the challenges.
Rayman Legends: Definitive Edition
A gorgeous fast-paced, side-scrolling action, where you all are working together to rescue trapped Teensies and race through vibrant, musical worlds. You dash, punch, and glide across beautifully animated levels, helping each other survive tricky jumps and defeat enemies.
Timing, teamwork, and a good sense of rhythm turn every stage into a wild, hilarious adventure. Well, I said working together—but each player has a score, which is why a game can turn into a slap-fest.
1-2-Switch!
A rather unique “video game” where players are not necessarily required to look at the screen during play.
Face off in a collection of wacky, motion-controlled mini-games that require quick reflexes and plenty of laughter. From milking cows to quick-draw duels, you compete in a variety of fast-paced challenges that test your skills and sense of humor.
The fun is all about reacting to the moment and seeing who can claim victory in the most bizarre ways.
Everybody 1-2-Switch!
Same as 1-2-Switch! but with new games and support for up to a hundred players using mobile devices and controllers.
Fun Online
Splatoon 3
A one-player-per-Switch online team-based shooting game, where the ammunition is ink!
You control squid-like Inklings to cover the battlefield with vibrant ink. You team up in 4v4 battles, splatting opponents while using a variety of weapons and special abilities.
The action is intense, colorful, and full of surprises as you work together to outsmart and out-ink the competition. A number of unique game modes, and maybe most special: you don’t chose what map to play, as they are all on rotation. The map schedule is available online and in the Nintendo app.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
In Mario Kart 8 Deluxe’s online multiplayer, you race against players from around the world in fast, chaotic tracks filled with wild items and tricky turns. You compete in various modes, including standard races and battle modes, as you try to outpace your rivals and claim victory.
The fun never stops as you face off against new challengers, climb the leaderboards, and show off your skills.
Nintendo Sports
A collection of familiar sports to play with controller and motion. You swing the Joy-Con to hit the tennis ball, throw the bowling ball or swing your golf clubs. Of course, the game is very forgiving; for example you don’t have to know how to play real golf to have fun.
I feel like this game is very underestimated, maybe due to Golf and other core features being added after release? Anyway, currently, Nintendo Sports is a blast for the entire family, both online and offline. Highly recommended.