The Best Nintendo Switch Game For Each Year Of The Console's Life
With several years under its belt, the Nintendo Switch has had so many games launched. With that, it’s always a great time to look back at the Nintendo Switch’s stellar library of first-party and third-party games to see some of the amazing titles it's had over the years.
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PostsThe console saw a lot of solid entries in legacy franchises, along with some standout games in relatively newer series. There are plenty of great games here, ranging from platformers to RPGs and everything in between, and picking just one from each year is a tall task. Still, there are some that immediately come to mind as the highlight of that year.
8 Super Mario Odyssey
2017
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Like Follow FollowedSuper Mario Odyssey
Platformer Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 97/100 Critics Rec: 98% Released October 27, 2017 ESRB E10+ for Everyone 10+: Cartoon Violence, Comic Mischief Developer(s) Nintendo Publisher(s) Nintendo Engine Unreal Engine 4 Multiplayer Local Multiplayer, Online MultiplayerWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALThe Nintendo Switch started off strong in 2017, with bangers such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and Xenoblade Chronicles 2. Besides these games, Super Mario Odyssey is also very noteworthy.
As the name implies, Mario goes on an odyssey across many different worlds based on the classic trope of saving Princess Peach from Bowser. This 3D platformer has all of the best features of the series, all wrapped up in a really polished package. The art direction is stunning, and the levels are highly detailed with plenty of secrets to uncover.
7 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
2018
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Like Follow FollowedSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate
Fighting Systems 3.5/5 10.0/10 OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 92/100 Critics Rec: 97% Released December 7, 2018 ESRB E for Everyone: Cartoon Violence, Comic Mischief, Suggestive Themes Developer(s) Bandai Namco Entertainment Publisher(s) Nintendo Engine Proprietary EngineWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALNintendo’s crossover fighting game series saw a return in 2018, with Super Smash Bros. Ultimate being a definitive package featuring an extensive roster of characters. All of them feel different from each other due to their unique abilities, and are always fun to control and play around with.
The game is notable for having every single character from the previous games, on top of plenty of new additions that were highly requested by fans. This made it the game with the largest roster of playable characters in the entire franchise. The game has aged quite well, still being featured in fighting game events and tournaments.
6 Astral Chain
2019
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Like Follow FollowedAstral Chain
Action Adventure Systems 4.5/5 OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 87/100 Critics Rec: 95% Released August 30, 2019 ESRB T For Teen due to Drug Reference, Language, Use of Alcohol, Violence Developer(s) Platinum Games Publisher(s) Nintendo Multiplayer Online MultiplayerWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALAstral Chain takes place in a futuristic city, with you taking on the role of a police officer tasked with fending off interdimensional creatures. The gameplay is hack and slash-focused, and players use Legions, which are a type of living weapon that is fused to them.
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PostsDeveloped by PlatinumGames, the game shares plenty of its DNA with other action titles developed by the studio, namely the Bayonetta series. The game offered a relatively unique experience on the console and is worth checking out.
5 Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition
2020
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RPG Systems 4.5/5 OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 89/100 Critics Rec: 97% Released May 29, 2020 ESRB T For Teen Due To Blood, Mild Language, Partial Nudity, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco, Violence Developer(s) Monolith Soft Publisher(s) Nintendo Engine XC2/TornaWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALThe original Xenoblade Chronicles received a much-needed facelift with this remaster released back in 2020, freeing it from its Nintendo Wii constraints. The JRPG features a cast of likable characters, and the story is very compelling.
It also blends a few gameplay mechanics with its narrative in interesting and impressive ways, such as being able to see and predict enemy moves. The Definitive Edition adds a lot of new content and refines a few other gameplay aspects.
4 Metroid Dread
2021
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Like Follow FollowedMetroid Dread
Action Adventure Metroidvania Systems 4.5/5 OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 87/100 Critics Rec: 95% Released October 8, 2021 ESRB T for Teen: Animated Blood, Fantasy Violence Developer(s) MercurySteam Publisher(s) Nintendo Engine Mercury EngineWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALMetroid Dread marked a return of the franchise to its 2D roots, and it was a great one at that. You once again play as Samus Aran, but this time, you explore the planet ZDR, which is crawling with hostile alien life and terrifying robots. The side-scrolling level design is great here, and the stealth mechanics give it some uniqueness.
The inter-connected areas make for some worthwhile backtracking and exploration, and the atmosphere is great as usual. The game did a great job of feeling both modern and classic at the same time with its controls and combat.
3 Xenoblade Chronicles 3
2022
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RPG Systems 5.0/5 OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 88/100 Critics Rec: 94% Released July 29, 2022 ESRB T For Teen due to Language, Mild Blood, Suggestive Themes, Violence Developer(s) Monolith Publisher(s) Nintendo Engine XC2/TornaWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALAnother Xenoblade game tops this list, this time being the expansive Xenoblade Chronicles 3. The story follows two main characters, Noah and Mio, who are from opposing nations but find themselves united against a common, mysterious threat.
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PostsThe real-time combat system here was a big step up from previous installments, and it combines strategy and action in a balanced way. Thanks to developer Monolith Soft's expertise with the console, this game really pushed the boundaries of what was capable on Nintendo Switch's limited hardware.
2 The Legend Of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
2023
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Like Follow FollowedThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Adventure Action Open-World Systems 5.0/5 9.5/10 OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 95/100 Critics Rec: 97% Released May 12, 2023 ESRB Rated E for Everyone 10+ for Fantasy Violence and Mild Suggestive Themes Developer(s) Nintendo Publisher(s) Nintendo Engine HavokWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALThe sequel to Breath of the Wild built upon what was already great in the original game while also introducing brand new areas like floating islands in the skies and underground dungeons. Link also gained new abilities that let him interact with the world even more deeply, like being able to fuse various items to create new weapons and equipment.
This was the first Zelda sequel to reuse the entire map and be even more of a direct continuation, something that is relatively rare in the series. And while it might not be as genre-defining as its predecessor, it was still one of the best games across all consoles of that year.
1 The Legend Of Zelda: Echoes Of Wisdom
2024
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Adventure Systems 4.0/5 9.7/10 OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 85/100 Critics Rec: 93% Released September 26, 2024 ESRB E10+ For Everyone 10+ Developer(s) Nintendo, Grezzo Publisher(s) Nintendo Engine HavokWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALThe Legend Of Zelda: Echoes Of Wisdom finally puts the focus on Zelda herself, as she shines in the first mainline Zelda game, where she acts as the main protagonist, something that fans have wanted for several years.
In this game, Zelda sets out on a quest to save both Link and the Kingdom of Hyrule. The art style and vibe are very similar to The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening remake, which makes sense since it was developed by Grezzo, the same studio behind these two games.
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