I know how hard it can be to find games that actually hold your attention. You scroll through infinite options, read reviews, and still end up disappointed.
The Switch library is huge, but not every game delivers the fun you’re looking for.
I’m going to help you cut through the noise. I’ve put together a list of fun Switch games that players keep coming back to, year after year.
These aren’t just popular titles – they’re the ones that people genuinely love playing. This blog will walk you through each game and explain why it’s worth your time.
You’ll see what makes them special and which one might be perfect for you.
The Legacy of Switch Games
The Switch changed how we think about gaming. It came out in 2017, and nobody expected it to become this big. You can play at home on your TV, then take it with you on the bus. That flexibility was new.
Nintendo took a risk with this console. The Wii U had failed, and people weren’t sure if the company could bounce back.
But the Switch proved them wrong. It sold millions of units in its first year.
What makes it special is the game library. You get Nintendo classics mixed with indie gems and third-party hits. The variety means there’s something for everyone.
Kids play it. Adults play it. Families play together.
What Defines “Fun” in Switch Games? My Playstyle Breakdown
Fun means different things to different players. I’ve learned this after years of gaming. Some people want fast action and competition. Others prefer slow exploration and story.
I look at a few things when judging the must play Switch games. First, does it keep me engaged? If I’m checking my phone while playing, something’s wrong.
Second, is it easy to pick up but hard to master? The best games let you start quickly but give you room to grow.
Replay value matters too. A game might be great the first time, but will you come back to it? I also consider if it’s fun alone or with friends. The Switch excels at both.
Your playstyle shapes what you’ll enjoy. That’s why I’m breaking down different types of games here.
Do Not Miss These Fun Switch Games
I’ve played through tons of Switch titles over the years. Here are the games that stood out and kept me coming back for more.
15. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Every character from Smash history returns, plus tons of newcomers. It’s the ultimate celebration of gaming.
I mained Link for years, then switched to Sephiroth when he released. The roster is massive. 80+ characters with unique movesets.
Local multiplayer is where this shines. Four players causing chaos never gets old.
| What’s Good | Where It Lacked |
|---|---|
| Massive character roster | Online play has input lag |
| Something for casual and competitive | Single-player mode is basic |
| Constant DLC added value | Balancing issues with some fighters |
| Local multiplayer excellence | Learning curve is steep |
14. Hollow Knight
This indie Metroidvania became a modern classic. You explore a fallen insect kingdom full of secrets.
The atmosphere grabbed me immediately. Dark, haunting, beautiful. The combat requires patience and skill. You learn enemy patterns and strike carefully.
Exploration rewards curiosity. Hidden paths lead to upgrades and lore. I got lost multiple times, but that’s part of the charm.
The difficulty is great, though. Some bosses took me 20+ attempts.
| What’s Good | Where It Lacked |
|---|---|
| Stunning hand-drawn art | Very challenging for casual players |
| Massive interconnected world | Easy to get lost without guidance |
| Incredible value for price | Limited fast travel early on |
| Memorable boss encounters | Some backtracking feels tedious |
13. Super Mario Odyssey
Mario’s 3D platforming at its finest. You travel across kingdoms with Cappy, your hat companion.
I smiled the entire time playing this. Every kingdom feels different. You’re in a desert, then suddenly you’re in New York City.
Cappy lets you possess enemies and objects, which opens up creative gameplay. I threw my hat at a T-Rex and controlled it.
The movement is incredibly smooth. Speedrunners love this game for good reason.
| What’s Good | Where It Lacked |
|---|---|
| Creative level design | The main story is relatively easy |
| The possession mechanic is fun | Some moons feel like filler |
| Gorgeous visuals and music | Motion controls feel forced |
| Tons of post-game content | Boss fights are underwhelming |
12. Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Tactical RPG meets school simulator. You’re a professor leading students into battle.
I spent 80 hours on my first playthrough. You choose one of three houses, and your choice completely changes the story. I picked the Blue Lions and got attached to every student.
Between battles, you teach classes and build relationships. The tactical combat is deep. Positioning matters.
One wrong move costs you a character permanently in classic mode.
| What’s Good | Where It Lacked |
|---|---|
| Deep tactical combat | Monastery activities get repetitive |
| Branching storylines | Graphics look dated |
| Character development shines | Slow first few hours |
| High replay value | Some maps are recycled |
11. Celeste
A tough-as-nails platformer about climbing a mountain. It’s also about anxiety and self-doubt.
I died over 1,000 times finishing this game. But it never felt unfair. Each screen is a puzzle. You have a dash ability and precise jump controls.
The difficulty ramps up, but so does your skill. The story touched me. Madeline’s struggle with anxiety mirrors the gameplay challenge.
Assist mode lets anyone finish the story, which I respect.
| What’s Good | Where It Lacked |
|---|---|
| Precise, responsive controls | Extremely difficult |
| Meaningful story about mental health | Short main campaign |
| Assist mode for accessibility | Can feel frustrating |
| Fantastic soundtrack | B-sides are brutally hard |
10. Pokémon Legends: Arceus
Pokémon tries something different. You’re in ancient Sinnoh, catching and studying Pokémon for the first Pokédex.
This felt fresh after years of the same formula. You sneak through tall grass, throw balls directly at Pokémon, and dodge their attacks in real-time.
The open areas give you freedom to explore. You’re not stuck in a linear path anymore. I spent hours just filling out research tasks for each species.
The graphics aren’t great, but the gameplay changes make up for it.
| What’s Good | Where It Lacked |
|---|---|
| New approach to Pokémon gameplay | Visuals look rough |
| Engaging catching mechanics | Limited multiplayer features |
| Strong sense of expedition | The story is forgettable |
| Research tasks add more intensity | Empty open areas |
9. Undertale
A quirky RPG where you don’t have to kill anyone. Your choices truly matter here.
The first time I played, I fought every enemy. Then I learned you could spare them instead. I restarted and tried a pacifist run.
Characters feel real despite the simple graphics. The bullet-hell combat keeps you engaged. I won’t spoil anything, but the final boss of the pacifist route made me emotional.
| What’s Good | Where It Lacked |
|---|---|
| Unique combat system | Graphics won’t appeal to everyone |
| Choices have real consequences | Some humor doesn’t land |
| Memorable characters | Short playtime |
| Multiple endings encourage replays | Random encounters can annoy |
8. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
A massive RPG about monster hunting and moral choices. You play as Geralt, searching for his adopted daughter.
I put 150 hours into this on Switch. Yes, the graphics take a hit compared to other platforms. But having this world portable is worth it.
Every quest feels meaningful. Side missions have better stories than most games’ main plots. This is one of those fun Switch games that shows what the console can do.
| What’s Good | Where It Lacked |
|---|---|
| Incredible storytelling | Graphical downgrade on Switch |
| Meaningful side quests | Combat can feel clunky |
| Massive world to explore | Long load times |
| Choices affect the outcome | Movement feels stiff |
7. Slay the Spire
A deck-building roguelike that’s dangerously addictive. You climb a spire, fight enemies, and build your deck as you go.
One more run turned into 200 runs. You start with basic cards and craft a strategy floor by floor. Do you go aggressive or defensive? Focus on poison or raw damage?
Every run feels different. You unlock new cards and relics as you play. I beat the game with one character, then tried another with a completely different playstyle.
| What’s Good | Where It Lacked |
|---|---|
| Endless replayability | Can feel repetitive |
| Deep strategy | Steep learning curve |
| Perfect for portable play | Graphics are basic |
| Quick runs or long sessions | RNG can feel unfair |
6. Xenoblade Chronicles 3
A massive JRPG with real-time combat and an emotional story. Two nations are at war, and soldiers only live 10 years.
The story hooked me from the start. You play as Noah and Mio, soldiers from opposing sides who team up. The premise is dark, but the game balances it with hope.
The world is gorgeous. Massive landscapes that you can explore for hours. I finished the main story in 70 hours and still had side content left.
| What’s Good | Where It Lacked |
|---|---|
| Emotional, engaging story | The combat system is overwhelming |
| Beautiful open environments | Tutorials are poorly paced |
| Satisfying combat once you learn it | Some side quests are filler |
| Tons of content | Performance issues in battles |
5. Cuphead
A run-and-gun game styled like 1930s cartoons. Every frame is hand-drawn, and every boss is brutally hard.
I almost gave up on this game three times. The difficulty is no joke. You fight creative bosses with multiple phases and learn their patterns through death.
But when you finally beat that boss you’ve been stuck on, the feeling is incredible. The art style is stunning. It looks like you’re playing an old cartoon.
The jazz soundtrack perfectly matches the visuals. Co-op makes it slightly easier and way more fun.
| What’s Good | Where It Lacked |
|---|---|
| Gorgeous hand-drawn animation | Frustratingly difficult |
| Creative boss designs | Run-and-gun levels feel weaker |
| Phenomenal soundtrack | Limited content for the price |
| Tight, responsive controls | Can feel unfair at times |
4. Ori and the Will of the Wisps
A beautiful metroidvania about a spirit guardian. It improves on the first game in every way.
The movement feels incredible. You dash, jump, and glide through gorgeous environments. Combat is much better than the first Ori game.
I took hundreds of screenshots because every area looks like a painting.
| What’s Good | Where It Lacked |
|---|---|
| Stunning visuals and music | Some performance issues |
| Smooth, fluid movement | Can be too difficult |
| Improved combat system | Occasional bugs |
| Emotional storytelling | A map can be confusing |
3. Dead Cells
A roguelike action platformer that’s fast and brutal. You’re an immortal creature trying to escape an ever-changing castle.
I’ve put over 100 hours into this. Each run lasts 30-60 minutes. You fight through procedurally generated levels, collect weapons, and die a lot.
The weapon variety keeps things fresh. One run, I’m using a bow, the next, I have an ice sword. New difficulties unlock as you progress, adding replay value.
| What’s Good | Where It Lacked |
|---|---|
| Incredibly satisfying combat | Can feel repetitive |
| Smooth 60fps gameplay | Difficulty spikes hard |
| Tons of weapons and builds | RNG can ruin runs |
| Regular content updates | Overwhelming for beginners |
2. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Racing games don’t get more accessible than this. It’s perfect for players of all skill levels.
The track design is incredible. Each course has shortcuts and secrets. I’ve raced the same tracks hundreds of times and still enjoy them.
The DLC added even more content, making it one of the best fun switch games for parties. Local multiplayer supports up to 4 players on a single console. Online play works smoothly.
| What’s Good | Where It Lacked |
|---|---|
| Accessible to all skill levels | Items can feel cheap |
| 48 tracks with DLC | Battle mode maps are limited |
| Smooth online play | Not much innovation |
| Perfect party game | Single-player gets stale |
1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
This game redefined what open-world means. It’s the title that made the Switch a must-have console.
I remember my first hour in Hyrule. I climbed a tower, saw the vast world ahead, and felt genuine excitement. You can go anywhere you see. No invisible walls or locked areas until you progress through the story.
The game respects your intelligence. It doesn’t hold your hand. You figure out puzzles through experimentation.
| What’s Good | Where It Lacked |
|---|---|
| Complete freedom to explore | Weapon durability frustrates players |
| Creative puzzle solutions | The story feels thin |
| Beautiful art style | Frame rate drops in busy areas |
| Rewards curiosity | Voice acting is hit or miss |
Pro Tips to Maximize Fun on Your Switch (or Switch 2)
The games are only part of the experience. Here’s how I get the most out of my Switch setup. It doesn’t matter if you have the original model or you’re planning to grab the Switch 2; these tips will surely work.
- Get a screen protector immediately: I learned this the hard way. Scratches happen fast, especially when docking. A tempered glass protector costs $10 and saves your screen.
- Invest in a Pro Controller for serious gaming: The Joy-Cons work fine, but longer sessions hurt my hands. The Pro Controller feels better, and the battery lasts forever.
- Use airplane mode to save battery: I get 2-3 extra hours. Turn it on when you’re playing offline games on your commute.
- Check the eShop sales weekly: Games go on sale constantly. I’ve grabbed titles for 50-75% off by waiting. Set up a wishlist to get notifications.
- Grab a carrying case with game storage: Losing cartridges is too easy. A good case holds your Switch and 8-10 games safely.
- Enable parental controls if kids use your Switch: You can limit playtime and spending. I wish I’d done this with my nephew earlier.
- Clean your Joy-Con analog sticks regularly: Drift happens when dust builds up. A can of compressed air prevents most issues.
Final Thoughts
You’ve got some incredible options now. Each game brings something different to the table. Some challenge you, others relax you, and a few do both.
I’ve spent years playing these titles, and they still hold up. That’s what makes them special. They’re not just popular because of hype. People genuinely love them.
Pick one that matches your mood today. Maybe you want action, or perhaps you need something chill.
Either way, these fun switch games won’t disappoint you. What are you waiting for? Grab your Switch and start playing.
