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As we head into the final week of 2024, it's time to slay the GOTY monster that devours the Decembers of many a gamer.
While Nintendo itself has been in wind-down mode, with most internal resources focused on the next console and a software lineup to kickstart it, Switch itself has had a pretty great year. Nintendo enlisted its various partner studios to shoulder the first-party load as Switch went into its eighth year, and third parties and indies have continued to keep things interesting.
As ever, there are more great games to play than time to play them, but news that the Switch successor will be backwards compatible gives our backlogs a reprieve for another generation.
Here at Nintendo Life Towers, we'll be sending out our reader-ranked Top 50 Switch GOTYs soon [Update: In fact, they're live now], but to shine a personal light on a range of 2024 gems, today we'll be highlighting the NL team's unranked picks. Our staff members submitted their Top 5 Switch games of the year and they're presented below, in no particular order, spotlighting some NL favourites that may get overshadowed elsewhere by your Zeldas and your Marios (although you'll find those below too, naturally).
We've got a whopping 27 on the list this year, a testament to the huge variety of experiences on Switch. You'll find a list of honourable mentions at the bottom, too.
NL staff key: Alana Hagues (AH), Alex Olney (AO), Felix Sanchez (FS), Gavin Lane (GL), Jim Norman (JN), Liam Doolan (LD), Ollie Reynolds (OR), PJ O'Reilly (PJ)
Balatro (Switch eShop)
You know, I kind of hate Balatro for making me love it so much. I don't have time for these sorts of crazy-intense relationships anymore. It's too much commitment. But here we are, with a crazy amount of hours down the toilet to this amazingly addictive blend of card game (which I'm not even a huge fan of) and video game elements that super-power your deck. It's easy to get into, incredibly moreish — don't stress if, like me, you're put off by card rules — and it's also got a very unique and weird vibe about it, so once you've clicked with it...well...RIP and all that. PJ
One moment I found myself curious about the furore. The next, I’m swept up in its hypnotic music, quirky collection of jokers, and picking the Wheel of Fortune every time it pops up. What do you mean "Nope!"? It means "Nope, you’re never putting this game down." AH
Of all the puzzling, platforming, and sword-swinging I’ve done this year, nothing compared to the moment I discovered how to change the order of Jokers. Talk about finally seeing the Matrix. JN
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Thank Goodness You're Here! (Switch eShop)
2024 couldn’t give me anything else that made me laugh nearly as much as Thank Goodness You’re Here. I’ve never played a game that made my face ache, but I had to take a break halfway through this one after a particularly crude joke with a fish left me with tears in my eyes. It’s an absolute gem of British comedy and a definite must-play (just steer clear if your mum’s within earshot). JN
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown (Switch)
It's been one of the really big gutters of the year in gaming news, that the team behind this incredible outing for the PoP has been disbanded. Where's the point in it all when you serve up one of the great side-scrolling platformers — and maybe just the best Prince of Persia game yet — to turn around and be told it didn't do well enough?
This is a dazzling game, a smart, exciting and hugely addictive effort that looks, sounds, and plays like an absolute dream. PJ
Volgarr the Viking II (Switch eShop)
I relish a good retro-inspired challenge, and Volgarr 2 provides it in spades. A minor issue with the UI has since been patched out, and the optional ‘Undead Mode’ makes this an approachable action-platforming jaunt for newcomers. Sublime. OR
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom (Switch)
You know, I actually prefer Echoes of Wisdom to Tears of the Kingdom. Is that controversial? I don't think so. This is just more my speed, more my cup of tea, when it comes to Zelda. And as much as I adore the bigger outings, after Breath of the Wild, I'm more than happy to settle into something a little less overwhelming. At least for now. PJ
Zelda fans have waited almost 40 years to play as the princess in her own mainline adventure and now they finally can in Echoes of Wisdom. Thank you, Nintendo. LD
RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic (Switch eShop)
The core of this game might be 25 years old, but my goodness has it not aged a day. The complexities, the simplicities, the unbridled creativity available to the player - it's the king of management sims today, just as it was at the turn of the millennium. AO
Botany Manor (Switch eShop)
This beautifully written, colourful game reminded me of StreetPass Garden so much that it snuck into my top five. Much like that 3DS novelty, it taught me diddly-squat about actual botany, but exploring the grounds, solving its puzzles, and absorbing the narrative (which follows an intelligent protagonist navigating Victorian BS) was a highlight of the year. GL
I played through Botany Manor in one evening and had no regrets when I wrapped it up. It’s a delightful little puzzler that mixes just the right amount of head-scratching evidence deduction and chilled exploration, all while drip-feeding a pertinent story. Cheering at the sight of a bound book wasn’t on my 2024 bingo card, but here we are. JN
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake (Switch)
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is another HD-2D masterpiece that’s an absolute must-play for any Dragon Quest fan out there. It also comes with all the modern enhancements and QoL improvements to make the adventure more accessible than ever before. Now bring Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake in 2025! LD
Fear the Spotlight (Switch eShop)
It takes great skill to maintain tension and dread throughout the duration of an entire game; even if it does only last a few hours. For its debut title, however, Cozy Game Pals effortlessly tells an engaging story packed with scares and intriguing puzzles. Don’t wait until Halloween for this; play it now. OR
Unicorn Overlord (Switch)
I’ve said a lot about Unicorn Overlord already, so I’ll keep this brief – if you love strategy RPGs, you’ll find an extremely moreish game that rewards tinkering. If you don’t you should still try it out; it’s on the easier side, it encourages experimentation and exploration, and it’s beautiful. Switch is the perfect place to play it, too. So get on it. AH
This one is right up there with your Octopath Traveler 2s and your Triangle Strategies. You know that rarefied sort of turn-based RPG effort that just nails everything and leaves you begging for more? Well, this is that. Unicorn Overlord blew me away earlier in the year, and I demand to see it further up more GOTY listings. *shakes fist at own reflection* PJ
Can of Wormholes (Switch eShop)
2024 turned out a great year for puzzlers on Switch, but I had expected World of Goo 2 and Lorelei to be bloody good; Can of Wormholes came out of nowhere. The work of the wonderfully named solo dev Munted Finger, it's an elegant, layered puzzler that fully explores every idea it presents. Equal parts mind-bending and silly, it's one of the best things I've played all year. GL
Super Mario Party Jamboree (Switch)
Super Mario Party Jamboree is the best Mario Party yet! A sublime main party mode, with seven great boards, 110+ minigames total, and a bunch of other modes like Koopathlon, and Bowser’s Kaboom Squad. There’s just so much to dig into, and the perfect choice for a game if you have some friends or family for a visit. FS
Castlevania Dominus Collection (Switch eShop)
I don’t usually put compilations on my list, but Castlevania Dominus Collection was a dream. Three of my favourite DS games somehow made the near-perfect jump from dual screens. All three of these games are excellent in their own right and stand up to the best in the genre even today. AH
Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord (Switch eShop)
The opportunity to fill in gap in your personal gaming history is always welcome, and Wizardry was one such gap for me. Digital Eclipse did its usual excellent work at presenting this classic in the best possible light, and by all accounts they've gone back in since launch and added even more great stuff. I'm looking forward to dipping back into this one over the holidays. GL
Neva (Switch eShop)
It’s truly rare to see a game that nails the genuine look that’s pitched in the initial concept art stage. However, with Neva, I’d hang up nearly any frame of animation and praise it all day. It’s truly a sight to behold and a satisfyingly snappy adventure to play, too. ZG
Sonic X Shadow Generations (Switch)
When I was playing through Sonic X Shadow Generations, I couldn’t stop thinking about the similarities Shadow’s add-on kind of had to Bowser’s Fury (and that’s only a good thing). This add-on makes an already exciting package filled with all sorts of Sonic nostalgia even better and does a fantastic job honouring Shadow’s legacy in his big year. LD
Pentiment (Switch eShop)
Pentiment is a unique and fascinating game. It takes place in the Middle Ages and the art style, music, and even the fonts are all in line with what you would expect when you hear 'medieval' and 'video game'. This is a great port of a game that's a work of art — it’s very clear that a lot of love and care went into it. FS
Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story (Switch eShop)
Digital Eclipse cracked straight on with another fine entry in its Gold Master Series, giving an excellent overview of an iconic dev. Serving up a spicy collection from Minter's catalogue in a convenient package, with several sides of context to get the most out of them, this is essential for anyone interested in the history of the medium. Best enjoyed with a curry and a good brew. GL
Crow Country (Switch eShop)
A love letter to classic survival horror, Crow Country lets you loose in an abandoned theme park that’s filled to the brim with locked doors, horrifying creatures and plenty of puzzles that (almost) always made the necessary backtracking a rewarding endeavour for me. What’s here gameplay-wise isn’t necessarily new, but a solid hint system, well-designed maps and little jabs at the genre kept me chugging along while curled up under a blanket with the lights out. ZG
Paying homage to classic survival horror is so difficult. You've got to get all of the genre's weird little quirks in there, but do so in a way that doesn't feel immediately outdated and awful. Few manage to nail it, but Crow Country is one of them. If you spent the '90s scrambling for weird little keys and awkwardly shooting zombies, this is for you. OR
Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics (Switch)
We've seen some licensing miracles over the years, but Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection might just beat 'em all. Capcom is taking us for a ride here (in a good way) with a decade of fighting game evolution. Honestly, I think a lot of fans would have been more than satisfied with a simple re-release of MvC2: New Age of Heroes on modern platforms, but this collection goes above and beyond. LD
Lorelei and the Laser Eyes (Switch eShop)
A late addition to my top five. Simogo (Year Walk, Sayonara Wild Hearts) takes a fairly standard escape room — well, escape mansion — formula and laces it with Lynchian horror and French New Wave cinema style to create something truly unique.
It's a game you absolutely need a pen and paper to scribble notes on as you play and, despite its quirks (the lack of a 'back' button in menus wound me up no end), its laser focus on a singular vision makes it an experience you'll never forget. GL
Nine Sols (Switch eShop)
In a year full of excellent Metroidvanias, it’s miraculous that Nine Sols manages to stand out. The beautiful art and music are totally up my street, but it’s the combat that makes Nine Sols truly shine. Brutally difficult – particularly that final boss – it’s the most satisfying game I’ve played this year. AH
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (Switch)
Original copies of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door have only been getting more expensive, so it’s nice to see Nintendo finally step in this year and make what is arguably the best Paper Mario entry of the lot readily available once again. That’s why it’s one of my top Switch picks of 2024. LD
After hearing all the praise Paper Mario TTYD had gotten over the years, I was sceptical if this could live up the hype, but my god did it do just that! Not just a fantastic game, a phenomenal game. Story, writing, pacing, music, combat - it’s just all top-notch. FS
Killing Time: Resurrected (Switch eShop)
Based on its gameplay alone, Killing Time: Resurrected isn’t exactly outstanding. But its utterly bizarre setting, enemies (tickling Murder Clowns, anyone?), and FMV-driven storyline elevate it significantly. In all my years of gaming, I simply haven’t played anything quite like it. OR
Pepper Grinder (Switch eShop)
Pepper Grinder is one of the most satisfying games I’ve played all year. The movement is so smooth. The level gimmicks are so clever. The visuals are so pretty. It’s very much on the short side, but, gosh, what a spicy mouthful it turned out to be! JN
Shogun Showdown (Switch eShop)
This was the biggest surprise of 2024 for me. Shogun Showdown came out of absolutely nowhere to eat up a solid month of my time. Deviously simplistic, even one small mistake can end a run. But picking the right tiles and making the right moves to clear out a wave of enemies is like pure poetry. This is a must-play if you like rogue-likes and deckbuilders. AH
Animal Well (Switch eShop)
I love Animal Well. It's up there with the very best examples of its genre, I reckon. Take a chance on it if it doesn't really seem like your cup of tea and, I promise, you'll be blown away. It's an ingenious puzzle box of a thing, a beautiful-looking adventure that slowly unfurls as you push forward through breezy platforming, best-in-class brainteasers, and some stunning visuals to boot. PJ
There’s one particular moment in Animal Well that made me feel simultaneously incredibly clever and unbelievably stupid. The answer had literally been right there the whole time. I’ve already said too much. But, rest assured, I love it when a game hits that sweet spot. JN
Before we finish, here are just a few Honourable mentions — games we've thoroughly enjoyed this year that are bubbling under our personal top fives:
- Antonblast
- Arranger
- Cavern of Dreams
- Loco Motive
- Pocket Card Jockey: Ride On!
- Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble
- World of Goo 2
And for non-Switch shoutouts, Astro Bot, Silent Hill 2, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, and Metaphor: ReFantazio kept us occupied on other platforms.
Let us know below which of these games you enjoyed most this year, and look out for our upcoming reader-ranked Best Switch Games of 2024 feature where you have your say. (Remember, you can rate your favourite 2024 games and influence that list, even after it goes live.)
Even with Nintendo focusing on the new hotness this year, 2025 is shaping up very nicely. Fingers crossed for a belter.
Comments 31
I would add Yars Rising as a surprise indie. A great metroidvania. And a game made by Yars fans for Yars fans. 😊
@DwaynesGames That was on my shortlist. Just missed the cut sadly. Great game though.
What a great list, makes me remember that this wasn’t that bad of a year for the switch in the end.
Well, I don't think I have GOTY 2024 from 1st party Switch games during this year.
I already have my personal GOTY 2024 on PS5, it was BARBIE : PROJECT FRIENDSHIP.
@Xenoblade-Fan Been a pretty good year for new and interesting indie games in particular I'd say. I think the first party lineup was pretty lackluster but that's what I was expecting from the start with a new console around the corner.
Great picks between the main list, the honorable mentions and non-Switch shoutouts - the ones I've played or am currently playing among these I couldn't agree more with (Lost Crown, Echoes of Wisdom, Dragon Quest III, Unicorn Overlord, Jamboree, The Thousand-Year Door), most of the remaining ones I'm looking forward to playing myself when I can, even the ones I'm not personally interested in are great based on what I've seen/heard on them and I have my fingers crossed most if not somehow all of the non-Switch games mentioned will eventually come to the successor!
@BenAV hopefully they deliver next year, we already have some good games slated for 2025
@Xenoblade-Fan I'm pretty keen to see the lineup for the new console. They set the bar high with the Switch's launch year.
@BenAV I’m crossing my fingers for a Splatoon 4 announcement.
No 10/10s for me this year. I played prince of Persia the most and I also enjoyed Echoes. Was really liking Nine Sols until the last few areas...guess I would go with PoP as NY game of the year. Hope Metroid Prime 4 is my goty in 2025
@Anti-Matter any switch games you liked?
Wow someone picked Volgarr 2. That game is fun with some minor complaints, that boat level is way too dang long. Limited checkpoints in a hard game makes you play sections over and over. I wonder what ending(s) they got. As I've only gotten the undead ending.
Dragon Quest III 2D-HD was definitely my favorite game released this year, but Paper Mario TTYD gave it a run for the money. If remakes/remasters don't count, well it'll be a toss up between Balatro(which I got on Switch AND mobile. It's that good) and One Piece Odyssey. DQ III HD-2D is one helluva game though. Has the perfect blend of iconic and modern and gets more and more involved battle and story wise as the game progresses. Charming feels like an understatement.
I recently picked up Prince of Persia: the Lost Crown for $15, so I'm gonna check out the hype with that soon.
The fact Nintendo's 2024 lineup has been so strong despite the fact they're clearly loading the cannons for the next system is a great sign!
Pentiment came out in 2022, and although I played it in 2024 I hadn't realized it was a 2024 Switch game. OK then, I'll add to my best games of 2024 list.
Also might check out Lorelei and the Laser Eyes. Thanks for the recommendation.
Merry Christmas you filthy animals and a happy new year!
@rvcolem1
Some 1st party Switch games in year 2024 I have interest about but not GOTY material in my opinion such as:
Mario & Luigi Brothership
Paper Mario TTYD Remake
Princess Peach Showtime
Pepper Grinder is good - there is a Switch demo for those curious - albeit short. Almost like a tech demo in some ways since it introduces some great concepts but then rarely explores them after. Plus, I dearly hope the Switch version was patched at some point since I bought it near launch and ran into unfair issues with a couple bosses (iffy hit box on one, respawning right into projectiles just to take another hit with another, etc.) that were patched on Steam by that time. Many of the levels are a joy to play however.
It's definitely Antonblast for my Game of the Year. Strong kinetic level design, a fantastic and funny presentation, it's got a banger soundtrack; it's pretty much everything I was hoping for since it's announcement. A real blast to play.
LAUGH.
Glad to see Shogun Showdown here. Amazing game I keep finding myself coming back to.
@N00BiSH![lol](https://i.chzbgr.com/full/9486637824/h5C4BFED3/laughing-gifs-sloth)
I have actually played 0 of these games, but have most of them in my backlog or my wishlist 😅. Thank you for the extra recommendation!
I’ll try to squeeze out some extra switch time this Holiday!
@DwaynesGames Definitely one of my favorite gaming experiences of the year (as a big Yars/Atari fan), but it was a very mediocre Metroidvania with very enjoyable Yars and Atari stuff in it. The good outweighed the not so good, but man, I really struggle to call it a great game.
I had a great time. I 100%ed the main game (not all of the challenges you unlock). But I'd never recommend it to somebody looking for a good Metroidvania.
Kinda surprised at the user scores on some of the indies here, especially Can of Wormholes, which got rave reviews and a Thinky Game of the Year award. They stand out more on a list like this, which is a pretty solid lineup of games, all things considered. I didn't get to nearly as much as I wanted to this year even though I played more consistently during college than I have in some time, but Animal Well was a highlight for sure. I'd also give a nod to Victory Heat Rally, which I just finished the campaign of yesterday - despite some minor quibbles, I thought it was a blast to play
@Krambo42 Good point. Maybe ‘Great Metroidvania’ is too strong, but I would still say it is a good one. WayForward has also done the Shantae games, so I imagine Yars Rising is comparable.
I would modify the boss fights. There was no indication if your attacks were damaging them or how close you were to beating them (beyond possibly some dialog cues).
@BenAV
Mario Galaxy 3 would make my day or jeez a new Animal Crossing, it’s been a while.
@DwaynesGames I’ve never been a big fan of WayForward. The Metroidvania aspect of this game was about what I expected. Glad everything else was so darn good.
These are my games of the year, I don't really believe in limiting myself to a single console on things like this.
1. Baldur's Gate 3
2. Vandal Hearts 2
3. Pokemon Trading Card Game (GBC)
Nothing else out of the 31 games which I played for the first time this year comes even remotely close to those so I don't really see much point in continuing the list further.
I'm still amidst playing VH2 but I feel pretty comfortable in saying that its a darned legit game.
A good list! Paper Mario is a special game for me despite me having not played it as a child/on the GameCube, and while I didn’t beat it this year I definitely spent several good hours on it.
Balatro also took up way too many hours, and I bought it on multiple platforms this year.
Metaphor and Zelda: Echoes have both been amazing experiences for me, and I still have a long way to go on both.
My biggest games, though, have been the new Ace Attorney releases. The Apollo Justice Trilogy and the Investigations duology both came out this year, and I was lucky (for financial reasons) obtain physical copies of both collections. It helps that this year’s release includes the first official English localization of Investigations 2!
All in all, while not quite the biggest or flashiest year for the Switch, it was still a solid year for the system and a great year for games overall. Here’s to 2025 being an outright thrill ride if the Switch 2 comes out!
(I for one am going to need some big distractions from the world at large in order to make it through 2025 with my sanity intact.)
Balatro now. Balatro tomorrow. Balatro forever.
Surprised to see no one with Smiling Man on this list! It was the clear winner for me, though it’s a testament to the strong year!
I did pick up Thank Goodness You’re Gear after watching Alex’s top 5 video! I appreciate y’all for spotlighting that sort of thing!
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