Nintendo's Switch is home to an overwhelming number of fantastic games. A great deal of them have appeared on other platforms — whether celebrated indie titles or huge AAA releases getting a second wind on Nintendo's handheld hybrid — but the console also hosts brilliant exclusive titles.
Here, we have assembled our picks of the best exclusive Switch games, in no particular order. All of the games below are available only on Nintendo Switch and can't currently be found on PC or any other platform. As exclusive experiences that can't be found elsewhere, these games form the bedrock of Switch's software library. Naturally, you'll find mostly first-party titles.
If you're not concerned with exclusivity, check out our best Nintendo Switch games guide for the top 50 best games on the platform, period.
Best Nintendo Switch Exclusive Games
Super Mario Odyssey (Switch)
Super Mario Odyssey is arguably Nintendo's finest hour on Nintendo Switch so far, returning Mario to the sandbox-style environments of Super Mario 64.
The creativity and pure inventiveness on display is incredible, thanks largely to the introduction of Cappy, Mario's trademark hat which he can use to perform insane platforming moves and possess enemies to solve puzzles. If this isn't on your Switch yet, what are you waiting for?
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Splatoon 3 (Switch)
Splatoon 3 is more of the same, but refined to borderline mechanical perfection. It's the most fun we’ve had with an online shooter in years, and for series veterans it makes Splatoon 2 feel entirely redundant for all but its unique single-player content. It feels like the development team has solved every problem the Splatoon community was bleating on about, and then fixed some more that we didn’t even realise were problems until they were fixed
There's nothing revolutionary about it compared to its predecessors, and it's perhaps missing a Big New Idea™ that you might expect after five years, but Splatoon 3 is the pinnacle of the series, and the pinnacle of shooters on Switch.
And if you play this and still want more, that's what Splatoon 2's for.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Switch)
Animal Crossing: New Horizons takes the series and not only drags it back onto home consoles, but improves upon every single facet imaginable. There's more to do, more to see, more to change, more to mould, and more to love; fans and first-time players are going to find themselves losing hours at a time gathering materials, creating new furniture, and making their island undeniably theirs.
Every moment is unashamedly blissful, with excellently written characters that truly feel alive and an island paradise that gives back infinitely more than you put in. Back when Animal Crossing: New Leaf hit the shelves all those years ago and created a whole new generation of fans, many people were wondering how Nintendo could possibly top it, but here we have our answer. This is a masterpiece that's worth buying a Switch (or two) to play.
Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 01: Variety Kit (Switch)
Nintendo Labo might get short shrift from hardcore gamers, but the invention on display here remains delightful. Labo solved the problem of all of those plastic peripherals you have lying around the house from previous Nintendo consoles by making the peripherals from recyclable cardboard.
It doesn't lose any of the magic though – you can play a piano, drive a motorbike, and make friends with a little pet inside a toy house. All with cardboard and your Nintendo Switch.
The Labo Toy Con 04: VR Kit even enables you to explore the world of VR using just your Switch, a pair of plastic goggles with lenses and a bunch of rubber bands and plastic O-rings. And, of course, cardboard. It's great, and it also allows you to experience certain other titles including Super Mario Odyssey, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and even Super Smash Bros. Ultimate in special VR modes.
If you're after an example of Nintendo's playful inventiveness (and you've got an original Switch rather than a Lite or OLED Model), it doesn't get more inventive or playful than this.
Tetris 99 (Switch eShop)
Exclusive to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers, Tetris 99 offers a truly unique way to play the tried-and-tested classic, even if the overall package feels a little lightweight. Essentially a battle royale take on Tetris, playing live against 98 others is chaotic, and the action feels fast, precise, and wonderfully addictive.
It’s seriously difficult, too – we’d fancy our chances in Fortnite over this any day – and we’re impressed with the fact that it's forced us to play the game with a completely different approach to our usual slow-and-steady ways.
Signing up for Nintendo Switch Online just to play this game might be a bit of a stretch, but if you’re already a member, what are you waiting for? It’s 'free', and it might just become your next favourite time sink.
Fast RMX (Switch eShop)
While Nintendo fans are falling over themselves begging for a proper new F-Zero (seriously Ninty, F-Zero 99 is great but it's about time for a full-on sequel), the folks over at Shin'en Multimedia weren't in the mood to beg. Instead, the developer just went and made the Fast franchise (not that one) on Nintendo platforms. You've got a wide variety of vehicles, racetracks, and an unrivalled sense of speed.
Unrivalled, that is, until Nintendo pulls its finger out. F-Zero is actually quite different, but Fast RMX filled the speedy anti-grav racing void admirably.
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle (Switch)
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle surprised us all when it launched. Who would have thought that an XCOM-inspired tactical RPG featuring Mario and Ubisoft's Rabbids could be so good?! So good, in fact, that it remains one of the best Nintendo Switch exclusives to this day.
Golf Story (Switch eShop)
Golf Story is like a spiritual successor to Mario Golf on the Game Boy Color, in that it marries RPG gameplay with golf. It's an odd combination that, perhaps more oddly, works really well. You'll explore eight unique environments, solving the world's (and your own!) problems by hitting them with a golf ball.
The sequel, Sports Story, turned out to be disappointing, but we still love the original.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 (Switch)
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is the sequel to arguably the best JRPG on Nintendo Wii (also available on Switch) and is a very, very good game, but Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is a genuine masterpiece and the highlight of Monolith Soft's superb series thus far.
There's an emotionally charged and surprisingly edgy epic to get stuck into here, a sprawling and hugely engaging narrative populated by a cast of unforgettable characters that is backed up by some of the very best combat we've had the pleasure of getting to grips with in this genre to date.
Over 100 hours into this, we were as captivated as we were when we first booted it up and it has more than delivered every bit of the adventure, emotion, and action that its key art promised it might. Aionios awaits, it's time to seize the future.
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order (Switch)
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order isn’t a groundbreaking, narrative-heavy reinterpretation of the comic characters you know and love, but then again neither were the first two games. In that regard, it’s a very faithful sequel that mines the vast roster of characters from the comics while including plenty of nods to the current state of the more modern Marvel Cinematic Universe.
While it doesn’t do anything particularly new or outstanding, it embraces the brainless fun of its brawler combat with gusto, and it’s at its absolute best when played with a team of player-controlled supers. Excelsior!
ARMS (Switch)
We love ARMS and we won't hear a bad word said about it. Nintendo doesn't just make a game in a genre, it makes that genre work for it — we saw that with Splatoon, which reinvented the competitive online shooter, and we saw it again with ARMS.
In many ways, this is as much of a puzzler as it is an action-packed fighter. Given that you're often fighting enemies from range, and your punches take time to land, you really have to try and catch your opponent off guard.
It didn't end up having the staying power of Splatoon, but ARMS is still worth investigating.
Super Mario Party (Switch)
Super Mario Party was a big surprise when it released. Very few people expected it to be this good, given its recent history, but this entry in the multiplayer party franchise turned out to be a hit.
The latest entry also offers the best co-op multiplayer yet, thanks to River Survival Mode. This sees you and up to three friends rowing down a treacherous river before a timer ticks down. You'll avoid obstacles and try and collect balloons that initiate a minigame. Beat the minigame and you'll add more time to the clock. It's an absolute ton of fun that's well worth checking out.
It could really have done with some DLC, but there's always the similarly excellent Mario Party Superstars if you just can't get enough, plus another one you'll find further down the list. Party on.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses (Switch)
Fire Emblem: Three Houses will stand as a highlight in the series for years to come. The expanded gameplay styles, retooled combat, lovable characters, and in-depth character customisation hook you fast and are almost guaranteed to keep you engaged for dozens, if not hundreds, of hours as you come to understand this enormous game in its entirety.
Fans both new and old won’t want to miss out on what Fire Emblem: Three Houses has to offer; this sets a new standard for what a strategy RPG can be and proves itself to be an absolute must-have exclusive release for the Nintendo Switch.
Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! (Switch)
Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! are beautiful reimaginings of a video game classic, updating a 20-year-old game in ways which make it infinitely more accessible and user-friendly for a modern audience, while keeping the magic first discovered all those years ago.
Hardcore fans may consider the whole experience too much of a cakewalk, but the game does a superb job of striking a balance between being an easy route of entry for newcomers to the series and offering just enough post-game challenge and competitive play elements (and nostalgia, of course) to please series veterans.
As a result, these new titles really do offer something for everyone, which can't always be said of the mainline Pokémon entries. They might not be an absolute masterpiece, but we’d urge any Poké-fans out there to give these ones a go.
Yoshi's Crafted World (Switch)
If you’re new to the series, Yoshi’s Crafted World has colour and charm to spare, even if its inventiveness is largely limited to its looks for returning fans of the series. It’s delightfully presented and makes for another very solid entry in Nintendo’s ever-growing pantheon of material-based platformers from developer Good-Feel.
If you’re looking to share a lighthearted romp with the family, or simply relax in a big chair with a cup of something warm and a comfy pair of socks, be sure to have a spare pair ready – Yoshi's Crafted World will charm the ones you’re wearing right off.
Keep your eyes peeled for another Good Feel-in' game further down this list.
Snipperclips Plus: Cut it out, together! (Switch)
Snipperclips was the Nintendo Switch's indie darling launch title, and it sums up exactly what the Switch is all about: cooperation, creativity, and a dash of competition. You have to work alongside a friend or two to cut shapes out of each other to solve a variety of tricky puzzles, and it's an absolute riot.
Super Mario Maker 2 (Switch)
This is Super Mario Maker but with more of everything that made the original so phenomenal. Enemies, themes, game styles, gizmos, powerups, the Story Mode having an actual story, multiplayer, the list of additional gubbins is truly massive when you take a step back.
There are a few small issues here and there, but they're overwhelmingly dwarfed by the sheer joy and unbridled freedom that exceeds the original in spades. Realistically Super Mario Maker 2 poses the question as to whether this is the future for 2D Mario as a whole. For any fan of Mario who owns a Switch – heck, for any Switch owner full stop – buying this game is an absolute necessity.
Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the NecroDancer Featuring The Legend of Zelda (Switch eShop)
Brace Yourself Games crafted a unique Zelda game which fits in perfectly with the rest of the family. A transfusion from Crypt of the NecroDancer gives the old top-down template a fresh spin but it still manages to feel like Zelda.
By allowing a talented indie developer to play in the universe, Nintendo has gained a fantastic entry in the franchise that feels like a celebration - specifically of its music, a part of the series destined to take a back seat as the majesty of Hyrule is increasingly conveyed through the scale of its world rather than melodies from the days when the 'kingdom' was really a walled garden.
Cadence of Hyrule is not just a brilliant game, it's a brilliant Zelda game, and one that you won't want to miss.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (Switch)
How does this 'ultimate' version of Nintendo's scrapper stack up? Vocal concerns about past games have been actively addressed, every single fighter from the series is present (even Pichu), the customisability is overwhelmingly vast and it’s all topped off with super-solid single-player modes to boot.
We’re not sure how you could make a more robust or pleasing Smash game — Super Smash Bros. Ultimate truly is the ultimate instalment in the series, and it makes you wonder where Sakurai can possibly take this franchise next.
Astral Chain (Switch)
With its amazing visuals, fantastic presentation, varied gameplay and deep, rewarding combat, Astral Chain could well be PlatinumGames' most accomplished game yet. It mixes detective work with exhilarating battle sequences that are inventive, challenging and – perhaps most importantly – breathtakingly cool.
The complexity of the game's myriad systems may prove intimidating for some players, but the inclusion of a co-op play and the ability to automate many of the mechanics via the 'Unchained' mode means that even complete newcomers can still enjoy the ride. Astral Chain isn't just one of the Switch's stand-out hits – it was one of 2019's best video games regardless of platform.
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening (Switch)
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening was a technical marvel when it first arrived on the scene back in 1993. Easily one of the great Game Boy releases, it was a first bash at a handheld Zelda that took the formula as perfected by A Link to the Past, jammed it all onto a tiny portable console and, somehow, managed to make it all work while adding a host of new features and concepts to the mix.
This beautiful Switch remake rebuilds all of this from the ground up in fine style. It adds modern conveniences, a dungeon creator, amiibo support and lots of little quality of life improvements whilst infusing every single square inch of Koholint – every secret passage, Piranha, Pokey and Pig Warrior – with a level of detail and depth that reinvigorates both its timeless story and classic Zelda gameplay for a whole new generation of gamers.
Luigi's Mansion 3 (Switch)
Luigi’s Mansion 3 is not only a graphical powerhouse and showcase for Next Level Games’ unrivalled mastery of video game animation, it’s also an immense helping of spooky fun as well. The amount of care and consideration poured into every facet of the game is abundantly clear, and it all results in one of the most enjoyable and attractive Switch titles of the year.
It's also the undisputed high point of a franchise that deserves love and attention from Nintendo fandom, and the gaming community as a whole.
Ring Fit Adventure (Switch)
Nintendo's latest entry in the fitness games genre succeeds in properly gamifying exercise where Wii Fit never quite hit the mark. If you're a gym addict you probably shouldn't throw out your membership card just yet, but for everyone else looking to get fitter, Ring Fit Adventure is a fantastic way to do it that won't bore you senseless.
Play it properly and you'll definitely feel it the next morning – a sure sign that it's at least doing you some good – while the compelling adventure mode with its RPG elements ensures that you'll keep coming back for more.
Pokémon Sword and Shield (Switch)
Pokémon Sword and Shield succeed in bringing some new ideas to the table, although there are areas where it could be pushed further. It's an experience full of highs and lows, from the unadulterated wonder and joy of seeing a brand-new Pokémon in a stadium full of cheering crowds, to the monotonous and dragged-out dialogue we just wanted to skip. The wonders of exploring the Wild Area feel like the true evolution of the series — and hinted at the type of freedom that would later arrive in Pokémon Legends: Arceus (more of which later).
On the whole, Pokémon Sword and Shield were a very solid start to the HD generation of Pokémon games, one we wish that Scarlet and Violet had built upon some more, especially on the technical side.
Mario Tennis Aces (Switch)
Mario Tennis Aces is the latest entry in the sports franchise that marks a glorious return of the single-player campaign. This time around it's more of an adventure though, with minigames and boss battles splitting up the matches.
There's also plenty of room for multiplayer – both local and online – and you can even play with the Joy-Con's gyroscope just like in the Wii Sports days.
Good Job! (Switch eShop)
Good Job! was a wonderful surprise that everyone should try out. Thanks to its hilarious physics, seemingly menial tasks have the potential to descend into utter carnage – whether intentional or not – and its grading system means there are plenty of opportunities to replay. Slight technical hiccups aside, Good Job! is absolutely guaranteed to have you in fits of laughter.
Paper Mario: The Origami King (Switch)
Paper Mario: The Origami King tries to do something different with its combat system and, to be honest, we weren't feeling it. That doesn't mean the rest of the game isn't thoroughly entertaining, however, and while the puzzle-based battles aren't quite what a new Paper Mario game needed, they aren't so awful that everything else shouldn't be experienced as a result.
It still isn't the new Thousand-Year Door fans will have been hoping for, but it's still one of the funniest games in the series and it's got a truly likeable companion character, and while the combat is far from ideal the fact that we still thoroughly recommend the game regardless speaks volumes about every other aspect of it.
Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit (Switch)
Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit is a startlingly authentic "mixed reality" recreation of Nintendo's most popular racing series which encourages you to be inventive with your course designs and does an excellent job of combining your real-world surroundings with the fantasy environments of the Mushroom Kingdom; add in a second player (or three, or four) and it becomes even more compelling.
The tech side of things is undeniably impressive and it's impossible to not raise a smile the first time you play; the question is how long that magic will last, especially if your home limits your track designs and you've only got the budget to cover the cost of a single car.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity (Switch)
Approached with the knowledge that this is a full-featured side-dish, you'll have a very good time hacking and slashing your way through Calamity Ganon's minions in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity; just remember that despite its sparkling presentation, it is still not a Zelda game.
What it is is a brilliant Zelda-infused Musou experience filled with varied and satisfying combat and Breath of the Wild additions that work beautifully within the boundaries of the Warriors template. The care and attention given to detail here is hugely impressive. We found performance to be adequate and, crucially, it didn't affect our enjoyment throughout — just be prepared for a slideshow once the pyrotechnics start in two-player co-op.
Regardless of frame rate, though, there's definite catharsis in grabbing the Master Sword, sprinting out there, and giving all the prowling nasties a sound thrashing.
Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes (Switch)
Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes is a thoroughly entertaining mash-up of Musou mayhem, strategy, and relationship-building aspects that should more than satisfy fans of both the franchises involved here. It improves upon its 2017 predecessor in several ways, most notably in providing a far more engaging story featuring a narrative that's ripe for several replays.
With impressively solid performance on Switch and an action-packed campaign that'll see you blasting your way through tens of thousands of foes for a good 30 hours in a single playthrough, this is right up there with the very best Omega Force has served up thus far.
New Pokémon Snap (Switch)
If, like us, you waited a significant chunk of your life for a sequel to Pokémon Snap, then you're in luck; New Pokémon Snap brings back almost everything that made the original special and fleshes it out into a much more elaborate game.
This is something you can sink some serious time into and while there are some minor frustrations and pacing issues in the story, playing freely at your own pace is a pure joy. The original has gone down in history possibly as Pokémon's greatest spin-off, and it may have been dethroned.
Famicom Detective Club: The Missing Heir & Famicom Detective Club: The Girl Who Stands Behind (Switch eShop)
Although based on a pair of Japan-only Famicom Disk System games, these localised Famicom Detective Club remakes are Switch exclusives and a form of living history — a chance to catch up on what you missed out on, either by being too young, or not being able to speak Japanese.
Though The Missing Heir has its faults, those faults are largely down to "that's just how games used to be", and it's held up remarkably well all the same. Prequel tale The Girl Who Stands Behind is just as appealing and upgraded as its predecessor, and we really can't recommend one without the other, although you can play either separately. The story in The Girl Who Stands Behind is creepier, and the characters are more likeable, though they're also a little more forgettable at the same time.
This double-bill of murder mystery games is a must-play for anyone who loves the genre, and Emio: The Smiling Man continues the series if you're a keen member of the Famicom Detective Club.
WarioWare: Get It Together! (Switch)
WarioWare: Get It Together! was a triumphant Switch debut for the subversive series that makes some daring changes to core gameplay, resulting in the best entry in the franchise to date.
With a generous roster of playable characters, lots of solo and multiplayer modes to dig into, and stages that cleverly adapt to your choices on the fly, this is a superb compilation of hilarious microgames that delivers more ways to play than ever before. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll dodge bird droppings on a skateboard. So grab a few friends or family members, break out the controllers, and gather 'round the TV — WarioWare: Get It Together! is essential stuff.
Also, shoutout to WarioWare: Move It! while we're here — another fine Switch entry in the series.
Metroid Dread (Switch)
Metroid Dread is a triumphant return for both Samus Aran and developer MercurySteam. This is a super-slick, hugely entertaining and exquisitely designed entry in the Metroid franchise that plays better than anything we've seen from the series so far.
With a bunch of fantastic new abilities, super tense and enjoyable stealth sections, plenty of great big boss fights and a story that fans will definitely enjoy, we can't really see how this one could have been improved.
Best Metroid game ever? There'll likely be calls of recency bias until the hype settles in a year or two (probably around the release of Metroid Prime 4, in fact), but there's a very strong argument that 2D Metroid has never been better.