10. Mega Man Legacy Collection (Switch eShop)
Digital Eclipse did a great job with all the details in Mega Man Legacy Collection, presenting the original games in their best possible light, while tossing in a handful of extra features and challenges on top to sweeten the deal. The rewind feature is a welcome inclusion that helps to mitigate the difficulty of some of the games, and the overall quality of the series is difficult to dispute. We would highly recommend you pick this one up — all the included extra features coupled with the ability to play these games both at home and on the go make it a no-brainer.
9. Undertale (Switch eShop)
Undertale is a brilliant and smartly-designed game that understands well what makes a good RPG work; so much so that it can upend expectations and deliver something that’s almost a satire of the genre. It’s been a long time since we’ve played a game that manages to surprise so often and in so many unique ways, and even if it doesn’t look like much, Undertale has way more going for it under the surface. Excellently written characters, a genre-bending battle system and a solid soundtrack make this one an easy recommendation, especially to RPG lovers.
8. Mega Man X Legacy Collection (Switch eShop)
Mega Man X Legacy Collection is a fantastic re-release of several must-play gaming classics, presenting them as authentically as possible while still including a few modern features on top that help to improve the overall experience and keep it from feeling antiquated. Throw in the new X Challenge mode and an enormous archive of museum content and this stands as the definitive way to play the Mega Man X games in the modern era. Four fantastic games, a bevy of extra content, and the ability to play at home or on the go — nothing not to like here.
7. Bayonetta (Switch)
The original Bayonetta is starting to show her age, but that doesn’t stop this hyperactive melee/shooter action mashup from being one of the most rewarding and memorable cult hits of the previous generation. Retooled for Nintendo Switch, one of Platinum Games’ most accomplished titles feels revitalised in both handheld and tabletop modes, serving up a meaty first course in the full witchy buffet to come.
6. Octopath Traveler (Switch)
Octopath Traveler was developed by the Square Enix studio behind Bravely Default, and boy does it live up to those high expectations. From its dazzling art style to its mechanics, it's the kind of game that keeps an eye on the past while walking bravely into the future. All elements link together perfectly to make for a harmonious and immersive experience that you’ll find difficult to put down. We’d recommend Octopath Traveler to both fans and newcomers to RPGs; it does a fantastic job of straddling that line of accessibility and depth, satisfying both camps with its dizzying amount of content. Classic-inspired gameplay, an orchestrated soundtrack, and a unique approach to storytelling make this a game that you won’t want to miss.
5. Bayonetta 2 (Switch)
Despite coming from the previous generation, Bayonetta 2 shines brightest on Nintendo Switch. It runs without a hitch at 60fps, looks incredible in both TV and tabletop modes, and offers an addictive free-flowing combat formula that sprinkles in platforming, light exploration and a ridiculous story to create something that you simply need to experience. If you’ve never played it before, you’re in for a treat. If you’ve already played it, it’s even more bewitching as a handheld gem.
4. Celeste (Switch eShop)
Celeste is an exemplary amalgamation of style, mechanics, and character. A devilishly brilliant action platformer with enough skill required to excite genre purists and the speedrunning community, while at the same time featuring a breakdown of gameplay elements to customize and cater to all audiences. While the game mechanically is great, if familiar, the art style and narrative are truly special, showing both a visual and emotional range and depth that will resonate and inspire. Celeste is the absolute peak of personal exploration and discovery on Nintendo Switch.
3. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (Switch)
After beginning life on Wii U in 2014, we were treated to a 'Deluxe' port on Switch just four years later. Not the longest hiatus, then, but we couldn't wait to replay one of the best platformers we've ever encountered and the Switch version plays like an absolute dream in full HD. Looking and playing better than Donkey Kong ever has, veteran DKC composer David Wise returned with this sequel and caused us to have several 'moments' during our first playthrough. It was a glistening cherry on a cake so deliciously sweet we worried we'd lose a foot.
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze isn't just a great platformer, it's one of the great platformers. Even if Donkey Kong isn't normally your thing, you owe it to yourself to give Tropical Freeze a go. It's totally bananas in the very best of ways. Any fan of 2D platformers simply has to get this game.
2. Hollow Knight (Switch eShop)
Hollow Knight feels like it found its natural home on Switch. The game's beautiful 2D world, tactile combat and impressive bevy of secrets constantly drag you in for more, and it proves to be as strong an experience on the move as it is on your TV. On an eShop that's filled with top quality indie games, Hollow Knight is one of the very best; a big, beautiful, foreboding Metroidvania that's absolutely thick with detail. From its punchy combat system to its charming art and sound design, this is one of the finest adventures you can have on Nintendo Switch.
1. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (Switch)
How does this 'ultimate' version of Smash stack up against the rest? Vocal concerns about past games were actively addressed. Every single fighter from the series is present (even Pichu) and joined by a colossal roster of DLC characters from the annals of gaming (let's not forget that this is the game responsible for bringing Banjo and Kazooie back home to a Nintendo console). 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 Masahiro Sakurai can possibly take this franchise next.
Some real winners in that selection, no? Do you disagree with this ranking? Time to get voting, then - remember, this is a fluid, ever-changing selection governed by each game's Nintendo Life user rating. Head to our library of Switch games for 2018 and see about getting your favourites on the list. You can also check out the best Switch games of the 2017, too.
With so many Switch games from 2018, there'll be plenty that passed people by. What are your favourites that perhaps didn't make this top 50 (yet)? Share your thoughts below.
This article is one of our Switch Essentials guides which cover a wide variety of genres, including the Best Switch FPS Games, the Best Switch RPGs, the Best Switch Games For Kids, the Best Switch Couch Co-Op Games and the Best Switch Fitness and Exercise Games. We can also help out hunting down the Best Switch Horror Games, the Best Switch Racing Games, the Best Switch Action-RPGs, the Best Nintendo Switch Roguelikes, Roguelites and Run-Based Games, the Best Free Switch Games, the Best Remakes And Remasters, the Best Switch Music And Rhythm Games, Best Feel-Good Switch Games, Best Switch Open-World Games, Best Switch Soulslike Games, Best LGBTQ+ Switch Games, and even Games to Play After You've Finished Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
Whatever your favourite genre, we've got you covered: Strategy Games, Metroidvanias, Puzzle Games, Party Games, Online Multiplayer Games, Local Wireless Multiplayer Games, Shmups, Twin-Stick Shooters, Visual Novels, Kart Racers, Fighting Games, Football Games, Funny Games, Golf Games, 'Walking Sims' And Narrative Games, Switch Games For Lovers And Lonely Hearts, Detective Games, Hidden Gems, 2D Platformers, 3D Platformers, Puzzle Platformers, Tabletop Mode Games, Run and Gun Games, LEGO Games, Sports Games, Survival Games, Beat 'Em Ups, Camera Games, Chill Games, Family Games, Retro-Inspired Games, Short Games, Card Games and Deck-Builders, and Life Sims And Farming Games.
Still hungry for more? Elsewhere we look at Wholesome Games, TATE Mode Games, Flight Sim and Space Combat, Point and Click Adventure Games, and the Best Switch Exclusives, as well as Every Arcade Archives Game, Every ACA Neo Geo Game, Every SEGA AGES Game On Switch, plus the Best Switch Ports, Best Wii U-To-Switch Ports, Best Switch Collections And Compilations, Best Cheap Switch Games, Best Switch Demos, Games That Are Better On Switch OLED, Switch Games Under $10, $20, $50, and Switch games with the Best Soundtracks and the Best Graphics. Phew!
If you're looking for the best Switch games regardless of genre, our reader-voted selection of the Best Nintendo Switch Games should help you out, and you can also find the Best Nintendo Switch Games of 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021. And finally, if you're interested in other Nintendo consoles and retro games, check out the Best Game Boy Games, Best GBC Games, Best GBA Games, Best Nintendo DS Games, Best Nintendo 3DS Games, Best NES Games, Best SNES Games, Best N64 Games, Best GameCube Games, and Best Wii Games, and Best Wii U Games, as well as Every Available Nintendo Switch Online Retro Game, and ranked lists of Every Nintendo Switch Online NES, SNES, N64 and Sega Genesis / Mega Drive Game.
Comments 65
Hollow Knight for me. Easily.
I missed the part on how the list was ordered and thought you guys just put Smash in first place and rolled the dice with the rest. While Smash is not my favorite of last year it definitely takes the number one spot. Too many dream match ups in that games.
I'm currently replaying Celeste, I never finished the B-sides and now that the moon level happened, I'm going through the whole thing
I really liked Octopath, Okami, Dead Cells, and Owl Boy. I just couldn't get into Celeste and I don't have any interested in Smash.
Valkyria Chronicles 4 was easily my favorite game of 2018. On any platform.
Curse of the Moon is second. It REALLY hit the Castlevania sweet spot for me, and is better than any of the actual NES Vanias. I still like it more than Ritual of the Night, personally.
Hollow Knight is probably third place. Beautiful and really solid indie action-platformer.
@SBandy Yep, Hollow Knight all the way with Inside 2nd.
I can't believe Inside never even made the top 50,what's going on with that? It's one of the best games on Switch,, never mind 2018. Gris I found to be hugely overated. It was alright and I'm glad I played it but it was nothing memorable.
Mediocre year for Switch for sure. Glad this year has shaped up better, and if we can get Animal Crossing and BOTW 2 next year it will be even better.
2018 was actually pretty weak for Switch game releases. Things were so bad that Octopath Traveler was considered the biggest hit until very late in 2018. 2019 has been much, much, better.
Yes, it's an extremely well selling home console, but I'm still waiting for Nintendo's handheld to drop, so I can finally take these games on the go! Face it, Wikipedia calls Switch Lite a Switch, and says Switch is a home system, only replacing the failed Wii U (a home console), not the 3DS (a handheld), thus Switch Lite being a Switch, and Switch being a home console means Switch Lite is a home console. Again, when Nintendo releases their next handheld, I'll be all over that! Until then, we've got to wade through all these home console releases, even if some of them started out as handheld games.
@OorWullie Inside only has 18 user ratings on this site. In order to be considered for this list, a game needs at least 50 user ratings.
EDIT: actually, it seems the author of this page is incorrect. For example, Darkest Dungeon is on this list with only 37 ratings.
EDIT: it looks like the actual cutoff is 30 user ratings.
@Ralizah I agree with you on Valkyria Chronicles 4. Also, Hollow Knight ended up being pretty good after everything was finished.
Horizon Chase Turbo is a fun game indeed, but at number four? Wow - curve ball city.
I loved and nearly completed everything in the game on iPad years ago, and I've no problem with a 'mere' mobile-origin game being so high, but this for me was the only 'what the...' on the list. There are so many games that have so much more going on compared to this wonderfully fun, but ultimately quite shallow experience.
But, hey, the peoples vote has spoken.
@NintendoLife. "A game needs a minimum of fifty ratings to become eligible..." should be changed to thirty to reflect the actual items on this list.
I'd add Atelier Lydie & Suelle and Touhou Genso Wanderer Reloaded to the list as well. I greatly enjoyed them.
@james_squared Ah right, I probably should have read the text before the list. I just voted for Inside so it has 19 now. Still criminally low. Limbo is also great, played through that twice.
Edit, Inside still has 18. I must have voted for it already.
@brunojenso I also find Horizon Chase Turbo to be overated. I played it for around 20 hours and had fun with it but really it's nothing special. I'm a huge fan of driving games and loved Lotus Turbo Challenge 2 on the Megadrive, HCT's biggest influence and with the Switch at the time lacking in decent driving games I was really looking forward to Horizon Chase but I was pretty disappointed with it. Now I have Grid Autosport, Virtua Racing, Outrun and F-Zero so I'm happy.
@OorWullie - Inside definitely stuck with me. A simple game in so many ways, but manages to be both sad and beautiful.
The 'blast room' was just... I won't say scary, but somehow massively emotionally moving. The sound and the shock wave, the feeling of helplessness it generated and of "what's happening?"
@gamefreak77
I bought a switch lite. The yellow one.
But after a week of playing it, I returned it. It feels good in hands, but that's it. Nothing more.
I just felt that it is a half baked product. Barebone. It doesn't deserve the name "switch". I really tried to give it a chance. But, like I said, apart from the feeling when having it in hands... nope
The d-pad... I don't know if it was the unit I picked, but it felt so... low quality. It felt like a new 2ds xl d-pad. I played street fighter on it and out of 15 tries to pull off a dragon punch I succeeded 2 times. Many times I couldn't jump diagonally. As if it didn't register the input.
I liked the feel of buttons and joysticks, but that feeling of a potential drift occuring hovering over my head... nope
On the other hand, playing my other switch(v2) felt much better. It is a switch. Plus, it has a better battery, even though it is not a dedicated handheld. Ridiculous.
I would absolutely not recommend the switch lite. Maybe after the revision, after the potential joycon drift is dealt with. After better quality d-pad is added. And after it gets a new name, because the "switch" doesn't suit it well.
As long as we support these half finished products with our money, Nintendo will get away with it. Look at Microsoft and Sony. They don't degrade their products.
Use your common sense people, not feelings induced through hype.
Anyway, yes, like you, I'm waiting for a true portable Nintendo device.
On topic: horizon chase is a mobile game originally?
Where is xenoblade chronicles 2?
Ys VIII is higher for me. If I hadn't played it the year before on PS4 it would have been my GotY.
@aVagabond IMO Xbox releasing an all digital Xbox one with only 1T onboard memory was a huge downgrade to their other offerings.
@Mamabear
I wasn't aware of that.
Idiots!
Some great titles, with a couple randoms that I hadn't even heard of. No CTR?
I'm maybe in the minority but I think Hollow Knight is definitely better than Celeste but I guess it depends what you are more personally into. Celeste was more the jumpy landing stuff but Hollow Knight was adventure and exploration and felt so gradious for an indie. I beat Celeste once and was pretty done with it but I have played Hollow Knight multiple times. Very much my fave indie on here.
@aVagabond XC2 came out in 2017.
@Jayofmaya CTR came out this year.
The biggest thing I disagree with this list is that Torna isn't on it. Sure it's part of the expansion pass for a 2017 game (XC2) but the content and physical standalone release was in 2018. I put that at the top.
Valkyria Chronicles IV, Death Road to Canada, Broforce, and SNK 40th Anniversary, are missing from this list.
Honestly Hollow Knight is my number one. Absolute masterpiece
Why do I have a feeling that something else should replace Fortnite on this list?
2018 was a weird year for me as it was the first time I dug into indie games. Most of my playtime was on Stardew Valley, Hollow Knight, Shovel Knight, Gris and the Steamworld Dig games.
Not many games from Nintendo are on the list. Mario Tennis Aces was revamped from Ultra Smash on Wii U. Captain Toad, Hyrule Warriors, DK Tropical are Wii U ports.
I'm surprised to see The Messenger so high, but it deserves it!
So sad to see Mario Tennis so low... It deserves much more love. It is really a great game.
@aVagabond You need to get better at street fighter.
@Giygas_95 The Messenger definitely caught me off guard when it released. Instantly fell in love with it.
Yohoo, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate! Congrats!
It really has everything I wanted, a don't-cut-any-characters direction. And a load of other good fan wishes that materialized and new ideas that made the game so much better than before. Nintendo never cared so much for (and never communicated so directly with) its fans and partners as with this game.
Ultimate is my number 1 game of 2018 as well, and Undertale is my number 2.
@Mr_Muscle I still listen to the soundtrack when I'm driving or when I just want music to listen to at home or work.
Some of the top 10 massively surprised me
2018 did not match 2017 in terms of mind blowing amazingness, but still had some great releases. I'd probably rank Civ 6 way higher on this list and consider it in my top three for the year along with Octopath Traveller and Night in the Woods.
Yeah, not surprised by Smash being number 1. NintendoLife basically worships Smash.
Dark souls is number one for me.
@Mr_Muscle
On that I agree.
Bought those daemon x machina joycons yesterday and played street fighter again. Out of 15 tries I pulled 13 dragon punches off. With the d-pad of course. Awesome joycons. 1st party joycons/joypad from Nintendo sucks. Except the nintendo switch tablet itself. That's awesome. But the switch lite sucks though.
@aVagabond Someone already mentioned XBox, but the PS3 removed PS2 BC in later models, which strikes me as a far worse downgrade than the Switch Lite. Especially since the Lite isn't replacing the normal model.
@sandman89
Great hair-pulling, rant and rage inducing game. Love it. Hope they bring dark souls 2. Dark souls 3 is highly unlikely.
@link3710
By that I presume you mean "backwards compatibility"?
I'm talking about hardware side of degradation.
Even modern pc has difficulty playing dos and windows 95 games.
@Giygas_95 ME TOO
@james_squared YOURE NOT interested in smash? thats like not being interested in pizza.
Cool there is a couple of games here i bought in my intial "i just gotta switch" spending orgy, and promptly forgot i owned.
Can we pencil in borderlands 3 for 2020?
@JEM NintendoLife is a site that talks relentlessly about Smash and showers it with praise, it is no surprise then that it has attracted largely a following that largely shares that opinion.
It's fine, I know that no one is gonna agree with me when I say that Smash is over-rated. It's a great game, but it's just a fighting game. And fighting games, by definition, don't impress me that much. Even in the case of the very best of the genre, which Smash is.
Octopath traveller and World of final fantasy were my 2018 highlights. Played the demo of Valkyria chronicles 4 and was going to buy after completing the first one but it crashed on me at chapter 9 and I never went back to it. Will do in a lull though
Love count downs, thank you
Wow this list is a joke where is Dragon Quest XI??
@aVagabond No, it was a hardware degredation. PS3 had full BC with PS2, and the PS3 Slim removed the chip it needed to do so.
EDIT: To be clear, yes I did mean Backwards Compatibility. But the fact that it was removed in a later 'improved' model to make it cheaper was the issue, like how the DSI can't play GBA games when the DS and DS Lite could. Another example would be the PSP Go's inability to play physical discs, rendering someone's physical collection worthless if they 'upgraded'.
@FredBiletnikoff Totally didn't read the title and just filled it in for my own head... Not sure why when it's not even 2020 yet. Woops. Thanks for correcting me!
@Tasuki You did the same as me. This is lat years games, dude!
@link3710
I guess every system is then participating in the great downgrading conspiracy against consumers. Crap.
When does Stadia launch?
@Jayofmaya No problem. I've not actually played CTR and I've played MK8 to death both versions. How does CTR compare?
My favourite games of 2018:
1) Dark Souls
2) Hollow Knight
3) Smash Bros
4) Dead Cells
@aVagabond i completed my first play through. On NG+ but giving it a break now. Got 110 hours clocked so far on the game.
@Tasuki lol? That was just released 10 days ago on the Nintendo Switch..
Glad to see that Kirby made it. Star Allies is really underrated and is my second favorite Switch game after Odyssey.
@Heavyarms55 I get bored very quickly with Smash. It's kind of fun for a little while to play with a group of people, but I never play it by myself. After getting both the wii u and 3ds versions, I decided to pass on Smash ultimate. Despite all the hype surrounding it, I've heard plenty of Nintendo fans say that they don't really care for Smash. I believe there was an opinion piece on this very site about not being able to get into Smash much.
Hollow knight and Monster Hunter were my favorite games last year.
I can't be the only one who thinks Celeste is overrated. It's a very well made game in many ways, but I just found the mechanics and level design stressful and ultimately not really fun. Out of sheer stubbornness I played it to the end but I couldn't be bothered to go after any of the strawberries after the first couple areas. As for the story, well I just found the characters, all of them, extremely annoying.
@FredBiletnikoff Much more hands on! I would say that to 100% the core game you'd have to put in about the same effort as getting decent at 200cc Mario Kart. This of course, is only really for 1 character and a couple of skins. The rest is very easily earned and accomplished within a few days on the Adventure mode and bought with freely earned Wumpa Coins. Speaking of adventure mode, you'll have to do Time Trial as well as a slightly harder race where you must collect tokens in harder to reach spots. The drifting takes place with both shoulder buttons and is a little awkward at first but once you get the timing down I find it much more engaging to get a 3x perfect boost (this will greatly increase speed) and even do so on turbo pads, getting even more speed. All you have to do then is watch out for walls. So currently, the updates make 36 tracks to play on and whilst you will have missed the Grand Prix content (karts, characters, skins, etc.) they will be bringing it all back to the shop. I believe in January based on my observations of the model. The shop is fair on pricing and will keep you coming back every weekend to earn 3 or so karts if you wish to put in an hour or so each of the 3 days. The core game also has some extras in the shop, the CNK characters and all legendary skins. Really, it is a little bit of a grind but the newest update makes all characters equal (pick your class on each character, speed, accel l, etc.) so not necessary if you're not a completionist, just wait for the shop to display something you like. There's still at least 2 more tracks (the tracks so far are very detailed and each have their own flavour) and lots more content to come in November and December, so it will end up a very varied game. I've currently earned about 80% of shop items and nearly 100% the core game! The time trials outside of Adventure took me the longest, they really ask you to nail the mechanics for the last character and skin. The best part is they also jusy added multipliers for offline races, this is useful for when you're practising to go up against some of the tougher racers online. I can come around 3rd consistently, sometimes being 30 seconds behind top spot and I thought I was good at the game! Haha
One final thing is they added a catch the ghost extra challenge for October, also. I have a feeling it might be temporary but it served to be fun when I may get distracted and mess up and online race badly at the begining, leaving me far enough behind to not catch up the the perfectly performing player.
gris makes the top 20 as a worse version of every other notable title of its ilk, and gorogoa, one of the best visual puzzlers yet made, doesn't even make the list
a bit sad to see. replayed gris twice over after finishing it the first time to make sure i'd seen all there was to see and it was incredibly tedious. i've replayed gorogoa around six or seven times now and it is just as enrapturing as it was the first time i booted it up.
@Jayofmaya Thanks for such a detailed reply. Sounds like it might be just what I'm looking for so I'll check it out.
Tap here to load 65 comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...