Just a reminder that the Switch eShop Black Friday sale ends on Sunday, so make sure you've bagged anything off your wishlist that you wanted to pick up before it's too late! There's certainly plenty to choose from...
It's time for this year's Black Friday sales, and Nintendo's European Switch eShops are getting in early on them this year with a large selection of discounted games that will be added to before the sale ends on 3rd December 2023.
However, with so many games discounted — a colossal 2,717 according to our eShop at the time of writing! (although not all those are part of this specific sale) — it can be hard to know where to start. Our wishlists are overflowing as it is, so below we've rounded up every game in the Nintendo's European Black Friday sale that we've awarded 9/10 or higher.
Note. We've given sale prices in GBP with the percentage discount — commensurate EUR savings can be found across European eShops. We'll be updating this guide as new games are added.
If you're looking to stock up on eShop credit, we can help you out there, too — check out our store.
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Okay, let's take a look at the cream of the eShop crop...
Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider (Switch eShop)
£9.79 (-30%)
Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is an absolute triumph in 'neo-retro' game design. It boasts fluid combat with plenty of variety in environmental and enemy design and an art style that looks like it beamed straight over from the early '90s. While its overall short length might be a bit of a sticking point for some, those looking for an action title that is not only a fantastic experience but also feels like an authentically retro one will find this to be an absolute no-brainer.
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga (Switch)
£14.99 (-70%)
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is a fantastic experience, a great big celebration of everything Star Wars. The upgrades to the series' core gameplay here — the combo-focused combat, flashy space battles, boss encounters, over-the-shoulder shooting action, and cover system — all combine to make this the best Lego Star Wars has ever felt to play. Throw in a humongous open-world setting that's bursting at the seams with secrets and collectibles and you've got an absolute smorgasbord of all things Star Wars to dig into. Yub nub.
Gorogoa (Switch eShop)
£3.49 (-71%)
As you can see from this list, the Switch’s eShop is saturated with bucketloads of high-quality content. This is great in one way, of course, but stumbling across hidden gems within it will get tougher as time goes on. Gorogoa is one such gem; a puzzle game quite unlike any other that deserves your attention. It is a little on the short side, but the creativity that has been put into its design, and the effect it will have on you during your time exploring its gorgeous world, is something that you’ll want to experience. If you’re looking for something new to try, this would be an excellent choice.
Persona Collection
£47.44 (-35%)
Persona 5 Royal is the very definition of ‘required reading' for JRPG fans. A deep and moving story, stylish presentation, amazing soundtrack, and decision-driven gameplay all combine to make for an unforgettable and exceptional experience that proves itself to be every bit deserving of the hype and praise it’s already received. While those who have played this elsewhere may want to consider whether Switch's portability is enough of a selling point to justify paying full price to double dip, it suits it perfectly.
Also included in Persona Collection, Persona 4 Golden remains a thoroughly enjoyable and engrossing RPG that, for the most part, has stood the test of time. Although its visuals might be a bit dated, the gameplay and story presented here do more than enough to justify the purchase, while all the tweaks and additions that came with this ‘Golden’ edition round out most of the rougher edges from the initial PS2 release.
Persona 3 Portable, also included, is the most skippable of the mainline Persona games on Switch at present. An engrossing story and well-balanced gameplay loop easily justify a purchase, though things like Tartarus’ repetitive floors, the visual novel presentation, and the lack of FES content hold this one back from the heights its successors reached. We’d give P3P a recommendation, though only after having played both P4G and P5R.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Switch)
£41.99 (-30%)
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was a landmark release, both for its franchise and Nintendo. It was the first time that the company truly took on the open-world genre, and by arriving late to the party it embraced the strengths from top-in-class games while also forging its own unique identity. This game was a revolution for the series, but the Legend of Zelda essence is still there — its soul remains, and the end result is captivating. After years of following the same old template, Nintendo bravely took Zelda in a new direction, and delivered an absolute triumph which still has us regularly revisiting its iteration of Hyrule. Its sequel expanded on the open world first presented here, but the excitement of exploring this wilderness for the very first is an experience nobody should miss.
Portal: Companion Collection (Switch eShop)
£4.58 (-66%)
It's hard to overstate our satisfaction with Portal: Companion Collection. Portal and Portal 2 felt incredibly fresh when they first released, and the years since have not diminished their immense impact. To now have two of the most unique and mind-bending puzzle games on a Nintendo console, and on-the-go if you choose, is a pure joy. If it weren't for the frequent load screens punctuating the experience, we'd have absolutely nothing to complain about here. The motion controls work like a dream, the games run at a near-rock-solid 60fps, you've got local co-op play available at the drop of a hat, and the writing remains as funny now as it did all those years ago. If you haven't played the Portal games before, this should be a no-brainer. If you have... well, just play them again.
OPUS: Echo of Starsong - Full Bloom Edition (Switch eShop)
£15.74 (-30%)
OPUS: Echo of Starsong is a lovely game, an emotional adventure that represents the apex of the series to date and easily one of the best story-driven games on Switch. It's also excellent value for money, offering around ten hours of game for its low price, more if you really take your time and soak the whole thing up the way you really should do. While the character designs are a little too familiar, the characters themselves are complex, interesting, and likeable, and the story told with them is a complete, satisfying tale. Oh, and when the opening suggests playing with headphones? That's a hard agree from us, both to help with the music-based puzzles and simply to enjoy the excellent score.
Subnautica (Switch eShop)
£8.24 (-67%)
When Unknown Worlds announced they were bringing Subnautica to Switch we were hugely excited, this is one of our all-time favourite games after all, but it was excitement tempered with a degree of scepticism as to how on earth they'd manage to cram the entire experience onto Switch in a properly playable manner. As it turns out, we needn't have worried as this is a super solid port that — besides a few loading stutters here and there and some scenery pop-in that's present in every other version of the game — successfully delivers one of the very best open-world survival experiences on any platform to Nintendo's hybrid console.
Card Shark (Switch eShop)
£8.99 (-50%)
Card Shark is the kind of game that at first blush seems like it just won’t work. Lots of dialogue bookended by brief, simplistic minigame sequences seems like it would make for an experience that would lose its luster quickly, yet we couldn’t put it down. Witty writing, high-stakes gameplay, and a gorgeous art style all come together here to make for a game that’s well-executed and unique in its appeal. If you’re looking to try something awesome that notably bucks most modern gaming trends, Card Shark is absolutely something we’d recommend, well worth your time and money.
Monster Hunter Rise + Sunbreak Deluxe
£34.19 (-43%)
New mechanics, monsters, and a gorgeous setting make Monster Hunter Rise a new high-water mark for the franchise. The Wirebug, Switch Skills, Palamute, and carefully thought-out monsters shake things up enough to make the game feel fresh for hunters who have previously spent thousands of hours with the series, and while the package could be slightly intimidating for newcomers, it's arguably the ideal place to get started if you're serious about getting into the franchise. And, with a peerless four-player multiplayer experience, the Rampage quests are a blast. Monster Hunter Rise is one of the strongest entries into the franchise to date, and another stone-cold classic for the Nintendo Switch.
And the Sunbreak DLC is a success in multiple ways, with enough that's new or different to make it a must-have expansion for Monster Hunter Rise fans. New mechanics and content are enjoyable, the challenge is turned up, and it's still an audiovisual treat. It's a welcome reminder that there's nothing else quite like Capcom's monster-slaying franchise, and even in moments where it's 'just more of the same but harder', that's still more than enough.
![Monster Hunter Rise Deluxe Kit DLC [Download Code - UK/EU]](https://images.nintendolife.com/products/18466/100x100.png)
![Monster Hunter Rise Deluxe Edition [Download Code - UK/EU]](https://images.nintendolife.com/products/18465/100x100.png)
Ape Out (Switch eShop)
£3.37 (-75%)
The Nintendo eShop would be a considerably more exciting and interesting place if it were packed full of games like Ape Out. It’s a refreshingly original experience that more than deserves a place in any Switch owner’s library. Difficult, frenetic gameplay, strong art direction, and an even stronger jazz drum soundtrack make this the sort of memorable game that you’ll likely keep coming back to over and over for another few runs in arcade mode. We’d give Ape Out a strong recommendation to anyone looking for a distinct and unforgettable game for their Switch collection; it’s a bit of an acquired taste, but well worth your time.
Blazing Chrome (Switch eShop)
£6.11 (-60%)
For those longing for a time when side-scrolling shooters ruled the roost, Blazing Chrome is exactly what you're looking for. Perfect for short sessions, its slick gameplay and old-school art direction make for an astonishingly fun game full of explosions, epic set pieces, and spectacular boss battles. Its brutal difficulty may not be for everyone, but if you're up for the challenge, then get ready for one of the most accomplished 2D action titles in years.
Return to Monkey Island (Switch eShop)
£13.49 (-40%)
Return to Monkey Island reaches into your heart, rips out your desire to know THE SECRET, and clenches it in front of your face. As hard as it would be to concede that The Secret of Monkey Island™ might always have been a MacGuffin, it’s agonising to contemplate that your 30-year longing for the Monkey Island 3 might be just the same. Delighting as you tremor, Return presents to your transfixed gaze a phenomenal point-and-click adventure, bubbling with passion and fun. All the way through, you will hope, achingly, that the big reveal is coming – and then…
Dead Cells (Switch)
£13.49 (-40%)
Dead Cells is a masterclass in excellent roguelite design, mixing together nonstop intense action sequences, gorgeous vistas, and an addictive loop of unlocks and rewards into a beautiful experience that no Switch owner will want to go without. There’s dozens, if not hundreds, of hours of content available here, and though some sense of repetition can creep in every now and then, it’s remarkable how fresh Dead Cells can stay through all those hours. This game is a blast to play, full of visual splendor, and packed with things to do; don’t miss out on this one, it’s a must-buy.
No Man's Sky (Switch)
£19.99 (-50%)
No Man's Sky on Switch is a fantastic port of a game we genuinely didn't believe could make the transition to Nintendo's console without some serious technical issues. Hello Games has made the necessary cutbacks and downgrades to get this intergalactic survival sandbox playing at a super solid frame rate and the colourful, chunky graphical style here ensures that it all still looks pretty fantastic to boot. With all of the game's previous updates and content included — barring multiplayer at this point — and a plethora of customisation options courtesy of the massive Waypoint update, this is an easy recommendation for survival fans and an impressive Switch port.
Comments 40
Get Blazing Chrome, avoid Moonrider.
With a wish list of over 30 titles, I am wondering which of those will go on sale, and how much space I have for all these games. I would get more memory, but I prefer to simply delete or archive. Oh, decisions!
Damn, how am I supposed to afford 56 games at once!
A Short Hike - simply one of the best indie games I have ever played!! If you never play this in your lifetime DON'T call yourself a gamer!! This is an 11!!!!!!!!!!!! BUY THIS NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Grapple Dog - It will slowly increase the difficulty but this game had me hook line and sinker!!! This game kicks ass!! BUY IT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!
Quite a few quality games there. Already have all the ones I'm interested in though.
I know it's cheap, but don't let that tempt you, Florence should not be on anyone's list of 9/10 games. Yes, the art style might be quirky enough to catch your eye, but the process of working through this game is so... so tedious.
And Gone Home, while not as irritatingly tedious as Florence, is also crazy overrated by a 9/10 score.
Gorogoa, Short Hike and Downwell are no brainer purchases at that price
Cyber Shadow is another high recommendation from me - don’t really hear it mentioned enough. It was vastly superior to The Messenger in my experience. Might try Katana Zero from this sale for a similar vibe.
@rushiosan is moonrider no good?
Jeez, going through this list… makes me realize how many games I already own. 😅
I just bought the Castlevania Collection, with some gold coins cost me a whopping £1.08. Can’t say fairer than that! Hopefully the classic Doom games go on sale again soon, love me some classic Doom.
Just got Broken Sword 5 for like £1.50 too. I normally prefer physical but can’t ignore it at that price! Also had to get Gorogoa, looks awesome.
@NinChocolate It's pretty mediocre if you compare to what they achieved previously with Blazing Chrome. Completely forgettable and generic Shinobi wannabe.
Any excuse to buy Return to Monkey Island is a good one
I'm interested in gorogoa, and also short hike and grapple dog.
And also monkey island maybe?
I’ve been thinking about getting Lego Star Wars. Is it worth paying a few extra quid 17.99 for the DLC?
It seems like the base game is packed full of content already.
@mlt imho I would get A Short Hike, then eiter grapple dog or gorogoa. it depends, do you want a fun arcade action game? go with the dog, if you want a very cool puzzler go with gorogoa, both are awesome my friend!!!!
I'm getting the Turtles cowabunga collection.
Was interested in the Ruined King, but 10% isn't enough.
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga seems like a pretty good deal.
I caved and got Contra Collection and Rogue Legacy. The latter always seemed fun to me and at this price it's a steal. Contra is just... needed.
@rushiosan blazing chrome was pretty good so that’s disappointing to hear
Just go get Return to Monkey Island, guys! If you like the genre, don't even hesitate, it's BRILLIANT.
And you don't need to have played the originals, it's a new story (although it would help to catch the references, of course).
Me trying not to cry in the US...
@Kekshook
Me too, canceled my deck.
Especially after the release of wonder and now Mario rpg. These games made me fall in love with the switch again lol. Am even playing older games again. Dragonball xenoverse 2, man after all these years the developers are still in full support for this game, love it.
Now i am just waiting for the switch 2 lol. Wont be buying any other hybrid console or handheld pc. Was almost tempted to buy the new Lenovo Legion go (hybrid)
Nintendo life thanks for this list, i still have to buy Dead cells.. now its really cheap.
@the_beaver - I really, REALLY want Monkey Island on Switch, but physical (and I was not prepared to go with LR or SR or whoever it was that picked it up). I live in hope for a physical collection of all releases, that would be Day 1 for me. Oh god, by the end of the wknd I will have bought the digi version, I know it....
@gcunit Florence, sitting down with my partner as we played through it in one sitting, cute story better than whatever she would of put on Netflix... And a soundtrack that hasn't left our playlists since we first heard it.... Great game for what it is
I never got how " what remains of edith finch " was rated so high by so many people. Sure, it's got a couple of good gameplay ideas but its story is complete nonsense. " The story of the dumbest family that's ever lived " would be a way more appropriate title for this game. As far as I'm concerned, the only thing that remained of edith finch was the hole it left in my wallet.
Do NOT waste your money on The house in fata morgana. How it gets the praise that it gets I'll never know but even when I got it on sale before, it felt like a big waste of money. Absolutely terrible.
I got Disco Elysium since everyone seems to praise it to high heavens. Otherwise there are just too many of these super short indie games. I don't doubt they are good but it is just too hard to choose one so I often don't buy any.
Very tempted by the Ruined Kind as a) It looks lovely b) Both myself and the wife love the Arcane animated series. We've just started our re-watch (number 3!). Looking forward to season two (especially as Norwegian pop-black metallers have recorded Jinx's theme!) & anything which opens up more of the lore of this glorious world is sorely tempting.
Did I miss anything? What are a bunch of 7-8/10 games doing on a 9/10 list?
a list of 74 games is of almost zero utility.
barely more helpful than just looking on the eshop.
@PinderSchloss The introduction to list says "we've rounded up every game in the Nintendo's European Black Friday sale that we've awarded 9/10 or higher". So it's a list of every game Nintendo Life has rated 9 or 10 that's on sale now in Europe.
I was planning on getting Divinity 2 if it's on sale, but that 10% discount feels like a joke, since it has been on sale with 50% off in the past. I guess I'll just wait for the next time there's a proper discount on it.
@Polvasti But many of the scores are in the 7’s and 8’s 🤷♂️
@PinderSchloss Those are user scores, not official scores given by NL.
@Polvasti Ok, thanks! Didn’t know that was what the star meant : )
So for anyone on the fence about Rogue Legacy, don't get it, it's going to eat up all your time.
I hate it.
I am addicted to it.
Bayonetta 3 is up at £19.99 at Argos atm
Great Ace Attorney for me
It couldn't be 75? 🙄
Not anything for me during this sale, but I am often overwhelmed by how many good games are on Switch now. I feel like this could be the console I have for life and still don't finish everything!
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