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.
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Super Mario 3D All-Stars (Switch)
Exclusives? Okay, we're stretching the definition a tad here seeing as this is a compilation release of three games that have appeared elsewhere before, but this compilation is definitely exclusive. These Mario classics have never looked better or been more convenient to play on official hardware than on Switch, either, although there's a complication: this triple pack was only available on Switch until 31st March 2021, so you'll have to rely on the secondhand market if you want to get hold of a copy now.
We had an absolute blast playing through these three gems all over again, especially now they look sharper than ever. It’s a shame that the presentation is practically barebones with no bonus content beyond the soundtracks, but there can still be no denying the quality of the games on offer here. Super Mario 3D All-Stars is The Beatles’ Greatest Hits of the video game world, and is an absolute treat whether you’re reliving it in HD or discovering it for the first time.
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.
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.
Comments 32
Let’s be honest…just rename this best Nintendo games. We all buy a switch because of Nintendo games.
My Top 3 choice:
1. Animal Crossing New Horizons
2. ARMS
3. 1-2-Switch
Fantasy Life for Switch will be my next candidate after the game released.
BotW made such a big impact on my life.
Thx for the wonderful games Nintendo ❤️
Personally, my least favorite Nintendo Switch game is Sushi Striker because it's not a Nintendo Switch exclusive. That's the only reason.
Me think that’s Nintendo games. That's why we have the Switch.
Third party games the big AAA don’t really run that well being honest.
Hopefully Switch 2 will give us some better results there. With games like RDR2 running very well.
@Anti-Matter 1-2 Switch….really?
@JRiegler
I mean I like 1-2-Switch and I like silly games.
I have a plan to get Everybody 1-2-Switch to complete the duo madness.
Is that something wrong with my choice ?
Is this a list of the best exclusives, or just an exhaustive list of exclusives?
Isn't fast racing RMX a remake of fast racing neo for the Wii U, thus should be excluded from this list ala Mario 3d world?
the last 7 years was a just one big journey of great quality games and magical moments. within years following i will always look back at the nintendo switch with fond memories.
my son grew up with switch, he was 3 years old in 2017 and now 10, the fun we had together will always stay in my memory, there are probably dad's or mom's here with the same experience.
it is fair to say, it is the best nintendo console ever made, hell maybe even the best console overall,and i doubt it will ever become any better. how can it ever be better then this.
... Just title it "nintendo switch exclusives" if you're going to put everything here. There's no 'best' about this list. Best would be a list of the top 10 or 15, user ranked.
If this were a PS5 or Series X list, it would be one page.
@Lightsiyd
many real exclusives outside nintendo office is something that suits sony playstation better. but i think the switch has managed itself very well, maybe this system could be a initial to somehow start to close this gap.
i am very curious how things will develop on the new hardware
@stinkyx
yeah with more average lower verdicts either.
@PALversusNTSC Yeah, that would be something to see.
No Triangle Strategy? Huge omission there! Especially when there’s a couple middling titles on here instead. Triangle’s perhaps an unsung classic.
I own all but two of these games (sorry but the musuo games are not for me)… What a wild ride the Switch has been. This is arguably the best catalog of exclusives ever put to a console. I’m really curious what big titles we’ll get in the second half of the year.
@somnambulance Triangle Strategy was ported to Windows PC. It's no longer an exclusive.
@Anti-Matter fair enough, you do you . I just thought the game was awful.
@DripDropCop146 Ah, didn’t know that! Well, the world makes sense again.
@JRiegler Don't feed the bear...
One day Boxboy + Boxgirl will get the recognition it deserves, but it seems today is not that day.
Yay Splatoom 3 cover imge is a win.
In no particular order, my favorite Switch exclusives are:
Give me another week and Peach: Showtime may end on the list also because I am loving that game but haven't finished yet.
I also own a dozen other games mentioned in this article and they're all great games even if they aren't quite at the top for me.
Edit: Apparently the order was hours played which range from 600 down to 25. 😝
Astral Chain 🥰🥰🥰 and Xenoblade 😍😍😍😍😍
@JRiegler I’d disagree! Maybe people buy a Switch for the Nintendo games, but a lot of people like myself go on to try a variety of games from different developers. However most of them aren’t exclusive.
@AnonyQ and there’s a Zelda remake on here too. Yet Mario remakes aren’t allowed……
Anyway I play all these games on my PC in higher resolutions and frame rates anyway
I also own every one of them on my switch before anyone complains,
@smoreon All of their lists of "best X" feel like that, sadly. I honestly don't know what's the point. Not hurting anyone's feelings? Being safe-guarded if they forget one game or two?Marvel's Ultimate Alliance 3 as one of the best exclusives on Switch. Really? Sure, I liked the game, but that's really stretching it.
Can't believe you left out Xenoblade Chronicles 2 (and its Torna DLC), MDA: Rain Code and Bayonetta Origins of this list, while including Advance Wars and Super Mario RPG remakes which are technically not Switch exclusives.
The debate of console exclusivity really is a pointless one. Nintendo sits atop an absolute trove of quality exclusives. For SONY and MS they aren’t even close when it comes to this department. Spider-Man for example isn’t even a SONY IP. Nintendo has done an excellent job of expanding its characters and universe into their own standalone offerings. Shoutout to Princess Peach for joining the club. In the end, Nintendo is the only true self sufficient publisher in the business, hardware and software exclusivity wise.
@JRiegler nope. I bought my Switch for SMT V, Xenoblade 2 and Tokyo Mirage Session #FE mostly. I also wanted to play Dark Souls Remastered and Diablo III in portable mode.
@AnVold yeah those are good. I guess maybe steam deck changed my perspective on the portability aspect. Most portable games are better on the deck and if they are not steam it’s pretty easy to add them other ways.
@JRiegler I agree. Deck is more powerfull. But it's giant for me as handheld console. My perfect size is PS Vita or Switch Lite.
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