40. LEGO City: Undercover Switch
LEGO City: Undercover doesn't quite stand up as well as it did on Wii U; series improvements have come in the years since leaving this one looking slightly dusty by comparison. Some technical issues hold it back, too, with odd graphical blemishes — a pity as the updated engine is generally an improvement — along with performance issues in co-op and handheld mode.
That said, played in single-player like the original, this still offers an easygoing and slightly anarchic fun time. The same crazy storylines, set pieces, and scenarios are still here, as are the cheesy jokes riffing on famous movies.
Lego City: Undercover's case isn't quite as convincing as in 2013, but it still has plenty to offer.
39. Retro City Rampage DX Switch eShop
This release was the third time we'd played through this game, yet on each occasion a more feature-packed and improved iteration revealed itself.
Despite its 2010 roots — and pop culture references to match that time — it stands up extremely well, as pixels this stylish and action this chaotic don't lose their edge. Retro City Rampage DX is still an anarchic, almost overloaded game that bombards the senses while, at the same time, maintaining impressive polish in its gameplay.
Whether you're playing it for the crazy story, excessive retro-styled violence or a mix of both, Retro City Rampage still has the goods.
38. Gorogoa Switch eShop
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.
37. PAN-PAN Switch eShop
36. Fast RMX Switch eShop
FAST RMX is as good as the Wii U original and then some.
Updated visuals, more tracks, more vehicles; it was an utterly outstanding launch title for the Switch and it holds up very well to this day, keeping the futuristic high-speed racing game alive in the absence of a modern, flagship F-Zero game. With the console's ability to allow multiplayer on the go rolled in, this is without doubt essential for racing fans with a Switch.
35. Pokkén Tournament DX Switch
This re-heated Wii U port, the unholy lovechild of Tekken and Pocket Monsters, is a Pokémon fan's dream come true. Rather than relying on turn-based combat to see who is the very best, you can take to a 3D arena and smash seven shades of poop out of a rival 'mon to finally decide once and for all who is (Nido)king or queen.
Robust single and multiplayer options make Pokkén Tournament DX one of the most impressive competitive fighters on Switch, although the lack of mechanical depth may put off serious fighter fans.
34. ARMS Switch
The core fighting mechanics of ARMS are easy to grasp — especially when you're using the pleasantly intuitive motion controls — but they showcase the kind of depth which rewards dedicated players.
Mixing up light and charged punches with your dashes and leaps allows you to create an almost balletic style of play, but add in grabs, stuns, and features unique to each stage and you've got a truly formidable foundation to build on. The lure of collecting Arms will keep you glued to your console even if you only choose to play solo, but Arms also proves its worth online, and for those who want to take things to the next level, Ranked Matches provide the ideal means of proving your skill.
In the scheme of things, Arms might not have made much of a dent in the hallowed canon of Nintendo IP, but it deserves a second look if it flew under your radar.
33. Shantae: Half-Genie Hero Switch eShop
Shantae: Half-Genie Hero has never been better than on Switch; the enhanced versatility of the console lends the game a new sort of appeal and convenience that wasn’t there before. This is a charming, colourful, and sometimes challenging Metroidvania that will no doubt prove to be a memorable addition to your collection.
While it could be a little longer, we would give this one a strong recommendation to anyone who hasn’t yet picked it up for any other platform. For those of you who have, know that you’re essentially just paying for the ability to play this on the go, but that’s still arguably worth the asking price. Either way, this is one of the most polished Shantae games.
32. Blossom Tales: The Sleeping King Switch eShop
Judging a game on its own merits is very important. However, when a title happens to borrow just about every aspect of its design from an iconic game series, it’s hard not to acknowledge. Thankfully in the case of Blossom Tales: The Sleeping King, the developer has intentionally crafted it with a sense of love and admiration of classic Zelda games which makes it far more than a mere 'clone'.
While it’s not as flawlessly executed as the series it draws inspiration from, it's still a heartfelt tribute to the earlier entries in Nintendo’s long-running series.
31. Azure Striker Gunvolt: Striker Pack Switch
Azure Striker Gunvolt: Striker Pack gets a strong recommendation to anyone who hasn’t yet played these games. This collection presents a good opportunity to try both games in a format that can be played on both a big screen or a portable.
They stand tall on their own merits and, when you consider additions like HD Rumble and DLC, they certainly justify investigation on Switch. The porting job is a little sloppy; fans who have already played these out on the 3DS might want to think it over first before buying. If you haven’t played them yet, this is nevertheless the best way to go.





Comments 44
I really REALLY want another Pokkén game for the Switch.
Missing Pinball FX3 and the Metal Slug trilogy but that'll do.
This is great! I can go through and see what I missed!
3. XC2
2. Super Mario Odyssey
1. BotW
Imo
where's Slime-san?????
Forget going back to 2017, let's see some progress! Let's see BotW's formula merge with the traditional LoZ story, a Splatoon that puts its best foot forward in terms of multiplayer, some actual plot advancement for Mario, a Mario Party that actually plays like one, SMM2 getting the rest of its missing content beyond playing with friends, a new Bomberman that lets you customize multiplayer ala Generation (if you want), and other worthwhile surprises!
I'm slightly shocked by just how many of these I own, whether on Switch or WiiU/3DS. Most are great, but quite a few are in my backlog anyway...
2017 was an amazing year for people who owned both Switch and PS4. Horizon: Zero Dawn. NieR: Automata. Persona 5. Danganronpa V3. Yakuza Zero. Resident Evil 7. Breath of the Wild. Super Mario Odyssey. Xenoblade Chronicles 2. Splatoon 2. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
3DS saw Etrian Odyssey V, a major Fire Emblem remake, and a remake of Metroid II.
Heck, even PC/Xbox got some action via the incredible Cuphead.
2017 was the best gaming-related year since the turn of the century.
But, of all those, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is still arguably tops for me. One of the best games I've ever played.
Oh I wonder what #1 is? For the BILLIONTH TIME.
Skyrim should be in the top ten imo, but yeah this just goes to show what an awesome first year the Switch had.
But where's astral chain?
A magical year it was
@Yoshinator ahh my bad, thought it was just an ongoing list being updated!
For me Steamworld Dig 2 is a really underrated game, to only be 10th on this list! Personally, i'd put it 4th or 5th.
I bought my Switch for the special reason of owning Mario And Rabbids Kingdom Battle and that was easily my top game for the year too.
That top 5 list is gold. I would've put Mario and Rabbids a lot higher.
I always felt like Xenoblade Chronicles 2 was hugely overrated.
For me BotW really was the high note of the gaming that year.
And it won Game of the Year, which sealed its success in the gaming history.
There were some fantastic games but thank goodness that 2018 and then 2019 happened. I only care for a handful of these games.
Some great games on the list but some garbage as well
Happy ARMs at least made the top 20.
Feel that game is getting to Kid Icarus Uprising level of underrated.
@JayJ totally agree on XC2, cant stand the combat system.
"Unfortunately, Ultra Street Fighter II represents Capcom at its most lazy and exploitative"
Boy, that's REALLY saying something considering Capcom's output on Switch so far.
One of the best years in the history of Nintendo consoles! Mind you...this year is pretty wonderful too!
I'll give Brave Dungeon + Dark Witch's Story: COMBAT a mention since while it isn't a "big" JRPG, it does well for everything it tries to do and I had fun with it as a result...which is what I can say for the Brave Dungeon part.
@Kalmaro Me too.
2017 was indeed a great year for gaming.
With Mario Odyssey, NL talk about how ’post-credits it takes on a life of its own’. Aren’t you just revisiting all the same levels looking for more moons? Or am I missing something? To me, post-credits felt like I was repaying the game all over again, and so I stopped after a couple of worlds.
Best Nintendo Switch games. Sees ARMS. Something is not right here.
2017 Switch library was fantastic and the following 2 years haven't come close to beating it. 2019 may have beaten it if the first half of the year wasn't so empty though.
@Bondi_Surfer There's a few new kingdoms in the postgame too, you just need enough moons to travel to them.
Was the absolute best year of my gaming life. Intelligent release schedule; new exciting games that all seemed to have a mandate of "lets to evolve the franchise"; surpise hits like Mario Rabbids; exiting and well executed 3rd party ports. 2018 pooped on that and 2019 met 2018 and 17 halfway by having a horrible release schedule, but eventually focused on new games offering evolved experiences. No clue what 2020 but Im guessing it meets 2018 and 19 halwayd meaning more ports again, a better than 19 release schedule with some new experiences tossed in.
But which is the best year for the Switch- 2017, 2018, or 2019?
ARMS hit top 20!!!
Zelda and Mario Odyssey are still the best games on Switch after 2.5 years. Kinda disappointed to say that, but it also does speak volumes to their excellence.
The first year of games for Switch really was killer! Just look at that top 5 there, those 5 games alone will be remembered for years and years, and there are a LOT of other absolute gems on this list.
The Switch has continued to get one good game after another. I have over 100 games for my Switch at this point, I can't remotely keep up anymore.
You won't see a better top 3 games in a single year ever again.
@Grumblevolcano I think it’s hard to beat a year that has two of the best games of all time plus a really good supporting cast, but 2019 has been really good.
I love countdown lists. Please do 2018 and 2019
@Kalmaro Yea, Pokken is fantastic, and a great foundation for a new, more fleshed out release. Alarming levels of depth.
I’ve got just over half of these games at 26 out of 50. I don’t want to admit how many I’ve actually finished haha.
@JEM 2017 is still a much better year than 2019. A lot of those are hype titles that won't be remembered.
I will never forget 2017 it's when I bought my first switch and got Mario odyssey on release night with splatoon 2 I binged Mario odyssey and fell in love again with gaming and looked forward to all the releases after and the Nintendo directs and e3s . 2019 has been good for switch with good games too lost my mom this year though and she is to go with me to gamestop so its bitter sweet happy gaming everyone and let's look forward to new awesome games to come
@MrGawain 2017 imo this year would beaten it if animal crossing wasnt delayed and December wasnt so dry this year
@Nintendonerd12 I am sorry to hear about your mom, that is a great memory of her going to the game store with you.
Like you, I got my switch in 2017 and got Odyssey at midnight. And we agree that we love gaming on the switch.
Happy gaming, friend, and I wish great strength for you!
@koaeinferno you're absolutely right.
It should have been in the top 10.
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