40. PAN-PAN (Switch eShop)

39. 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.

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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.

38. 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.

37. 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.

36. 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.

35. Rocket League (Switch eShop)

One of modern gaming's true online multiplayer success stories, Rocket League was an essential addition to the Switch's striking library even before it went free-to-play in September 2020; now there's absolutely no reason it shouldn't be on your system.

The spirit of the game has been transferred perfectly, with the added benefit of portable play which opens up the chance to host local matches with your Switch-owning mates wherever and whenever you fancy. Developer Panic Button did an utterly fantastic job with this port, but technical wizardry aside, what really matters is that the core game is so addictive, so compelling, so enjoyable, and — perhaps above all else — so deep. It rewards skilful play and perseverance, and new tactics and strategies seem to flow from each and every match.

Only the occasional network niggle throws shade on this otherwise sublime release, but it's still an essential online experience.

34. Batman - The Telltale Series (Switch)

While Batman isn't Telltale's best comic book or graphic novel adaptation, Batman - The Telltale Series does a great job of balancing both the Dark Knight and the man behind the mask.

You get to see Bruce Wayne the man, not The Bat, more than in any other video game. And the developer's choice and consequence formula works in perfect harmony with the moral struggle Batman often encounters. The World's Greatest Detective had a pretty good home with Telltale for a while.

33. World of Goo (Switch eShop)

World of Goo is a true classic, and it's revered for good reason. 2D Boy's game is instantly accessible but with plenty of depth; it's paced out perfectly, with a steady stream of new tricks and techniques to learn, and its puzzles can be solved with forward-thinking, quick reflexes or a mixture of both. Wrapped up in a unique, pleasantly apocalyptic presentation, with co-op support and a harder 'OCD' mode for added replay value, this is a complete puzzle package.

If you've played it previously, the Switch incarnation might be worth a second go for its portable pointer controls and on-the-go co-op, but if it's your first time in the World of Goo, it's absolutely a must-play.

32. Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment (Switch eShop)

Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment is the latest in a fantastic series of games; it further cements Yacht Club Games's reputation as a developer capable of crafting experiences that are not only on par with, but often surpass the efforts of some of the largest studios in the world.

The game's excellent level design, charming art style and top-notch soundtrack hold up as well in 2017 as they did three years ago in the original Shovel Knight. If you haven't played a Shovel Knight game before, we would highly recommend you pick up Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove for your Switch instead of this, as it contains this as well, but if you'd rather save some cash you can't go wrong with Specter of Torment.

31. Thimbleweed Park (Switch eShop)

Point-and-click beginners may struggle with the myriad puzzles Thimbleweed Park lays across its curiosity-piquing plot, but its developers have rightfully made it possible to get ahead even when all you see are dead ends, with the inclusion of the tips line.

This is a love letter to the LucasArts adventure games of old, updated to be as convenient as possible without stripping away the challenge or the charm. These updates mean that what would have been essential only for a very specific audience is, with no explicit fail states, easy for anyone to not just enjoy, but actually finish.

And going around for a second time is still a treat, much as Monkey Island et al. were, as you can clearly see all the pieces of the grander picture coming together to comprise a fascinating whole, climaxing with one of gaming’s better twists.