Best Switch Games 2018
Image: Nintendo Life

Cast your minds back, if you will, deep into the mists of time, all the way back to 2018. Yes, a lot has happened since then, not least where Nintendo Switch is concerned! After a barnstorming opener which featured genre-defining winners like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey, there were questions as to whether Nintendo could come close to matching the level of software quality (and quantity) of Switch's launch year.

2018 was the year Super Smash Bros. Ultimate would drop with practically every video game character in the known universe (and that's only a mild exaggeration!) in attendance. Couple that with Pokémon: Let's Go Pikachu and Eevee, Super Mario Party, Nintendo Labo and some choice Wii U ports and you could hardly call 2018 a slouch. Add in a deluge of third-party and indie offerings and you couldn't move for brilliant titles to play at home or on-the-go, as you'll see from the following list of the 50 best games from 2018.

We here at Nintendo Life Towers didn't rank these ones, though - this ranking is dictated by the user ratings associated with Switch games on Nintendo Life's database. This means that this list changes according to your ratings. If you've previously rated your Switch games (the ones released in 2018), just sit back and enjoy. If, however, you've yet to give your personal score for some (or all) of the games below, clicking on each game's rating to cast your vote and affect the list.

Can't see your favourite? Head to our library of Switch games for 2018 and input your own ratings. A game needs a minimum of thirty ratings (we’ll up this to fifty as more ratings pour in) to become eligible, so it's entirely possible to influence the ranking and get your favourite games onto the list.

So, let's dive into the best Switch games from 2018 according to you lovely people...

50. Night In The Woods (Switch eShop)

Night In The Woods (Switch eShop)
Night In The Woods (Switch eShop)
Publisher: Finji / Developer: Infinite Fall
Release Date: 1st Feb 2018 (USA) / 1st Feb 2018 (UK/EU)

Less of a game, and more of an interactive story with some light platforming and exploring to tie it all together, Night In The Woods is one of the most rewarding experiences you can play on Nintendo Switch. A curio better played for yourself than described by us, it’s an indie title that will no doubt leave an impression with its enchanting soundtrack, disarming story and instantly identifiable character arcs. Strange and wonderful in equal measure.

49. Super Meat Boy (Switch eShop)

Super Meat Boy (Switch eShop)
Super Meat Boy (Switch eShop)
Publisher: Blitworks / Developer: Team Meat
Release Date: 11th Jan 2018 (USA) / 11th Jan 2018 (UK/EU)

Super Meat Boy is another excellent indie addition to Switch's library. The short, but challenging levels are a perfect fit for portable play, and the game runs perfectly in both handheld and TV modes. The tight platforming mechanics and wealth of hidden warp zones, bandages and playable characters are enough to keep us coming back for more. We wish it would add support for video capture features, if only so we can brag about our accomplishments, but it doesn't hinder our enjoyment of the game. If you haven't played this on another platform, or just want to play it on the go, pick this up.

48. Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy (Switch)

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy (Switch)
Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy (Switch)
Publisher: Activision / Developer: Toys for Bob
Release Date: 29th Jun 2018 (USA) / 29th Jun 2018 (UK/EU)

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy is a ruthlessly faithful recreation of some of the earliest successes in 3D platforming. Levels are slick, gorgeous to look at, and recreate the feel of the originals superbly. Newcomers to the series may be put off by the steep difficulty spikes and little to no explanation of some of the finer mechanics. All the fun and the foibles of the original three games are here, for better or for worse, and despite some odd design choices it still manages to be a really enjoyable retread of some old classics, warts and all. This is definitely worth a look if you're a fan of 3D platformers, but just as was the case back in the '90s, Crash isn't in quite the same league as Mario when it comes to playability, inventiveness and entertainment. If you're after a nostalgia trip, though, it's tough to beat.

47. Hyper Light Drifter: Special Edition (Switch eShop)

Hyper Light Drifter: Special Edition (Switch eShop)
Hyper Light Drifter: Special Edition (Switch eShop)
Publisher: Abylight Studios / Developer: Heart Machine
Release Date: 6th Sep 2018 (USA) / 6th Sep 2018 (UK/EU)

Hyper Light Drifter: Special Edition puts Heart Machine’s obtuse yet engaging throwback where it belongs — in portable Nintendo form — and it makes for the definitive version. With a handful of exclusive features, the game suddenly feels new and fresh - and with a silky smooth frame rate and every boss, secret and upgrade from the original here for you to experience, this is a wonderful addition to the Nintendo Switch’s bulging indie library.

46. Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus (Switch)

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus (Switch)
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus (Switch)
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks / Developer: MachineGames
Release Date: 29th Jun 2018 (USA) / 29th Jun 2018 (UK/EU)

While Wolfenstein II's graphical downgrade is hard to miss, that doesn’t detract from the fact that this is one of the best single-player FPS experience you can have on Switch right now. The lack of a multiplayer mode (the versions on other consoles didn’t have one either, so don’t worry about being short-changed) still grates, but with its brilliantly-written story and intense action, not even 2017’s excellent DOOM port can stand up to B.J.’s latest war on the Reich.

45. Transistor (Switch eShop)

Transistor (Switch eShop)
Transistor (Switch eShop)
Publisher: Supergiant Games / Developer: Supergiant Games
Release Date: 1st Nov 2018 (USA) / 1st Nov 2018 (UK/EU)

Supergiant Games outdid itself with Transistor, providing an engaging ARPG experience that managed to improve upon its predecessor in many ways while adding in distinct new elements that help to define its identity. It's another welcome addition to the Switch library, and is the epitome of a modern RPG classic. Its fusion of cyberpunk elements, unconventional and effective storytelling, and dynamic gameplay make for a game that you won’t want to miss out on.

44. Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon (Switch eShop)

Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon (Switch eShop)
Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon (Switch eShop)
Publisher: Inti Creates / Developer: Inti Creates
Release Date: 24th May 2018 (USA) / 24th May 2018 (UK/EU)

Bloodstained: Curse Of The Moon is undoubtedly aimed at a very specific audience, and you’ll know if you’re part of that just by looking at the screenshots. If those make your heart sing, it’s definitely worth your time. It’s like Castlevania just decided to come soaring back into all our lives, and how can that ever be a bad thing? Exactly.

43. Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom (Switch)

Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom (Switch)
Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom (Switch)
Publisher: FDG Entertainment / Developer: Game Atelier
Release Date: 4th Dec 2018 (USA) / 4th Dec 2018 (UK/EU)

Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom is a tremendous accomplishment. It’s a gorgeous looking game with a fantastic soundtrack and does its spiritual predecessors proud by nailing the Wonder Boy mechanics while still offering something that will appeal to modern audiences. As long as you can appreciate that it’s still very much an old-school game at heart and you’re going to get some 8-bit era platforming trickiness as a result, you’re going to thoroughly enjoy playing through this adventure for the 12-15 hours it’ll take you to beat it. It may not be Wonder Boy by name, but it’s definitely wonderful by nature.

42. Mega Man 11 (Switch)

Mega Man 11 (Switch)
Mega Man 11 (Switch)
Publisher: Capcom / Developer: Capcom
Release Date: 2nd Oct 2018 (USA) / 2nd Oct 2018 (UK/EU)

Mega Man 11 was an excellent resurgence for the character, imbuing the tried-and-true classic gameplay with modern touches and new ideas that expand on existing concepts in interesting ways. The underlying action platforming gameplay is just as tight and challenging as you remember, and when combined with the new visuals and extra options for replayability, you’ve got a game that’s every bit as good as those that came before, while surpassing them in some ways. Mega Man 11 is a modern classic, a fitting refresh for a beloved series.

41. Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum 'n' Fun! (Switch)

Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum 'n' Fun! (Switch)
Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum 'n' Fun! (Switch)
Publisher: Bandai Namco / Developer: Bandai Namco
Release Date: 2nd Nov 2018 (USA) / 2nd Nov 2018 (UK/EU)

You’ll want to consider forking out for the taiko peripheral to see the Japanese drum-fun of Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum ‘n’ Fun! at its best, but Switch’s touchscreen makes this an easier recommendation than it would otherwise be. The motion controls should be avoided with extreme prejudice – they’re simply unworkable – and a few odd design decisions, not to mention an excess of loading screens, take the shine off what is a beautifully bold and bouncy game. Fortunately, the Party Game section helps shore things up, offering short bursts of multiplayer fun as a credible stopgap until a Rhythm Paradise arrives on Switch.