40. South Park: The Fractured But Whole (Switch)

The Nintendo Switch version of South Park: The Fractured But Whole is no great leap on from the mechanics of the first game, but it still offers both an ideal introduction for players looking to try out a turn-based RPG and a worthy addition to any genre fan's collection.

If you never played the first instalment and you’re a fan of Matt Stone and Trey Parker’s two-decade-long animated lampooning, then you’ll love just how authentically authentic it is. From the 2D recreation of every inch of the Colorado town (including a taco shop run by Morgan Freeman, naturally) to the unflinching satire of every demographic imaginable (a ‘Hooters’-style bar run by kids, anyone?), it’s as true to the franchise as any of its myriad TV seasons.

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39. Yoku's Island Express (Switch eShop)

Yoku's Island Express is a genuine breath of fresh air, combining pinball and Metroidvania mechanics in a way that feels truly inspired. Add in a calming soundtrack and one of the most appealing fantasy worlds you'll find on the eShop, and you have yourself an instant left-field classic.

38. Firewatch (Switch eShop)

Firewatch is just as engrossing and enchanting on Switch as it was the first time around. From the warm glow of its forests in the morning summer light to the subtle tension of exploring a rocky gorge in the isolating silence of night, Shoshone National Forest is a character in its own right. With a story that’s both funny and heartbreaking – and enhanced by some brilliant performances by its two central actors – this is an essential purchase, irrespective of whether you're playing it for the first time on Switch or simply using it as an excuse to revisit an old favourite.

37. Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom (Switch)

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.

36. GRIS (Switch eShop)

We’re very careful when we use this word, but Gris is a masterpiece. Its jaw-dropping visual style and heart-wrenching score combine for one of the most emotional pieces of interactive art you’ll ever play.

It may be too short for some, its puzzles may be on the simple side and the lack of any real challenge may not be to everyone’s taste, but this is a game focused more on fragility than ability and as long as you’re willing to go along for the ride, it’s one that will stick with you for a very long time indeed.

35. Transistor (Switch eShop)

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.

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

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.

33. Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus (Switch)

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 experiences 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.

32. South Park: The Stick of Truth (Switch eShop)

South Park: The Stick of Truth proves itself just as good a fit on Nintendo Switch as South Park: The Fractured But Whole. Both a pastiche of classic RPG tropes and a wonderfully empowering example of how to make a great modern take on the genre, this is still one of Obsidian’s best exports and as authentic as any episode of the cult TV show it’s so closely tied to.

31. Shantae and the Pirate's Curse (Switch eShop)

If you haven’t gotten around to it by now, the Switch version is certainly the best way to play Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse. Tight gameplay, detailed visuals, and charming writing combine to make this a Metroidvania that is a must-play for any fans of this genre or the series.

This gets a strong recommendation to anybody who hasn’t played it yet and we would still encourage veterans to consider double dipping. Though there’s nothing groundbreaking about this re-release, it’s the same great game that it was and the few minor additions are a nice bonus.