40. 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.
39. LEGO City: Undercover (Switch)
LEGO City: Undercover doesn't quite stand up as well as it did when it originally came to Wii U; series improvements have come in the years since that leave this one looking slightly dusty in comparison. There are also some technical issues that hold it back, 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 easy-going 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 it was in 2013, but it still has plenty to offer.
38. 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.
37. Oxenfree (Switch eShop)
A genuinely creepy creation, Oxenfree combines a clever story and smart dialogue mechanics with superbly sinister music to leave a deep and lasting impression on the player, one that should encourage an all-important second playthrough. Fans of Stranger Things and Poltergeist will love the direction this game takes – if not to hell and back, exactly, then absolutely to some other place where horrors abound, just waiting for an invitation into our world. It’s yet another Switch essential. MD
36. Resident Evil Revelations 2 (Switch eShop)
An episodic entry featuring Claire Redfield and the return of Barry 'Jill Sandwich' Burton from the original RE, we also got to meet his daughter Moira in Resident Evil Revelations 2. Co-operative gameplay was served with a twist; of the four playable characters, only two use firearms. This forces you to approach scenarios differently and gives parts of the game a stealthy flavour.
Although it might lack the prestige of the mainline entries, this is a fine, full-fat addition to the lineup, and as fans of Barry from the original game, it was great to see him return in his new paternal role here.
35. 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. It means that what would have been an 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.
34. L.A. Noire (Switch)
L.A. Noire's troubled development resulted in accusations of poor management at Team Bondi, the fallout of which was enough to effectively sink the studio. Despite its troubled history, it's heartening that players are being given the chance to revisit Los Angeles on Nintendo Switch. While the game's myriad faults remain and the revised interrogation system fumbles its chance to fix one of the most egregious part of the game, the great acting, stunning atmosphere and amazing facial animation all combine to make this a detective adventure that's worth experiencing, despite its rough edges. It wasn't a faultless game back in 2011 and that hasn't changed now, yet it somehow manages to be more than the sum of its parts. We suspect it will be regarded as a pioneering classic in the future; few games treat the player to such a grown-up and mature experience as this, and that's important for the video game industry as a whole.
33. 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 F-Zero. With the console's ability to allow multiplayer on the go rolled in, this is without doubt essential for racing fans with a Switch.
32. Overcooked: Special Edition (Switch eShop)
Overcooked is an absolute must-buy for anybody looking for a fantastic party game to play with friends. The wacky visuals and chaotic gameplay make it an ideal game for local co-op, and there’s plenty of content to work through. We still give this one a strong recommendation overall, even if the sequel has stolen its thunder to a certain extent; it's a more compact experience and a title that perfectly nails what makes local multiplayer games so fun.
31. Pinball FX3 (Switch eShop)
The overall fun on offer in Pinball FX3 really depends on the amount of coin dropped. Certain tables are made free from time to time, but in order to experience the entire package, purchases must be made. Anyone in the mood for a fun arcade take on the classic pinball genre will certainly be satisfied. It doesn’t revolutionise the series (which in some cases is understandably hard to enhance. given the source material), but with all the necessities including global leaderboards, multiplayer action and enough content to justify the DLC purchases – including challenges and a levelling system – there’s no harm in downloading the free base game and taking a look at what the definitive pinball experience on the market offers.
Comments 48
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.
Many games on this list are somehow still on my backlog of games I have yet to grab for the Switch. It's almost 2020 and I still haven't even played Xenoblade yet!
Wait, 2017 is over? Someone should have told me!
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?
Pretty decent list but Mario Rabbids Kingdom Battle should be higher. Even in 2019 it's still my favorite Switch game.
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 a fantastic year on Switch; Mario Odyssey, Blaster Master Zero, Mighty Gunvolt Burst and Doom were all superb and I’ve replayed all of them multiple times since (I’m actually replaying Odyssey now after finishing Link’s Awakening).
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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