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The best Nintendo Switch games you should play in 2026

Jasper11 JANUARY 2026
Hands hold a Nintendo Switch with a game menu on its black screen. The Joy-Cons are blue and orange. The background is gray.

If you want to play great games, the Nintendo Switch is a smart choice. Whether you’re on the sofa, on the go or even on holiday, you can have a blast with the console. There are thousands of games available, which you can play solo or with friends via local and online multiplayer. If you own a Nintendo Switch, these are the best Switch games to discover.

What is the best Switch game?

Two Nintendo Switch consoles with colorful Joy-Con controllers, playing on a terracotta tiled floor with a small plant in the background.

Everyone has their own taste, so the best Switch game can be different for everyone. Fortunately, there are some amazing titles on Nintendo Switch that impress every player. Iconic characters have grown up on Nintendo consoles over the years, with Super Mario and Pokémon as the most famous examples. Time to highlight the 10 best Switch games that shouldn’t be missing from your collection.

10 handy Nintendo Switch tips

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Epic Zelda artwork featuring Link overlooking a vast mountainous landscape at sunset, with birds flying through the sky above.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is the reason the Nintendo Switch got off to a flying start. This Zelda game revolutionised open-world games, putting the joy of exploring Hyrule front and centre. The world feels like a gigantic treasure map full of mysteries and secrets, so you’re constantly discovering new surprises. As Link, you take on Calamity Ganon, who spreads his dark influence across the kingdom. It’s up to the young hero to free Hyrule from Ganon’s curse.

View The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Super Mario Odyssey

Mario running through a vibrant city street filled with neon signs and yellow taxis, with his iconic red cap visible in motion.

Fun in its purest form awaits in Super Mario Odyssey. This 3D platformer starring the iconic plumber takes you through a series of colourful worlds where you collect Moons to fuel your ship, the Odyssey. Discover new ways to reach secret spots, complete challenges to collect extra Moons and rescue Princess Peach from Bowser’s clutches.

View Super Mario Odyssey

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Super Smash Bros battle featuring Mario, Link, Donkey Kong and other Nintendo characters on a stone arena with floating platforms.

Brawling becomes fun for the whole family in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. In this fighting game you let your virtual fists do the talking with Mario, Link, Samus, Pikachu and countless other iconic characters from your favourite games. The roster of fighters is larger than ever, making the game a true ode to video games. It’s also a rock-solid fighter, where you can battle locally with up to 8 players at once or worldwide via Nintendo Switch Online.

View Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

Pokémon group photo with trainers and their Pokémon posing before a grand castle under a radiant sky filled with beams of light.

Is anything more popular than Pokémon? On Nintendo Switch, you’ll find multiple Pokémon games, with Pokémon Scarlet & Violet as the newest titles. In the sunny Paldea region you’ll discover a brand-new generation of Pokémon in a fully open world that you can explore alone or with up to 4 players. All Pokémon roam or fly freely, bringing the world beautifully to life. This is an adventure you absolutely don’t want to miss.

View Pokémon Scarlet

Super Mario Party Jamboree

Split-screen Mario Party gameplay with four players running through a colourful level filled with wooden crates and green hills.

The most extensive Mario Party on Nintendo Switch is Super Mario Party Jamboree. With 6 boards and 22 playable characters, every match becomes a new celebration. On top of that, Jamboree Buddies appear along the way to help you collect extra stars. With more than 110 minigames, this means countless hours of fun, together with up to 4 players on the sofa.

View Super Mario Party Jamboree

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Cosy Animal Crossing beach scene with characters camping amongst colourful tents, featuring Tom Nook and friends on the sandy shore.

No game lets you unwind as wonderfully as Animal Crossing: New Horizons. As soon as you arrive on an uninhabited island, you’re completely free to build your own paradise. Decorate your house with DIY furniture, tend your garden or cast a line and sell your catch for Bells to buy resources. Meanwhile, your holiday island grows into a cosy village full of adorable residents who, just like you, enjoy island life.

View Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Mario Kart racing action with Mario leading in his kart, whilst other racers chase behind through a tropical city environment.

The biggest racing game on Nintendo Switch can’t be missing: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the Mario Kart for the console. If you have a Nintendo Switch 2, you’ll naturally move to Mario Kart World, but that doesn’t change how strong Mario Kart 8 Deluxe remains. Thanks to the Booster Course Pass, which doubles the number of tracks, this is the largest Mario Kart ever. Whether you play solo or race together with friends on classic and new courses, with this Switch game you’re always set. The huge choice of drivers and the Battle Mode also provide a nice change of pace.

View Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Epic Zelda group photo featuring Link and his companions posing in a green field before dramatic mountains and blue skies.

Where you were mainly an explorer in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, in Tears of the Kingdom you’re also an architect. Hyrule is turned upside down in this new adventure and once again it’s up to Link to save the world and Princess Zelda. This time you have an arsenal of new abilities that let you create your own constructions and vehicles. From flying cars to rocket launchers and even gigantic combat mechs: however crazy your idea, Link can build it to save Hyrule.

View The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Nintendo Switch Sports

Splatoon battle with players shooting colourful ink in a modern arena, filled with neon lights and spectacular paint explosions.

Wii Sports introduced everyone to the world of motion-control gaming. Nintendo Switch Sports breathes new life into some of the most popular Wii Sports games, such as tennis, golf and bowling. This time, however, you can also play volleyball and football with your custom-made characters.

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Super Mario Bros. Wonder

Super Mario gameplay in a dreamy cloud world with Mario jumping between white platforms and yellow Koopa Troopas.

Mario games are often must-plays, and Super Mario Bros. Wonder is no exception. In this 2D platformer, the Wonder Flower adds a surprising twist to every level. Each stage feels like a madcap rollercoaster full of creative challenges, while the colourful environments pop off the screen. Because you can play locally with up to 4 players, the fun only gets bigger.

View Super Mario Bros. Wonder

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