Ready to unlock the full potential of your brand-new Nintendo Switch? Whether you’re craving epic adventures, thrilling races, or cozy island escapes, these six must-play games will kickstart your gaming journey with unforgettable fun and excitement. From the sprawling world of Hyrule to the chaotic joy of Mario Kart, discover the perfect titles to dive into first and make your Switch experience truly legendary.
The hardest part is where to even start, in terms of sorting through your options. Luckily, we’ve got six recommendations, ranging from modern Nintendo classics (that you can’t play on any non-Nintendo console) to indie games that are perfect for the Switch.
It was really and truly difficult to narrow it down to just six – there’s so much great stuff out there! – so if you’re looking for more recommendations, definitely check out the 22 best Nintendo Switch games, 36 best couch co-op games for Nintendo Switch, and the best Nintendo Switch games for grown-ups.
The best classic Nintendo Switch games to play first
For newcomers to the Nintendo Switch, diving into classic games is a fantastic way to experience the roots of gaming excellence. Timeless titles like Super Mario World, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, and Donkey Kong Country Trilogy offer a perfect blend of nostalgia and engaging gameplay that still holds up today. These classics not only showcase Nintendo’s rich history but also provide a solid foundation for understanding the evolution of modern games on the platform. Whether you’re revisiting these gems or discovering them for the first time, they are essential starting points that highlight the best of what the Switch has to offer in terms of retro gaming.
Nintendo is home to some of the most iconic gaming franchises, and a great place to start for any first time Switch owner is with these modern-day Zelda, Mario, and Animal Crossing games. While it’s hard to pick just a handful from this wealth of options – not to mention other iconic Nintendo series – we’ve narrowed it down to some of the platform’s absolute best.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
There are two standout Zelda games for the Switch that have gained the status of modern classic: Breath of the Wild and the sequel that came out this year, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. While both of them are masterful accomplishments – putting Link in an open world, and reimagining the scope of what is possible in exploration and puzzling – we’ve gone with Breath of the Wild as the starting point, because it’s where this iteration of Link’s story kicks off (and because it’s extremely accessible to newcomers). It has all of the joy of exploration on a vast map, as Link can climb and glide all over, without mechanics introduced in the sequel that can be overwhelming (as well as expansive).
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Animal Crossing games have long been loved for their chill farming sim vibes and adorable villagers, but Animal Crossing: New Horizons perfected the genre. Great for newcomers to consoles and veterans of the genre alike, the game sticks you on an island where you get to design a cute house, harvest materials, catch bugs and fish, and court animal villagers. Time passes as it does in real life, so the game paces itself perfectly for daily engagement with tasks to accomplish – and fees to pay Tom Nook, the raccoon that lends you all of your supplies and lodging.
Even more fun, you can visit other friends’ islands. So if you’ve got friends who also have the game on Switch, they can give you a tour, and lend you a hand in the form of gifting bells or other items.
Super Mario Odyssey
In a sea of truly excellent Mario games, Super Mario Odyssey stands out as the choice for the Switch. This game was released specifically with this console in mind, and it perfectly mixes classic, whimsical Mario platforming with the expansiveness of a large world. You get to run around tons of different maps – this notably includes my favorite metropolitan area in any Switch game, New Donk City – some of which reference past installments of the franchise. There’s also lots of power-ups and critters to turn into, courtesy of partner character Cappy – you get to play as a T-Rex in a segment of the game – and hidden collectibles for the exploration inclined. Collect Power Moons and save the day. The world is your oyster.
Acclaimed indie games perfect for the Switch’s portability
Indie games have become a cornerstone of the Nintendo Switch experience, perfectly complementing its portable design with engaging, bite-sized adventures and innovative gameplay. Titles like Hades, Spiritfarer, and Balatro offer a diverse range of genres-from action-packed roguelikes to heartfelt narrative journeys-that are ideal for gaming on the go. Their creative mechanics and captivating stories make them perfect companions for the Switch’s handheld mode, allowing players to enjoy rich, immersive experiences anytime, anywhere. These acclaimed indie games not only showcase the ingenuity of smaller developers but also highlight the Switch as one of the best platforms for indie gaming.
With so many celebrated indie games, it can be hard to know which platform is the best to play them on. Here are three of our absolute favorites for the Switch.
Hades
In Hades, you play as Zagreus, prince of the underworld, fighting your way out of hell and onto the surface in this truly excellent roguelite. It’s got a fantastic, full cast of gods who give you various powers you can mix and match during the course of each run. But these deities are just one of many lovable, complicated, and extremely hot characters you meet along the way, as Zagreus’ story unfolds. Each run where you die doesn’t feel like a loss – the story is simply that propulsive. There are so many weapon and buff combinations to try, you’ll be eager to hop into your next playthrough, making the Switch’s portability crucial. Hades is for the Greek mythology nerds, but it’s also for everyone.
Stardew Valley
Solo developer and composer Eric Barone created both a game and a phenomenon with this one, which is inspired by the Harvest Moon series. In Stardew Valley you inherit a farm from your grandfather, and move in as you’re eager to leave the corporate life behind. Farm, mine, fish, and make friends with the locals in Pelican Town. It’s so easy to think to yourself “just one more day” and then lose hours, days, and months even to building out your farm, wooing a townsperson, and completing community bundles. The multiplayer is also excellent, as you can share a farm with up to three other players.
Hollow Knight
You’re a lonely knight, wandering through the crumbling halls of an enormous and wending kingdom – home to a defunct civilization of bugs – with only a nail as a weapon. But not to worry: your arsenal of attacks and powers grow the more you explore and defeat bosses. Hollow Knight is one of the best Metroidvanias (and Souls-likes) on the Switch, owing to its precise platforming mechanics, its memorable cast of characters, and a sprawling map full of secrets. There’s no better feeling than doing a little digging and then finding an entirely new region on the map. Hollow Knight captures that feeling – and you’ll want to take the game with you.
Which games will give me the best start on my new Switch
For the best start on your new Nintendo Switch, you should definitely begin with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and its sequel Tears of the Kingdom, as they offer modern, standalone open-world adventures that showcase the Switch’s capabilities beautifully. Other top recommendations include Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for thrilling multiplayer racing, Animal Crossing: New Horizons for a relaxing and charming island life experience, and Metroid Dread for fast-paced side-scrolling action with deep exploration. If you enjoy challenging platformers, Celeste is highly praised for its gameplay and story, while Bayonetta 3 offers stylish combat and an exciting storyline for action fans. These games provide a well-rounded introduction to the Switch’s diverse and rich gaming library.
Which beginner-friendly Switch games are most recommended for new players
For new players on the Nintendo Switch, the most recommended beginner-friendly games combine easy-to-learn controls, gentle difficulty, and engaging gameplay. Top picks include:
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Animal Crossing: New Horizons – A relaxing life simulation with no fail state, allowing players to build and customize their island at their own pace, perfect for stress-free creativity and exploration.
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Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – A fun racing game with adjustable speeds and simple controls, great for beginners to improve gradually while enjoying multiplayer excitement.
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Kirby and the Forgotten Land – A charming 3D platformer with two difficulty modes and intuitive mechanics, plus co-op play for added support.
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Super Mario Odyssey – A forgiving 3D platformer with simple controls and optional challenges, allowing new players to explore and enjoy without pressure.
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Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! – An accessible reimagining of classic Pokémon games with motion controls and a gentle learning curve ideal for newcomers.
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Super Mario Party – A multiplayer party game with easy rules and entertaining mini-games, perfect for casual gaming and social fun.
These titles provide a welcoming introduction to gaming on the Switch, balancing accessibility with engaging content for players just starting out.
