Reddit's 15 Best Switch Games Are Worth Playing Today

Reddit’s 15 Best Switch Games Are Worth Playing Today

The Nintendo Switch burst onto the gaming scene in 2017, offering a novel hybrid between home console and handheld device. With its seamless on-the-go functionality, versatile Joy-Con controllers, and stellar first-party exclusives from Nintendo, the unique little machine has carved out a special place for itself among gamers. Over 100+ million units sold worldwide mean the Switch now boasts one of the largest gaming communities out there.

With so many Switch owners out there, you can usually rely on crowdsourced opinions to determine the hottest titles worth playing on Nintendo’s hybrid wonder. And no online community caters better to the passionate Nintendo fanbase than Reddit. Home to numerous Switch-focused subreddits, the site provides the perfect pulse on fan perspectives regarding the best of the best games to grace the platform.

We scoured various Reddit discussions from the last year — including r/NintendoSwitch’s thread on must-play Switch games — to assemble a definitive list of the website’s 15 favorites. The final ranking encapsulates the community perspective on which games stand out thanks to stellar gameplay, memorable worlds and characters, or nostalgic ties to Nintendo history.

While the list trends heavily toward flagship Nintendo IPs, Reddit surprises with a few third-party picks as well. Let’s dive deeper into the full countdown:

15. Hades
    Hailing from boutique studio Supergiant Games, roguelike dungeon crawler Hades took the world by storm upon its 2020 release — nabbing over 50 Game of the Year awards in the process. As the son of Greek god Hades, you hack and slash your way out of the Underworld, dying and restarting countless times in your stubborn quest for freedom.

Reddit adores the game’s digestible runs, extensive character interactions, evolving abilities per run, and sheer stylistic beauty. Engaging writing and voice work enhance the experience even further. Given the endless combinations of weapon loadouts, special boosts, story reveals, and escape routes, no two attempts at escaping the Underworld play the same. It’s a run-based formula executed to perfection.

14. Luigi’s Mansion 3
    It’s been 19 years since Mario’s lanky brother Luigi first tiptoed into a haunted mansion to rescue his peers from supernatural captivity. This 2019 Switch entry retains the original GameCube title’s charm while refining the formula. Exploring floor-by-floor, Luigi employs new ghost hunting functions of the Poltergust G-00 vacuum to unsettle spectral foes before sucking them up. He can also summon a green slime doppelganger named Gooigi to access spaces Luigi himself cannot.

While simple on the surface, Luigi’s Mansion packs oodles of personality and polish that make this loved franchise feel fresh again. Reddit praises thepioonering physics, gorgeous graphics, and puzzle diversity alongside the flawless comedic animation. It might just be the best showcasing yet of Luigi’s reluctant bravery.

13. Astral Chain
    From PlatinumGames — creators of Nier Automata and Bayonetta — comes Astral Chain, a Switch exclusive that innovates the action genre with exhilarating style. As a new recruit to a special police force, you investigate interdimensional invasions by battling creatures with the help of a tamed chimera sidekick. Building synergy with your Legion companion using the Chain ability leads to spectacular combos.

This criminally underrated release deserves more attention for its sleek anime-inspired visuals, varied investigations, and deep customization that keeps combat endlessly entertaining according to Reddit. If you crave responsive hack-and-slash battles supplemented by detective casework, you need Astral Chain in your life.

12. Fire Emblem: Three Houses
    Tactical RPGs enjoyed a surprise resurgence on Switch thanks to 2017’s Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle testing the waters. Yet longtime Nintendo property Fire Emblem soared highest in the genre thanks to 2019’s exquisite Three Houses. Beyond the signature strategic grid-based battles lies exciting drama. As a professor at the Officer’s Academy, you teach and bond with students before eventually aligning with one of three houses.

Reddit adores Three Houses not just for its refined combat emphasizing careful unit placement, but also its emotionally resonant storytelling. Seeing students grow over in-game years endears them deeply leading to heart-wrenching decisions once war breaks out. With four distinct narrative paths, near endless customization, and New Game+ perks, this sublime RPG demands replayability.

11. Metroid Dread
    At long last, the continuation of sci-fi bounty hunter Samus Aran’s story — dead in the water since 2002’s Metroid Fusion on GBA — has arrived in the form of Metroid Dread. Picking up loose ends from that entry, the game transports players to the remote planet of ZDR where a mechanical Parasite menace once contained now runs rampant. Tense escapes from the nigh-invincible EMMI robots in particularproduce gripping dread.

As the first side-scrolling Metroid opus in 19 years, Dread does not squander its legacy. Redditors applaud how expertly it translates the mechanics of past 2D entries into a modern sheen. Thegame pampers genre fans with hidden collectibles revealing deeper lore. Meanwhile, newcomers enjoy the intuitive abilities like Phantom Cloak that opens engaging sequence breaking opportunities.

10. Kirby and the Forgotten Land
    Everyone’s favorite pink puffball marks a major evolutionary leap into 3D platforming through the delightfully charming Forgotten Land. After a dimensional warp sucks Kirby into an abandoned world, he treks through eye-catching post-apocalyptic settings filled with mysteries. Classic powers like Cutter and Ice now dazzle from new graphical splendor. And new additions such as Ranger and drill add unique flavor.

While mainline Kirby entries lean easier than most platformers, Reddit asserts Forgotten Land strikes an inclusive balance between difficulty spikes and accessibility unlike prior games. The magnificently weird “Mouthful Mode” typifies the experimental spark setting this quest apart. Who else could get away with Kirby inhaling an entire vending machine or traffic cone to solve puzzles?

9. Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition
   Given the original Xenoblade Chronicles first appeared exclusivelon the failed Wii U console, many gamers missed out experiencing one of most engrossing JRPG odysseys ever. Enter the 2020 Definitive Edition granting new life on Switch through a visual facelift and gameplay conveniences. Following Shulk’s epic sword-based journey across the titanic Bionis’ BACK, this content-packed action RPG modernizes antiquated systems.

Reddit proclaims Xenoblade DE reigns supreme whether you crave an endearing ensemble cast or open fantasy world rewarding extensive exploration. Tweaks like additional story content also cater directly to fans of the limited-release 2010 original who crave extra context about mysteriously vanishing characters. New players should still play Definitive Edition first regardless.

8. Dark Souls: Remastered
   The infamously sadistic Dark Souls requires zen monk levels of patience. But among masochistic gamers who persevere through arguably the most demanding action-RPG ever crafted, FromSoftware’s 2011 masterpiece rightfully earns prestige. Now a smoother portable nightmare, the Remastered iteration brings Lordran’s nerve-fraying exploits to Switch complete with Artorias of the Abyss DLC. Just beware: hellish traps and ruthless enemy mobs await around every corner.

While later FromSoft games like Elden Ring expanded the Souls formula, Reddit argues the original brutal journey through the apocalyptic kingdom of Lordran remains unmatched for world cohesion rewarded through shortcuts. Plus, transferring upgrades between playthroughs via New Game+ eases subsequent runs. If you seek arduous battles interconnected across dizzying terrain, Dark Souls beckons.

7. Persona 5 Royal
   Initially exclusive to PlayStation consoles, the enhanced Persona 5 Royal edition works flawlessly on Switch letting its acclaimed turn-based gameplay and kinetic acid jazz soundtrack shine anywhere. You become an ordinary Tokyo high school student who awakens extraordinary powers for infiltrating the subconscious “Metaverse” reality behind corrupt individuals. By stealing distorted desires manifesting as Treasure, your merry band of Phantom Thieves reforms criminals‘ hearts.

Beyond the fantastical premise, Reddit adores Persona 5 Royal’s balance of tension-building stealth phases followed by cathartic all-out attacks during encounters. Building Social Links with NPC Confidants during downtime also nicely paces the 100+ hour journey. And Switch now houses the definitive Persona 5 experience thanks to additional characters and story depth absent originally.

6. Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age
   Slated to launch mere weeks after the Switch itself in 2017, technical difficulties set this enhanced Dragon Quest XI port back for years much to fans‘ chagrin. Yet 2020’s Definitive Edition proved worth the extended wait thanks to substantial new features. Acclaimed for revitalizing JRPG traditions of fantastical world building coupled with strategic turn-based combat, DQXI now enjoys superior fidelity with bonus narrative.

Reddit happily reports the timeless adventuring formula holds up excellently. Fans appreciate sticking with hero main character nameable as “The Luminary” for 100+ hours seeing his plight through to the end. DQXI‘s orchestral soundtrack radiates boundless magic while modern quality-of-life refinements reduce headaches. Whether you want old-school nostalgia or a bountiful modern fantasy, this gem satisfies.

5. Hollow Knight
   At first glance, Hollow Knight invokes atmosphere of Super Metroid and Castlevania with its lonely subterranean setting. However, within the carapace of this exceptionally crafted 2D action-platformer hides shocking ingenuity drawing Redditors into its labyrinthine underworld. Customizing bug knight protagonist through charms and weapon upgrades tailors gameplay feel. Each environment brims with lore expanding this faded bug kingdom’s history. Souls-like bosses test dexterity.

Reddit unanimously praises Hollow Knight for focusing Metroidvania appeal through a darkly whimsical lens while refining the combat additionally. Moving and slashing feel so right instantly while revealing the next secret sustains addictive curiosity. Later abilities open sequence breaking opportunities alongside build experimentation through charm combinations. For $15, no other indie offers so much value.

4. The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening
   Transporting back to 1993, the original Link’s Awakening stunned Game Boy owners by translating Zelda’s magical appeal onto a monochromatic handheld. This 2019 remake adopts a miniature toy-like aesthetic while enhancing gameplay to modern standards. Link shipwrecks on the curious Koholint Island rife with eccentric characters needing aid unlocking all eight instruments across dungeons to wake the Wind Fish for passage home. Familiar tools like bombs and the Hookshot return alongside new ones.

While on the cuter end of Zelda entries tonally, Reddit believes the whimsical personality only amplifies the intrigue of Link‘s Awakening. Enhanced controls remove prior frustrations. Veteran fans appreciate references to past games through cameos and Easter eggs. First-time visitors uncover where many mainstay Zelda staples like fishing or trading sequences began!

3. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
   Boasting near universal critical acclaim in addition to 20+ million units sold, Link’s open-air magnum opus warrants every speck of praise earned since launch. Scouring the vast plains, lush forests, and settlements of Hyrule freely revitalized The Legend of Zelda formula for modern audiences through endless experimentation. Want to skydive off a mountain? Cook Dubious food buffs? Tame horses? Nintendo afforded unprecedented autonomy. Even now over five years later with a sequel releasing soon, the Switch release contains endless secrets.

While later games added quality of life upgrades, Reddit praises Breath of the Wild’s intrepid spirit uncompromised by needless handholding. Shrines of varied challenge types prevent fatigue over the 120+ hours spent charting Hyrule as desired. Skeptics who normally avoid open world games find accessibility through smart UI markers and combat simplicity. BoTW represents the daring creative spark setting Nintendo apart from competitors.

2. Super Mario Odyssey
   Launching alongside Breath of the Wild, Mario’s premiere trip across 15 celestial kingdoms typifies playful unbounded inventiveness propelling Nintendo’s mascot into his fourth decade successfully. Assisted by the spiritual companion Cappy who possesses enemies, even pillars of realism like gravity hold little meaning. Why not flip gravity sideways? Or travel back in time depicting dinosaurs in 8-bit sprite work? Every minute hides joyful surprises other studios wouldn‘t dare attempt.

Much like Mario revolutionized platformers into 3D with 1996’s Super Mario 64, Reddit believes Odyssey charts a fresh course to the future once again. Controlling fluidly with deceptive depth mastering Cappy’s movement produces ceaseless bliss. Series Easter eggs/callbacks encourage nostalgia without pandering solely to it either. Whether your first Mario game or 40th, infinite merriment awaits.

1. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
   Quite possibly the most anticipated Nintendo title ever conceived, Link’s return after Breath of the Wild has massive expectations to meet come May 2023. So much rests on this sequel expanding Hyrule through greater verticality and skyward environments. Promising secrets below ground also hint at dual world dynamics. But importantly, the foundation remains execution of more physics hijinks through tuned abilities and elevated enemy/puzzle complexity teased minimally.

Speculation runs rampant on Reddit daily regarding Tears of Kingdom‘s mysterious plot too. Calamity Ganon seemingly defeated, what drives Zelda’s fall? Why does the Master Sword fragment? And is Ganondorf’s resurrection to blame? Despite little concrete details, confidence in the BoTW engine delivering unmatched exploration joy again dominates discussion. If Nintendo can in fact refine that formula further, Tears may usurp Ocarina of Time soon as the greatest Zelda ever!

The Best of the Best Remain on Switch
With these 15 games alone accounting for hundreds upon thousands of potential engrossing gameplay hours, the Nintendo Switch library offers seemingly endless avenues capturing what Reddit deems excellent interactive entertainment. Franchises established or reinvigorated demonstrate Nintendo’s uncanny knack crafting memorable charm echoed by fans young and old. Plus, experimental gems like Hades or Hollow Knight from smaller teams gain renown they may miss on oversaturated platforms.

In every case, Nintendo curation ensures all Switch owners regardless playtime history advantage find accessibility through intuitive design. Does your backlog include these Reddit-approved hits? Share your Switch hot takes explaining why your underappreciated favorite deserves similar notoriety when plotted against the games featured here!