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The Nintendo company is continually pushing innovation. The graphics aren’t as good on paper as gaming juggernauts like Xbox and PlayStation, yet polished art design makes these games relevant. The Nintendo Switch has accumulated numerous first-party games during its active years. Let’s take a close look at which ones ranked the best.
Games developed by studios owned by Nintendo will be considered, as will remakes of first-party titles. For example, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate will be left out since it is developed by Bandai Namco Studios.
Updated January 9th, 2022 by Hodey Johns: Many thought Nintendo was making a mistake by not being a part of the latest console war and continuing with the Switch. However, history might show that they were spot on in their decision; the Nintendo Switch is as popular as ever and they have the first-party titles to thank for that. This article has expanded massively since its first iteration because the library of great games just keeps going. Yet another three articles have been added to this list for an even eighteen, but there is still room in the future for more. If the Switch keeps doing strong, who knows how grand the title list could get?
18 Pikmin 3 Deluxe
Fans might have to wait a while longer to get their hands on Pikmin 4, but Nintendo did at least attempt to satisfy cravings with an enhanced port of the previous entry. This version was handled by Eighting and includes new story content, while also expanding on the game modes available.
Pikmin 3 is a great game on the Wii U and the same can be said for the Switch release. While not a replacement for a proper sequel, anyone looking to dip their toes in the franchise can do much worse than Pikmin 3 Deluxe.
17 Splatoon 2
Developed and published by Nintendo, Splatoon 2 is a third-person shooter and one of the Nintendo Switch’s best-selling games. Players control Inklings and Octolings, which use colorful ink as ammo.
Inklings can morph into squid form. Painting surfaces with a particular color allows players to swim from point to point as a squid quickly. Harnessing Nintendo’s most powerful console, Splatoon 2 is a spectacular multiplayer game.
16 The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD
In celebration of The Legend of Zelda’s 35th anniversary, Nintendo published an HD remaster of Skyward Sword, with Tantalus handling the process. Although a somewhat bold choice as the Wii game is one of the more polarizing main entries in the franchise, Skyward Sword arguably has the most room for improvement, as a simple change like reducing Fi’s presence greatly improves the campaign.
Skyward Sword HD is a flawed game, however, it is comfortably the best way to experience this Legend of Zelda title. For those only familiar with Breath of the Wild, Skyward Sword is closer to a “classic” Zelda game. It also has some of the best dungeons in the franchise.
15 Ring Fit Adventure
If someone was a fan of Wii Fit, Ring Fit Adventure has got them covered. In Ring Fit Adventure, players must defeat the bodybuilding dragon and his numerous minions by completing exercises. Movements in the game are controlled with the Ring-Con, which attaches to your Joy-Con.
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Players will perform exercises like jogging, high knee raises, and numerous other exercises while leveling up. However, if you’re merely looking for a workout, Ring Fit Adventure has you covered. One can create customizable workout routines for an unparalleled experience.
14 Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
The 3D platform genre is growing rapidly thanks to the addition of games like Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker. Originally released for the Wii U in 2014, Treasure Tracker is a puzzle game packed with a massive collection of levels for players to complete.
In the game, players will visit various locations, including kingdoms from Super Mario Odyssey. This game was also released on the Nintendo 3DS, but undoubtedly, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is best played on the Nintendo Switch.
13 New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
The decision to bring a Nintendo Wii U instant-classic to the Nintendo Switch was easy. New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe contains more than 160 2D courses. It follows the same style as previous Super Mario Bros. games, but it is enhanced for the Nintendo Switch.
Do whatever it takes to reach the Goal Pole, and collect as many coins as possible on the way there. Once again, you’ll be able to power up with the Fire Flower or ride Yoshi to the finish.
12 WarioWare: Get It Together!
It’s always tough to balance a party game. Too far on one side and the adults have zero interest in playing. Too far on the other side and the kids are perplexed by the controls. Getting that balance right takes just a perfect amount of tinkering.
WarioWare: Get It Together! does this perfectly with a magnificent cast of characters and minigames that are short, memorable, and rapid-fire. Anybody who attends a party where this is going on, of any age, is in for a treat and will be talking about it after going home.
11 Super Mario Maker 2
The sequel to the course-building sensation was released for the Nintendo Switch as an exclusive. Players can create courses in the style of various games from Super Mario Bros. history, as well as Super Mario 3D World. There is an endless world of possibilities contained in Super Mario Maker 2.
According to nintendolife.com, “In a tweet via the official Nintendo of America Twitter account, it was revealed players have now uploaded more than 20 million courses to the Course World since the game arrived on the Switch last June.”
10 Luigi’s Mansion 3
Technically, Luigi’s Mansion 3 was not a first-party game when it came out since it was developed by Next Level Games. However, as the studio has been working exclusively with Nintendo for years and, in 2021, was purchased by the latter, Luigi’s Mansion 3 is essentially a first-party title.
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Once again, Mario’s brother finds himself exploring a spooky hotel filled with Boos and terrors waiting around every corner. While not as creepy as GameCube classic, Luigi’s Mansion 3 is creative, charming, and gorgeous.
9 Super Mario 3D All-Stars
This compilation contains three of the most iconic platformers in Super Mario history. The collection can be criticized somewhat since the games aren’t the remakes that fans were yearning for, yet it does feature controller vibration and increased resolutions. Also, it could have contained Super Mario Galaxy 2 as an added touch.
Whether the compilation is what someone hoped for or not, it’s hard to discount the awesomeness of these retro games.
8 Nintendo Labo
The concept of a controller is one that Nintendo challenges. As the world settles in on one way of charging their controllers or button locations, Nintendo questions why catching a fish with a rod and reel shouldn’t feel the same way.
Nintendo Labo is fun for all ages and is as simple or complex as the player’s own imaginations. By setting up the controllers in various bits of cardboard, players get a level of immersion they’d ordinarily need VR to harness.
7 Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury
Strange as it might be to describe any Mario game as “underrated,” Super Mario 3D World comes very close to fitting that bill and it is frequently in the running for the best game on the system. Released on the underperforming Wii U, Super Mario 3D World is the brilliant sequel to Super Mario 3D Land. While staged like the classic platformers, these games add another dimension, basically serving as a link between Mario’s 2D and 3D eras.
Bowser’s Fury takes a page from Super Mario Odyssey, dropping the plumber in a large open space filled with things to collect and challenges to compete. In terms of gameplay, it might just be the most unrestrictive in the franchise, although Bowser does show up frequently to distract Mario.
6 Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Now and then, a video game debuts that breaks the internet wide open. Animal Crossing: New Horizons is the latest first-party Nintendo game to leave people mesmerized. The fall 2020 update added new costumes, pumpkins, and a Halloween event for the season.
It’s small additions like this by Nintendo that ensured players stay engaged with Animal Crossing: New Horizons for a long time.
5 Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
The racing sensation Mario Kart is still as enjoyable as it was on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System way back in 1992. The graphics have improved, and features like motion control have revolutionized the series.
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Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a remastered version of the Wii U game. It contains a new Battle Mode, gameplay tweaks, new characters, and all the game’s DLC. Mario Kart9 couldn’t come soon enough, but at least we have games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for the time being.
4 Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition
Since 2007, Monolith Soft has been owned by Nintendo, and the studio has produced some great RPGs over the years. Arguably the company’s crowning achievement is 2010’s Xenoblade Chronicles, a Wii game that was remade for the Switch in 2020.
Ambitious, complex, and narratively engaging, Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition starts a bit slow but eventually blossoms into an epic and timeless JRPG. The remake adds various quality of life improvements along with an epilogue, more than justifying its existence. This is the best JRPG on the Switch.
3 Super Mario Odyssey
Super Mario Odyssey is continually introducing new ideas while paying homage to the original platformers released by the franchise.
Super Mario Odyssey contains a variety of kingdoms (which each have their own brochure page), covering a wide range of environments. Every kingdom presents players with different options for traversing the landscape. It will take 120 Moons to beat Super Mario Odyssey, yet many will play longer to get the most out of it.
2 Metroid Dread
Metroid is the game series that put the Metroidvania genre on the map; it’s in the name! As the series transitioned to first person to go along with updated graphics, it felt like gamers has seen the last of the side-scrolling platformer that they’ve come to know and love.
Then came Metroid Dread and the world felt right again. It’s just as complicated and full of secrets as the original games (seriously, have a guide handy for a walkthrough) but it modernizes in just the right way. As a candidate for game of the year, its fans were happy to say Samus is back.
1 The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
What makes The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild stand out from other first-party Nintendo games is its non-linear approach and the complete freedom it provides. This open-world action-adventure game contains various RPG (role-playing game) elements like cooking systems that give it replay value.
Players will be immersed in the game’s expansive world while tackling puzzles and defeating bosses. Link has awakened from a hundred-year sleep, and he’s back to defeat Calamity Ganon and save Hyrule Kingdom.
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