Make no mistake. If you’re looking for the very best Nintendo Switch games for the year 2021, you have your work cut out for you. You really do because there’s just so many different titles out there.
The funny thing about freedom of choice is that people really don’t want that kind of freedom. Because, with freedom of choice, comes the responsibility of actually making a choice.
What if there’s just so much to choose from? This is precisely what’s going on with Nintendo Switch games.
Thankfully, we have boiled down the 10 most entertaining titles, and we believe that you probably would agree.
1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Release in 2017 and developed by Nintendo EPD and published by Nintendo itself, this installment of the Legend of Zelda series highlights the action-adventure game dynamics that have made Legend of Zelda one of the most respected and longest-running video game titles.
It’s an action-adventure game that features an open world where players are free to roam and explore. You can collect a wide variety of items and achieve different set objectives.
This game highlights the player’s ability to solve puzzles and do side quests. It also features an unstructured world that encourages people to experiment and explore.
There’s no one-size, fits-all approach. You can play the game in different ways at different times and still have a good time.
Make no mistake. The Legend of Zelda series is a testimony to the power of nonlinear gameplay and design.
2. Super Mario Odyssey
If you’re looking for a smart, inventive, joyful, and seamlessly creative game, this title is for you. It is a great way to enjoy the Super Mario series. Whether you’re a newbie or a veteran, this game has something to offer you.
It is a 3D platform, and you can control Mario to do all sorts of things and travel to different worlds to save Princess Peach. It is all based on triggering and enhancing the player’s need to explore and indulge their desire for adventure.
3. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
When this title dropped, it turned a lot of heads. A lot of people were quite skeptical because of a game that features a character dropped on a deserted island gathering resources and customizing the island.
On the one hand, some critics were kind of dubious that this would work while others felt that it really didn’t have much to offer.
Thankfully, both camps of critics and skeptics were proven wrong.
Indeed, Animal Crossing has become such a big hit because it enables people to play a non-linear game where they can structure their world, and this appeals to a sense of control. You play in real-time and you control your environment to create and customize a community of animals.
Not only does this title support online and co-op gameplay. It also supports one island per Switch system.
4. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
This is not exactly a new title, but a lot of its fans don’t really care. It’s easy to see why.
It builds on the tried-and-proven Mario Kart racing video game franchise. It has the same mechanics. You race while collecting different items to use against your opponents.
This title also features the newly introduced anti-gravity driving. You can play in both single-player and multiplayer modes. For the latter, you have to access the Nintendo network.
This title also introduces the new characters, Koopalings and Pink Gold Peach.
5. Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury
This is the 6th original 3D platform game in the Super Mario series, and it definitely does a good job of maintaining the reputation of the franchise. It is a sequel to Super Mario 3D Land and offers the kinds of features that you would expect from a top-notch platform game.
You follow Mario and his friends, and the objective is to rescue the Sprixies from Bowser. Bowser invaded the Sprixie Kingdom, and you go from level to level to try to beat Bowser.
The gameplay is similar to previous installments of Mario 3D, but the graphics are simply amazing and engaging.
6. Fez
Originally released on the Nintendo Switch in April 2021, this is an independently developed game published by Trapdoor Inc. It is a puzzle-platform video game.
You play the character, Gomez. He receives a fez that reveals a two-dimensional world as one side of a three-dimensional one.
The player needs to realign different platforms to solve puzzles to go from level to level. The objective is to collect cubes and cube pieces to restore order in the universe.
7. Hades
This game looks very different because it has an isometric view. But outside of that, it is a typical dungeon crawler video game.
The play controls the character Zagreus who is the prince of the Underworld.
Your objective is to escape the Underworld and attempt to reach Mt. Olympus, which is the home of the Greek gods.
As Zagreus, you receive gifts from other Olympians as you make your way towards your objectives. You go through challenge after challenge as you face enemies. And with every enemy and challenge you overcome, you get a reward.
In terms of the combat system, it is a plain vanilla hack and slash game. Still, it has earned a lot of respect among video game reviewers and its sales are not too shabby indeed.
8. Luigi’s Mansion 3
Awarded the best family game at the Game Awards in 2019, this Nintendo title was developed by Next Level Games.
It features a very beautiful environment with amazing animations. Everything feels tactile and precise.
This is of course not a new title. It’s the third installment in the Luigi’s Mansion series.
If you’re looking for the very best action-adventure video game for your Nintendo Switch, definitely check this title out. Nintendo Switch games vary in quality but you will never be disappointed with this Luigi’s Mansion installment.
What can you do with it? Well, you take the role of Luigi and explore a haunted hotel. Each floor of the hotel has a different theme.
The objective is to rescue your friends from the different ghosts occupying the different levels of the hotel.
It also has featured a neat, new ghost-catching assistant called Gooigi. He is your assistant.
When it comes to multi-player function, it is an improvement over previous installments. You can either play on a competitive level or co-op. You can play it all locally or you can use the online option.
9. Super Smash Bros.
This is a cross-over fighting game. It features characters from a wide range of Nintendo franchise titles. The objective is to increase your damage counters. You knock opponents off stage and out of bounds.
What kind of characters can you play? Well, the characters are taken from Super Mario, Donkey Kong, The Legend of Zelda, Metroid, Yoshi, Kirby, Star Fox, Pokémon, and others.
It also has multi-player features.
Finally, we recommend the following title.
10. Hollow Knight
Released in 2018 and published by Team Cherry, which is also its developer, this action-adventure game features Knight, a nameless warrior. Players assume the role of the knight who wanders and explores the Kingdom of Hallownest.
Along the way, you uncover mysteries as well as bugs and you fight bosses and unlock new powers and abilities as you level up.
Your player interacts with NPCs. They provide information and different challenges as well as helping you with items or services.