Best of
The best Switch games
The Switch is the console for the in-between and for the couch at the same time, and that shapes its best games: they work in ten minutes just as well as across a long evening. From the Nintendo classics to the indie gems that found a second home here.
This list in numbers
- 563 games in this category
- 95 average rating of the top 30
- 25 median playtime in hours
- 35 release years covered (1990 to 2025)
- 6 of 30 playable in co-op
- 12 of 30 are cheap or free
Why these three lead
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time takes the top spot with 99 out of 100, followed by The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild at 98 and Elden Ring at 97. All three clear the 95 point average of this list, and the gap to the rest of the field is small enough that your own taste matters more than the ranking.
How this list is put together
I start from every game in the database that fits this category, currently 563, and sort them by the aggregated critic rating. The 30 highest scoring titles make the list. No publisher can pay to appear here, and the affiliate links have no effect on the order. The full method is explained under how I pick.
- 01 99/100
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Details
Described in detail under The best RPGs
- 02 98/100
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Details
Described in detail under The best puzzle games
- 03 97/100
- 04 97/100
Super Mario Galaxy Details
Described in detail under The best platformers
- 05 97/100
Super Mario Odyssey Details
Described in detail under The best platformers
- 06 96/100
GoldenEye 007 Details
Described in detail under The best shooters
- 07 96/100
Super Mario World Details
Described in detail under The best platformers
- 08 96/100
- 09 95/100
- 10 95/100
Resident Evil 4 (Remake 2023) Details
Described in detail under The best horror games
PCPlayStationXboxMobileSwitch - 11 95/100
Return of the Obra Dinn Details
Described in detail under The best puzzle games
PCPlayStationXboxSwitch - 12 95/100
Super Mario Bros. Wonder Details
Described in detail under The best platformers
- 13 95/100
Super Metroid Details
This SNES masterpiece coined the term Metroidvania and is playable today through Nintendo Switch Online. Its dense atmosphere, free exploration of Zebes and organic item progression still influence games today.
- 14 95/100
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past Details
This SNES adventure established the light and dark world structure that still shapes Zelda games today, and is playable again through Nintendo Switch Online. Its dungeons, item progression and world design are considered a genre milestone.
- 15 95/100
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask Details
Described in detail under The best RPGs
- 16 95/100
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Details
Described in detail under The best puzzle games
- 17 94/100
- 18 94/100
- 19 94/100
Metroid Prime Remastered Details
Described in detail under The best shooters
- 20 94/100
- 21 94/100
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Details
Described in detail under The best RPGs
PCSwitchXboxMobile - 22 94/100
Super Mario 64 Details
Described in detail under The best platformers
- 23 93/100
Dave the Diver Details
Described in detail under The best simulation games
PCPlayStationSwitchXboxMobile - 24 93/100
EarthBound Details
Described in detail under The best JRPGs
- 25 93/100
Fire Emblem: Three Houses Details
Described in detail under The best JRPGs
- 26 93/100
- 27 93/100
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Details
The best selling racing game of all time now offers over 90 tracks thanks to the Booster Course Pass. Up to eight players race locally or online in chaotic item fueled battles.
- 28 93/100
- 29 93/100
- 30 93/100
Resident Evil 2 (Remake 2019) Details
Described in detail under The best horror games
PCPlayStationXboxSwitchMobile
Worth reading on this
Common questions
- How many games of this kind are in the database?
- There are currently 563. This page shows the 30 with the highest critic rating, so nothing below that cut is missing by accident, it simply scored lower.
- What is the single best pick right now?
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, with 99 out of 100. That said, the top of this list sits within a few points, so the second or third entry may fit your evening better.
- How much time do these games ask for?
- The median across this list is about 25 hours. 11 of the 30 entries are finished in fifteen hours or less if you are short on time.
- Can I play these with friends?
- 6 of the 30 entries support co-op. The rest are built as single player experiences.
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