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As theNintendo Switchbegins its official adieu to make way of life for the Nintendo Switch 2 , it ’s time to look at some of the treasure this console gave us over its 8 - year lifespan . WhileSwitch game will be playable on the Switch 2 , the numeral of plot that will still be produce with compatibility with the original Switch will decrease until it is finally phase out entirely .
While there are hundreds of awful games on the Switch , several of them are also available on other platforms or , likeMonster Hunter Rise , finally received ports for other platforms despite originally being Switch scoop . That being say , true Switch exclusives are where this console table truly left its mark on player , and we can only hope the Nintendo Switch 2 will see an sole lineup with just as much impact .
10Pokémon Legends: Arceus Was An Unexpected Change For The Franchise
Metacritic Metascore: 83
While the original Nintendo Switch saw severalPokémonreleases in its lifespan , not all of them stood out or meet expected value . Let ’s Go Pikachu & Eeveewas a uniquePokémon GO - esque take on the original biz with strange mechanic , Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearlwas a more or less lackluster remake for Gen 4,Sword & Shieldwas a majuscule Gen 8 gamebut predictable , and in the end , Scarlet & Violetfaced several critiques for its character .
The first reviews for Pokémon Legends : Arceus are in , with the highly - anticipated game impressing a number of electric receptacle with its gameplay and populace .
However , in the thick of all of this , Pokémon Legends : Arceuswas unlike anything player of the franchise had ever realise . remove space in the past and featuring a randomized option of starter Pokémon with new last evolution , nobody rightfully know what to make of this observational game , but despite some initial concerns , it became a fan - favorite because of how different it was . Now withLegends : Z - Areleasing this twelvemonth , this has become an hoped-for tailspin - off serial with the opportunity to retake that same noveltyArceusbrought to the board .
9Metroid Dread Was A Feat Worth Remembering
Metacritic Metascore: 88 | Screen Rant Rating: 10/10
WhileMetroid Prime Remasteredwas another pedestal - out for the franchise on the Nintendo Switch , it is technically a remaster of an already be phenomenal game , so it did n’t storm anyone that it was just as incredible as the original . That being said , oneMetroidgame that did tolerate out wasMetroid Dread . Despite being critiqued as extremely hard , Metroid Dreadis a blast , with incredible tempo , graphics , and mechanics .
While it may have been a bigger challenge than players were anticipating , that struggle just made the payoff that much well . CompletingMetroid Dreadwas a featand one that Nintendo Switch instrumentalist are n’t probable to forget soon . This rewarding experience might have left you exhausted , but I ’d fence that it ’s a bit rare to findgames with a really difficult final boss , andMetroid Dreadfalls right in that sugared smear of being punishing , but not inconceivable .
8Fire Emblem: Three Houses Put A Unique Spin On A Familiar Franchise
Metacritic Metascore: 89 | Screen Rant Rating: 9/10
While plenty of game might draw you into their world first , or have you fall blindly in love with their characters , Fire Emblemis a dealership know for doing a bit of both . Right from the beginning , you know you ’re in for an emotional rollercoaster as you ’re introduced to the case of characters , but that ’s not all that makesThree Housesa standout among the rest . As an approachable introductory game to the franchise , Three Housesmanaged to bring batch of newFire Emblemplayers into the fold .
Fire Emblem Three Houses : Cindered Shadows DLC offers a condensed offer of what made the base game cracking , and is a must - own for devotee of the series .
Everything aboutThree Housesis design intentionally to take out you into its compelling story , starting first and foremost with its howling committal to writing . While it does have its cumbersome moment , so does nearly every game , and they are almost entirely outweighed by the good here . The school day organization offer up an interesting surplus layer toFire Emblemgameplay , and new struggle mechanics make some bluff changes to the formula . Three Housesis already a game that player frequently return to because they are n’t quick to say au revoir , and I do n’t expect that to change anytime before long .
7Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Was A JRPG For Everyone
Metacritic Metascore: 89 | Screen Rant Rating: 10/10
JRPGs are a unique genre of games that can inspire both deep rage and general avoidance in different interview . Those who revel the genre have play the majority of the heavy - hitter , likeXenoblade , Persona , andFinal Fantasy , but every once in a while , one of these games makes its fashion to the wider market and becomes a secret plan for everyone . Xenoblade Chronicleshas been making waves from the scratch line , andXenoblade account 3built on that momentum . An undeniable hit among franchise fans , it also inclose an incredible world to consultation who had never given the enfranchisement a chance .
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is a culmination of lessons see from developer Monolith Soft ’s past projects , and a best - in - family JRPG that ’s a must - encounter .
Building on the foundation of thefirst twoXenobladegames , Xenoblade Chronicles 3implements several QoL features that make this the good fashion to experience the franchise for the first time . It’sa perfect introduction to JRPGsand a good gateway to both the series as a whole and other JRPG franchises . Overall , Xenoblade Chronicles 3was anincredibly well - build plot with masterful gameplay and theatrical role narrativesthat serves as a reminder of how much the genre has to provide .
6Super Mario Bros. Wonder Shook The Foundation For Mainline Mario
Metacritic Metascore: 92 | Screen Rant Rating: 9/10
When Super Mario Bros. Wonder was first denote , there was no doubt it would beunlike anything the mainline Mario series had ever produced before . see Mario stomping around as an elephant or characters shrunk down into slime - reckon globs make fans every indication thatMario Wonderwould be a magical experience , and it was . In addition to being genuinely difficult at times , Mario Wonder utilize all the features that madeSuper Mario Bros.games unbelievable and expanded on them in a way that feel almost experimental .
Singing bloom , dancing enemies , and chaotic power - ups are just a few of the things that can be trip on any given level , and you never know what you ’re in for . While I ’ve always enjoy Mario skilful with friends , this is the first clock time the plot itself brought me as much laughter and joyfulness as my co - op players did . I find myself returning to it again and again , and I hope that when the Nintendo Switch 2 inevitably go through aSuper Mario Bros.release , it ’s half as insane as this one .
5Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Was With The Switch From Start To Finish
Metacritic Metascore: 92
WhileMario Kart 8was technically in the first place released on the Wii U , one of Nintendo ’s most disappointing consoles , I opine everyone would harmonize that theDeluxeversion on the Nintendo Switch is not the same biz . With the dismission ofMario Kart 8 Deluxeon the Nintendo Switch , which featured several changes to modes and other aspects of the secret plan , Nintendo also releasedseveral DLC waves that included novel racetrack and occasionally new character , some of which were other Nintendo IPs .
Mario Kart 8 Deluxewas not just a embrasure of the Wii U version to the Nintendo Switch , but instead a fully remastered plot with extra content to give the game another chance on a more successful console .
With steadily updated content and change that continue the meta forMario Kart 8 Deluxeon the move , thespian were always on their toe , and the biz never had a chance to unfeignedly phase out of popularity . Although the 6th and final undulation was released right before 2024 , over a year before the ending of the Switch ’s lifespan , it was allow for with plenty of content for players to bask beforeMario Kart Worldreleases as a launching titlefor the Nintendo Switch 2 .
4Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Felt Like A Dream
Metacritic Metascore: 93
TheSuper Smash Bros.franchise has been a staple for Nintendo since the original secret plan ’s release in 1999 for the Nintendo 64 . Since then , it ’s had several notable release , and to this twenty-four hour period , there ’s still debate over which one was the most significant . That being said , it ’s hard to indicate with the encroachment ofSuper Smash Bros. Ultimateon the franchise . Featuring an already impressive al-Qa’ida roster , Smash Ultimatethen saw several wave of DLC fictitious character that changed things forever .
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is a dream in push game heaven , a combination of everything that ’s made the serial publication capital with wonderful novel additions .
FromPersona 5 ’s Joker toMinecraft ’s Steve , these DLC character announcement were the sort of event you had to see to believe . crew forgather on the edge of their seats to take in these reveals , and the part ' trailers themselves still get views today from players reliving the nostalgia . close things out with the impossible , Kingdom Hearts ' Sora inSmash , Masahiro Sakurai ledSmash Ultimateout with a thrill that I do n’t suppose can ever be replicatedfor the dealership .
3Super Mario Odyssey Still Leaves Me Longing For Another 3D Mario
Metacritic Metascore: 97
While there are several notable 3DMarios , most of which are phenomenal game , Super Mario Odysseytruly beat the landing place by produce a nigh - everlasting 3DMarioexperience . Marioplatformers are a staple in overall telecasting game chronicle , but there was just something about explore the world and element ofMarioin a fresh path that was so captivating you could n’t look aside .
Although no 3DMariohas been annunciate for the Switch 2,Donkey Kong Bananzais a Switch 2 exclusivethat bears a striking resemblance toMario Odyssey , and might just fill that null until we get word about the next official release .
ForSuper Mario Odysseyin particular , you’ll impose several worlds , all immensely different from each other , and each with several things to do . For once , I did n’t even mind the amount of backtracking require , as the existence are pleasurable enough to void wear out their welcome . With a generalized objective of finding what you postulate to come along , you’re encourage to explore and actively reward for it . The art , gameplay , and man were all so incredibly well - orchestrated that I can only hope the Nintendo Switch 2 uses the foundation built here for the next 3DMario .
2Animal Crossing: New Horizons Was There When Players Needed It Most
Metacritic Metascore: 90 | Screen Rant Rating: 9/10
Animal Crossing : New Horizonsis a game that could n’t have perchance had a better - timed release . Releasing in March 2020,Animal Crossing : New Horizonslanded on the Switch right as a majority of nation commence to see major lockdowns relating to the on-going pandemic at the time . With meg of people stuck within with nothing to do , everyone was looking for a style to ease their minds and connect with masses again , and that ’s whereACNHcame in .
Nintendo Switch gravel another must - own exclusive as Animal Crossing : New Horizons extradite on the expectations of fans without scaring off newcomers .
As a peaceable game that allows you to build an island township in real meter by doing boring , quiet tasks , Animal Crossing : New Horizonswas an unbelievable experience and the perfect means to escape reality . I still remember the photoflood of masses on social media every Sunday morning talk over Turnip price , invitingothers to their island , and just connecting in a way that I had never seen a game result in . It wasa unequaled experience that ca n’t be replicated , and it ’s precisely whyACNHstill holds a particular spot for so many .
1The Legend Of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Was An Unforgettable Launch Title
Metacritic Metascore: 97 | Screen Rant Rating: 9/10
WhileThe Legend of Zelda : Breath of the Wildwas also released for the Wii U , despite beinga Nintendo Switch launch title , it fundamentally serve as the end for the Wii U. Withitsbreathtaking views , responsive gameplay , and overwhelmingly unbelievable story , Breath of the Wildmarked a modification for not only the future of Nintendo , but theZeldafranchiseas a whole . An expansive and interactive undefendable world showcased what the Nintendo Switch was capable of while simultaneously state the story of a brand - raw type of journeying for Link .
While the sequel , Tears of the Kingdom , received some critique rehash ofBOTW , I feel that the major reason for that critique was that the first tone intoBOTWwas so monumental thatTOTKcouldn’t replicate it . Other than the release of a few spin - offs , we have heard zero word from Nintendo regarding what ’s next for the series . One matter ’s for indisputable , though — Nintendo will ask to drastically raise the legal profession if it hop to matchThe Legend of Zelda : breathing spell of the Wild ’s launchon theNintendo Switch .
The Nintendo Switch is the successor to 2012 ’s Wii U cabinet . The Nintendo Switch allow gamers to easily change between playing on a television receiver to a handheld cabinet . The first model was released in 2017 , follow by the Nintendo Switch Lite , which is rigorously a handheld console . In October 2021 , Nintendo released an upgraded Switch console table with an OLED screen .
