The Best Free Nintendo Switch Games

The Nintendo Switch remains one of the most popular consoles available, with so many people still picking one up for the first time. While the growing library of games hosts some excellent titles, the number of choices might be a little too much to sift through — and some, in particular, are still on the pricey side.

Related

The Best Nintendo Switch Games Of All Time

The Nintendo Switch has dominated since its launch in 2017, and now we have a vast selection of fantastic games to take on the go.

However, the Switch eShop boasts a whole bunch of free games that are just as great to play. From simpler, pick-up-and-play titles to more in-depth games that will keep you coming back for more, these are the best games you can play on Nintendo Switch entirely for free!

Updated on November 13, 2024, by PJ Molloy: Nintendo Switch owners have been eating well lately, thanks to games like Echoes of Wisdom and Mario & Luigi Brothership. If your wallet is running empty after buying the latest titles, check out our new recommendations for excellent free Switch games.

21

Ninjala

Use Bubblegum And Ninja Skills To Fight Your Friends

Systems

Platform(s)

Switch

Released

June 24, 2020

Developer(s)

GungHo Online Entertainment

Publisher(s)

GungHo Online Entertainment

ESRB

e

If you want a free alternative to Splatoon, Ninjala is your best bet. This battle royale pits you against seven opponents in fast-paced free-for-alls where you must use ninjutsu attacks and parkour moves to survive. The catch? All of your weapons are made of bubblegum.

Everything from the art style to the music is reminiscent of Splatoon. Luckily, Ninjala’s gameplay is distinct enough to give it a unique flair. Simply put, it’s a fun multiplayer title perfect for playing in short bursts.

20

Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel

Play The Legendary Card Game For Free

Don’t have the money to buy Yu-Gi-Oh cards? Thankfully, you can play the iconic card game for free on your Nintendo Switch. Just like its tabletop counterpart, you build decks, summon monsters, cast spells, and try to get your opponent’s life points down to zero.

If you’re a long-time fan, you can hop right into online duels or sign up for tournaments. Newcomers, on the other hand, can start with Solo Mode, which is a single-player campaign that teaches you various strategies and delves into the lore of each card. If you’ve been meaning to try Yu-Gi-Oh, this is the best way to get started.

19

Stumble Guys

The Best Alternative To Fall Guys

Stumble Guys is often considered the best alternative to Fall Guys. You and up to 31 opponents compete in a series of races and survival missions. The goal is to do well enough to qualify for the next round, which quickly proves to be a delightfully silly task.

It’s hard not to smile as your clumsy character stumbles through each obstacle course while bumping into everything and everyone in sight. Overall, Stumble Guys is a worthy substitute if you need a break from Fall Guys but still want that same hilarious, lighthearted battle royale gameplay.

18

Pinball FX3

Play Free Games Of Pinball

Pinball FX3 allows you to play simulated versions of real-life pinball machines and brand-new tables from the comfort of your home. Everything from the excellent physics to the spot-on sound effects perfectly captures the feeling of being in an arcade.

You get two tables with the free version: the spooky, Halloween-themed Sorcerer’s Lair and the lighthearted Fish Tales, which initially debuted in arcades in 1992. While it may sound lacking in content, the challenges, tournaments, leaderboards, and multiplayer mode are more than enough to keep you immersed for hours.

17

Brawlhalla

An Epic Crossover Platform Fighter

If Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is a bit out of your price range, Brawlhalla offers a similar experience without charging a cent. You and up to seven others duke it out in fast-paced free-for-alls. The goal is to knock your opponents off the stage until you’re the last one standing.

Related

13 Best Nintendo Switch Exclusives

From Pokemon Legends: Arceus to Xenoblade Chronicles 3, here are the best Nintendo Switch exclusive games!

Like Smash Bros., the controls are easy to learn while providing enough room for advanced combos and strategies. Items and weapons will rain from the sky as well, offering plenty of opportunities to even the playing field. To top it all off, the roster is filled with diverse, memorable fighters, including characters from Star Wars and Adventure Time.

16

Sky: Children Of The Light

An Open-World MMO About Making Friends

From the developers of Journey, Sky: Children of the Light is a cozy, open-world MMORPG. Equipped with the ability to fly, you soar across seven open-ended realms, each symbolizing a different stage of life. The more light you collect, the farther you can fly, granting access to new areas of the map.

Similar to Journey, Sky emphasizes social interaction. Throughout the adventure, you can encounter other players and travel with them. The goal is to nurture your bond by exchanging gifts and working together to find secrets and solve puzzles. The result is a relaxing experience and an excellent cooperative title.

15

Super Animal Royale

A Battle Royale Starring Adorable Animals

Have you ever wanted to slay enemies while riding an emu? You can in Super Animal Royale. In this top-down battle royale, you and up to 63 other people are dropped on a constantly shrinking battlefield and must scavenge for weapons and health items to survive.

In addition to more traditional weapons like guns and grenades, you’ll find a number of sillier options scattered about, including a massive hamster ball, skunk gas, and the aforementioned ridable emu. Comical yet strategic, Super Animal Royale is perfect if you want something a little different from the genre’s usual offerings.

14

Deltarune

A Retro-Styled RPG Set In The Undertale Universe

As the follow-up to Undertale, Deltarune fleshes out the lore and world-building while adding more playable characters and a brand-new story. The plot follows two unlikely adventurers – Kris and Susie – who discover a portal to a realm called the Dark World and must defeat its tyrannical king.

Like Undertale, Deltarune gives you the choice to fight your enemies or resolve each battle peacefully. Along the way, you’ll meet many familiar faces from the first game and uncover a few surprising connections between them and the new heroes. Overall, Deltarune is a must-play for fans of Undertale or RPGs in general.

13

F-Zero 99

A Fast-Paced Battle Royale

F-Zero 99 is a high-speed battle royale that revives the classic sci-fi racing gameplay from the Super Nintendo version. You’re pitted against 98 opponents in fast-paced races where every second is a fight for survival. Will you try to zoom into first place or run your foes off the road and be the last one standing? The choice is yours.

Out of all the free multiplayer games on Switch, F-Zero 99 is among the most challenging. However, thanks to its strategy-based gameplay, you’ll get the hang of it with a bit of practice.

12

Trove

A Dungeon-Crawler With Minecraft-Style Building Mechanics

Trove is a sandbox MMO that blends dungeon-crawling and building mechanics. After picking a class, you’re dropped into a vast fantasy world that you can explore alone or with a party. You must craft a weapon, charge into dungeons, destroy towering bosses, and collect as much treasure as possible.

Fans of Minecraft will feel right at home with the combat, crafting, and blocky visuals. What makes Trove unique, however, is the wide array of creatures you can ride while adventuring. You really haven’t lived until you’ve fought monsters from the back of a giant red panda.

11

Pokemon Cafe ReMix

A Cozy Pokemon-Themed Puzzle Game

Pokémon Café ReMix

Systems

Platform(s)

Switch

Released

June 23, 2020

Developer

Genius Sonority

ESRB

e

Have you ever wanted to run a cafe with Pokemon, serving other Pokemon? You can do so for free in Pokemon Cafe ReMix. To serve your customers with dishes and drinks, you’ll need to complete various challenging puzzles, where you must connect the matching Pokemon icons.

6:33

Related

Every Pokemon Game On Nintendo Switch, Ranked

Gotta rank ’em all!

Pokemon Cafe ReMix is a fun, casual game to dip into regularly, especially when new Pokemon make their way to your shop. If you’re extremely lucky, you might even receive a visit from a Shiny Pokemon. That’s motivation to keep making those drinks, right?

10

Smite

A Fantasy MOBA Inspired By Mythology

One of the most popular Multiplayer Online Battle Arenas (MOBA), Smite is a free-to-play game that has you team up with other players and face down another squad in small-scale maps.

With over 100 Deities to pick from and play as, you’ll need to make use of various abilities and play styles if you’re going to come out on top. Work together with your team to claim victory and turn the tide of battle.

9

Fallout Shelter

A Post-Apocalyptic Management Simulator

If you’re not feeling up to a huge adventure through an apocalyptic wasteland — or, you know, being as there are no Fallout games on Switch — then Fallout Shelter is the best pick for that slice of slightly-radioactive survival gameplay.

As an overseer, you build up and manage a Vault of survivors. Keep them happy, distribute jobs and power, and send people out on missions for supplies; just be prepared, because sometimes things will want to get into the Vault.

8

Dauntless

A Great Action RPG To Play With Friends

If you mix Monster Hunter with the style of Fortnite, you’re left with Dauntless — and it’s every bit as great as you could want. If you’ve never played Monster Hunter or are just looking for something similar, then Dauntless is a great option.

Arm yourself in town, head out on missions to fight large, dangerous beasts, and use what you gather to upgrade yourself — rinse, repeat. Whether you’re going solo or with some friends (or strangers), this game offers plenty for you to get stuck into and has quite a bit of depth, considering it’s free.

7

Apex Legends

An Iconic Free-To-Play Battle Royale

Though it’s not perfect, the fact that Apex Legends is available on the Nintendo Switch is a feat unto itself. This beloved battle royale from Respawn Entertainment offers up fantastic characters, plenty of cosmetics to unlock, and an intense FPS experience.

Related

25 Best FPS Games On Nintendo Switch

Have some fun with these shooters Switch-style.

With different modes to try out, Apex Legends remains one of the big hitters in the genre, and to be able to play it on the go for free is all the more reason to have it installed.

6

Pokemon Unite

Bringing The Classic Pokemon Gameplay To The MOBA Genre

Systems

Released

July 21, 2021

Developer(s)

TiMi Studios

Publisher(s)

The Pokemon Company

ESRB

e

Another MOBA, Pokemon Unite brings the world-renowned series to the competitive arena genre. Play as various Pokemon, each with unique abilities and powers, as you hone your skill sets to come out on top.

Work with your team and pair up the best Pokemon in order to outlast your opponents. There are a lot of microtransactions and purchases that speed along progress, but with consistent support, it’s still a game you can get plenty out of without spending a penny.

5

Tetris 99

A Legendary Puzzle Game Free With Nintendo Switch Online

Systems

Platform(s)

Switch

Released

February 13, 2019

Developer(s)

Arika

Publisher(s)

Nintendo

ESRB

E For Everyone

You’ll need a Nintendo Switch Online subscription for this free game, but as it’s online anyway, that makes little difference. Tetris 99 takes the classic game you know and love and turns it into a battle royale. While this does sound strange on paper, it works well to make a fantastic experience.

Survive as long as you can, earn power-ups to use against the other 98 players, and be the last one standing in order to win. It’s simplicity at its finest, and if you just want something arcadey to dive into, but seek a little bit of challenge, then this is an excellent pick.

4

Overwatch 2

A Fantastic Free-To-Play Sequel To An Iconic Shooter

The sequel to the 2016 hit multiplayer title Overwatch 2 launched with a free-to-play model. Yes, you can purchase certain things, which will speed up progress, unlocks, and all that fancy cosmetic stuff—but you don’t need to do any of that to have a good time.

Hop into various multiplayer modes, pick your hero, and fight against the other teams with unique abilities and weapons. With so much to unlock over time, so many maps to familiarize yourself with, and so many characters to learn, this game can be a great way to kill time and save your wallet.

3

Rocket League

An Intense Soccer Game Played With Cars

While the game was not originally free, the extensive popularity saw Rocket League shift to a free-to-play system, with seasons and additional content serving as the source of income and sustainability. However, if you just want to play, you don’t need to buy anything at all.

Related

18 Best Action Games On Nintendo Switch

These great action games for the Nintendo Switch will get your blood pumping and the adrenaline flowing.

In the game, you will be driving around in little cars as you try to hit a giant ball into a goal, while the opposing team will be doing the same on their side. Yes, it’s car soccer. Yes, it’s as fun and simple as it sounds.

2

Fall Guys

A Goofy Battle Royale

What if a bunch of silly little beans all got together to compete in some over-the-top obstacle courses in ridiculous outfits? Well, they’d probably call it Fall Guys. Hop into the game, compete in various missions, races, and courses, and try to be the last bean standing.

You can earn unique customizations and outfits, including crossover content if you purchase season passes or items from the store. However, if you don’t want to do that, there’s still plenty to unlock for free, and the rest of the game is open to you at no cost. It’s a great time alone or with friends, easy to jump back into, and perfect for all ages.