Best Offline Nintendo Switch Games

The Nintendo Switch is a handy and innovative little system that allows players to take their games with them everywhere they go. As such, many of the games that have been released for the Switch have been specifically designed so that they don’t require an internet connection in order to be enjoyed.

While video games have become largely focused on internet connectivity in the past decade, offline, single-player games are just as important to have available on a console’s library. Not everyone has access to high-speed internet, but that should not be an issue when it comes to the best offline Switch games.

Updated December 8, 2024 by Mark Sammut: The year is slowly coming to an end, and 2024 will likely be remembered positively by many Switch owners. Two more offline Nintendo Switch games have been added to this discussion, both of which debuted in the last two months.

1 The Legend Of Zelda: Echoes Of Wisdom

Some Formulas Never Grow Old

Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom might represent Zelda‘s modern era, but the franchise has not forgotten its roots either. Echoes of Wisdom is very much a throwback to the license’s classic formula, albeit one that takes a few big risks. The most obvious is the protagonist: Zelda. Yes, for the first time in what feels like forever, the iconic Princess takes center stage, finding herself needing to protect Hyrule after a portal to another realm removes Link from the equation. While usually presented as a capable warrior in her own right, Zelda’s skills are naturally very different from Link’s, and her mage-style background is emphasized throughout Echoes of Wisdom.

Aided by a fairy, Zelda gains access to the Tri Rod, which allows her to create copies (or echoes) of items and enemies. The entire game is built around this mechanic, with combat encounters revolving around Zelda’s ability to summon creatures and exploration heavily using echoes. Despite the change in protagonist, Echoes of Wisdom nevertheless feels like classic Zelda, including a structure that manages to be both liberating like a sandbox and also fairly linear. Each dungeon offers a good mix of action and environmental puzzles, while also ending with generally fun boss fights.

2 The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom

Building On Perfection

In 2023, the Switch had long stretches were not a lot was really happening. That said, a decent release was never too far away Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe and Advance Wars 1 + 2: Re-Boot Camp were both good-to-great remakes, while Fire Emblem Engage was another confident strategy RPG in a franchise packed to the brim with them. At this point in its life, the Switch does not need system sellers, and these titles suffice as solid additions to an already vast library.

However, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is another beast entirely. Breath of the Wild‘s sequel somehow does the impossible and arguably improves upon what many consider to be the best single-player Switch game, even though it cannot hope to feel as groundbreaking as its predecessor. TOTK finds Link going on another expansive journey across Hyrule, this time in search of the missing Zelda. Furthermore, he also needs to explore floating islands and a massive underground world. Gameplay-wise, the 2023 release fundamentally feels the same as BOTW, just with a few new mechanics such as a fuse system that rewards creativity.

Breath of the Wild
is, obviously, also one of the
best offline Switch games
, and its omission is simply to avoid doubling down on two similar projects. That said,
BOTW
and
TOTK
are roughly the same quality.

3 Metroid Dread

The Classic 2D Metroidvania Formula Is Timeless

Like many of the other all-time greats of gaming, the Metroid series has suffered long spells on the sidelines since first breaking onto the scene more than three and a half decades ago. When it does rear its helmet-covered head though, fans can generally expect a fantastic experience, whether that be in two dimensions or three. Metroid Dread is an example of the former, and, depending on who one asks, possibly the best 2D Metroid game of all time.

Other than the ill-fated spin-off game, Metroid Prime: Federation Force, the franchise has always been geared towards a single-player experience, and that is once again the case with Dread. Players couldn’t play the game with a friend or loved one even if they wanted to, which actually plays into some of its core themes quite nicely. At its core, Dread is a game that seeks to invoke feelings of isolation, and the single-player setting works incredibly well in that respect.

4 Xenoblade Chronicles 3

Ambitious Open-World JRPG With So Much Content

All of the Xenoblade Chronicles JRPGs rank among the best offline switch games, but the 2022 entry gets the nod due to being more accessible than the second entry. Xenoblade Chronicles 3 introduces a world defined by a seemingly eternal conflict between two nations, both of which utilize young soldiers who are expected to die within a decade. Due to a strange turn of events, two squads who were once enemies find themselves having to work together.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 offers potentially more than a hundred hours of content, and a significant portion of that playtime revolves around the main storyline. The combat gradually expands as the campaign progresses, adding mechanic upon mechanic to create a complex and satisfying system.

5 Super Mario Bros. Wonder

Beautiful & Plays Beautifully

While not devoid of representation, the Switch does not have all that many traditional Mario projects. Consequently, Super Mario Bros. Wonder filled a genuine void that had been present for most of the console’s lifespan, and the side-scrolling platformer is far from a retread of former glories. Boasting a gorgeous visual style and an array of new power-ups and gimmicks, Wonder lives up to its name by radiating creativity and imagination throughout most stages. It is arguably the best 2D Mario outing in decades.

Now, the game’s marketing emphasizes its multiplayer quite a bit, and playing with friends certainly brings a unique charm to the campaign. However, Super Mario Bros. Wonder works flawlessly as a single-player package, as do most mainline entries in Nintendo’s legendary franchise.

6 Super Mario Odyssey

3D Mario At His Best

Though there are a few online functions attached to Super Mario Odyssey – most notably the time trial-inspired, Luigi’s Balloon World – the crux of the experience is centered around classic single-player action. It is technically possible to play with a second person controlling Cappy, although this is more of a gimmick than anything else.

The game itself features an array of vibrant sandbox kingdoms for Mario to explore with his brand-new capture ability, which allows him to take control of enemies and other characters that would usually be NPCs. There’s a ton to do in every single kingdom, players can easily spend well over 100 hours in the game.

7 Pikmin 4

Worth The Wait

Nintendo took its time with Pikmin 4, and that patience paid off. The sequel builds beautifully on its predecessors’ brilliant foundations, crafting arguably the most enjoyable entry in the series so far. As always, players must navigate an alien planet while leading Pikmin, small entities that come in a wide range of colors signaling their unique powers and uses.

While the core experience is not far removed from Pikmin 3, the 2023 release fine-tunes enough elements to feel like its own beast, all the while adding a few neat mechanics that largely complement the central gameplay loop. Visually, Pikmin 4 is among the best looking games on the Switch.

8 Persona 5 Royal

Arguably The Best Turn-Based JRPG & Social Sim On The Switch

After existing as a PlayStation exclusive for a couple of years, Persona 5 Royal is now available across a spectrum of platforms, including the Nintendo Switch. Combining dungeon crawling with turn-based combat and social sim sections, Atlus’ JRPG delivers a lengthy and engrossing story alongside enjoyable gameplay.

As the Phantom Thieves, players dive into people’s subconsciousness to trigger a change of heart; while inside these mental palaces, the heroes encounter Persona, which they can battle or recruit. P5R is absolutely overflowing with content, making it one of the best single-player Switch games.

9 Metroid Prime Remastered

A Masterpiece On Any Console

Metroid Prime was a masterpiece when it debuted in 2002, and age has done nothing to change this fact. Randomly released in early 2023, Metroid Prime Remastered gives the GameCube classic a predictable graphical makeover, which largely serves to reinforce the original’s brilliant and timeless visual design. More importantly, the Switch version incorporates modern dual-analog controls that are a better fit for a first-person shooter, although fans who prefer the old ways can pick the classic setup.

The new controls change the gameplay’s feel quite a bit, so veterans who have played Metroid Prime to death can enjoy a somewhat fresh experience. Meanwhile, newcomers can just jump into one of the greatest Nintendo games of all time without having to deal with a learning curve.

10 Fire Emblem: Three Houses

Tactical Combat With Social Elements

Fire Emblem: Three Houses features a small amount of online content in the form of travelers, but, overall, they’re not even close to being required to enjoy the game. As with most of the other Fire Emblem games, the real fun can be found in single-player offline gameplay and Three Houses is one of the best examples of this.

Three Houses allows players to complete every single battle at their own pace, explore the monastery, and enjoy their support conversations with other units – all without any online connection. There is a ton of fun to be had with the game, and completing every possible route can take anywhere from 200 to 300 hours.

11 Undertale

The Modern Indie RPG

Undertale is a completely solo/offline experience that everybody should try at least once. It’s one of the most impressive indie games ever created and has an incredible soundtrack, unique game mechanics, and some genuinely hilarious moments that will have players in stitches.

The story-based game is an RPG with some massive twists that completely change how players think about the genre. While Undertale isn’t one of the 100-hour experiences like some other RPGs, it doesn’t have to be. The game is incredibly powerful in a small, 10-15 hour package.

12 Dragon Quest 11 S: Echoes Of An Elusive Age – Definitive Edition

For Those Who Want A Traditional JRPG

Dragon Quest 11 S is considered by many to be one of the best JRPGs of all time and with very good reason. Thanks to its great story and gameplay – the latter of which features numerous quality-of-life improvements over other JRPGs – there’s little reason to doubt that conclusion.

The Switch version of the game features many enhancements over the original title. The main story alone should keep players busy for at least forty hours, with endgame content taking total playtime up towards the 100-hour mark. It’s a fantastic game to try out, and the Switch is hands down the best place to play it.

13 Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

Mario’s Best RPG

In recent years, Nintendo has shown renewed interest in Mario’s RPG career. In 2023, Super Mario RPG received a pretty good remaster/remake that brought the SNES classic to the Switch, and it is still among the best entry-level JRPGs of all time. The next year, an even more sought-after remake hit store shelves: Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. While not making sweeping changes to the GameCube classic, the Switch version incorporates several QOL adjustments to make for a slightly smoother experience than the original. There are also a range of more exciting alternations, including the introduction of two new bosses.

Ultimately, none of the changes or new additions matter all that much as Paper Mario: TTYD is and will always be fantastic. The turn-based combat, dialogue, story, and environments are as good as they get in the RPG genre or even the Mario franchise.

14 Dave The Diver

Relentlessly Charming & Impressive Blend Of Genres

A few months after a successful PC launch, Dave the Diver made its way to the Nintendo Switch, and the imaginative indie game is a natural fit for the hybrid console. Taking notes from multiple genres, Mintrocket crafted an adventure that feels wholly unique, despite sharing similarities with various projects. Dave the Diver puts players in charge of managing a sushi restaurant, which means doing things like hiring employees and ensuring the clients’ needs are met. Compared to some other management sims, the 2023 release is not particularly deep, although it makes up for this fact through its memorable characters and story. However, this element is only one-half of Dave the Diver‘s routine.

During the day, players must explore a transformative ocean to catch fish that can be served at the restaurant at night. These hunting sections make up the bulk of the campaign, and they are a blast to play through. They are also strategic since players can only carry one weapon, and their options all have pros and cons.

15 Kirby And The Forgotten Land

The Kirby Formula Translated Into A Full Blown 3D Adventure

Kirby and the Forgotten Land drops HAL’s iconic mascot in his first proper 3D adventure, and it was worth the wait. Living the isekai dream, Kirby is sent flying to another world, one filled with the broken remnants of a bygone civilization. Naturally, Kirby goes on a wild and colorful adventure as he tries to make his way back home, all the while taking on some impressive threats.

Regardless of whether someone has experienced every Kirby game or is looking for an entry point into the franchise, The Forgotten Land is a must-play Switch title. HAL expertly transitioned the franchise’s core concepts to 3D, creating a journey that feels familiar while still offering something fresh.

16 Hollow Knight

As Good As Modern Metroidvanias Get

Those who have yet to play through Hollow Knight are missing out on one of the best action platformers we’ve seen in the last decade. The talented Team Cherry put a lot of work into this visually beautiful title and its hard-as-nails gameplay fits well with its dark and doom-stricken aesthetic. People who enjoy the lore of it all can consume an underlying story that’s actually quite interesting, while all the characters are a treat to interact with.

Hollow Knight holds no punches and is quite the challenge for those who are unfamiliar with platformers or Metroidvanias. But it’s the perfect portable release, a great choice for players who are looking for something fun and engaging while offline.

17 Hades

As Good As Roguelites Get

Another fantastic indie release, Hades is one of the best roguelikes to enter the genre. Like Hollow Knight, it has its moments of difficulty, but dedicated players will find themselves progressing further and further through the game with each subsequent run. Hades has an incredibly addictive combat system going for it, but where it truly shines is in its story and character design.

Aside from the fun of finding new weapons, upgrading skills, and trying to escape the underworld, Zagreus will meet a colorful cast of godly characters that make the world of Hades feel truly alive. There are tons of voice lines and interactions, with players still discovering new NPC lore long after the game was released.

18 Divinity: Original Sin 2 – Definitive Edition

Dense Systems, Dense World, & Dense Combat

Larian’s Baldur’s Gate 3 has taken the RPG world by storm, but the 2023 game is not coming to the Nintendo Switch. Fortunately for owners of the latter console, the developer’s previous masterpiece, Divinity: Original Sin 2 – Definitive Edition, is available on the hardware, and it is a fantastic overall experience. Even though it might not seem like the best fit for a controller, the game is a surprisingly smooth ride on consoles, and the Switch version runs pretty well for the most part.

Divinity: Original Sin 2 is the complete package, although its challenging combat might put off newcomers to turn-based tactical RPGs. Larian emphasizes player choice, and while someone’s decisions might not impact the central questline all that greatly, they have wide ramifications in other parts of the campaign.

19 Stardew Valley

The Definitive Indie Farming Sim

Although there are a lot of exciting games featured on this list, sometimes players simply want to relax. Thankfully, there are a lot of great games available for the Nintendo Switch that are relaxing and pretty therapeutic. Stardew Valley is a fantastic example, and it’s filled to the brim with content, allowing players to sink hours upon hours into the unique farming simulator.

There is so much to see and do in Stardew Valley and each aspect of the game should appeal to a specific type of player. Fighting monsters, tending to crops, decorating, crafting, and building NPC relationships are just some of the things that gamers can do in the expansive world of Stardew Valley.

20 Ori And The Blind Forest

Gorgeous & Moving

Players who enjoy the Metroidvania style of game will definitely want to check out Ori and the Blind Forest. Perhaps one of the most visually stunning releases of the last decade, Ori is a challenging platformer that features a gorgeous visual style that is an absolute treat for the eyes. A touching and heart-wrenching story, the gameplay adds an immense sense of danger to Ori’s quest and will keep players enthralled as they try to solve platforming puzzles to progress through each zone.

All tied together by a fantastic soundtrack, Ori and the Blind Forest is one of the best games to have around when players lack an Internet connection and want to be engrossed in a truly entertaining single-player experience.