The 10 Best Nintendo Switch Games of 2024

Even in 2024, over seven years after its release, the Nintendo Switch is still one of the best consoles available, and its enduring legacy is even further emphasized in the amount of anticipation surrounding the next Nintendo Switch console, which will reportedly be announced very soon. Until then, the Nintendo Switch continues to stand tall as a massive achievement in console design, and each year, it continues to prove itself worthy of being picked up.

Now, as 2024 is quickly coming to a close, it’s worth looking back on this year’s ten best Nintendo Switch games. While many of these Nintendo Switch games are also available on other platforms, they have nonetheless provided a worthwhile experience on the handheld console throughout the year and deserve to be recognized. Each game is presented in alphabetical order.

Animal Well

In Animal Well, players control a small, nameless creature navigating a mysterious subterranean labyrinth filled with puzzles to solve and dangers to overcome. In an industry that is becoming increasingly stacked with Metroidvania games, Animal Well‘s standout characteristic is its ability to subvert traditional gameplay elements, like placing more of an emphasis on exploration and puzzle-solving than direct combat. Furthermore, unlike most Metroidvania games, Animal Well caters to diverse playstyles, both casual and hardcore, offering a wider range of gameplay options than most other titles in its genre. All of these ingredients come together to make Animnal Well one of 2024’s best games on the Nintendo Switch.

Balatro

Balatro is one of 2024’s most distinguished titles, simply because how surprising its unconventional gameplay loop is. Balatro puts players in a poker-inspired Roguelike deck-building adventure, where they are tasked with synergizing unique Joker cards to overcome the game’s increasingly difficult challenges. Balatro is truly defined by its uncanny ability to combine traditional poker mechanics with Roguelike gameplay, which ultimately makes it an unpredictable experience that keeps players on their toes. Balatro‘s rewarding gameplay loop and its ability to keep players invested as its difficulty evolves make it a standout title in 2024 and perfect for the Switch.

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

In The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, players step into the role of Princess Zelda as she sets off on a quest to rescue Link and restore balance to Hyrule. Both its story, focus on Zelda, and gameplay options are all unique innovations for the franchise. The Tri Rod, her unique weapon, is perhaps the most notable innovation, as it gives Zelda the ability to create echoes, copies of objects and creatures throughout Hyrule, and then use them against her enemies or for traversal. This innovative mechanic, along with the game’s captivating narrative and beautifully crafted world, makes The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom a great addition to the longstanding series and one of the best Nintendo Switch titles of 2024.

Neva

Read Game Rant’s Review of Neva

Neva is not only one of the best Nintendo Switch games of 2024, but one of the most beautiful and engrossing games of 2024 in general, meaning it is more than worth recognition on any “best games” list. In Neva, players accompany Alba and her wolf companion, Neva, on a journey through a world quickly descending into darkness. As a side-scrolling platformer, it features plenty of environmental puzzles, as well as combat that will initially challenge any new player. At the heart of its narrative are themes of love, loss, and growth, and Neva‘s soundtrack serves to complement those themes perfectly. The game also stands out for its artistic visuals, which work together with the game’s music to create an immersive experience that should be remembered by its players for years to come.

Nine Sols

Yet another Metroidvania makes its way to the list of best Nintendo Switch games of 2024, but instead of being more of a casual experience like Animal Well, Nine Sols is a Soulslike Metroidvania that can test even the most seasoned Soulslike veterans. In Nine Sols, players take on the role of Yi, a hero on a vengeful quest to overthrow the rulers of New Kunlun, known as the Nine Sols. Set in a “taopunk” world, the game offers a unique take on the action-platformer genre, with captivating visuals and intricate level design to invite thorough and thoughtful exploration, while the parry-based combat system, inspired by titles like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, demands an alertness that only Soulslikes call for.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door on the Nintendo Switch manages to capture the essence of the classic 2004 GameCube RPG, while simultaneously taking the whole experience up several notches with better visuals and animations, and a refined combat system. In Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, players join Mario on a quest to collect the seven Crystal Stars and unlock the mysteries behind the ancient titular door. As any remake should, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door preserves the charm, humor, and nostalgia of the original game in light of its many quality-of-life improvements, not only making it a great remake, but also one of 2024’s standout Nintendo Switch titles.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

Read Game Rant’s Review of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

Over fourteen years after Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands was released, the world finally got another major installment in the series with Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. In Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, players assume control of the hero Sargon, a young warrior from a group known as The Immortals, on a mission to rescue the kidnapped Prince Ghassan in the cursed Mount Qaf. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown takes the series back to its roots with Prince of Persia‘s iconic combat, platforming, and time manipulation, alongside some fresh gameplay elements as well.

As usual in the series, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown‘s levels challenge players with a variety of obstacles to overcome and puzzles to solve, each one more intricate than the last. All in all, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown offers players a chance to revisit the classic series they once knew, but with a revitalized nature that makes it a fresh addition to the franchise.

Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance

Read Game Rant’s Review of Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance

Although it might not have needed it, Shin Megami Tensei 5 received an enhanced re-release this year in the form of Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance, which achieved even more critical acclaim than the original adventure. Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance takes the 2021 RPG to new heights with the “Canon of Vengeance,” a new storyline that delves into themes of retribution and moral ambiguity, offering players fresh narrative paths and choices. The enhanced edition also improves the original’s strategic Press Turn combat system with additional demons and abilities for deeper customization and strategic depth, and its new areas are more than worth exploring.

Tetris Forever

Tetris Forever is one of 2024’s unique Nintendo Switch titles, celebrating Tetris‘ 40-year legacy with a nostalgic journey through its long history. Developed by Digital Eclipse, Tetris Forever features over 15 classic versions of Tetris, including rare titles making their debut outside Japan, and introduces Tetris Time Warp, a mode that takes players through various eras of Tetris gameplay.

Beyond the games themselves, Tetris Forever is an interactive documentary of sorts, with interviews with the likes of Tetris developers Alexey Pajitnov and Henk Rogers, alongside a curated timeline that shows the impact Tetris has had on the gaming industry and the world over the years. With all of this, Tetris Forever not only honors the classic puzzle game but also offers an experience that both longtime fans and newcomers can appreciate.

Unicorn Overlord

Read Game Rant’s Review of Unicorn Overlord

In Unicorn Overlord, players step into the shoes of Prince Alain, the exiled heir of Cornia, as he and his army set out to reclaim his kingdom from the Zenoiran Empire. At its core, Unicorn Overlord is a tactical RPG that blends real-time strategy with role-playing elements, offering a fresh take on the genre. The game’s visuals and combat system alone set it apart from others in the genres it claims, but it is still familiar enough that fans on either side can appreciate what it offers.