Nintendo Switch: The Best Games In The Test (2020)

2023 Author: Sheila Hailey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 04:29

Below are the top 10 best rated games for the Nintendo Switch. The placements are based on the Metacritic rating. The ratings of various tests flow together and form a score. In the game overview of Metacritic, the platform can see the all-time ranking of all players. The user score is also displayed. However, since this is easy to falsify, it is not considered further here.

All information and assessments of the game are based exclusively on our own tests. Above all, fun and design flow into this. But factors such as atmosphere, presentation and accessibility also play a role. At Games-Test we do not strictly split into test categories because indie products are difficult to compare with AAA productions. Our numerical evaluation is very meaningful for this. You can read what it means in our GIGA-GAMES rating philosophy.

Place 1 - The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Now from € 58.05 at Mediamarkt price can now be higher. Price from 27.07.2020 00:24 a.m.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is the best game for the Nintendo Switch. At Metacritic, Breath of the Wild tops the list with 97 points, GIGA rated the title with a 9 out of 10 possible points in the test. No wonder, since the game is considered a successful modern reinterpretation of the well-known Nintendo franchise. Thanks to the more computing power of the console, an open world can be explored more or less freely. There are numerous ways to get to your goal, and you will not be taken by the hand for every step, but you can try it yourself.

The duration of the game is also convincing: you can spend 50 hours in the main game alone - and then you have just played through the main story. If you want to explore every little corner of the world, you have to do almost 200 hours. The two DLCs released so far add up to more than 20 hours.

The atmosphere is unsurpassed for a Zelda game, the characters have all been given a new design and still remind of the original. Of course, the game is very extensive. With a little dedication, even newcomers who have not played a previous Zelda can familiarize themselves with it. However, there is no local multiplayer.

Zelda: Breath of the Wild on Amazon

Pros:

• Strengths of the series successfully modernized
• Open world with a lot of freedom
• Very long playing time

Contras:

• Can overwhelm at the beginning
• High percentage of puzzles
• No co-op mode

Place 2 - Super Mario Odyssey

Super Mario Odyssey for Nintendo Switch

Now from € 50.10 at Mediamarkt price can now be higher. Price from 26.07.2020 10 p.m.

Just behind with Metacritic's 97 points is Super Mario Odyssey. This is also a reinterpretation of the well-known Nintendo franchise. With Figure Cappy, which can take possession of other characters and even opponents, a fresh feature has entered the series. In addition, various "worlds" can be visited, each of which impresses with unique features.

In addition, there is a local co-op mode suitable for the switch, in which one player takes over Mario and another the figure Cappy. The latter is not a big challenge, so the mode is more aimed at parents who want to play with their young child. Co-op is less suitable for two players with similar abilities, here there is a risk that the second player will get bored very quickly.

The main story can be played through within 12 hours, if you examine all corners and don't want to miss a collector's item, you can spend up to 60 hours on Super Mario Odyssey. In this respect, a very recommendable game, which we even rated in the test with a 9.5 out of 10 possible points.

Super Mario Odyssey on Amazon

Pros

• Strengths of the series successfully modernized
• New playful possibilities thanks to "Cappy"
• Entry-friendly and therefore also suitable for smaller children in co-op

Contras

Co-op is not particularly demanding for the second player

3rd place - Divinity: Original Sin 2 Definitive Edition

Third place with 93 points at Metacritic is Divinity: Original Sin 2 in the Definitive Edition. The pure download title only appeared in September 2019 for the hybrid console. The game was first released in 2017, but at that time only for the PC. We also tested the game, in our test it even scored 9.5.

The role-playing game Divinity: Original Sin 2 challenges you from the beginning, the game mechanics are very complex, you are rarely taken by the hand. It starts with character creation: what you choose also influences which stories and quests you will experience. But in the game almost all ways are open to you. Do you want to defeat an enemy by turning him into a suicidal chicken? No problem! However, the game is less suitable for beginners or newcomers to the genre.

The scope of Divinity: Original Sin 2 is also convincing: Those who only care about the main story still spend more than 50 hours in the world. It takes 140 hours to explore every corner. And since different characters also mean different stories, there is even a high replay value.

Divinity: Original Sin 2 on Nintendo eShop

Pros

• Old school role play
• Infinite possibilities
• Very long playing time

Contras

• Lack of ease of entry
• Requires very long training

4th place - Undertale

Undertale | Switch - download code

Now from € 14.99 at Amazon price can now be higher. Price from 02.06.2020 11:49 a.m.

Undertale is a very special game: There are countless monsters that you can fight. You can also do without fighting completely. You don't have to sneak past your opponents, you can just make peace with them and make friends. How you decide will have a decisive influence on the further course of Undertale. This fascinated players so much that the indie game still appears in numerous top lists. So also on Metacritic, where the game occupies fourth place with 93 points.

Since Undertale is a game by a single developer, the scope is not too large. A run takes between six and twenty hours. It is worth going through the game again afterwards and deciding contrary to the first run. So you get a second, completely different story.

The style also separates the spirits: With the pixel optics and the focus on black and white, which is only sometimes broken by splashes of color, not all players get warm. However, if you can get involved, you will be offered a game experience that is seldom found in AAA productions.

Undertale as download code from Amazon

Pros

• Unique gaming experience in an interesting world
• Easy to learn gameplay
• Replayability
• Cheap price

Contras

• Getting used to style
• Short playing time
• Big difference to AAA stocks

5th place - Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for Nintendo Switch

Now from € 57.45 at Mediamarkt price can now be higher. Price from 2020-27-07 00:35 a.m.

The multi-player classic Smash Bros. from Nintendo also got a new edition for the Nintendo Switch. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate offers the most extensive character line-up in the series to date. In addition to the 72 playable fighters of the main game, there are numerous helpers, Pokémon and items. If you have the Season Pass, you get another six characters. At Metacritic the game got 93 points.

As usual from the series, the screen is packed to the top in the fights and therefore quite confusing. If you are not a pro player, you need more luck than skill to win - but this also makes the game motivating for beginners.

If you want to go deeper into the gameplay, you have to be prepared for more complex gameplay mechanics. You cannot avoid it, especially in online mode. For Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, like many other games, the following applies: easy to learn, difficult to master. That's what makes the game so motivating. You have the main story in 22 hours, in principle an infinite amount of time can be spent in local co-op or online multiplayer. The game is definitely worth the money. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate got 9 out of 10 points in the test.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on Amazon

Pros

• Easy to learn, difficult to master
• Basically playable forever
• Party fun for up to eight players locally & four players online
• Largest character line-up in the series, 72 playable fighters

Contras

• Relatively confusing during battles
• To win is often more luck than skill

6th place - Celeste

Celeste | Switch - download code

Now from € 19.99 at Amazon price can now be higher. Price from 20.07.2020 11:26 a.m.

The indie game Celeste may look cute on the outside. However, you should not underestimate the game, it has a lot to offer. The gameplay is reminiscent of the genre-related game Super Meat Boy. Celeste is a very demanding jump-and-run, with deadly dangers lurking around every corner. If you cannot overcome them, your character dies and you have to start again at the beginning of the area.

However, the areas are not particularly large, so you won't lose much progress. And so Celeste always remains motivating despite the crisp level of difficulty. We liked that too, so Celeste made it into our top list of insider tips for 2018. And also at Metacritic, the game is rated with 92 points.

The story of the game is relatively serious and mature, Celeste is not necessarily intended for children. It is about self-doubt and fears that occupy the main character Madeline while climbing the eponymous mountain Celeste. At eight hours, the playing time is not exactly extensive. But that's not too bad, because Celeste is an indie game that doesn't cost too much.

Celeste as a download code from Amazon

Pros

• Cheap price
• Always challenging despite the difficult level of difficulty
• Emotional story

Contras

• Relatively short playing time
• Not necessarily suitable for children

7th place - Bayonetta 2nd

Bayonetta 2 (+ Bayonetta 1 DLC) for Nintendo Switch

Now from € 48.06 at Mediamarkt price can now be higher. Price from 2020-26-07 9:59 p.m.

Bayonetta 2 was released for the first time in 2014 for the Wii U. The port for the Nintendo Switch followed in 2018 - including the first part. With 92 points, the game comes seventh at Metacritic. Back then we tested Bayonetta 2 for the Wii U and rated it with an 8 out of 10 possible points. In the game, you take control of the sexy, self-determined Umbra witch Bayonetta, who uses stylish weapons to kill enemies in style.

Like its predecessor, Bayonetta 2 also convinces with its crazy, creative design and successful game principle. Unfortunately, Bayonetta 2 bites its teeth on the plot of the first part. While the unexpected, also very crazy story was praised in the predecessor, Bayonetta 2 is based too much on the previous one and contains too few innovations. Sometimes the plot is a bit thin. Friends of creative stories should rather stop after the first part. On the other hand, if you simply want fun gameplay, you can take heart.

Unfortunately, Bayonetta 2 also has less to offer than the first part. If Bayonetta's main story was still eleven hours long, you will be finished with Bayonetta 2 after nine hours - even though it is a full-price title.

Bayonetta 1 and 2 on Amazon

Pros

• Two games for the price of one
• Successful, fun gameplay
• Crazy game world

Contras

• Thin plot
• Relatively short playing time for a full price title

8th place - Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for Nintendo Switch

Now from € 47.78 at Mediamarkt price can now be higher. Price from 27.07.2020 00:12 a.m.

Because the Wii-U version didn't get as much attention as it deserves, Nintendo decided in 2017 to release Mario Kart 8 as a deluxe version on the Nintendo Switch. The title, which was released just two months after the console was released, takes full advantage of the advantages of the Nintendo Switch. The game can be enjoyed on TV and in handheld mode. If you connect several consoles in handheld mode, twelve players can compete with each other. A four-player co-op mode is available locally on the television.

In Mario Kart 8 Deluxe all content of the original including the DLCs at that time are available, everything is unlocked from the start. This gives you 36 characters and 12 cups with a total of 48 race tracks. In addition to classic cup driving, there are also some battle modes that are not about getting through the race tracks as quickly as possible. Instead, you have to survive the longest or collect as many coins as possible.

The extensive Mario Kart was rated 92 points on Metacritic. We did not test the new switch version, we got the game for the Wii U in the test 8 out of 10 possible points.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe at Amazon

Pros

• Multiplayer fun for up to 12 players in handheld mode
• Very accessible game principle for everyone
• Almost infinite playing time
• The usual Nintendo quality
• Optimal use of the features of the Nintendo Switch

Contras

Hardly any changes to past parts, little innovation

9th place - Inside

Inside as a download from the Nintendo eShop

Even more than on previous Nintendo consoles, games for adults find a place on the Nintendo Switch. Like the atmospheric indie horror game Inside. The game by the Limbo developers, which was also a complete success, lets you look at a dark world again through the eyes of a little boy. The nameless protagonist walks past zombie-like people who shuffled through the area as if absorbed in drugs and did not pay any attention to you.

Even if the zombie people do nothing to you, there are enough opponents who want to harm you. You cannot fight, so you have to avoid your opponents as much as possible. In addition to exploring, solving environmental puzzles is the main part of the game. The point of criticism is the short playing time of just three to four hours, which many players can overlook due to the atmospheric, unique experience. In addition, Limbo is not a full-price title. At Metacritic Inside is rated 91 points, we at GIGA gave 9 out of 10 possible points in the test.

Inside as a download from the Nintendo eShop

Pros

• Atmospheric gaming experience
• Gripping, dark story
• Cheap price

Contras

• Game for adults only
• Short playing time
• Getting used to style

10th - Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Animal Crossing: New Horizons for Nintendo Switch

Now from € 48.57 at Mediamarkt price can now be higher. Price from 27.07.2020 00:19

Animal Crossing: New Horizons has only been released recently, but it is already in the top 10 of Metacritic. With 91 points, the decelerated crafting game is on par with Inside. In Animal Crossing: New Horizons you go on an endless vacation on a (not quite) lonely island, make friends with your inhabitants, collect resources and beautify your home. Thanks to the co-op feature and online mode, you can easily visit friends and benefit from new resources and items.

During Corona, the game seems to be the perfect distraction: there is always something to do on the island, you can't get bored. Achievements sweeten every little task, valuable nook miles await, which in turn can be spent on new hairstyles or furniture. With the owl Eugen you can hand in caught fish and insects as well as fossils and thus build an impressive museum. Or you can simply create a lounger and relax with a cocktail on the beach.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons at MediaMarkt

Pros

• Relaxed game in which you can let your creativity run free
• Visit friends thanks to co-op mode
• Achievements reward every little activity

Contras

• Only one island can be created on a console
• Local co-op mode severely limits the player

Nintendo Switch: which is your must-have title?

Whether you're on the go, at home on the couch, alone or against other players, the Switch is the right console for you. And by the end of the year, the Switch will also get numerous games. Tell us, which is your must-have title for Nintendo Switch?

The most popular Nintendo Switch games according to Amazon

The list of the most popular switch games from Amazon is not quite congruent with the top-rated switch games. Below are the 10 games that currently top the Nintendo Switch bestseller list (as of April 6, 2020):

1st place - Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Animal Crossing: New Horizons for Nintendo Switch

Now from € 48.57 at Mediamarkt price can now be higher. Price from 27.07.2020 00:19

Animal Crossing: New Horizons - 13 tips to get you started

Place 2 - Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for Nintendo Switch

Now from € 45.00 at Amazon price can now be higher. Price from 27.07.2020 00:29 a.m.

Mario Kart 8 - Our test on GIGA

3rd place - Just Dance 2020

Just Dance 2020 for Nintendo Switch

Now from € 26.31 at Amazon price can now be higher. Price from 27.07.2020 00:18 a.m.

4th place - Minecraft

Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition

Now from € 26.20 at Amazon price can now be higher. Price from 2020-27-07 00:37 a.m.

Minecraft - These are the best mods for PC and PS4

5th - The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild for Nintendo Switch

Now from € 57.02 at Amazon price can now be higher. Price from 27.07.2020 00:18 a.m.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - To our test on GIGA

6th place - Super Mario Odyssey

Super Mario Odyssey for Nintendo Switch

Now from € 49.46 at Amazon price can now be higher. Price from 26.07.2020 11:52 p.m.

Super Mario Odyssey - For our test on GIGA

7th place - Super Mario Party

Super Mario Party for Nintendo Switch

Now from € 45.59 at Amazon price can now be higher. Price from 27.07.2020 02:15 a.m.

Super Mario Party - For our test on GIGA

8th place - Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games: Tokyo 2020

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games: Tokyo 2020 for Nintendo Switch

Now from € 44.99 at Amazon price can now be higher. Price from 2020-27-07 1:55 a.m.

9th place - Pokémon sword

Pokémon sword for Nintendo Switch

Now from € 48.24 at Amazon price can now be higher. Price from 2020-27-07 12:32 a.m.

Pokémon sword and shield - For our test on GIGA

Place 10 - Luigi's Mansion 3

Luigi's Mansion 3 for Nintendo Switch

Now from € 46.37 at Amazon price can now be higher. Price from 27.07.2020 02:08 a.m.

Luigi's Mansion 3 - For our test on GIGA

Nintendo Switch: What to consider when buying the console

Nintendo Switch: Who is the console suitable for and what are the alternatives?

The Nintendo Switch is certainly the most accessible of all the consoles currently on the market. It offers games for all ages: Parents can play co-op games like Super Mario Odyssey with their children, for adult gamers there are games like Dark Souls and The Witcher 3. And even target groups without a gaming context are discussed with Dr. Kawashima's brain jogging and ring fit adventure addressed.

The Nintendo Switch can be connected to the TV or used in handheld mode. In this respect, the console is just as suitable for gaming in the living room as it is on the train, plane and as a passenger in the car. Thanks to the multiplayer function and the game modes for up to twelve players, the console is perfect for small and large families and the cracker for every party.

Alternatively, there is currently the PlayStation 4 on the market, which is currently the best-selling console of the current generation. Microsoft has the Xbox One, which is more powerful and can even display real 4K with the Xbox One X. However, both consoles can only be used stationary. The consoles of the Nintendo 3DS family offer themselves as a handheld alternative. The latest model is the New Nintendo 2DS XL. And of course you can also play on PC and laptop. Most games require a new model with a powerful graphics card.

Difference and price of the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite

There are now three different models of the Nintendo Switch on the market. The classic version from 2017, whose model number always begins with "HAC", can be played on TV, as a handheld or in table mode. All Nintendo Switch software works on it, and a Joy-Con set consisting of two Joy-Cons is also included. The Joy-Cons have HD vibration and an IR motion camera. The Nintendo Switch is available in two colors. You can choose between the completely gray console and the console with Joy-Cons in neon blue and neon red. Additional Joy-Cons can now also be purchased in other colors. The combination of neon pink and neon green is particularly popular.

Is the Nintendo Switch Lite worth it?

Nintendo Switch: comparison of new and old models

The screen is a 6.2-inch LCD, the resolution in handheld mode is 1280x720. With connected Joy-Cons, the console is 102 millimeters x 239 millimeters x 13.9 millimeters and weighs 398 grams. Without Joy-Cons, their weight is reduced to 297 grams. The main drawback of the old version was the battery life. In the meantime, the console has been replaced by a new version, it is currently only used to buy.

The new version of the Nintendo Switch, which was released in mid-August 2019, is basically the same as the old version. Scope of delivery and functions are the same, only small adjustments were made. The console, whose model number always begins with "HAD", is characterized above all by an improved battery life. It is also more energy efficient and is characterized by less heat development. According to idealo.de, the Nintendo Switch currently costs between 280 and 320 euros.

Nintendo Switch new edition in neon red / neon blue

Now from € 319.73 at Mediamarkt price can now be higher. Price from 2020-27-07 00:21 a.m.

In addition to the classic Nintendo Switch, there is now also a Nintendo Switch Lite. It can only be played in handheld mode. Joy-Cons are not included in the scope of delivery and must be purchased separately. The Joy-Cons are required for certain software, so not all software can be played on the Switch Lite easily. You can find out which games are compatible with the Nintendo Switch Lite and which additional hardware is required on the official Nintendo homepage.

The Nintendo Switch Lite has a 5.5-inch LCD screen, which is slightly smaller than the classic console. The resolution remains the same. The dimensions of the Nintendo Switch Lite are 91.1 millimeters x 208 millimeters x 13.9 millimeters, at 275 grams it is a lot lighter than its big brother. The battery life unfortunately leaves something to be desired here. Unfortunately, the console is actually meant for playing on the go. However, at 193 to 206 euros, it is significantly cheaper than the classic Nintendo Switch. The Nintendo Switch Lite is currently available in gray, yellow and blue, and there is also a white model with pink and blue elements to match the Pokémon sword and shield games.

Nintendo Switch Lite in gray

Now from € 203.69 at Mediamarkt price can now be higher. Price from 26.07.2020 23:36 h

What does the Nintendo Switch come with?

In addition to the console, the classic Nintendo Switch comes with the following items:

• Nintendo Switch Docking Station (for charging & connecting to the TV)
• 2 Joy-Con controllers (either in gray or in neon blue / neon red)
• 2 Joy-Con brackets for table mode + wrist straps
• HDMI cable with a length of 1.5 meters
• Power supply / charging cable

The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller and of course the individual game software are available separately.

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller

Now from € 60.84 at Mediamarkt price can now be higher. Price from 26.07.2020 10:29 p.m.

On the other hand, the scope of delivery is very manageable. In addition to the console, only a charging cable is included.

Also interesting: Best Nintendo Switch accessories 2020: controllers, bags, memory cards & more

Power consumption, battery life and storage capacity of the console

The Nintendo Switch is a very energy efficient console. If it is not connected to the power supply, it consumes just 0.2 watts in standby mode, 7 watts in the menu and 11 watts when playing. If you charge the console in parallel, the consumption increases to a maximum of 18 watts. For comparison: The competing consoles from Sony and Microsoft have a power consumption of 80 to 90 watts. Fortunately, the temperature development of the console is also within reason. Usually, it warms up to 40 degrees on the back when you play in handheld mode.

The battery life depends on the model you own. The old version of Nintendo Switch (model number with "HAC") only manages 2.5 to 6.5 hours, the improved model (number with "HAD") lasts at least 4.5 to 9 hours until it goes empty. The battery power of the Nintendo Switch Lite is similar to that of the old Switch: it will be empty after about 3 to 7 hours. How long the console lasts always depends on the software that is currently active.

While the PlayStation 4 is available with either a 500 GB or 1 TB hard drive, the internal memory of the Nintendo Switch is just 32 GB. That is hardly enough for 4-5 full-price titles. Zelda alone: Breath of the Wild eats 13 GB. Luckily, the memory of the Nintendo Switch can be easily expanded with micro SD cards, the limit here is 2 TB - so you can go far. There is already 128 GB for cheap money, so there is enough memory for several switch titles. The working memory of the console is 4 GB.

Sandisk Ultra, Micro-SDXC memory card, 128 GB, 100 MB / s

Now from € 22.41 at Mediamarkt price can now be higher. Price from 2020-27-07 00:44 a.m.

Connect the Nintendo Switch to the TV

In order to be able to use your Nintendo Switch on TV, the following steps must be followed:

1. Open the lid of the back of the docking station for the Nintendo Switch.
2. Plug the power supply and HDMI cable into the corresponding places inside the docking station and close the cover again.
3. Plug the power adapter into a socket.
4. Plug the HDMI cable into the appropriate place on the TV.
5. Remove the Joy-Con controller from the console (there is a small round button on the back of the controller that has to be held when removing it).
6. Place the console in the docking station. If it is placed correctly, the screen lights up briefly and shows the charging icon.
7. Check whether the corresponding HDMI input is selected on the TV.

Start photo gallery (75 photos)

Nintendo Switch Online - do you need it to play?

The subscription service Nintendo Switch Online gives you access to the online multiplayer and the smartphone app for the service, which gives you access to voice chat. You don't need the app to play locally. The service currently costs 19.99 euros per year, and family membership for up to eight accounts is available for 34.99 euros. But you also get the following service-exclusive features:

• Access to online multiplayer.
• Access to the smartphone app for Nintendo Switch Online to use the voice chat feature.
• Numerous playable SNES and NES games for the Nintendo Switch.
• Save games permanently in the cloud to protect yourself against loss of game data if the console is defective.
• Exclusive bonuses like Nintendo Switch Game Coupons or certain special offers.

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