Even with seven years of useful life, the Nintendo SwitchThe library continues to grow. From original Nintendo games starring iconic characters like Mario and Zelda, to major AAA releases with portable ports, to a wide range of exclusive and innovative indie games, there are plenty of games to play on the Switch, no matter what the gamer's tastes.
And even if you prefer to keep this year's library, players will find many great games available for the Switch. With the Switch 2 possibly on the way next year, the original modular console is ending up strong. Here are the best games releasing for the Nintendo Switch in 2024, based on Metacritic scores and Screen speechown assessments.
10
Unicorn Overlord is a retro-style strategy RPG
Metacritic: 86
For fans of light strategy games on the go, there are few better options than Unicorn Sovereign. Developed by Vanillaware, formerly of 13 Sentinels fame, Unicorn Sovereign is a strategy RPG that follows Alainan exiled prince who intends to prevent the conquest of an invading empire. Players will participate in real-time battles with enemies across the world, building their own groups of five, selecting unit classes, weapons and strategies. Positioning and orders are everything in this tactical RPG, as battles unfold automatically, with the player intervening only to command their units.
Widely praised for its well-written characters, evocative art, and deeply complex (yet surprisingly accessible) gameplay, Unicorn Sovereign was compared favorably to Nintendo's Fire Emblem series, a similar set of tactical RPGs. It's one of the best strategy games released this year and certainly the best on Switch. All this yielded 86 in Metacriticand a 9/10 review by Screen speech.
9
The Plucky Squire is an adorably creative adventure
Metacritic: 83
The debut game of All Possible Futures, The brave squire takes players on a fairytale adventure across multiple dimensions. It begins in the literal pages of a colorful picture book, when the villain Humgrump banishes protagonist Jot from his own story. Forced to travel between the 2D world of illustrations and our big, scary 3D world to save your friends Jot overcomes various challenges, from simple word puzzles to platforming challenges and badger boxing. Players can also control Jot's charismatic allies, using their unique abilities to tackle certain puzzles.
Although designed and perfectly suited for younger audiences, there's enough to love The brave squire which will also appeal to the young at heart. Its gameplay has been positively compared to Zelda series for its irresistible charm and bold combination of 2D and 3D. It was nominated for Best Indie Debut and Best Family Game at The Game Awards 2024. It earned The brave squire an 83 in Metacriticand a rating of 7/10 Screen speech.
8
The Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake revives a historical RPG
Metacritic: 84
First released in 1988, Dragon Quest 3 is one of the most imitated RPGs of all time. It's easy to see its influences – changeable classes, customizable parties, a day/night cycle, and a huge open world, among others – in almost every other high fantasy RPG that came after it. Now, players can enjoy the glory of Dragon Quest 3 in a totally new form: the Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remakenow on Nintendo Switch. Players will travel through an eccentric world, exploring dangerous dungeons and vibrant villagers as they set out on a quest to save the world from certain destruction. Everything is done in a luxurious retro visual style that combines old-school pixel art with modern graphical polish.
Turn-based battles are fast-paced and satisfying, with a class and progression system that is simple on the surface but contains nuanced depths available to anyone bold enough to explore. As the oldest game in the series is also a perfect entry point to Dragon Quest newcomers. Featuring iconic characters and monster designs from Dragon ball creator Akira Toriyama, and a lush soundtrack orchestrated by Koichi Sugiyama, the Dragon Quest 3 remake scored 84 in Metacriticand a 9/10 rating from Screen speech.
Metacritic: 86
After a long hiatus, a of the original Metroidvania series returns with the groundbreaking Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. Starring new protagonist Sargon, The lost crown Features side-scrolling platforming and challenging combat. Using Sargon's twin blades and time-based magic, players will navigate a labyrinthine map, defeating enemies, uncovering secrets, and solving puzzles as the warrior Sargon seeks to rescue the kidnapped Prince Ghassan. Featuring thrilling boss battles accomplished with extremely satisfying special moves and unique abilities. It's also the beginning of a little Prince of Persia renaissance, with The Rebel Prince of Persia following a few months later.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is an excellent revival of a long-dormant seriesand a great option for those who love challenges. Won 86 in Metacriticand an 8/10 rating from Screen speech who praised its deeply satisfying and customizable combat system.
6
Princess Peach: Showtime is her second leading role
Metacritic: 74
For the second time in history Mario decades-long history of the franchise, Princess Peach starred in her own game this year – Princess Peach: Showtime. Featuring the eponymous Princess in over 50 levels, Show time plays very differently from the traditional Mario. It's all about dressing up in various costumes, taking on a variety of different roles depending on the situation. Each time she changes her outfit, she changes her entire moveset and abilities, with ten different outfits and ten different playstyles appearing throughout the game. The levels are short and sweet, mostly featuring a variety of different minigames that encourage players to learn and improve Peach's various costume-based skills.
For a little more screentime, the game also features post-game completionist objectives that require players to find every item in the game. Praised for its cheerful tone, colorful visuals and classic Nintendo charmbut criticized for its length, Princess Peach: Showtime received a 74 in Metacriticand a 9/10 rating from Screen speech.
5
Zelda: Echoes Of Wisdom Features Toy-Like Sandbox Charm
Metacritic: 85
And speaking of Nintendo heroines getting long-awaited starring roles this year, there were also The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. Starring the series' namesake for the first time Echoes of Wisdom is based on two recent and acclaimed Zelda releases: The top-down/side-scrolling gameplay and toyetic visual style of Link's Awakening remake and the sandbox/building mechanics Tears of the Kingdom. As Zelda, players carve their own paths through Hyrule, using the magical Tri Rod to make copies of virtually anything and everything they come across. They can copy boxes to build a staircase, beds to rest and recover health, or enemies to fight other enemies – the possibilities are almost endless.
Everything amounts to a joyful experience that encourages creative thinking. Most puzzles have multiple solutions, so players are free to experiment and find what works best for them. Echoes of Wisdom It was a pleasure for everyone, with a Metascore of 85 and a review score of 9/10 Screen speech. It was nominated for Best Action/Adventure and Best Family Game at The Game Awards.
4
Mario & Luigi: Brothership is a delightful RPG adventure
Metascore: 77
The only thing the Mario brothers do better than platforming and racing is RPGsand never in recent memory has this been clearer than with the release of Mario and Luigi: Brotherhood. A new entry in the long term Mario and Luigi subseries, Brotherhood Brilliantly combines platforming and turn-based combat. The platforming sections feature unique abilities that the brothers learn throughout the game, allowing them to overcome all types of obstacles. Turn-based combat is handled simply, with options to attack, defend, or use special abilities, including extra-special Bro Attacks, but all of this is complicated by time-based inputs.
This makes combat especially exciting; It's hard to look away when the player has to attack, block, or dodge in real time, even when the combat itself is technically turn-based. With a 77 on Metacritic and a 7/10 in Screen speechThis is just one of several must-play games Mario games that will be released for the Switch this year.
3
Balatro is a viral pseudo-poker sensation
Metacritic: 90
BalatroThe meteoric rise of a portfolio from solo developer to Game of the Year nominee has been well documented. Made entirely by anonymous developer LocalThunk, Balatro It's part poker, part roguelike, completely fun. Players go through a series of Antes, each divided into three Blinds, and must combine randomly drawn cards into the best possible hands to reach a minimum score within a limited number of turns. Between rounds, however, they can purchase various upgrades: special rare cards with exclusive power-ups, tarot cards that “to update“the points scored on different types of hands and a wide variety of Jokers that change the rules in all sorts of weird and wacky ways.
Balatro It's as hypnotic as it is frustrating; that is, it's hard to put down, especially after a tough loss. With so many cards and Jokers to choose from, no two races are the same. Received a Metacritic score of 90 and a rare 10/10 rating from Screen speech. Even though it's cross-platform, it's great anywhere, which makes the Switch an excellent platform choice.
2
Super Mario Party Jamboree is a must-play multiplayer
Metacritic: 82
For those unfamiliar with the triumphant highs and lows of Mario's PartyHere's the gist: Players travel around the board rolling dice. The objective is to reach the end of the game with the most stars in hand. Some squares award coins, which can later be converted into stars; other squares take coins or give them to other people. These movements and dice rolls are punctuated by minigames, ranging from golf, stunt racing, and burger building. These games are all good, fun and chaotic and reward additional coins to the winner and runner-up.
Like a party game, the fun of Mario's Party It was designed to be shared. AND Jamboree is one of the best in the series, with more minigames than ever before. Received a score of 82 Metacritic and a 9/10 rating from Screen speechwith critics praising its variety and richness of content.
1
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is the best Switch game of 2024
Metacritic: 88
There's something magical about a Mario RPG, but still, few have reached the heights of Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door. First released in 2004 for the GameCube, the second Mario Paper The game was praised for its memorable characters, excellent music, exciting combat, and unique 2D aesthetic. It stars paper versions of Mario and friends as they go on a journey to find seven Crystal Stars to recover lost treasure. Each character uses special paper-related abilities to traverse obstacles, folding into paper boats, planes, and more to solve puzzles.
The Millennial Door also features turn-based combat, which, like Mario and Luigi's, uses timed skills for greater engagement. It was a joy when it first came out and it still holds up so well today that it's a joy to watch Mario Paper on the switch. With an 88 on Metacritic and a 9/10 review on Screen speech, Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door is the best game released for the Nintendo Switch in 2024.