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Everyone knows “Super Mario Bros.” But what about the other millions of video games? How do you know which ones are any good?
The Nintendo Switch alone has tons (and tons) to choose from. So, if you’re not sure what kind of games to look for, Kevin Kenson, who runs his eponymous gaming YouTube channel with over 840,000 subscribers, told the New York Post that you can ask yourself one question: What do you derive fun from?
“Exploration? A good story? A challenge? Video games encompass a massive variety of genres and styles, and knowing what gets your brain buzzing…will help answer whether you want to pick up the latest competitive fighter, story-focused RPG or open 3D platformer,” Kenson said.
The New York Post Shopping team spoke with several professional video game reviewers to get their advice on which Nintendo Switch games you should buy. In addition to Kenson, the reviewers include Eric Andrew Perez and Luis Alamilla, who have 14 and 11 years’ worth of experience, respectively, reviewing video games on their YouTube channels.
Read what expert reviewers think about these Nintendo Switch games and find the best ones across a range of genres. For more shopping inspiration, check out this year’s hottest Christmas toys (also recommended by experts).
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Best Nintendo Switch Games for Kids#
“Kirby and the Forgotten Land”
AmazonThis 3D explorer game encourages players to think creatively to overcome enemies and traverse obstacles, and it’s much more exciting than the old 2D side-scrolling Kirby games of yore.
“The inclusion of a ‘Spring-Breeze Mode’ makes the game easier and more approachable,” said Kenson. “Perfect for younger kids to have an easier introduction to its gameplay. There’s also a two-player co-op mode that can be unlocked after getting through some of the game’s earliest bits, opening up the option for siblings or a parent to join in on the fun.”
“Minecraft”
AmazonIt’s a simple fact: Just as dogs like fetch and adults like falling asleep with the TV on, kids love “Minecraft.”
“Designed around crafting creative worlds and surviving alone or with your friends, it’s a game that’s garnered its pedigree for its unlimited potential,” said Alamilla. “While you can take on the game’s main adventure, nothing stops you from building anything you can come up with out of pixelated blocks.” A great choice for kids who like to explore and experiment.
“Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker”
AmazonFor kids with a knack for solving puzzles, they’ll be happy to immerse themselves in “Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker.” In the game, you play as Captain Toad, a classic character from the “Super Mario Bros.” games, and navigate diorama-like puzzles.
Alamilla called this a “charming puzzle game” suitable for kids of all ages. “The roughly 7- to 10-hour campaign isn’t the most challenging time, but it is an accessible and charming time,” he said.
Best Nintendo Switch Games for Adults#
“The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom”
AmazonKenson called this a contender for the best video game of 2023. It’s all about roaming an open world, tackling scary enemies through creative means and interacting with the environment to make cool gadgets.
“‘Tears of the Kingdom’ builds on a new direction for the Zelda franchise that emphasizes exploration and player creativity,” said Kenson. “The game’s new build mechanics allow players to craft vehicles and contraptions that open up whole new ways of exploring the world or approaching the game’s combat.”
Kenson added that “while the game is written in a way that you can play it first without having played any previous games,” he would recommend playing the prequel “Breath of the Wild” to get a complete experience.
“Hades”
AmazonThis fast-paced game has you running through a maze-like underworld and slashing evil creatures — and it’s a blast. You can play it multiple times and never get bored.
“The game finds an interesting way of adding strong story elements to a genre normally light in that regard known as ‘roguelites,’ a style of action game where players will tackle a randomized dungeon again and again as they slowly get stronger and better able to handle what challenges are thrown at them,” said Kenson. “Based on Greek myths, players will take on the role of Zagreus, the previously hidden-away son of Hades, who wishes to escape from the underworld.”
“Metroid Dread”
AmazonThis side-scrolling sci-fi game is easy to pick up and jump right into the action, and with sleek graphics and intuitive controls, it doesn’t feel like an old game at all. All the jumping, shooting and puzzle-solving are exciting enough to keep kids and adults engaged.
“Play as Samus, a space bounty hunter investigating a mysterious transmission from the Planet ZDR,” said Alamilla. “Featuring ominous environments, large labyrinths to explore, and great combat, ‘Metroid Dread’ raises the bar for 2D action games.”
Best Super Mario Nintendo Switch Games#
“Super Mario Odyssey”
AmazonKenson called this “a must-play for any fan of 3D platforming.” Its levels give you tons of room to explore, and the mechanics of jumping around are extremely intuitive and entertaining for gamers of all ages.
There are also substantial updates that make this game feel fresh and new. “Equipped with a magical cap that lets him possess other characters, Mario’s moveset can completely change, evolving his platforming beyond his simple run and jump,” said Alamilla.
“Mario Kart 8 Deluxe”
Amazon“‘Mario Kart 8 Deluxe’ is the top-selling Nintendo Switch game, and for good reason,” said Kenson. Its fast-paced races are a thrill no matter how many times you replay them, and you have the option to play remotely or in person against friends. Plus, it includes different mini-games and battle games, just like earlier “Mario Kart” titles have.
“The game’s core content is already plenty to enjoy, but Nintendo has also released multiple DLC packs, adding more courses to play pulled from past games and even more characters to choose from,” said Kenson.
“Super Mario Maker 2”
Amazon“Imagine making your own Mario levels. You can create, play and share your levels with players from all over,” said Perez. “If you ever wanted to create a level with nothing but flying Goombas, well, now’s your chance.”
Fans of old-school “Super Mario Bros.” games will get a big kick out of designing their own complicated setups and trying to get through them in one piece. Additionally, the game has a story mode you can complete when you want a break from all that pixelated construction.
Best Pokémon Nintendo Switch Games#
“Pokémon Legends: Arceus”
AmazonKenson said this is the kind of Pokémon game that fans of earlier games in the series have been dreaming about. You walk around a fully 3D world, capturing Pokémon, getting into battles and taking on side quests from other characters along the way.
According to Kenson, this is “a bit less linear than other Pokémon games” and has an exciting new fighting system that “tak[es] place right on the field with remixed mechanics that change up the usual series formula.” Overall, he said it “offer[s] a more complete experience for those that want to play at their own pace.”
“Pokémon Scarlet” & “Pokémon Violet”
Amazon“‘Pokemon Scarlet’ and ‘Violet’ are easily some of my favorite games in the series,” said Alamilla. These titles have an open-world feel that’s more similar to “Pokémon Legends: Arceus” and are a refreshingly modern update to this beloved franchise.
“The world of Pokémon feels like a living world with how it’s been approached here,” said Alamilla. “[It feels] the way you imagined it when you first watched it on TV.”
“Pokémon Scarlet”
“Pokémon Violet”
“New Pokémon Snap”
AmazonIf you’re more into finding creatures and appreciating all the details of a beautifully stylized game, then this photography-based title is right up your alley.
“‘New Pokémon Snap’ has players take guided tours of various locales where they can snap photos of various Pokémon in the wilds and are awarded not only for catching glimpses of rare Pokémon but also for their shot composition,” said Kenson. “A very different kind of game from traditional ones in the series, but a fun take on the franchise.”
Best Nintendo Switch Sports Games#
“Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2”
AmazonThe best thing about “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater” games is that you don’t have to know anything about skateboarding to have a ton of fun with them. This title includes two games in one and expands the character list to include more modern professional skateboarders. The best part? You can play local and online multiplayer.
“‘Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+ 2’ is a fantastic bundle of classic games remade from the ground up,” said Alamilla. “With new graphics, classic controls and a new music library, fans of the series are in store for quite the nostalgic fun ride.”
“Nintendo Switch Sports”
AmazonIt’s always wise to have an easy-to-pick-up party game option that anyone can enjoy, and that’s what “Nintendo Switch Sports” gives you (plus more).
“This one’s a mix of different sports games, like tennis, bowling and boxing,” said Perez. Much of the gameplay involves swinging around the Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons, so rather than imagining you’re sinking a birdie by flicking a joystick, you feel more like you’re using a real golf club. “If you’ve ever wanted to serve an ace while holding a slice of pizza, this is your game,” said Perez.
All purchases include a Joy-Con leg strap to keep your controller safe when you “kick” the soccer ball.
“Rocket League”
Amazon“‘Rocket League’ is a unique approach to soccer in which you don’t play as a human kicking a ball, but rather a small car rushing into large soccer balls,” said Alamilla. Playing this game feels like a mix of crashing go-karts and scoring epic goals, so even non-sports fans will enjoy it. In Alamilla’s words, the gameplay is “chaotic fun.”
The other big bonus with “Rocket League” is that you can play it remotely with friends on different platforms. So if you’re on a Nintendo Switch, but your buddies are using an Xbox and a PlayStation, you can all play together without any hassle.
Best Free Nintendo Switch Games#
“Fortnite”
Nintendo“Fortnite” continues to dominate the free games section because its developers regularly update it with new characters, weapons and stories. As a battle royale game, “Fortnite” involves jumping into a giant map, picking up weapons and blasting away other players to become the last gamer standing.
“Throughout its years, the game has also seen a wild assortment of collaborations featuring characters from Disney, Marvel, Star Wars and many more,” said Alamilla. “With no shortage of things to do from virtual concerts, thousands of community-made game modes to play and the game’s official battle royale mode, ‘Fortnite’ is a game unlike any other.”
“Apex Legends”
NintendoThe premise of “Apex Legends” isn’t overly complicated. You join a team and run, jump and jetpack around a map, trying to eliminate all the other players using a wide array of weapons.
According to Perez, one of the most fun aspects of this game is that it requires teamwork. “It’s not just about shooting,” he said. “It’s about strategy and communication.” With regular updates of new gear, the game also avoids becoming stale. Play it online with friends using a Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PlayStation or PC.
“Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout”
Nintendo“Fall Guys” is the kind of game that even people who say they don’t like video games can find themselves quickly getting the hang of and enjoying. Perez called it a “hilarious and wild multiplayer game” in which “you compete with other players in silly races.” The goal is simple: don’t fall off. However, that’s easier said than done.
“Whether you’re playing with friends or strangers, you’ll be dashing, jumping, and laughing your way to victory in this wacky party game,” said Perez. “Watch out for those giant rolling donuts!”
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