Summary

The article lists the top 5 best Nintendo Switch games according to the author, emphasizing the games' unique features and their impact on the player.

Abstract

The author, a self-proclaimed Nintendo enthusiast, shares their top five Nintendo Switch games, providing a personal perspective on each title's appeal. The list includes "Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX" for its nostalgic value and artistic style, "Yoshi’s Crafted World" for its humor and innovative cooperative play, "Pokémon Sword and Shield" for its introduction of new gameplay elements like the "wild area" and Dynamax feature, "Super Mario Odyssey" for its expansive world and fresh mechanics with the addition of Cappy, and "Animal Crossing: New Horizons" for its calming presence and ability to connect diverse groups of players during the pandemic. Despite some reservations about the game's online capabilities, the author praises the attention to detail and emotional support the games provide.

Opinions

"Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX" is appreciated for bringing childhood memories to life on the Switch with its charming artwork and cinematic scenes.
"Yoshi’s Crafted World" is a favorite, particularly for its hilarious story and creative level design, as well as the improved cooperative play.
"Pokémon Sword and Shield" is recognized for its bold changes, including the open-world "wild area" and Max Raid battles, despite some mixed reactions from the fanbase.
"Super Mario Odyssey" is celebrated for revitalizing the series with a vast 3D universe and the innovative use of Cappy for enhanced gameplay and possession of enemies.
"Animal Crossing: New Horizons" is highlighted as a source of comfort and joy during the pandemic, with meticulous attention to detail, though the author wishes for more content and criticizes the restrictive online multiplayer experience.

Top 5 Best Nintendo Switch Games (So Far)

There are thousands of Nintendo Switch Games, which ones are the best?

Photo by Enrique Vidal Flores on Unsplash

There are thousands of Nintendo Switch games available for consumers to choose from. Because of this, most people find it challenging to narrow down the best Nintendo Switch games currently available. Being the giant fan of all things Nintendo that I am, this exercise is much less difficult for me. Get ready for a debate, here are my top five games on the Nintendo Switch.

5. Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX

One of the biggest reasons I purchased the Nintendo Switch was the ability to game on the go. The Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series was one of my favorite handheld games as a kid. The opportunity to experience this game on bigger screens such as the Switch and TV brought my childhood imagination to reality. The illustrative artwork and cinematic cutscenes take the player on a whimsical adventure of cuteness. It is expected of Pokémon to play up the cute card for better sales, but the unique art-style is what sets this game apart.

4. Yoshi’s Crafted World

I have to admit, I may be biased about this one. Yoshi has always been my go-to character from the cast of Super Mario, so it is no surprise that this is one of my favorite games. Yoshi’s Crafted World has so many great things going for it — the story is hilarious, the levels are unique, and the cooperative play is better than it’s ever been. Having the ability to ride on each other’s back when playing together is a welcomed addition to previous iterations of the series. When you combine these factors with the original artwork style of a world made out of cardboard, it’s a no wonder this game is in my top five.

3. Pokémon Sword and Shield

A traditional Pokémon title has finally made it to the big screen! This Pokémon game gave us our first ever open-world experience with the “wild area.” GameFreak definitely took some chances with this game. The Max Raid battles and elimination of random encounters were great additions to the series. But I’d be remiss if I did not mention that not everyone loves these new features. However, I am a diehard Pokémon fan through and through, so it did not prevent me from trying to “catch em all.”

GameFreak also added in their new flagship ability called Dynamax. Dynamaxing your Pokémon grows them exponentially. This allows them to do new and exciting attacks they couldn’t do otherwise. It’s a refreshing new take on the series that gives every gym leader a memorable finale. If the new gym leader battle theme song doesn’t get your blood pumping, I don’t know what will.

2. Super Mario Odyssey

The Super Mario series was beginning to feel a bit stale before the release of this title. Many fans were complaining that the developers were not doing enough to make their games feel different from the last. That was until we got the most massive 3-D universe that Mario has ever gotten to explore. Every part of this game is top tier. The levels, the encouragement to explore, the mechanics — it’s all there! What really sets this game apart is Mario’s new comrade, Cappy.

Cappy is a character who merges with Mario’s hat, allowing the user to throw the hat to do more than ever before. Cappy allows Mario to amplify his ability to parkour around the levels, but more importantly, he enables Mario to take over the enemy of your choosing. A Mario game that lets me play as a Goomba? — that gets a perfect score from me.

1. Animal Crossing: New Horizons

The game that will be forever remembered as everybody’s escape from the pandemic, Animal Crossing: New Horizons saved us all from despair when we needed it most. Perhaps it’s the quarantine talking, but this game provided me more fun than any game I have played in the last decade.

The universe that the developers were able to create in this game practically cured my anxiety. Every single sound and animation in this game feels like the attention to detail required of a surgeon.

Animal Crossing has always been a beloved series by its fanbase, but this game was able to bring together the non-gamers with the hardcore gamers…something I have not seen since the initial release of Pokémon Go. The only hangup I have about this game is that there is not more to do. As the saying goes, “leave them wanting more,” Animal Crossing: New Horizons will forever be debated whether it realized its true potential.

In true Nintendo fashion, the online capacity is terribly restrictive. Anyone who has played the likes of Minecraft or Stardew Valley will find their approach to online co-op puzzling. Unless Nintendo learns to adapt their ways of handling how gamers prefer to play games cooperatively, Animal Crossing: New Horizons will be the one-hundred-dollar steak you order at a fancy restaurant that comes out 3 times smaller than expected. Despite this shortcoming, it stands out amongst its competitors as the best game by a long shot.