Even with the Nintendo Switch 2 now available, the original console still offers a wealth of excellent games in 2026. From timeless Mario adventures to cutesy shooters and deep role-playing quests, here are 15 titles no Switch owner should miss.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons returns with new characters, relaxing activities, and endless items to decorate your dream island. The cosy life sim is gentle, soothing, social and creative, allowing you to invite friends over for tea.
In The Case of the Golden Idol, scholarship student Verity Amersham is framed for pushing a classmate out of a window. This beautiful whodunnit adventure sees you interrogate witnesses, find clues and build a case while adhering to a rigid school timetable.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses lets you lead feisty war-students into battle in an engrossing tactical role-playing adventure. The game is by turns grandiose and silly, but always engrossing, making it a perfect summer game.
Hades II, the sequel to the 2020 mythological action game, follows new protagonist Melinoë, a witch who must defeat the god of time. Dying returns you to the beginning, but you keep lessons learned and experience gained. The character illustrations and witty script are even better than the original.
Hollow Knight: Silksong is a platform adventure sequel that drags insectoid princess Hornet into the haunted realm of Pharloom. Nightmarishly difficult and compelling, it ranks among the greatest Metroidvania titles of all time.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land gives Nintendo's pink blob a 3D adventure in a cute post-apocalyptic world, with weird new abilities and a decent co-op mode. The game has surprisingly cinematic flair and a rip-roaring orchestral soundtrack.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild reimagines Hyrule as Link saves Zelda from Ganon. This open-world adventure is crammed with charming ideas, and its sequel Tears of the Kingdom is also brilliant. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe remains the greatest cartoon racing game, with 48 circuits and excellent multiplayer. Metroid Prime Remastered brings the tense, Alien-inspired first-person shooter to Switch, offering a haunting exploration of Tallon IV.
