Even with the Nintendo Switch 2 now on the market, the original console remains a treasure trove of exceptional gaming experiences heading into 2026. For those yet to upgrade, a vast library of timeless adventures, from cosy life sims to intense action titles, ensures the Switch's relevance endures. Here is a curated list of fifteen essential games that showcase the very best the platform has to offer.
Timeless Adventures and Cosy Escapes
The Switch excels at delivering both expansive adventures and gentle, creative pastimes. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild redefined open-world exploration with its ingenious mechanics and a beautifully ruined Hyrule. Its successor, Tears of the Kingdom, builds brilliantly upon that foundation.
For a more relaxed pace, Animal Crossing: New Horizons provides a virtual paradise for decorating, socialising, and crafting your ideal island life. Similarly, Stardew Valley offers a deeply charming farming and community simulation, widely regarded as the cosiest of cosy games.
Super Mario Odyssey is a masterclass in 3D platforming, bursting with creativity and joy as Mario travels the globe with his sentient hat, Cappy. Meanwhile, Kirby and the Forgotten Land successfully transplants the pink hero into a delightfully cute post-apocalyptic 3D world.
Critical Darlings and Genre-Defining Hits
Several Switch titles have earned legendary status for their depth and innovation. Metroid Prime Remastered brought the acclaimed 2002 GameCube sci-fi shooter, inspired by Alien, to a new generation with stunning results. It remains a tense and complex first-person adventure.
The tactical role-playing game Fire Emblem: Three Houses combines engrossing battlefield strategy with a melodramatic school-life soap opera, offering dozens of hours of compelling gameplay. Pokémon Legends: Arceus boldly reinvented the classic formula with a more challenging, open-world approach to creature catching.
In the indie sphere, Hades II proved to be a worthy sequel to the 2020 hit, featuring a new protagonist, Melinoë, and the same addictive rogue-like action and sharp writing. Hollow Knight: Silksong, released in 2025, was a monumental hit, praised for its nightmarish difficulty and captivating Metroidvania design.
Unbeatable Multiplayer and Competitive Play
For social gaming, the Switch is unparalleled. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe stands as perhaps the greatest cartoon racing game ever made, featuring 48 circuits and flawless multiplayer fun. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is the definitive crossover fighting game, boasting a huge roster of characters from across video game history.
Splatoon 3 continues to offer vibrant, paint-splattered online shooter action that focuses on style and territory control over violence. For a uniquely tense puzzle experience, Tetris 99 transforms the classic block-stacker into a thrilling battle royale format.
Rounding out the list is the narrative-driven mystery Expelled!, where players must clear their name in a posh public school whodunnit, showcasing the console's strength in storytelling.
This collection demonstrates that the original Nintendo Switch continues to host an incredibly robust and diverse games library. Whether you favour solo quests, creative expression, or competitive chaos, these fifteen titles provide endless entertainment well into 2026 and prove the console's lasting appeal.
