What’s Only On Switch
A console is only as good as its games, right? That’s exactly where the Nintendo Switch makes its mark. It’s packed with titles you won’t find anywhere else, offering experiences that stretch across genres and moods. Some are intense. Others are just plain quirky. But every single one is crafted to make the most of what the console does best. Here’s a look at 20 standout exclusives that truly define the Switch.
Super Mario Odyssey Review by IGN
1. Paper Mario: The Origami King
What begins as a seemingly cheerful paper-crafted adventure takes a sharp turn into clever twists and emotional beats. The Switch-exclusive installment adds a fresh ring-based battle system to shake up the familiar combat. Its humor is unapologetically odd, while moments of surprising depth sneak in between paper jokes.
Paper Mario: The Origami King Review by IGN
2. Super Mario Odyssey
Stepping into New Donk City is another Mario level with a full-on cultural experience. Super Mario Odyssey takes the Switch's power and creativity for a spin with its globe-trotting, sandbox-style platforming. Selling over 29 million copies, it remains a massive hit.
Super Mario Odyssey Review by IGN
3. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Animal Crossing: New Horizons became the franchise's fastest-selling game and gave players a space to connect. Fans hosted talk shows, ceremonies, and even political rallies. Celebrities like Elijah Wood casually visited players' islands. Every moment felt customized and oddly comforting in uncertain times.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons Review by IGN
4. Fire Emblem: Three Houses
In a world of swords and sorcery, Three Houses asks players to teach before they fight. Playing as a professor at a magical academy, choices shape loyalty and eventual conflict. It brought voice acting to the forefront and pushed narrative complexity within tactical RPGs.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses | Battle Gameplay Impressions by Kotaku
5. Splatoon 3
Style and splatter go hand in hand in Splatoon 3. While Turf War remains a laid-back fan favorite, new weapons and movement mechanics amp up competitive layers. Beyond the color and chaos, deeper lore and fresh story modes solidify it as more than just another team shooter.
Splatoon 3 Nintendo Switch Review - Is It Worth It? by Nintendo Life
6. Xenoblade Chronicles 3
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 thrives in its deliberate pacing. Some cutscenes stretch past 20 minutes to resemble full anime episodes. This JRPG exclusive expands massive worlds with fluid combat transitions. It also stitches together the emotional arcs of its predecessors, which makes the trilogy feel whole.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Review by IGN
7. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Returning to Mario Kart on the Switch feels like stepping onto the ultimate racetrack. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is definitely the most polished, complete version yet. It includes all previous tracks and DLCs, plus revamped battle modes like classic balloon popping.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Review by IGN
8. Luigi’s Mansion 3
The haunted hotel is more than a backdrop; it’s a character in itself. Luigi’s Mansion 3 delivers 17 unique floors, each with its own spooky identity. It scooped up Best Family Game in 2019, thanks to its clever co-op design using Gooigi, Luigi’s gooey doppelgänger.
Luigi's Mansion 3 Review by IGN
9. Metroid Dread
Originally pitched in the early 2000s, Metroid Dread finally came to life after nearly two decades of conceptual dormancy. It builds tension through quiet moments and stealth-driven gameplay rather than explosive action. The E.M.M.I. robots—relentless and emotionless—heighten the dread with their eerie, mechanical pursuit.
10. Kirby And The Forgotten Land
At first glance, it’s adorable Kirby in a broken-down mall. But under the charm is a bold step into 3D platforming: the franchise’s first. Mouthful Mode lets Kirby morph into everyday objects like cars and vending machines, leading to creative puzzles and combat.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land Review by IGN
11. Pokémon Legends: Arceus
Tradition takes a back seat in this bold rework of Pokémon mechanics. Legends: Arceus trades the familiar turn-based model for real-time catching in a sprawling, open-area world. Set in a feudal Sinnoh region, wild Pokémon will attack on sight.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus Review by IGN
12. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
A roster that feels like an entire museum of gaming history comes alive in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. It’s a Switch exclusive, featuring every fighter from past games, plus surprises like Minecraft’s Steve and Sephiroth. It also holds the record for the largest fighting game lineup.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Review by IGN
13. Bayonetta 3
Few games leap between realities as gracefully or as wildly as Bayonetta 3. This Nintendo-published exclusive pushes its universe into multiverse chaos that lets players summon infernal beasts mid-combo. Viola, a fresh face with a mysterious edge, shakes up combat flow.
14. Pokémon Scarlet And Violet
Instead of following linear routes, Scarlet and Violet open the entire region from the start. A full-on open-world experience, first in mainline Pokémon history. Multiplayer co-op for up to four players changes how trainers explore and battle. Region-specific species and storyline paths further improve the customization.
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Review by IGN
15. Astral Chain
Action fans found something new and strange in Astral Chain. Developed by PlatinumGames, this Switch-exclusive blends detective work and sci-fi combat. Players control two characters simultaneously: a police officer and their chained spectral partner. Set in a neon-drenched city under siege, the game uses anime-inspired visuals and layered mechanics.
16. Fitness Boxing 2: Rhythm & Exercise
Fitness Boxing 2 delivers a full-body workout in real time. Using Joy-Cons as motion trackers, it builds routines that can be personalized by intensity and duration. Progress tracking and calorie estimates keep the structure goal-driven. To spice things up, popular anime voice actors guide each session with energy and style.
Fitness Boxing 2: Rhythm & Exercise Nintendo Switch Review - Is It Worth It? by Nintendo Life
17. Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics
Board games from around the globe land in one digital collection, only on Switch. Clubhouse Games includes everything from Mancala and Chess to regional oddities like Hanafuda. What sets it apart is the attention to detail. Joy-Con mimics real-world actions, like rolling dice and dealing cards.
Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics Nintendo Switch Review - Is It Worth It? by Nintendo Life
18. Snipperclips: Cut It Out, Together!
Launched alongside the Switch, Snipperclips was tailor-made for the console’s co-op spirit. Two players work together by cutting paper avatars into problem-solving shapes. It’s silly and deceptively challenging. The Joy-Cons’ ease of use makes couch play instantly accessible—a Switch original through and through.
Snipperclips: Cut It Out Together! Review by IGN
19. Ring Fit Adventure
Blending movement with RPG mechanics, Ring Fit Adventure turns fitness into a mission. A resistance ring and leg strap transform exercise into boss fights and cardio-driven journeys. Beyond its massive sales (10 million+ by mid-2021), it stood out for merging wellness with entertainment.
Ring Fit Adventure Review by IGN
20. Tetris 99
Tetris goes battle royale in this fast-paced, high-stakes Switch Online exclusive. Ninety-nine players drop blocks simultaneously, with knockouts triggering attacks on other boards. The strategy is relentless, and the pace is frantic. With rotating themes inspired by classic Nintendo franchises, even seasoned players find themselves hooked.
