The best Nintendo Switch games for 2023

All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. All prices correct at time of publication.

Just five years ago, Nintendo was at a crossroads. The Wii U languished well in third place in the console wars and, after considerable pressure, the company took its first tentative steps into mobile gaming with Miitomo and Super Mario Run. em>. Fast forward to today: the Switch is likely on its way to becoming the company's best-selling "home console", and seven Switch games have overtaken the Wii U console. so at Nintendo, thanks to the Switch's unique hybrid format and an ever-growing library of games with unusually strong third-party support.

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However, the Switch's online store isn't the easiest to navigate, so this guide aims to help the uninitiated start their journey on the right foot. These are the games you should own - for now. We regularly review and supplement the list, as necessary. Oh, and if you have a Switch Lite, don't worry: every game on the list is fully supported on the handheld console only.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons Animal Crossing New Horizons

Nintendo

Animal Crossing New Horizons

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is the best game in the series yet, streamlining many clunky aspects of previous games and giving players plenty of motivation to keep shaping their island community.

$59.99 on Amazon

The best Nintendo Switch games for 2023

All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. All prices correct at time of publication.

Just five years ago, Nintendo was at a crossroads. The Wii U languished well in third place in the console wars and, after considerable pressure, the company took its first tentative steps into mobile gaming with Miitomo and Super Mario Run. em>. Fast forward to today: the Switch is likely on its way to becoming the company's best-selling "home console", and seven Switch games have overtaken the Wii U console. so at Nintendo, thanks to the Switch's unique hybrid format and an ever-growing library of games with unusually strong third-party support.

Quick view

See 5 more

However, the Switch's online store isn't the easiest to navigate, so this guide aims to help the uninitiated start their journey on the right foot. These are the games you should own - for now. We regularly review and supplement the list, as necessary. Oh, and if you have a Switch Lite, don't worry: every game on the list is fully supported on the handheld console only.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons Animal Crossing New Horizons

Nintendo

Animal Crossing New Horizons

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is the best game in the series yet, streamlining many clunky aspects of previous games and giving players plenty of motivation to keep shaping their island community.

$59.99 on Amazon

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