Summary
When it comes toNintendo Switchexclusives, there’s plenty of choice, from huge RPGs to relaxing life sims. Whether you’ve just got your hands on your first Nintendo Switch or you’re looking to bulk up your Switch game library, there will be a title that appeals to you.
The catalog of Switch-exclusive games exudes creativity, polish, and, well, fun. We’ve included classics like Mario and Zelda, as well as newer Nintendo series like Splatoon to give you a wider range of choice when it comes to picking out your next Switch game. If you’re looking for an experience you’re able to’t find elsewhere, check out these games.
Updated on July 26, 2025 by Casey Foot:One of the best things about the Nintendo Switch is the sheer number of exclusive games that aren’t available on any other console. As there are so many, we’ve updated this list with a few more excellent games that you simply can’t find anywhere else.
The tactical RPG Fire Emblem: Three Houses takes place in Fodlan - a continent made up of three nations. Garreg Mach Monastery, a school for Fodlan’s youth, is similarly divided, and you have to pick which house, linked to one of the three nations, to oversee. You help them in the battlefield, teach, and get to know the students.
Battling and building relationships with your students is at the forefront of Three Houses’ gameplay, with each character being fully realized so you don’t want to lose them on the battlefield. Thankfully though, death doesn’t need to be permanent thanks to your ability to rewind time during battle. This, alongside its excellent worldbuilding, makes Three Houses a great game for newcomers to Fire Emblem and one of the best exclusives on the Switch.
Mario Kart is a staple Nintendo title so it was no surprise when Mario Kart 8 Deluxe came to Nintendo Switch. Though Mario Kart 8 launched on the Wii U, the Deluxe version added so much more content that it’s easily defined as its own game.
The Deluxe version’s Booster Course DLC addeda whopping 48 coursesto the game as well as eight new characters, including fan-favorites like Birdo and Pauline. It’s the perfect game to play with your friends for a game night or try out your skills with races online.
Developed by PlatinumGames of Bayonetta fame, Astral Chain has a cyberpunk aesthetic and takes place on an Earth threatened by monsters and aberrations. The police force is tasked with safeguarding the survivors, with you playing as two twins who are new members of the team.
you may control the enemies you encounter (known as Legions) by using the titular Astral Chain, and customize how they fight in battle with their individual skill tree. Astral Chain’s fast-paced hack-and-slash is excellent, and when combined with its soundtrack, it makes for a great time.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus takes place in the ancient land of Hisui where you get to explore sprawling biomes full of friendly and not-so-friendly Pokemon. Arriving in Hisui through mysterious circumstances, you quickly join up with the Galaxy Expedition Team, helping them research Hisui’s Pokemon by completing the Pokedex and helping to subdue Hisui’s Noble Pokemon.
Legends: Arceus’ hands-on catching mechanic immerses you in the region more than other Pokemon games, as you have to think about how to approach best and catch the Pokemon, especially with the tougher Alpha Pokemon that provide a much-needed challenge in battle. It’s easily one of the most enjoyable Pokemon experiences on the Nintendo Switch.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land oozes fun and creativity at every turn. After a vortex hits Planet Popstar, swallowing everything in its wake, Kirby finds himself in a deserted world where he must rescue the kidnapped Waddle Dees.
Kirby is just as insatiable this time around, with a handful of new Copy abilities at his disposal as well, including the ability to swallow an entire car (that one’s got to hurt). The game is pure fun, aesthetically pleasing, and a fantastic adventure all around.
As a member of the Rescue Corps in Pikmin 4, it’s your job to respond to the SOS call coming from PNF-404. However, your ship crash lands and your only choice is to rebuild it with the help of the Pikmin and Rescue Pup Oatchi, which leads you to discover more castaways on the planet.
While you’ll have to use strategy to command the Pikmin, it’s a more accessible experience than the previous games in the series, and you can also go on Night Expeditions, where you meet a new type of Pikmin - Glow Pikmin. On the whole, Pikmin 4 is an enjoyable experience with satisfying gameplay.
Splatoon 3 sees you playing as an Inkling or an Octoling (people with squid or octopus-like qualities) and using weapons that use ink as ammo. Alongside the single-player campaign, there are various other modes, including Salmon Run and Turf War where you fight salmonid creatures and aim to ink the most area respectively.
Splatoon 3 is one of the most creative and refreshing third-person shooters out there, with plenty of customization when it comes to your character and your weapons. It’s the best entry to start with if you’re new to the series and want to get in on the ink-credible action.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 takes place in Aionios - a world torn asunder by an ongoing war between the Keves and Agnus nations. Noah and Mio, soldiers from opposing sides of the war, learn that there is more to the war than they originally thought and they must fight to stop the endless violence.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 isone of the best Switch-exclusive RPGs, thanks to its expansive world and narrative. You’ll likely spend up to 100 hours exploring Aionios, completing Hero quests, and following Noah and Mio’s story.
While you can technically play Xenoblade Chronicles 3 as a stand-alone game, we highly recommend playing the first two games beforehand, especially if you go on to play the Future Redeemed DLC scenario.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate boasts the biggest roster in the series - there are 82 fighters in total, expanding beyond classics like Mario and Link to include more iconic characters such as Sephiroth and Sora, making for some interesting mash-ups. Who would’ve thought you could see Animal Crossing’s Isabelle fight Metroid’s Ridley?
Fighting across the various stages with your friends is some of the most fun you’re able to have on the Switch, eliciting friendly competition as you see who comes out on top. It’s one of thebest casual games to have on hand when your friends come over.
Super Mario Odyssey launched in 2017, the same year as the Nintendo Switch, and has continued to be one of the most popular titles on the console. That popularity isn’t unwarranted, though, as Odyssey provides a well-rounded Mario experience in every way.
As you would expect,Princess Peach is kidnapped by Bowser, but this time Mario needs to stop the wedding that Bowser has planned; throughout his adventure, Mario is helped by a sentient hat named Cappy who can ‘Capture’ foes to control them, providing Mario with many unique abilities. Everything about Odyssey is polished, from the exploration to the music to the boss fights, so it’s worth picking up.
