Best Nintendo Switch Games of 2024: Discover the Ultimate Gaming Experiences

Fire Emblem: Three Houses is a rich and complex addition to the Fire Emblem series, offering a blend of tactical gameplay and deep character development. Set in the fictional continent of Fodlan, players assume the role of a professor at the Officers Academy, where they guide and mentor students from one of three houses: Black Eagles, Blue Lions, or Golden Deer. Each house has its own unique characters and storylines, providing a varied gaming experience.

The game innovatively intertwines school life and battlefield tactics. During weekdays, players engage in activities like tutoring students, exploring the monastery, fishing, choir practice, or embarking on school outings. These activities are crucial for character development and increasing the students" motivation. Instruction days allow players to influence their students" growth significantly, offering control over their skills and combat roles. Characters in Three Houses are intricately designed with detailed backstories, making the player"s connection with them quite profound.

Combat in Three Houses is a highlight, featuring strategic turn-based battles. The game challenges players with various map layouts and combat scenarios. The introduction of the Divine Pulse ability allows players to rewind time during battles, adding a strategic layer to combat and reducing the frustration of losing units. The difficulty level varies, with harder settings offering a more challenging experience that requires careful consideration of unit placement and combat strategies.

Three Houses also evolves the Fire Emblem formula by removing the traditional weapon triangle, focusing instead on a more flexible class system. This change allows for greater customization of characters, encouraging players to develop unique strategies and tailor units to their playing style. The game combines traditional Fire Emblem tactical gameplay with new elements, successfully balancing the old with the new.

Overall, Fire Emblem: Three Houses is celebrated for its engaging story, deep character interactions, and strategic gameplay, marking it as a standout title in the series and a must-play for Nintendo Switch owners.

Hades, a game developed by Supergiant Games, is a standout title for the Nintendo Switch. This game is a masterful blend of intense, flexible combat and a rich, engaging narrative set in a vividly rendered underworld. Players control Zagreus, the prince of the underworld, who seeks to escape his father Hades’ realm. The game"s combat system is deep and rewarding, allowing players to use a variety of weapons and god-given boons to fight their way through the underworld.

Each weapon in Zagreus"s arsenal offers unique benefits, enhancing the game"s replayability. The combat feels gritty and satisfying, with various options like electrified spears, ricocheting shields, and dashes that leave trails of poison. The Switch version of Hades runs impressively at 720p in handheld mode and 1080p when docked, aiming for a smooth 60fps.

The narrative aspect of Hades sets it apart from other roguelites. The game features well-written and acted characters from Greek mythology, including Olympian and Chthonic Gods. The story unfolds dynamically, influenced by the player"s progress and choices. Between runs, players can interact with characters like Nyx, Orpheus, and Cerberus in the House of Hades, deepening relationships and uncovering secrets. These interactions are not just filler but integral to the gameplay experience, offering rewards and insights.

Hades has been praised for its intricate art style and the seamless integration of narrative and gameplay. The game"s portrayal of the gods and their interactions with Zagreus adds depth and personality to the experience. The attention to detail in the game’s design and the responsive nature of its storytelling contribute to its appeal, making it a must-play title on the Switch.

Overall, Hades is a superb title that combines challenging combat, compelling storytelling, and beautiful art, making it one of the best games available on the Nintendo Switch in 2024.

Hollow Knight, developed by Team Cherry, is an exceptional Metroidvania-style game that has captivated players on the Nintendo Switch with its intricate world and challenging gameplay. Players take on the role of the Knight, exploring the vast, interconnected kingdom of Hallownest. The game starts with basic movement and attack abilities but gradually introduces new skills and charms, allowing players to tailor their playstyle.

The game"s exploration is central to its appeal, with the map of Hallownest initially blank and requiring players to find their way, which adds to the sense of adventure and discovery. Each area of the game has a unique aesthetic and is filled with varied enemies, contributing to a rich, immersive experience. The design of Hollow Knight"s world tells a story through its environments, and the accompanying musical scores enhance the atmosphere of each location.

Combat in Hollow Knight is deceptively simple yet deep, focusing on timing and patience. The game offers a single attack initially, which evolves with spells, charged attacks, and Charms that affect your abilities. Boss battles and enemy encounters are challenging, encouraging players to strategize and adapt.

Hollow Knight"s narrative is subtly conveyed through lore, dialogue, and environmental cues. The story, while not always explicit, is compelling and adds depth to the game world. As players progress, they encounter various characters, each contributing to the overarching narrative of the fallen kingdom.

The game has been praised for its value, offering over 25 hours of gameplay. Hollow Knight combines tough battles, exploration, and an absorbing story, making it a standout title on the Nintendo Switch and a must-play for fans of the genre.

"Kirby and the Forgotten Land" is a vibrant and inventive addition to the Kirby franchise, marking the character"s leap into a fully 3D environment. The game features an array of unique worlds, each with its own distinct theme and aesthetic, from overgrown ruins to crystal-clear waters. The level of environmental detail and charming animations contribute to the game"s immersive experience.

A key aspect of the game is its innovative gameplay mechanics, particularly the new "Mouthful Mode." This mode allows Kirby to stretch his body around various objects, creating humorous and creative gameplay scenarios. From inhaling cars to commandeering roller coasters, this mechanic adds fresh and delightful challenges to the game.

Kirby"s classic Copy abilities return, now more integral to the gameplay than ever before. These abilities play a significant role in both puzzle-solving and combat, with more specialized puzzles requiring specific abilities. The 3D perspective enhances these abilities, leading to more creative puzzles and varied combat strategies.

"Kirby and the Forgotten Land" balances challenge and accessibility, offering a "Wild" difficulty setting for experienced players, while maintaining the franchise"s beginner-friendly nature. The game"s boss fights showcase diverse attack patterns, requiring strategic use of Kirby"s abilities.

Overall, the game has been lauded as a joyous and colorful adventure, packed with engaging levels, side activities, and seamless co-op play, making it a standout title in the Kirby series and on the Nintendo Switch.

"Astral Chain" is a standout action title on the Nintendo Switch, developed by the renowned PlatinumGames. It"s an ambitious game that combines high-octane combat with a unique dual-character system, where players control both a human character and a Legion, a tamed version of the game"s alien enemies.

The game is set in a futuristic world on the brink of destruction, with humanity taking refuge on an artificial island called the Ark. Players join the Neuron Task Force to combat the Chimera threat using the Legion. The story is engaging, with a focus on the twin protagonists and a cast of interesting characters.

Combat in "Astral Chain" is a mix of direct control and strategic positioning of the Legion. Players can execute intricate combos by coordinating attacks between the character and their Legion. Each Legion type offers unique abilities, contributing to the game"s puzzle-solving and exploration elements.

The game also features detective work and side missions, adding depth to the overall experience. Players can engage in various activities, from solving crimes to completing odd jobs, enhancing the world"s immersion. The game"s visuals are striking, showcasing detailed character designs and a vibrant cityscape.

"Astral Chain" is known for its fantastic world-building, engaging story, and innovative gameplay mechanics. It"s a game that provides a fresh and exciting experience, making it a must-play title on the Nintendo Switch.

"Metroid Dread" is a celebrated return to the classic 2D Metroid formula, delivering a near-perfect Metroid experience. The game has been praised for its challenging gameplay and intricate level design, offering a mix of exploration, puzzle-solving, and action. Players control Samus Aran as she navigates through the atmospheric and treacherous environments of the game.

The game introduces EMMI sections, where players must stealthily navigate to avoid powerful robots, adding an intense and thrilling dimension to the gameplay. The title has been lauded for maintaining the core essence of Metroid while introducing modern gameplay elements and stunning graphics.

"Metroid Dread" stands out for its balance of accessibility and challenge, appealing to both new players and long-time fans of the series. The game"s story and progression are well-received, with players experiencing a sense of character development as they progress.

Overall, "Metroid Dread" is highly regarded as a must-play title on the Nintendo Switch, offering a rich and fulfilling experience that is both nostalgic and innovatively fresh.

Super Mario Maker 2, released on June 28, 2019, has emerged as a standout title on the Nintendo Switch, garnering acclaim for its engaging and inventive gameplay. The game provides a platform for players to create, share, and experience an extensive array of Mario levels, crafted either by Nintendo or by the game"s vibrant community.

In terms of gameplay, Super Mario Maker 2 offers a unique blend of creation and platforming. The game’s Story Mode features over 100 creative levels designed by Nintendo, showcasing the game"s potential and providing inspiration for players’ own designs. The Story Mode is also praised for its diverse challenges, varying from traditional platforming to puzzle-solving and action-oriented levels.

The heart of Super Mario Maker 2 lies in its level creation tool, regarded as one of the most accessible and versatile game design toolsets available. With this tool, players can create levels across different Mario game styles, like Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 3, and Super Mario World. The level editor is intuitive, allowing both newcomers and experienced users to craft their unique levels with ease.

Super Mario Maker 2 also introduces new gameplay elements, such as the ability to set specific goals for levels, like collecting a certain number of coins or reaching the finish with a particular power-up. This addition enhances the creativity and variety of levels that can be created.

Multiplayer mode is another exciting feature, offering both competitive and cooperative play. Competitive mode pits players against each other in a race to the finish, while co-op mode focuses on teamwork. The game supports local and online multiplayer, providing a fun and interactive way to experience user-created levels with friends or the wider community.

Despite its many strengths, the game has faced criticism for its online multiplayer performance issues. However, these do not significantly detract from the overall experience, as the game continues to be a beloved part of the Nintendo Switch library.

As of late 2023, Super Mario Maker 2 has sold over 8.42 million units worldwide, reflecting its popularity and impact. The game has been nominated for multiple awards, including the Best Family Game at The Game Awards 2019 and has won the Family Game of the Year at the 23rd Annual D.I.C.E. Awards.

Overall, Super Mario Maker 2 stands out as a must-have title for the Nintendo Switch, offering endless fun for both creators and players alike.

Explore the diverse world of gaming with our curated list of the Best Nintendo Switch Games of 2024, where unforgettable adventures and exhilarating challenges await. Find your next favorite game today!