{"id":308,"date":"2020-12-25T03:48:42","date_gmt":"2020-12-25T03:48:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gohastings.com\/?p=308"},"modified":"2020-12-25T03:48:42","modified_gmt":"2020-12-25T03:48:42","slug":"best-nintendo-switch-game","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gohastings.com\/best-nintendo-switch-game\/","title":{"rendered":"Ranking the Best Nintendo Switch Game of 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Nintendo Switch <\/em>is one of the best selling game consoles of all time, incorporating an innovative form factor plus control elements that make gaming more fun for more people. It\u2019s the only major gaming system out there that allows you to play a game on your TV then bring that same game with you to your commute. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best Switch games allow you to enjoy your Switch or Switch Lite to the fullest and find out just how great the console can be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our list below includes some of the most popular and critically acclaimed Switch titles ever, carefully curated to cover multiple genres and playstyles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rankings <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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No list of Nintendo Switch <\/em>games would be complete without talking about Breath of the Wild. It released with the console and set the tone for what could be done on the Switch. Set in a vast open-world full of rich characters and engaging gameplay, it allows the player to tell Link\u2019s story and his struggles against the evil Ganon in a way previous Zelda titles couldn\u2019t. It also set new standards for video game art, storytelling, and character design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why we like it: <\/strong>BotW is the seminal Switch game. From the breathtaking open-world environment to the compelling stories it tells, everything about Breath of the Wild sets it up as not just one of the best Switch games but one of the greatest video games of all time. The gameplay and item systems were noticeable departures from previous Zelda titles, allowing a free-form method of solving problems. It took a franchise beloved by gamers everywhere and caused them to fall in love with it all over again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flaws: <\/strong>There are almost no technical or gameplay flaws with BotW, but it\u2019s not for everyone. It\u2019s an RPG in the truest sense, and some people report feeling overwhelmed by how much there is to do and how many different things (armor, weapons, consumables, rune powers, etc.) you have to juggle to play most effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Animal Crossing: New Horizons<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Animal Crossing: New Horizons is the first flagship entry in the Animal Crossing series in years. It takes the player to a deserted island and ostensibly sets them the task of building a top-flight resort. For most, though, it ends up being more of a vacation in and of itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why we like it: <\/strong>There\u2019s only one word to describe New Horizons: Charming. In a world with too many crazy things going on, something is refreshing about just spending time in a beautiful place with people you care about. The gameplay, especially the new crafting system, gives you a level of control that wasn\u2019t there in previous games without losing that special something the series is famous for. In many ways, the game became something of a \u2018life\u2019 simulator where you could build your perfect home, shape your ideal community and escape from whatever might be bothering you for a few delightful hours. If that\u2019s not the definition of a wonderful video game, we don\u2019t know what is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flaws: <\/strong>New Horizons has a slow buildup. The first few hours of the game can feel too much like you\u2019ve actually been dropped on a desert island and one whose full borders you can\u2019t yet explore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Super Mario Odyssey<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Super Mario Bros is quite possibly the most iconic video game series in history. Mario himself is undeniably the most recognizable video game character in the world and a mainstay of many people\u2019s childhood gaming experience. Super Mario Odyssey ably carries the torch for the games that came before it and blazes new trails in gameplay and storytelling. The introduction of Cappy, Mario\u2019s anthropomorphized bright red hat, changed the gameplay far more than we expected in a good direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why we like it: <\/strong>Odyssey is everything we expect from a Mario game and things we didn\u2019t know we needed. It\u2019s a love letter to the series that put Nintendo <\/em>on the map 30 odd years ago and combines elements and settings from previous Mario games with exciting new gameplay and challenging puzzles. We\u2019d have sworn you couldn\u2019t mix 2D and 3D gameplay, yet somehow Odyssey pulls it off seamlessly. If you\u2019ve ever played a Mario game and liked it, you\u2019ll enjoy Super Mario Odyssey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flaws: <\/strong>The Joy Con motion controls aren\u2019t as precise as we\u2019d like to see. There were many times where we\u2019d make the same motion and get a significantly different result from Cappy onscreen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Nintendo <\/em>has some of the best first-party exclusive games out there, but none that can beat the iconic status of Mario. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the latest and arguably greatest entry in the souped-up go-karting franchise that lets you race your friends and family across a wide range of maps and modes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why we like it: <\/strong>If you have any experience as a gamer, you\u2019re familiar with Mario Kart. It\u2019s one of the games that people cite when they talk about why they bought their Switch. It takes the classic gameplay and themes of old-school Mario Kart and adds better graphics and a few other little changes. The maps are fun, the battle mode is downright amazing, and the ability to customize your character, kart and other options give it a lot of staying power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flaws: <\/strong>At its core, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe isn\u2019t much of a change from the original Wii U Mario Kart 8. The gameplay is virtually identical, and there are only a few noticeable differences. On the bright side, most folks who\u2019re picking up a Mario Kart game are looking for a burst of nostalgia and recognizable gameplay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Gaming studios love to throw around phrases like \u2018deluxe,\u2019 \u2018mega,\u2019 and \u2018ultimate,\u2019 but in the case of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, we think it\u2019s an accurate description. As far as fighting games go, Smash is the cream of the crop, combining a vast roster of beloved video game characters with well-balanced combat mechanics that make every single one of those characters worth playing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why we like it: <\/strong>The latest entry in a storied line of fighting games stretching back to the venerable Nintendo 64, Ultimate brings the fighting game to its zenith. You can choose from close to 100 different characters hailing from some of the most iconic video games in history and battle it out for supremacy. Even though every character has a wildly different range of strengths, weaknesses, and skills, Ultimate manages to make a fight between them entertaining. It\u2019s the perfect game if you\u2019ve always wanted to find out what would happen in a bare-knuckle brawl between an Italian plumber, an anthropomorphic fox fighter pilot, and an alien bounty hunter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flaws: <\/strong>It\u2019s easy to get confused with the spirit system. There are nearly 1,300 different spirits and a whole range of ways to upgrade, combine, and unlock them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Hades<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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In the roguelike world, studio Supergiant <\/em>lives up to its name. They\u2019ve come out with some of the most critically acclaimed titles in the genre and put everything they learned to work in creating Hades. Its combination of engaging story-telling, relatable character AIs, and easy-to-learn but difficult to master gameplay set it apart from other roguelikes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why we like it: <\/strong>If you\u2019ve always wanted to try out a roguelike but weren\u2019t sure you had the commitment for it, Hades is the game for you. It\u2019s a reimagining of ancient Greek mythology packaged in a fast-paced and exciting adventure that\u2019s never quite the same between two playthroughs. Unlike many more traditional roguelikes, Hades has a deep and compelling story that keeps you locked in right from the start. The persistence of certain aspects of the world help makes every attempt to escape the underworld feel like you\u2019re truly growing in power, perception, and skill. The refreshingly intuitive gameplay, gorgeous graphics, and slightly less brutal consequences make it a great introduction to the roguelike genre.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flaws:<\/strong> For a roguelike, Hades is near-perfect. The combat is balanced but challenging, the story is shockingly deep, and the persistence and real consequences of each attempt to escape the underworld keep you hooked. If we had to pick something to criticize, it would be that the graphics and top-down only view may not appeal to every gamer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Pokemon: Sword and Shield<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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