Featured Image Credit: Nintendo, Thunderful Publishing
Topics: Nintendo
The Nintendo eShop can sometimes feel like a digital bargain bin - a wild west of low-effort AI anime girl games that makes finding a gem feel like a full-time job. Luckily, that’s where we come in!
If you’re looking for a new Nintendo game to play this April, we’ve looked past the clutter to find the best experiences currently available for the low, low price of absolutely nothing. From long-awaited sequels to cosy mobile homes, here are the best free games and demos you need to download on your Nintendo Switch right now.
As a professional Pokémon player, this is one I personally can't wait for. Releasing on 8th April, this free-to-start Pokémon battle simulator is the talk of the (Pallet) town at the moment. Pokémon Champions is the new home of the Pokémon video game competitive scene, effectively succeeding Scarlet & Violet. If you loved Pokémon Stadium, this game is for you. Best of all, it’s also available on mobile, meaning you never have to go without a Pokémon battle in your hands. At launch, the focus seems to be on Mega Evolution, with Pokémon HOME connectivity. It’s slick, it’s fast, and most importantly, it’s built for the glory of reliving your ‘coolest kid on the playground’ days. Not bad for a free game, right?
After a decade of memes and "Nintendo Please" tweets, Tomodachi Life is finally back on 16th April. The internet has already lost its mind over the demo, with players frantically figuring out how to maximise their limited time on their islands before the full launch. There are some masterpieces made by dedicated creators already circulating the web, thanks to the enhanced Mii customisation. Some will haunt your nightmares for weeks.
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After all, who hasn’t wanted to watch a digital version of their best friend marry a piece of bread? This is an absolute gem, and you can play the free demo right now.
From the team behind Torchlight, Hob is a wordless masterpiece of environmental storytelling. This "Definitive Edition" is a custom-fit for the Switch, introducing HD Rumble and touch-screen support, set for release on 17th April. There’s a free demo to check out now. You play as a hooded protagonist exploring a world that is essentially one giant, broken machine. By upgrading your mechanical glove-arm, you’ll punch and warp through ruins to literally shift the landscape back into place. After having tried out the demo myself, it's atmospheric, brutal, and deeply rewarding - definitely give this one a go!
If you’re looking for a Ghibli-inspired antidote to a fractured world, this is it. While the game was released at the start of March, a new free demo on Nintendo Switch is the perfect way to dip your toe into this masterpiece. We gave Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf a 9/10, calling it a near-perfect experience that outshines the original in every way. The demo showcases a much wider array of mechanics; Lana can now wall-jump and slide, while your companion Mui can control other creatures (like fish or "Soot Sprite"-esque Rollers) to solve environmental puzzles. It’s cinematic, breathtaking, and arguably the most beautiful game hitting the Switch this year.
This is a cosy survival game that lets you live the ultimate fantasy of leaving everything behind and running away to live off-the-grid.
The full game is releasing on 23rd April, with a free demo that carries over to the main game. Outbound lets you build a sustainable home inside a camper van. The demo allows you to start your off-grid journey, scavenging materials and solar-powering your mobile base. It’s got a utopian, near-future aesthetic that feels like a warm hug. You can play solo or with up to four friends, making it the perfect low-stress hangout for a rainy afternoon.
If you haven’t logged into Pokémon UNITE lately, now is the time. It’s a full game, no need to pay for microtransactions, unless you want to gacha some awesome holowear. Looking at you, Elegant Style Sylveon.
The April update marks the climax of the Regional Finals for the 2026 Championship Series. Beyond the pro-tier balance changes, we’re seeing a significant shift in the meta to align with the spring season. The game remains one of the most accessible MOBA experiences on the market, and with the new Regional Leagues in full swing, the community is more active than ever.
Last, but by no means least on this list is the fast-paced, close-range vertical arcade shoot 'em up game we’ve been waiting for. Brave Rounds has intense bullet-hell action, options for single-player, co-op, and unique dual-control mechanics. It’s giving 00s arcade energy, without stealing all your quarters!
While the gameplay is high-intensity, the Story Mode is surprisingly touching, focusing on inter-generational relationships. There’s a free demo ahead of the game’s release on 9th April, and it’s well worth checking out.
If you’re after more Nintendo Switch freebies, why not check out this Nintendo free action RPG you can download and keep forever?
What about a list of all the free Nintendo Switch games to play, including a 10/10 hidden gem?