Nintendo Switch is nearing the end, these are the 7 games that defined it
Following the news that Nintendo is ending production of the Switch consoles, we take a look back at some of the best games that helped to define its era.
Originally released in March 2017, the Nintendo Switch followed the ill-fated Wii U. While the Wii U wasn't the worst console in existence, its clunky tablet controller and a severe lack of major third-party games pretty much meant that it was doomed to fail from the get-go.
That being said, as troubled as the Wii U's existence would be, without it, we arguably may never have had the Nintendo Switch. After all, it’s fair to say that the Wii U paved the way for the Switch, which, of course, then evolved into the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025.
However, as much as we love the Nintendo Switch, all good things must come to an end, and following the announcement that Nintendo will no longer be selling new Switch consoles from February 2027. So we’re taking a look back at some of the best games that helped to define the beloved hybrid console.
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The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
I nearly included The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild in addition to Tears of the Kingdom, but seeing as the latter is a Switch exclusive, it made more sense. Plus, 2023’s Tears of the Kingdom, a sequel to Breath of the Wild, is an improvement on its predecessor in almost every way.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom gave the player a greater sense of freedom when exploring the Kingdom of Hyrule, both on the ground and in the sky. It had a surprisingly in-depth crafting system, allowing players to build amazing flying vehicles, as well as intense combat, epic boss battles, fun puzzles, stunning visuals and a gripping story. It’s no wonder gamers consider this to be one of the greatest releases of all time.
Super Mario Odyssey
Some might consider 2017’s Super Mario Odyssey as the best game in the entire series, and to be fair, they’d have a strong case with such a claim. It expanded on the other 3D games in the series that began with Super Mario 64. Players had large worlds to explore with top-tier level design, and the introduction of Cappy helped revolutionise an already winning formula.
In a nutshell, Cappy would be flung at an enemy, and Mario would inherit its abilities, which included a giant T-Rex. This mechanic helps to keep combat fresh, as well as rewarding exploration, offering players some cool secrets to discover, if they are willing explorers. Super Mario Odyssey is an absolute joy to play to this very day and is a prime example of a timeless classic that will forever remain an all-time great.
READ MORE: The 5 Best Nintendo GameCube Games Of All Time Ranked
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
To be fair, we could say that pretty much all entries in the Super Smash Bros. series helped define their respective Nintendo generation, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on the Nintendo Switch would make a rightful claim to that concept.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is an example of decades of evolution in the making, arguably making this the pinnacle of the series in terms of gameplay and combat, tailored for veterans and newcomers alike. It has a huge roster, the biggest in the series. Tons of epic cameos from franchises outside of the Nintendo exclusive realm. A plethora of modes to keep gamers entertained for years. Lush visuals and much more. Above all else, the game is pure fun for all ages.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
This is somewhat of an odd inclusion, despite its amazing quality, because Mario Kart 8 was originally released on the Nintendo Wii U. However, considering that comparatively, not many people owned this console, Mario Kart 8 wasn't in as many homes as it deserved. Hence why the Deluxe version was later released on the Switch with improved performance, resolution and all the DLC bundled that was originally in the Wii U version.
Much like every other Mario Kart game in the series, MK8 Deluxe is easy to play and hard to master, making it a perfect family game with the added pleasure of bragging rights for the winner. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has nearly 100 tracks, loads of playable characters, kart customisation, fantastic gameplay, delightful visuals, excellent multiplayer, plenty of replay value and more. To sum it up, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is damn near perfect!
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Not only is Animal Crossing: New Horizons a defining game on the Nintendo Switch, but it’s also one of the most defining games during the most bleak times of people's lives all across the world.
The Animal Crossing series is known for its cosy, life-sim gameplay where players build their dream homes or villages on a gorgeous tropical island. It’s filled with loads of activities, delightful NPCs and a gameplay loop that keeps you coming back for more.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, gamers across the world had to remain indoors for months on end, but thanks to its online gameplay and community spirit, not only was Animal Crossing: New Horizons a fun way to keep in touch with friends, but it also allowed gamers to make new friends all over the globe. Oh, and it’s a fantastic game, too.
Metroid Dread
While many fans of the series hoped that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond would be the defining entry on the Nintendo Switch, as explained in our GAMINGbible review from Sam, this long-awaited entry fell way below our expectations. Thankfully, at least, we already had 2021’s Metroid Dread.
Taking place after Metroid Fusion (the best game in the series, by the way), Metroid Dread was a return to the side-scrolling action-adventure games that made this series famous when it made its debut on the NES in 1986. Samus lands on the planet ZDR (which sounds like a GameCube controller button) to investigate the whereabouts of the Galactic Federation team of robots. Metroid Dread not only had the standard challenging combat and exploration, but it's also one of the most tense and atmospheric games in the series.
Players were relentlessly stalked by EMMI machines, which are practically indestructible, and in most cases, the only viable tactic was to run for your life. While its horror wasn't to the heights of Alien: Isolation, it certainly had vibes of being stalked by the terrifying Xenomorph. If you own a Nintendo Switch and have never played Metroid Dread, you need to change that ASAP.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
For many, when CD Projekt RED’s The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt was released in 2015 on PC, PlayStation and Xbox, it instantly became one of the greatest video games of all time. This third entry in the series was so good that for many, it was their introduction to the franchise, with little to no knowledge of the events that came before.
To this very day, other than being an amazing game with deep combat, an epic sense of adventure, and meaningful stories that kept you hooked from start to finish, The Witcher 3 is one of the most visually striking games that you’ll ever play. By all rights, the technical demands of this huge RPG should be too much for the Nintendo Switch to handle, yet the talented folks at Saber Interactive performed wizardry to port the CDPR masterpiece. Sure, it had a lower framerate and resolution, but it remained a masterclass and is to this day, the console's most impressive port.
READ MORE: The 10 Classic Games That Make Nintendo Switch Online Good Value For Money
Topics: Nintendo, List, Nintendo Switch