Here’s the games I have reviewed so far on the Nintendo Switch in each category, from best to worst. Note: If multiple games have the same score, they will be sorted alphabetically.

1. Best Games for Online Multiplayer (Competitive)
2. Best Games for Online Multiplayer (Team Competitive)
3. Best Games for Online Multiplayer (Co-Op)
4. Best Games With Online Content Sharing

Best Games for Online Multiplayer (Competitive)

Game	Genre	# of Players	Grade
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe	Kart Racer	1-4 Competitive (Local Split-Screen) 2-8 Competitive (Local Wireless) 2-12 Competitive (Online)	A++
tl;dr Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is not just a Kart Racing game, it is the Kart Racing game, removing the few flaws the Wii U version had and adding even more content to an already content-rich game, making this arguably the best-playing, best-looking and all-around best period when it comes to this type of racing game. If you have a Switch, get this game.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate	Fighting Game / Platformer / Party Game	1-8 (Local / Online)	A++
tl;dr Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is the latest in the series of Fighting Game / Platformer / Party Game titles, and it is in my mind the greatest, with absolutely tons of content, characters, stages, settings, and more, all built on a foundation of absolutely fun gameplay. A must-own game for the Switch.
Dragon Ball FighterZ	Fighting Game	1-6 Competitive Tag Team (Local / Online)	A
tl;dr Dragon Ball FighterZ is an over-the-top 2D Fighting Game in the same vein as the Marvel Vs. Capcom series, with explosive 3-vs-3 tag-team battles. This game absolutely earns its reputation as one of the best fighting games in years with its absolutely spectacular presentation and excellent deep but accessible gameplay. If you’re a fan of the franchise or just someone who enjoys Fighting games, this game absolutely needs to be in your collection.
Fast RMX	Futuristic Racing	1-4 (Local Splitscreen), 2-8 (Local Wireless, Online)	A
tl;dr Fast RMX is a futuristic racing game that isn’t quite on par with F-Zero, but it comes damn close. It looks absolutely fantastic at blazing speeds, plays well, and although it has a few minor issues, it’s still a spectacular game that every racing game fan with a Switch should own.
Guilty Gear -Strive- Nintendo Switch Edition	Fighting Game	1-2 Competitive (Local / Online)	A
tl;dr Guilty Gear -Strive- is not just a great port of a great Fighting Game, it’s an absolutely astounding port of one of the best Fighting Games of all-time, with a jaw-dropping presentation and tons of content and features. If you play Fighting Games on Nintendo Switch, you need to own this game.
Wargroove	Turn-Based Strategy	1-4 Competitive (Local and Online), Online Content Sharing	A
tl;dr Wargroove is a Turn-Based Strategy game that is a damn near perfect spiritual successor to Advance Wars. This game is absolutely loaded with features, and should be considered a must-have for any fan of strategy games.
Wargroove 2	Turn-Based Strategy	1-4 Competitive (Local and Online), Online Content Sharing	A
tl;dr Wargroove 2 is a Turn-Based Strategy game which, like the previous Wargroove, clearly takes its inspiration from Nintendo’s Advance Wars series, albeit with a medieval fantasy setting and a wealth of features and improvements over what Nintendo has on offer. This sequel makes multiple small improvements, such as a new Roguelike-esque Conquest mode, but mostly this is more of the same sublime Turn-Based Strategy gameplay we saw in the first game. And in improving on one of the best games in the genre, Wargroove 2 has arguably become the new king of the genre on Nintendo Switch. Plus, with the game costing only $20, Strategy fans will absolutely want to get their hands on this game.
ARMS	3D Fighting Game	1-4 Competitive (Local Split-Screen), 2 Competitive (Online)	A-
tl;dr ARMS is a wildly unique 3D Fighting Game that plays like nothing else out there, with players focusing less on skillful moves and more on position and timing as they try to land punches on each other using stretchy arms. It is a surprisingly fun experience, and one that looks great and plays great, including in its 4-Player split-screen mode and in online matches. If you want a great competitive game on your Switch and don’t mind something that’s weird and takes some time getting used to, this is a must-have.
Burnout Paradise Remastered	Open-World Arcade Racing	1-8 Competitive (Local Alternating), 2-8 Competitive (Online)	A-
tl;dr Burnout Paradise Remastered is a solid port to the Nintendo Switch of an excellent Open-World Arcade-style Racing Game, though the game does show its age somewhat, and the open-world elements detract from some elements of the series like the crash mode and multiplayer. At its new price point of $30, it’s still more expensive than other versions of the game, but this price tag is far more palatable, and Burnout Paradise is such a fantastic racing game that Nintendo Switch racing fans should consider it a must-have.
CastleStorm	Tower Defense / Arcade	1-2 Co-Op / Competitive (Local Split-Screen / Online)	A-
tl;dr CastleStorm is a side-scrolling Tower Defense game with Arcade-style gameplay elements where players can customize their own castle and then war with opponents in other castles, commanding troops and firing using a ballista to control the battlefield. This is a game that gives players a lot of freedom to make strategic choices, and does a good job making them easy to understand through the game’s campaign. What’s more, this is a fantastic multiplayer game both in co-op and competitive play, local and online (though the online lobbies are empty now), and the Nintendo Switch version is the definitive version of the game, with its excellent touchscreen controls in portable mode. If you enjoy Strategy games and don’t already have this on another platform, you should absolutely give it a try.
Faeria	Collectable Card Game / Turn-Based Strategy	1-2 Competitive (Online)	A-
tl;dr Faeria combines the Collectable Card Game and Turn-Based Strategy genres in a truly delightful way that makes for a wide variety of wonderful strategic possibilities. The pacing can be a tad slow and tiny text doesn’t work well in handheld mode, but overall this is a fantastic combination of the two genres with plenty of content to explore. Definitely worth a look for anyone who enjoys both genres.
Fortnite	Compilation / Open-World Third-Person Shooter	1-100 Competitive (Online), 100 Team Competitive (Online), 1-8 Co-Op (Online), 52 (Online)	A-
tl;dr Fortnite’s early days may have been as a Free-to-Play online multiplayer-focused “battle royale”-style Third-Person Shooter, but it has since blossomed into a massive game platform with a wide variety of different game types to enjoy, and just about all of them are fantastic. It’s intimidating, poorly-organized, confusing, and not very user-friendly to newer players, and the Nintendo Switch version has some ugly performance issues that make it one of the worst ways to play the game, but none of that changes that this is still a truly must-play game.
MLB The Show 22	Sports (Baseball)	1-4 Team Competitive (Local), 2-8 Team Competitive (Online)	A-
tl;dr MLB The Show 22 is a top-notch simulation-style Baseball game, and while it may not have the same graphical prowess on Nintendo’s handheld as it does on other consoles, it still looks and plays great, with a lot of gameplay customization options. It could stand to be a bit more accessible, and it’s absurd how much memory card space you still need to devote to the game even if you have the physical version, but despite these flaws, this is still one of the best Baseball games on Nintendo Switch.
MLB The Show 23	Sports (Baseball)	1-4 Team Competitive (Local), 2-8 Team Competitive (Online)	A-
tl;dr MLB The Show 22 is a top-notch simulation-style Baseball game, and while it may not have the same graphical prowess on Nintendo’s handheld as it does on other consoles, it still looks and plays great, with a lot of gameplay customization options. It could stand to be a bit more accessible, and it’s absurd how much memory card space you still need to devote to the game even if you have the physical version, but despite these flaws, this is still one of the best Baseball games on Nintendo Switch.
MLB The Show 24	Sports (Baseball)	1-4 Team Competitive (Local), 2-8 Team Competitive (Online)	A-
tl;dr MLB The Show 24 doesn’t seem to change too much from last year’s entry in the series, but it is nevertheless still a truly superb baseball game that is both deep and also highly accessible. All of the graphical and performance issues of prior years’ versions on Nintendo Switch are still present here, and the game’s massive file size is a major consideration in both digital and physical versions of the game, but those whose only gaming platform is Nintendo Switch will still find this a fantastic baseball game.
Super Mario Party Jamboree	Party Game / Minigame Collection	1-4 Competitive / Cooperative (Local / Online), 2-8 Cooperative (Online), 2-20 Competitive (Online)	A-
tl;dr Super Mario Party Jamboree is, in my opinion, the absolute best that the Mario Party series of family-friendly Party Game and Minigame Collection titles has ever had to offer. This game has an absolute wealth of varied content, gives players the option to cut down on the series’ infamous randomness, and has some delightfully inspired game modes, including some excellent online-focused multiplayer play. Apart from underwhelming single-player (never this series’ focus), there’s little to complain about here, and so very much to love. Going forward, I believe this will be the Mario Party game all future titles in the series will be measured against.
Super Mega Baseball 3	Sports (Baseball)	1-4 Team Competitive (Local / Online)	A-
tl;dr Super Mega Baseball 3 improves on the previous game with a new franchise mode, customizable pennant races, various small gameplay improvements, and perhaps the best new feature: online cross-play, all while keeping the original game’s excellent deep but accessible family-friendly gameplay. If you’re looking for a baseball game on the Nintendo Switch, this is the one you want… just so long as you don’t mind the cartoony characters and lack of officially-licensed teams and players.
Super Mega Baseball 4	Sports (Baseball)	1-4 Team Competitive (Local / Online)	A-
tl;dr Super Mega Baseball 4 adds real-life retired pro players to its lineup, and makes a few other nice additions, but for the most part this is a game that doesn’t shake things up too much and simply provides us with yet another solid entry in a series known for its superb deep but accessible Baseball gameplay. The load times and aliasing on Nintendo Switch are disappointing, and those who own the prior game in the series may not find there to be quite enough new content here to make it worth an additional purchase, but players who want the best Baseball game on Nintendo Switch will nevertheless find this game to be a contender for that title.
Tetris Effect: Connected	Falling Block Puzzle	1-4 Team Co-Op (Local / Online), 2-4 Competitive + 4 Spectators (Local / Online), Online Leaderboards	A-
tl;dr Tetris Effect: Connected is a version of the classic family-friendly Falling-Block Puzzle Game that gives the game an amazing audiovisual presentation with a fantastic soundtrack and beautiful visuals, a wealth of single-player and multiplayer game modes, and online multiplayer gameplay with cross-play and excellent matchmaking. It’s missing features I’d want to see and it has a few other minor issues, but overall this is quite possibly the best version of Tetris ever made. If you like Puzzle games, you need to own this game.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2	Compilation / Sports (Skateboarding)	1-2 Competitive (Local Split-Screen), 2-4 Competitive (Local Wireless), 2-8 Competitive (Online), Online Content Sharing	A-
tl;dr Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 is a superb Compilation and Remake of the first two highly-celebrated games in the Skateboarding series that updates their gameplay and combines them into one whole cohesive experience while retaining what made them so beloved in the first place. The Nintendo Switch version is a severe downgrade in both graphical fidelity and performance from the versions of the game on more powerful hardware, and if you can get one of those versions, I highly recommend it. However, this is still a very playable version of the game and is otherwise intact and feature-complete, including solid online play. If you’ve been waiting for a great Skateboarding game on Nintendo Switch, this is it.
Ultimate Chicken Horse	Platformer / Party Game	1-4 Competitive (Local, local alternating, Online), Online Leaderboards, Online Content Sharing	A-
tl;dr Ultimate Chicken Horse is a family-friendly Platformer with a robust creation tool set and a focus on multiplayer gameplay that challenges players to create levels that they can beat but the other players can’t. It’s a tremendously good time, and while the presentation and core gameplay aren’t on par with Super Mario Maker 2, the multiplayer in this game is clearly superior, making this a fantastic party game. If you’re looking for a good supplement Mario Maker or a fun game to bring out at a party, Ultimate Chicken Horse is a must-have.
Capcom Fighting Collection	Compilation / Fighting Game	1-2 Competitive (Local), 2-8 Competitive Tournament (Local Wireless), 2-9 Competitive Tournament (Online), Online Leaderboards	B+
tl;dr Capcom Fighting Collection is a Compilation of 10 classic arcade games, mostly Fighting Games. Nearly all of the games in this Compilation are excellent… but nearly all of them are also in the Capcom Arcade Stadium titles. At the very least this Compilation comes with some good features and bonus content. Whether you get the included games in this Compilation or another, they are nevertheless superb Fighting Games, and fans of the genre should consider this Compilation a must-have.
Capcom Fighting Collection 2	Compilation / Fighting Game	1-4 Competitive (Local / Local Wireless / Online)	B+
tl;dr Capcom Fighting Collection 2 is a bundle containing 8 titles, mostly Fighting Games, with Capcom Vs. SNK 1 & 2, Power Stone 1 & 2, Street Fighter Alpha 3 Upper, Project Justice, Plasma Sword, and Capcom Fighting Evolution. Most of these games are worth playing, a few of them are fan-favorites or obscure titles you’re not likely to see elsewhere, and there are hardly any duds, plus this bundle has a good array of features for these games. The online lobbies are pretty empty at this point, but if you have friends to play with, I think this bundle is well worth checking out.
Capcom Fighting Collection 1 + 2 Bundle	Compilation / Fighting Game	1-4 Competitive (Local / Local Wireless / Online), 2-8 Competitive Tournament (Local Wireless), 2-9 Competitive Tournament (Online), Online Leaderboards	B+
tl;dr Capcom Fighting Collection 1 + 2 Bundle is a bundle containing two Compilations, all together containing 18 titles, mostly Fighting Games. There are some truly phenomenal games here, and a good variety too, and this bundle does provide a decent value. However, you’ll want to compare and contrast the pricing here with the games available in Capcom Arcade Stadium and Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium, which both offer some of the same titles.
GRID Autosport	Racing Simulation	1-2 Competitive (Local Split-Screen), 2-8 Competitive (Local Wireless, Online)	B+
tl;dr GRID Autosport is a port of a 2014 Racing Sim that improves the graphics over the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions, as well as adding a huge variety of options and different ways to play. This was already a solid Racing Sim before, and the improvements almost make this the definitive version, although the lack of analog triggers on most Nintendo Switch controllers are one noteworthy flaw (though one you can address with a GameCube controller if you have the adapter). Otherwise, this is an all-around excellent Racing Sim, and currently the best game in the genre on the Switch, a deserving honor even if there’s not much competition for that honor right now.
Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics	Compilation / Fighting Game	1-2 Competitive (Local, Local Wireless, Online), 2 Co-Op (Local, Local Wireless), 7 Spectators (Online), Online Leaderboards	B+
tl;dr Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is a Compilation of seven games, mostly in the Fighting Game genre. Almost all of these games are great, but there’s little reason to play the earlier games when this bundle lets you play Marvel vs. Capcom 1 & 2 instead. Add in Arcade Brawler The Punisher, and it really seems like this is a bundle of three games you’ll play and four you’ll probably never go back to. However, the games are so great, with excellent features, superb online play, and an impressive gallery of extra content, that it still makes this a must-have collection for any Fighting Game fan.
Melty Blood: Type Lumina	Fighting Game	1-2 Competitive (Local), 2-8 Competitive (Online)	B+
tl;dr Melty Blood: Type Lumina is a Fighting Game set in the Tsukihime universe with 2D pixel art with wonderfully fluid animation, and gameplay that is similarly fluid and highly-accessible. I would have liked a bit more character variety, but overall this is a game that Fighting Game fans on Nintendo Switch should absolutely have in their game library.
MLB The Show 25	Sports (Baseball)	1-4 Team Competitive (Local), 2-8 Team Competitive (Online)	B+
tl;dr MLB The Show 25 once again brings back Sony’s stellar Baseball series with great gameplay, but at this point it’s getting harder to overlook the ugly graphics. If Nintendo Switch is your only platform to play games on, this will still give you a solid Baseball game, but it’s definitely not going to be one that’s great to look at.
Nintendo Switch Sports	Compilation / Sports (Various)	1-4 Team Competitive (Local Split-Screen, Local Wireless), 2-16 Competitive / Team Competitive (Online)	B+
tl;dr Nintendo Switch Sports is a worthy successor to the Wii Sports franchise, with excellent versions of Bowling, Chambara (swordfighting), Golf, and Soccer, decent versions of Tennis and Volleyball, and a terrible version of Badminton. The game is colorful and polished, the sports are fun and accessible, and the online play works great. This game doesn’t do much to evolve this series, but it is a well-rounded and highly enjoyable entry in the series nonetheless.
Pool Blitz	Sports (Pool)	2 Competitive (Online), 2-8 Competitive (Online Tournament)	B+
tl;dr Pool Blitz is a free-to-play Pool game that offers surprising quality given the free price tag. The monetization here is pretty gross, but if you can tolerate that, I think you’ll find this to be a solid game of Pool, and the game’s signature Blitz mode is a fast-paced and frenetic delight that’s worth checking out in its own right. This game is absolutely one you’ll want to try if you’re even mildly interested in Pool.
Resident Evil 5	Third-Person Shooter / Horror	1-2 Co-Op (Local Split-Screen, Local Wireless), 2-4 Co-Op / Competitive (Online), Online Leaderboards	B+
tl;dr Resident Evil 5 abandons much of the series’ Graphic Adventure and Horror-fueled roots in favor of something that’s much more Action-heavy, and while series purists may find this disappointing, the result is a pretty fun Third-Person Shooter with some great online multiplayer co-op and competitive gameplay.
Resident Evil 6	Third-Person Shooter / Horror	1-2 Co-Op (Local Split-Screen), 2-6 Co-Op / Competitive (Local Wireless, Online), Online Leaderboards	B+
tl;dr Resident Evil 6, even more than the series’ fifth game, is an over-the-top action-packed Third-Person Shooter that is as far from “Survival Horror” as the series has ever gotten. However, for those who don’t mind the departure from the series’ roots and who are looking for an Action game with some great online co-op, this is a game well worth playing, although be warned that the Nintendo Switch version suffers from poor framerates and underpopulated online lobbies.
Super Mega Baseball 2: Ultimate Edition	Sports (Baseball)	1-4 Team Competitive (Local/Online)	B+
tl;dr Super Mega Baseball 2 is a Baseball game with a cartoony appearance that hides robust gameplay that does a good job catering both to casual players as well as more serious fans of the sport, with good options and excellent support for multiplayer play both online and off. It doesn’t have the real-life license or teams, and you’re not likely to find strangers to play with online, but if you’re looking for a baseball game on the Nintendo Switch, this is the one to get.
Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble	Arcade / 3D Platformer / Party Game	1-2 Co-Op (Local Split-Screen / Local Wireless / Online), 2-4 Competitive (Local Split-Screen / Local Wireless), 2-16 Competitive (Online)	B+
tl;dr Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble is a fantastic entry in this family-friendly franchise of Arcade-style 3D Platformers about rolling monkeys in balls toward a goal. This release struggles with some performance issues, but its superb level design and excellent multiplayer both online and offline make for an absolutely delightful game well worth getting, and a must-have for fans of the series.
Battleship	Strategy / Board Game	1-2 Competitive (Local, Online)	B
tl;dr Battleship is a digital version of the classic family-friendly 2-player board game, and it does a very good job of bringing that classic gameplay to the Nintendo Switch, with a good selection of multiplayer modes. It also has a Commanders mode that livens things up some. I wish this game was even more inventive with its departure from the classic formula, and in particular I wish the game’s single-player mode wasn’t a slog, but overall this is a solid version of the classic board game.
BlazBlue Centralfiction Special Edition	Fighting Game	1-2 Competitive (Local / Online)	B
tl;dr BlazBlue Centralfiction is a 2D Fighting game with deeper and more complex mechanics than BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle, a great presentation, and overall a lot of quality. Be aware that the online lobbies are largely empty, the “story” mode makes zero sense and has characters talking far more than they’re fighting, and the gameplay may be a bit imposing to newcomers, but genre fans should absolutely give this game a look.
Clone Drone in the Danger Zone	Third-Person Action	1-5 Co-Op (Online), 2-15 Competitive (Online)	B
tl;dr Clone Drone in the Danger Zone is a Third-Person Action game that has players fighting robots in gladiatorial combat with one hit kill mechanics. This game looks and plays somewhat amateurish in its design, yet despite itself it’s still surprisingly fun to play, especially in co-op (with cross-platform play, even), and has hidden depths hidden under its unimpressive exterior and performance issues. If you can look past those issues, you’ll find Clone Drone to be an Action game with some compelling gameplay that will keep you coming back for just “one more run”.
Duke Nukem 3D: 20th Anniversary World Tour	First-Person Shooter	1-8 Co-Op / Competitive (Local Wireless / Online)	B
tl;dr Duke Nukem 3D is a classic First-Person Shooter that helped to define the genre over 20 years ago, and the Switch version includes a lot of extra bells and whistles over the original, with a lot of polish to help modernize the game somewhat. Granted, it’s still a relic of its time – even the improved presentation is archaic, the gameplay is extremely old-school, and the violent misogyny present here is shocking by today’s standards. But as long as you can be understanding about these anachronisms, you’ll find the gameplay here is still plenty of fun, even today.
Eternal: The Card Game	Collectible Card Game	1-2 Competitive (Online)	B
tl;dr Eternal is a free-to-play Collectable Card Game that feels like it fits somewhere between Magic: The Gathering and Hearthstone. This is a decent port of the game, and those interested in the genre will find this to be a welcoming title, with a good amount of free content and solid gameplay. Definitely worth a look.
Faaast Penguin	Racing Game / 3D Platformer	1-40 Competitive (Online)	B
tl;dr Faaast Penguin is a family-friendly free-to-play online-only multiplayer-focused Racing Game with 3D Platformer elements that has players sliding down courses as a penguin. The gameplay here is both deep and accessible, with a good sense of speed and frenetic fun, monetization that isn’t overly-burdensome, and the performance on Nintendo Switch is decent. I would have liked more track variety, but overall this is a Racing Game that’s definitely worth downloading and trying out.
Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus R	Fighting Game	1-2 Competitive (Local), 2-6 Team Competitive (Online)	B
tl;dr Guilty Gear is XX Accent Core Plus R is the definitive version of an excellent, albeit slightly dated, 2D Fighting game. This may be a bit too technical for newer players, but genre fans should definitely give it a look.
Horizon Chase 2	Arcade Racing	1-4 Competitive (Local Split-Screen / Online)	B
tl;dr Horizon Chase 2 is an Arcade-style Racing game that once again aims to capture the spirit of classic games in the genre like Out Run, and this time around the game drops some of the frustrating elements from its predecessor to make for a polished, well-crafted experience that plays well, but doesn’t do much to distinguish itself or leave much of a lasting impression. Still, if you’re craving old-school Arcade racing fun, I do not think this game will disappoint.
Hot Wheels Unleashed	Arcade Racing	1-2 Competitive (Local Split-Screen), 2-12 Competitive (Online)	B
tl;dr Hot Wheels Unleashed is an Arcade-style racing game featuring cars and tracks based on the well-known toy franchise. The game is content-poor, includes some concerning monetization, and the track builder is frustratingly difficult to work with, but the core racing gameplay is fun, and both online and local multiplayer are excellent. If you’re looking to add a fun, fast-paced racer to your Nintendo Switch collection, this is a good choice.
Hotshot Racing	Arcade Racing	1-4 Competitive (Local Split-Screen), 2-8 Competitive (Local Wireless, Online), Online Leaderboards	B
tl;dr Hotshot Racing is a retro-styled Arcade Racer that’s designed to evoke classics like Daytona USA, and it largely succeeds, with excellent gameplay and wonderful multiplayer play. Unfortunately, this otherwise excellent nostalgia piece is harmed by a lack of variety in its tracks, as well as some atrocious rubber-banding. It’s still fun, but these flaws keep it from true retro greatness.
Pokken Tournament DX	2D Fighting Game / 3D Fighting Game	1-2 Competitive (Local Splitscreen, Local Wireless, Online)	B
tl;dr Pokken Tournament DX is a Fighting game featuring Pokemon characters, and a unique mechanic that has the gameplay shifting back and forth between 2D and 3D styles. Unfortunately, these shifts cause a lot of chaos and inconsistency, and make this game a bit less friendly to newcomers who might otherwise find the Pokemon franchise inviting. It’s still well worth a look from fans of Fighting games though.
Quake	First-Person Shooter	1-4 Co-Op / Competitive (Local Split-Screen), 2-8 Co-Op / Competitive (Online)	B
tl;dr Quake’s release on the Nintendo Switch is a phenomenal port that takes the classic First-Person Shooter gives the visuals an improved framerate and resolution, includes a wealth of features, options, and content, and even some superb gyroscopic motion controls. This is still a port of a very old game, which shows both in its graphics and its gameplay, meaning this will absolutely not be a game for everyone. However, if you’re looking for classic, fast-paced old-school action, this is possibly the best port we could have possibly hoped for of this game.
Resident Evil Triple Pack	Compilation / Third-Person Shooter / Horror	1-2 Co-Op (Local Split-Screen), 2-6 Co-Op / Competitive (Local Wireless, Online), Online Leaderboards	B
tl;dr Resident Evil Triple Pack contains Resident Evil 4, 5, 6, and all of their expansion content, although only Resident Evil 4 is on the cartridge, with 5 and 6 requiring a massive 37GB download to play. While these games represent the series’ controversial turn to more action-focused gameplay, that gameplay has aged better than the earlier games in the series, although the Nintendo Switch releases are a mix of good (added gyroscopic controls in 5 and 6, great online co-op in 5 and 6) and bad (no motion controls in 4, terrible framerates in 5 and 6). On the whole, this is still a solid trio of Third-Person Shooters, though it’s debatable whether this Compilation is a better bet than just buying the games individually on the eShop.
Retrograde Arena	2-Stick Shooter	1-4 Competitive (Local), 2-6 Competitive (Online)	B
tl;dr Retrograde Arena is a free-to-play multiplayer arena-based Two-Stick Shooter where players must push enemies into red walls with gunfire rather than damaging them directly. The game’s unique physics take some getting used to, but once you do you’ll find some surprising depth, and the free price tag makes this a game you should absolutely try.
Rubber Bandits	Top-Down Arcade / Party Game	1-4 Co-Op / Competitive (Local), 2-4 Competitive (Online)	B
tl;dr Rubber Bandits is a family-friendly Top-Down Arcade / Party Game that has players fighting one another as goofy bandits with rubbery appendages. The sloppy gameplay is both good and bad, but the excellent variety in levels and game modes make this a great game to bring out at parties. Just don’t expect to get the same experience from the game’s online play.
Shadowverse: Champion’s Battle	Collectable Card Game	1-2 Competitive (Local Wireless), 2-10 Competitive Tournament (Online)	B
tl;dr Shadowverse: Champion’s Battle is a family-friendly Collectable Card Game presented in a way comparable to a JRPG, complete with anime-style characters and story exclusive to this version of the game. There are some issues with various elements in the game, but overall this is a solid entry in the genre with a surprisingly fantastic presentation. If you’re a fan of Collectable Card Games, you should definitely give this game a look.
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds	Kart Racer	1-4 Competitive (Local Split-Screen), 2-8 Competitive (Local Wireless), 2-12 Competitive (Online)	B
tl;dr Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is a family-friendly Kart Racer with a gimmick that each lap has players teleport to a different course. The course design here is wonderfully creative, and the racing feels great, but the frustration of far too many “bumper car” moments and nasty rubber-banding AI opponents suck a lot of the fun out of this game. What’s more, while the Nintendo Switch version of the game is absolutely playable, it definitely suffers from a pretty heavy graphics and performance downgrade. This is still an enjoyable Kart Racing game, but its flaws keep it from being a truly great one.
Super Animal Royale	2-Stick Shooter	64 Competitive / Team Competitive (Online)	B
tl;dr Super Animal Royale is a free-to-play game that combines the Two-Stick Shooter with battle royale-style online multiplayer play, and it does a pretty good job balancing those two elements. There’s definitely room for improvement in numerous areas, and it feels like the game could use more content, but this is overall a solid entry in the genre worth giving a try.
Swords & Soldiers II: Schawarmageddon	Tower Defense	1-2 Competitive (Local Split-Screen / Online)	B
tl;dr Swords & Soldiers II, like the first game, is a side-scrolling Tower Defense game that has you managing resources, commissioning troops, and competing with an opposing army. However, this time around, the game improves on its predecessor in virtually every way, addressing most (but not all) of the issues I had with the first game and adding a wealth of extra features. While there’s still room for improvement here, overall this is a solid Tower Defense game well worth playing.
Windjammers	Sports (Frisbee)	1-2 Competitive (Local, Online), Online Leaderboards	B
tl;dr Windjammers is a competitive 1v1 sports game with discs that plays somewhat like Pong. Originally released in arcades and on the NEOGEO in 1994, the game holds up well today, and the addition of online play is a good compliment to this style of gameplay.
Worms W.M.D.	Strategy / Party Game	1-6 Competitive (Local, Online)	B
tl;dr Worms W.M.D. brings a slew of new features to the series, but for the most part this is more of the same classic multiplayer-focused Strategy gameplay that the series has been known for. Just be warned if you’re getting this in digital format – this game is an absurd 4.9GB big.
Wreckfest	Arcade Racing	1-16 Competitive (Online)	B
tl;dr Wreckfest is an Arcade-style Racing game with a focus on destruction, whether it’s fending off aggressive racers in more traditional races, or aiming to smash the competition in destruction derby. The game looks fantastic on Switch, though the framerates can noticeably take a hit at times. Also, the game only supports multiplayer if you take it online, and you won’t find many players there if you do. Still, despite its flaws, this is a superb racing game well worth adding to your collection.

Best Games for Online Multiplayer (Team Competitive)

Game	Genre	# of Players	Grade
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate	Fighting Game / Platformer / Party Game	1-8 (Local / Online)	A++
tl;dr Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is the latest in the series of Fighting Game/Platformer/Party Game titles, and it is in my mind the greatest, with absolutely tons of content, characters, stages, settings, and more, all built on a foundation of absolutely fun gameplay. A must-own game for the Switch.
Doom Eternal	First-Person Shooter	1-3 Online Team Competitive (Online)	A
tl;dr Doom Eternal on Nintendo Switch is, of course, a huge visual downgrade from other versions of the game, but it still looks great, is perfectly playable, and not only a more ambitious port than Doom 2016, but a far more successful one too. This is a solid version of a truly phenomenal, visually-stunning (yes, even on Nintendo Switch) First-Person Shooter with great, fast-paced action and a clever and inventive online 2-vs-1 multiplayer mode. If you can play this game elsewhere, definitely do. But if Nintendo Switch is your platform of choice, know that Doom Eternal is a must-play First-Person Shooter that doesn’t lose much in its transition to the handheld platform.
Dragon Ball FighterZ	Fighting Game	1-6 Competitive Tag Team (Local / Online)	A
tl;dr Dragon Ball FighterZ is an over-the-top 2D Fighting Game in the same vein as the Marvel Vs. Capcom series, with explosive 3-vs-3 tag-team battles. This game absolutely earns its reputation as one of the best fighting games in years with its absolutely spectacular presentation and excellent deep but accessible gameplay. If you’re a fan of the franchise or just someone who enjoys Fighting games, this game absolutely needs to be in your collection.
Rocket League	Racing / Sports (Soccer / Basketball / Hockey / Misc.)	1-4 Team Competitive (Local Split-Screen), 2-8 Team Competitive (Local Wireless, Online)	A
tl;dr Rocket League has players using cars to play soccer, hockey, and basketball, and it is an absolute blast to play. It still runs smoothly on the Switch, albeit with reduced resolution, and it’s loaded with options and a wealth of multiplayer features. What’s more, the change to free-to-play has made it even easier to take the plunge, as it not only removes the entry fee and the need to subscribe to Nintendo Switch Online for online play, but it actually has less monetization now than when I first reviewed it. Unless you have this game on another platform, you absolutely should have it on your Nintendo Switch.
Splatoon 2	Third-Person Shooter	1-8 Team Competitive (Local Wireless), 1-8 Team Competitive / Co-Op (Online)	A
tl;dr Splatoon 2 is a Third-Person Shooter that takes a refreshing approach to the genre, where splatting the area with your color of ink is just as important as taking out enemies. While the game isn’t without its annoying problems, it looks great, plays great, has plenty of variety of weapons and game modes, and will suck you in for hours at a time.
Splatoon 3	Third-Person Shooter	1-8 Team Competitive (Local Wireless), 1-8 Team Competitive / Co-Op (Online)	A
tl;dr Splatoon 3 is a multiplayer-focused team-based Third-Person Shooter that adds a bunch of new content, new features, and new improvements on top of what we saw in Splatoon 1 and 2, yet it still feels like much the same sort of experience. To be clear, that experience is an outstanding Third-Person Shooter that looks great, plays great, and is truly unique within the genre… except, well, that’s just it, it’s not completely unique – Splatoon 2 is right there, on the same platform. Still, even if it feels in many ways like “more of the same”, it’s more of the same of something great, and the improvements mean that this is the best Splatoon game yet. Just know that if you didn’t care for earlier games in the series, Splatoon 3 isn’t going to change your mind.
Among Us	Party Game	4-10 Team Competitive (8-10 Recommended) (Local Wireless, Online)	A-
tl;dr Among Us is a Party game similar to classic social games like Werewolf and Mafia, where players try to figure out which of the others among them are murderous impostors before it’s too late. The port to Nintendo Switch is quite good, includes cross-play, and has controls I strongly prefer over other versions. The barrier for entry here is still a bit high thanks to the sort of conditions you need to get a proper game going, but the small $5 price tag and the massive amount of fun on offer here when this game really gets going make it more than worth the trouble to round up enough friends to play it properly. If you can manage to do that, this game is an absolute must-play.
Fortnite	Compilation / Open-World Third-Person Shooter	1-100 Competitive (Online), 100 Team Competitive (Online), 1-8 Co-Op (Online), 52 (Online)	A-
tl;dr Fortnite’s early days may have been as a Free-to-Play online multiplayer-focused “battle royale”-style Third-Person Shooter, but it has since blossomed into a massive game platform with a wide variety of different game types to enjoy, and just about all of them are fantastic. It’s intimidating, poorly-organized, confusing, and not very user-friendly to newer players, and the Nintendo Switch version has some ugly performance issues that make it one of the worst ways to play the game, but none of that changes that this is still a truly must-play game.
Overwatch Legendary Edition	First-Person Shooter	12 Team Competitive (Online)	A-
tl;dr Overwatch is an online-focused team-based First-Person Shooter with a heavy emphasis on its wide cast of memorable and unique characters with different abilities. This is a good port of a fantastic game, but it sacrifices a lot to make the game work on the Switch. If you can play this game on another platform, that is clearly going to be the better option. Otherwise, the Switch version is excellent, and one of the best First-Person Shooters on the platform.
Paladins	First-Person Shooter	10 Team Competitive (Online)	A-
tl;dr Paladins is a Free-to-Play online-focused team-based First-Person Shooter with a heavy emphasis on its wide cast of memorable and unique characters with different abilities, comparable to Overwatch. This is an excellent port of a fantastic game, and while I still slightly prefer Overwatch, Paladins has a lot going in its favor, such as its silky-smooth 60FPS framerates and its customizable loadouts. If you’re looking for a great online First-Person Shooter on the Nintendo Switch, you should definitely give this game a try.
Super Mega Baseball 3	Sports (Baseball)	1-4 Team Competitive (Local / Online)	A-
tl;dr Super Mega Baseball 3 improves on the previous game with a new franchise mode, customizable pennant races, various small gameplay improvements, and perhaps the best new feature: online cross-play, all while keeping the original game’s excellent deep but accessible family-friendly gameplay. If you’re looking for a baseball game on the Nintendo Switch, this is the one you want… just so long as you don’t mind the cartoony characters and lack of officially-licensed teams and players.
Super Mega Baseball 4	Sports (Baseball)	1-4 Team Competitive (Local / Online)	A-
tl;dr Super Mega Baseball 4 adds real-life retired pro players to its lineup, and makes a few other nice additions, but for the most part this is a game that doesn’t shake things up too much and simply provides us with yet another solid entry in a series known for its superb deep but accessible Baseball gameplay. The load times and aliasing on Nintendo Switch are disappointing, and those who own the prior game in the series may not find there to be quite enough new content here to make it worth an additional purchase, but players who want the best Baseball game on Nintendo Switch will nevertheless find this game to be a contender for that title.
Killer Queen Black	Action-Platformer / Arcade	1-8 Team Competitive (Local, Local Wireless or Online)	B+
tl;dr Killer Queen Black is a team-based multiplayer Action-Platformer where eight players compete to see which team is the first to complete one of three goals. It’s amazing fun when it works, though there’s a terrible lack of options and occasional frustrations that make this a lesser game than it could have been.
Nintendo Switch Sports	Compilation / Sports (Various)	1-4 Team Competitive (Local Split-Screen, Local Wireless), 2-16 Competitive / Team Competitive (Online)	B+
tl;dr Nintendo Switch Sports is a worthy successor to the Wii Sports franchise, with excellent versions of Bowling, Chambara (swordfighting), Golf, and Soccer, decent versions of Tennis and Volleyball, and a terrible version of Badminton. The game is colorful and polished, the sports are fun and accessible, and the online play works great. This game doesn’t do much to evolve this series, but it is a well-rounded and highly enjoyable entry in the series nonetheless.
Overwatch 2	First-Person Shooter	10 Team Competitive (Online)	B+
tl;dr Overwatch 2 is an online-focused team-based First-Person Shooter that makes some small changes to the original game and brings it into the realm of free-to-play, but otherwise, this feels like a glorified update to the original game rather than a new game in its own right. And it’s hard to complain about that – Overwatch is great, and being free means that more players can play it now. However, it feels somewhat dishonest to label this as a sequel when in so many ways it feels like an update to the first game rather than something separate and new.
Plants Vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville Complete Edition	Third-Person Shooter	1-16 Co-Op / Team Competitive (Online)	B+
tl;dr Plants Vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville is a surprisingly good port of the online-focused team-based Third-Person Shooter. The graphics are scaled down from other versions of the game, but this game still looks outstanding, the online play is excellent, and there’s even a solid single-player campaign to enjoy as well. Fans of games like Overwatch and Paladins should definitely consider giving this game a try.
Smite	MOBA	10 Team Competitive (Online)	B+
tl;dr Smite is a MOBA that has players taking the role of one of over 100 gods or mythological heroes. The strategic action here is solid, the monetization is pretty fair, and overall this is an excellent game for anyone curious about the genre. At least… as long as you don’t mind looking up some of the finer points of how this game works.
Super Mega Baseball 2: Ultimate Edition	Sports (Baseball)	1-4 Team Competitive (Local / Online)	B+
tl;dr Super Mega Baseball 2 is a Baseball game with a cartoony appearance that hides robust gameplay that does a good job catering both to casual players as well as more serious fans of the sport, with good options and excellent support for multiplayer play both online and off. It doesn’t have the real-life license or teams, and you’re not likely to find strangers to play with online, but if you’re looking for a baseball game on the Nintendo Switch, this is the one to get.
Freedom Wars Remastered	Action-RPG	1-4 Co-Op (Local Wireless), 2-8 Team Competitive (Online)	B
tl;dr Freedom Wars Remastered is an updated port of the PlayStation Vita Action-RPG with solid action-focused gameplay, good progression, and a fascinating post-apocalyptic world steeped in social commentary that really draws you in and makes you want to see more. It seems limited by the platform it originated from in a few ways, but overall this is definitely worth a look for Action-RPG fans.
Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus R	Fighting Game	1-2 Competitive (Local), 2-6 Team Competitive (Online)	B
tl;dr Guilty Gear is XX Accent Core Plus R is the definitive version of an excellent, albeit slightly dated, 2D Fighting game. This may be a bit too technical for newer players, but genre fans should definitely give it a look.
Mario Strikers: Battle League	Sports (Soccer)	1-8 Team Competitive (Local, Local Wireless, Online)	B
tl;dr Mario Strikers: Battle League is a Soccer game starring Mario and friends that has a wild presentation, a fantastic metal-infused soundtrack, and solid gameplay. Underneath all the flash and substance is somewhat lacking variety, but other than that this is an excellent game of Soccer.
Star Wars: Hunters	Third-Person Shooter	8 Team Competitive (Online)	B
tl;dr Star Wars: Hunters is an online-only multiplayer-focused team-based Third-Person Shooter similar to other “Hero Shooters” like Overwatch. The presentation here is good, and the gameplay is great, but it’s marred by nasty monetization that locks away most of the game unless you grind for countless hours or fork over massive amounts of cash. It’s a shame that an otherwise great game had to be tarnished in this way.
Super Animal Royale	2-Stick Shooter	64 Competitive / Team Competitive (Online)	B
tl;dr Super Animal Royale is a free-to-play game that combines the Two-Stick Shooter with battle royale-style online multiplayer play, and it does a pretty good job balancing those two elements. There’s definitely room for improvement in numerous areas, and it feels like the game could use more content, but this is overall a solid entry in the genre worth giving a try.

Best Games for Online Multiplayer (Co-Op)

Game	Genre	# of Players	Grade
Borderlands Legendary Collection	Compilation / First-Person Shooter	1-2 Co-Op (Local, Online), 2-4 Co-Op (Online)	A+
tl;dr Borderlands Legendary Collection is a compilation of Borderlands: Game of the Year Edition, Borderlands 2 and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, all phenomenal “looter shooter” First-Person Shooters that combine the genre with loot-collecting mechanics of games like Diablo. These are also some of the best co-op games ever made, and the Nintendo Switch versions make careful cuts to the bring the game to the Nintendo Switch mostly intact. On top of that, this is an outstanding value at $50. Unless you already have these games on another platform, consider Borderlands Legendary Collection a must-have on the Nintendo Switch.
Diablo III: Eternal Collection	Top-Down Action-RPG	1-4 Co-Op (Local, Local Wireless, Online), Online Leaderboards	A+
tl;dr Diablo III is the loot-hunting Action-RPG that is currently the standard for the genre, and this is an excellent port that sacrifices little in the transition to the Switch and even adds in a few things. This is one of the best co-op games on the Switch, whether you’re sitting on the same couch or playing online, and it has a huge wealth of content. If you do not already have this game on another platform, you should definitely consider getting the Switch version.
Diablo Prime Evil Collection	Top-Down Action-RPG	1-4 Co-Op (Local, Local Wireless, Online), Online Leaderboards	A+
tl;dr Diablo Prime Evil Collection is a Compilation that includes the absolute must-have Top-Down Action-RPG Diablo III: Eternal Collection, as well as the massively disappointing Diablo II: Resurrected, along with a few nice cosmetic items. While this is an uneven package, the price is so good that anyone buying Diablo III on the Nintendo Switch (and you really should) is better off getting this package instead, as it includes more content for the same price.
Portal Companion Collection	Compilation / First-Person Platformer / Puzzle	1-2 Co-Op (Local Split-Screen / Online)	A+
tl;dr Portal Companion Collection is a Compilation of the physics-based First-Person Platformer / Puzzle games Portal and Portal 2. These are two of the greatest games ever made, and this is a pretty comprehensive port with performance that makes it the best console release these games have ever seen. This is an outstanding package, and its outstanding price of $20 makes it a game that you should absolutely add to your collection if you don’t own it already… and perhaps even if you do.
Borderlands: The Handsome Collection	Compilation / First-Person Shooter	1-2 Co-Op (Local, Online), 2-4 Co-Op (Online)	A
tl;dr Borderlands: The Handsome Collection is a compilation of Borderlands 2 and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, both phenomenal “looter shooter” First-Person Shooters that combine the genre with loot-collecting mechanics of games like Diablo. These are also some of the best co-op games ever made, and the Nintendo Switch versions make careful cuts to the bring the game to the Nintendo Switch mostly intact. In fact, the only thing that keeps me from saying this package is an absolute must-have is the existence of the Borderlands Legendary Collection, which is a much better value as a package. However, even if the Legendary Collection is clearly the better way to go, it doesn’t change that this is a phenomenal collection of must-have games well worth owning on the Nintendo Switch.
Borderlands Collection: Pandora’s Box	Compilation / First-Person Shooter / Graphic Adventure / Visual Novel	1-2 Co-Op (Local, Local Wireless, Online), 2-4 Co-Op (Online)	A
tl;dr Borderlands Collection: Pandora’s Box is a Compilation containing all six Borderlands games released on the Nintendo Switch thus far, including four First-Person Shooters and two Graphic Adventure/Visual Novel games. All of these games are good, and a few are absolute must-haves. The $150 price tag is steep, but still a good savings… however, when this bundle goes on sale, it is an absolute steal that is definitely worth getting.
It Takes Two	3D Platformer	2 Co-Op (Local Split-Screen, Local Wireless, Online)	A
tl;dr It Takes Two is a 3D Platformer with a co-op focus that requires two players to play. This game’s asymmetrical co-op gameplay is phenomenal, with great level design, puzzle design, and boss design. The story is pretty delightful too, with fun characters and great voice acting, along with some wonderful sound design. If you have a friend to play with, this is an absolute must-have co-op game.
Minecraft	Open-World Action-RPG / Misc.	1-4 Co-Op (Local Split-Screen), 2-8 Co-Op (Online)	A
tl;dr Minecraft is a family-friendly Open-World sandbox game with Action-RPG elements that has you deconstructing and rebuilding the world at your whim, with endless possibilities for those looking to create or explore. The Nintendo Switch version is not the ideal version of the game, and this version also still bears the bugs that every version of the game seems to have, but it is still a must-play game that’s absolutely worth playing despite this.
Monster Hunter Rise	Action-RPG	1-4 Co-Op (Local Wireless / Online)	A
tl;dr Monster Hunter Rise is the first game in this Action-RPG series designed specifically for the Nintendo Switch, and it incorporates improvements made to the series in Monster Hunter World while adding the game-changing new wirebug and palamute to open up a world of new possibilities in traversal and combat. It’s also absolutely gorgeous, one of the best-looking games on Nintendo Switch, and it is an extremely rewarding experience with excellent online co-op play. It’s still a game that’s going to be intimidating for more casual players, and it still bears some of the common flaws of the series, but players who can push through those flaws will find this game to be a must-have on the console.
Overcooked! 2	Arcade / Party	1-4 Co-Op / Competitive (Local, Online)	A
tl;dr Overcooked 2, like the first game, is an Arcade/Party game where up to four players cooperate to try to prep and cook dishes to order in increasingly crazy kitchens. And like the first game, it’s a fast, frenzied experience that makes for one of the finest co-op experiences available on the Switch, with subtle improvements throughout that give it a slight edge over the original.
Overcooked! All You Can Eat	Compilation / Arcade / Party Game	1-4 Co-Op / Competitive (Local, Online)	A
tl;dr Overcooked! All You Can Eat is a Compilation containing enhanced versions of the first two Overcooked games, both family-friendly Arcade-style Party Games with a strong focus on co-op play. While I don’t think the Overcooked games have quite managed to maintain their legendary status as the years have passed, these are still two of the best co-op games ever made, and this package adds multiple features, enhancements, and new content to ensure that this is the definitive version of both games, all at a very reasonable price. I wouldn’t recommend this for players who already own both Overcooked games, but for anyone else who enjoys co-op gameplay, this is absolutely worth getting.
Splatoon 2	Team Third-Person Shooter	1-8 Team Competitive (Local Wireless), 1-8 Team Competitive / Co-Op (Online)	A
tl;dr Splatoon 2 is a Third-Person Shooter that takes a refreshing approach to the genre, where splatting the area with your color of ink is just as important as taking out enemies. While the game isn’t without its annoying problems, it looks great, plays great, has plenty of variety of weapons and game modes, and will suck you in for hours at a time.
Splatoon 3	Third-Person Shooter	1-8 Team Competitive (Local Wireless), 2-8 Team Competitive / Co-Op (Online)	A
tl;dr Splatoon 3 is a multiplayer-focused team-based Third-Person Shooter that adds a bunch of new content, new features, and new improvements on top of what we saw in Splatoon 1 and 2, yet it still feels like much the same sort of experience. To be clear, that experience is an outstanding Third-Person Shooter that looks great, plays great, and is truly unique within the genre… except, well, that’s just it, it’s not completely unique – Splatoon 2 is right there, on the same platform. Still, even if it feels in many ways like “more of the same”, it’s more of the same of something great, and the improvements mean that this is the best Splatoon game yet. Just know that if you didn’t care for earlier games in the series, Splatoon 3 isn’t going to change your mind.
Stardew Valley	Top-Down Action-RPG / Management Sim	1-4 Co-Op (Local Wireless / Online)	A
tl;dr Stardew Valley is a “Farming RPG” much like Harvest Moon, but there’s a huge wealth of stuff to do here, with a charming presentation, a constant stream of new things to change up the experience, and even a wonderful online co-op mode. If you want a fun, mellow experience on the Switch, consider this game a must-have.
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury	Compilation / 3D Platformer / Open-World	1-4 Co-Op (Local, Online)	A
tl;dr Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury is a Compilation of two 3D Platformers – an upscaled and much-improved port of Super Mario 3D World, and the all-new Open-World game Bowser’s Fury. On their own, each wouldn’t hold a candle to Mario’s best adventures – 3D World isn’t nearly as ambitious as Odyssey or Galaxy, and Bowser’s Fury is too short. However, combined they come very close to that same level of quality, and the resulting package is a must-have for Mario fans.
Borderlands: Game of the Year Edition	First-Person Shooter	1-2 Co-Op (Local, Online), 2-4 Co-Op (Online)	A-
tl;dr Borderlands is a First-Person Shooter that combines the genre with gameplay progression comparable to something like Diablo, and the result is one of the best co-op experiences you will ever find, both locally and online. While the Nintendo Switch version has some compromises made to its visuals and its split-screen co-op drops down from 4 players to 2, this game still plays great, and it’s an absolute must-have for fans of First-Person Shooters and especially for fans of co-op.
Castle Crashers Remastered	Arcade Brawler	1-4 Co-Op (Local and Online)	A-
tl;dr Castle Crashers Remastered is a port of the 2008 Arcade Brawler with updated visuals, all previously-released DLC, and a new game mode. Well, the new game mode is terrible, but the core game is still as great as ever, and fans of the genre who haven’t already played this game to death on other platforms should consider this one a must-have.
CastleStorm	Tower Defense / Arcade	1-2 Co-Op / Competitive (Local Split-Screen / Online)	A-
tl;dr CastleStorm is a side-scrolling Tower Defense game with Arcade-style gameplay elements where players can customize their own castle and then war with opponents in other castles, commanding troops and firing using a ballista to control the battlefield. This is a game that gives players a lot of freedom to make strategic choices, and does a good job making them easy to understand through the game’s campaign. What’s more, this is a fantastic multiplayer game both in co-op and competitive play, local and online (though the online lobbies are empty now), and the Nintendo Switch version is the definitive version of the game, with its excellent touchscreen controls in portable mode. If you enjoy Strategy games and don’t already have this on another platform, you should absolutely give it a try.
Core Keeper	Open-World Top-Down Action-RPG / Survival Adventure	1-4 Co-Op (Online)	A-
tl;dr Core Keeper is an Open-World Top-Down Action-RPG with Survival Adventure elements that has players digging through a vast underground world, exploring and discovering new treasures, mysteries, and dangers. For players who enjoy games like Minecraft and Terraria, this should be considered a must-have, and fans of Action-RPGs in general should give this a look too – its well-crafted and varied gameplay and its wonderful presentation make for something truly special.
Divinity: Original Sin 2 – Definitive Edition	Top-Down Turn-Based RPG	1-4 Co-Op (Local Wireless, Online), 2 Competitive (Local Wireless, Online)	A-
tl;dr Divinity: Original Sin 2 is a Turn-Based RPG that had to sacrifice couch co-op and a lot of graphical fidelity to fit onto the Switch, but the game retains its massive, deep, well-told campaign, excellent strategic gameplay, absolutely beautiful soundtrack and superb voice acting and writing, and superb co-op play in local wireless and online. Plus, the Switch version has exclusive cross-save support with the PC version on Steam. The result is a version of the game that is one of the best RPGs on the Switch, and a must-have for fans of the genre who don’t already own it on another platform.
Fae Farm	Action-RPG / Management Simulation	1-4 Co-Op (Local Wireless / Online)	A-
tl;dr Fae Farm is a family-friendly “Farming RPG”-style Action-RPG and Management Sim that has players travelling to a magical island surrounded by whirlpools where they will find a pleasant community waiting for them… and of course a vacant farm too. Apart from the “magical” themes, this game doesn’t really do anything particularly new or transformative for the genre. Rather, it takes the standard gameplay of the genre and does that very well, with a wonderful polished presentation. It’s not anything truly groundbreaking, but it is still one of the best games I’ve played in this genre.
Fortnite	Compilation / Open-World Third-Person Shooter	1-100 Competitive (Online), 100 Team Competitive (Online), 1-8 Co-Op (Online), 52 (Online)	A-
tl;dr Fortnite’s early days may have been as a Free-to-Play online multiplayer-focused “battle royale”-style Third-Person Shooter, but it has since blossomed into a massive game platform with a wide variety of different game types to enjoy, and just about all of them are fantastic. It’s intimidating, poorly-organized, confusing, and not very user-friendly to newer players, and the Nintendo Switch version has some ugly performance issues that make it one of the worst ways to play the game, but none of that changes that this is still a truly must-play game.
Journey to the Savage Planet	First-Person Shooter / Metroidvania	1-2 Co-Op (Local Wireless, Online)	A-
tl;dr Journey to the Savage Planet is a First-Person Metroidvania much in the same vein as Metroid Prime, but with a fantastic sense of humor and a really beautiful and inventive world to explore, as well as surprisingly good local wireless and online co-op. This game is definitely flawed, with various elements that don’t work or things that are desperately needed but missing, but even with these flaws, this is an absolutely incredible game that’s a must-play for Metroidvania fans.
Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World: The Game – Complete Edition	Arcade Brawler	1-4 Competitive (Local), 2-4 Co-Op (Local, Online), Online Leaderboards	A-
tl;dr Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World: The Game is quite simply one of the greatest Arcade Brawlers ever made, and its long-awaited release on Nintendo Switch does not disappoint. While this game still bears some of the flaws of the genre (short length, repetitive combat), it is nevertheless an outstanding experience with tons of depth and a great retro-style presentation that is a must-have for any fan of the genre.
Soundfall	Top-Down Action-RPG / Music-Rhythm	1-4 Co-Op (Local / Online)	A-
tl;dr Soundfall is a game that combines Action-RPG and Music-Rhythm elements, where players fight off hordes of enemies and hunt for loot while timing their attacks to the beat of a massive, varied, and overall excellent soundtrack. Some elements of the gameplay and presentation can get a tad repetitive, and there are a few tweaks I would have preferred, but overall this is a truly excellent game well worth playing.
Streets of Rage 4	Arcade Brawler	1-4 Co-Op (Local) / 2 Co-Op (Online)	A-
tl;dr Streets of Rage 4 is a return to Sega’s classic Arcade Brawler franchise after an over 25 year absence, and perhaps the wait was worth it because this is not just the best game in the series, but one of the best games in the genre, with a gorgeous presentation, a fantastic soundtrack, and small but clever improvements to the core gameplay. There are still areas where this game could be improved, but overall this is a must-have game for fans of the genre, as well as co-op Action game fans in general.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge	Arcade Brawler	1-6 Co-Op (Local / Online)	A-
tl;dr Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge is an Arcade Brawler that seeks to recapture the magic of the classic Ninja Turtles arcade games, and I don’t think it quite succeeds at that… but that’s okay because it’s a truly phenomenal entry in the genre in its own right, and one loaded with charm, great gameplay, and tons of wonderful little references to the Ninja Turtles franchise that are sure to please series fans and Arcade Brawler fans alike. If that describes you, you should definitely get ahold of this game.
PlateUp!	Party Game / Roguelike	1-4 Co-Op (Local, Local Wireless, Online)	B+
tl;dr PlateUp! is a family-friendly Arcade-style Party Game with Roguelike elements that is basically an off-brand Overcooked Roguelike. However, while it’s a bit repetitive and its online lobbies are empty, this is still a phenomenal local co-op game, and one that gives players opportunities the Overcooked games lack, like designing your restaurant’s layout. In the end, if you’re looking for a great game to play with friends, this is an outstanding choice.
Portal Knights	Open-World Action-RPG	1-2 Co-Op (Local Split-Screen), 2-4 Co-Op (Local Wireless, Online)	B+
tl;dr Portal Knights is an Open-World Action-RPG that copies Minecraft’s formula, but does it well, improving on multiple areas in Minecraft. Portal Knights features a more technically-appealing presentation, more fleshed-out RPG elements, and streamlines some of Minecraft’s more frustrating elements. That said, it can’t quite match Minecraft’s unique style and sense of exploration and creation, nor Dragon Quest Builders’ story, RPG and town-building elements. However, this game is nevertheless an excellent addition to the genre that’s deserving of standing tall next to those greats.
Resident Evil 5	Third-Person Shooter / Horror	1-2 Co-Op (Local Split-Screen, Local Wireless), 2-4 Co-Op / Competitive (Online), Online Leaderboards	B+
tl;dr Resident Evil 5 abandons much of the series’ Graphic Adventure and Horror-fueled roots in favor of something that’s much more Action-heavy, and while series purists may find this disappointing, the result is a pretty fun Third-Person Shooter with some great online multiplayer co-op and competitive gameplay.
Resident Evil 6	Third-Person Shooter / Horror	1-2 Co-Op (Local Split-Screen), 2-6 Co-Op / Competitive (Local Wireless, Online), Online Leaderboards	B+
tl;dr Resident Evil 6, even more than the series’ fifth game, is an over-the-top action-packed Third-Person Shooter that is as far from “Survival Horror” as the series has ever gotten. However, for those who don’t mind the departure from the series’ roots and who are looking for an Action game with some great online co-op, this is a game well worth playing, although be warned that the Nintendo Switch version suffers from poor framerates and underpopulated online lobbies.
Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble	Arcade / 3D Platformer / Party Game	1-2 Co-Op (Local Split-Screen / Local Wireless / Online), 2-4 Competitive (Local Split-Screen / Local Wireless), 2-16 Competitive (Online)	B+
tl;dr Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble is a fantastic entry in this family-friendly franchise of Arcade-style 3D Platformers about rolling monkeys in balls toward a goal. This release struggles with some performance issues, but its superb level design and excellent multiplayer both online and offline make for an absolutely delightful game well worth getting, and a must-have for fans of the series.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection	Compilation / Arcade Brawler / Fighting Game / Action-Platformer	1-4 Co-Op (Local, Local Wireless, Online), 2 Competitive (Local, Local Wireless, Online)	B+
tl;dr Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection is a Compilation of 13 of Konami’s classic Ninja Turtles games, with the highlights being 2 different versions of the original Arcade game, 2.5 versions of Turtles in Time, and the frequently overlooked NES game Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: The Manhattan Project. Add to this a massive collection of extras and behind-the-scenes content, and this is a must-have collection for Arcade Brawler enthusiasts… even if it’s padded out with a lot of non-Arcade Brawler games that range from mediocre to outright terrible.
Torchlight II	Top-Down Action-RPG	1-4 Co-Op (Local Wireless, Online)	B+
tl;dr Torchlight II is a loot-hunting Action-RPG in much the same vein as the Diablo series, and it does some interesting things with the genre like its pet system. However, some control issues, graphical issues, and the lack of couch co-op keep it from being quite on the level of Diablo III, although fans of the genre who are happy to go it solo or use online or local wireless co-op will find that Torchlight II is still an excellent budget-priced Diablo alternative.
Clone Drone in the Danger Zone	Third-Person Action	1-5 Co-Op (Online), 2-15 Competitive (Online)	B
tl;dr Clone Drone in the Danger Zone is a Third-Person Action game that has players fighting robots in gladiatorial combat with one hit kill mechanics. This game looks and plays somewhat amateurish in its design, yet despite itself it’s still surprisingly fun to play, especially in co-op (with cross-platform play, even), and has hidden depths hidden under its unimpressive exterior and performance issues. If you can look past those issues, you’ll find Clone Drone to be an Action game with some compelling gameplay that will keep you coming back for just “one more run”.
Darksiders Genesis	Top-Down Action-RPG / 2-Stick Shooter	1-2 Co-Op (Local, Local Wireless, Online)	B
tl;dr Darksiders Genesis is a Diablo-Style Top-Down Action-RPG that’s a prequel and spinoff of the main Darksiders game that focuses on the first game’s protagonist, War, along with new protagonist, Strife (the latter who plays like a Two-Stick Shooter). While it’s a decent game that brings a fair few original ideas to the genre, the lack of loot makes the whole thing feel a lot more repetitive and as a result it’s not quite as engaging as multiple other games in the genre on the Nintendo Switch.
Duke Nukem 3D: 20th Anniversary World Tour	First-Person Shooter	1-8 Co-Op / Competitive (Local Wireless / Online)	B
tl;dr Duke Nukem 3D is a classic First-Person Shooter that helped to define the genre over 20 years ago, and the Switch version includes a lot of extra bells and whistles over the original, with a lot of polish to help modernize the game somewhat. Granted, it’s still a relic of its time – even the improved presentation is archaic, the gameplay is extremely old-school, and the violent misogyny present here is shocking by today’s standards. But as long as you can be understanding about these anachronisms, you’ll find the gameplay here is still plenty of fun, even today.
Ibb & Obb	Puzzle-Platformer	2 Co-Op (Local, Local Wireless, Online)	B
tl;dr Ibb & Obb is a co-op focused Puzzle-Platformer that requires two players to play. However, if you do have a friend to play with, this is a solid entry in the genre that makes good use of its simple mechanics to deliver some great co-op gameplay.
Nobody Saves the World	Top-Down Action-RPG	1-2 Co-Op (Local / Online)	B
tl;dr Nobody Saves the World is a Top-Down Action-RPG where players take the role of an amnesiac mute protagonist who must save the kingdom using a wizard’s wand that allows him to transform into various forms. This game has a great sense of humor, and an excellent variety of transformations and upgrade options. I do think the emphasis on transformations makes exploration less interesting, and I’m not thrilled with the randomized dungeons, but overall this is an excellent game worth considering for anyone looking for a game that does something a bit different with the old-school 2D Zelda formula.
Quake	First-Person Shooter	1-4 Co-Op / Competitive (Local Split-Screen), 2-8 Co-Op / Competitive (Online)	B
tl;dr Quake’s release on the Nintendo Switch is a phenomenal port that takes the classic First-Person Shooter gives the visuals an improved framerate and resolution, includes a wealth of features, options, and content, and even some superb gyroscopic motion controls. This is still a port of a very old game, which shows both in its graphics and its gameplay, meaning this will absolutely not be a game for everyone. However, if you’re looking for classic, fast-paced old-school action, this is possibly the best port we could have possibly hoped for of this game.
Resident Evil Triple Pack	Compilation / Third-Person Shooter / Horror	1-2 Co-Op (Local Split-Screen), 2-6 Co-Op / Competitive (Local Wireless, Online), Online Leaderboards	B
tl;dr Resident Evil Triple Pack contains Resident Evil 4, 5, 6, and all of their expansion content, although only Resident Evil 4 is on the cartridge, with 5 and 6 requiring a massive 37GB download to play. While these games represent the series’ controversial turn to more action-focused gameplay, that gameplay has aged better than the earlier games in the series, although the Nintendo Switch releases are a mix of good (added gyroscopic controls in 5 and 6, great online co-op in 5 and 6) and bad (no motion controls in 4, terrible framerates in 5 and 6). On the whole, this is still a solid trio of Third-Person Shooters, though it’s debatable whether this Compilation is a better bet than just buying the games individually on the eShop.
Warframe	Third-Person Action	1-4 Co-Op (Online)	B
tl;dr Warframe is a Free-To-Play Third-Person Action game that actually does the “Free-To-Play” part right, and provides a good multiplayer online experience for up to four players, albeit one that’s disorienting for newcomers. However, the Switch is not the most ideal place to play this game, and if you can play it on another platform, you’re better off playing it there.

Best Games With Online Content Sharing

Game	Genre	# of Players	Grade
Super Mario Odyssey	3D Platformer	1, Online Content Sharing	A++
tl;dr Super Mario Odyssey is Mario’s long-awaited return to 3D platforming, and it’s just about everything fans of the series could want. While it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it has damn near perfected it, filling the game with new surprises around every corner. It is an absolute must-have game on the Nintendo Switch
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate	Fighting Game / Platformer / Party Game	1-8 Competitive / Team Competitive (Local / Online), Online Content Sharing	A++
tl;dr Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is the latest in the series of Fighting Game / Platformer / Party Game titles, and it is in my mind the greatest, with absolutely tons of content, characters, stages, settings, and more, all built on a foundation of absolutely fun gameplay. A must-own game for the Switch.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons	Management Sim	1-4 Co-Op (Local), 2-8 (Local Wireless, Online), Online Content Sharing	A+
tl;dr Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a light-hearted, family-friendly, casual Management Sim where the time and date in the game is the same as in real life, and where players perform small tasks and customize their home and their village. This entry is a huge step forward for the series, adding many new mechanics and gameplay systems that greatly improve the game’s customization elements while giving added quality of life enhancements as well. There constantly seems like something new and fun to do, with new surprises seemingly every day. Unless you have a problem with more relaxed, slower-paced games, you should consider this game a must-have.
Dragon Quest Builders 2	Action-RPG / Open-World Sandbox	1-4 Co-Op (Local Wireless, Online), Online Content Sharing	A
tl;dr Dragon Quest Builders 2 is an Action-RPG with an open world and creation elements to it that are very comparable to Minecraft, and an anime style and story that are very much a Dragon Quest thing. That said, this game is much more linear and focused than Minecraft, which is both a good thing and a bad thing. Regardless, it is an absolutely superb Action-RPG, and an absolutely superb Open-World game, and fans of either type of game should consider this a must-have.
Minecraft	Open-World Action-RPG / Misc.	1-4 Co-Op (Local Split-Screen), 2-8 Co-Op (Online), Online Content Sharing	A
tl;dr Minecraft is a family-friendly Open-World sandbox game with Action-RPG elements that has you deconstructing and rebuilding the world at your whim, with endless possibilities for those looking to create or explore. The Nintendo Switch version is not the ideal version of the game, and this version also still bears the bugs that every version of the game seems to have, but it is still a must-play game that’s absolutely worth playing despite this.
New Pokemon Snap	First-Person On-Rails Shooter / Misc.	1, Online Leaderboards, Online Content Sharing	A
tl;dr New Pokemon Snap is just about everything fans could want from a sequel to the N64 classic, and improves on the original in numerous ways while still remaining faithful to its formula. This is a beautiful family-friendly On-Rails First-Person Shooter that has you snapping photos of Pokemon, testing your skill with the lens and your ingenuity with other tools at your disposal to capture the best pictures. Its lack of exploration and laid-back nature may not be for everyone, and there are areas where it could still be improved further, but overall this is a marvelous experience that every Pokemon fan will likely want to have.
Super Mario Maker 2	Platformer	1-4 Co-Op / Competitive (Local / Online), Online Leaderboards, Online Content Sharing	A
tl;dr Super Mario Maker 2, like its predecessor, is a Mario level creator that’s a creative gamer’s dream, and those who aren’t creative will have a huge wealth of content to enjoy. Even a half a year later the online play is still terrible, and it feels like for every two improvements this game makes it loses one feature from the first game, but overall this is still an excellent game every Mario fan should get.
Wargroove	Turn-Based Strategy	1-4 Competitive (Local and Online), Online Content Sharing	A
tl;dr Wargroove is a Turn-Based Strategy game that is a damn near perfect spiritual successor to Advance Wars. This game is absolutely loaded with features, and should be considered a must-have for any fan of strategy games.
Ultimate Chicken Horse	Platformer / Party Game	1-4 Competitive (Local, local alternating, Online), Online Leaderboards, Online Content Sharing	A-
tl;dr Ultimate Chicken Horse is a family-friendly Platformer with a robust creation tool set and a focus on multiplayer gameplay that challenges players to create levels that they can beat but the other players can’t. It’s a tremendously good time, and while the presentation and core gameplay aren’t on par with Super Mario Maker 2, the multiplayer in this game is clearly superior, making this a fantastic party game. If you’re looking for a good supplement Mario Maker or a fun game to bring out at a party, Ultimate Chicken Horse is a must-have.
Colors Live	Art Application / Hardware	1, Online Content Sharing	B+
tl;dr Colors Live is a well-constructed Art Application that comes with a unique stylus pen that allows pressure-sensitive interaction with the touchscreen. While I have issues with the stylus, the software it comes with is superb, and does a great job turning the Nintendo Switch into an art tablet. If that sounds like something of interest to you, definitely give Colors Live a look.
Gems of War	Puzzle / RPG	1, Online Social and Competitive Features	B+
tl;dr Gems of War is a free-to-play Puzzle/RPG hybrid much like its predecessor Puzzle Quest, but Gems streamlines the gameplay, gives it some nice nuances, and elevates the multiplayer by having players challenge each other indirectly, giving them the freedom to choose how tough an opponent they want to take on. The microtransactions here aren’t too bothersome, and the only complaints I have are a lack of local multiplayer and the terrible story. However, the Puzzle gameplay here is top-notch, and fans of Puzzle games should consider this one an absolute must-have on the Switch.
N++	Platformer	1-4 Co-Op / Competitive (Local), Online Content Sharing, Online Leaderboards	B+
tl;dr N++ is a challenging Platformer with extremely simple graphics that has you as a ninja in single-screen levels trying to hit a switch and reach the exit before time runs out. The way movement works in this game is the real star of the show here, making for some truly excellent gameplay, and this game is absolutely loaded with content and game modes, including a stage builder and online community to download stages from. However, this is a challenging game that won’t appeal to everyone, and the game’s menus and stage builder aren’t very user-friendly. Still, if you’re looking for pure Platforming challenge, this game is a must-have.
Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen	Action-RPG	1, Online Content Sharing	B
tl;dr Dragon’s Dogma is an Action-RPG with a large (but not open) world to explore, a good combat system, and an interesting story. It’s a solid port of the game from the Xbox 360 and PS3, although it very much still looks like a game from the previous generation, and the game’s high challenge level may push away some players. Still, if that doesn’t scare you off, you’ll find this to be an epic and enjoyable quest well worth undertaking.
Hidden Through Time	Puzzle	1, Online Content Sharing	B
tl;dr Hidden Through Time is a hidden objects-style Puzzle game that’s reminiscent of Where’s Waldo, with a few clever additions to the formula, including the ability to create and share your own puzzles. There are definitely areas where even more could have been done to make this game even better, but overall this game succeeds very well at what it’s aiming to do.
Cube Creator X	Open-World Action-RPG / Misc.	1-4 Co-Op (Online), Online Content Sharing	B-
tl;dr Cube Creator X is a family-friendly Open-World sandbox game with Action-RPG elements that is very clearly a knockoff of Minecraft. It’s not a bad knockoff, by any means, but there’s nothing it does that isn’t done better by either Minecraft or the Dragon Quest Builders games. If you don’t mind spending a bit more, get one of those. However, if you’re short on cash and don’t mind getting a lesser product, Cube Creator X is decent, at least.
Monster Energy Supercross – The Official Videogame 3	Motorbike Racing	1-8 Competitive (Local Wireless), 2-9 Competitive (Online), Online Content Sharing	B-
tl;dr Monster Energy Supercross 3 is a motorbike Racing simulation that is a marked improvement over its predecessor, with much-improved visuals and expanded features. Unfortunately, it’s still lacking local multiplayer, and the terrible tutorial will do little to prepare more casual players for the game’s simulation-style approach to the genre. It’s still on the whole a solid Racing game, but as the Nintendo Switch continues to get more quality Racing games in its library, this series is starting to feel like it’s behind the curve.
Tennis 1920s	Sports (Tennis)	1, Online Leaderboards, Online Content Sharing	B-
tl;dr Tennis 1920s (first released on mobile devices as World of Tennis: Roaring ’20s) is a free-to-play Tennis game inexplicably set in the 1920s. The game lacks polish, has buggy menus, is missing multiplayer play, and the unusual controls take some getting used to, but once you do get used to them, this is a surprisingly enjoyable Tennis game, and you can even do away with most of the microtransactions with a one-time $9 purchase. At the very least, fans of Tennis games should definitely try it out for free to see if it’s to their liking.

You can now support this content on Patreon! Please click the link to learn more!