Favorite Nintendo Switch Games

Entry posted by MegaMan52 in Top 10's February 25, 2023

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Introduction

Since buying the Switch in 2017, I've gotten a large amount of both physical and digital games. While not my favorite Nintendo system, it is definitely a step up from the Wii and Wii U. The console/handheld hybrid has the largest library of any Nintendo console, with plenty of its own games as well as past favorites from other Nintendo consoles and handhelds, both updated as well in their original form (Game Boy games were added recently). The GameCube era was the last time I had as much fun as I've had in the current era of gaming. The Wii and Wii U...well let's put it this way: I have a handful of games for the Wii, and the Wii U is the only Nintendo console I don't have. And the fact that the majority of the Wii U's better games have been released for the Switch with added features makes me even less interested in the console than I was several years ago.

The Switch got me into online gaming, as prior to its release I wasn't really interested in playing games online. I've literally put hundreds and hundreds of hours into a few Switch games (I bet VGS game night participants know at least one of them). It's been almost six years since the system was released, so I feel it is now time to list my ten favorite games for it as well as some honorable mentions.

MegaMan52's favorite Nintendo Switch Games

10.Spyro: Reignited Trilogy

Since the release of Spyro: Enter the Dragonfly in 2002, the Spyro series has gone in many different directions. Spyro: Enter the Dragonfly was very much like the first three in terms of gameplay, but was not as playable due to having numerous glitches that could cause the game to freeze, or not even load certain sections of a level. Spyro: A Hero's Tail featured bigger levels and more wide-open areas, some different playable characters (like in Year of the Dragon), and different voice actors, but otherwise still felt very much like a Spyro game and was more playable than Enter the Dragonfly. There was the Legend of Spyro trilogy that focused more on fighting. Then there was the Skylanders series that used Figures and a Portal accessory to bring characters to life in the games. Both Legend of Spyro and Skylanders were very different from other Spyro games, and many fans wanted a return to the classic style from the first three Spyro games for the PlayStation.

The fan's wishes came true in 2018, when Spyro: Reignited Trilogy was released for the PS4 and Xbox One. Reignited Trilogy contains remakes of Spyro the Dragon, Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage, and Spyro: Year of the Dragon for the PS1 with updated visuals, soundtracks, and controls, and options to choose the original soundtracks composed by Stewart Copeland and a retro control-style that is similar to the original PS1 versions. Stewart Copeland did not compose the updated versions of the soundtracks, but he did compose the music that plays on the Reignited Trilogy title screen and game selection menu. Tom Kenny voices Spyro (in all three games), who also voiced the character in the PS1 versions of Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage and Spyro: Year of the Dragon. Some fans were still disappointed, however, due to the lack of Switch and PC versions. Those were released the following year in 2019.

Reignited Trilogy received both physical and digital releases. Unfortunately people who prefer physical were gypped, and this is why I rank this game 10th. Physical copies of the PS4 and Xbox One versions include the entire first Spyro the Dragon game, but the rest need to be downloaded. Switch players were gypped even more. The physical copies of the Switch version only include the first few levels of each, with a mandatory 8.7 GB download required to get the rest of the content. If you play through the first few levels and try to move on to the next area, a message appears saying you need to download an update.

Still a good collection otherwise.

9.Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time

Like Spyro, the Crash Bandicoot franchise has gone in many different directions since 2002. Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex, like Spyro: Enter the Dragonfly, was very similar to the original PlayStation games, but was flawed and had many technical issues. It was and still is a decent game, but then there was Crash Twinsanity, Crash of the Titans, and Crash Mind Over Mutant...all flawed games that led to the series being dormant for several years. Luckily, in 2021, Crash Bandicoot 4 was released, returning the Crash series to its roots. It's about time, indeed.

I have to say, I REALLY appreciate the fact that, unlike Spyro: Reignited Trilogy, physical copies of Crash 4 contain the full game. No mandatory download to get all of the levels for people who prefer physical releases.

8.Ghostbusters: The Video Game Remastered

A Switch port of the 2009 Ghostbusters video game released for PS3 and Xbox 360. Most of the main cast from the original Ghostbusters movie is included, including Bill Murray and Harold Ramis (rest in peace).

This was one of the games I included in my top 10 horror/haunted games blog, so be sure to check out that blog too if you want to know more reasons as to why this is one of my favorite Switch games. I also beat it in 2021, both for the Halloween Bingo Contest and Backlog Challenge.

7.Pac-Man Museum +

This is an expanded version of "Pac-Man Museum", which was originally released for PS3 and Xbox 360. This is another reason why the Wii U disappointed me: the original Pac-Man Museum collection was planned for Wii U but that version was canceled due to fact that the console was one of Nintendo's biggest disasters along with the Virtual Boy.

In addition to the usual Pac-Man games released on numerous compilations over the years (the original Pac-Man, Pac-Mania, etc.), this compilation includes Pac-Attack and Pac-in-Time (both for the SNES), and returning games that have been featured on some (but not many) Namco Museum collections in the past: Super Pac-Man, Pac'n Pal, Pac-Land, and the Arcade version of Pac-Man Arrangement.

It also includes some newer Pac-Man games: the PSP version of Pac-Man Arrangement (from Namco Museum: Battle Collection), Pac-Man Champion Edition (Xbox 360), Pac 'n Roll Remix (from Namco Museum Remix for Wii), Pac-Motos (also from Namco Museum Remix for Wii), Pac-Man Battle Royale (which I played at a nearby Theater in 2022), and Pac-Man 256.

One of the highlights, in my opinion, is Pac-Land, a side-scrolling platformer from 1984 (pre-dating Super Mario Bros.). This and the Arcade Archives releases, both released in 2022, are the first times the Arcade version of the game has made an appearance on a Nintendo console. Prior to these releases, the only version available for a Nintendo system was the Famicom version released in 1985 (which was also released on Switch in Namcot Collection/Namco Museum Archives).

Another notable game is the Arcade version of Pac-Man Arrangement, originally released in 1996 in Namco Classic Collection Vol. 2 and later in Namco Museum for PS2, GameCube, and Xbox and Pac-Man Collection for Game Boy Advance. Unfortunately, the Namco Museum and Pac-Man Collection version all have flaws such as no demos playing when starting up the game, higher-pitched music, no end credits, and some missing sound effects on the name entry screen. Furthermore, the Pac-Man Collection version for Game Boy Advance has very low-quality audio, the screen has to scroll, only one player can play (Link Cable support wasn't included), and it lacks the ability to save your scores. Yet even with these flaws, those versions were still a big deal even over a decade after they were released because for many it was the only easy way that Pac-Man Arrangement could be played.

The quality of compilations is definitely better now than in the early 2000's, and Pac-Man Arrangement in Pac-Man Museum + looks and sounds just as it did in the Arcade. Everything that was missing in the previous home versions is included.

The soundtrack for Pac-Man Arrangement (as well as the rest of Namco Classic Collection Vol. 2) was released on CD in Japan, but you can also listen to it in the Jukebox that's included in Pac-Man Museum +. Hopefully Bandai Namco re-releases the other "Arrangement" games someday, such as Rally-X Arrangement and Mappy Arrangement.

Past Namco Museum and Pac-Man collections included the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive version of Pac-Attack, but this collection includes the SNES version instead. The collection also includes another SNES game: Pac-in-Time. I actually used to have this game for my SNES, and still have the manual for it. tPac-Man Museum + actually includes the Japanese release of Pac-in-Time for the Super Famicom, and has Japanese text with English subtitles. In fact, most of the games included in this collection are based on their Japanese versions. While I don't mind this, an option to switch between Japanese and American versions would've been nice. Other compilations like Capcom Arcade Stadium and TMNT: The Cowabunga Collection do include that option.

By playing the games, you can collect coins that can be used on a Figure Vending Machine. There are tons of figures to collect. Also note the classic Bandai logo on the machine.

Customizing your Arcade is fun too. You can change the wallpaper, floor, rearrange the games, add your collectible figures, and place lots of other goodies. Bandai Namco has also released several wallpapers with updates.

The only major issue with Pac-Man Museum + is that it doesn't include Ms. Pac-Man. If you've followed the on-going legal issues between Bandai Namco and AtGames, then you know why. If you still have any past Namco Museum or Pac-Man collections, keep them. Or buy one of those Ms. Pac-Man Plug and Plays that were released years ago.

Pac-Man Museum + is not only one of my favorite Switch games, but it was also one of my favorite games released in 2022. Can't beat the classics.

6.Mega Man 11

This shouldn't surprise anyone. Of course I had to include Mega Man 11 on this list. When the game was announced during Mega Man's 30th Anniversary in December 2017, I immediately bought the Switch. I missed out on Mega Man 9 and 10 when they were originally released in 2008 and 2010, so there was no way I was going to miss out on Mega Man 11.

I eventually downloaded Mega Man Legacy Collection 2 in 2019, which includes Mega Man 9 and 10 (I also beat both of them in 2022). While they were good games, they relied too much on nostalgia...particularly for the Mega Man 2 worship crowd, going so far as to removing Mega Man's slide and Mega Buster and Mega Man 9 reusing some of the music from that game. Luckily, Mega Man 11 brings these features back and has a mostly original soundtrack.

After eight years of there being no new entry in the original Mega Man series, it was nice to see Mega Man finally come back. I pre-ordered the game and got the "amiibo Edition" package, which includes a Mega Man amiibo figure, a cloth, a patch, and some stickers.

The game introduces the "Double Gear" system. The "Power Gear" not only makes Mega Man's attacks stronger, but also allows him to perform attacks that he doesn't normally do. The "Speed Gear" slows everything down, and can be useful in certain sections of some stages. You don't have to use the Double Gear system, and can just play the game like the previous games in the series. But you might want to, especially if you haven't played the game much, because the bosses can use the Double Gear system too and not using it yourself can make the game harder. After using either Power Gear or Speed Gear for a few seconds, you'll have to press the shoulder buttons to return to normal otherwise you'll overheat and can't use the Double Gear system for a little while.

Like Mega Man 8, Mega Man has a voice in this game as do the boss characters. Unlike English versions of that game, Mega Man is actually voiced by a guy in Mega Man 11. And also unlike Mega Man 8, Mega Man 11 has decent English voice acting. A demo of the game was released on the Switch eShop, featuring Block Man's stage. I've got a video of it on YouTube (above).

Hopefully Capcom makes a Mega Man 12 and/or Mega Man X9. Lately, the only Mega Man games they've been releasing are collections (Mega Man Zero/ZX Legacy Collection), as they did in the eight years between Mega Man 10's and Mega Man 11's release.

I downloaded Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium last year, which includes the Mega Man Arcade games (both Japanese and American versions).

A few months ago Capcom released Rockman Battle & Fighters for Switch, a game originally released in Japan for the Neo Geo Pocket Color that is based on the Mega Man Arcade games.

In April 2023, Capcom is releasing Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection. I will continue to support the franchise, even if it means buying re-releases of older games, in the hopes that Capcom will release a Mega Man 12 and/or Mega Man X9 someday. I'd even be willing to buy a Mega Man Legends Legacy Collection or something similar, in the hopes that they bring back the canceled Mega Man Legends 3.

Anyway, I beat the full version of Mega Man 11 in 2021. Pretty good game (though was there any doubt?), and it's great that Mega Man finally came back. Dr. Light, Roll, Rush, Eddie, Beat, Auto, and, of course, Dr. Wily are all back too. But where are Protoman and Bass? I know why they weren't included (I saw the interview with Kazuhiro Tsuchiya on Rockman Corner), but just wonder where they are and what they're doing during the events of Mega Man 11.

5.Yoshi's Crafted World

This is another game I beat in 2021 (the full version), and really enjoyed. I also remember playing the demo of it in 2019 shortly after the full game was released.

While the Yoshi games do have their challenging and intense moments, they are often just fun and relaxing games to play with cool visual styles and funny characters. Crafted World is no exception. As the title implies, the game takes place in a world full of crafts.

I've noticed some people hate on this soundtrack, and think it's disappointing compared to Yoshi's Woolly World's soundtrack. I can agree that it's not the best Yoshi soundtrack, and it's certainly not as good as Woolly World's soundtrack (that one's hard to top). But, I think the music is still reasonably good. There are variations of some of the music from Yoshi's Story on N64. The music fits with the visual style. Some of it is calm and a bit sad. Which is all fine by me. My favorite music tracks in this game are A Teeny, Tiny Universe, Yoshi's Expedition, and Yards of Yarn.

The difficulty in the game is just right in my opinion. Getting all of the secrets and collectibles takes time and can be a little hard, but just getting through the levels is neither easy or hard.

The game also allows 2-players to play together and work as a team, a feature that unfortunately wasn't included in the 3DS version of Yoshi's Woolly World.

I bought the game in 2020 at Toys 'R Us (note: I'm Canadian), where I found it on sale for $50 instead of $80 like first-party Switch games usually cost in Canada. Definitely worth it. Heck, I would've been willing to pay the full $80 if I had to.

4.TMNT: The Cowabunga Collection

Yeah, another compilation. Another good compilation.

The Cowabunga Collection includes the Ninja Turtles games released from 1989-1994, for the Arcade, NES, SNES, Sega Genesis/Mega Drive, and original Game Boy. There's the original Arcade game, the Arcade version of Turtles in Time, Ninja Turtles 1, 2, and 3 for NES, the SNES version of Turtles in Time, Hyperstone Heist for the Genesis/Mega Drive, all three versions of Tournament Fighters, and the three Ninja Turtles games for the original Game Boy. The Japanese releases of these games are also included (if applicable).

Extras include scans of the console and handheld game's boxes (front and back) and manuals (every page), a music player that includes every music track from each of the included games, and online play. The two Arcade games can still be played with up to four players, but can also be played online. An update was released that adds online play for the SNES version of Turtles in Time. Konami's press release for the update also mentions that online play for Ninja Turtles III: The Manhattan Project will be included in a future update.

For the Game Boy games, there are multiple screen sizes, pallets, and filters. You can choose the original screen size or fill the screen, and you can choose the original Game Boy, Game Boy Pocket, and even the Japanese-only Game Boy Light pallets. And since the Switch is both a console and a handheld, the Game Boy games retain their portability.

The two Arcade games were included in Ninja Turtles 2: Battle Nexus and Ninja Turtles 3: Mutant Nightmare for PS2, GameCube, and Xbox. The music and voices in these versions had to be changed. In TMNT: The Cowabunga Collection, for the most part the games are in their original forms with original audio intact. One exception is the Ninja Turtles cartoon theme in the two Arcade games that plays during both game's intros, which is a re-done version instead of the original version. Other than that, all of the original audio is intact.

Even though this collection is targeted mainly at fans who grew up in the 80s/90s, it doesn't neglect other versions of Ninja Turtles. For example, the music that plays on the menus is the Sewer level music from the first Ninja Turtles game for PS2, GameCube, and Xbox (which is based on the 2003 Ninja Turtles cartoon).

"Cowabunga!"

3.Sonic Mania

Sonic is another character who had changed a lot over the years, but returned to his roots.

Sonic Mania is a 2-D sidescroller, with visual and animation styles that are improved but still very similar to the main Sonic games for the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive. Some of the levels/zones from the classic games appear in remixed forms, such as Green Hill Zone from the first Sonic game and Chemical Plant Zone from Sonic 2. Other levels/zones are completely new.

Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles are all playable. An update was released called the "Encore DLC", which adds features to the game and changes the game's title to "Sonic Mania Plus." One of the features included in this update is the addition of two playable characters: Ray the Flying Squirrel and Mighty the Armadillo, who originally appeared in the SegaSonic the Hedgehog Arcade game released in 1993.

Robotnik is back, as expected, but the boss battles are all different and every level has one. One of the boss battles has you play a puzzle game, which is a throwback to Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine.

In addition to returning classic levels/zones, the Blue Sphere special stage from Sonic 3 is back...and still just as fast and challenging.

There's also another special stage that is sort of a combination of Blue Sphere and the special stage in Sonic CD, where the goal is to catch a UFO.

The game is a blast from the past, while also being new and fresh. I think I still like the classic Sonic games just a bit more, but Sonic Mania is certainly better than a lot of Sonic games that have been released in the last twenty or so years. Probably the best Sonic game since Sonic Advance 3 or Sonic Rush.

Sonic Mania originally only got a digital release, but thankfully got a physical release later. The Plus version got a physical release, followed by the standard version. Later on, the standard version got a physical release with Team Sonic Racing on one Switch card. This is the release I got, as seen in the picture above. I was still able to get the added content from the "Plus" version by going to the Switch eShop and paying for the "Encore DLC."

2.Super Kirby Clash

Super Kirby Clash is one of the games I've played the most on the Switch.

The game has an offline Story Mode, and an online Party Mode. You have a weapon, shield, and armor. There are four different roles: Sword Hero, Hammer Lord, Doctor Healmore, and Beam Mage. There aren't any levels per se, instead the game has boss battles. Most of the bosses are from other Kirby games. You have three other Kirby's on your team to help you defeat the bosses. Beam Mage Kirby's can temporarily stop time, allow each Kirby to keep attacking the boss without taking any damage. After defeating a boss, you get experience points. When you get a certain amount, you level up and your Kirby becomes stronger. You get bronze, silver, gold, or platinum ranks depending on how fast you beat a boss. The game rewards you with Gem Apples that can be used to buy better weapons and armor at a store in the game's main hub. More weapons and armor can be unlocked as you progress through the game and complete missions. There's also a Gem Apple tree in the main hub. You can collect forty Gem Apples from this tree, and a new harvest begins every twelve hours. As you progress through the Story Mode, various characters from past Kirby games appear in the main hub area.

I've done almost everything there is to do in the game. I've beaten the Story Mode, reached the maximum level, have the best weapons and armor, and got Platinum Medals for every boss battle in the game. The only things I haven't done yet are complete a few missions for the Party Mode.

Super Kirby Clash is a free game. No joke. There is an option in the game's store to pay for Gem Apples if you want to get a large amount of them quickly, but this isn't mandatory (though it does make the Gem Apple tree grow). A really fun game, and it is basically free. Highly recommended for Kirby fans.

1.Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

This is probably not surprising for anyone who participated in the VGS Game Nights from 2020-2022. I've played Mario Kart 8 Deluxe more than any other Switch game. I've played through every one of the initial forty eight tracks on 50cc, 100cc, and 150cc, and have won gold trophies on every cup. I've also unlocked every vehicle (including the Gold Standard Kart), and most of the tires and gliders.

The Switch version, unlike the Wii U version, has a proper Battle mode that is like the previous Mario Kart games. The Wii U version, oddly, had battles take place on some of the race tracks. The Switch version also adds more characters, and brings back the Double Item Boxes from Mario Kart: Double Dash!!.

This game here is the game that got me interested in online gaming. I've gotten well-over 9,000 points in the online Battle mode, and have gotten 1st place hundreds of times (and have videos and screenshots to prove it on my YouTube Channel and Social Media pages). I've participated in some of the online tournaments (North American Open, Holiday Fun Run, etc.). And I also participated in a local tournament, where I was given a Switch Lanyard and got to play in front of a few people.

As fans of the game likely know, Nintendo released a "Booster Course Pass" for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and since last year they have been adding more tracks to the game that weren't in the Wii U version of the game. These tracks include the tracks from the previous Mario Kart games (the rest of them; some were already included) as well as some brand new tracks. Another wave has been announced that not only includes a new track, but also adds Birdo who appeared in Mario Kart: Double Dash!! for GameCube (finally; they're adding some GameCube content for the first time since MK8D was released). They're going to keep adding more tracks (and hopefully more characters) to the game until the end of 2023.

I don't play the game as often as I used to, but it is still fun and remains my favorite Switch game.

Honorable mentions

Super Mario Bros. 35