Best Nintendo Switch Games 2025: Top Picks & Buying Guide
Anyone who’s picked up a Nintendo Switch already knows: the library is vast, and not every game is worth your time. This guide cuts through the noise with critic-backed picks, current pricing, and a reality check on streaming services.
Best overall (2025): The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom ·
Best Mario game: Super Mario Odyssey ·
Best Pokémon game: Pokémon Legends: Arceus
Quick snapshot
- Best overall Nintendo Switch game for 2025 (The Independent)
- Priced at £42.95 in the UK (The Independent)
- Best Mario game for Nintendo Switch (The Independent)
- Priced at £39.95 in the UK (The Independent)
- Best Pokémon game for Nintendo Switch (The Independent)
- Priced at £49.99 in the UK (The Independent)
- Top racing title on Switch (The Independent)
- Priced at £37 in the UK (The Independent)
Four games, one pattern: the best of each genre come from Nintendo’s own flagship studios, backed by critic consensus and competitive pricing.
The data reveals a concentrated first-party ecosystem with tight price bands.
| Category | Game | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Best overall (2025) | The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom | The Independent |
| Best Mario game | Super Mario Odyssey | The Independent |
| Best Pokémon game | Pokémon Legends: Arceus | The Independent |
| Top racing title | Mario Kart 8 Deluxe | The Independent |
| Biggest shift in Zelda series | The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild | Engadget |
The implication: critic picks consistently point toward Nintendo’s first-party lineup, with pricing that varies by only a few pounds — making the decision about genre preference rather than budget.
What is the #1 Switch game in the world?
What is the most sold Switch game ever?
- According to The Independent (a UK editorial publication), the number one overall Switch game for 2025 is The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, cited for its expansive world and critical acclaim.
- By sales volume, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe leads with over 64 million units sold, though that figure is not independently confirmed in this guide’s sources.
One game dominates critics, another dominates the sales charts — the #1 spot depends on whether you measure by acclaim or cash register.
The pattern: acclaim and sales diverge here, forcing a choice between critical consensus and multiplayer endurance.
What are the top 5 Switch games?
What are the top 20 popular games?
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom — best overall, £42.95 (The Independent)
- Super Mario Odyssey — best Mario game, £39.95 (The Independent)
- Pokémon Legends: Arceus — best Pokémon game, £49.99 (The Independent)
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe — top racer, £37 (The Independent)
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild — “biggest shift in the Zelda series since Ocarina of Time” (Engadget)
Beyond the top five, Engadget also highlights Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury as essential picks. The full top 20 is harder to pin down because regional tastes differ — but the first-party Nintendo library consistently fills most slots.
The pattern: these five games cover action-adventure, platforming, RPG, racing, and fighting — one per major genre ensures breadth over depth in any short list.
What games are worth buying on the Switch?
What are the best Nintendo Switch games for different genres?
- Action-Adventure: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild — Engadget calls it “potentially one of the best games of the last decade” (Engadget)
- Platformer: Super Mario Odyssey — open-ended 3D gameplay, £39.95 (The Independent)
- Racing: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe — best-selling Switch game, £37 (The Independent)
- Pokémon/RPG: Pokémon Legends: Arceus — best Pokémon game, £49.99 (The Independent)
- Fighting: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate — includes a divisive single-player mode with sticker augmentation (Engadget)
If you’re buying for a child, the best choice is Super Mario Odyssey — it’s friendly, forgiving, and encourages exploration without punishing failure.
Upsides
- First-party games hold value well and rarely drop below £35
- Physical copies can be resold or shared with friends
- Critic picks reduce guesswork across every genre
Downsides
- Digital versions on the eShop often cost more than physical discs at launch
- Limited storage space for large downloads (32GB internal)
- No native streaming apps like Netflix or Disney+
The implication: buyers gain price stability and resale value but must accept the console’s media limitations.
Can you get Netflix and Disney+ on Nintendo Switch?
How to watch Netflix on Nintendo Switch
Nintendo Switch does not have native apps for Netflix, Disney+, or most other streaming services. This is an official limitation — Nintendo has stated the console focuses on gaming, not media consumption.
- Workaround 1: Use the built-in web browser to access YouTube (though performance is clunky).
- Workaround 2: Screen-cast from a smartphone using a capture card — not practical for most users.
- Workaround 3: Consider a dedicated streaming device (Fire Stick, Roku) for your TV.
The trade-off: you’ll need a second device for shows and movies; the Switch stays strictly for games.
What this means: the Switch cannot replace a tablet for media consumption, a critical caveat for all-in-one shoppers.
What are the top 5 games right now?
What are the most played Switch games in 2025?
Based on recent sales and player activity, the current top five in 2025 align closely with the critic picks:
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom — still the highest-rated new release
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe — perennial multiplayer favorite
- Super Mario Odyssey — evergreen platformer
- Pokémon Legends: Arceus — strongest Pokémon entry on Switch
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate — competitive community remains active
Factors driving current popularity include continued online play, steady eShop sales, and word-of-mouth from the 2024 holiday season.
The pattern: the top five remain identical to critic picks, suggesting that quality and popularity converge on Nintendo’s core lineup.
“The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild represents the biggest shift in the Zelda series since the Nintendo 64’s Ocarina of Time.” For those curious about the cost of gaming hardware, you can find a comprehensive PS5 price guide. PS5 price guide
— Engadget
“Super Mario Odyssey is the best Mario game on Switch, offering an open-ended playground that rewards curiosity.”
— The Independent
Nintendo’s first-party lineup is so strong that buyers can pick any of the above five and get a polished, critically praised experience — but the console’s lack of streaming support means it can’t replace a tablet on long trips.
For UK gamers on a budget, the choice is clear: either wait for sales on the eShop or pick up physical copies of Tears of the Kingdom or Super Mario Odyssey at £39.95 from major retailers.
For UK gamers on a budget, the choice is clear: either wait for sales on the eShop or pick up physical copies of Tears of the Kingdom or Super Mario Odyssey at £39.95 from major retailers. The Switch library is deep, but the best picks remain Nintendo’s own classics — and that’s unlikely to change anytime soon.
youtube.com, youtube.com, youtube.com, gameraid.co.uk, metacritic.com
For a Japanese perspective on the highest-rated titles, check out this list of top-rated Nintendo Switch games ranked by Metacritic score.
Frequently asked questions
How do I download games on Nintendo Switch?
Open the Nintendo eShop from the Home menu, search for the game, and purchase it. The download starts immediately. You need a Nintendo Account and at least 500MB of free storage per game.
Are Nintendo Switch games region-locked?
No. Nintendo Switch is region-free. You can play games from any region on any Switch console, though DLC and eShop credit are tied to the account region.
Can I play Nintendo Switch games on the Switch 2?
Nintendo has confirmed backwards compatibility for the upcoming Switch successor, so your current game library will transfer.
What is the best Nintendo Switch game for kids?
Super Mario Odyssey is widely considered the best choice due to its forgiving gameplay, colorful world, and lack of complex mechanics.
Do Nintendo Switch games go on sale?
Yes. The eShop holds regular sales (especially during holidays), and physical copies often drop by 10-30% at retailers like Amazon UK and GAME.
How do I check my Nintendo eShop balance?
Go to the eShop, select your profile icon on the top-right, and your balance appears under “Account Information.”
Can I share Nintendo Switch games with friends?
Yes, through game sharing: one account on a primary console allows any user on that console to play its games. A secondary console can play only when online and under that account.
More related posts
Fog Horn Leg Horn: Origin, Meaning, and Cartoon Classic
What Is an Adjective – Definition, Types, Examples & Usage
Kamagra Oral Jelly: What It Is, Uses, Risks & Viagra Comparison
Lois Griffin: Voice Actor, Age, Family, and Character Facts
Regina George: Character Profile, Iconic Quotes, Cultural Impact
Rip Torn: Biography, Cause of Death, Net Worth, and Movies
Coco Wyo Colouring Books: Where to Buy, PDF & What Happened
Black Blazer Style Guide: Rules, Trends, and Top Pairs
