Top Must-Play Nintendo Switch Exclusives
Since its launch over five years ago, the Nintendo Switch has made a significant impact in the gaming world, rivaling the success of the PlayStation 4 with an impressive 114 million units sold. This achievement is particularly notable considering the PS4's four-year head start in the market. The allure of the Switch largely stems from its innovative design and versatility. As the first genuine hybrid console, the Switch has redefined the gaming experience by seamlessly blending the convenience of handheld play with the power of a traditional home gaming system. Its ability to transition from a personal handheld device to a full-fledged gaming console connected to a TV has captivated a wide audience, from casual gamers to dedicated enthusiasts. This flexibility, coupled with Nintendo's reputation for quality and innovation, has positioned the Switch as a unique and desirable gaming platform.
However, the heart of the Switch's appeal lies in its game library, particularly its exclusive titles. Nintendo, known for its rich history of iconic games and characters, continues to enthrall gamers with a lineup of exclusives that are not available on any other platform. These games range from the expansive and immersive worlds of 'The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild' to the whimsical and creative adventures in 'Super Mario Odyssey.' Each exclusive title showcases Nintendo's commitment to delivering high-quality gaming experiences that blend engaging gameplay, captivating narratives, and stunning visuals. These games have not only catered to the loyal fanbase of long-time Nintendo players but have also attracted a new generation of gamers, further solidifying the Switch's position in the gaming landscape. In this introduction, we'll explore the top 10 Nintendo Switch exclusives that every gamer should play, highlighting the diversity and uniqueness of the Switch's game catalog.
Although it does have the “2” in the name, it is not necessarily a direct sequel to the first release. Rather, they just share the same world/timeline in some sense. It also answers some questions about the world not previously answered on the first game. Xenoblade Chronicles 2 brought great improvements to the combat, world, animations, and movement mechanics but the story feels light compared to its predecessor. There is also a lot of unintended cringyness as a result of the developers focusing a little bit too much on fanservice aimed at their male audience. You’ll see what I mean once you play it.
A hidden gem by Platinum Games, not many know about Astral Chain. You are placed in the typical “The world is doomed. Only you can save it.” scenario of most JRPGs. This is not why we’re here, though. We’re here for the action that characterizes other games from this developer studio, such as the famous (now infamous?) Bayonetta. You essentially control two characters: Your human character and a bizarre monster that has been “chained” to do your bidding, all while blazing through hordes of enemies. Perform crazy combos, upgrade your characters, discover secrets, and progress through the story in this action-packed adventure.
We have all heard of Breath of the Wild’s success. If you ask me, I don’t think the game deserves that much credit. Yes, it’s a different concept from previous Zelda games. However, the game is lacking a lot in actual content. Who needs that big of a world if it’s mostly empty and unrewarding? Why is the story so short? How come the dungeons are so simple? Anyhow, Link’s Awakening if a remake of a 1993 “Game Boy” game. The game looks cute, it’s challenging, and will definitely test the mettle of even the most skilled players.
Whenever I hear the word “Metroid”, the first thing that comes to my mind is the SNES. Let’s face it, there hasn’t been a good Metroid game since the times of the SNES (Oh, boy I’m old). This all changed when Metroid Dread was released. At a little over a year of its release, it has already sold 3 million copies. This is to be expected, however, since Dread takes what made SNES Metroid great and makes it even better than the original.
The latest and final release to the trilogy, you are thrown in a world with a similar “doom” setting as the other two. The game brings lots of new additions in the combat area, but it plays and feels essentially like the previous 2 (and in my opinion, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 has a better combat system). It is a direct sequel to the other two in terms of story. The plot is great, but story itself plays in a predictable and (too) structured way. You go to a hub — generally a town somewhere on the map — and then you complete some sort of quests to recruit the captain of the town into your party. The game does a good job in telling you what’s happening behind the scenes while you travel from town to town, though.
Fun, simple, and cute — these are the three words that best describe Kirby & The Forgotten Land. The game isn’t too challenging, which makes it perfect for young children. That doesn’t mean those who enjoy a challenge shouldn’t play it, though, as the game also has an ultra hard difficulty called “Wild Mode”. There really isn’t much to talk about, but this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. This game was not designed to entertain you with features, but rather with simplicity. Jump, eat, platform, fight bosses, and progress through the numerous areas.
Everybody knows what Mario Kart is about. A remaster from the Wii U, it comes with improved graphics and extra content. Mario Kart is best played with family and friends, making it a good choice for family gatherings or sleepovers. There is a huge selection of stages, and different characters and parts can be unlocked by playing.
Whether you are a fan of Pokemon or not, you should definitely play one of GameFreak’s latest additions. After flopping their Pokemon Sword and Shield release, they decided to test the waters with a new concept. Thus, Pokemon Legends Arceus was born. It plays similarly to other Pokemon games but with an open world and a combat system that’s easier to get into for new or young players. Discover the origins of the Pokemon universe on this great RPG. Arceus would later become core part of the development for their latest entry: Pokemon Scarlet & Violet.
Originally released for the Wii, Xenoblade Chronicles: Definite Edition tells the story of Shulk, his past, and the world around him. It has arguably the best story of the trilogy. Although being a game released in 2010, the combat and movement mechanics can feel a bit clunky. Definitely not up to today’s standards. Don’t let that discourage you, though. Discovering the past in this amazing, open world RPG will definitely leave a mark on you.
Prior to the release of Splatoon 3, I had not played a single Splatoon game. I’m not a big fan online-focused FPS. Playing Splatoon 3 changed my mind completely. It has a single player option where you complete challenges in order to “save the world” (Maybe?). This single player option is a game on its own. However, where the game excels is in its online mode. You fight against an opposing team for “turf”, level up, and get rewards in order to buy new gear and weapons that give you an advantage during the battles.
