Nintendo has uplifting, light-hearted games that appeal to a wide demographic. Someone doesn't have to be a kid to appreciate first-party Nintendo Switch games, and these titles are generally the main reason to pick up the console.

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The Nintendo company is continually pushing innovation. The graphics aren't as good on paper as gaming juggernauts like Xbox and PlayStation, yet polished art design makes these games relevant. The Nintendo Switch has accumulated numerous first-party games during its active years. Let's take a close look at which ones ranked the best.

Updated May 17, 2023 by Mark Sammut: May 2023 produced one of the biggest first-party Nintendo Switch games of all time, but were does The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom rank as among the console's best games?

15 Ring Fit Adventure

If someone was a fan of Wii Fit, Ring Fit Adventure has got them covered. In Ring Fit Adventure, players must defeat the bodybuilding dragon and his numerous minions by completing exercises. Movements in the game are controlled with the Ring-Con, which attaches to your Joy-Con.

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Players will perform exercises like jogging, high knee raises, and numerous other exercises while leveling up. However, if you're merely looking for a workout, Ring Fit Adventure has you covered. One can create customizable workout routines for an unparalleled experience.

14 Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker

The 3D platform genre is growing rapidly thanks to the addition of games like Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker. Originally released for the Wii U in 2014, Treasure Tracker is a puzzle game packed with a massive collection of levels for players to complete.

In the Switch version, players will visit various locations, including a couple of new levels inspired by Super Mario Odyssey. This game was also released on the Nintendo 3DS, but undoubtedly, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is best played on the Nintendo Switch.

13 WarioWare: Get It Together!

It's always tough to balance a party game. Too far on one side and the adults have zero interest in playing. Too far on the other side and the kids are perplexed by the controls. Getting that balance right takes just a perfect amount of tinkering.

WarioWare: Get It Together! does this perfectly with a magnificent cast of characters and minigames that are short, memorable, and rapid-fire. Anybody who attends a party where this is going on, of any age, is in for a treat and will be talking about it after going home.

12 Super Mario Maker 2

Garnering universal praise when it debuted, Super Mario Maker 2 faded into the backdrop oddly quickly. Perhaps the game just did not feel different enough from the first entry to have staying power, at least in terms of attracting mainstream attention.

That said, Super Mario Maker 2 is still a must-own for anyone who loves 2D Mario, particularly if they enjoy creating levels. Those who do not want to take part in that process can enjoy a few pre-installed stages and creations crafted by other users.

11 Luigi's Mansion 3

Technically, Luigi's Mansion 3 was not a first-party game when it came out since it was developed by Next Level Games. However, as the studio has been working exclusively with Nintendo for years and, in 2021, was purchased by the latter, Luigi's Mansion 3 is essentially a first-party title.

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Once again, Mario's brother finds himself exploring a spooky hotel filled with Boos and terrors waiting around every corner. While not as creepy as GameCube classic, Luigi's Mansion 3 is creative, charming, and gorgeous.

10 Splatoon 3

Splatoon 2 and 3 are both among the best multiplayer experiences on the Nintendo Switch, but the latter's recency gives it the nod over its precursor. In comparison to its predecessor, which earned criticism for sticking too close to the first game's formula, Splatoon 3 offers a more substantial upgrade on what came before.

While the multiplayer modes are still the main focus, Splatoon 3 incorporates single-player content as well, so players do not have to jump online to enjoy this third-person shooter.

9 Nintendo Labo

The concept of a controller is one that Nintendo challenges. As the world settles in on one way of charging their controllers or button locations, Nintendo questions why catching a fish with a rod and reel shouldn't feel the same way.

Nintendo Labo is fun for all ages and is as simple or complex as the player's own imagination. By setting up the controllers in various bits of cardboard, players get a level of immersion they'd ordinarily need VR to harness.

8 Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury

Strange as it might be to describe any Mario game as "underrated," Super Mario 3D World comes very close to fitting that bill and it is frequently in the running for the best game on the system. Released on the underperforming Wii U, Super Mario 3D World is the brilliant sequel to Super Mario 3D Land. While staged like the classic platformers, these games add another dimension, basically serving as a link between Mario's 2D and 3D eras.

Bowser's Fury takes a page from Super Mario Odyssey, dropping the plumber in a large open space filled with things to collect and challenges to compete. In terms of gameplay, it might just be the most unrestricted in the franchise, although Bowser does show up frequently to distract Mario.

7 Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Animal Crossing: New Horizons was inescapable when it debuted. The game came out at the perfect time as a large percentage of the world was stuck indoors; removed from that context, New Horizons is a charming social sim that enjoyed roughly two years of frequent-enough updates.

Now, the game did launch with a fair few missing features that were included in previous entries, so it certainly wasn't (and still isn't) perfect. Be that as it may, New Horizons still provided millions of people with an island escape when they needed it the most.

6 Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

The racing sensation Mario Kart is still as enjoyable as it was on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System way back in 1992. The graphics have improved, and features like motion control have revolutionized the series.

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Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a remastered version of the Wii U game. It contains a new Battle Mode, gameplay tweaks, new characters, and all the game's DLC. Mario Kart9 couldn't come soon enough, but at least we have games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for the time being.

5 Xenoblade Chronicles 3

In 2007, Nintendo bought Monolith Soft, and the developer continues to repay that gesture by consistently crafting outstanding JRPGs. The Switch does not have all that many first-party role-playing games, but Xenoblade Chronicles 3 has the quality and quantity to carry the entire genre on its shoulders.

Offering a deep combat system, an active and lengthy campaign, and an impressive massive open-world considering the hardware's specifications, the 2022 release is a masterpiece that pushes the Switch beyond its limits. Compared to previous entries in the series, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is relatively accessible, even if it still needs roughly 20 hours to teach all of its battle mechanics.

4 Super Mario Odyssey

A modern Nintendo console is not complete without a proper 3D Mario game, a Wii U mistake the Switch did not repeat. Super Mario Odyssey is about as perfect of a platformer as they come, in the sense that it does not have any significant flaws. Sure, its kingdoms might be largely predictable, outside a few exceptions, but they are all expertly designed, unique from each other, and a lot of fun to traverse.

In a franchise known for its excellent movement,Super Mario Odyssey stands out as being particularly amazing. Mario has never felt this good to control, and players who master his moveset will be able to pull off stunts that might seem impossible to newcomers. Cappy, a hat that allows Mario to take control of enemies, adds a welcome wrinkle to the gameplay that sets Odyssey apart from previous 3D Mario projects.

3 Metroid Dread

Influential as its early games were, Metroid does not get as much attention from Nintendo as some of its other flagship properties. During the 2010s, the franchise only produced one home console entry, the divisive Metroid: Other M, and that came out right at the start of the decade; thankfully, the 2020s have been kinder to the series.

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Rather than a continuation of the first-person Prime era, Metroid Dread returns to the franchise's side-scrolling roots, a decision that pays off beautifully. The 2021 game is punishingly difficult, gorgeous, and plays like a dream. Filled with secrets, power-ups, and unforgettable boss encounters, Metroid Dread marked a splendid return to form for the grandfather of the Metroidvania genre.

2 The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild

At the Switch's launch, only one game mattered: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. During its first few months, the console was jokingly called a BOTW machine; while this was partially due to a lack of other worthwhile options, it was mainly a reflection of the game's quality. The first proper open-world Zelda project, BOTW represents sandbox gaming at its best, granting players a massive playground where they can craft a tailored but still unique adventure.

While lacking some of the franchise's classic tropes like lengthy dungeons, the 2017 game makes up for it through an addictive gameplay loop that rewards creativity and a willingness to explore. Right out of the gate, BOTW pushed the Switch to its limits and made the console a must-own device. The title set a standard that almost no subsequent Switch game could hope to reach, and it is a testament to Nintendo's first-party quality control that a few titles managed to come close.

1 The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom

Very little separates Breath of the Wild and its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom. In fact, at launch, the former was undoubtedly a fresher experience since its successor does not deviate too far from its predecessor's ideas. TOTK provides a very similar adventure to BOTW, albeit one that introduces enough twists to justify a return visit to Hyrule.

Arguably the sequel's biggest addition is the fantastic Fuse ability, which opens up a range of traversal and combat possibilities. TOTK's sandbox is an absolute marvel that encourages players to experiment with the tools at their disposal, even more so than BOTW. Ultimately, the 2023 game emphasizes its predecessor's strengths, all the while refining controversial mechanics like weapon degradation. If someone is looking for a traditional Zelda experience, they will only get it in spurts in TOTK; however, if a Switch owner wants BOTW but more, the sequel delivers.

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