17 Best Nintendo Switch Viking Games to Feel like a Jarl

While history can be romanticized, we gleam a little more about it every day. While Vikings used to have the reputation of savages from across the sea, more recent discoveries show how the late 11th century Scandinavians formed their culture and the major steps in their civilization. These included merchants, craftsmen, and noble warriors who washed once a week, they never even had horns on their helmets! But let’s not kid ourselves–some Vikings did loot, pillage, and settle, inspiring grand stories of adventure centuries later. Here are our picks for the best Nintendo Switch Viking games available now.

#17 Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

• Publisher: Nintendo
• Developer: Nintendo
• Platform: Nintendo Switch
• Released: 2013

This may be a stretch, but there’s a reason why this title made it onto the list. One of the best side-scrolling platformers on the Nintendo Switch, Donkey Kong must take back his island from the Snomads. These arctic and antarctic animal invaders are Vikings through and through, led by Lord Fredrik to seize the island for themselves. Unlike the real Vikings, Fredrik has access to a magical horn which has thrown the tropical island into perpetual winter under a blanket of snow. Firmly in the “easy to learn, difficult to master” category, getting 100% will mean lots of Snomad smashing with your partner Diddy, Dixie, or Cranky being able to grant different abilities to DK himself. Grab a friend, and retake your island home from the Vikings!

#16 Die for Valhalla

• Release date: May 27, 2018
• Developer: Monster Couch
• Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Linux, Macintosh operating systems
• Publishers: Monster Couch, MP Digital, LLC

Have you ever seen Vikings zombies fighting against spiders and other monsters? Not only can you see it in Die for Valhalla, but you can also control them all. In this action RPG, you play as a Valkyrie, a ghost guiding the souls of the deceased Vikings on their way to Valhalla.

If the job of a Valkyrie is usually pretty chill, a bad guy called The Great Old One opened a monstruous portal and wants to take over the world. Your goal is to stop his evil plans by possessing the fallen Vikings and guiding them through battle. Die for Valhalla features two game modes: Beat ‘Em Up and Rogue-lite. As their names suggests, the first one is a relaxing experience where you smash everything in sight, while the other requires more reflexion. The Rogue-lite mode features permadeath, and not the kind of death that will bring you to Valhalla.

#15 Wartile: Complete Edition

• Release date: February 26, 2019
• Developer: PlayWood Project Aps
• Publisher: Deck13
• Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Some tabletop games feature cool-looking figurines you can move across a board. And if your teammates take too long to make their move, you can just stare at the figurines and imagine them coming to life. Then comes Wartile: a video game that takes its inspiration from those figurines to tell the story of Vikings in handcrafted diorama battle boards.

Wartile is a tactical game where you need to strategically place your figurines to win battles. If the action gets too fast, you can use a slow-motion mode to turn Wartile into an almost turn-based game. Wartile: Complete Edition includes the default game, as well as its original soundtrack and the Wartile Hel’s Nightmare DLC that brings additional content.

#14 Bossgard

• Release date: April 18, 2019
• Developer: Sand Sailor Studio
• Publisher: Sand Sailor Studio
• Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows

In Bossgard, you are not a Viking fighting his way through Valhalla or pillaging villages across the seas. Instead, you are a powerful boss whose goal is to crush your own friends.

Bossgard is an asymetrical multiplayer game where one player controls the boss while the others try to defeat it. A team of up to five cartoony Vikings are up against one big boss. But if it may seem scary, it really depends on which boss they face. The player controlling the boss can choose to be a mighty fortress, a giant evil plunger, or just a really angry slice of bread. The boss can use various special powers, traps, and minions to defeat the Vikings. The mighty heroes also have some abilities, from healing powers to turrets and shields.

#13 Fimbul

• Release date: February 28, 2019
• Developer: Zaxis ApS
• Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
• Publishers: Wild River, EuroVideo Medien GmbH

In Norse mythology, the end of the world is known as Ragnarök. But what happens right before that? Fimbul answers that question.

This single-player action adventure game is set in the final winter before Ragnarök. You play as an old Viking that travels to Jötunheim, the lands of the giants, in hopes to save Midgard – the land of humans. Your choices impact the story, which is told through in-game comics. Gameplay-wise, Fimbul is filled with combat against various enemies, from giants to Trolls and everything in between.

#12 Die With Glory

• Release date: April 26, 2017
• Developers: ChiliDog Interactive, Castle Digital Partners, Castle
• Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Android, Microsoft Windows, Linux, Macintosh operating systems
• Publishers: Veslo Games, ChiliDog Interactive, Castle Digital Partners

When Vikings die, they reach the halls of Valhalla to be with Odin. But what happens to Vikings that can’t find an opponent strong enough to defeat them?

Die With Glory follows the story of Sigurd, an old Viking that never lost in battle. As there aren’t Viking retirement homes anywhere in Midgard, Sigurd is ready to die and go through the gates of Valhalla. But he can’t find a worthy opponent able to grant him an honorable death. Your goal is to help him on this journey that should eventually lead to his demise. Die With Glory is a humor-packed point and click adventure with a non-linear story that features a vegetarian time-traveling dragon and lots of pop culture references.

#11 Volgarr The Viking

• Publisher: Adult Swim Games, Crazy Viking Studios
• Developer: Crazy Viking Studios
• Platform: PC, Linux, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Wii U
• Released: 2013

Boasting hardcore arcade-style action, players have been tasked by Odin himself to slay an evil dragon. Seven worlds and over thirty maps stand in your way, filled with over forty traps and enemies, and a single hit will kill you. Along with using your sword and shield to fend off skeletons, lizardmen, fish-people, and more, your spear can also be used to make temporary platforms. In addition, power-ups can help turn the odds in your favor with more chances to survive and more ways to slay your foes. Volgarr also boasts branching paths, multiple endings, an orchestrated soundtrack, and handcrafted pixel graphics with thousands of frames of animation.

#10 Bad North

• Release date: August 20, 2018
• Developer: Raw Fury
• Publisher: Raw Fury
• Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Android, iOS, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, macOS, Macintosh operating systems

At first glance, Bad North looks like a peaceful game, with pastel colors and a minimalistic aesthetic. Until Vikings come to raid your idyllic island and slaughter everyone.

To save your people from the Viking invaders, you will need to relocate to various islands. Each one of them has a unique shape with its strengths and weaknesses. The Vikings will raid your island from all corners, burning down every house they can reach. Your goal is to stop them and save your people by strategically positioning your troops and upgrading your defenses.

#9 Ancestors Legacy

• Release date: May 22, 2018
• Developer: 1C Company
• Publisher: Fulqrum Publishing
• Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows

Vikings are famous for their raids, wreaking havoc wherever they go. Ancestors Legacy taps into that warrior side of Vikings to offer a real-time strategy game where you need to lead your Viking crew to victory.

This game doesn’t only feature Vikings. If you don’t feel like a jarl today, you can play as the Anglo-Saxons, Teutons, or Slavs. The Saladin’s Conquest DLC also adds a fifth civilization, the Saracens. Ancestors Legacy combines large-scale battles with resource management, as you need to set up temporary bases and settlement on your way to victory. You can also switch from the usual RTS isometric view to a more immersive cinematic view to see your crew destroying your opponents – or die trying.

#8 Jotun

• Publisher: Thunder Lotus Games
• Developer: Thunder Lotus Games
• Platform: PC, Linux, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Wii U, Google Stadia
• Released: 2015

Thora didn’t die a glorious death, meaning she cannot enter the warrior’s afterlife of Valhalla. However, she has been given one last chance to earn her place. Combining action adventure with puzzles, players must find their way to the titular Jotun- giants of elemental forces who must then be felled in screen-filling battles. Slowly gain the power of the gods through runes and explore nine realms fully animated by hand and voiced by authentic Icelandic voice actors and actresses.

#7 Northgard

• Publisher: Shiro Unlimited
• Developer: Shiro Games
• Platform: PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Android, iOS
• Released: 2015

This real time strategy game tasks gives you the challenge of colonizing a new continent with your Viking brethren. Avenge your father and former king in single-player, or take on other players in multiplayer. Send your Vikings to work gathering resources and building structures to survive while exploring the land and fending off rival clans, wolves, and the undead. Seize victory through trade, worship of the gods, or outright conquest of your enemies.

#6 Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice

• Publisher: Ninja Theory
• Developer: Ninja Theory
• Platform: PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
• Released: 2017

A surprisingly sensitive entry to Ninja Theory’s catalog of titles including Enslaved: Odyssey to the West and DMC: Devil May Cry, 8th century Pict warrior Senua hopes to save the soul of her love. Her quest and mind will be twisted, as Senua’s mind is assaulted by harassment from “Furies,” voices in her head that guide, praise, and demean her every move. It’s no wonder the game was praised for how it handled psychosis and mental health. The sequel, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, was announced in 2019, and is currently in development.

#5 Civilization VI

• Publisher: 2K Games
• Developer: Firaxis Games
• Platform: PC, Linux, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Android, iOS
• Released: 2016

The OG historical 4X strategy game, this latest iteration gives new tools for players to build up their nation. Cities will now expand as players improve them with districts on the surrounding hexes. Units are also now able to stack in some cases, such as being able to defend builders or certain kinds of mounted or vehicular units with their riders and drivers. For the true Viking experience, play as Norway under Harald Hardrada. His naval melee units can raid coastal cities and can sail without having discovered cartography. Norway also has access to Berserkers with extra damage and the ability to pillage quickly, along with Viking Longships with greater strength and Stave Churches which gain extra faith when built next to woods. Finally, the Viking Scenario Pack DLC adds six new city-states and a 100-turn scenario in which you command the Norwegians or the Swedes to seize England, France, and find Vinland.

#4 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

• Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
• Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
• Platform: PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
• Released: 2011

“Hey, you! You’re finally awake.” Over a decade old and practically a living meme, Skyrim‘s Nordic influence is clear to see. As you are captured as a suspected rebel, dragons attack the city in which you were to be executed. As a dragon dies in the conflict, you somehow absorb its soul and learn your destiny as the Dragonborn. While director Todd Howard is known for his wild claims, the open-world RPG boasts endless choice in how you build your character and take on your adventure. There are NPCs with routines, skills, and proficiencies to perfect, and the almighty Dragon Shouts to master special powers. The Nintendo Switch version also offers motion controls, and if you have a Link Breath of the Wild Amiibo, you can also wield the Champion’s Tunic, Hylian Shield, and Master Sword.

#3 The Banner Saga

• Publisher: Versus Evil
• Developer: Stoic Studio
• Platform: PC, Linux, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Android, iOS
• Released: 2014

The sun has stopped moving and the ancient Dredge have returned to kill man and giant alike. Set out on an adventure in order to escort the human prince to the Varl capital and seal an alliance between the races to survive. Enter tactical turn-based combat, where choosing to whittle down health or armor is paramount. Yet, the choices you make between battles are just as important, determining who out of 25 playable characters will join you, thrive, or die.

#2 Niffelheim

• Publisher: Ellada Games
• Developer: Ellada Games
• Platform: PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
• Released: 2018

Much like other entries on this list, you play as a Viking warrior who has not quite made it to Valhalla and must take on one last adventure to earn their place. Not only must you explore this side-scrolling crafting-focused RPG, but build and defend your own fort to survive. Gather and use resources from field and foe to make yourself stronger, find mighty artefacts in the deepest corners of the world, and rebuild a portal to Asgard.

#1 Dead in Vinland

• Publisher: Dear Villagers
• Developer: Ishtar Games
• Platform: PC, Nintendo Switch
• Released: 2018

Another survival-focused RPG, but this time you’re not dead! Yet. After being exiled to a distant island, Eirik and his family must explore their new home, turn it into a settlment, keep it from eating them alive. Battles demand you place your party members carefully, as which column they are in will impact what skills they can use and where they can strike the enemy ranks. Care for your group’s physical and mental health, ration food and water, expand, and dare to halt tributes to local robbers.