Best 28 Nintendo Switch Games in 2023

Nintendo’s current console has certainly been a dream machine for them and fans. Breaking sales records while next-gen consoles struggled to meet demand, the Nintendo Switch managed to get a fantastic start. The future also looks pretty good for the portable/home console hybrid, with first party titles, AAA hopefuls, and indies lined up to be thrust into gamers hands. We’re looking beyond the holidays- here’s our top picks for the best new upcoming Nintendo Switch Games in 2023 that we’re really excited about.

#28 Super Mario RPG

Platform: November 17, 2023
Release Date: Switch

Nintendo

When you have a title like Super Mario RPG, you’re definitely not surprising anyone by having RPG elements in your gameplay!

The twist is that the remake isn’t just keeping everything RPG-like about the original title; it’s adding fresh elements to make it even more viable! For example, there will be “Action Commands” that can help you deal more damage and reduce some of the damage you take!

Plus, Triple Moves will bring your three party members together to do incredible attacks on your enemies! When you add this with the other game mechanics, you’ll have plenty to enjoy in the game!

#27 Red Dead Redemption

Platform: PS4 Switch – August 17, 2023
Release Date: Xbox 360 PS3 – May 18, 2010

PlayStation | Xbox | Nintendo

Are you ready to saddle up, cowboy? In the newly rereleased/bundle version of Red Dead Redemption on Nintendo Switch and PS4, you’ll have multiple adventures awaiting you.

You’ll play as former outlaw John Marston, who the government has coerced to take down his old crew if he wishes to live peacefully with his family. That won’t be an easy task as they’re spread out across the country and in Mexico.

But take them on you will! You’ll ride around, have gun fights, and do various other tasks to complete your mission. But is there such a thing as a happy ending for an outlaw like you?

#26 Warhammer 40000: Boltgun

Developer: Auroch Digital
Publisher: Focus Entertainment
Platforms: PC PS4 Xbox One PS5 XSX|S Switch
Release: May 23, 2023

It seems there’s a trend going on right now in trying to invoke the old-school “boomer shooters” style to get players to feel like they did back in the “golden days” of video games. The twist is that this is happening with modern titles and franchises bringing their “new-school” tactics to the old-school style.

In this case, we’re talking about Warhammer 40000: Boltgun. The game lets you play a Space Marine with one job: kill everything in their way. Doesn’t matter if it’s enemy Space Marines or chaos demons. You will blow them away, cut them up, or whatever else comes to mind!

They even replicated the old-school graphics to nail the feel.

#25 SteamWorld Build

Developer: Image & Form
Publisher: Thunderful Publishing
Platforms: PC PS4 Xbox One PS5 XSX|S Switch
Release: December 1, 2023

Here is a franchise that continues to grow in unique ways. SteamWorld Build is a title that will allow you to manage an entire mining town on the surface while digging what’s below it.

As you’ll discover, there’s a mining site below the ground, and you’ll want to get to it as quickly as possible because there are untold amounts of treasure within!

But to ensure you get to where it is, you’ll need to grow your town, manage your citizens, and get them to help you out!

You’ll have much to manage, but it’ll all work in your favor if you’re smart about it! So build the ultimate mining town and see what treasures lie beneath!

#24 Wildfrost

Developer: Deadpan Games
Publisher: Chucklefish
Platforms: PC Switch
Release: April 12, 2023

In the wintertime, everyone begs for the sun to come around because they are sick of the cold. But what happens when the winter is something that doesn’t stop? What happens when the cold, snow, and ice attempt to consume the land you live on? Well, you need to stop it, and in Wildfrost, you will.

You’ll pick a chief leader, all of whom are unique, then attempt to ascend to the Sun Temple. To fight monsters, you’ll build a deck to combat them. Build the perfect deck, upgrade the companions to handle the obstacles ahead, and free your home from the terrifying frost!

#23 Digimon World: Next Order

Developer: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Platforms: PC Switch
Release: February 22, 2023

Digimon might not have overthrown Pokemon, but the franchise still has a strong fanbase. If you enjoy the IP, you might have already heard about Digimon World. In fact, this RPG open-world title was initially released all the way back in 2016 for Japan on the PlayStation Vita before it hit worldwide release in 2017 for the PlayStation 4. Now, years later, the game has hit the Nintendo Switch. This title follows a high school student that goes into the digital world and is forced into restoring order. Similar to Pokemon, this is still very much a monster-collecting RPG. You’ll gather up Digimon, build a team and take out the different enemies along the way. 

#22 Life is Strange 2

Developer: Don’t Nod / Dontnod Entertainment
Publisher: Square Enix
Platforms: Switch
Release: February 02, 2023

Life is Strange was a massive hit when it first launched into the marketplace. Following the success of the debut series release, Dontnod Entertainment brought a successor with Life is Strange 2. Neither of the games connects in terms of the main storyline, so you don’t have to play the first game to enjoy the sequel. This is an adventure game where the focus is on player choices that alter the narrative. In Life is Strange 2, players follow two brothers who end up on the run. When the youngest sibling discovers he has telekinetic abilities, their struggle to find safety and a means to keep the powers a secret becomes an even greater uphill battle.

#21 The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Azure

Developer: Nihon Falcom Corp
Publisher: NIS America
Platforms: PC PS4 Switch
Release: March 14, 2023

The Legend of Heroes: Trials of Azure is another game released years ago in Japan before finally making its way to other regions. Initially launched in 2011, players in other markets we now have the game on Nintendo Switch from earlier this year. This is an RPG that takes place shortly after the events of Trails From Zero. The peace that was established after that game didn’t last long. New organizations have risen, causing further conflicts within the land of Crossbell. The Trails franchise is quite a lengthy one, with several games in the series. Even though this one is based on a follow-up to a 2010 release, it’s nice knowing that some fans have finally got their hands on the game.

#20 Trek To Yomi

Developer: Leonard Menchiari / Flying Wild Hog
Publisher: Devolver Digital
Platforms: Switch
Release: January 30, 2023

Trek To Yomi is likely to catch your attention from the visuals alone. This black-and-white side-scrolling title follows a young man named Hiroki in feudal Japan. Hiroki is on a new quest for revenge as he finds his home village burned to the ground. With lives lost and nothing but ashes in its place, Hiroki travels to the Japanese underworld and begins his journey for answers and vengeance. While most platforms received Trek To Yomi in 2022, it wouldn’t be until January of this year that Nintendo Switch owners were able to purchase this title.

#19 Powerwash Simulator

Developer: FuturLab
Publisher: Square Enix
Platforms: PS4 PS5 Switch
Release: January 31, 2023

Who would have guessed a power-washing simulation game would be such a big hit? PowerWash Simulator shows that people love washing down old dirty objects and making them look brand spanking new again. The game title is exactly what the game offers. Here players are starting their own cleaning company where you’ll take different jobs and clean up anything from large mechanical hardware to homes. You’ll have separate spray tips to switch out as you attempt to clear off all debris, whether you need a wider spray area or a more defined water shot.

#18 Hogwarts Legacy

Developer: Avalanche Software
Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Platforms: Switch
Release: 14 November 2023

Are you ready to “live the unwritten”? If so, you’ll want Hogwarts Legacy when it arrives on Switch in 2023.

As a fifth-year student, the game will take you to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Once there, you’ll go on a journey of your own design. Will you be the stalwart student who learns as much as possible and does right by their house?

Will you be an adventurer and see all that the school and the grounds have to offer? Or will you go down a darker path and learn the dark spells and curses that fuel certain wizards and witches? It’s your choice, so choose wisely.

#17 Rune Factory 3 Special

● Developer: Marvelous Interactive
● Publisher: XSEED Games
● Platforms: Nintendo Switch
● Release date: March 02, 2023

Rune Factory 3 Special is an improved version of the original game. The title puts you in the role of Micah, a young man with a secret ability. One that allows him to transform into a sheep monster!

Not knowing much about your past, you’ll settle down in a small town full of interesting characters and build your life there. You’ll farm, fish, go on adventures, and potentially meet the love of your life! There are 11 bachelorettes that you can interact with, and if you fall for one, build up your relationship and propose!

That’ll lead to the newly added Newlywed Mode, where you’ll go on adventures based on who you married.

#16 Oxenfree II: Lost Signals

● Developer: Night School Studio
● Publisher: MWM Interactive
● Platforms: PC PS4 PS5 Nintendo Switch
● Release date: July 12, 2023

Oxenfree was a curveball indie title that blew everyone away when it first launched in 2016. It has been a long time coming, but this year we saw the release of its sequel. Oxenfree II: Lost Signals builds on the mind-bending foundations of the original game through the lens of an original story that connects to the original in fascinating new ways. Here you’re taking the role of Riley who returns to her hometown only to investigate a new series of mysterious radio signals. Where are these signals coming from and what do they mean? Play the game and find out how the story continues on.

#15 Story of the Seasons: A Wonderful Life

● Developer: Marvelous Inc.
● Publisher: Xseed Games
● Platforms: Nintendo Switch
● Release date: January 26th, 2023

It’s time for you to try your hand at farming! You will begin a brand new life in your new home in Forgotten Valley, where you will befriend the residents of the valley and live up to your father’s legacy as a farmer. As time and seasons past, you will meet your soulmate and have children together. This game plays as most farming games but with a cool…The Sims like feel!

#14 Disney Speedstorm

● Developer: Gamesoft
● Publisher: Gamesoft
● Platforms: PlayStation 5 and 4, XBox One and Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC
● Release date: 28 September 2023

It is time to enjoy a fun racing game with many of your favorite Disney and Pixar characters…as well as the race maps taking you through Disney worlds from our favorite movies.

You will be able to play with and alongside characters like Captain Jack Sparrow, Mulan, Mickey Mouse, Sulley, The Beast, and many more who are suited up for some high speed racing combat! You can upgrade stats for racer’s as well as impact their skills which can change each race. If you’re looking for something to take a break from Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, this might be a game worth picking up.

#13 Pikmin 4

• Developer: Nintendo
• Platforms: Nintendo Switch
• Publisher: Nintendo
• Release date: July 21, 2023

Are you ready for another epic adventure involving you commanding Pikmin to complete tasks? If so, you’re in luck, as Pikmin 4 is here!

The game continues the tradition of you being a member of the Rescue Corps. But this time, you’re saving the rest of the Corps as Captain Olimar and the others have been stranded on a strange planet! You’ll wander around attempting to fix your ship, find other members, and survive the alien life that thrives there!

Utilize your Pikmin to the fullest while also using your new friend in Oatchi! There are challenges both above and below to test you, so try them all and see if you can overcome them!

#12 Disney Illusion Island

• Publisher: Disney Interactive
• Developer: Dlala Studios
• Platform: Nintendo Switch
• Released: July 28, 2023

For ages, Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy have been the most famous figures in Disney history. They are the ones that built the bedrock for all to come, and they’ve been in many games together as a result.

Their latest adventure, though, will let you play as all of them with your friends! Welcome to Disney Illusion Island! The 4-player co-op title will see the beloved characters heading to a mysterious island of illusions. As if the game’s title didn’t explain that enough!

There, you’ll work together to find magical texts and save the day! Each character has their own unique skills, so use them all to get the job done!

#11 Persona 3 Portable

• Publisher: Atlus
• Developer: Atlus
• Platform: PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
• Released: January 19, 2023

Fans of Persona rejoice! Those who want to see the franchises true roots, you’re in luck, because Persona 3 Portable is available.

This game was the one that truly set the tone for all to come, including the use of Persona’s and their mechanics, the deep story wrapped around certain kinds of individuals and their interactions, and so on.

Key characters like Mitsuru Kirijo are here, and you’ll see the origins of many things within the franchise in Persona 3 Portable, so grab a copy of this game today.

#10 Persona 4 Golden

• Publisher: Atlus
• Developer: Atlus
• Platform: PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
• Released: TBA NS

Multiple Persona games came out onto the system and Persona 4 Golden is just another installment you can dive into today.

While P5 was the one that really took the Persona series into the mainstream, it was PAG that showed just how grand this franchise could be. The game revolves around a group of teens (obviously) who find themselves wrapped up in a tale of growth, longing, and a serial killer mystery.

This is the best version of the game in terms of both graphics and gameplay, and you’ll see the steps that were taken that helped make P5 so grand when it got made.

So get ready to battle with your…PERSONA!!!

#9 Blanc

• Publisher: Gearbox Publishing
• Developer: Casus Ludi
• Platform: PC, Nintendo Switch
• Released: February 14, 2023

As a wolf cub and deer fawn are separated from their respective families, they must work together, and form a beautiful friendship along the way. While the little wolf can get into tight spaces, the fawn can bound much higher and further. You and a friend can work together to help these cuddly critters in what is sure to be a heartwarming platforming puzzle adventure that surely won’t break any hearts. Ever heard of “The Fox and the Hound?” No reason…

#8 Master Detective Archives Raincode

• Publisher: Spike Chunsoft
• Developer: Too Kyo Games, Spike Chunsoft
• Platform: Nintendo Switch
• Released: June 30, 2023

Master Detective Archives Raincode is a unique detective game with various anime twists that is now available. The title will put you in the role of an amnesiac detective who is in a city that is known for its perpetual rain. The city is also very low in getting its crimes solves. Those who do try and solve them though are known as “master detectives”, and some of them come from all over the world.

You yourself are Yuma, who is also being accompanied by a demon named Shinigami, who must go throughout the city, solve cases, and learn the truth about yourself.

Find the clues, move through the maze of truth and phantoms, and seek out all that is happening.

#7 Minecraft Legends

• Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
• Developer: Mojang Studios, Blackbird Interactive
• Platform: PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
• Released: April 18, 2023

You can’t “block out” Minecraft’s success, so its no surprise the series is starting to dip its toes in other genres. The action strategy game where players are commanding their own forces to fend of the Piglin invasion from the Nether, and that players can work with or against one another in defending villages. Work to gather resources and allies, build up villages, defenses, and siege weapons, and take the fight to the Piglins in their forts to blow them sky high. If you’re looking for something new from the Minecraft IP, this action strategy game is worth playing.

#6 My Time At Sandrock

• Publisher: Pathea Games, PM Studios, Inc., DMM GAMES
• Developer: Pathea Games
• Platform: PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
• Released: April 16, 2023

In the same universe as My Time at Portia, the world was devastated by a technology-destroying calamity 300 years ago. Now, you roll into Sandrock as their latest builder, hoping to get the little desert town on its feet. Beyond the simple farming and crafting of life sims, players must generate full production lines to keep innovation rolling, explore the world for ancient relics, and take on mutants and machines in blistering action combat alongside allies in multiplayer. Then, chill out by delving into the lives of the townsfolk, or taking part in minigames.

#5 Cocoon

• Publisher: Annapurna Interactive
• Developer: Geometric Interactive
• Platform: PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One
• Released: September 29, 2023

From Jeppe Carlsen, the mind behind Limbo and Inside, Cocoon is a mind-bending puzzle platformer. Players must use the power of each orb to solve puzzles to progress, and orbs can be combined and manipulated to aid in that. The catch is that each orb is also a world, with its own areas and puzzles within to solve. Exploring truly alien worlds, each also has a monstrous guardian that players will need to do battle with. Enter worlds purely to alter the property of its orb, so you can complete other world-orbs so they can- Oh no I’ve gone cross-eyed…

#4 Super Bomberman R 2

• Publisher: Konami
• Developer: Konami
• Platform: PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
• Released: September 13, 2023

There are some titles on this list hope to be something rather complex, but sometimes you just want good old arcade action and blow stuff up! The new story mode comes with exploration, base building, defense & strategy, and boss battles, as the Bomberman brothers fend off an alien invasion. The new Castle battle mode tasks one player to defend against an army of Bombermen by building up their own fortress- all while raining down their own bombs of course. If classic and 3 vs. 3 modes weren’t enough, there’s also a full blown 64 player rumble. What a blast!

#3 Kirby Return To Dreamland Deluxe

• Developer: Nintendo
• Publisher: Nintendo
• Platforms: Nintendo Switch
• Release date: February 24, 2023

One of the main digs at the Nintendo Switch is that the system loves to port games from the Wii U to the modern system. The good news is that this isn’t one of those titles. This is a port of a Wii title! Totally different!

In celebration of the 35^th anniversary of the Kirby franchise, the Switch received Kirby Return To Dreamland Deluxe! This upgrade for the Wii title will let you control Kirby, Bandana Dee, King Dedede and Meta Knight as you go on an adventure to get a new friend back to their home!

Plus, there will be plenty of minigames awaiting you that you can play with friends to up the ante!

#2 Fire Emblem Engage

• Developer: Intelligent Systems
• Publisher: Nintendo
• Platforms: Nintendo Switch
• Release date: January 20, 2023

Fire Emblem Engage is the latest major title in the strategy RPG line, and there’s a really fun twist to it.

Not the least of which is that your main character is a dragon from a royal family of them. Awesome. But also, through the power of certain rings, you’ll be able to summon the power of past Fire Emblem Heroes like Marth, Celica, Sigurd and more in order to boost yourself in combat.

The turn-based tactics of the game will return and the graphics look pretty great! The title is already out and if you’re a Fire Emblem fan then you’ll want to…Engage…get it?

#1 The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

• Publisher: Nintendo
• Developer: Nintendo
• Platform: Nintendo Switch
• Released: May 12, 2023

When it comes to big titles, few can match up to The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom, and for numerous reasons. But if you’re going into this game to enjoy the action, you’ll have plenty to satisfy you. Once again, Link will have numerous weapons he can pick up on the go to fight off hordes of monsters. But in a twist, he can make them stronger via the “Fuse” ability! You can turn arrows into bombs or use certain jellies to freeze enemies solid, and that’s just the beginning of the possibilities! You can also merge things with your shield so that your defensive weapon can be offensive too! For example, you can attach a flamethrower to it and burn enemies as you defend against their attacks! Coming off from Breath of the Wild, it’s likely you’ve already dove into this game once it launched earlier this year.

Disclaimer: This article was updated on 10/18/23 as we continue to adjust this list with new entries or remove games due to delays or failure to captivate audiences.