Top 25 best Switch action games
Adventures, puzzles, shoot 'em ups, simulations, role-playing games on Switch, and the list goes on and on. You can find pretty much anything that you like. With that being said, sometimes having too many options can be an issue because you can't possibly try out ALL of these games: that's unrealistic.
But you want to know at least which ones are the very best, right? Well, that's why we are here, to make your life easier! We've created a list of the best action games for Switch. Platformers, action adventures, fighting titles, we've tried to make the list as diverse as possible, so hopefully, there's something for everyone and you can find your next favourite game.
Let's get right into it!
1
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
How could we not start with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild? It's perhaps the definitive action game fo the Switch; an action, open-world adventure, single-player title for those who aren't in the know when it comes to Nintendo's catalogue of characters and series. This franchise is legendary, not just when it comes to Switch or Nintendo, but in gaming history. There's an argument to be made that Breath of the Wild is the best Zelda game ever made. What more needs to be said?
Well, I'll tell you what more needs to be said. Breath of the Wild is so vast that it often feels like a wide-reaching sandbox experience, perhaps for the first time in the series' existence. This is closer to you Red Dead Redemptionsor Skyrim in its scale and freedom than any other entry, but don't let that scale scare you, there's plenty of direction and more than a few ways that you can specialise your character to your playstyle and save Hyrule.
2
Monster Hunter Rise
Capcom's Monster Hunter series has gone from strength to strength over the last couple of decades and it's clear to see why. Monster Hunte Rise pushes it beyond its previous pedestal onto true greatness.
For those unaware of the series, Monster Hunter has you exploring vast maps on Boss-hunt-style quests. The Monsters you are hunting are gigantic, and so you need to use all of your guile, equipment and timing in order to overwhelm and ultimately defeat or capture them. It's tough, that's for sure, but it is totally thrilling when you do pull it off and you finally turn the odds against the giant demon-dinosaur-nightmare-bird you're fighting.
Beyond that, Monster Hunter is often talked about in how a lot of items, and your equipment, are gathered from the world itself. Sometimes you can just go out into the wild to collect meat and ingredients for potions so that your next run might be successful, and - of course - how can we forget the fact that you build your weapon and armour out of the body parts of the enemies that you defeat?
3
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Most Metroidvania fans will already know about Ori and the Blind Forest as it's easily one of the best games ever made in that genre. Ori and the Will of the Wisps, is the sequel to the action platformer, and it somehow manages to be even better than the original.
You take Ori beyond the forest and into new, beautiful lands. From there you have to explore the vast world, using your new abilities to travel further and further into dangerous, deadly areas. It's possible to get most of the way through the game without even paying attention to your ability systems, but if you do chase after and locate all of the hidden upgrade shards then you'll completely transform your character through your journey. Mechanically it's impressive, but the true beauty here is its stunning visuals, emotional story and absolutely hypnotizing music. This might be one of the best-ever action games.
4
Dragon Quest XI
Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age was arguably one of the best JRPGs ever made on the PS4. This is a direct port to the Switch. Normally one would expect a drop in overall quality, especially considering how people harp on about the other home consoles being miles ahead of Nintendo's offering, but no. They pulled it off somehow and the result is nothing sort of amazing.
A large part of that is, no doubt, due to the heavy, treasured style of the Dragon Quest series. Unlike a lot of RPG series (cough, Final Fantasy), Dragon Quest opted for a stylised appearance a few years back and hasn't really needed to refine or reinvent itself since. Dragon Quest is also one of the few series that has stuck with the turn-based combat system, which gives a lot of control to the player and allows them to carefully manage a team of specialists, rather than leaving their buddies to autopilot while they play the sole hero.
5
Metroid Dread
Many retro fans kept asking for a new 2D Metroid over the years. It's been a long time, but finally, Samus is back. The story continues after the events of Metroid Fusion in this amazing action-adventure single-player goodie. Though Metroid Dread feels like an action platformer, the story itself will keep fans and new players to the series captivated as you travel throughout space, explore new planets, and take on dangerous creatures that have thrived in these environments. There are a lot of special abilities that you can master, upgrades for your weapons, and so much more to discover.
6
Astral Chain
If you are a fan of Switch action games, Astral Chain is a must-have. As a part of a special task force, you must fight against alien-like creatures who have invaded the post-apocalyptic world. You'll need to make your way through what is left of the world, taking on fierce enemies with massive weapons, to save what is left of the world. Astral Chain feels quite Anime in concept, and mixes people with alien creatures while intertwining a story of hope and desperation. Explosive action, unique chain combat gameplay and exploration mechanics make this a stand-out Switch title.
7
Hades
Hades is a single-player, roguelike, and dungeon crawler that is filled with action-packed battles against enemies that are much larger than yourself. It's one of the best games that was released in 2019 so, that speaks volumes about its quality and that quality still stands up well against other similar titles to this day. There is just a great flow in the attacks and exploration of the dungeon, as you slowly get more powerful.
However, we have to note that it's rather unforgiving as well. The Roguelike part of it won't sit well with some players for sure, but if you're a fan of hardcore action games, going through the dungeons crawling with beasts and Gods of ancient Greece will be a very satisfying experience.
8
Super Mario Odyssey
Super Mario Odyssey is in the discussion for the 'best' Mario game ever. By the way, there are more than 200 Mario titles. It doesn't matter if you are a fan of the franchise or not, this is one of the best 3D platform experiences one can have on the Switch. Though Super Mario Odyssey isn't as action-packed and fight-focused as other titles on this list, there are the normal suspects of any Mario game to fight against, as well as just so much world to explore. The balance of small enemies, bosses, and exploration gives you a bit of relaxation.
You'll dive into the depths of the sea and explore it like a real Mario mermaid, meet a lot of interesting characters and enjoy the colourful background of the whole scenery.
9
Hollow Knight
Hollow Knight went quite viral in a lot of ways, becoming a very popular game, especially on Nintendo Switch. This Metroidvania takes place in a vast, dark, atmospheric world. It combines beautiful 2D handmade graphics, with smooth gameplay. It is another game that feels super smooth and tactile as you try out new ways of attacking and unlock different charms to add to your abilities. You will likely find bizarre friends and strange worlds in Hollow Knight, and anyone who enjoys exploration and a reasonable challenge should give this one a try. By reasonable challenge, we mean a 'rather hard game'.
10
Skyrim
An action RPG with an epic storyline, set in an open vast world. Even though it's been years since its release, Skyrim is simply one of the best RPGs ever made. It doesn't support the recent mods and upgrades other versions received but this one includes every expansion all bundled together, which can make it well worth the price. Its epic story and a ton of sidequests will keep you up late, and we really envy any soul that's about to play it for the first time. The amount of exploration and action will keep you busy for quite some time too. Especially if you ever decide to create a character different than the stealth archer.
11
NEO: The World Ends With You
Neo: The World Ends With You, is a single-player, Switch action JRPG and the sequel to the classic 'The World Ends With You'. NEO contains a lot of what you would expect with a JRPG - anime characters, screams and lines of text, cute and quirky music... it's got a lot going for it! The battles themselves are full of action, even though they are within a heavily packed city, and nobody seems to notice what you are fighting! It's fast-paced and quite fun feeling. All of your attacks being psychic really adds some fun to what you can do too.
12
BioShock
If you've never played BioShock before and single-player action FPS is your thing, you are going to have a great experience with this direct port of the award-winning collection. The Bioshock: The Collection bundle includes all the trilogy's DLCs. There is a long story, lots of different battles, and realistic-looking rooms to explore. It is a massive world and Nintendo Switch is a great way to experience BioShock if you haven't already!
Of and since we haven't mentioned the action part, there's a lot of shooting in combination with using abilities and it can become very frenetic, so it's not just a great story that will keep you wanting more.
13
Yoshi's Crafted World
A lot of the action games on this list are quite hardcore in their action and battles. On the other hand, Yoshi's Crafted World is a family-friendly, Switch action platformer. Very cute colourful graphics and satisfying exploration, everything makes for a very nice relaxing experience. It also features co-op local play, so you can add some friends to the fray. It's the one that you can pick up and play with your children, with a lot of puzzle mechanics thrown in! So, don't say that we aren't thinking about the youngest players.
14
Dead Cells
Dead Cells is one of the most popular action platformers across all systems. In this roguelike, you play as a failed alchemic experiment trying to figure out what's going on inside an ever-changing castle. There is something addictive about the way that Dead Cells plays, with so many action-packed moments, fantastic slow-mo to make the action feel more intense, and of course, lots of death and trying again! If you are looking for a real raw challenge, look no further.
15
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity tells the story of the calamity that took place, a century before the events of Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. This story is one that captivates the audience, and the action within it is one full of hordes of monsters, large weapons, and bosses that can take you on! Obviously, you don't have to be a fan of the Zelda franchise to enjoy this Switch action-adventure masterpiece, but if you are a fan, then this is a must-have title.
16
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is a single-player game that blends action, platforming, beat 'em up and simulation elements, with a fresh take on Japanese mythology. You play as Sakuna, a harvest goddess banished to a dangerous island with a group of outcast humans. As Sakuna tries to prove herself and better the lives of humans on the island, she will face a lot of challenges and take on a lot of action-packed battles!
17
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury is another title that's pretty much a staple when it comes to Switch action games. Though there aren't a ton of gory battles to take on, there is a lot of action when it comes to beating an ultra Bowser, your existence angers that after stealing a bunch of princesses! The mix of action, platforming, and jumping on your enemies is filled with fun! With so many different mechanics and hidden levels that you can find, the only relaxing bit will be your world or map screen. It plays very similar to Super Mario Odyssey.
18
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening Switch
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening isn't just another title in the popular franchise, but a remake of one of the most beloved games in the Zelda series. For those that haven't played the original Gameboy title, you will find yourself on a strange island, where you have washed up. You must then explore around this charming world, to find a way to escape. There are plenty of enemies to fight, weapon types to master, and general exploration!
19
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
There are not a lot of things that we can say about Super Smash Bros Ultimate that hasn't already been said. If you like fighting and brawling, you have to try this one.
You'll unlock different Nintendo characters as the game progresses and they will beat each other senseless. I mean, whoever thought of Link fighting Mario or, for example, Bayonetta, deserves a massive raise. Each of the different characters has their weapons and battle styles which will urge you to test them all out. You can fight against your friends, and it's likely a game at least one person you know has, even if it's just to bring out at parties!
20
Ring Fit Adventure
Ring Fit Adventure is the best exercise video game that you can get. With quarantine making it difficult to go out, this Switch action RPG will keep you fit. There are various boss fights intertwined in the level, requiring you to pick move sets, some of which are better against specific types of monsters, and then you need to physically do the exercise to attack or defend! It's a really fun way to get in on the action.
21
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is a 2D platformer of the highest order. Excellent level design, clean, well-polished graphics and smooth gameplay make it a great experience for all ages. As Donkey Kong, you are being attacked by ice monsters, who want to ruin your jungle paradise. Left with no choice but to fight back, you will need to survive, explore, and defeat different enemies.
22
Celeste
Celeste is a title that we wouldn't recommend to everyone but, if you are an action platformer veteran who's looking for a real challenge, this is for you. There are a lot of tricky jumps, where the action is all in how you move along the level and less in fighting, though you will be fighting against the environment. However, if you'd prefer to enjoy its beautiful graphics, the difficulty is extremely customisable, allowing you to adjust the challenge to your preferences.
23
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The next one on the list is well-known by many players and definitely can be called a masterpiece. The Witcher 3 is an open-world action title with an incredible story and dynamic gameplay. Although it's a very story-driven RPG with a plethora of characters and quests, the action is very interesting. You'll have access to silver and steel weapons, where one is more effective against humans and the other against monsters. Other than that, the witcher has potions, bombs, and abilities that are all very useful, so each combat will play out differently. Whether you're encountering drowners, a wyvern or a regular thug, each fight will be rather exciting. Oh and, turn on the music to the max, each melody has a story of its own.
24
Bayonetta 1 + 2
Are you ready to defeat droves of demons with your quad-wielding (yes, one on each hand, one on each foot) guns and magical hair? What do you mean that doesn't make sense?
Bayonetta by Hideki Kamiya, the creator of the Devil May Cry franchise, is a highlyy celebrated third-person 3D hack & slash where you control the titular witch. Even though the original title was released a few console generations back, it is still one of the best titles in the genre and is well worth your time. Better yet, it comes bundled with the fantastic sequel, which builds on the fast-paced, high-stylized combat and amazing character design of the first.
25
Kirby Star Allies
Kirby Star Allies is the latest outing for Nintendo's notorious pink puff. In keeping with their family-friendly focus, Kirby's latest outing allows you to play alongside three other friends or family, or - if you want to play solo - up to three AI-controlled helpers.
This is one that my youngest daughter has absolutely loved, and she's spent a lot of time mixing and matching the AI abilities (you can also add elemental powers now) so that they balance out how she plays.
Beyond that, it's Kirby. An incredibly approachable, easy-to-play platformer and probably the most forgiving platformer series out there, which means it's not only great for all ages, but a fantastic choice for winding down after a long day.
