BigNerdGaming’s Top 10 Nintendo Switch Games

We are almost there.

Roughly two years ago, I made my first console top 10 list, with the eventual goal of essentially using all of these lists to better craft my “top 25 games of all time.”

After this list, we will finally be there. I won’t be making lists for the PS5 or Xbox Series X, so my next ranked list will be all of my favorite games ever.

As I talked about a bit in my “Top 10 Switch Games Published By Nintendo” list, the Switch was my first time owning a “main” Nintendo console since the Nintendo 64. I like Nintendo as a developer, but they didn’t have enough amazing output to convince me to jump in on the GameCube, Wii, or Wii U.

The Switch won me over because it was an innovative console that brought together the best of portable gaming and owning a “home console.” Also, until the Steam Deck was released, I’d say it was clearly the best machine to have for playing indie games. In the end, I really loved my Nintendo Switch, even if it was rarely Nintendo games that encompass many of my best memories with it. Here are the ten that I enjoyed the most!

As usual, I tried not to include games that came out either before the system actually released or when the Switch 2 was already out. This means games like Stardew Valley did not qualify.

10. Neon White

When I inevitably make a “most overlooked games of the 2020s” list, this might damn well be near the top. Neon White is such a slick combination of shooting, card mechanics, and speedrunning. The level design is the star of the show, as it manages to seamlessly blend all of these elements together in satisfying ways. I am not usually huge on speedrunning, as I don’t like replaying levels a bunch to get better times, but the overall design, structure, and rewards for doing so had me hooked.

Also, the story concept is pretty cool, and while the story as a whole was universally panned, I thought it had some cool moments and a nice ending. Once you get through the speedrunning aspects of the game, there’s also a bit of exploration in each level that I enjoyed. I need more people to play this game, as I’d really like to see a Neon White 2.

9. Astral Ascent

There are probably a dozen reasons why Big Nerd Gaming exists. One of these reasons is very specifically because of Astral Ascent.

I stumbled upon Astral Ascent thanks to its high review scores and couldn’t believe that a small studio I had never heard of made something so good. When this came out, I thought it had the best roguelike gameplay since the original Hades. The lightning speed of the gameplay is awesome. The game gives you several drastically different characters to use. It has a unique skill system that really grew on me, and every run has dozens of small but interesting decisions to make regarding your builds and the type of encounters you want to face. It also has a great metaprogression system and a cool story concept, even if the story itself is nothing special.

Despite how awesome this game was, I couldn’t find anyone talking about it. I listened to several gaming podcasts at this point, and it wasn’t getting a mention anywhere. It drove me nuts. That is when I realized that even though I would never be some big name in the gaming space, I wanted an area where I could highlight the games I love and try to give them the attention they deserve. Astral Ascent ended up being one of the first reviews on this website, and I still think about it from time to time.

If you like roguelikes, and if this blog has ever given you any good advice, I really think you should play Astral Ascent.

8. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Despite my hot-and-cold relationship with Nintendo, the Zelda series has always been a consistent standout for me. I love the sense of adventure these games can have, in addition to their strong mix of dungeon design, exploration, and combat. While combat is usually the weakest part of these games, these have always been the “triforce” of features that make this series so good to me.

Breath of the Wild is a weird game in that the combat feels worse to me than past games, in large part because of how much I despised the weapon durability element of the game. Getting into combat almost felt like a punishment, because any decently tough fight would eradicate several of my best weapons quickly. The game also almost completely eliminates its traditional dungeons, which was a huge loss.

But it makes up for it with a beautiful world and by far the best exploration in the series’ history. This is a world of true organic discovery. There’s a reason that open-world design has started to shift drastically in recent years, and the influence of Breath of the Wild is a massive reason for that. There is also some great puzzle solving still, even though I don’t like that it is segmented more thanks to the lack of traditional dungeons.

The game also features some of the most cinematic moments in series history. Breath of the Wild will never be the best game of all time for me. It’s not even close to my favorite Zelda game ever. But I do respect the hell out of it, and I think it was brave enough to deserve many of its accolades.

7. Octopath Traveler 2

I didn’t finish the original Octopath Traveler, so I had no intention of playing this game. But I decided to still give this sequel a chance, and man, am I glad I did. This is easily one of the best modern JRPGs out there.

There are almost no holes in the formula here. Octopath has some of the best JRPG combat out there, as it requires thought even during random encounters. Almost all of the eight character stories are really well done and full of surprises. And the visual style remains incredibly striking. And man, that music just hits. I only take the time to listen to a few video game soundtracks in full each year, and Octopath 2 was an easy one to decide to listen to.

I wish the game were a bit better at tying all of its stories together, but this is true JRPG magic and showcases what this genre can be when it blends the past with innovation.

6. Balatro

As a hardcore gamer, I play dozens of games each year that I don’t even bother to name if people ask me what I’m playing. So it’s always weird when I play an indie that suddenly becomes somewhat of a mainstream hit. The fact that random people will casually mention playing Balatro always throws me off, but it has earned all of its acclaim and popularity.

Balatro’s strong suit (lol) is that it is probably the best pick up and play deckbuilder of all time. In most deckbuilders, it takes a bit of time to really start to love the game. You have to figure out the general flow and the kind of strategies that you can employ before it really starts cooking. That is not the case with Balatro.

Balatro is awesome from moment one. Thanks to the game being so interwoven with poker, you can jump right in and kind of know what you are doing immediately. But then, it sucks you in with its surprising depth and many modes. And all this success has come despite this being a one-man development team. Balatro is easily one of the best stories in modern gaming, and “localthunk” has earned every bit of his acclaim and wealth with this genius concept.

5. Unicorn Overlord

I still stand by the statement that I made a few years ago after playing this game. Unicorn Overlord has the best SRPG gameplay that I have ever experienced.

Most turn-based SRPGs have a very stupid and awkward dance when it comes to movement and range. The goal is to get just outside of enemy range, and wait for them to be dumb enough to move into your range. Or you want to tempt the enemy into attacking you by moving onto favorable terrain and watching them all take the bait like the idiots they are.

Unicorn Overlord does away with all of that thanks to its real-time movement mechanics. Movement is still an important part of the gameplay, but it doesn’t feel “cheesy” like it does in those games. Instead, the focus in Unicorn is mostly on formation management. Your goal is to put together a group of allies that is cohesive and program them to respond to different scenarios in the most optimal way.

There’s a boatload of customization here, yet it is never overwhelming, as the game makes even complex actions pretty easy to program. I constantly hope that this game inspires a new set of SRPGs to go this route for their future games. But until that day comes, Unicorn Overlord will likely stand atop the throne for a long time for me. It’s just a shame that it has such a weird and weeby ass story.

4. Hades

I had really liked the roguelike genre for a long time before Hades. The Binding of Isaac and Spelunky got me interested in it, and then Rogue Legacy made me love it.

From there, I’ve played and enjoyed dozens and dozens of games in this genre. But there was one thing always missing, and that was a story. This is inherently a really tough genre in which to tell a great story.

Hades innovated and became the first roguelike where I ever cared about the story. It’s a brilliantly told tale with so much depth and one of the best video game endings ever.

But it’s not just the story. The gameplay is also incredibly sharp, with tons of build variety and great metaprogression. Admittedly, I don’t think the gameplay will hold up quite as well as time goes on. Hades 2 already made it so I doubt I’ll ever be able to go back. But this was still a game that absolutely blew me away when it first came out, and it will always be special to me.

3. Slay the Spire

Slay the Spire is roguelike deckbuilder perfection. I’ve played tons of other games in this genre since this one, and while I’ve loved plenty of them, nothing has been able to capture me the same way since. The pacing, the builds, and the in-game decision-making are all top-notch. This is as good as it gets. Despite being a game hopper, I spent several months almost exclusively playing this game when it first came out. That is truly unprecedented, as this is usually a genre that works great as “play one or two runs and then move onto something else” type of experience.

I have a feeling that the only game that might surpass this one for me is Slay the Spire 2, which I can’t wait to play when it comes out of early access.

2. Celeste

Even with many of my favorite games of all time, I can find a few faults in them. Nothing is perfect. Well, except maybe for Celeste. I genuinely have no idea how this game could be any better. This is as good as it gets with 2D platforming.

Celeste has phenomenal, responsive platforming with great level design that allows pros and novices to experience the game the way they want. The art is so good, and the story is actually pretty deep and heartfelt. It literally hits on every note that it possibly could. This is considered one of the greatest indie games of all time for very good reason.

1. Chained Echoes

Longtime readers of the blog won’t be shocked by this one. Chained Echoes is probably the greatest one-man effort in gaming history and one of the best JRPGs of all time.

There have been many great solo-developed games in gaming history. Usually, these games have really phenomenal stories or great gameplay. It’s rare for them to be amazing at everything, but that’s what Chained Echoes does.

This has my favorite turn-based JRPG combat ever. It’s a system that encourages strategy in every encounter. It’s also anti-grinding, which I greatly appreciate.

But from there, it also has a fantastic story with a fascinating world and one amazing moment after another. One man being able to put together this story and such a unique battle system is incomprehensible to me. Even though it’s not necessarily my favorite game of all time, Chained Echoes might be the most impressive gaming achievement ever for me. It at the very least more than earns the title of my personal favorite Switch game ever.

Past Lists:

My Top 10 SNES Games

My Top 10 GB/GBC Games

My Top 10 PS1 Games

My Top 10 N64 Games

My Top 10 Original Xbox Games

My Top 10 Playstation 2 Games

My Top 10 Game Boy Advance Games

My Top 10 Xbox Live Arcade Games

My Top 10 Xbox 360 Games