The best Switch games for 2022 go well beyond Nintendo’s own

Super Mario Odyssey is all about freedom, and it’s glorious. Unlike the last Mario The plumber in the red cap no longer has to move straight ahead while playing. That Timer is gone, and each level – from the glorious wilderness of Fossil Falls to the bustling metropolis of New Donk City – is a toy box full of platforming challenges, surprising secrets, and all manner of silly fun. You can also dress up Mario as a 1920’s pirate, cowboy, clown or mafia enforcer. If you beat the game, there’s still no shortage of moons to collect and things to jump on (or jump off of). It’s one of the most beautiful and charming games we’ve played in ages.

A good game for: platforming fans, mario 64 and sunshine fansand people who like hats.

Not a good match for: People who hate 3D platforms. people who hate hats

Read my box‘s review.

Learn how to jump really deep Super Mario Odyssey.

watch Super Mario Odyssey playing style.

Buy from: Nintendo eShop | Amazon | best buy | GameStop | target

How has this list changed? Re-read our update history:

5.10.2022: The list keeps getting longer. We plucked out pretty cruelly Mario Golf: Super Rush how it just hasn’t taken root in our hearts, and whetstone slipped off the floor although it’s still great. are newcomers turn 3, live one lifeand neon white.

5/5/2022: After much discussion we cut Undertale and Stardew Valley. to join the party Pokémon Legends: Arceus.

07/26/2021: Why limit things to 12? We have expanded and added the list to 18 Mario Golf: Super Rush, Ringfit adventure, whetstoneand Luigi’s mansion 3. Likewise, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle and Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Frost are back on the menu.

03/22/2021: Celestean airtight platformer that you can get on a whole range of platforms jumps off the list to make room for the two-in-one Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury.

02.10.2020: We gave Super Mario Maker 2 the boot to make room for Supergiant Hades.

04/02/2020: We have removed Platinum Games. astral chain and traded in the biggest – or at least the cutest – launch of early 2020: Animal Crossing: New Horizons

09.12.2019: Switch had a huge 2019, which means it’s time for a big update. We added Super Mario Maker 2, baby you are, astral chainand Fire Emblem: Three Housesand removed turn 2, into the breach, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Frostand bayonet 2.

01/14/2019: We added Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and removed Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle.

07.11.2018: We added into the breach and Undertale and removed Dragon Quest Builder and Darkest dungeon.

06/28/2018: We added Hollow Knight and removed Steamworld Excavation 2.

05/17/2018: We added Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Frost and removed golf history.

03/01/2018: We added Celeste, Dragon Quest: Builder, Darkest dungeon and bayonet 2 when removing Shovel Knight: Treasury, Overcooked, skyrim, and weapons.

6.12.2017: We added Super Mario Odyssey, Overcookedand Skyrim and removed The Binding of Isaac

10/12/2017: We added golf history, SteamWorld Excavation 2 and Stardew Valley and removed Jackbox party pack 3, Minecraftand snipper clips.

14.9.2017: We added Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle and removed cave history +.

08/09/2017: We added turn 2 and repelled Disgaia 5.

06/28/2017: Time for our first update, and it’s a big one. We added Minecraft, weapons, cave history+, Disgaia 5, Jackbox party pack 3 and Knocker, and removed I am Setsuna and Mr Shifty. The list will remain limited to 12 games from now on.

05/03/2017: Lo and behold, the Switch leaderboard has been created! No updates yet. Expect more in the near future as we add more games and eventually limit the list to 12.

Want more of the best games on any system? Check out our full directory:

The best PC games • The best PS5 games • The best PS4 games • The best games on PlayStation Now • The best Xbox Series X/S games • The best Xbox One games • The best games on Xbox Game Pass • The best Wii U games • The best PC virtual reality games • The best 3DS games • The best PS Vita games • The best Xbox 360 games • The best PS3 games • The best Wii games • The best iPhone games • The best iPad games • The best Android games • The best Mac games • The best browser games • The best PC mods

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