 VOEZ – 81
VOEZ is a beautifully animated rhythm game that features more than 150 songs from indie artists all across Japan, China, Hong Kong, and other Asian countries. The game first came out for mobile devices last year as a free-to-play title with in-app song purchases but the Switch version comes with all songs included, plus free updates that add playable songs.
VOEZ, so far, is the only game on the Nintendo Switch that does not work in TV mode; you can only play it in handheld mode because the game needs full control of the touch-screen to work and is not playable with buttons. The energy of the music, beautiful visuals, and the overall package makes VOEZ the game to have on the Switch.
DISGAEA Â 5 COMPLETE – 81
Disgaea 5 Complete comes included with all of the DLC that came to the original game like the bonus characters, extra scenarios, and new character classes. The long-running strategy RPG series offers hundreds of hours and this is the first time that the game has gone portable, thanks to the Switch.
It’s been two years since the game came out for the PlayStation 4 but it’s never too late to check out the Disgaea series on Nintendo’s system. With a Metacritic score of 81, can you really go wrong? Disgaea 5 will definitely satisfy fans of tactical and strategy RPGs.
WORLD OF GOO – 84
World of Goo made its console debut on the Nintendo Wii back in 2008 for the WiiWare service. This unique puzzle game is probably one of the best downloadable titles that came out during the Wii’s lifespan, and its strong reception caused the game to come to mobile devices and then to the Switch. The game involves getting these black gooey balls to another part of the stage. Sometimes you have to get them to go really high up or horizontally.
This requires you to use these sticky balls to create platforms for the other balls to crawl onto thus giving them a safe passage to their destination. It’s not an easy task to describe how this puzzler exactly works, but just know that it is definitely worth picking up and deserves the spot on the top 10 Switch games list on Metacritic; the game’s score of 84 is totally deserved.
THUMPER – 86
Thumper is described as a violent rhythm game that is also known as being slightly terrifying, filled with bug-looking creatures, and horrifying boss battles. It’s an intense, stressful, and surprisingly satisfying title that has you playing as a space beetle from a third-person perspective. The levels can get extremely fast and difficult, making room for very little errors. Playing with headphones and cuddling up on the couch is probably the best way to get the full experience of Thumper on your Switch. It’s currently sitting at a Metacritic score of 86.
THE BINDING OF ISAAC: AFTERBIRTH + – 86
Fight enemies with your tears, collect power-ups, go through procedurally generated dungeons, die, and then do it all over again in Binding of Issac. The Zelda-like dungeon-crawling gameplay of Binding of Issac takes you back to the beginning of the game every time you die, making players think about how to better themselves after every failed run. Afterbirth + adds new alternate chapters, new playable characters, and more items to help you on your stressful journey. Playing Binding of Issac for a few short minutes at a time made it the perfect fit for the Switch and its Metacritic score of 86 shows just that.
MINECRAFT: SWITCH EDITION – 87
Being one of the best-selling games of all time, there’s no way the Switch could’ve gone wrong with Minecraft. Minecraft: Switch Edition is pretty much the same version as the one that came out on the Wii U a few years back, including a Mushroom Kingdom-themed pack with Mario skins (that sounds creepy), huge designs like Peach’s castle, and Mario music as well. Minecraft for the Switch lets you build on the go and then play on your television with your friends, what else could you want? Fans of the Mario franchise should surely check out the Mario mash-up pack if they have any interest in Minecraft at all. Other people seem to like it on the Switch since the game is sitting at a score of 87 on Metacritic.
CAVE STORY + –Â 87
Cave Story has been around for quite some time now, coming out for PC and then later to handhelds like the PSP and 3DS. This Switch port of Cave Story is an enhanced version of the PC version that offers a slightly different script, a new level, remastered soundtrack, and the ability to switch between two different graphics style. Cave Story + has been inspired by games like Metroid and Castlevania and is definitely worth a play if you’re a fan of either game franchises. The platforming and shooting mechanics are pretty solid and feels really satisfying to play on Nintendo’s hybrid system.
SHOVEL KNIGHT: TREASURE TROVE – 91
Shovel Knight takes cues from classic platformers of the golden age like Super Mario Bros. 3, Ducktales, and Mega Man. Yacht Club Games taking notes from some of the best games of all time could have been an outright disaster, but the team managed to create one of the best retro 2D platformers in recent years. Taking the game on the go with the Switch proved to be just another excellent way to play as the blue excavator. Shovel Knight has gotten multiple new campaigns that were added as DLC but Treasure Trove is the collection of all the stories released so far. Shovel Knight’s Metacritic score for the Switch is currently at 91.
MARIO KART 8 DELUXE – 92
The souped-up edition of Mario Kart 8 came out a few months ago on the Nintendo Switch, adding everything that fans of the kart racing franchise could ask for: new karts, packed-in DLC, an improved battle mode, and much much more. Looking at the lackluster audience that the Wii U had, you can see why the Switch version has been so universally loved and adored. There’s no doubt that the re-release of Mario Kart 8 was one of the best ideas that Nintendo has ever had. Sitting at a Metacritic score of 92, the Switch is the best place to get that high-octane, banana slipping, shell throwing racing action.
THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: BREATH OF THE WILD – 97
Nintendo shook the world and also shook up the franchise that is The Legend of Zelda, with Breath of the Wild. This game broke the traditional conventions of the 3D Zelda titles and turned everything that you know about Zelda on its head. Breath of the Wild did away with hours of tutorials, trashed the typical dungeon layout, and made the world of Hyrule a living, breathing place for the first time. Most fans would argue that this game is not only the best Zelda title, but one of the best games of this generation. Zelda is currently sitting at an almost perfect Metacritic score of 97.
