Top 7 Best Nintendo Switch Games of Q2 2018

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

Best Switch Games of Q2 2018

The Switch has slowly been building up a library of the very best Wii U games, and Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is the latest addition to that list. Tropical Freeze is the same game fans know and love on Wii U, but with a few minor improvements. A brand new Funky Mode lets you play as none other than the coolest kong around, Funky Kong. Funky comes with five hearts, the ability to float and glide, and he can jump on spikes without getting hurt. This new mode essentially functions as an easy mode, giving you the necessary tools to get through the tough-as-nails platformer.

Of course, if you still want that challenge it’s definitely there, and Tropical Freeze is every bit as difficult as you remember. Luckily load times have been improved slightly, meaning you can get into the experience that much quicker after you’ve died all those times.

Hyrule Warriors Definitive Edition

Best Switch Games of Q2 2018

Yet another enhanced Wii U title, Hyrule Warriors Definitive Edition brings more hack-and-slash action to Switch owners, following last year’s release of Fire Emblem Warriors. Hyrule Warriors hasn’t received any huge changes, however, it does combine all of the content from the original Wii U version as well as Hyrule Warriors Legends on 3DS, and seals it all in one neat little package.

The game’s resolution has been upscaled, now running at 1080p in TV mode, and there are two new Breath of the Wild inspired costumes for Link and Zelda. Despite the lack of anything else brand new, Hyrule Warriors Definitive Edition is a robust package that gives you a ton of content to wade through. Characters like Young Link, Skull Kid, and Marin are great fun for anyone that may have missed the game’s DLC, and outside of the main story there are a ton of Adventure Mode maps to tackle. Whether you’re a fan of Zelda or Dynasty Warriors, there’s a lot to love about this Definitive Edition.

Sushi Striker: The Way of Sushido

Best Switch Games of Q2 2018

Sushi Striker: The Way of Sushido is a game that could only come from Nintendo, the company responsible for giving us squid kids that shoot each other with ink in turf wars. Sushi Striker casts you as a young orphan named Mushasi, who lost both their parents in the Sushi Struggles, a great war fought over the world’s supply of sushi.

At its core Sushi Striker is a puzzle combat game, requiring you to link different colored plates of sushi together and eat the sushi, while throwing plates at your opponent. Pokemon-like creatures known as Sushi Sprites give you different abilities in combat, and can also affect the type of sushi you’ll have flow down your conveyor belt lanes. Sushi Striker is utterly ridiculous at every turn, particularly in its story which involves things like using wasabi for torture, or eating sushi with such poetry that it freezes others in place. Its combat system is surprisingly deep, and it’s easily a case of not judging a book by its cover. Sushi Striker is one of the most unique Nintendo titles in years, and that’s really saying something.

Mario Tennis Aces

Best Switch Games of Q2 2018

It was only a matter of time before some kind of Mario sports game made its way to Nintendo Switch, and the first serve belongs to Mario Tennis Aces. Of course, Aces uses the same formula as past games in the series, but a few key changes layer on some interesting fighting game like elements into its matches. The addition of Zone Shots, Zone Speed, and Special Shots give you a variety of special moves to use that can tip the scales in your favor. There’s also a new feature that lets you break your opponent’s racket, gaining an instant win if you do so. Of course, the exact same can happen to you.

An Adventure Mode returns to the series with Aces, tasking Mario with hunting down different gems that power a mystical racket that can control the minds of people. The Adventure Mode is a little limited, but it serves as a good teacher for the meat of the game, the tournaments and online modes. The new elements added to the game’s systems make matches fast and frantic, and as you might expect the game can be an absolute blast to play with friends. The Switch already has a generous helping of party and multiplayer games, but Mario Tennis Aces adds another quality choice into the mix.

Fortnite

Best Switch Games of Q2 2018

If you haven’t heard of Fortnite by this point you must be living under a rock. The game has taken the entire world by storm, especially with the likes of younger players. The battle royale title has rocketed to the top due to its tight gunplay, colorful design, and ever-changing world and player environment.

The Switch version of the game allows crossplay with other players on PC, mobile, and Xbox One. You can, of course, take the game on the go without, if you don’t already play it on mobile. Fortnite looks and plays great on Switch, whether you’re playing in handheld or TV mode, and the free-to-play battle royale mode adds a lot of value for anyone that owns the system.

Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana

Best Switch Games of Q2 2018

Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana released last year on PS4 to critical acclaim, thanks in part to its rich explorable word, compelling narrative, strong characters, and fast-paced action combat. The Switch version of the game takes a slight hit in the graphical and framerate departments, but it’s still the same fantastic JRPG. The story follows the continue adventures of Adol Christin and his friend Dogi, as they’re marooned on an island with other passengers aboard the luxury ship called the Lombardia.

Adol and the party have to explore the mysterious isle of Seiren, finding castaways in the process, who can then in turn grant you various bonuses or services at your growing village. Ys VIII’s story takes a bit to get started, but once things get going the fantastic narrative keeps you easily invested, and the expansive world is a joy to see and explore. With titles like Xenoblade Chronicles 2, Octopath Traveler, and Ys VIII, the Switch is building quite the library for JRPG fans.

Crash Bandicoot: N’ Sane Trilogy

Best Switch Games of Q2 2018

It’s been a long time since Crash Bandicoot appeared on any kind of Nintendo system, with the last one being Crash: Mind Over Mutant on the Wii and DS. The hugely successful Crash Bandicoot: N’ Sane Trilogy finally made its way to Nintendo Switch, however, and it feels right at home on the little system.

The Trilogy packs in gorgeous remastered version of the very first three Crash games, which up until this point never released on anything besides PS1. The classic games may not look quite as graphically beautiful as on PS4 or Xbox One, but they still run at a crisp framerate and are a blast to play in both handheld and TV mode. The game are just as challenging as their original counterparts, and they only add to an alredy impessive linup of platformers on the Switch.