Every pick here is a physical game card for the Nintendo Switch or the Nintendo Switch 2. We compared 30 physical Switch and Switch 2 game listings on Amazon Australia and kept the eight with the strongest ratings and the clearest jobs. Each section says which console the listing names and what the listing promises in its own words. Ratings are counted per listing, and we link the most rated English language listing of each game.
Best Nintendo Switch game overall: The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild
Best Nintendo Switch game overall: The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild, because the listing describes an open air adventure across the kingdom of Hyrule that you can play any way you like, and it has the most buyer ratings of the eight games here, at 4.8 stars.
The listing names it for the Nintendo Switch and describes travelling across vast fields, through forests and to mountain peaks to discover what has become of the kingdom of Hyrule, in a stunning open air adventure played as Link any way you like. It carries an ESRB content description of fantasy violence, mild suggestive themes and use of alcohol, and holds 4.8 stars from 52,180 ratings on this listing, the most of any game here.
It suits anyone buying one game to live in for months. The honest catch: the listing describes an adventure as Link and states no player count, so for a family wanting a game to pass the controllers around, choose Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, whose listing names four multiplayer modes.
Highest rated sequel: The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom
Highest rated sequel: The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom, because it is the open world sequel to the top pick and the one game on this page rated 4.9 stars, from more than 24,000 buyers.
The listing names it for the Nintendo Switch and calls it an open world action adventure game, and that is its one bullet point. It holds 4.9 stars from 24,151 ratings on this listing, the highest star score here.
It suits players who finished Breath of the Wild and want more of Hyrule. The honest catch: the listing's bullet point is a single line, so buyers get little detail from it before they buy. If you have played neither, start with Breath of the Wild.
Best for family multiplayer: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Best for family multiplayer: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, because the listing promises four different multiplayer modes and local wireless play, and it is the most rated racing game on this page at 4.8 stars.
The listing names it a Nintendo Switch game and describes play anywhere, anytime with four different multiplayer modes, connected through local wireless play. It holds 4.8 stars from 45,636 ratings on this listing, second only to Breath of the Wild here.
It suits families and share houses. The honest catch: it has been out for years, so a buyer who already owns the Wii U version gets the same tracks with the extras, and a Switch 2 owner should look at Mario Kart World first.
Best for kids and creative play: Minecraft
Best for kids and creative play: Minecraft, because the listing offers a creative mode with unlimited resources, a survival mode, and play with up to four in local multiplayer or up to eight together online.
The listing names it for the Nintendo Switch and describes randomly generated worlds where you build from simple homes to grand castles, in creative mode with unlimited resources or deep in survival mode, alone or with up to 8 crafters together online or 4 in local multiplayer. It is the lowest priced game on this page and holds 4.8 stars from 36,849 ratings.
It suits children who want to build, and parents who want one game several kids can share. The honest catch: the listing's last bullet point promises enhanced ray tracing, a claim no other listing here makes and one the listing does not explain, so buy it for the building and the local multiplayer rather than for that line.
Best Mario adventure: Super Mario Odyssey
Best Mario adventure: Super Mario Odyssey, because the listing describes huge 3D kingdoms filled with secrets and surprises, and new cap throw, cap jump and capture moves for Mario.
The listing names it for the Nintendo Switch and describes huge 3D kingdoms with costumes for Mario, vehicles that use the HD Rumble feature of the Joy-Con controller. With his new friend Cappy, Mario gains cap throw, cap jump and capture, and visits locales like skyscraper packed New Donk City. It holds 4.8 stars from 34,708 ratings on this listing.
It suits anyone who wants a Mario adventure rather than a racer or a party game. The honest catch: the listing title misspells Odyssey, and the listing does not state a player count.
Best relaxed game: Animal Crossing New Horizons
Best relaxed game: Animal Crossing New Horizons, because more than 34,000 buyers rate it 4.7 stars and it is the one pick here that is not a racer, a party game or an adventure.
The listing names it a Nintendo Switch game, and its three bullet points each read To be updated. It holds 4.7 stars from 34,062 ratings on this listing, a tenth of a star under most of this page and the lowest star rating of the eight picks.
It suits players who want a change of pace from the racers, the party game and the adventures on this page. The honest catch: the listing's bullet points read To be updated, so you are buying on the name and the rating, not on the page's own words.
Best party game: Mario Party Superstars
Best party game: Mario Party Superstars, because the listing brings five classic boards from the Nintendo 64 Mario Party games and 100 minigames, all playable online, with a single Joy-Con per player.
The listing names it for the Nintendo Switch and describes 5 classic boards from the Nintendo 64 Mario Party games and 100 minigames. All game modes can be played online, and board game matches are saved after each turn so you pick up where you left off. It holds 4.8 stars from 15,546 ratings.
It suits Christmas afternoons and birthday parties where everyone gets a Joy-Con. The honest catch: the listing gives no player count, and its 15,546 ratings are the fewest of the seven Nintendo Switch games here.
Best Nintendo Switch 2 game: Mario Kart World
Best Nintendo Switch 2 game: Mario Kart World, because the listing describes 24 driver races across one connected world, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2 system.
The listing says it is exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2 system and describes a sprawling world where everything is connected, in heated 24 driver races. Grand Prix runs across four connected courses, Knockout Tour drops you out if you do not place high enough at each of its five checkpoints, and up to 4 players can race on the same system. A Nintendo Switch Online membership and a Nintendo Account are required for online features, including GameChat. It holds 4.8 stars from 316 ratings.
It suits anyone who already owns a Switch 2 and wants the racer built for it. The honest catch: it only runs on a Nintendo Switch 2, and it has just a few hundred ratings so far, a thin count next to the rest of this page.
How to choose a Nintendo Switch game
Check which console the listing names
Seven picks are Nintendo Switch games by their listing titles, and Mario Kart World says it is exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2 system. No Switch listing here states whether the game also runs on a Switch 2, so this page makes no claim either way. Buying for a Switch 2 owner, check the box or Nintendo's own site first.
Solo adventure or playing together
The bullet points for the two Zelda games, Super Mario Odyssey and Animal Crossing give no player count, so this page makes no multiplayer claim for them. For a couch full of people: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has four different multiplayer modes, Minecraft takes up to 4 in local multiplayer, Mario Party Superstars plays with a single Joy-Con per player, and Mario Kart World puts up to 4 players on one Switch 2. For a night with no screen at all, read our board games guide.
Online play and what it needs
Three listings describe online play in their bullet points: Minecraft with up to 8 crafters together online, Mario Party Superstars with all game modes playable online, and Mario Kart World, which requires a Nintendo Switch Online membership and a Nintendo Account. The Mario Kart 8 Deluxe bullet points describe local wireless play, and the other bullet points do not mention online play.
Controllers and how you play
The Mario Party Superstars listing spells out the options: a single Joy-Con, two Joy-Con with the Joy-Con accessory, a Pro Controller or a Switch Lite. Mario Kart World offers button or motion controls and an optional Joy-Con 2 wheel sold separately. For a full size pad for the fourth player, our gaming controller guide compares the options.
Ages and content descriptions
No listing on this page states an age range, and only Breath of the Wild carries a content description, an ESRB note of fantasy violence, mild suggestive themes and use of alcohol. For a child, check the classification on the box. Minecraft is the pick here for kids and creative play, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the pick for family multiplayer.
The picks side by side
Only what each listing states; a cell reads not stated where the listing's bullet points are silent.
| Game | Console named | Players, as listed | Online | Rating |
|---|
| Zelda Breath of the Wild | Nintendo Switch | not stated | not stated | 4.8 from 52,180 |
| Zelda Tears of the Kingdom | Nintendo Switch | not stated | not stated | 4.9 from 24,151 |
| Mario Kart 8 Deluxe | Nintendo Switch | four multiplayer modes, local wireless | not stated | 4.8 from 45,636 |
| Minecraft | Nintendo Switch | up to 4 local | up to 8 online | 4.8 from 36,849 |
| Super Mario Odyssey | Nintendo Switch | not stated | not stated | 4.8 from 34,708 |
| Animal Crossing New Horizons | Nintendo Switch | not stated | not stated | 4.7 from 34,062 |
| Mario Party Superstars | Nintendo Switch | not stated (plays with a single Joy-Con) | all modes | 4.8 from 15,546 |
| Mario Kart World | Nintendo Switch 2 only | up to 4 on one system, 24 driver races | yes, membership required | 4.8 from 316 |
Frequently asked questions
What are the 5 best Nintendo Switch games?
Our five are The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild for an open air adventure, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for family racing, Minecraft for kids and creative play, Super Mario Odyssey for a Mario adventure and Mario Party Superstars for a group. Every one holds 4.8 stars on its listing and is a Nintendo Switch game.
What are the best Nintendo Switch 2 games?
Mario Kart World is the one Nintendo Switch 2 game here: the listing says it is exclusively for the Switch 2 system, with 24 driver races and up to four players on one system. None of the Switch listings here states whether it also runs on a Switch 2, so check the box first.
Which Nintendo Switch games are best for multiplayer?
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe lists four different multiplayer modes. Minecraft lists up to four players in local multiplayer or eight together online. Mario Party Superstars says all game modes can be played online and plays with a single Joy-Con, and Mario Kart World lets up to four players race on the same Switch 2 system.
What are the best Nintendo Switch games for adults?
Start with The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild, an open air adventure you play any way you like, and its sequel Tears of the Kingdom, the one pick here rated 4.9 stars. Animal Crossing New Horizons is the relaxed choice, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe lists four multiplayer modes for a group.
Which Nintendo Switch game is best for kids?
Minecraft is our pick for kids and creative play: the listing describes building amazing things from simple homes to grand castles, a creative mode with unlimited resources and local multiplayer for up to four. No listing here states an age range, and only Breath of the Wild carries a content description, so check the classification on the box.
Are there free games for the Nintendo Switch?
Every pick on this page is a boxed physical game, so none is free, and we did not compare downloads. Minecraft is the lowest priced game here and still offers creative and survival modes for up to four local players. Note that the Mario Kart World listing says online features need a Nintendo Switch Online membership and a Nintendo Account.
Can I play GTA on the Nintendo Switch?
No Grand Theft Auto game is among the eight physical Switch listings we chose, so this page cannot tell you. For an open world to roam any way you like, The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild is the pick, and for driving across one connected world, Mario Kart World on the Switch 2.
What are the most popular Nintendo Switch games?
By buyer ratings, the five most popular are The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild with more than 52,000 ratings, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe with more than 45,000, Minecraft with more than 36,000, Super Mario Odyssey with more than 34,000 and Animal Crossing New Horizons close behind. Counts are per listing, and some games sell through several.
Which Nintendo Switch games suit short play sessions?
Mario Party Superstars saves board game matches after each turn, locally and online, so you pick up where you left off. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe lists four multiplayer modes, and Mario Kart World lists Grand Prix and Knockout Tour races. The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild is the open air adventure you play any way you like.
