The 20 Best Nintendo Switch Games of 2023

A horror-themed visual novel set in 20th century Tokyo, Paranormasight finds you investigating a series of mysterious events that may be linked to a ghost story known as The Seven Mysteries of Honjo, with photographic imagery of Tokyo's real-life Sumida district serving as your backdrop.

"Paranormasight is brilliant and subversive, toying with expectations and tropes across genres. The final product is entrancing — and it doesn't loosen its death grip until the very last second." —Inverse

The first of several remakes on our list, Trails to Azure is a JRPG game that originally came out in 2011 as a Japan-only release for the PSP. It's also a direct sequel to Trails From Zero—and concludes the "Crossbell arc" begun there—which means that newcomers might be a bit lost if they haven't played that previous title. But longtime fans feel that Azure offers one of the best narratives in the entire Trails franchise.

"The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure finishes filling in a critical gap in the series, and it does so with style. This twelve-year old game has been given a little extra spit polish in the transition to Switch, helping a great game shine its brightest. Taken together with Trails from Zero, this is one of the strongest RPG experiences you can get on the Nintendo Switch and is arguably still the high point of the Trails series today." —TouchArcade

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First released in 2010 for the Nintendo DS, puzzle-adventure game Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective comes from the creator of the popular Ace Attorney series and features similar gameplay that finds you investigating a murder. (The difference: In Ghost Trick, you are the one who was murdered, and you're now a ghost.) This year brought a new HD remaster to modern platforms.

"Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective is one of the best puzzle games out there, and this remaster only improves on perfection. Its sharp and witty writing is accompanied by a gripping murder mystery plot, a beautiful art style, and an ear worm soundtrack. Ghost Trick absolutely deserves more attention than it got back on the DS, and hopefully this resurrection will change its fate." —GamingTrend

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Part of the loosely connected "Science Adventure" sci-fi game series that also includes Steins;Gate (yes, every game in the series has that odd semicolon), Anonymous;Code was first released in Japan in 2022 but did not get a Western port until the fall of 2023. The visual novel centers on a time-traveling teenage hacker in the year 2037 following a disaster in which malfunctioning satellites have trained their laser weapons on Earth's major cities.

"With a solid localization and a gripping story, Anonymous;Code is definitely a game I would recommend to basically anyone who enjoys visual novels or sci-fi. Very few games had me Googling terms and events with the fervor I had when playing this. It simultaneously made me feel like the biggest idiot and the smartest person in the room. You just can't put a price on that feeling." —Siliconera

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The sequel to the 2017 Mega Man-influenced 2D roguelike-platformer 20XX, 30XX similarly features procedurally-generated levels and adds new polish and a level creator to design your own levels and campaigns.

"If you're a fan of retro action/platformers, then you're in for a treat with 30XX. It's a fun game with a good amount of customization and level variety. Play alone or with a friend, and blast your way through ever-changing levels and tough bosses." —Pure Nintendo

The fourth of six DLC sets for Nintendo's 2017 kart racer, Wave 4 adds two Cup competitions, eight new tracks (highlighted by Yoshi's Island, which recreates the setting from 1995's Super Mario World 2), and a new playable character, Birdo. Two final expansion waves followed later in 2023, but none of the six (dating back to early 2022) scored higher than Wave 4.

"Wave 4 of the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass is arguably the best to date, featuring serious glow-ups to fan favorites. The inclusion of the new Yoshi's Island track would have been more than enough to steal the show, but the rest of its roster this go-around most certainly strives for greatness." —Gamers Heroes

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A pixel-art narrative adventure from Spanish indie studio Deconstructeam (The Red Strings Club), The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood follows an exiled witch named Fortuna over multiple decades. You'll attempt to help her regain her freedom through the creation of a unique tarot card deck that will help you uncover the past and the future.

"The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood is an immaculately constructed game, with gorgeous design, realistic characters, rich emotional punches, and choices that genuinely resonate through the narrative." —Pure Nintendo

Rhythm game Final Bar Line is the fifth title in Square Enix's Theatrhythm series, originally a Final Fantasy spinoff. While gameplay remains similar to past games in the series, the music library is no longer limited to Final Fantasy soundtracks and now includes familiar tunes from other games ranging from Nier to Octopath Traveler.

"Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is an utterly addictive, perfectly tuned celebration of all things Final Fantasy. It's a deceptively simple-looking game that, once you get under the hood, you'll discover it has teeth and demands practice and patience if you want to unlock everything. It gives back what you put into it, and we're struggling to put it down even now." —Nintendo Life

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The first main installment in the real-time strategy series in a decade, Pikmin 4 once again asks you to nurture and guide a squad of odd, plantlike creatures called Pikmin as they explore their planet and battle a variety of enemies. New additions include a rideable space dog named Oatchi, the ability to customize your character, and glowing Pikmin who can operate at night.

"My love for Pikmin 4 only grew stronger the more I played. This is a great Pikmin entry to delve into as a newcomer and all the new features and characters should offer enough of a change to seasoned Pikmin players. The animation is incredibly endearing and creates a wonderful atmosphere throughout the game. [...] If you don't mind a breezy game that doesn't offer up much of a challenge, I implore you to check out Pikmin 4 and see what these cutesy little creatures have to offer." —Trusted Reviews

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That extra "R" in the title stands for "Remake": Star Ocean: The Second Story is an action-RPG first released in 1998 for the original PlayStation console and since rerelased multiple times for later platforms. This first full remake retains the original sci-fi/fantasy story (set on a distant planet in the 25th century) but adds new battle mechanics, 2.5D visuals, voice acting, and more improvements.

"Star Ocean: The Second Story R is a tremendous remake. It gives the original game a visual overhaul that is simultaneously modern and nostalgic. But it doesn't stop there. It breaks open the mechanics to offer much more depth without destroying the spirit of the original. It's far and away the best way to experience one of the best Star Ocean games and one of the best RPGs ever made." —Press Start Australia

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Often compared to Stardew Valley, the hit debut release from South Korean studio Nexon's new label Mintrocket is a charming adventure game centering on Dave, a sushi bar owner who spends his days diving for the fish that he'll serve to his customers at night. But don't be fooled by Dave the Diver's casual, relaxing nature: Between the diving expeditions, restaurant management, quests, minigames, RPG elements, and more, there's a wealth of content and complexity here for those who want it.

"In a year dominated by titanic, big-budget releases like Tears of the Kingdom and Mario Wonder, Dave the Diver steps up to the plate and knocks the ball clear of the park with a heaving swing. Its charming animations and writing supplement a mechanically dense experience that never stops dangling a new carrot to chase. It's one of the few games to come out this year that rivals Mario Wonder's all-out density and charm while doing something almost completely new. You owe it to yourself to pick up this outstandingly funny, enthralling, and weird gem." —Nintendo Life

One of 2022's most surprising and addictive hits, this casual indie shoot-em-up/roguelite hybrid finally received a Switch port in 2023. Vampire Survivors finds you automatically attacking wave after wave of monsters (none of them actually vampires) in rural Italy. How long can you survive?

"Vampire Survivors is well worth checking out, whether you're playing it on Switch or any other platform. Its simple gameplay hides an irresistible depth. Just keep in mind that once you're in its clutches, it can be a struggle to get free." —Destructoid

Not really a game itself, this 2023 release from Digital Eclipse is an interactive documentary—and another celebration of gaming history, much like last year's similarly well-received Atari 50. This new title goes back to the year 1984, when future Prince of Persia creator Jordan Mechner was a teenaged Yale student working on his first game: Karateka, a martial arts fighting game for the Apple II computer that, as one of the very first of its genre, proved to be hugely influential. Not only did Mechner copiously document his work at the time, but he also managed to preserve that material over the decades, resulting in a fascinating look at the creative process—and one that comes with multiple playable versions of Karateka, including early prototypes.

"Before playing The Making of Karateka, I had no interest in Karateka beyond it being a historical stepping stone to Prince of Persia. But I get it now. ... Karateka is significant, but the story behind it is remarkable, and The Making of Karateka tells that story in the coolest way possible." —IGN

Originally released as the 2008 PlayStation 2 game Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4, this enhanced "Golden" version of the RPG arrived on modern consoles in January 2023 following a 2020 PC release. P4G follows a group of high school friends in a small Japanese town—and in an otherworldly alternate realm—as they investigate a series of murders. Even better for Nintendo gamers: Critics think this Switch version is the best implementation of the game yet.

"Even as it nears its fifteenth anniversary, Persona 4 Golden is still one of the best RPGs ever made and an absolute must-play for fans of the genre or really anyone who has spent all of these years wondering what the big deal is." —Hey Poor Player

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A crowdfunded prequel to 2018's The Messenger, Sea of Stars is a fantasy turn-based RPG that gives you control of two characters—the Children of the Solstice—who can employ magical powers given to them from the sun and the moon to ward off creatures created by an evil alchemist. Developers Sabotage Studio have cited RPGs like Chrono Trigger and Paper Mario as influences, and critics seem to think that the indie game lives up to its predecessors and stands as a present-day classic of the genre.

"With Sea of Stars Sabotage has crafted a unique and engaging game that any fan of the genre will enjoy playing. Its polish and innovation make it not only a Game of the Year contender but also makes it deserving of being added to the pantheon of indie games' greatest right up there with the likes of Celeste and Hades." —But Why Tho?

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Though at its core a visual novel (more specifically, an otome), Jack Jeanne (unusually for the genre) also incorporates rhythm game elements into its storytelling. That story centers on a young woman named Kisa who hopes to become an actor and gets a rare chance to attend a prestigious drama school. The catch? It's a boys-only school, so she must disguise herself as a boy until graduation.

"Jack Jeanne is a sensational visual novel full of singing, dancing and drama. If you like rhythm games and hunky boys then you're in for a treat." —God Is a Geek

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The final expansion planned for 2022's excellent Switch-exclusive action-RPG game Xenoblade Chronicles 3, Future Redeemed features a new prequel story that connects all three of the main Xenoblade games and is intended to be the final bit of narrative in the entire trilogy. New gameplay elements are added as well, including a new "Unity Combo" mechanic that allows two party members to strike in unison.

"Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Future Redeemed is a phenomenal expansion and perfect finale for the Xenoblade Chronicles trilogy. It is brilliantly-paced and has none of the issues prior releases have, making it even better than Xenoblade Chronicles 3." —The Mako Reactor

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The first traditional 2D side-scrolling Super Mario game in over a decade—and yet another commercial hit in one of the best-selling game franchises of all time—Wonder allows players to guide any of eight playable characters in an adventure through the all-new land known as the Flower Kingdom, where your enemy Bowser is now a living, flying castle. (These things happen.) The game boasts plenty of the series' usual charm, imagination, and weirdness, with experiences ranging from turning your character into an elephant to using one of the new "Wonder Flowers" to make warp pipes come to life.

"A fantastic 2D platformer that immediately takes its place amongst the pantheon of Nintendo's very best titles, with such a constant stream of new and surreal ideas you want to stand up and applaud it by the end of it." —Metro GameCentral

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A remaster/remake of the 2002 GameCube classic—the first 3D game in the Metroid action-adventure series—this Switch-exclusive release brings the visuals into the HD era while also updating the controls and adding some minor bonus content. Longtime fans should find it irresistible.

"If I had any concerns about how Metroid Prime would stand up in a modern lens, they were instantly dispelled by this remaster. This is legitimately one of the best looking and best playing games on the platform. It will make you look at your Switch and scream 'You could do this the whole time?'." —NintendoWorldReport

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Metacritic's Official Best New Switch Game of 2023

The last time that a new Zelda console game wasn't a potential Game of the Year contender was (arguably) almost two decades ago. Gamers expect Nintendo's flagship franchise to deliver, and deliver it has yet again in the form of Tears of the Kingdom, the first new Zelda game in six years and another stunning entry in the storied series. Boasting an even bigger open world Hyrule than Breath of the Wild with expansions both above (the stunning Sky Islands) and below (the Gloom-filled Depths), TOTK doesn't necessarily shake up the recent Zelda formula but executes everything to near perfection.

"The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is easily the greatest open world game ever made, and may well be Nintendo's finest achievement." —CGMagazine

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Want more good Switch games?
View a complete list of every 2023 Switch game ranked by Metascore >