5 Games That Justify The Price Of A Nintendo Switch

The Nintendo Switch boasts an incredible library of games, including a strong wave of initial titles from when the console launched in 2017. Following this, the Switch received a steady stream of support both from Nintendo itself and a whole host of third-party gaming publishers. But with the Nintendo Switch 2 now available and the cost of the original Switch still pretty high, is it worth buying one?

In short, yes. From Nintendo' s biggest franchises to indie titles, there's something for everyone on the console. We've managed to narrow it down to the essential handful of titles that should push the curious over the edge to finally buy the console. And for those that already own a Switch, these games should be in every console owner's collection. Here are the five games that justify the price of a Nintendo Switch, each capturing the console's core appeal in their own way.

The game that helped the Nintendo Switch make a good first impression in March 2017, "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" was the console's most prominent launch title. An open-world experience, Link is revived in a remote shrine overlooking the kingdom of Hyrule. Gaining new items and weapons as he ventures across Hyrule while empowering himself through challenges in other shrines, Link prepares to face the villainous Calamity Ganon. To help with this quest, Link can liberate the mythical Divine Beasts from Ganon's corrosive influence to join in the fight.

"Breath of the Wild" feels like a complete rebirth for "The Legend of Zelda," with a revamped art style and immersive open-world scope that it embraces. Given the heightened freedom the game provides players, there are several bizarre ways gamers have beaten "Breath of the Wild." This goes to show how well an open-world experience fits within the franchise, firmly bringing it into the modern era. Revitalizing the series with an ambitious shift in direction and scale, "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" is a modern masterpiece.

Though "Mario Kart 8" started out as a Wii U title in 2014, the game's enhanced port for the Switch from 2017 is the definitive way to play. "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe" brings in anti-gravity vehicles along with hang-gliding and underwater sequences across a variety of immaculately designed tracks. Like past "Mario Kart" titles, the game also offers tracks from previous releases, slightly reimagined for modern audiences. It also includes tracks and racers from other iconic Nintendo properties, specifically "The Legend of Zelda" and "Animal Crossing."

Highly ranked among "Mario Kart" games, "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe" adds even more content while refining the experience for the Switch. The racing handles much better than it had in "Mario Kart Wii," including providing much more solidly staged online functionality. Five years after its port on the Switch, the game received even more DLC, adding 48 tracks and eight additional characters to the title. Bringing the series to new heights, "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe" revels in the high-octane fun while providing the franchise with its most engagingly designed tracks.

Ever since "Super Mario 64," a Nintendo platform really needs to have at least one "Super Mario" 3D platformer to feel legitimized. For the Switch, this came in the form of 2017's "Super Mario Odyssey," which centers on the recurring feud between Mario and Bowser over Peach. Early in this quest, Mario gains a sentient hat named Cappy who is capable of temporarily controlling creatures that Mario flings Cappy on. Mario and Cappy set out to stop Bowser from forcibly marrying Peach, recovering Power Moons to fuel their airship.

The heir apparent to the "Super Mario Galaxy" games, "Super Mario Odyssey" is an instant classic 3D platformer. Each of the game's worlds are richly and distinctly developed, with the urban New Donk City a clear standout. There are also a ton of Easter eggs in "Super Mario Odyssey" to keep players exploring and delving deeper into every environment. Full of fun-filled worlds to dive into and challenges to overcome, "Super Mario Odyssey" remains the best 3D platformer that Nintendo has published in years.

"Super Smash Bros." has become a staple on Nintendo home consoles, and 2018 saw the release of "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate" on the Switch. This installment in the fighting game series went bigger and better than ever before. In addition to the story mode campaign, the game features both local and online multiplayer modes, as well as a wide array of challenges. "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate" also features a mix of iconic figures and obscure characters. The sequel feels like a love letter, not just to Nintendo properties, but gaming history overall. 

While thoroughly enjoyable alone, like any preceding game in the series, "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate" is best experienced with friends. The game brings back all the playable characters from past titles as well as many classic stages, but bolsters the roster with plenty of new fighters and other content. But more than just scope, there are loads of small details packed into "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate" that make the game a completely comprehensive experience. A sweepingly expansive entry in the series, "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate" sets a new bar for the franchise.

Speaking of long-running Nintendo games best enjoyed with friends, the Switch received three "Mario Party" titles over the course of its generation. The series' final release for the console was 2024's "Super Mario Party Jamboree," which upped the ante considerably. While retaining the four-player board and minigame gameplay, the title features a 22-character roster for players to choose from. Like "Mario Party Superstars" before it, the game features a mix of familiar boards and minigames along with new content and mechanics to keep the experience fresh.

With its wealth of features and gameplay content, "Super Mario Party Jamboree" feels like the most ambitious and complete entry in the series yet. The title even finds new ways for the board game segments to generate excitement, including the temporary addition of Jamboree partners to the mix. Learning from the disappointment of "Super Mario Party," "Super Mario Party Jamboree" improves the familiar experience to become an absolute blast. It's definitely a game that makes parting with your cash to own a Switch worth it.