Nintendo continue d’être un pilier du jeu vidéo, avec le Switch, le Switch Lite et le Switch OLED qui ont séduit les joueurs depuis huit ans, totalisant plus de 143 millions d’unités vendues. CNET propose une sélection des meilleurs jeux pour cette plateforme, incluant « The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom », qui se distingue par son monde ouvert et ses mécaniques innovantes, ainsi que « Mario Kart 8 Deluxe » et « Super Smash Bros. Ultimate », conçus pour offrir des expériences conviviales et engageantes à tous les âges.
Nintendo has been a prominent player in the gaming industry for many years, and for the past eight years, the Switch has captivated gamers of all ages. The original Switch, along with the Switch Lite and the Switch OLED, seamlessly combines outstanding exclusive games with a highly portable console experience. Together, this generation of consoles has achieved global sales exceeding 143 million units, as reported by Nintendo.
Following the disappointing launch of the Wii U in 2012, the success of the Switch comes from Nintendo’s readiness to innovate and develop fresh experiences from beloved franchises such as Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, and Pokémon. Its unique design allows traditional console gameplay to coexist with the motion control features integrated into its compact Joy-Con controllers.
To help you choose your next adventure, here’s a selection of some of the best Nintendo Switch games currently available.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
When The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild launched in early 2017, it revolutionized the franchise. While I had tried previous entries, the vast open world of Breath of the Wild drew me in like no other, offering puzzles with varied solutions and encouraging creative combat tactics. Then Tears of the Kingdom emerged in May 2023, quickly rendering its predecessor less relevant.
This sequel enhances everything that made Breath of the Wild exceptional. One standout feature, the Ultrahand power, became a viral sensation after the game’s release, allowing for incredible creativity, such as constructing a bomber plane within a conventional fantasy RPG.
Tears of the Kingdom creatively reimagines the familiar landscape from its predecessor, adding floating islands and a new underworld called the Depths, presenting fresh exploration opportunities. Although navigating the new vertical gameplay can be challenging, overcoming these initial hurdles opens up a vast, liberating world filled with possibilities.
May 12, 2023
Open world sandbox adventure with survival elements
Nintendo
– Tyler Graham
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Even if you’ve never had a Nintendo console, chances are you’ve played Mario Kart at some point; it’s become the quintessential party game that anyone can jump into. While Mario Kart 8 originated on the Wii U, it was brought to the Switch in April 2017 with ‘Deluxe’ added to its name, along with several content expansions.
What I love about Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is its impressive selection of 48 playable tracks—doubled to 96 with DLC—featuring remastered classics and tracks from Mario Kart Tour on mobile. Additionally, the game offers excellent accessibility features, such as a smart-steering option that helps players avoid falling off the edges, making it a game everyone can enjoy, including my parents during our family races.
April 28, 2017
High-octane party game
Nintendo
– Sarah Drolet
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
It’s incredible to think the very first Super Smash Bros. on the Nintendo 64 in 1999 had only 12 characters. In contrast, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, released in December 2018, boasts 76 fighters at launch and expands to 86 with downloadable content.
While some games may offer more characters than Ultimate, none can match its rich tapestry of iconic gaming franchises. Whether you choose Mario, Sonic, Cloud Strife, or Sora, each match can be a wildly different experience. Ultimate remains the definitive platform fighter, offering rapid gameplay and allowing players of all skill levels to enjoy its chaos, whether they’re competing or casually playing with friends.
Dec. 7, 2018
Crossover platform fighter
Nintendo, Masahiro Sakurai, Sora Ltd., Bandai Namco Studios
– Tyler Graham
Splatoon 3
Released in September 2022, Splatoon 3 is the latest installment in Nintendo’s vibrant third-person shooter series, where you play as a kid or squid, aiming to cover the arena with ink to secure victory.
This latest entry offers greater customization than ever before, introducing new Inkling and Octoling cosmetics that affect gameplay, in addition to a wider array of weapon choices. Whether you’re blasting ink from a Crab Tank turret or diving into skirmishes on the Reefslider, the game is richly entertaining.
If you prefer offline play, a single-player campaign is available, allowing you to enjoy the game featuring the same dynamic weapons from multiplayer combat while immersing yourself on a mission to save the