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If you want a short list of genuinely exceptional Nintendo Switch games, these ten are the clearest starting point: every one carries an explicit Review 10/10 mark in Nintendo Life’s current best-Switch guide. The selection covers open-world adventures, platformers, first-person action, fighting games, roguelites and long-form JRPGs, so “best” depends on how you want to play. Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey pair 97 Metacritic scores, while Metroid Prime Remastered scores 94 and Tears of the Kingdom scores 96 on Switch. Here is what each game does best, how much time it demands and who should buy it.
Which Nintendo Switch games are actually 10/10?
The ten games below all have Nintendo Life’s current Review 10/10 designation. They are arranged to show the widest range of Switch experiences rather than to claim that one genre is universally superior.
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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →| Game | Switch release | Best for | Format and time |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild | 3 March 2017 | Open-world discovery | New release; large solo adventure |
| Super Mario Odyssey | 27 October 2017 | 3D platforming and exploration | New release; flexible solo play |
| The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom | 12 May 2023 | Building and systemic experimentation | New release; large solo adventure |
| Xenoblade Chronicles 3 | 2022 | Story-heavy role-playing | New release; 100-plus-hour campaign |
| Metroid Dread | 8 October 2021 | Focused 2D action | New release; concentrated solo campaign |
| Super Smash Bros. Ultimate | 2018 | Competitive and party multiplayer | New release; repeatable matches |
| Metroid Prime Remastered | 2023 | First-person exploration | Remaster; solo adventure |
| Persona 5 Royal | 21 October 2022 | Character-driven JRPG storytelling | Expanded port; lengthy solo campaign |
| Hades | 2020 | Repeatable action runs | New release on Switch; short sessions that build into a larger story |
| Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury | 2021 | Local co-op platforming | Enhanced package; four-player modes |
Why is Breath of the Wild still a 10/10 choice?
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is the landmark open-world release in this group. It changed the series’ direction by letting players approach objectives, combat and traversal with unusual freedom instead of following a fixed route.
Its Switch version launched on 3 March 2017 and holds a 97 Metacritic score. Choose it when you want exploration to be the main event and prefer discovering solutions without the construction systems introduced by its sequel.
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- The Legend of Zelda - Tears of the Kingdom
What makes Super Mario Odyssey one of the best Switch games?
Super Mario Odyssey is a sandbox-style 3D platformer built around Cappy, Mario’s sentient hat. Capturing enemies and objects changes how you move, fight and reach hidden areas, while each kingdom is packed with optional discoveries.
Nintendo Life gives it a Review 10/10, and its Switch release on 27 October 2017 has a 97 Metacritic score. Guinness World Records recorded a 97.38% average from 57 reviews on 21 November 2017, making it the listed best-reviewed Switch game at that time. It is the strongest pick here for players who want constant mechanical variety without committing to a role-playing epic.
Is Tears of the Kingdom better than Breath of the Wild?
There is no universal winner: Tears of the Kingdom is the better fit if you want experimentation and building, while Breath of the Wild is the cleaner choice for a first open-world Zelda journey. The sequel expands Hyrule with additional layers and construction-focused abilities that let you assemble vehicles, weapons and solutions.
The Switch release arrived on 12 May 2023 and has a 96 Metacritic score. TechRadar describes the new tools and abilities as a leap forward. Because the games share a world and many systems, starting with Breath of the Wild provides the more chronological introduction; starting with Tears of the Kingdom gives you the more elaborate sandbox immediately.
Which Switch JRPG should you buy?
Xenoblade Chronicles 3
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is the commitment pick: a large, emotional JRPG with memorable characters, deep combat and a campaign that can exceed 100 hours. Nintendo Life lists Monolith Soft as developer and awards the Switch release a Review 10/10. Buy it when you want a major journey rather than a game designed for quick sessions.
Persona 5 Royal
Persona 5 Royal combines a stylish presentation with day-by-day decisions, social relationships, dungeon exploration and a substantial soundtrack. The Switch version launched on 21 October 2022 and carries Nintendo Life’s Review 10/10 label. Its expanded content makes it a particularly strong choice for players who value character arcs and planning as much as battles.
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- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom /Switch
Which Metroid game is right for you?
Metroid Dread
Metroid Dread is a tightly designed 2D action adventure. Stealth sections built around the pursuing E.M.M.I. robots add tension to the exploration, while new abilities and major boss fights keep the campaign moving. Nintendo Life marks its 8 October 2021 Switch release Review 10/10; TechRadar highlights its Metroidvania structure and escape premise.
Metroid Prime Remastered
Metroid Prime Remastered translates the classic first-person exploration formula with extensive visual upgrades, twin-stick controls and an optional original-style control scheme. Nintendo Life calls the overhaul a new benchmark for remasters and awards it Review 10/10; Metacritic lists a 94 Switch score. Choose it for scanning, backtracking and atmosphere rather than the faster, more platform-focused rhythm of Dread.
What is the best Switch multiplayer game?
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is the broadest multiplayer option: it brings together every previous fighter alongside a large guest roster, extensive customization and modes for both competitive matches and casual parties. Nintendo Life gives it a Review 10/10, and TechRadar calls it the series’ definitive entry. It is the safest purchase when several people with different favorite game characters will be sharing one system.
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury combines a four-player 3D platformer with an open-world-style second mode. Bowser’s Fury adds substantial new value beyond the original Wii U release, and TechRadar calls the package an essential multiplayer purchase. Select it when cooperative platforming matters more than versus competition.
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Is Hades worth buying on Switch?
Hades is the most flexible game on this list for short sessions. Its roguelite structure sends you through repeatable escape attempts, but each run advances relationships and story scenes, so failure still contributes to progress.
Vibrant art, responsive combat and multiple weapon styles give each attempt a different emphasis. Nintendo Life awards the Switch release a Review 10/10 and lists Supergiant Games as both publisher and developer. It is the best fit here for players who want to play for 20 minutes or keep refining a build over dozens of runs.
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![The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51PuJ83o9KL._SL160_.jpg)
- Ultrahand: Using the new Ultrahand ability, Link can pick up, move, and rotate almost any object, and can even attach objects together to create bridges, vehicles, and more!
- Fuse: Magically fuse almost any object to Link’s current weapon, shield, or arrow to increase durability, damage, or even add a new effect. Experiment with lots of different combinations to come up with surprising—and sometimes hilarious—results!
- Ascend: Add a new dimension to your exploration with Ascend, which gives Link the ability to pass through solid objects above him. Rise up through ceilings, hillsides, and even certain enemies to create seemingly impossible shortcuts.
- Recall: Use Recall to make objects in motion move backward through time, letting Link ride fallen boulders skyward, recover thrown weapons, or send projectiles back where they came from.
How do these 10/10 labels compare with aggregate scores?
A Review 10/10 is Nintendo Life’s editorial mark, not a mathematical average. Metacritic provides a separate aggregation of published critics: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey each score 97 on Switch, Tears of the Kingdom scores 96 and Metroid Prime Remastered scores 94.
Those figures add context but do not replace the genre-based reasons to choose a game. A 100-hour JRPG and a repeatable roguelite can both earn a 10/10 while serving completely different schedules and tastes.
How should you choose your first game?
- Open-world freedom: Start with Breath of the Wild; choose Tears of the Kingdom if building is the priority.
- Pure platforming: Pick Super Mario Odyssey for solo discovery or Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury for co-op.
- Story and role-playing: Choose Persona 5 Royal for character routines or Xenoblade Chronicles 3 for a longer, combat-heavy epic.
- Action: Select Metroid Dread for 2D speed, Metroid Prime Remastered for first-person exploration or Hades for repeatable runs.
- Multiplayer: Buy Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for versus play and a broad roster.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do these scores apply to Nintendo Switch 2 versions?
The listed ratings refer to the Nintendo Switch editions identified in the cited guides. Switch 2 compatibility, performance enhancements and edition-specific features can change, so verify the current platform listing before purchasing.
Is a Nintendo Life 10/10 the same as a Metacritic 10/10?
No. Nintendo Life’s mark is one publication’s review judgment, while Metacritic is an aggregate built from multiple critics using its own conversion system. A game can carry the editorial label without having a perfect aggregate score.
Which of these games works best without a long uninterrupted session?
Hades is designed around individual escape attempts, making it easy to pause between runs. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate also supports self-contained matches, while the JRPGs generally reward longer, continuous play.
Can I play Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury alone?
Yes. The package supports solo play as well as local multiplayer. Its four-player design is an advantage for groups, not a requirement for accessing either campaign.
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