The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2017
Why it still holds upRun in any direction you like and the world still holds up today, since it runs on systems and physics and even a simple environmental puzzle can have three or four solutions.
Switch games that still hold up
First released on the Switch
Games
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2017
Why it still holds upRun in any direction you like and the world still holds up today, since it runs on systems and physics and even a simple environmental puzzle can have three or four solutions.
Super Mario Odyssey 2017
Why it still holds upToday it works because you choose what to do toward the moon count, and capturing drives much of the level design.
On sale
Celeste 2018
Why it still holds upEach chapter revolves around a different environmental mechanic and the game keeps adding ideas, so it stays fresh today, with Assist Mode letting anyone set their own difficulty.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate 2018
Why it still holds upEvery fighter from the earlier games is there and rulesets can be saved, so it still offers more than one way to play today.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 2017
Why it still holds upLayered combat systems over large Titans packed with hidden items and side quests make it worth playing today.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses 2019
Why it still holds upFlexible party building, tactical battles and a calendar of school life that makes characters matter on the battlefield are the reason to play it now.
Metroid Dread 2021
Why it still holds upIt still plays well because of how the map opens up, and because the E.M.M.I. areas turn the exploring into a chase every so often.
On sale
Sonic Mania 2017
Why it still holds upMomentum based movement and three characters with different abilities still give each stage different routes today.
Luigi's Mansion 3 2019
Why it still holds upEach floor is still a reason to play on today: a new theme to search, with tools that turn the searching into small puzzles.
The Banner Saga 3 2018
Why it still holds upTwo caravans, with a clock ticking on one of them, make every choice a decision about how to spend your time, and that pressure is still there for a new player.
On sale
Mortal Kombat 11 2019
Why it still holds upEven now, slower movement and fixed inputs for every character make each match a matter of careful positioning.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons 2020
Why it still holds upPlayed a little every day, the island is still the reason to come back: it changes with the real seasons and takes the shape you give it.
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening 2019
Why it still holds upIf you come to it now, expect a world that opens as you pick up tools, and dungeons you can build yourself.
Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled 2019
Why it still holds upChained boosts from power slides turn each lap into a matter of rhythm, and it races well today.
AI: The Somnium Files 2019
Why it still holds upA six minute clock on every dream makes each puzzle a question of which object to try first, so the pressure is still there from the first dream.
On sale
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night 2019
Why it still holds upExploring is still rewarding, because shards dropped by monsters, each with a different attack, make every defeated enemy a possible new skill.
On sale
SteamWorld Dig 2 2017
Why it still holds upDigging down for resources and coming back to spend them makes every trip a loop of risk and reward today, with a choice of how far to go each time.
On sale
Little Nightmares II 2021
Why it still holds upThe tension is the reason to play it now: slow stretches of sneaking give way to desperate escapes, with Six at your side.
Wandersong 2018
Why it still holds upIt is easy to pick up now: you sing with a wheel of eight notes and every puzzle is a small piece of music you play.
Splatoon 2 2017
Why it still holds upEvery match is still about covering ground and not only about defeating opponents, as Turf War scores ink rather than defeats.
On sale
Yoku's Island Express 2018
Why it still holds upGetting around the island is still fun, because a hero who cannot jump has to use flippers, bumpers and ramps, and every route is worked out with the ball.
On sale
Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom 2018
Why it still holds upExploring is still a matter of trying each form: five forms each open a different path and dying costs nothing.
On sale
Gris 2018
Why it still holds upThere is nothing to fail at, since there is no combat or game over and abilities arrive as the story goes on, so it plays relaxed today.
On sale
Kingdom Two Crowns 2018
Why it still holds upEvery spend is a risk to weigh, since coins are both your army's wages and the crown's safety, and the tension holds today.
Super Mario Maker 2 2019
Why it still holds upEach session still differs, because you can build in five visual styles and try courses by other players.
Disgaea 5 Complete 2017
Why it still holds upA complete edition with all of its extra content still leaves a lot to dig through.
On sale
BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle 2018
Why it still holds upWith the same simple options across the roster, a new character costs little to learn, which still makes the whole mixed cast easy to try.
Astral Chain 2019
Why it still holds upThe same companion serves investigation, puzzles and combat, so the game stays one idea and not three, and that is why it still hangs together.
Baba Is You 2019
Why it still holds upThe rules are the material you move, and today that one idea still carries the whole game.
On sale
Monster Hunter Rise 2021
Why it still holds upThe loop is why it is worth playing now: every monster is a fight of its own, and its parts make the gear for the next one.
Blaster Master Zero II 2019
Why it still holds upSwitching between tank and on foot levels still keeps each planet from repeating itself.
On sale
SteamWorld Quest: Hand of Gilgamech 2019
Why it still holds upBuilding a deck of your own cards makes each fight a small puzzle.
On sale
Streets of Rage 4 2020
Why it still holds upThe fights hold up today because the specials and the combos both pay you for hitting without being hit.
SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom - Rehydrated 2020
Why it still holds upThe collecting holds up today, because reaching every part of a level takes the moves of each character it gives you.
On sale
Blasphemous 2019
Why it still holds upEvery enemy is still a pattern to learn and a parry to time.
Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout 2019
Why it still holds upA workshop where you build items from what you gather still rewards patient exploration.
Octopath Traveler 2018
Why it still holds upEight stories and a party you assemble let you decide the order of your journey, and that freedom still shapes how you play.
On sale
Battle Chef Brigade 2017
Why it still holds upThe two halves feed each other, and that is still the draw today: what you hunt decides which gems you have to cook with.
Golf Story 2017
Why it still holds upSide quests on every course and a swing you tune with experience still keep each round varied.
On sale
Katana Zero 2019
Why it still holds upBecause one hit decides every room, each room is still a short puzzle to plan and then carry out.
On sale
The Messenger 2018
Why it still holds upEach enemy is still a stepping stone, thanks to a jump that renews when you hit something in the air.
On sale
Overcooked! 2 2018
Why it still holds upEach round is still a scramble to communicate, in kitchens that change under your feet.
Dragon Quest Builders 2 2018
Why it still holds upBuilding and exploring with friends in one world is still the draw today.
Untitled Goose Game 2019
Why it still holds upBecause the list can be tackled in any order, the village is still a place for mischief at your own pace.
On sale
LEGO DC Super-Villains 2018
Why it still holds upPlaying the villains is the reason to pick it up now: each one has powers the puzzles need, and one of them is a villain you made yourself.
On sale
Just Shapes & Beats 2018
Why it still holds upIt is still a rhythm dodging game you can share today, with one stick, one dash button and room for four.