Why be loyal to any console manufacturer? Simply put, you should invest a console that has the games you want to play. Else the console will collect dust.
Stardew Valley! My wife (who is normally not a gamer) and I have put 100+ hours into our splitscreen co-op game. It's very, very fun. :-)
Honestly, though, your list represents hundreds of hours of gaming. So unless you put in some major hours on the reg, I would just focus on what you have instead of what you want to add.
I've heard a lot of good things about Stardew Valley, and your not the first to recommend it in this thread. I'll definitely add that to my list!
If you like RPGs, I believe you can play all of the Xenoblade Chronicles games on Switch now (besides X, which is an offshoot anyway).
Granted, these three games will take a good 300 hours to beat. But they are excellent. If you simply don’t have time for that (and that’s totally understandable), then watching a big recap of XC1 and XC2 and playing XC3 could also work. I don’t know if I’ve cried harder in a game than I did in at least two occasions in XC3. It was easily my favorite game of 2022.
If you like strategy games, then Fire Emblem: Three Houses is my favorite on the Switch, there. There’s a newer Fire Emblem, but it’s not as good (so I hear).
Pikmin 4 is right around the corner as well. There’s a demo you can try to see if it’s up your alley.
Big vouch for Xeno series. Easily some of the best 400+ hours I've spent gaming (I completed new game + for each title as well).
I really liked Xenoblade 1 on Wii but couldn’t get into 2 and I didn’t even try 3.
The first game felt so massive and it wasn’t too heavy on the anime tropes (I could be misremembering).
XC2 is definitely the weakest link. And it has the most anime stuff (giant boobie girls for no reason. I mean, I like Pyra and Mythra as characters, but their designs are silly).
XC3 doesn’t have any of that. There’s some “the characters are fighting and having conversations” stuff that’s maybe a little anime, but all three have that. I just think XC3 has a wonderful story. You get the main cast of characters pretty early on, and then have 100 hours to get to know them, so when the story really kicks into gear you really feel for them. Or at least I did.
I’m 37 and just got the switch after a long, long time away from gaming. Very interested as well!
The best part about the switch is that I can play short bursts and put it away immediately without losing my spot. Key feature when you have 2 kids under 3.
Loving BOTW and Stardew Valley so far. Bought Tears of the Kingdom but playing BOTW first.
Loving BOTW [...] Bought Tears of the Kingdom but playing BOTW first.
You're in for such a treat.
Rayman Legends, a 2d platformer. Super fun. I also suggest trying a Pikmin game. The first 3 games are all on switch now, and you can also try out the demo for the 4th one.
My other suggestions:
If you're into the Zelda lore, and like hack and slash. I'd recommend both Hyrule Warriors.
Definitive Edition you'll play with a lot of familiar characters, I absolutely love tearing through enemies using the Skull Kid or Young Link who transforms into the Fierce Diety and just obliterates everything in his Path.
Age of Calamity is in the era of BOTW and it's a bit more polished and if you liked the characters in that game, you'll love to play as them. Just parrying guardian lasers with Oborousa, Riju and Link is fun but challenging. And I absolutely love brining down a Lynel with Hetsu.
I'd also recommend Super Mario 3D World (includes Bowser's Fury). Lots of fun, but shorter levels and Bowser's Fury is kind of it's own open world.
My only regret with the Switch was not getting it earlier in the console's cycle. I've put so many hours into BOTW, TOKTK, both Hyrule Warriors, Mario Odyssey and Smash Bros.
Fire Emblem Three Houses is a really good turn based rpg. I would also recommend Pokémon Legends Arceus. I know it gets a lot of criticism for its graphics but it’s honestly the most enjoyable Pokémon game to me.
Overcooked would be a good game to play with your wife.
Celeste is a good platformer. Shovel knight too.
You're a psychopath for suggesting overcooked. That will bring out the worst in people. I played with my wife and I heard words and insults come out of her mouth that I've never heard before in my 20 years of knowing her.
I've heard similar stories from couples as well. That's a game you play when you have a steady solid foundation of a relationship and you feel like breaking it a little bit.
4.8/5 tho. Fun game.
8bitdo sells an adapter that lets you use Playstation controllers on the switch and that's now my preferred way to play. It even supports gyro.
👀 oh wow i need dis
I agree, the only console I haven't followed is Xbox. Last one I had was the original. I follow PC, Nintendo, and Sony since it covers everything. Xbox doesn't really have originals so it was pretty easy to ditch, especially now with gamepass I can just play most of their games on PC anyway. Now if only I had enough time to keep up with all the content these days!
While not Switch exclusives, I've found a lot of joy (and spent many hours) playing Slay the Spire and Hades. I just find the Switch is the perfect avenue for those games.
I would suggest monster hunter rise and splatoon 3. I found some games are better on the switch with its portability and quick resume feature. Games that has some amount of grinding or 5-10 minutes burst of game play, like the ones I mentioned, works very well.
No matter where your loyalty is, Nintendo consoles compliment it with their IP - especially Switch for its mobility. I mainly play on PC, but I always get Nintendo’s consoles because I love their originals. They’re ideal for playing accessible multiplayer games when friends come over. I never feel like it’s a choice between one or the other.
I’d add these:
• Mario Kart 8 (this is a must) • Mario Party Superstars (a must for 4 players IRL) • Super Smash Bros Ultimate • TOTK (after BOTW, when you’re ready for more) • Splatoon 3 (amazing shooter if you like online MP)
If you’re looking for the Pro Controller feeling in handheld mode, check out the Hori Split Pad Pro. It doesn’t have motion, which sucks, but it feels great for games that don’t need it. You could also find a grip case and caps that cover the sticks to make the joycons feel bigger.
I think you've got the obvious stuff on lock. You've been off Nintendo for so long I have to ignore my impulse to try some older games . You've missed the entirety of Pikmin, Animal Crossing, Splatoon, Fire Emblem (in the west) and warioware so all are worth trying. If you liked Devil May Cry on Playstation, its definitely worth trying Bayonetta also.
I totally get that the joycons are really different than what you're used to. I'd like to urge you to give them a decent shot though. There is something indescribably comfortable about lounging on your couch with your arms in any position you want while playing games. It just feels luxurious. Sometimes I'm leaning back with one arm behind my head, sometimes I've got one hand on my lap and my other resting on my dog nearby. It just feels good.
You just changed my entire perspective on the joy-cons.
My hitlist:
Zelda, Zelda, and Zelda ;)
Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Mariokart
Chained Echoes
If you are into retro games, I would suggest getting Nintendo Online - you get access to a lot of older games through that and it's dirt cheap.
Look into the hori splitpad for a pro controller set up for handheld mode. There are even travel cases to accommodate it
Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle is a surprisingly good turn-based tactics game. I haven't played its sequel yet, but I had a lot of fun with the original.
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Game | Date
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Mario & Luigi: Brothership | Nov 7 Donkey Kong Country Returns HD | Jan 16, 2025 Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition | Mar 20, 2025 Metroid Prime 4 | 2025