Console gaming has come such a long way since the first iteration back in the 1960s (check date on first system). Handheld games swept the market in the 80s and then it all changed with the invention of the Nintendo Gameboy. That little platform gave rise to the Nintendo Switch and for many people it is the console of choice. No other console can give you the ease of mobile gaming that seamlessly transfers to couch style gaming on a dedicated console. Games are rushing to be included in it’s catalog and we are seeing more independent companies creating content, as well. At current there are roughly over 3000 titles for the Nintendo Switch and it continues to grow. Stay tuned for my list of my Top Five Nintendo Switch Games. And don’t forget to comment below and tell me your favorite Switch games, at the moment. 

5. Slayaway Camp: Butcher’s Cut – puzzler

Being a horror fan, Slay Away Camp was fun for me. You play a skull faced killer whose job it is to slide around the board and kill all the people on it. The game gives a nod to old school 8 bit graphics and incorporates a limited amount of moves you can make to achieve the kills you need for each level. You must use the traps and kill styles available to you to take out each victim and avoid being caught by the police. Complete each level grants you skins to change how your character looks and intertacts and kill-combos. 

How many ways can you, as Skullface, kill, maim, and murder your way through the many smart-mouthed, over-sexed, and substance-abusing young adults in the game. There are over 300 levels to challenge your murderous, maniacal machinations for entertainment. As of today, January 15th, 2022, you can pick this up for a mere $3.74, so get out there and download it today.

4. Friday the 13th – survival horror

I am new to survival games, mostly because I always preferred playing FPS or TPS style games, solo type game play. After getting heavily involved with World of Warcraft, those mindsets started to change. After the fiasco with Blizzard, I dropped my membership and found that I needed something to take the place. My friend got me to play Friday the 13th with him on Switch. 

To me, there are many reasons why this game is perfect for the Nintendo Switch. Friday the 13th doesn’t rely on intensive graphics for its fun. Instead you are one of eight people who log into a world based on the popular horror franchise. Randomly, one person is chosen as Jason and your mission is simple… Kill The Camp Counselors. Everyone else has to survive the night. There are two cars in the zone, but it isnt so easy as walking up and getting in, you have objectives you need to complete in order to make it out alive. Will you be smart enough to best Jason Vorhees or will you fall under his imposing killer presence. 

This game isn’t deep when it comes to story or game play, what it lacks there is made up for in a dark fearsome environment where you are being stalked by a killer or stalking your victims. It holds all of the fun that the movies did but played where you are the main character. If you like a good jump scare and love horror, this game is perfect for you. 

3. Addams Family: Mansion Mayhem – multiplayer

puzzler

I will admit, I bought this game due to my love of the Addams Family, my mother introduced me to them and the Munsters as a child and I immediately fell in love with them. There has not been a movie, cartoon, video game, or tv show that involves them that I have not seen – at least once. So this game was a must have. That being said, if you are a true Addams Family fan, this game will leave you a little in the dark. It does follow the current cartoon movies more than the Raul Julia movies many of us are familiar with. That is to say that it does drawn from the actual New Yorker comic strips more heavily. 

There is a solo aspect to this game but where the fun lies is incorporating more people into it. This is meant to be a family game night type of play where you and your friends run around the Addams mansion solving puzzles and trying to figure out what is wrong with the spooky mansion you call home.

There are four “worlds” with eight levels to navigate through. What is fun about this game is that there is no “one” super powered character you can use to always win. The game simply doesn’t work that way. Every enemy can be killed with a couple hits from any of the four characters. You can unlock a total of four “weapons” to get through each level. Each weapon is unique in its ability. The game doesn’t focus on character achievements, so it gives you more incentive to work as a team to complete the level. It is merely a fun time feel good game where you dont have to worry about dying and starting all over. If you die, you simply jump back in and keep moving forward.

If you are looking for a detail driven game with intricate stories and such, this game wont be your cup of tea. What it does well is give you a means to pull together up to four people to play a fun and simple game and just have a good time. It is perfect if you have kids or still a kid at heart.

2. Luigi’s Haunted Mansion 3 – action platformer

Nintendo is famous for its Super Mario Brothers games and a heavy influence on Mario, in particular. His brother, Luigi, doesn’t always get the attention he deserves. Luigi’s Haunted Mansion 3 is a departure from its previous versions. While it is built off a platform style adventure game, this version has a much larger and more beautiful world to play in. Luigi has more depth in this one game than many of the Mario games. His character is much more flushed out and reacts to the world in a way that makes him so much more than two dimensional. 

It clocks in at just about 14 hours of gameplay, if you don’t go for all the achievements, so you can finish this in a weekend. With limited DLC and multiplayer options, you can have a bit more enjoyment for your dollars spent.

1. Animal Crossing: News Horizons – simulation

No list of favorite Nintendo Switch games would be complete without including Animal Crossing and yes this game came out two years ago. We have, this year, seen the inclusion of paid DLC for it and a host of added features. 

This game takes the simulation culture of games like SimCity, Stardew Valley, and others to create a unique playable experience. Sure the characters are still animated but the attention to detail that the developers put into this game is simply stunning. I cant tell you how many times I get transfixed by watching how the clouds play across moonlight or the textures around a sunset. Simply beautiful. 

Each day you log in, you are treated to a message about your island that makes you feel like you really are an integral part of it. You spend your time interacting with your villagers to keep them happy, growing various foods, digging up fossils, and so many more daily tasks that it is hard to keep them all straight. The best part is that you can bring friends to your island or visit the various other ones in the Animal Crossing universe. If you haven’t gotten it yet, I highly suggest picking up this game for some simple good fun that will have you spending multiple hours making your island your home.

Just Play

With so  many options for the Nintendo Switch, it’s hard to know where to start. The list above includes games from several different genres, to get you started. If you received gift cards or Nintendo EShop cards for Christmas, then you have a perfect way to grab a few indie titles or maybe some AAA titles to play around with. Get out there and enjoy the Nintendo Switch. It is a great platform for gaming and offers lots of titles to keep you occupied. It has become my favorite platform for gaming.