The best deals on Nintendo Switch games right now

Image: Nintendo

One of the most popular consoles of all time is the Nintendo Switch, it has an ever-expanding library of games to choose from. If a game is capable of working on the Switch's hardware, it is either already available or it will be soon. There are often regular price breaks on a variety of titles, from first-gen offerings like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey to remasters like Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1+2.

We have rounded up some of our favorites for Nintendo Switch games. The Nintendo eShop is the best place to find deals on digital downloads, especially if you prefer the independent variety, but there are some exceptions where retailers will discount titles that would otherwise be full price on Nintendo's storefront.

Super Mario Odyssey is the keystone title for the Nintendo Switch. There is plenty of charm in the latest iteration of the Mario franchise. Mario's ability to possess just about anything in the game world, thanks to his new companion, Cappy, is perhaps the most interesting and prevalent twist. Inhabiting creatures and objects is a big part of the Odyssey's numerous challenges and puzzles.

Super Mario Odyssey is a game with a firm understanding of what the franchise has done well in the past and builds on it in some interesting and unexpected ways. It is an absolute must for fans of Mario, platformers as a whole, or just about anyone who owns a Switch. Read the review.

• $48 at Walmart (physical)
• $49 at Best Buy (physical)

The Hisui region is an attempt to build the region in the Pokémon: Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl sequel. Read the review.

Nintendo's latest brawler pits beloved characters from the company's franchises against each other.

• $51 at Best Buy (physical))

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild takes place in a massive open world, one that stresses exploration, experimentation, and emergent gaming. The game is more difficult than previous entries in the franchise, but there are multiple, unconventional ways to tackle it. Learning and exploiting the systems in the world is more important than taking a bunch of sweet gear.

The old classic is still being discovered by players years after its release. Breath of the Wild is an essential entry in the franchise and this isn't the most recent title to feature Link. It offers all of the hallmarks of a traditional title, including challenging combat and puzzles, but within a gorgeous, open-world design. Read the review.

• $40 at Walmart (digital)
• $41 at Best Buy (physical)

At a time when many of us needed it most, the latest Animal Crossing game came. The sim provides a necessary escape and has been a popular choice to play during the Pandemic. You can go outside and enjoy life with neighbors, pick some flowers, and catch a few bugs.

You can build and grow your own island and eventually handle the welfare of the cast of characters that will call your island their home with the help of Animal Crossing. By trading with other islands, you will slowly turn the vacant island into something truly unique. Read the review.

• $50 at Amazon (physical)
• $51 at Best Buy (physical)

Everyone's favorite green dinosaur is featured in the yarn-and-cardboard-flavored game, "Yoshi's Crafted World." It is one of the more charming titles to come from Nintendo, with levels and characters made from everyday objects. Read the review.

• $40 at Best Buy
• $40 at Nintendo

If you love kart racing and love Mario, there's no better way to combine the two than in Mario Kart 8. 48 new courses are expected to launch through 2023 as paid DLC, and it is packed with plenty of courses and characters.

• $40 at Amazon
• $40 at Best Buy

Luigi's Mansion 3 has players controlling the character as he explores a haunted hotel in an effort to rescue his brother and friends. Read the review.

• $40 at GameStop
• $40 at Target

The core elements of the original Tony Hawk games have been updated for modern consoles. Everything from the levels to the collectibles has been translated with remarkable accuracy in the remake of the original two games.

The experience is largely unchanged, but additions are welcome. Extra objectives have been added to THPS 1 levels to be more in line with what THPS 2 offers, and there are larger meta-objectives to accomplish if you want to get different cosmetic options. The best way to experience these classics is in the collection. Read the review.

• $27 at Amazon (physical)
• $27 at Target (physical)

Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle is an amazing turn-based strategy game that owes much of its success to games like XCOM and Fire Emblem. The cast of Mario and Co. are brought into an isometric strategy game with a surprising amount of challenge, even for veterans of the genre.

The game has the same aesthetic as other Mario titles, with gold coins and plants, but the similarities end there. Kingdom Battle doesn't share the same meta-strategy layer as its peers, but there's still plenty of depth. Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle is a fun addition to the genre. Read the review.

• $10 at Nintendo (digital)
• $15 at Amazon

Fire Emblem: Three Houses is a strategy game. While most games in this genre treat your units as pawns, Three Houses forces you to become attached to them by having specific characters lead them into battle. As you build relationships with these characters, you will see their strengths, weaknesses, and personality quirks.

This can make some missions extremely tenuous as you try to balance the benefits of bringing characters into battle with their own unique strengths. This option can be switched off for a more relaxed experience, but it is one of the features that sets Fire Emblem apart from its peers. This latest entry in the Fire Emblem franchise is great for first-timers or returning fans. The characters and plot are memorable, and the battle has never been sharper. Read the review.

• $40 at Walmart (digital)
• $50 at Target (physical)

Dynasty Warriors is the name of the series by way of Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. This title has a similar aesthetic to the hit, but is vastly different in terms of its game play. In it, you will take control of a cast of familiar characters from Breath of the Wild, like Impa and Zelda, and guide them through a linear narrative that leads up to the events that precede Breath of the Wild.

You can swap characters during battles to use their special abilities, but you have to direct armies to help you complete your objectives. Fans of Breath of the Wild will get more backstory in Age of Calamity, a game that feels wholly different but strangely familiar in the best ways. Read the review.

• $40 at Target (physical)
• $40 at GameStop (physical)

One of the best dancing games on the market, Just Dance 2022, is a good way to impress your friends or just get active in your living room. Some of the best pop music of the last several years can be found in the 65 songs in the game, and players who want a more diverse library of tracks can subscribe to Just Dance Unlimited, which gives access to songs from previous Just Dance entries.

You can use the Just Dance app on your phone to track your movement, and the Nintendo Switch version is capable of supporting up to six players via local co-op.

• $25 at Amazon (physical)
• $25 at Walmart (physical)

The most colorful shooter you will ever play is Splatoon 2. The game has a variety of weaponized painting tools that players can use. It's the perfect shooter for players who don't like shooting because of its bright color scheme and lighthearted approach to the genre.

While hunting down other players has its benefits, victory in a given match and your personal score isn't determined by how many players you knock out, but how much of the map you paint with your team's respective color. Anyone can contribute to the success of their team with this objective-based game. Read the review.

• $50 at GameStop (physical)
• $50 at Target (physical)

The title is synonymous with fighting games. The latest entry in the franchise builds on the legacy of the previous entries by fine- tuning many of the technical elements. This makes the entry in the franchise, which is known for its tight, easy to learn and difficult to master, the best entry to date.

DLC for fighters from some unexpected IPs is included in the roster of 25 characters from the lore. If you've ever wondered how theinator would fare against Rambo, this is your chance to find out. You are unlikely to fight against the same character twice because each fighter has different moves and gear.

• $25 at Walmart (physical)
• $25 at Target (physical)

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