Update: Now Wave 2 has washed over us, we've added another 31 games to the list, taking the total of 9 or 10s up to a staggering 94! All of the games we've added are on the final two pages of this piece, so tuck in...
Summer is here! Well, in the Northern Hemisphere. Almost.
Look, it might not technically be summer at the time of writing, but the Summer Sale Nintendo has running on European Switch eShops right now runs past 21st June. So, as far as Switch owners in the market for a bargain are concerned, the sun is shining.
With more than 1500 games included in the Switch sale at the time of writing, it's tough to know where to begin. Which is precisely why we've compiled this non-exhaustive list of brilliant Switch games in the eShop sale that we here at Nintendo Life awarded a score of at least 9/10.
We'll be switching up this list when the second wave hits. [Update: It hit, and we did.] And readers in North America can rest easy — there's a similar 'Hyper Max' sale across the pond, and we'll be compiling another regional round-up along these lines in the coming days.
And before we go, a quick plug! You can also get an extra 5% off these prices by topping up your account with eShop credit from our store. Simply enter the code NLIFE5 at the checkout to save even more on all these quality video games.
Please note that some external links on this page are affiliate links, which means if you click them and make a purchase we may receive a small percentage of the sale. Please read our FTC Disclosure for more information.
Prices are given in GBP below, but commensurate savings are available in the lovely Eurozone, too. Enjoy!
Tetris Effect: Connected (Switch eShop)
£35.99 £17.99
Tetris is one of the greatest video games of all time, and Tetris Effect: Connected is perhaps the best iteration of the classic puzzler yet. While this Switch port doesn't offer a great deal over existing versions in terms of features, it delivers the one key ingredient that its rivals cannot: portability. Sure, some will argue that Tetris Effect: Connected's unique brand of synesthesia only really comes alive when played on PSVR or an Oculus Quest headset, but we'd argue passionately that this game benefits far more from the ability to pick it up and play whenever, wherever. Just as the Game Boy and Tetris combined to create an irresistible, world-conquering fusion back in 1989, Tetris Effect: Connected has finally found the hardware that allows it to truly shine, making this an utterly essential purchase for all Nintendo Switch owners. Just don't forget those headphones.
Florence (Switch eShop)
£4.99 £1.79
Florence is an evocation of the beauty, sadness and hope that comes from any human connection we make in our lives, whether with art, nature or another person. It's a succinct and incredibly successful exploration of moments you'll recognise from your own life, and the way it mirrors thoughts and feelings through small gameplay mechanics makes it one of the most affecting experiences we've enjoyed on Switch, or any other platform.
FAR: Lone Sails (Switch eShop)
£13.49 £2.69
Without saying a word, FAR: Lone Sails conveys a poignant tale of hope and perseverance, masterfully balancing style with substance for an experience that feels every bit as sublime as it looks. Sure, you could grumble about its relative shortness, the occasionally obtuse puzzles and the very, very minor control issues, but these problems dissolve away once you're invested in the journey. We highly recommend that you give this a spin.
Hades (Switch eShop)
£22.49 £11.24
Hades is a sublime mix of satisfyingly gritty and flexible combat, a wonderfully vibrant art style and genuinely fun and engaging narrative. Supergiant Games has an excellent track record with games like Bastion and Transistor, but this really does feel its finest hour, a rip-roaring rampage through the underworld that's arrived here on Switch in a port that's nigh-on perfect. Even if you're yet to be swayed by the admittedly repetitive ebb and flow of roguelikes, we passionately urge you to at least give this roguelite a try; for fans of the genre or anyone even remotely interested, this is one heavenly vision of hell that we highly recommend you sacrifice yourself to.
Bastion and Transistor are also on offer, and all of Supergiant's titles are worth the price of admission.
West of Loathing (Switch eShop)
£11.00 £5.50
West of Loathing is not your average RPG; in fact we’d go so far as to say you’ve probably never played anything quite like it in your life. Its combat won’t blow you away but don’t be lulled into believing that’s what this game is about, as really the whole thing is an adventure in exploration and interaction with a bit of fighting sprinkled in. It can occasionally be a little bit difficult to decipher, but the satisfaction felt upon working out a problem totally makes up for it. The humour is as wonderfully dry as the desert you’re traversing and the writing is some of the best you can find on the Switch. Unless you’ve not got a humorous bone in your body, this is one RPG you can’t risk skipping.
Raiden IV x Mikado Remix (Switch)
£29.99 £11.99
Yes, Raiden IV is not a typical shmup by contemporary standards, and won’t be for everyone. Equally, all of these modes have been available in some form elsewhere. But as a single package, Raiden IV x Mikado Remix offers the Switch one of its best shooting game releases yet – and that is saying something on a console that has emerged as an unexpected star vehicle for the genre.
Dead Cells (Switch)
£22.49 £11.24
Dead Cells is a masterclass in excellent roguelite design, mixing together nonstop intense action sequences, gorgeous vistas, and an addictive loop of unlocks and rewards into a beautiful experience that no Switch owner will want to go without. There’s dozens, if not hundreds, of hours of content available here, and though some sense of repetition can creep in every now and then, it’s remarkable how fresh Dead Cells can stay through all those hours. This game is a blast to play, full of visual splendor, and packed with things to do; don’t miss out on this one, it’s a must-buy.
Sayonara Wild Hearts (Switch eShop)
£10.99 £6.49
Sayonara Wild Hearts is the video game equivalent of Prince: it’s extremely short and its journey maybe ends a little sooner than you’d hoped, but it packs so many varied and beautiful ideas into its brief life and masters so many different styles that even though there’s a real disappointment it’s over so quickly, what it did give you will remain with you for an extremely long time. A true creative masterpiece.
Into The Breach (Switch eShop)
£11.39 £5.69
Into The Breach is a brutal, uncompromising game of making hard decisions and living with your mistakes, but the short length of battles and endless variety of playthroughs makes for an extremely addictive experience. Though the graphics are nothing special, the gameplay is some of the very best you’ll find in the strategy genre on Switch, and we can easily recommend this to anybody who’s looking for an in-depth game that’ll make you think. Into The Breach feels right at home on the Switch, and whether you play more at home or on the go, you’re more than likely to get plenty of value out of this release.
SteamWorld Heist: Ultimate Edition (Switch eShop)
£14.99 £2.24
SteamWorld Heist: Ultimate Edition is a fantastic port of a fantastic game, and it fits perfectly on the Switch. Deep, engaging gameplay and stylish presentation combine to make this one of the standout indie releases of the year; this is a great example of a well-put-together title. If you are at all a fan of strategy games, or are just looking for a fun diversion to occupy your time for a couple of weeks, pick this up. It puts a neat twist on standard turn-based strategy gameplay, and stands as another fantastic entry in the SteamWorld series.
A Short Hike (Switch eShop)
£6.29 £4.08
A Short Hike is a fat-free experience from top to bottom – or should we say bottom to top? It's the kind of game that makes us just sigh with happiness when we recall our time with it, and even having played it through to its ostensible conclusion multiple times, we know for a fact there are still things to see and do on that mountain. What we have here is something of an apotheosis – a milestone in indie games akin to Cave Story, or Spelunky. The very best bits of multiple game genres, stripped of all padding and bloat, mixed perfectly into a delicious video game stew that only gets richer and richer the more you play. An exploration in every sense of the word, A Short Hike is cute without being twee, challenging without being obnoxious, and emotional without being cloying. A landmark game for all ages. Don't miss this one.
Neon White (Switch eShop)
£19.99 £13.99
From its excellent writing, music, and presentation to its intense and satisfying core gameplay, Neon White is one of the most exciting things we’ve played all year, and it’s a game we can't see ourselves putting down for a long time as we try to best our previous times. It successfully brings together elements from apparently disparate genres in new and exciting ways and seems poised to become the next great speedrunning title. It's one that action game fans and Switch owners in general won't want to miss.
Thumper (Switch eShop)
£15.99 £4.79
Thumper is a fantastic video game, an extravagant rhythm experience that's also a brutal assault on the senses. It's extremely difficult - painfully so at times - yet we feel the need to persevere, retrying tough stages over and over again. Even when that's done, the drive for better ranks remains simply because the game compels us to play on. The only real flaw of Thumper, in actual fact, is that it offers so little respite and no 'easy' mode for players. Some may scoff at that, saying it's a game designed to be tough, but the downside is that without that optional concession the game will be inaccessible and impenetrable for some players. That's a pity, as for those up for the challenge it's a wonderful — albeit gruelling — gaming experience.
Dicey Dungeons (Switch eShop)
£13.49 £3.37
Terry Cavanagh's Dicey Dungeons is easily one of the best roguelike titles you can play on Switch. Loads of gameplay variety, fantastic music, a high skill ceiling and friendly visuals make this a thoroughly gripping and fun experience you won’t want to miss out on. If you like roguelikes or card games, we’d highly recommend you pick this up as soon as you can – and even if you don’t, we’d still encourage you to check it out regardless.
Persona 5 Royal (Switch)
£54.99 £32.99
Persona 5 Royal is the very definition of ‘required reading' for JRPG fans. A deep and moving story, stylish presentation, amazing soundtrack, and decision-driven gameplay all combine to make for an unforgettable and exceptional experience that proves itself to be every bit deserving of the hype and praise it’s already received. While those who have played this elsewhere may want to consider whether Switch's portability is enough of a selling point to justify paying full price to double dip, but it suits it perfectly. Persona 5 Royal remains a game that we absolutely recommend you pick up as soon as you can. This easily stands as one of the very best RPGs of the last decade and you’d be doing yourself a disservice to miss out.
Ape Out (Switch eShop)
£13.49 £3.37
The Nintendo eShop would be a considerably more exciting and interesting place if it were packed full of games like Ape Out. It’s a refreshingly original experience that more than deserves a place in any Switch owner’s library. Difficult, frenetic gameplay, strong art direction, and an even stronger jazz drum soundtrack make this the sort of memorable game that you’ll likely keep coming back to over and over for another few runs in arcade mode. We’d give Ape Out a strong recommendation to anyone looking for a distinct and unforgettable game for their Switch collection; it’s a bit of an acquired taste, but well worth your time.
Comments (21)
The fact that I own most of these shows that I need to rethink my life choices. Really helpful list for those who aren't patient enough to trawl through the Eshop though. I'm just missing Dead Cells as a no-brainer purchase I should have bought ages ago.
By the way for those who want Catherine full body that live in the UK and don't mind digital, CD keys has a sweet deal on it, I snagged that recently: https://www.cdkeys.com/catherine-full-body-switch-eu
Oh I own almost the whole list unfortunately. And Oh I hate Tetris effect Connected so much !🙃such an incredibly generic low taste presentation for the legendary classic. I absolutely despise the music in this game. I wish it was trashy or v a p o r w a v y, but it tries so hard and fails so bad in its delivery. Just don’t. It’s like a really bad, eurodance-ish hollow yet flashy version of sreensaver visuals X asmr cd for good sleep from 1995. With that being said, I applaud the audacity of curating a cheesy & disappointing “healing, stress relief music” experience.
I hope people give Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope a chance that game is criminally underrated
To break from playing Zelda, I picked up Tetris Effect and Ultra Street Fighter 2. Street Fighter is properly rebalanced from the overly difficult HD Remix I had back on PS3, been fun to play through in arcade mode. Tetris looks nice on the OLED, makes me wish Rez was on the Switch though.
@Ristar24 Rez is a beautiful game it would be so nice to have it on switch just sit back with an oled switch and some decent headphones would be gaming heaven for me
A Short Hike and Oneshot are such underrated gems
together we can change it
@Gs69 Yep, I still have my Dreamcast copy and the digital PS3 version of Rez, but would great on the OLED!
I own 23 of those 63 games and can confirm there are a lot of great games in this list. A few more of these are on my wishlist but I'll have to wait and see if the US gets a good sale for them.
@ComfyAko Agreed, a Short Hike is wonderful.
@Friscobay Personally I think Tetris Effect is amazing. I have never played another game which essentially hypnotizes me. I can certainly understand if the main 'gimmick' doesn't work for you though that you wouldn't enjoy it. I wish Switch had more really different types of Tetris games, the 4 I have on Switch are not enough.
@FishyS ye ye it is obviously a taste lvl thing. And of course I would never never ever question the core game itself. Tetris and puyo puyo 4 life!
@ComfyAko Underrated by whom? Every review available anywhere rates both of them very highly.
@scottishwildcat Probably underrated in that their not talked about as much as other games. I myself haven’t heard of Oneshot
Yo, would you mind also updating the list in euro? I can't weigh pounds
A Short Hike is like a micro packed game with incredibly fun adventuring and the mechanics are soooo good!! This is a MUST BUY!!!
Any and ALL SteamWorld games!!!! PERIOD.....
In terms of value (cost / hours spent playing), Dicey Dungeons comes out top in my collection. Not the cheapest it's ever been, but still a steal at £3.37.
If you haven't played Steamworld: Heist, get it!!
I hate the artstyle, and somehow I fell in love with it and couldn't put it down! It's unique, it's fun and it's as difficult as you want it to be. I'd pay 30 bucks for it, and it's 2 bucks right now!
@brandonbwii exactly as @scottishwildcat said, it's not that they're underrated per score, it's just that these games are not talked about at almost at all, at least comparing to other indie gems like Hollow Knight, Shovel Knight, or Stardew Valley.
I picked up the Great Ace Attorney Chronicles yesterday and I love it so far. I want to spread zelda out for a good while so this and eventually bomb rush cyberfunk should help with that.
I am fortunate enough to actually own the big majority of these games. They are pretty much all wonderful games. I have a few on my backlog though of course.
Just Evergate and Catherine to download. Thanks for the article
Since when was waves a thing? this is kinda anxiety inducing for someone who is always after good deals.
No first-party games?
I think might finally pick up Astral Chain and MHRise's Sunbreak expansion, though they may still end up on my backlog instead of playing them straight away...
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