The 10 BEST Open World Switch Games
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VOICE OVER: Ty Richardson
WRITTEN BY: Ty Richardson
If you want to get lost on the go, nothing beats these open world games on Switch! Welcome to MojoPlays, and today we're looking at the most impressive open world video games found on Nintendo's hybrid console. Our list of the best open world Switch games includes “Dragon Quest Builders 2” (2018), “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom” (2023), “Burnout Paradise Remastered” (2018), “The Witcher III: Wild Hunt” (2015), and more!
Script written by Ty Richardson
Welcome to MojoPlays, and today, we’re taking a look at the 10 Best Open World Switch Games! Looking for a game to get lost in while on the go? Well, these will certainly help kill some time whether you’re by yourself or with friends! Which open world game is your favorite to play on Switch? Let us know down in the comments.
We figured we would start with an obvious pick. Before launch, we would have thrown “Breath of the Wild” on here, but “Tears of the Kingdom” has been one of the most impressive titles we’ve seen come to the Switch. Not only has the world been expanded upon and given more of a focus on vertical level design, but the ability to fuse just about anything to anything forces you to rethink combat and puzzles in ways you may never have thought before. You will easily clock in dozens of hours messing around with the physics before you realize it.
Look, we know that “Skyrim” is old, but so are our other entries. It doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be included if they’re available on Switch! For “Skyrim”, we will admit that it probably doesn’t run as well or look as great as other versions. Even so, it still plays great on the Switch, and the best part is that you can pick up and continue right where you left off whenever you’re ready…assuming you haven’t left your console on for too long without the charger.
Granted, there are plenty of Lego games that are perfect to play on the Switch. “Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2” and “Lego DC Super Villains'' are great picks. So, why does “Lego City Undercover” get the spotlight? Well, for starters, it's the perfect game to play on Switch as the main story focuses on just one character, Chase McCain. But more importantly, the Switch version features some exclusive content that was originally on the Wii U version - Mario stuff! The open world features several puzzles and collectibles featuring Mario characters and items, and it’s the closest we will ever get to a Lego Mario game.
We could have very easily slapped “Minecraft” on this list, but if you want a building game with more meat on its narrative bones, this is a great one! “Dragon Quest Builders 2” improves on its predecessor with a better UI and control scheme while delivering a story that is often goofy and entertaining. Combat is not completely absent, though. Yes, most of the game revolves around building, but you will have to put on your best basic sword attacks to keep you and your party alive. Speaking of, you can play the game wirelessly with up to four players, too! So, you’ve got a single-player adventure that can quickly become a fun co-op experience.
If you want an open world RPG that invokes quite a bit of challenge, then you can’t go wrong with this entry into “Monster Hunter.” While it boasts the same loop as “Pokemon,” where you fight monsters and take control of them, they aren’t going to let you just do the same move four times and surrender. No, it takes about as much time and skill to beat as the core “Monster Hunter” games. Plus, you’ll have one hundred of these beasts to conquer and another one hundred and fifty after finishing the main game. Needless to say, you’ll be busy catching ‘em all!
The fact that this game is able to function on the Switch at all is just astounding. Again, we know that “The Witcher III” was on other platforms before Switch; that doesn’t change anything. Much like “Skyrim”, this game is so massive that some might prefer taking it in chunks, especially if they’re on the go with some downtime between travels. Play it that way, and it might just fill out a year or two of your time!
Yeah, we’ve got a lot of RPGs on here, but they’re all so incredible, “Dragon’s Dogma” especially! There is a perfect blend between difficult yet epic combat scenarios and captivating storytelling that few are able to match. On top of that, the different ways you can make your own build and form parties out of pawns can make every fight feel like a whole new encounter. Look, just trust when we say we have yet to meet a soul who doesn’t like “Dragon’s Dogma.” Just give it an hour and you will see.
So, what if you aren’t an RPG dork like most of us here at MojoPlays? Well, there is an open world racing game for you to check out! If you missed out on 2008’s “Burnout Paradise”, well, this is the real deal. In addition to a sprawling city that’s begging you to smash cars into its walls, you also get the “Big Surf Island” expansion as well as all of the DLC cars that came after launch. It’s easy to spend hours racing as you aim to become the fastest driver in Paradise City, and there’s an excellent tracklist to let you jam while you take the streets.
For all you JRPG weebs out there, we gotta hand it to the “Xenoblade Chronicles” series. These games really do slap, and they slap hard! If you’ve ever been intimidated by how other JRPGs present their UI and HUDs, the “Xenoblade” games do an excellent job at simplifying them and making them easier to understand. And the best part is that all three of the main games are available on Switch. Even better - you don’t have to jump into the first game necessarily as each game stands as their own experiences. There might be some references to previous iterations, but for the most part, you can start with whichever one speaks to you the most.
Though it may go against conventional definitions of open world games, we would still classify “New Horizons” as one. After all, your island is pretty huge; big enough for your residents to move to and for all the decorations you want to put up. But yes, “New Horizons” is an absolute joy to play by yourself and with friends. Many of us have already spent dozens of hours furnishing our homes, crafting new decor, and planting flowers in the right spot to make our tropical paradise. On top of that, you can fish, dig for fossils, or hang out with friends on their islands! It is perhaps the coziest open world game you could possibly play.
Welcome to MojoPlays, and today, we’re taking a look at the 10 Best Open World Switch Games! Looking for a game to get lost in while on the go? Well, these will certainly help kill some time whether you’re by yourself or with friends! Which open world game is your favorite to play on Switch? Let us know down in the comments.
“The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom” (2023)
We figured we would start with an obvious pick. Before launch, we would have thrown “Breath of the Wild” on here, but “Tears of the Kingdom” has been one of the most impressive titles we’ve seen come to the Switch. Not only has the world been expanded upon and given more of a focus on vertical level design, but the ability to fuse just about anything to anything forces you to rethink combat and puzzles in ways you may never have thought before. You will easily clock in dozens of hours messing around with the physics before you realize it.
“The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim” (2011)
Look, we know that “Skyrim” is old, but so are our other entries. It doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be included if they’re available on Switch! For “Skyrim”, we will admit that it probably doesn’t run as well or look as great as other versions. Even so, it still plays great on the Switch, and the best part is that you can pick up and continue right where you left off whenever you’re ready…assuming you haven’t left your console on for too long without the charger.
“Lego City Undercover” (2013)
Granted, there are plenty of Lego games that are perfect to play on the Switch. “Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2” and “Lego DC Super Villains'' are great picks. So, why does “Lego City Undercover” get the spotlight? Well, for starters, it's the perfect game to play on Switch as the main story focuses on just one character, Chase McCain. But more importantly, the Switch version features some exclusive content that was originally on the Wii U version - Mario stuff! The open world features several puzzles and collectibles featuring Mario characters and items, and it’s the closest we will ever get to a Lego Mario game.
“Dragon Quest Builders 2” (2018)
We could have very easily slapped “Minecraft” on this list, but if you want a building game with more meat on its narrative bones, this is a great one! “Dragon Quest Builders 2” improves on its predecessor with a better UI and control scheme while delivering a story that is often goofy and entertaining. Combat is not completely absent, though. Yes, most of the game revolves around building, but you will have to put on your best basic sword attacks to keep you and your party alive. Speaking of, you can play the game wirelessly with up to four players, too! So, you’ve got a single-player adventure that can quickly become a fun co-op experience.
“Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin” (2021)
If you want an open world RPG that invokes quite a bit of challenge, then you can’t go wrong with this entry into “Monster Hunter.” While it boasts the same loop as “Pokemon,” where you fight monsters and take control of them, they aren’t going to let you just do the same move four times and surrender. No, it takes about as much time and skill to beat as the core “Monster Hunter” games. Plus, you’ll have one hundred of these beasts to conquer and another one hundred and fifty after finishing the main game. Needless to say, you’ll be busy catching ‘em all!
“The Witcher III: Wild Hunt” (2015)
The fact that this game is able to function on the Switch at all is just astounding. Again, we know that “The Witcher III” was on other platforms before Switch; that doesn’t change anything. Much like “Skyrim”, this game is so massive that some might prefer taking it in chunks, especially if they’re on the go with some downtime between travels. Play it that way, and it might just fill out a year or two of your time!
“Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen” (2013)
Yeah, we’ve got a lot of RPGs on here, but they’re all so incredible, “Dragon’s Dogma” especially! There is a perfect blend between difficult yet epic combat scenarios and captivating storytelling that few are able to match. On top of that, the different ways you can make your own build and form parties out of pawns can make every fight feel like a whole new encounter. Look, just trust when we say we have yet to meet a soul who doesn’t like “Dragon’s Dogma.” Just give it an hour and you will see.
“Burnout Paradise Remastered” (2018)
So, what if you aren’t an RPG dork like most of us here at MojoPlays? Well, there is an open world racing game for you to check out! If you missed out on 2008’s “Burnout Paradise”, well, this is the real deal. In addition to a sprawling city that’s begging you to smash cars into its walls, you also get the “Big Surf Island” expansion as well as all of the DLC cars that came after launch. It’s easy to spend hours racing as you aim to become the fastest driver in Paradise City, and there’s an excellent tracklist to let you jam while you take the streets.
“Xenoblade Chronicles” series (2012-)
For all you JRPG weebs out there, we gotta hand it to the “Xenoblade Chronicles” series. These games really do slap, and they slap hard! If you’ve ever been intimidated by how other JRPGs present their UI and HUDs, the “Xenoblade” games do an excellent job at simplifying them and making them easier to understand. And the best part is that all three of the main games are available on Switch. Even better - you don’t have to jump into the first game necessarily as each game stands as their own experiences. There might be some references to previous iterations, but for the most part, you can start with whichever one speaks to you the most.
“Animal Crossing: New Horizons” (2020)
Though it may go against conventional definitions of open world games, we would still classify “New Horizons” as one. After all, your island is pretty huge; big enough for your residents to move to and for all the decorations you want to put up. But yes, “New Horizons” is an absolute joy to play by yourself and with friends. Many of us have already spent dozens of hours furnishing our homes, crafting new decor, and planting flowers in the right spot to make our tropical paradise. On top of that, you can fish, dig for fossils, or hang out with friends on their islands! It is perhaps the coziest open world game you could possibly play.
