Top 10 Most Underrated Nintendo Switch Games

The Switch’s first year was a monumental success, and pretty much every first-party game sold well. This includes “ARMS,” Nintendo’s whacky take on an arena fighter. Yet, despite strong initial sales, it’s a game that is rarely brought up in conversation and has mostly been forgotten among Nintendo’s other first-party releases. In fact, when one of its characters, Min-Min, was announced as a DLC character for “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate,” the general reaction was confusion as to why “ARMS” was getting representation. It’s a shame most players fell off, and that Nintendo has seemingly not considered following it up with a sequel. There’s a lot of fun to be had, and it’s certainly one of the more unique fighting games out there.

It may seem odd to call anything in the “Mario” universe underrated. But “Princess Peach: Showtime!” seemed to come and go with little fanfare. While it wasn’t necessarily a commercial disappointment, it didn’t sell as well considering the royalty attached. It follows Peach as she attempts to rescue a theater full of patrons from a sorceress’ forces. Most of the criticisms concerned its low difficulty. However, we wouldn’t say the target demographic was meant to be that old. Still, what the game succeeds at is its creativity and style, both of which are whimsical. Peach takes on different personas and abilities with each genre of play she moves through. Even if it isn’t that hard, it still has a lot of charm.

Although many of the best indie games on Switch can be found on other consoles, some are exclusive. Among those, “Golf Story” is one of the best. It follows a man trying to get back into the sport that once made him so happy after his life has gone downhill. The game blends the structure and stats of an RPG with the gameplay of golf, and it’s a mash-up that works surprisingly well. There are several areas to explore, new equipment to gain, and even golf-adjacent mini-games, like disc golf. You might not expect an indie golf game to have as much depth as this one does. If you need a fresh take on sports and RPGs alike, “Golf Story” is one to look into.

While PC players can also download this game via Steam, the Switch is the only console you’ll find it on. “Ape Out” is a top-down beat ‘em up in which players control a gorilla, escaping from different maze-like environments for each level. Blocking your path are gun-toting humans, which can be slammed, thrown, or used as shields against gunfire. The game is simple, but incredibly addictive. Each maze is randomized, keeping everything fresh. And the soundtrack is composed of energetic jazz percussion, which reacts to the chaotic gameplay, making every kill more satisfying. There are many great indie games on Switch, but “Ape Out” seems to have been overshadowed by most of them.

For a game with Disney’s brand attached, and starring some of its most iconic characters no less, “Illusion Island” didn’t do nearly as well as we would’ve expected. It follows Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy as they’re brought to the strange Monoth Island, whose inhabitants seek their aid. The hand drawn art style is lovely, bringing to mind some of the earlier adventures of the characters. However, it got mixed reviews, with some calling its gameplay shallow, and doesn’t seem to have sold well. While it certainly doesn’t break any new ground among platformers, that doesn’t mean it isn’t fun, especially since it allows for up to four players. As long as you aren’t expecting something revolutionary, you’ll find plenty of joy here.

The tools to create your own games, from the minds of Nintendo programmers, should have been a smash hit similar to “Super Mario Maker.” And yet, “Game Builder Garage,” while initially embraced, has seen its player base leave it behind. Admittedly, part of the fault lies with Nintendo; there is no browser to discover new games. Instead, it uses a code-sharing system, which makes discovering new games harder. Still, we would think that the intuitive design and wealth of options would’ve given it more staying power. While players have come up with their own unique experiences, as well as their own versions of “Mario Kart” and “Sonic,” there aren’t many still spending time on it.

The final indie exclusive on our list, “Vitamin Connection” was built with the Switch in mind. It follows Vita-Boy and Mina-Girl, who combat various viruses inside human hosts with their Joy-Con shaped ship. Playing alone is pretty fun, as you use motion controls to move your ship around and blast the pesky germs out of each body. However, the true joy lies in co-op. One player moves the ship and fires the beam, while the other rotates the ship and aims the beam. This gives the game a distinct feeling of chaos, though is never enough to overwhelm or frustrate you. Regardless of how you play, it's a zany, cartoony shoot ‘em up with a pretty great soundtrack to boot.

Despite its cult following, releasing a remake of two GBA games at full price and fifteen years after the last installment was always going to be a tough sell. But there are a few other reasons for “Re-Boot Camp’s” inclusion. First, the delays, the second of which was a full year due to concerns over releasing a war game during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Then, there’s the game itself. Strategy isn’t exactly the most popular genre, after all. Still, for fans of the series, or those curious about how it became so beloved in the first place, there’s a lot to love here. It’s still a great strategy game. But Nintendo hasn’t released any sales numbers, which can’t be good.

Another genre that’s far from popular with mainstream audiences is the visual novel. The “Famicom Detective Club” series hadn’t seen a new entry in 27 years. And until they were remade in 2021, the originals hadn’t been released outside of Japan. While those remakes, along with a peculiar teaser trailer, did make more players aware of it, “Emio - The Smiling Man” is still understandably pretty niche. The plot has you investigating a series of murders tied to an urban legend. While some found frustration with outdated mechanics, the game delivers a spine-tingling mystery that more than makes up for this. Everything about its presentation, characters, and narrative are sure to enrapture until the crime is solved.

Although Nintendo saved it from death, the “Bayonetta” series has seen diminishing sales numbers since it went exclusive. Since “Cereza and the Lost Demon” is a spin-off with different gameplay, controls, and tone, it seems most of the diehard fans stayed away from it, leaving it with not much of an audience. The game bombed in Japan. And there aren’t any sales numbers for other regions, which, as we’ve said, is usually a bad sign. That’s a genuine shame. The art direction is stunning, pairing well with the fairy tale approach, and the puzzles are engaging. The control scheme takes some getting used to, controlling Cereza and her demonic companion simultaneously. But once you do, there’s a wonderful, thrilling adventure waiting for you.


What’s an underrated gem you love on the Nintendo Switch? Share it with us, and sing its praises, in the comments!