The Best New Nintendo Switch Games of Fall 2023
As the weather's cooled and the nights have grown longer, we find that we're spending even more of our fall evenings cozying up under the covers and enjoying playing on our Nintendo Switches.
Lucky for us, the season has seen no lack of exciting new titles for the console, so we haven't yet run out of great games to play. Curious about out favorite autumn releases? Just keep scrolling to learn all about them.
(Detective Pikachu Returns via The Pokémon Company/Mail Time via Freedom Games)
Super Mario Bros. Wonder: $59.99
It's been nearly 11 years since the release of New Super Mario Bros. U, so we were long overdue for a 2D Mario title, and Super Mario Bros. Wonder delivers everything we could have asked for and more. It takes all of the classic elements of a side-scrolling Mario game and adds a Wonder Seed to each and every playful level, giving each one an original gimmick to add fun and whimsy and keep on surprising the player. Different unlockable badges with various benefits also mean fans can test out different ways to play and tailor to their strengths, and certain characters who don't take damage act as an "easy mode" for players who are still building up their skills. On the flipside, there are some seriously challenging secret levels for players who want to give the game their all—and collecting all of the Wonder Seeds, purple coins and tops of flagpoles gave us even more to strive for. And did we mention that the character animations are more enchanting and bursting with personality than they've ever been? Overall, this game takes about nine hours to finish—but to get everything unlocked, you might spend double that time in the title.
Detective Pikachu Returns: $49.99
It's hard to believe it's been more than seven years since the release of the original Detective Pikachu on the Nintendo 3DS, but Detective Pikachu Returns on the Switch is a worthy sequel that finally resolves the story set up in the first. You play as Tim Goodman, who teams up with Detective Pikachu—who only Tim can understand—to interrogate both humans and Pokémon, piece together clues and solve the mystery of Pokémon acting up all around Ryme City, while also seeking out Tim's missing dad, Harry. If you saw the movie, you might be slightly spoiled as to how it ends, but we thought that made the journey even more fun.
Mail Time: $19.99
Who said action platformers can't also be extra cozy? Mail Time is a brand-new cottagecore adventure all about delivering mail across the peaceful and idyllic forests of Gumblewood Grove. The visuals are gorgeous—especially when it comes to seeing your tiny character travel across the oversized land and meet all of the critters of the forest. The game also takes just a couple of hours to complete in full, so it's not too much of a commitment for those who prefer casual gaming.
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Mineko's Night Market: $19.99
We've been following Mineko's Night Market and its development progress for more than five years now, so to say we're excited about its release is an understatement. This narrative-driven life sim stars Mineko, who moves to a struggling village on an island and sets out to help the worshipped Sun Cat, Nikko, while also helping the island recover by doing jobs, completing quests and crafting goodies to sell at the weekly Night Market. Not only is the same inspired by Japanese culture, but it has one of the cutest aesthetics, and the purring kitties and colorful characters keep us coming back for more.
F-Zero 99: Free With Nintendo Switch Online
If you're looking for a lot of high-octane fun, without spending any money at all, you can't do much better than F-Zero 99. We've never seen anything like it, using the classic Super Nintendo aesthetics of the original F-Zero and combining fast-paced racing with battle royale mechanics in order to pit 99 players against each other in a heated race to the finish. It's not just about sharp maneuvering but also strategy as you choose who to spin attack, when to boost and when to take advantage of the Skyway to zip past competing racers—and just like the classic F-Zero, one wrong move, and you're toast.
Gunbrella: $14.99
If you love action-packed platformers, you have to check out Doinksoft's newest release, Gunbrella. The titular weapon combines an umbrella, shield and gun into one tool that makes the side-scrolling adventure of this game fast, sleek and extra fun, allowing for great movement as well as exciting combat and secret-finding. We also love the Western steampunk aesthetic and the strong narrative focus, with a dark yet sometimes funny revenge story that'll have you hooked from the start. The game also has a free demo to check out, so you can fall in love with it before you commit.
Also read about: Fae Farm Brings the Action and Storyline That Most Cozy Games Are Missing
Wargroove 2: $19.99
If you loved the playful story, gorgeous pixel art and thrilling turn-based battle mechanics of the first Wargroove, its sequel is sure to delight just as much. Again, this title is all about understanding where to place your units to be able to attack enemies while avoiding incoming attacks, with an emphasis on protecting your powerful commander. Even if you're a newcomer to the series, it's just as beginner-friendly, and will have you feeling like a master of war in no time.
COCOON: $24.99
COCOON comes from the lead gameplay designed of both LIMBO and INSIDE, and if you loved the haunting aura and puzzling gameplay of those titles, prepare to be obsessed with this one. In COCOON, different worlds exist within orbs you carry with you, and in order to progress, you must rearrange and jump between them, deciphering challenges and solving a bizarre mystery while utilizing alien tech and facing enormous guardians. It's a bit mind-bending, but once you get the hang of it, you won't be able to put it down.
Afterdream: $10.99
Looking for something extra spooky to enjoy this Halloween season? We can't recommend Finnish title Afterdream highly enough. We instantly fell in love with the sensational and chilling pixel art before also being entranced by the story, which blurs the lines between dreams and reality as the player investigates a ghost's home. Through the three-hour adventure, you'll be interacting with the world through photography and solving puzzles to discover the story hidden within—if you don't get too scared first.
Also read about: 5 Video Games to Get You in the Fall Spirit
Gargoyles Remastered: $14.99
As mega fans of the animated Disney show Gargoyles, we also played the 1995 platformer based on the series and love seeing it brilliantly remastered for the modern era. The gameplay is authentic to the original—which might be a little clunky and challenging for new players—but we appreciate that it was recreated one-to-one, with a focus on making the game look and sound its best. The instant rewind means we get as many chances as we need with challenging areas, and it just looks incredible.
Trombone Champ: $14.99
Trombone Champ has been out for a while, but now that it's finally available on the Nintendo Switch, it's become our favorite way to play this silly and hilarious rhythm game. It's just plain funny, and this version with more than 45 songs gives you plenty of options, as you can play by tilting the Joy-Con like a trombone slide, moving your whole arm up and down, using the Joy-Con's infrared or using the thumbstick (which is way harder than it sounds). We especially recommend playing with friends to make some of the goofiest sounds imaginable.
Looking for the scariest games to play this fall? Click HERE for our favorite spooky options for Halloween.