The Top 9 Nintendo Switch Games We Fell in Love With This Summer
As tried-and-true indoor kids, we're not ashamed that we spent a big chunk of this summer vegging inside and enjoying the AC while glued to our Nintendo Switches.
Upgrading to high-capacity micro SD cards means we can carry our massive game libraries with us wherever we go, but this summer in particular, we spend less time revisiting the classics and more time diving head-first into the best new releases. Below, find the nine new games we fully fell in love with this summer.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom: $69.99
We still can't go on TikTok without getting inundated with mind-blowing Tears of the Kingdom videos, and for good reason. This sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild somehow built on the original and expanded it in every way, and it's been said before, but TOTK makes BOTW feel like a first draft. This time, Link's journey branches both high into the sky and deep beneath Hyrule's surface for more than double the adventure as he tries to locate the missing Princess Zelda and defeat the evil Ganondorf. The new Ultrahand, Fuse, Recall and Ascend abilities make the massive world your playground for as long as your heart desires. We've played for more than 200 hours, and somehow, there's still loads to uncover and complete, making this one more than worth the $70 price tag.
Disney Illusion Island: $39.99
If you adore all things Disney, you simply can't miss Disney Illusion Island. This playful Metroidvania stars Minnie, Mickey, Goofy and Donald across an expansive island in search of three magical books with the power to save the land. The hand-drawn art is stunning, the journey is endlessly charming and the challenge level is just right for any fan to jump in and enjoy. Plus, the best part might just be the multiplayer aspect, meaning you can have three friends join you for four times the fun.
Also read about: Disney's Illusion Island Has One-of-a-Kind Charm and Family-Friendly Fun
Pikmin 4: $59.99
After a decade of waiting, we are so happy to return to the mainline Pikmin franchise with the release of Pikmin 4. The game is a real return to form as players collect and grow the plant-like aliens in order to help them do various tasks required for their rescue missions. This game introduces new Ice Pikmin, Glow Pikmin and Ghost Pikmin—the last of which allow players to adventure at night for the first time in the series. Oatchi the space dog is another standout, as he's not only cute but super helpful, but our favorite new aspect of the game may be the Dandori Battles. These timed attacks are legitimately challenging, putting players' micro-management skills to the test.
Crime O'Clock: $19.99
If you grew up loving Where's Waldo and I Spy books, you're going to love Crime O'Clock. This unusual game is all about the thrill of investigation, asking players to scan sprawling black-and-white scenes for clues into various time crimes and traveling back and forth in time (through moments, as well as eras), to solve each case before it even happens. The storyline is so much deeper than it appears at first glance, with more than 40 cases to solve, mystery-cracking minigames and new ways to gather clues and evidence as the game advances. Even before you jump into each area, each image is a delight to take in, making this title $20 well spent.
Dredge: $24.99
Dredge is an unusually wonderful title, combining fishing and cozy inventory management with a hint of horror leaking beneath the surface to create something unforgettable. As it begins, you're simply a fisherman snagging fish, organizing as many as you can in the Resident Evil 4-style menu and then selling them to purchase upgrades and enhance your abilities, but as you advance into the dark, things get much stranger. We don't want to give away too much, but this one had us engrossed from start to finish.
Dordogne: $19.99
One look at Dordogne's trailer and its lush watercolor art style, and you'll know whether or not this is a title for you. Dordogne is undeniably beautiful, with its sweet and simple gameplay of collecting pictures, sounds and smells for your journal perfectly matches its lovely story. The narrative experience made our hearts swell, and while it can be completed in just a few hours, it's one you shouldn't miss.
Venba: $12.74
Venba isn't a long game by any means, but we promise that even its short runtime leaves a lasting impression. The game follows the titular Venba who moves, along with her husband, to Canada from India in search of creating a brighter future for her family. It's primarily a narrative, with the gameplay consisting of cooking delicious Indian recipes and filling in the blanks of her partially ruined cookbook, with each dish playing an important role in her tale as her son is born before grows up disenchanted with his family culture. It's a powerful tale of heritage, family and being authentic to yourself, with the yummiest food (and some amazing sounds and music) as the backdrop.
Also read about: Venba Is a Short Yet (Bitter)Sweet Narrative Take About Culture, Cooking and Togetherness
We Love Katamari REROLL + Royal Reverie: $29.99
Even though Katamari games give us major motion sickness, we couldn't help but power through it in order to finish We Love Katamari REROLL + Royal Reverie. This game is a remaster of 2005's We Love Katamari Damacy, with loads of bonus features rolled in, and we never tire of rolling around a little ball, collecting up absolutely everything in the environment and creating a ball large enough to attach even the largest of obstacles. The games are wonderfully weird, as well as addictive, and if you've never played Katamari Damacy, this is a great place to start.
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective: $29.99
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective is another epic remaster, bringing the 2010 classic to the modern day in HD for the very first time. In the game, players take control of a man who's shot and killed, reawakening as an amnesiac ghost who must put together the details of his own life—and death. It's all about finding clues, piecing the story together and solving the mystery, and there's so much more here to discover than first meets the eye. There's a good reason this game is known for being a masterpiece, and this really is the definitive way to play.
Curious about our most highly anticipated games on the Switch? Discover them all HERE.