10 Best Free Action Games On Nintendo Switch

With over 70 free-to-play titles to choose from on the Nintendo eShop, Switch owners don’t have to spend a single dollar to start playing exciting RPG, puzzle, arcade, and of course, action games. Massive hits like Apex Legends, Warframe, and Fortnite are just a few of the available titles that players can download and jump right into for free.

Out of the 36 free-to-play and free-to-start action games on the eShop are a few standouts that both new and seasoned players will enjoy. These titles combine thrilling combat and well-designed characters to create exciting battle royale, FPS, and MMO games that can always be played with friends from anywhere in the world.

10 Arena Of Valor

Arena of Valor is a massively popular MOBA and is actually the highest-grossing mobile game of all time. Its Switch version is just as enjoyable, with players able to choose from the classic 5v5 Grand Battle, 1v1 Black City Arena, 3v3 Shadow Duel, and more.

The most impressive element of the game is its roster of heroes, with a whopping 108 characters to choose from. One match is never like the next, thanks to the endless combinations made possible by the game. Players have to be strategic about every move to win their matches – from which hero they choose to how long they grind before attacking the enemy’s core.

9 Apex Legends

The battle royale hero shooter, Apex Legends was only recently released for the Switch in March 2021. Switch players can now join in on the fun and form squads to compete against users from all over the world. The objective is simple – be the last squad standing.

Players must control their Legends and master their abilities to survive within the constantly shrinking Safe Zone. It’s crucial not only to have mastered one’s Legend, but also to be able to communicate well with one’s team to strategize and win every match. New seasons and events are regularly released to keep the game interesting, with each one often offering exclusive cosmetics or even new playable characters.

8 Smite

The third-person MOBA, Smite pits gods and goddesses against each other to take down minions, towers, and a Titan boss, all in one match. There are several pantheons to choose from, with gods from Greek, Egyptian, Norse, and other mythologies, each having their own unique abilities.

The third-person viewpoint is a unique one in a genre that often favors a top-down perspective. Its use of mythologies is also a surprising twist on the usual formula for MOBA games. Playing as Loki or Zeus to take down enemies like cyclops and harpies is only made more fun by the fact that players can team up with their friends from around the world.

7 Warface

Warface is one of the best first-person shooter games on the Switch that pits players against other users in PvP matches or against AI-controlled enemies through its PvE mode. Players can choose their unique role in the team, depending on their playstyle. The five classes currently available on the game are Sniper, Engineer, Rifleman, SED, or Medic.

Each class has its own highly customizable main weapons, secondary firearms, additional melee weapons, and even specific grenades. Customizing these weapons can be extremely beneficial in the field, as better scopes, suppressors, bipods, and more can make all the difference when players are up against skilled teams.

6 Warframe

Warframe is set in a dystopian future where players control the ancient Tenno, who have awakened from cryosleep to find that the planet is now dominated by an evil mega-corporation. They must work with other Tenno to defeat enemies or to compete in thrilling PvP matches.

The game has improved a lot since its initial release in 2013. Instead of just procedurally-generated levels, players, today, have access to open-world areas and story-specific quests, as well as hundreds of customizable weapons, special abilities, and cosmetics. There are loads of content available and a seamless matchmaking system that ensures hours of exciting gameplay for players to enjoy with their friends.

5 Spellbreak

The magical world of Primdal is full of monstrosities that are quickly taking over the Hollow Lands. To defeat these creatures, players must embark on an epic adventure where they must seek out hidden chests and upgrade their gauntlets.

Whether it’s played with or against friends, Spellbreak provides a uniquely magical battle royale experience that focuses on players’ spellcasting abilities. From creating electrified tornadoes to fiery gas clouds, there are a ton of different ways to combine elements, making the PvP matches in the game unpredictable and exciting.

4 Fortnite

It’s likely impossible to meet a gamer today who hasn’t heard of Fortnite. The battle royale game has attracted millions of players from around the globe thanks to its excellent combination of immersive gameplay and sandbox elements. Today, Fornite has several collaborations, skins, characters, and modes to choose from.

The Switch version of the game omits the Save the World PvE mode, but it doesn’t take away from the thrilling PvP experience of Fortnite Battle Royale. From the moment players are dropped onto the island from the Battle Bus, it’s a frantic effort to get enough resources, fend off other players, and survive within the safe area of the map to be the last team standing. It’s a test of skill and creativity, especially when it comes to designing fortifications to hold off enemies and protect one’s team.

3 Vigor

In the survival shooter game, Vigor, players, called Outlanders, must stay alive in the unforgiving environment of post-apocalyptic Norway. They have to scavenge for materials to build durable shelters and upgrade their equipment, all while hiding from other Outlanders who are trying to do the same.

The game can be extremely tense, especially when players have to sneak around other Outlanders to loot their items. Vigor allows for a lot of freedom when it comes to playstyle – players can choose to hide and stealthily roam around to collect items or go out with guns blazing to forcefully tear down other shelters and steal from other Outlanders. There’s no right or wrong approach to the game, as the only real goal is to survive.

2 Super Kirby Clash

There are a lot of things to know about Nintendo’s Kirby from things that fans love and his manga appearances to his adorable fear of caterpillars – it’s not surprising that he’s one of the brand’s most popular characters. He takes center stage in Super Kirby Clash, where he forms a squad to defend the Dream Kingdom from the evil Hornhead.

Players must work with Kirby by forming their own squads of up to four characters to defeat bosses through special abilities. While the wait time can be a bit of a pain in the online mode, the actual battles are enjoyable clashes where players can complete quests together to take down an impressive roster of bosses. The game also encourages players to interact with each other, as it awards 1.3 times more EXP in multiplayer battles compared to single-player mode.

1 Skyforge

The planet Aelion is under attack from mysterious alien invaders, and it’s up to the Immortals to save it. In Skyforge, players can choose from 18 classes depending on their playstyle. Each class has unique skills, with Cryomancers and Lightbinders being particularly popular among users.

Thanks to regular updates, players will never run out of things to do in the game. The seasonal events are especially exciting, as they often introduce new aliens with their own unique origin stories into the universe. Players are encouraged to team up with other users to defeat monsters at higher levels, such as the Elder god, Protheus, or the Mechanoid Army leader, The Integrator.

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