10 Best Games To Start With For Nintendo Switch Newcomers

The Nintendo Switch is a fantastic platform that all gamers should get a chance to try out. For anyone launching into the Switch for the first time, or perhaps a Nintendo console in general, there is a great range of games to choose from. But where should a newcomer start to get the most out of the device?

Whether they are looking for an initial challenge, searching for something that can be played with friends, needing to try out a classic from the platform, or just wanting an easy way to begin, these titles should cover all those basics and more. They are of contrasting genres and various franchises, but all act as great introductions to this popular platform.

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (2014)

Puzzle-based titles don’t get the same attention on other consoles as they do on the Nintendo Switch. One of the best games to start out with, which takes players into the shared Mario universe, is that of Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker. Each level is gorgeously designed with hidden secrets to uncover and enemies to dodge.

Perfect for both solo and co-op play, the highlight of the game is being able to move the map around to discover new areas to play through. It uses the full capabilities of the JoyCon controllers and Toad and the gang are fantastic protagonists to follow along on their adventure.

Yoshi’s Crafted World (2019)

Another title that can be enjoyed in both solo and co-op configurations and perhaps works better as a docked experience, Yoshi’s Crafted World from Good-Feel is an easy introduction point for anyone getting used to gaming for the first time. It’s really something the whole family can get involved with.

Progressing through the title is pretty straight forward but for those looking for a challenge, there are some other gameplay capabilities experts may wish to explore further, including the flipped variations of the courses. The controls are simple and the platforms themselves are stunning.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (2014)

Is there a better title to jump straight into on any Nintendo console than Mario Kart? It really ticks every box. It’s instantly recognizable in both its characters and its gameplay, it’s a perfect party title to compete against friends and family on and it’s now new and improved on the Switch.

Not only has this Deluxe edition upped the anti from the Wii U but the Nintendo experience has now opened up countless more tracks which will slowly be released via DLC. These include favorites like Coconut Mall, to sit alongside classics such as Rainbow Road. A Switch collection without Mario Kart isn’t complete.

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order (2019)

The Marvel Ultimate Alliance saga has been hugely popular thanks to the notion that comic book fans can enter the Marvel Universe and do battle against some of the most notable villains on the page. With the latest version influenced by the MCU there’s another layer of storytelling here.

It’s a great button-smashing combat experience, with a pre-existing franchise to build from. The exclusivity of the title shows why it’s best on the Switch and takes full advantage of the console’s capabilities. For fans of the series, this is a brilliant title from Team Ninja with a co-op play featuring iconic characters.

Super Mario Maker 2 (2019)

Innovation is something Nintendo really thrives at. It’s why Mario Maker was always such a unique concept as it gave the fans the opportunity to create their own games using really simple tools. For those experts though, there was also a layer of complexity that could be accessed as well.

The Mario platformer is the bread and butter of all Nintendo consoles so it’s no surprise that this title in particular is a real highlight. It’s accessible to all ages and it’s really a great chance to set interesting courses for other people to play through, consistently improving the design over time.

Luigi’s Mansion 3 (2019)

Luigi’s own franchises are often overlooked because Mario has been deemed the star of the duo. But slowly his games have become increasingly vibrant and fantastic in their gameplay. The third installment of the Haunted Mansion-themed series is the best of the bunch.

It’s a good way to introduce players to a more story-driven title, while still keeping the whimsicality expected from Nintendo. The game takes players to all sorts of aesthetically gorgeous backdrops to fight against ghosts, with simple yet effective controls driving the fun Next Level Games experience.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (2018)

Nintendo has always been great for arcade-style gameplay and Super Smash Bros. took the concept of a fighting title and brought additional narrative layers alongside their iconic roster of characters. The result of this saga is the current edition which perhaps can never be bested.

It has some of the best features to date in terms of the interactability and skills of the fighters involved and there are some incredibly deep cuts in terms of the characters that have been chosen to feature. Even the maps are brighter than ever, with BANDAI NAMCO’s Smash Bros. getting the nod for the best intro for its genre.

WarioWare: Get It Together! (2021)

Throughout its history, Nintendo has been known to host some really quite bizarre titles but none have been quite so strange as the WarioWare series which has recently had a new installment on the Switch. It combines the popular Mario villain with plenty of unique minigames.

Many of these smaller comedy-based vignettes are designed for party-style gameplay, with quick and rapid movements needed while utilizing all the capabilities of the JoyCon controllers. It’s wacky and visually stimulating, with every level becoming accessible to even the newest players.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons (2020)

Animal Crossing has always been successful as a brand for Nintendo but there’s something about New Horizons that captured the world’s attention thanks to its charming premise and brilliant new controls. The game has taken off and shows no signs of slowing down with the new DLC.

It’s a peaceful title that shows players how to really access the Switch without ever talking down to them. It’s a calm introduction to the console which appeals to a great array of people. What’s more, it’s a shared experience that encourages the use of Switch online as well.

Pokémon Sword And Shield (2019)

Pokémon has become a staple of the Nintendo brand and no console is complete without a generation of the classic title. Sword And Shield showcased what a new era of the franchise actually looks like, with a renovation in terms of the world and the way fans interact with it.

New gameplay elements and indeed new Pokédex entries just scratch the surface of all the neat inclusions here. For people who have never played a Pokémon game before it’s a really great way into the series but opens the world up to all the possibilities of past and future entries.

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