What is the best-selling Nintendo Switch game?

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, at 71.53 million units worldwide as of June 30, 2026, according to Nintendo's sales data. Animal Crossing: New Horizons is second at 50.29 million and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is third at 38.14 million.

Do Nintendo Switch games work on Nintendo Switch 2?

Compatible ones do. Nintendo says the Switch 2 can play compatible physical and digital games released on the Nintendo Switch, and that some Switch games may not be supported or fully compatible. Check a game's compatibility status on Nintendo's site before you buy.

Is the Nintendo Switch region free?

Yes. The Switch has no region lock, so game cards from any region play on any console. The exception is Chinese game content, which only plays on Switch units made for China.

Do Switch cartridges hold their save data?

No. Switch save data is always stored on the console, whether the game is a physical game card or a download. A used game card will not include the previous owner's save file.

What are some rare Nintendo Switch games?

Limited physical runs are the usual reason. Limited Run Games released Shantae and the Pirate's Curse for Switch on December 7, 2018, and its Collector's Edition sold out within minutes. Final Fantasy I-VI Pixel Remaster got a physical collector's edition, the FF35th Anniversary Edition, on April 19, 2023.

The Best Nintendo Switch Games of All Time

November 19, 2025 Richard Weiss

Last updated: October 6, 2026

Key Takeaways

This list covers games for the original Nintendo Switch, which launched on March 3, 2017. Nintendo Switch 2 launched on June 5, 2025 and plays compatible Switch games.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the top-selling Switch game at 71.53 million units, according to Nintendo's sales data as of June 30, 2026.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons (50.29 million) and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (38.14 million) are second and third on the same list.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey share the highest Switch Metascore on Metacritic at 97, as of October 6, 2026.
The Switch has no region lock, and save data is stored on the console, not on the game card.

The best Switch games at a glance
Does this list cover Switch 2?
Best-selling Nintendo Switch games
Late releases for the original Switch
Rare and collectible Switch games
How to buy: new, used or imported
Sources

Our picks for the best Nintendo Switch games are Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, Super Mario Odyssey, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Animal Crossing: New Horizons. This list is our picks, not an objective ranking. Sales figures are Nintendo's worldwide totals as of June 30, 2026, and review scores are Switch Metascores from Metacritic on October 6, 2026.

The Best Switch Games at a Glance

Game	Year	Developer	Why it is on the list
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe	2017	Nintendo EPD	71.53 million sold, the most on Switch. Metascore 92.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons	2020	Nintendo EPD	50.29 million sold. Metascore 90.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate	2018	Bandai Namco Studios and Sora Ltd.	38.14 million sold. Metascore 93.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild	2017	Nintendo EPD	34.06 million sold. Metascore 97.
Super Mario Odyssey	2017	Nintendo EPD	30.80 million sold. Metascore 97.
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet	2022	Game Freak	28.46 million sold. Metascore 72 and 71.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom	2023	Nintendo EPD	22.71 million sold. Metascore 96.
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom	2024	Nintendo EPD and Grezzo	The first main Zelda game with Zelda as the lead. Metascore 85.
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD	2025	Forever Entertainment	HD version of the 2010 Wii platformer. Metascore 77.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A	2025	Game Freak	Set entirely in Lumiose City. Metascore 70 on Switch.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond	2025	Retro Studios	The tenth main Metroid game, announced in 2017.

Does This List Cover Switch 2?

No. Every game here was released for the original Nintendo Switch. Nintendo launched the Switch on March 3, 2017 and the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5, 2025. Switch 2 exclusives such as Mario Kart World are not on this list.

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Shop Now

These games still work if you have moved to the newer console. Nintendo says the Switch 2 can play compatible physical and digital games released on the Switch, and it tells buyers to check each game's compatibility status first. Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom also got Nintendo Switch 2 Editions on June 5, 2025.

Nintendo had sold 156.59 million Switch consoles worldwide as of June 30, 2026.

Best-Selling Nintendo Switch Games

These seven games are our starting point for any Switch library. They are also seven of the eight top sellers on Nintendo's own list as of June 30, 2026. The other one is Pokémon Sword and Shield at 27.26 million.

1. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

The Switch version of Mario Kart 8 came out on April 28, 2017 with the Wii U game's DLC included and a revamped battle mode. The Booster Course Pass added 48 more tracks and eight characters between March 2022 and November 2023. It has sold 71.53 million units. Metascore: 92.

2. Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Released on March 20, 2020. You move to a deserted island and develop it as you choose. It has sold 50.29 million units. Metascore: 90.

3. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Released on December 7, 2018. It has 74 playable fighters, or 89 with downloadable content, including every character from the earlier Super Smash Bros. games. It has sold 38.14 million units. Metascore: 93.

4. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom

Breath of the Wild was a Switch launch game on March 3, 2017. Tears of the Kingdom followed on May 12, 2023 and kept the open-world setting. They have sold 34.06 million and 22.71 million units. Metascores: 97 and 96.

5. Super Mario Odyssey

Released on October 27, 2017. Mario and his hat ally Cappy travel across kingdoms collecting Power Moons in open-ended 3D levels. It has sold 30.80 million units. Metascore: 97.

6. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

Released on November 18, 2022 as the first games of the ninth Pokémon generation. Unlike earlier Pokémon games they have an open world, and they introduced the Terastal phenomenon. Critics faulted their technical problems. They have sold 28.46 million units. Metascores: 72 and 71. If you collect the cards too, see our Pokémon cards.

Late Releases for the Original Switch

These are our picks from the last few years of original Switch releases.

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

Released on September 26, 2024. It is the first main Zelda game with Princess Zelda as the main playable character. She uses the Tri Rod to create echoes, which are imitations of objects and monsters. Metascore: 85.

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD

Released on January 16, 2025. Forever Entertainment developed this HD version of the 2010 Wii platformer by Retro Studios. Metascore: 77.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Released on October 16, 2025 for Switch and Switch 2. It takes place entirely in Lumiose City, five years after Pokémon X and Y. Nintendo reports 13.09 million units sold across both versions as of June 30, 2026. The Switch version's Metascore is 70.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

Released on December 4, 2025 for Switch and Switch 2. Nintendo announced Metroid Prime 4 at E3 2017, and Retro Studios developed the finished game. It keeps the first-person play of the earlier Metroid Prime games.

2026 releases: Metacritic's Switch list for 2026 includes Rhythm Heaven Groove (July 2, 2026, Metascore 82) and Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream (April 16, 2026, Metascore 77).

Rare and Collectible Switch Games

Limited physical runs are what make a Switch game hard to find. We do not quote prices because they change.

Shantae and the Pirate's Curse

Limited Run Games released physical Switch copies on December 7, 2018, including a Collector's Edition that sold out within minutes.

Final Fantasy I-VI Pixel Remaster

All six games came to Switch on April 19, 2023, the same day as the FF35th Anniversary Edition, a physical collector's edition that includes all six.

On October 6, 2026 our collection listed a sealed limited edition of Guns of Mercy: Rangers Edition for Switch, numbered 239 out of 1,500.

How to Buy: New, Used or Imported

New and sealed: our video games collection listed 13 Nintendo Switch games on October 6, 2026, all new and sealed, including Stray and Neon White. We ship new Switch games in sturdy protection.
Used: a used game card can be resold when you finish the game. Save data stays on the console, so a used card does not carry the last owner's save file. We inspect and test every open copy we sell.
Imports: the Switch is region-free, so game cards from any region play on any console. The exception is Chinese game content, which only plays on Switch units made for China. We stock US and PAL versions, so check the product title.

For other consoles, see our picks for the best PS5 games and the best N64 games.