August was a pretty cracking month for eShop delights, with plenty of titles absolutely worthy of your time.
These awards aim to celebrate the best of Nintendo's digital store, giving some love and attention to the games that could so easily be missed in the Switch's ever-growing library.
So, let's get started. Here are the best Switch eShop games of August 2021!
Honourable Mentions:
While these titles didn't quite make our top three this month, they're still certainly worth checking out:
- Doctor Who: The Lonely Assassins | Review: 9/10
- Spelunky 2 | Review: 9/10
- ISLANDERS Console Edition | Review: 9/10
- Mayhem Brawler | Review: 8/10
- Spelunky | Review: 8/10
- Hoa | Review: 8/10
- Love Esquire | Review: 8/10
- Townscaper | Review: 7/10
- Garden Story | Review: 7/10
3. art of rally (Switch eShop)
Publisher: Funselektor Labs / Developer: Funselektor LabsRelease Date: 12th Aug 2021 (USA) / 12th Aug 2021 (UK/EU)
Taking third spot this month is art of rally, an abstract take on top-down rally that's sure to have you jumping in for race after race.
The visual shortcomings present on Switch are undeniably a shame when compared to other versions, but the gameplay itself is challenging, feels authentic, and is boosted further by the game's overall artistic vision. With lots of tracks, cars, and optional objectives to enjoy, this is well worth a look if you can overcome some of the Switch version's performance shortcomings. We gave this one a very strong 8/10 in our review, and it's been winning over the NL team ever since.
2. Quake (Switch eShop)
Publisher: Bethesda / Developer: id SoftwareRelease Date: 19th Aug 2021 (USA) / 19th Aug 2021 (UK/EU)
In second is the new re-release of Quake, the definitive version of an iconic first-person shooter.
We described this one as "a stellar port of one of gaming's true greats and an absolutely essential addition to your Switch library" in our review. Oh, did we mention that we gave it a staggering 10/10? Yeah, it's that good.
This is a super slick remaster boasting flawless 60fps action, tons of content, and a wealth of online and co-op options. If you've never played Quake before, or if you're liking the sound of playing a super-duper version of the game you once loved, you've got to get this downloaded.
1. Axiom Verge 2 (Switch eShop)
Publisher: Thomas Happ Games / Developer: Thomas Happ GamesRelease Date: 11th Aug 2021 (USA) / 11th Aug 2021 (UK/EU)
Very narrowly (and we mean very narrowly) beating Quake to our top spot this month, however, is Axiom Verge 2.
We're always up for trying out a good Metroidvania here at Nintendo Life, and the Axiom Verge games are right up there with some of the best the genre has to offer. We're happy to report that Axiom Verge 2 is a worthy follow-up to the original that perfectly balances familiar elements that made that first game great and new ideas that give the sequel its own identity.
With a huge world to explore, well-paced gameplay throughout and a fittingly mysterious atmosphere to absorb, Metroidvania fans owe it to themselves to check this one out. What a month, eh?
< Nintendo Life eShop Selects – July 2021
How we decide our eShop Selects top three: As we reach the end of every month, the Nintendo Life staff vote on their favourite titles from a list of games selected by the editorial team. To qualify for this list, these games must have been released as a digital-only Nintendo Switch eShop title in that particular month, and must have been reviewed on Nintendo Life; we select the qualifying games based on their review scores.
Staff are then asked to vote for three games that they think deserve to sit right at the very top of that list; first choice gets 3 points, second choice gets 2 points, and third choice gets 1 point. These votes are then tallied to create a top three list, with the overall winner taking that month's top prize.