Nintendo is known for its vast array of solid first-party games. The Nintendo Switch is also known for having a deep library of indies to take on the go. But what isn't spotlighted as much as those two points are the amount of third-party support the Switch has gotten since its launch in 2017.
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With the help of some major companies, Nintendo has been able to build a solid catalog of high-quality AA or AAA games on the Switch that aren't just Nintendo-made. While there are quite a few options for players to choose from, only a small handful stand out as must-plays.
10 Two Point Hospital
Based on the 1997 hit simulator Theme Hospital and many other simulation games, Two Point Hospital puts players in the position of running their own hospital. Players can take on a handful of different starting scenarios as the primary goal is to build different rooms that will help satisfy the needs of the patients that will be staying there.
Players will also need to tackle made-up diseases and how to cure them by hiring the right staff to get to the bottom of them. The simulator was developed by Two Point Studios and published by Sega.
9 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The Witcher has become a multimedia franchise thanks to the work done on the video game series. The most beloved entry of the trilogy, and the highest-selling, is The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. The monster slayer Geralt of Rivia returns as he searches for his adopted daughter as she attempts to escape the Wild Hunt, a group of ghostly warriors from a parallel dimension.
The Witcher 3 is an action RPG that revolves around fighting monsters and completing quests to help enhance Geralt's abilities. The game was developed and published by CD Projekt Red.
8 Civilization VI
When it comes to turn-based strategy games, there is none more iconic than Civilization. The most recent title in the series, Civilization VI, still holds up even five years after its initial release. The main format is to develop society from scratch and build up an early settlement enough to become a world power.
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Along with new civilizations, the sixth installment saw the introduction of districts, which are needed to build a bunch of a specific type of building. This entry was developed by Firaxis Games and published by 2K Games.
7 Katamari Damacy Reroll
When it comes to truly unique video game franchises, Katamari is among the weirder experiences to play out there. However, they are also a ton of fun, and Katamari Damacy Reroll reintroduces the story that got it also started.
Players play as a prince who is looking to rebuild the world that has accidentally been destroyed by the King of All Cosmos. The goal of the game is to roll a ball that can pick up objects around a level and make the ball big enough to recreate the stars. Katamari Damacy Reroll was developed by Monkey Craft and published by Bandai Namco.
6 Dragon Ball FighterZ
Fighting game fans have likely played a ton of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on the Switch. However, there are many other fighting experiences to give a shot on the device. A solid one to try is Dragon Ball FighterZ. The game takes place between the "Universe 6" and "Future Tanks" arcs of the Dragon Ball Super manga and anime. FighterZ revolves around using a team of three fighters and unique assist abilities to take on another player or AI.
It was developed by Arc System Works and published by Bandai Namco.
5 Diablo III: Eternal Collection
As fans eagerly await the eventual release of Diablo IV, it's always nice to go back to previous entries in the franchise to re-experience what makes the games so special. The Switch has one version of Diablo on it with Diablo III: Eternal Collection. The top-down hack-and-slash once again puts players in a position to pick their class and join the fight against the Lord of Terror Diablo.
This version of the game automatically comes with the two expansion packs that were released after it first came out. Diablo III was developed and published by Blizzard.
4 Monster Hunter Rise
The most recent entry on this list, Monster Hunter Rise is one of the best Nintendo Switch exclusives to come out in 2021. Similar to the other entries in the franchise, the RPG revolves around the player, a hunter, going after large monsters and either killing them or capturing them.
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Using the seamless map introduced in the previous entry Monster Hunter World, new mechanics in Rise include new ways to explore the map including Wirebugs and riding a Palamute. The entry is once again developed and published by Capcom.
3 Okami HD
The Legend of Zelda is one of Nintendo's most iconic series, especially since it serves as a major inspiration for many of the games that come out today. Hideki Kamiya made it clear when making Okami that the gameplay is modeled after concepts introduced by the Nintendo franchise.
Okami HD revolves around a Shinto sun goddess named Amaterasu who saves the world from darkness. The adventure features the use of a Celestial Brush that can be used in combat and also solve various puzzles. It was developed by Clover Studio and published by Capcom.
2 Sonic Mania
Sonic the Hedgehog continues to stand as one of the most iconic video game characters of all time. This is despite the fact that many recent entries in the Sonic franchise have not lived up to expectations. The exception to that is Sonic Mania.
The side-scrolling platformer is a reimagining of the Sonic games on the Sega Genesis. It features 12 zones, eight of which are redone versions of old levels and four are original to Sonic Mania itself. Players can experience the game with either Sonic, Tails, or Knuckles. The game had a large team of developers, with some of it made up of fans.
1 Dragon Quest XI S
In terms of iconic RPGs, Dragon Quest is up there among the best. One of the first games to be announced for the Switch only for it to not come out until 2019, Dragon Quest XI S is the definitive edition of the eleventh adventure that came out a few years earlier.
The game takes place in the world of Erdrea. The player takes on the role of a hero who survives the destruction of his kingdom as an infant. Like other Dragon Quest games, Dragon Quest XI revolves around exploring worlds and fighting monsters. It was developed and published by Square Enix.
NEXT: Things We Loved About Dragon Quest XI S (& Things We Don’t)
