When gamers start arguing about which console is better, Playstation or Xbox, Nintendo’s consoles are often left out of the conversation. While the Switch or the Wii U are consoles, just like the PS4 or the Xbox One, Nintendo products are so unique and innovative that they should have their category altogether.
It’s not only about how you play with their consoles; Nintendo games are often one of a kind experiences that will deliver hours and hours of fun. If you’re looking for something new to play or just want to see what you’re missing out on, take a look at some of the best games available in the eShop.
10 Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - 92
Mario Kart games have been a Nintendo staple since Super Mario Kart was released way back in 1992. This game series is so popular that Nintendo released a mixed reality version of the game that included real-life toys.
However, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was released in 2017 and is an expanded version of the Wii U game. Besides having every track from the original game, this one includes Splatoon’s Inklings as guest characters.
9 Bayonetta 2 - 92
Bayonetta 2 is another one of those Wii U titles that got a Switch port in the last decade. Initially released in 2014, this action-adventure game tells the story of Bayonetta traveling to the Gates of Hell to save her friend’s soul.
This hack and slash has fantastic gameplay, stunning cut scenes, and challenging but entertaining boss fights, so it doesn’t come as a surprise that it has a well-deserved 92 Metacritic score.
8 Celeste - 92
Indie games are a delight; they’re fun to play and, if done right, show gamers that you don’t need a big budget or hundreds of people to make a good game. From time to time, there comes an indie title that’s so good you’ll be thinking about it for a long time.
Celeste is a game like that; this charming platformer lets you control Madeline in her journey to climb Celeste Mountain. Through this adventure, Madeline manages to make amends with the darkest part of herself by working out her mental health issues.
7 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - 93
Super Smash Bros is one of those games that worked as the glue that held many friendships together. Who knew fighting your friends with Nintendo characters was going to be so entertaining?
This fighting game premise is simple; you get a wide array of characters to choose from and then fight other players in different stages. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate added things like new characters and the Stage Morph option, which transform the stage into another while you’re still battling.
6 Ori And The Will Of The Wisps - 93
Ori and the Blind Forest appeared one day, and everyone fell in love with it, which is why when the sequel was announced, fans had big expectations, and Ori and the Will of the Wisps delivered.
This game has strong elements to its favor, like excellent combat, an enjoyable soundtrack, and a beautiful art style. Still, many gamers have yet to discover this indie masterpiece, while others completely forgot it came out last year. So, if you’re still bitter about Cyberpunk’s fiasco, maybe it’s time to give this platformer a try.
5 Undertale - 93
This RPG took the internet by surprise when it first came out, and it is easy to see why. Undertale has charming and relatable characters, lots of replayability value (due to the immense amount of detail and secrets you can miss in your first or even second playthrough), quirky humor, and a beautiful soundtrack.
Undertale was re-released for the Switch in 2018, and as expected, it was well-received, with some people claiming this console was a natural fit for the game.
4 Hades - 93
In a year where big titles like The Last of Us 2 or Animal Crossing: New Horizons released, nobody expected an indie game to make it into GOTY nominations. And yet, Hades came along with its heart-wrenching narrative and great characters.
This RPG is based on greek mythology and takes gamers to a roguelike adventure where every time you die, the game world changes. This game is a delightful experience every gamer should consider to check out.
3 Divinity: Original Sin II Definitive Edition - 93
Initially released in 2017, this game only became available in the eShop in 2019. Divinity: Original Sin II is a role-playing video game developed by Larian Studios (the same developers behind Baldur’s Gate III) and the last entry in the Divinity series.
In this fantasy game, you can play solo or join a party of up to three players. As it commons with RPG players can create their custom character, selecting their stats, race, gender, and origin story, this sequel adds something the original game didn’t have: the possibility to create an undead character.
2 Super Mario Odyssey - 97
Mario is Nintendo’s mascot, so they had to release a Mario game to pull fans in when they released the Switch. And just like that, gamers were enjoying Super Mario Odyssey by October of 2017.
In this game, Mario steps away from the Mushroom Kingdom and goes on to explore the world. Super Mario Odyssey adds new gameplay elements to the Mario series, like the power to control objects, animals, and enemies or the ability to collect Power Moons to power up Mario’s airship. This game was so well received that Nintendo is re-releasing the original game with an extra content title Bowser’s Fury.
1 The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild - 97
Zelda games are legendary among gamers, in fact, the game with the highest Metacritic score is The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of time. But with immense popularity comes great expectations, and the latest game in the franchise, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, had some big shoes to fill.
Nevertheless, Breath of the Wild was a total success. This game allowed players to free roam the game world, climb towers and mountains, fight enemies, hunt beast, and gather ingredients. Breath of the Wild has a well-deserved 97 Metacritic score, and with Zelda’s 35 anniversary fastly approaching, gamers are hoping to hear some news about a sequel.
NEXT: Nintendo Switch: 10 Best JRPGs Of 2020, Ranked According To Metacritic
