The adventure genre has dominated the Nintendo Switch with massive hits like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Hollow Knight being among the most popular and instantly recognizable games. From indie strategy games to RPG mysteries, there’s no shortage of titles to choose from for players who are looking for their next great adventure.
The best games among these titles combine stunning visuals with compelling stories, often taking players on an immersive journey through uniquely designed worlds. These games were made to keep Switch users entertained, often making it impossible to put the portable console down.
To The Moon
Developed and published by Freebird Games, To the Moon is among the most criminally underrated indie games for the Switch. It has a fascinating premise centered around two doctors whose job is to give dying patients an entirely new life by altering their memories. In the game, they encounter the puzzling case of Johnny, whose only wish is to go to the moon.
Players who expect thrilling combat and action-packed moments should steer clear of this title, as it’s heavily focused on storytelling. The goal is to investigate Johnny’s past to find clues and solve puzzles, all in an effort to give him the artificial memories he wants. Its immersive story is a treat for anyone who enjoys emotional narratives and tear-jerking endings.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Ori and the Will of the Wisps was developed by Moon Studios as the sequel to Ori and the Blind Forest. The platform-adventure follows the story of the white guardian spirit, Ori, who must venture through beautiful forests and dark caves to uncover his true destiny and save the land of Niwen.
This Metroidvania game improves upon the original with a more expansive world, a better combat system, and an even more memorable soundtrack that highlights the game’s emotional narrative. Each location reveals more about the protagonist’s story, who must maximize his spirit weapons and use his puzzle-solving abilities to get through each beautifully designed level. Will of the Wisps is an immersive experience in a well-crafted, surreal world full of mysterious creatures who each have a fascinating story to tell.
Overboard!
Overboard! is a unique take on the whodunnit story by developer Inkle. In this case, it’s the player who has murdered a passenger on the SS Hook and must now find a way to get away with it. One run only lasts for about half an hour, but the game is designed to be replayable for players to learn from their mistakes and eventually commit the perfect crime.
The short and sweet Switch game is full of puzzles and twists that are delightfully shocking for even the most seasoned players. It can be thrilling at times, especially when players have to pick the right lies, conceal evidence, or accuse other NPCs who won’t easily confess. Players need to be strategic to achieve the perfect playthrough and get away with murder.
Florence
Florence is a slice of life indie adventure developed by Mountains. The game features Florence Yeoh, who is an average 20-something going through her boring routines – commuting, working, scrolling on social media, and trying to get some sleep. This all changes when she meets Krish, a cellist who eventually breaks this routine and changes Florence in the process.
The moving love story of Florence and Krish unfolds over six chapters, each narrating different parts of their relationship. The game is surprisingly not dialogue-heavy, as it relies on simple but beautiful visuals and movement to tell Florence’s story. It’s a straightforward game where players can solve puzzles to help the relatable protagonist understand her thoughts and feelings, all unfolding in a well-designed world with a unique art style.
A Short Hike
A Short Hike is one of the most relaxing Nintendo Switch games that takes players on a fun adventure through an open-world park. It was developed and published by Adam Robinson-Yu, who created the game with a simple premise: Claire, an anthropomorphic bird, has to reach the summit of a mountain to find cellphone reception.
This deceptively simple core of the story is only the tip of the iceberg, as the game is full of well-designed areas to explore and fun side quests to complete. There are other animals that Claire can interact with and help with their own journeys. From fishing to finding lost items, there are a lot of mini-adventures in the game that encourage players to take the time to enjoy the journey instead of focusing on the summit.
80 Days
80 Days takes players on an epic adventure around the world, where players must navigate 150 cities as the valet, Passepartout. Developed by Inkle, this game has thousands of possibilities for players to explore. Each city has a compelling narrative for the player to uncover, all while making crucial decisions about their next step in the journey.
As the valet, players must take care of Monsieur Phileas Fogg and make sure he is healthy, while also managing finances, luggage, and means of transportation. It’s a fun game of strategy and its steampunk-style world never stops throwing challenges at the protagonist. Each playthrough is never the same, as there are always new paths, Easter eggs, items, and hidden dialogue to discover.
Firewatch
Firewatch is a mystery adventure game developed by Campo Santo. It follows the story of Henry, who is a fire lookout whose only means of communication is a walkie-talkie. He’s drawn out into the Wyoming forest, where he discovers that the wilderness holds many secrets.
Firewatch is heavily dependent on the choices the player makes. Each decision influences the narrative and ultimately shapes how the game ends. The brilliant dialogue and strikingly beautiful graphics make it a totally immersive experience that will have players laughing (and sometimes crying) all the way to its conclusion.
Night In The Woods
Developed by Infinite Fall, Night in the Woods is a 2D adventure platformer that takes place in the sleepy town of Possum Springs. The protagonist, Mae Borowski, must confront her past and attempt to reconnect with friends and family, who have all changed while she was away at college.
With tons of minigames, well-written dialogue, and secret areas to discover, Night in the Woods never gets boring – in fact, the town always seems to be changing. Players must explore the cause behind these changes by embarking on a nostalgic, often heartfelt adventure into both the protagonist’s past and the town’s mysterious forests. Despite the crazy events that take place in Possum Springs, the narrative always finds its way back to Mae and her story, which is a fascinating and moving journey of self-discovery.
Hollow Knight
Hollow Knight is an action-adventure Metroidvania that follows the nameless Knight through the interconnected rooms of the Hallownest. Players must slowly piece the protagonist’s story together and uncover more about the world by battling bugs and tainted insects. The stronger the Knight gets, the farther players can venture to reveal and chart more areas of the map.
Hollow Knight is considered one of the hardest games on the Switch, as it has brutal boss fights hidden in its many caverns. It’s tricky to have to hold down a button to heal, especially in the middle of a barrage of attacks from unforgiving enemies. The difficulty is more rewarding than punishing, however, as players get to slowly but surely learn more about the lore behind the ancient cities and meet interesting NPCs along the way.
The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
Nintendo’s Breath of the Wild is arguably its best entry in The Legend of Zelda franchise. It continues Link’s story, who has woken up in the kingdom of Hyrule and must now find a way to save it. He must run, climb, swim, fight, cook, clear shrines, and more around the massive kingdom.
Breath of the Wild is an epic adventure through Hyrule, where players are encouraged through its non-linear gameplay to explore the world freely. There’s an endless barrage of activities for Link, who can spend hours and hours traveling through visually stunning locations. With compelling storytelling, iconic villains, and brilliant game design, the game reinvented and reinvigorated the Zelda format, taking players on an awesome and unforgettable adventure.