10 Must-Own Switch Games That PS4 & Xbox One Owners Can't Play

The Nintendo Switch has been selling extremely well since its launch in 2017. On top of having all-around great third-party support, the Nintendo Switch has benefitted from great exclusive games that have motivated many people to get one for themselves. The system doesn't have the raw power of the Xbox One or PS4, but has still managed to grab an audience thanks to its portability and a strong library of exclusive titles.

If you already own a Switch or are thinking about getting one, here are 10 must-play games to get that Xbox One and PS4 owners can't play. These are just 10 more more reasons to get Nintendo's latest console.

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: BREATH OF THE WILD

SEE IT NOW: $59.88

The Nintendo Switch launched with a small library of games, but it didn't matter to most people because The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was one of those titles. This game redefined what could be done with a Legend of Zelda game. The formula was torn down and rebuilt, creating not only one of the best games in the franchise, but one of the best open-world games ever made.

With a truly open-ended design, the player is always in the driver's seat. They can experience as much or as little of the game, its story, mechanics, and add-ons as they choose to.

SUPER MARIO ODYSSEY

SEE IT NOW: $43.50

The launch year of the Nintendo Switch saw the release of not one but two games that were considered for Game of the Year. The second was Super Mario Odyssey, which served as the big holiday release for the system. While it didn't redefine Super Mario in the same way Breath of the Wild redefined The Legend of Zelda, it was still, and remains, a phenomenal platformer.

Each level was a small open-world that urged players to push the platforming to its very limit. Exploration was the name of the game, which was made more exciting with the addition of Cappy. Finally, Super Mario 64 had its true successor.

POKEMON LET'S GO, PIKACHU! AND LET'S GO, EEVEE!

SEE LET'S GO, PIKACHU NOW!: $58.90 | SEE LET'S GO, EEVEE!: $51.94

Return to the Kanto Region in Pokemon Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!. These games are remakes of Pokemon Yellow, and benefit from the better hardware of the Nintendo Switch. It's nice to see old locations scaled up in HD, and each Pokemon has a model and animation allowing it to follow its trainers. Random encounters were replaced by loading wild Pokemon in real-time so players could choose their battles.

These games were designed to connect more with the more casual Pokemon GO crowd, but there's enough content here that most people will enjoy playing them. Time will tell if the next original game will bring the hardcore fans over.

MARIO KART 8 DELUXE

SEE IT NOW: $58.95

Mario Kart 8 was one of the best games on the Wii U, and it was made even better on the Nintendo Switch with the release of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. All of the regular and DLC content from the first game is included in the Deluxe version. Then there were new characters added, including the Inklings from Splatoon and even Link from The Legend of Zelda franchise.

On top of that, the game also included an entirely revamped battle mode with new modes and exclusive courses, effectively fixing the only problem with the Wii U version. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is arguably the best Mario Kart game to date and has some of the best track design in the series.

SPLATOON 2

SEE IT NOW: $50.00

Splatoon was Nintendo's franchise that debuted on the Wii U back in 2015, and it was one of the first franchises brought over to the Nintendo Switch. Splatoon 2 was criticized for a lack of content for a few months after its launch, but there's no denying that the core gameplay is so good that it didn't matter to many people.

The addition of Salmon Run provided a fun, cooperative-based mode to the game. Now, there is a full DLC expansion that gives the game stellar single-player content, plenty of new maps and weapons, and a massive community thanks to the Switch's large install base.

DONKEY KONG COUNTRY RETURNS: TROPICAL FREEZE

SEE IT NOW: $54.90

Donkey Kong Country Returns: Tropical Freeze was one of the best platformers that very few people played. It released on the Wii U, and people were so hungry for Retro to make a new Metroid game that they were angry when they got this one instead. However, it turned out to be one of the best 2D platformers of all time.

Every level is dynamic, bouncing between locations and enemies with grace. Every platform and obstacle was designed in context of the world that existed. Levels told stories with just their scenery alone. Then there's the soundtrack, which was scored by David Wise, who worked on the classic trilogy.

CAPTAIN TOAD: TREASURE TRACKER

SEE IT NOW: $45.90

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is a relaxing game, but also happens to be one of Nintendo's smarter and more creative titles made. The game was also on the Wii U, but it was later brought to Switch and was given exclusive levels based on Super Mario Odyssey. The game is still designed with clever puzzles and adorable visuals.

It's honestly one of the best puzzle games on the Switch made even better with the addition of multiplayer and some new DLC levels coming in the pipeline. If you skipped this one on the Wii U, then this budget title should be on your radar with the Switch.

OCTOPATH TRAVELER

SEE IT NOW: $51.70

Octopath Traveler was a new IP from Square Enix created specifically for the Nintendo Switch. The game has a story for eight different characters who all work together to stop a common threat. It feels very old-school in its visuals but very modern in its gameplay. Square designed a new engine to run the game that made pixel art look stunning, which caught everyone off guard.

It was a great RPG that blended old and new ideas quite well to create an experience that fans were sure to enjoy. That name is still a bit odd, but the game doesn't suffer from it.

SNIPPERCLIPS PLUS: CUT IT OUT, TOGETHER!

SEE IT NOW: $26.15

Cooperative games work extremely well on the Switch, as the console is natively built to support that type of play. One of the best games designed with these features in mind is Snipperclips: Cut it Out, Together!. A launch title for the Nintendo Switch, Snipperclips has players cutting each other into shapes to solve puzzles and overcome certain challenges.

The visuals are simple, but they're styled enough that it looks quite nice. The game supports 1-4 players, though it's best to play with at least two. More worlds and levels were later added to the game with a small update, and the entire package was given an inexpensive retail release.

SUPER SMASH BROS ULTIMATE

SEE IT NOW: $56.99

You've probably heard of Super Smash Bros Ultimate, whether it be the crazy World of Light adventure mode or the roster of over 70 famous video game characters. Whatever your exposure to the series is, there's no denying that Ultimate is the best in the series yet.

With over 100 stages to play, 800 music tracks to listen to, and faster mechanics that are more akin to Melee, this game has everything people loved from previous games and then some. It's a fantastic party game to play with friends and a great game to play competitively. Literally everyone and everything is here.

NEXT: Does Nintendo Switch Have the Best Exclusive Lineup of 2019?

We hope you like the items we recommend! Screen Rant has affiliate partnerships, so we receive a share of the revenue from your purchase. This won’t affect the price you pay and helps us offer the best product recommendations.