6. ARMS
Here’s another, ahem, ‘whacky’ idea that seems too weird and crazy on the surface but is instantly fantastic fun. Basically, ARMS is a boxing game designed primarily for two players, and it goes all in with the Joy-Con control method, which means coming out of your shell. Assuming you’re fine pummelling thin air, ARMS provides training in various styles to suit those that love to land haymakers, while more imaginative pugilists launch missiles or search for specific openings. Mostly success is down to movement, dodging blows while dealing basic combos. ARMS is a workout, no doubt.
7. Xenoblade Chronicles 2
Switch is reclaiming Nintendo nostalgia vibes in all kinds of ways, and in this case we have a Japanese-style RPG with the dewy-eyed 1990s trappings that genre aficionados adore. The plot is really just an excuse to confront our party of anime heroes with an endless supply of beasts, focusing on the battle system that brings these personalities to life. At first you feel in over your head, but as with Monster Hunter, Final Fantasy or most any Japanese RPG, once you’ve got the gist there’s a joy in pushing as far as it can go.
8. Splatoon 2
Another bizarre single-player campaign plus limitless squishy-squashy multiplayer madness make this a sequel not to be missed. The story is one cleverly orchestrated, puzzle-oriented affair comprising five unique worlds that recalls the best moments of Super Mario Sunshine. Even if you were to avoid multiplayer, the many challenges posed by the vibrant solo quest and mystery posed by disappearance of dear Callie should keep you going for a long while. However, Splatoon is all about that multiplayer, with ink as your weapon and magical slide. Only Nintendo could turn FPS into a peace-loving glug bath.
9. Stardew Valley
The rise of pixel art as a cool thing that stands apart from a retro thing puts Stardew Valley on the map for almost anyone. It’s a cute adventure centred around farming, and a farming community. It feels wholesome and uplifting, with daily chores neatly taken care of in bite-size chunks that are perfect for gaming on the move. However, while Stardew Valley does suit sporadic sessions, the holistic nature of every activity – one thing benefitting another thing, and on and on – makes it difficult to ignore. Please remember that there is life beyond Stardew Valley.
10. Golf Story
For players that need a context for everything, or a particular narrative to life in general, we present to you Golf Story. It’s a cute, Game Boy era kinda RPG that’s also a rock-solid sports sim, which does mean that you can’t have one without the other, but everybody we know that’s started the quest gets caught up in this simple dream of becoming a pro player. The golfing aspect is challenging, rewarding and never frustrating, dialogue is quippy and smart. Having the golfing mechanic worked into the discovery element is the true stroke of genius.
