The Best Nintendo Switch Games of 2017

A recap of the year’s best Nintendo Switch releases. 

The 2017 calendar year was a highly successful one for Nintendo, especially thanks to the release of their newest console, the Nintendo Switch. After its release in March, the Nintendo Switch eShop has rapidly expanded with a wide variety of notable games.

As a result, many Switch owners have found themselves struggling to catch up. To help prepare for next year’s wave of releases, we decided to create a list featuring the best Nintendo Switch games of 2017. If you’re missing any of these titles, we certainly recommend adding them to your Switch library over the holidays! 

Golf Story

While Golf Story may not be an ideal title for gamers who hate sports games (particularly ones about golf), Golf Story is nevertheless a notable entry in the Nintendo Switch catalogue. To sum it up, Golf Story is exactly what its name suggests. It follows a young golfer who wishes to become a pro, and has to slowly progress through the ranks to reach the pinnacle of golfing success.

Golf Story is primarily a narrative title with RPG elements, but true to its name, there’s a complex golfing system to enjoy as well. We really enjoyed the time we spent playing Golf Story, and it’s one that grew on us despite our minimal interest in golf. If you can keep an open mind (or you’re already predisposed to liking golf), you really should give Golf Story a try on Nintendo Switch.

Click here to buy Golf Story on the Nintendo Switch eShop.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

This list would be woefully incomplete without The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Not only is Breath of the Wild one of the best Nintendo Switch games of 2017, but it’s also 2017’s “Game of the Year” for many gamers. Even if you've never played a Zelda game before, Breath of the Wild truly has a little something for everyone.

When it was released, Breath of the Wild took both players and critics by storm, with many websites giving the game a perfect score. After playing through the game, it’s not hard to see why it’s so highly regarded. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is an absolute masterpiece, and is a title all Nintendo Switch owners should have in their library.

Click here to buy The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild on the Nintendo Switch eShop.

Snake Pass

This is one of our personal favorites, and one that we feel hasn’t gained the recognition it deserves. Snake Pass by Sumo Digital is an indie game that feels as though it fits perfectly on the Nintendo Switch both in its design and gameplay. In the game, you play as Noodle, a snake who must slither his way through a variety of stages.

At his side is a hummingbird named Doodle, who gives Noodle a variety of tips and helps pick up Noodle’s tail at request. The game is absolutely adorable, with each different world focusing on a different element (Earth, Water, Fire, and Air), and it definitely feels like a callback to the retro 3D platformers of the 90s. What’s more, the gameplay really makes you feel as though you’re a snake!

Click here to buy Snake Pass on the Nintendo Switch eShop.

Super Mario Odyssey

Again, our list of the best Nintendo Switch games of 2017 would feel pretty weak without this notable title. Released in October, Super Mario Odyssey managed to live up to exceedingly high expectations. In Super Mario Odyssey, Mario is out to stop Bowser from marrying Princess Peach.

To help him on his quest, Mario is joined by a new friend in Cappy. With Cappy at his side (well, on his head) Mario is able to transform into everything from a giant t-rex to familiar characters like Goomba and Cheep Cheep. Overall, Super Mario Odyssey is an absolute blast, and is fully worth the purchase on Nintendo Switch.

Click here to buy Super Mario Odyssey on the Nintendo Switch eShop.

Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley is another indie that fits perfectly on the Nintendo Switch platform. This is due, in part, to its similarities with another Nintendo property in Harvest Moon. Setting comparisons aside, Stardew Valley is an enjoyable title with a lot to offer. On the surface, Stardew Valley plays like a farming sim. However, the added social interactions with the game’s NPCs help give Stardew Valley more depth.

Stardew Valley is a game you can sit and play on the Switch for hours without ever growing bored, and it’s great for gamers who want to take a breather every now and then. Many find Stardew Valley to be one of the most charming games on the Nintendo Switch, and it’s not hard to see why. If you haven’t added Stardew Valley to your Switch library yet, we feel it’s well worth looking into.

Click here to buy Stardew Valley on the Nintendo Switch eShop.

ARMS

ARMS was a bit of a surprise in that we weren’t quite sure what to expect from the game. After putting in several hours of play, however, ARMS rose high on our list of recommended Switch games. Aside from the addicting multiplayer gameplay, ARMS is one of the best Nintendo Switch games for those looking to get a lot of use out of their Joy-Cons.

True, games like 1-2-Switch feature unique Joy-Con functionality, but it’s in the thrilling boxing of ARMS where the Joy-Cons truly shine. If you’re looking for a game to play with friends and family, or are simply wanting to shake your Nintendo Switch library up a tad, you honestly can’t go wrong with ARMS.

Click here to buy ARMS on the Nintendo Switch eShop.

Battle Chef Brigade

Battle Chef Brigade squeaked out a release on Switch in November, right towards the end of 2017. While this meant it had a lot of competition, it nevertheless managed to shine as an exciting and intriguing indie experience. Battle Chef Brigade is a clever mix of brawler, RPG, puzzler, and cooking sim, among other things.

In the game, you’re able to cook the various monsters you battle in effort to dominate other chefs in the competition. As Mina, you’ll work towards becoming Victusia’s top chef by slaying monsters and mixing diverse ingredients for maximum flavor. Overall, Battle Chef Brigade is a seriously fun game that all Switch owners should check out.

Click here to buy Battle Chef Brigade on the Nintendo Switch eShop.

Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove

Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove is a game you can pick up on just about every platform right now including PS4, Xbox One, PC, and yes, Nintendo Switch. We’ve played Shovel Knight across platforms and have come to the conclusion that there’s something undeniably special about Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove on Nintendo Switch.

It takes us back to the NES platformers of old, and is a game that perfectly compliments the Switch’s portability. Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove is great, as it comes with all previously released DLC. Meanwhile, it features a memorable protagonist and some mind-numbingly addictive gameplay. For those looking to expand their Switch library, be sure to pick up a copy of Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove. You’ll be glad you did.

Click here to buy Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove on the Nintendo Switch eShop.

There you have it, a look at some of our personal picks for the best Nintendo Switch games of 2017. For more Nintendo Switch favorites, be sure to recap our previous list from earlier in the year, and check out some of the Nintendo Switch games releasing in 2018!

Morgan is a writer, indie game lover, and socially awkward coffee addict. Need something? Morgan can be reached at morgan.shaver@allgamers.com or if you like, you can say hello using GIFs on Twitter.

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