13 Best Switch Games for Adults (2024)

Wondering which are the best Switch games for adults? This list of curated games will help you on your quest for finding them. There are so many great games for people of all ages and play levels, so let’s dive in!

What are the Best Switch Games for Adults?

1. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Mario Kart should always be one of if not the first game on anyone’s gaming list when speaking about Nintendo Switch games. Mario Kart has been a fan favorite for years and has come with nearly every Nintendo system to date. If that doesn’t speak to how good the game is maybe the ability to play either individually or multiplayer may!

You can join your friends online, or play local wireless with up to 8 people. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe features several different modes of play- Grand Prix, Time Trials, Vs Race, and Battle. In Grand Prix, it is straightforward racing between the player and 11 other characters vying for first place! Time Trials allow you to race against yourself and train your speed. In Vs Race, you can challenge your friends to a 1 on 1 race to see who is the fastest, and in Battle, you can race around using items to either lock your friends up or pop their balloons.

Mario Kart recently (as of 2022) began with its booster course pass, which has been slowly releasing new and old tracks to the traditional game as DLC. The latest installment of this game features a total of a whopping 32 courses and 48 more in the Booster Pass. You can get the Booster Pass free of charge if you already have the Nintendo Switch Online membership and expansion pack.

2. Mario Party Games

I will break this down into two parts as well as there are 2 Mario Party games for the Nintendo Switch. Both are perfect Switch games for adults.

Super Mario Party

Super Mario Party is another game that is a mainstay in the Nintendo space. This Nintendo Switch exclusive version sports up to 80 mini-games and an online mode (which was previously not available!). This would be the perfect party night game to play with your friends as the local multiplayer includes a cooperative River Survival mode and a Sound Stage mode that’ll be sure to bring out some laughs.

Much like the traditional games; you and 3 friends race around the board trying to collect stars to find out who the superstar is. This is one of the best games to sink a few hours into if you’re looking to both challenge yourself and kill a bit of time.

If you have two Nintendo Switch consoles you can place lay them flat together to create an interactive tabletop gaming experience. This mode is called Toad’s Rec Room adding another way that you could enjoy this experience with your friends!

Mario Party Superstars

In Mario Party Superstars, you can expect a similar gameplay style to Super Mario Party. There are a few key differences, however. This installment has a total of 100 classic mini-games that you can play!

The SuperStar version has 5 gameboards you can play on to challenge your friends both on and offline. The objective is to get as many stars as possible. You can get stars by moving around the board and stealing them from your friends.

3. The Legend of Zelda Games

This one is a two-parter as there is more than one Zelda game that’s been released on the Switch and it is not fair to pick one over the other. They’re both wonderful installments to the Zelda storyline.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Breath of the Wild has truly been a breath of fresh air to the switch in many ways. I love that the open world allows for free exploration of the game. Every Legend of Zelda has expanded the Nintendo console in the same way as every Mario game has. Breath of the Wild brings dark souls style action, and, puzzle mechanics with stunning visuals to the Nintendo Switch.

In this iteration of the legendary collection, we awaken as an amnesic Link who had slept for hundreds of years after losing in battle to Calamity Ganon. Now we take our journey to get to Ganon again to defeat him and save Hyrule as the story goes.

This game is a must-play as you truly can never get bored. You could run with just a stick and go straight to Ganon with nothing or you can follow the quests, beat the Divine Beasts and then complete the game creating your own path. You have so many options for customization of Link’s clothing in different villages, we introduce cooking. If you like games that have puzzles, stories and something you can truly sink yourself into this will be the best game for you.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of The kingdom

Tears of the Kingdom? More like tears of true freedom! This game has game-of-the-year vibes. It takes everything in Breath of the Wild and expands it. In Tears of the Kingdom, we are still able to complete puzzles, cook and explore. The art style also expands on the beauty that Breath of the Wild had.

We begin our adventure with Zelda and Link exploring the beneath Hyrule Castle. We are introduced to the Zonai, an ancient people who lived in the sky. Once they reach the bottom, the story is then started by an event. We awaken in (similar to how we awoken in Breath of The Wild).

Now we must figure out how to get to Zelda, building different items on our way to assist us in our quest. What is exciting is that you now can create new items by taking different items and merging them. Want to make a boat? Want to make a flying device? A weapon? You can merge it to your heart’s delight!

4. Animal Crossing: New Horizons

This game also has downloadable content that you can purchase or you can get included with the Nintendo Switch online membership.

Shortly after the pandemic started one of the best Nintendo Switch games came out. Animal Crossing: New Horizons truly brought new horizons to the game. Players explore different islands foraging for rare items not available on their islands.

You begin as a villager who got a generous offer from our old pal Tom Nook to come to an island getaway. Once you get there, however, you have to begin working for Tom so you can build your dream island home, making you the Island Rep. Take a step away from everyday life in one of 2022’s best cozy games for the switch.

Why should this be added to your favorite game list? You can customize your house in size, and decorations, and play with the dimensions within the house. You also can build and customize the island with nearly limitless potential. You can also travel to other islands or have your friends visit your island in online multiplayer.

Happy Home Paradise is the add-on to the game that you can get in the expansion pack which adds new items along with the ability to design the villager’s homes who request it. You can even have two villagers be roommates together in a home! This game should be on every cozy gamer’s list.

5. Metroid Dread

Metroid Dread is a spin on the classic game bringing it to the switch in a new and exciting way. Metroid hasn’t seen very many remakes or reinventions. In this iteration, our heroine Samus gets a distress signal from a remote planet. When she arrives she discovers E.M.M.I a particularly murderous group of robots and vicious alien life forms. Will our favorite intergalactic bounty hunter be able to escape this time?

This game still has the traditional side-scrolling action. It looks absolutely stunning on the Nintendo Switch. I would agree that this game deserves a spot in every Switch owner’s library. Mature gamers will enjoy this great game.

Samus starts her journey at the very bottom of the world, having to work her way through and find the upgrades for her suit. These upgrades help her advance through some of the more difficult areas.

6. Disney Dreamlight Valley

This is another cozy game that you’re going to want to get your hands on.

Disney Dreamlight Valley allows the player to take a little trip down memory lane. If you’re a Disney fan who also loves to design and decorate this game will be perfect for you. In DDLV you can go on an adventure in the Disney space with a customizable character!

This game’s main story is that the Forgetting, a tragedy that has befallen the kingdom, must be stopped. You must go through the different realms to bring the magic back to the Valley!

Cozy games for adults are essential, and what is better than coming home and relaxing a bit with your pal Wall-e? As each realm has its own pace and challenges you will be solving puzzles and bringing friends into the Valley to help you.

7. NES & SNES on Nintendo Switch Online

If you’re a veteran gamer or even a newcomer to gaming, the classics can truly never be beaten.

The Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES for short) and Nintendo Entertainment System are some the classics of Nintendo! When it comes to playing video games, a lot of adults will remember iconic games like Kirby’s Dreamland, F-Zero, Star Fox, and so many more!

The NES and SNES are available for free with subscriptions to Nintendo Switch online. You can enjoy an ever-growing library of classic characters like Kirby, Star Fox, Toe Jam and Earl. With the Nintendo Switch online you can play these games with friends online or offline locally.

There are currently a total of 63 SNES games and 79 NES games and growing. These emulators would be great for audiences of all ages, but especially for adult gamers who can relive the nostalgia of the past. My personal favorites are Kirby Dream Course and Earthbound. You’ll enjoy hours of some of the greatest games the SNES and NES have to offer.

8. Super Mario 3d World + Bowser’s Fury

Super Mario 3D world is a remake of the Super Mario 3d world that was available on the Wii U. Revamped for the Switch, this video game allows you to play the classic side-scrolling platformer in a bit of a different light.

Play as Mario who has to rescue the fairies from Bowser to stop him from his evil plans. You’ll play the same as the original Mario beating different levels until you get to the castle. The game also sports bonus levels once you beat the game! A good game for adults who may want to play something with a story that is a little more relaxed.

Bowser’s Fury is a new side game that comes with Super Mario 3d World and has stunning graphics. The game is a little short, but is very fun to play as your goal is to stop a now corrupted Bowser.

9. Pokemon Legends: Arceus

Pokemon Legends: Arceus is the experimental Pokemon we’ve always wanted. In other games, the standard is you want to become a Pokemon master, catching different Pokemon and battling your friends. In this version of Pokemon, you awaken on a beach in a mysterious land.

In Arceus, we are now in an action role-playing game where we’re capturing Pokemon to log their abilities. You can create different types of Pokeballs, different lures, and tricks to help you in the battle against Pokemon.

What makes this Pokemon game so different? The mechanics, as you do not need to always battle your Pokemon to catch other Pokemon to weaken them. This allows you to strategize and plan your attacks accordingly. You can now sneak up on Pokemon and catch them in real time.

The story is that you join part of the Survey Corps to be accepted by the village. You have to help them log the different types of Pokemon in the area so the people there can live in harmony with them.

10. Luigi’s Mansion 3

Luigi’s Mansion 3 takes us back to our GameCube days but with added, stunning graphics. In the third game, you play as Luigi who has been invited to the Last Resort Hotel. However shortly after they arrive, Mario and friends go missing and it is up to Luigi to save the day!

Luigi with the latest invention from E-Gad sucks up ghosts and phases through objects with his Pal Gooigi. In this fun game, you will travel through different themed levels solving puzzles to rescue your friends.

This is one of the best games for adults as you can play individually or multiplayer through the main game in local co-op. You can also play online with up to 8 players in the ScareScraper, which allows you to face off in teams to figure out who is the best ghost hunter.

11. Monster Hunter Rise

Monster Hunter Rise is an action role-playing game that allows you to Hunt Monsters, ride animals and customize your gear. In the Switch version, it is easy to maneuver through your inputs. This game is for all ages, however, with its more mature audience, I would say this is a great game for adults to play if they’re looking for something a bit more serious.

In Monster Hunter Rise, you are transported to a village where your friend helps guide you through the mechanics of the game. Once you’re done you join the wild hunt for large monsters! You can capture these monsters without killing them or killing them to scavenge for parts to craft with.

You can join online with other people to join raids and make friends. While this is not a Nintendo Switch original, this is a great addition to your Nintendo games library.

12. Nintendo Switch Sports

Nintendo Switch Sports is great for adults who may be looking for something more physical. Like other games in this list, you have to play online with friends or on your own, or globally with many different people. There are several games you can play from bowling, badminton, and a new (to the series) sport called Chambara.

Since each area is different, you can set the amount of time you’ll be playing and how long. If you’re looking to get up and get active, this is one of the best switch games for adults you can play!

Nintendo Switch Sports has to be played with the Switch sitting down or docked and with the joy-cons out. The intention is to get players moving and engaged physically. So this may be a con for players who are not interested or not able to play games with the joy-cons separated from the system.

13. Mortal Kombat 11

Mortal Kombat 11 coming to the Switch truly solidified the Switch being a system for all ages and players of all experience levels. This is a fighting game with different combinations that can result in some killer cut scenes. I have always loved fighting game dialogue, and the voice acting in every MK game I’ve ever played has always been great. Someone on the hunt for more mature games to add to their system will find this to be a good addition.

I do not however recommend this if you are someone playing games with your children as the cutscenes are rated M. This is because of the blood, gore, intense violence, and strong language.

If you’re interested in fighting games that seem a little more realistic I recommend picking up Mortal Kombat. MK has several different modes, but from what I understand the story mode does the best on the Nintendo Switch.

In my opinion, this is one of the best switch games for adults. With its more mature themes, it is a welcome addition to the Switch which has primarily more family-friendly games.

Honorable Mentions

Some of the games that did not particularly make the list but are still worthy of playing are Super Mario Odyssey, Pikmin 3, and Splatoon. Mario Odyssey is set in a more open-world exploration fashion than the traditional side-scrolling games.

In Super Mario Odyssey, your adventure begins fighting our old pal Bowser, and then you’re cast out luckily for you, you discover a magic hat that helps you on your adventure to find Princess Peach! In turn, you help the hat and his people stop Bowser’s evil plan.

This allows for a more mature audience to enjoy the puzzle games within it to challenge themselves. Like other Switch games, you’ll find yourself trying to 100% this for the secrets and rewards.

Splatoon has been stable in the Nintendo Switch games franchise since the Wii U. Splatoon 2 and Splatoon 3 have been released on the Switch. I genuinely believe that this online shooter game will be a mainstay for Nintendo for a very long time. This game was revolutionary in the space for its unique game style. It is one of the best Nintendo Switch games around for online battles and play.

Pikmin 3 Deluxe is another game that is a welcome addition to the Nintendo Switch. In this version of the game, you have landed on an alien planet in search of fruit juices for your home planet. When you enter the planet’s atmosphere your ship is damaged and you lose your crew mates. Now it’s your job to creatively find your other crew members.

If you like puzzle games that also include item collection this one is worth picking up. I enjoyed the banter between the crewmates and I found the different ways that I could use all the Pikmin to be very engaging. I would even say this may qualify as part of a cozy games collection.

Conclusion

Switch owners can find a wide variety of games for adults that they may not have even thought of before making everyone’s cup just a little more full. Have you played any of these games recently? Are there some games you wish were listed? Let us know in the comments below!

Also, if you’re into Otome games, check out our list of the best Otome games on Switch.

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