Since its release in 2017, theNintendo Switchhas boasted one of the company’s most expansive video game libraries. From modern-day classics of noted indie developers or highly-anticipated AAA titles from Nintendo themselves, the Switch has a lot of variety to offer players of all ages between their eShop, virtual console library, and retail options.
However, it may be hard to find Switch games that qualify as AA. This label covers games that aren’t developed on the budget of AAA games, nor do they cost as much. While these studios might be tackling smaller franchises or spin-offs, they’re also too big to qualify as “indie.” Here are the best Switch games that players should check out if they want AA-style experiences.
Retro Studios have been collaborating with Nintendo on AAA titles for years now, with some of their biggest projects being theMetroid Primefranchise andMario Kart 7on 3DS. However, a much smaller scale production from the team wasDonkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, the Wii U sequel to the Wii reboot ofDonkey Kong’s 2D platforming series.
Tropical Freezethankfully got ported to the Switch, with Retro Studios adding in an easy mode featuring Funky Kong. While the company has been hard at work with their upcoming AAA releaseMetroid Prime: Beyond, the Switch remake ofTropical Freezeis still a fun AA experience. But don’t take it for granted — it challenges even the most seasoned gamers.
PlatinumGames are notably one of the most popular AA developers who work with Nintendo. Their company has been behind AA titles for Nintendo’s consoles likeThe Wonderful 101, as well as AAA titles likeStar Fox Zero. However, their main bread-and-butter is the belovedBayonettafranchise, which saw its third installment hit the Switch.
Bayonetta has skyrocketed in popularity since joining theSuper Smash Bros.series, butBayonetta 3doesn’t stray too far from its roots. While Platinum likely wasn’t working with an AAA budget on it, they certainly cranked out an AAA experience for this AA series, which isn’t surprising given the care that the studio gives to the franchise.
Back in 2014,The Legend of Zeldacrossed paths with Koei Tecmo’sDynasty Warriorsfranchise to bringHyrule Warriorsto the Wii U. The action game allows players to take control of characters from throughout theZeldaseries, from obscure side characters to iconic villains, battling original foes who threaten the stability of Hyrule.
The game was an absolute blast on the Wii U, but has since seen ports for both the 3DS and the Switch, under the nameHyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition. It’s amuch more solid, fleshed-out spin-offthan its successor on Switch,Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, and will delight both longtime and fresh fans of theZeldaseries.
Fans had been begging for a newPokemon Snapgame sincethe original’s release on Nintendo 64in 1999. It took over 20 years, but it finally came withNew Pokemon Snap, where fans compile an all-new Pokedex by taking photos of over 200 wild Pokemon. Despite being fully priced at $60, it’s still a small-scale remake of a tried-and-true gaming formula.
As such, the game doesn’t innovate a lot on the original’s gameplay, which is perhaps for the best, as fans get an authentically nostalgic experience in this AA title. It might not appeal to allPokemonfans who are obsessed with the AAA mainline series, but for those who grew up playingPokemon Snap, it shouldn’t be overlooked just for being a smaller adventure.
The first Nintendo Switch iteration of theLuigi’s Mansionfranchise was helmed by a much smaller subsidiary studio of Nintendo, Next Level Games, who previously helmed AA games likeMetroid Prime: Federation Force, the Wii’sPunch-Out!!, as well as the 3DS predecessor toLuigi’s Mansion 3,Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon.
Luigi’s Mansion 3, at the very least, feels like the proper upgrade the horror series has deserved since the original GameCube title, despite being made with a smaller budget than a typicalMarioadventure. With the addition of a multiplayer mode, it’s a great adventure for those who want a little more Luigi in their lives, though it’s priced like a AAA Switch title.
Although it was priced at $60, this Switch remake of the GameBoy titleLink’s Awakeningwas developed by Grezzo, the subsidiary studio who have handled previousThe Legend of Zeldaremakes for the 3DS. However, this AA game is a step above otherZeldaremakes, with all-new graphics, a dungeon creation mode, andZelda-series amiibo functionality.
As a remake of an oft-forgottenZeldatitle from the ’90s,Link’s Awakeningmight not impress those expecting the scale ofBreath of the Wild, but its scale and polish warrants the beefier price tag. This remake ofLink’s Awakeningproves there is more than meets the eyewhen it comes to this GameBoy classic, and brings a lot of fresh ideas to the series.
Metroid Prime: Beyondis set to blow expectations away when it finally releases in 2025, but until then,Metroidfans have a AA game on Switch to tide them over.Metroid Dreadis a return to the series' 2D roots, taking place shortly after the events ofMetroid Fusionon GameBoy Advance from 2002.
Metroid Dreadis a reminder of why this franchise inspired the namesake for the frequent “Metroidvania” games in the indie world. Although its length was criticized, especially given its AAA price tag, it’s still a 2D sidescroller that will offer a lot of fans a premierMetroidexperience asMetroid Prime: Beyondremains in development.
Monolith Soft is far from Nintendo’s most expensive studio, but in recent years, they’ve come into their own with theXenobladeseries. The Switch has seenthe release of two newXenobladetitles:Xenoblade Chronciles 2andXenoblade Chronicles 3, but for those looking to catch up on where the franchise began, the original Wii title got ported in 2020.
Before diving into the AAA titles Monolith Soft cranked out for the Switch, RPG fans should first exploreXenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition. It features a gorgeously massive open world, deeply empathetic characters, and even a new epilogue that updates fans on the goings-on of Melia, one of the characters from the game.
It Takes Two, a co-op adventure created by AA developer Hazelight Studios, isn’t a Switch exclusive, originally releasing on Sony and Microsoft consoles in 2021. However, it saw a Switch port in 2022, which was helmed by the even smaller studio Turn Me Up. Avid gamers should take advantage of that privilege, seeing asIt Takes Twohas lots of hype.
Not only did the game win Game of the Year at the Game Awards in 2021, but it also makes fora cooperative game that is guaranteed not to frustrate couples, which can be tough to find in today’s oversaturated game market.It Takes Twomight not be the flashiest experience, but its Switch version offers a perfect amount of AA fun for only $39.99.
