2019 is coming to a close and it has been an exciting year in the world of games. As the Xbox One and PS4 begin to prepare for transitions to the next-generation of consoles, Nintendo fans may be feeling like the Switch is still just hitting its stride after a successful couple of years. Hopefully, the portable Nintendo console still has a handful of years left and continues in its 2019 trend of being a great place to play some of the best games of the year.
The Nintendo Switch has a versatile list of top-performing games that offers a great mix between Nintendo exclusives and indie games that feel most comfortable on the flexible device. The ability to quickly transition from TV mode to taking the console on the go makes it the perfect home for many grindy RPGs and addicting small-scale platformers.
The Nintendo Switch stable of games may still feel a bit smaller than those offered by PS4 and Xbox One, but there was no shortage of high quality games available in 2019. With that in mind, the following list covers the ten games that were must-plays for Nintendo Switch owners in 2019...
Tetris 99
Early in 2019, Nintendo surprised everyone with the release of a Battle Royale version of Tetris. Tetris 99 took the console by storm and had players hooked on the combination of classic gameplay mechanics and the modern 1 v 99 trend. The combo ended up being a perfect match and Tetris 99 is still a fantastic way to kill time on the Nintendo console.
Astral Chain
Over the summer, Platinum Games managed to deliver yet another surprise hit with Astral Chain. The title combines Platinum Games' signature stylized-action gameplay with some fantastic dungeon-like world design, puzzle-solving, and large scale boss battles. The finished product is incredibly impressive and seems like the start to a brand-new high-quality IP.
Pokemon Sword/Shield
After years of waiting, the first mainline Pokemon franchise game finally arrived on a home console in 2019. The title was an instant hit in terms of sales and the game's popularity is still growing. Although some fans are still angry that there isn't a complete global Pokedex in Pokemon Sword/Shield, the game still was met with critical praise and is already developing an exciting competitive scene for hardcore metagamers.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Fire Emblem: Three Houses isn't just one of the best Nintendo Switch games of 2019, it's one of the best RPGs of the year. The lengthy RPG is the perfect game to play on Nintendo Switch thanks to its grindy XP mechanic and the ability to quickly jump in and out for short play sessions. The core strengths combined with frequent updates and new difficulties make the game an instant classic.
Super Mario Maker 2
Nobody was surprised when Super Mario Maker 2 arrived after the incredible success of the original game at the end of the Wii U's lifecycle, but it was very exciting to see Nintendo go above and beyond with this one. There are a ton of new options and features available this time around and Switch owners can get endless hours of entertainment out of creating new Mario worlds and exploring the massive selection of fan-made creations submitted by other players.
Ring Fit Adventure
The age of Wii Fit may be long gone, but Nintendo isn't done getting gamers off of their couches just yet. The latest attempt to incorporate exercise into gaming on the Switch works incredibly well both as a gameplay experience and as legitimate cardio. Like a lot of good workouts, Ring Fit Adventure is a slow burn that will keep players checking in day after day to progress through the lengthy story mode and earn their daily workouts.
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
Before Nintendo returns to Hyrule with a true Breath of the Wild sequel sometime in the near future, first fans of the franchise had a chance to revisit one of the oddball game's in the beloved series: Link's Awakening. The remake is incredibly well-done and provides an amazing gameplay experience and graphics updates to the the original. Link's Awakening was one of the first Zelda titles developed with portable gaming in mind, so it makes sense to bring it to the Nintendo Switch, which has recently become the most popular console with a handheld option.
Baba is You
Gamers who want to be really challenged with difficult puzzles that will force them to think outside of the box had a great year in 2019. In addition to a handful of other puzzle and pattern games, Baba is You brought challenging wordplay to Switch owners and delivered hours of fun. The indie game is perfect for playing on the go and Switch owners with a boring commute should absolutely take the time to pick this title up if they haven't already.
Untitled Goose Game
Nobody saw the Untitled Goose Game craze coming, but there's no denying the massive impact this indie title had on gamers during fall 2019. The endearing and silly game combines a lot of different styles of gameplay with a lovable and chaotic protagonist to keep players hooked for hours. The portable nature of the Switch make the Nintendo console the perfect place to play the highly-addicting game.
Luigi's Mansion 3
Luigi's Mansion 3 strikes gold once again by successfully translating horror tropes, mechanics, and themes into a completely family-friendly gameplay experience. The new title builds on the success of previous iterations and offers another silly haunted adventure for kids and adults to enjoy. The addition of local co-op also helps make the game a hit with families who want to spend some time gaming together.
2019 has been a great year for the Nintendo console and hopefully 2020 has a lot of new games and surprises in store for fans of the Nintendo Switch. Be sure to check back throughout the coming year for all the latest news and updates!