In just a few short years, the Nintendo Switch gaming console has already shipped more than 41 million units all over the world. Though Nintendo had a rocky few years in the wake of the massively popular PlayStation and Xbox consoles, it seems like the Japanese giant is definitely back on top – and fans all over the world are rejoicing.
But any seasoned gaming fan can tell you that a console lives and dies based on the quality of its games. Luckily, Nintendo has that covered and there are five core games in particular that you’re definitely going to want to learn more about.
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening
First off, you’re not dreaming – “The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening” was released to the company’s GameBoy handheld console more than 20 years ago. But this particular version is more than just a simple remake – the labyrinthine map has been re-imagined from the ground up to give even people obsessed with that old version something new to experience and cherish for years to come. The story of Link washing ashore on a mysterious island is the same as it ever was, but the way it plays out is totally fresh and new in a way that you’ll just need to see to believe.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Dating all the way back to the Super Nintendo, the “Mario Kart” franchise has been a staple of Nintendo consoles for decades. Now, the hit racing franchise is at it again, and it’s bringing a number of incredible new features with it. Fans of local multiplayer can rejoice, knowing that you can engage in vehicular combat with up to four of your friends in full 1080p high definition while in TV mode. If you want to take things online, you can increase the number of combatants to 12. Not only that, but absolutely EVERY track from the fan favorite Wii U version of “Mario Kart” is present and accounted for – meaning that you get to relive all of your favorite memories and make some new ones, too.
Minecraft for Nintendo Switch
If you had to make a list of some of the most popular games of the last generation, “Minecraft” would certainly be on it. By one recent estimate, it has more than 112 million monthly active players – not bad for a title that is light on narrative and instead pushes a heavy emphasis on exploring and creativity. With this version of “Minecraft” designed specifically for the Nintendo Switch, you can now build absolutely anything you can imagine and you can do so while on-the-go. Or, you could choose to have the adventure of a lifetime and go exploring in “Survival” mode. All it takes is a few minutes of play to see why this game is so popular with so many people. Note that online multiplayer is available, but it does require a separate subscription.
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Gamers of a certain age have fond, fond memories of the release of the original “Donkey Kong Country” for the Super Nintendo. It featured innovative gameplay and incredible graphics and, truth be told, there had never been anything quite like it. All of that is to say that it’s amazing that Nintendo continues to innovate with this franchise by way of this latest release – “Tropical Freeze.” This time, Donkey Kong is joined by Diddy, Dixie, Cranky and the rest of them – featuring all of the classic gameplay you love with a few fun tricks along the way. You can even play as Funky Kong this time around and engage in double jumps, infinite rolls and hovering to really spice things up a bit.
Pokémon Sword
It’s incredible that the Pokémon franchise is still going strong after all these years and as “Pokémon Sword” goes a long way towards proving, there’s still a lot of fun to be had in this magical world. Here, you’ll have your opportunity to unravel the mystery behind the Legendary Pokémon Zacian and Zamazenta – all while catching, battling and trading Pokémon in all of the ways you’ve grown to love. This time around, you can even team up with other Pokémon trainers to engage in Max Raid Battles – really taking the fun and excitement that these games are known for to the next level.
