Look, let’s be real. Your Nintendo Switch is probably sitting on your nightstand right now, covered in a light layer of dust, while you tell yourself you’ll finally finish Tears of the Kingdom "this weekend." We’ve all been there. But here’s the thing—the library for this little hybrid machine has become so absurdly dense that even the "experts" can't keep track of everything anymore. It’s not just about Mario and Zelda anymore, though they obviously still run the playground.
We’re talking about a console that’s been out for nearly a decade, yet people are still finding new "highest rated" gems that were buried under the hype of triple-A releases. Honestly, the Metacritic scores only tell half the story. You’ve got these massive, 97-rated masterpieces, and then you’ve got the weird, niche indie games that actually changed how we think about gaming.
If you're looking for the absolute highest rated Nintendo Switch games, you have to look past the marketing. You have to look at what actually stuck.
The Unfailing Titans: Zelda and Odyssey
It’s almost annoying how good The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild still is. It’s 2026, we’ve had the sequel, we’ve seen the "Switch 2" upgrades, and yet, the original 2017 launch title still holds a 97 on Metacritic. Why? Because it didn't just give us a map; it gave us a chemistry set. You wasn't just "playing" Zelda; you were figuring out if you could use a metal broadsword to attract lightning to a Hinox’s face during a thunderstorm. (Spoiler: you can, and it’s glorious.)
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Then there’s Super Mario Odyssey. It’s basically a fever dream disguised as a platformer. One minute you’re a T-Rex in a top hat, the next you’re a literal spark of electricity zipping through a wire. It’s pure, unadulterated joy. If you haven't played it, I don't know what to tell you. It’s the gaming equivalent of a warm hug.
The "How is This on a Switch?" Tier
Now, this is where things get interesting. Most people assume the Switch is just for "kinda cute" Nintendo games. Wrong.
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom: It’s the 96-rated beast that proved the Switch hardware could actually handle a complex physics engine that would make some PCs sweat. The Ultrahand ability basically turned every player into an amateur structural engineer.
- Metroid Prime Remastered: This one came out of nowhere and reminded everyone that Retro Studios are wizards. It’s arguably the best-looking game on the system, holding a steady 94 Metascore.
- Hollow Knight: Silksong: Finally. After years of memes and "clown" emojis in Nintendo Direct chats, Silksong landed with a staggering 91 rating. It’s harder than the original. It’s more beautiful. It’s also the reason my Joy-Cons currently have drift from gripping them too hard during boss fights.
Honestly, the sheer variety is what makes the Switch the best console of its generation. You can go from a 100-hour tactical JRPG like Fire Emblem: Three Houses to a 2-hour emotional gut-punch like A Short Hike.
Why Metacritic Scores Can Be Deceptive
You’ll see The House in Fata Morgana sitting up there with a 96. Most people have never heard of it. It’s a visual novel. It’s dark, it’s tragic, and it’s basically a thousand-year-old gothic suspense tale. It’s "highest rated" because the people who play it love it with a burning passion, not because it’s a mainstream hit for everyone.
This is the nuance of Switch rankings. A "90" for a niche puzzle game doesn't mean it’s "better" than an "88" for a massive open-world game. It just means it executed its specific goal perfectly.
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The Under-the-Radar Essentials
- Balatro: This poker-roguelike is digital crack. It’s rated in the 90s because it’s impossible to put down. You’ll say "just one more round" at 11 PM and suddenly notice the sun coming up.
- Hades II: Supergiant Games did it again. It builds on the Greek mythology loop of the first game but adds a layer of witchcraft that feels entirely fresh.
- Donkey Kong Bananza: A 2025 surprise that actually lived up to the 3D platforming legacy. It’s got that "Nintendo polish" that makes every jump feel intentional.
The "Long Tail" of the Switch Library
We’re at a point now where "Switch 2" editions are starting to roll out. Games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe are getting 4K patches for the new hardware, but the core experience remains the same.
If you’re a newcomer or someone looking to fill gaps in their collection, don't just chase the newest releases. Some of the highest rated experiences are actually older titles that have been refined over years of updates. Stardew Valley is a prime example. What started as a simple farming sim is now a massive, deep experience that costs less than a fancy burrito.
Making Your Move: How to Actually Play These
Stop scrolling through the eShop and just pick one. Seriously. If you want a challenge, get Hollow Knight. If you want to lose your mind in a good way, get Super Mario Bros. Wonder. If you want to feel like a god, Tears of the Kingdom is your move.
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Your Actionable Next Steps:
Check your current "Gold Points" in the Nintendo eShop; you likely have enough sitting there to get an indie gem like Celeste or Dave the Diver for basically free. Download the demo for Dragon Quest XI S—it’s like ten hours long for free—and see if that 91-rated JRPG life is actually for you before you drop the full $60.