SwitchLucky

04/11/2022

Best Nintendo Switch Cartridge Cases 2022

Considering the diminutive size of Nintendo Switch game cards, it only seems like a matter of time before one slides into the couch and just disappears into the ethereal world of missing socks. Some players prefer to have a digital collection to avoid the problem, but that can make it harder to share games and require extra storage via a microSD card. Luckily, there are plenty of great options for keeping track of your collection of games when you're home or on the go while also protecting them from being damaged. These are the best Nintendo Switch cartridge cases for players that prefer a physical game collection.

No.1 Officially licensed:
HORI Game Card Case

If you are one of those Nintendo fans who exclusively prefer licensed products, then Hori has you covered. Hori manufactures accessories for just about every console under the sun, including a huge line of officially licensed products for the Switch. This case will hold a total of 24 game cards in addition to the space it offers for the storage of memory cards. If you are looking for a lot of storage and that official Nintendo seal, then this is the way to go.

No.2 Powera Premium Game Card Case

If you're looking for a case with a bit more style, you can show off your love for specific Nintendo games with this officially licensed case. Choose from six versions inspired by Minecraft, Super Mario, and Zelda. Each of them holds 12 Switch games in form-fitting rubber slots that will keep them secure and snaps shut for easy portability.

No.3 VANJUNN Game Storage Case

VANJUNN Game Storage Case for 24 Nintendo Switch Games
Store up to 24 Switch games plus 24 memory cards in holders that make it easy to slip the cartridges in and out. The highly compact case comes in red, blue, and black to match the Switch colors.

No.4 Funlab Premium Game Card Case

FUNLAB Premium Game Card Case
Designed to look like a Pokédex, this aluminum case is small enough to fit inside your Nintendo Switch travel case or in your pocket. You can fit six game cards in rubber slots that will protect them from damage while the metal snaps keep them securely inside.

No.5 Sisma 80 Game Cartridge Holders

Sisma 80-Game Cartridge Holders Storage Case
If you have an extensive Switch game collection, your best bet will be this case featuring four flaps of elastic pouches to hold a total of 80 games or memory cards. It's easy to slip the cartridges in and out, and the semi-hard shell will keep them safe. The leather cover also looks pretty stylish.

Storage wars
While many games are only available digitally, if you prefer to have a physical collection, you'll want to make sure it's safe and secure. There's nothing worse than wanting to sit down and play a game but being unable to locate it, except for maybe finding that the cartridge has been smashed or ruined by a spill. We recommend picking up the HORI Game Card Case as it's affordable and made specifically for Switch games.

Devoted Pokémon fans might like the FUNLAB Premium Game Card Case since it's designed to look like a Pokédex, though it only fits six cartridges. If you've got a bigger selection of games you want to keep secure, you can opt for the Sisma 80-Game Cartridge Holders Storage Case. Whatever you choose, you're sure to find value and peace of mind in having your games all in one place.

vanjunn game card case

03/22/2022

Game Storage Case for 24 Nintendo Switch Games + 24 Micro SD Cards
👉 Holds up to 24 game cards and 24 micro SD cards
👉 Soft silicone lining
🌟Looking-for 50 testers to help get-it-free and help-test it🌟
We are committed to constantly upgrading and improving the clear case for Switch Series

03/22/2022

Crystal Dockable Clear Case for Nintendo Switch OLED
👉 Dockable with case
👉 Clear & Light & Slim
👉 Keep the original color for your Switch OLED
Perhaps it would be a good case for you!

03/18/2022

Crystal Dockable Clear Case for Nintendo Switch OLED
👉 Dockable with case
👉 Clear & Light & Slim
🌟Looking-for 50 testers to help get-it-free and help-test it🌟

We are committed to constantly upgrading and improving the clear case for Switch Series

03/15/2022

Crystal Dockable Clear Case for Nintendo Switch OLED
👉 Dockable with case
👉 Clear & Light & Slim
👉 Keep the original color for your Switch OLED

🌟Looking-for 50 testers to help get-it-free and help-testing it🌟
We are committed to constantly upgrading and improving the clear case for Switch Series

03/14/2022

Crystal Dockable Clear Case for Nintendo Switch OLED
👉 Dockable with case
👉 Clear & Light & Slim
👉 Keep the original color for your Switch OLED
We are committed to constantly upgrading and improving the clear case for Switch Series

03/09/2022

Best Nintendo Switch accessories 2022: Options for every type of gamer

When the Nintendo Switch originally launched in 2017 it created an entirely new type of console. Combining the portability and relatively low cost of Nintendo DS with the big-screen, living room console experience of competitors from the Playstation and Xbox lines, the Switch introduced a whole new lineup of hybrid use cases that would have previously required multiple consoles to fulfill.

This versatility also spawned a bevy of new accessory categories, with peripheral makers rushing to fulfill every possible need a switch user could have. In addition to the traditional lineup of controllers and headsets, the Switch also spawned innumerable travel cases, stands, licensed memory cards, and some true oddities unlike anything seen before in the tech world.

Although the variety of add-ons makes this an excellent time for users looking to customize their Switch for their particular use case and aesthetic tastes, it can be a daunting task to find which options in the sea of possibilities will work best for that particular user without wasting a lot of money. This buying guide is designed to help every type of Switch user, from the kid receiving their first console to the dedicated Smash Bros. pro, choose the best, most cost-effective accessories for them.

Controllers
Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
A pricey, first party option
Nintendo has consistently shown itself to be a company capable of producing good, solid first-party peripherals, and that reputation shows in the Switch Pro Controller. This gamepad provides all of the same functionality as using the included Joy-Cons, complete with support for reading Amiibo figures and cards, Nintendo's proprietary HD Rumble tactile feedback, and motion controls (where supported). Better yet, all of this comes in a shell that's more than tough enough to hold up to any abuses younger gamers -- and their older, angrier counterparts -- are likely to put it through.

Unfortunately, the Switch Pro controller has been hard to get one's hands on, literally, since day one. Frequent sellouts, attempts at price gouging by resellers, and a general lack of ready availability have driven impatient buyers to opt for third-party offerings instead. Others have gone the same third-party route in search of retro designs, additional buttons, or different charging options, all of which can be found in the alternatives listed below.

If you have the patience, the budget, and the lack of any desire for unusual button or shell configurations, the Switch Pro Controller is the clear winner for the overall best option. That said, Switch owners are at no lack of more budget-friendly and varied options that can suit their personal needs just as well, or better.

Pros:

Only licensed controller with both Amiibo and HD Rumble support
Long-wearing internal battery
Excellent build quality
Cons:

Pricey
Often hard to find in stock, especially during holiday seasons
Limited color options

PowerA Enhanced Wireless Controller
Budget-friendly
When it became clear shortly after the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller launched that it would be a hard item to acquire, many users quickly turned to the PowerA as a viable alternative. The unit closely mirrors Nintendo's own crack at a standalone gamepad, adding two extra, programmable buttons to the rear to allow users to configure quick access to in-game functions of their choice. Better yet, all of this comes in at a price point that is $15-$20 less than the Switch Pro Controller.

Of course, this reduced price does come with some compromises. First, the PowerA Enhanced controller does not include Amiibo support, nor does it provide HD Rumble support for games that include Nintendo's immersive tactile feedback function. While this may be a dealbreaker for some Switch owners, there's a large cohort of them that likely couldn't care less about either of these absences.

The PowerA Enhanced series also offers something the Switch Pro Controller does not -- ample aesthetic options. A huge variety of opaque and translucent colors is joined by franchise-themed versions covering everything from Doom and Apex Legends to Pokemon and Zelda. Of course, this has no impact on their functionality, but it might make you feel a little cooler when you show up to a friend's house representing your favorite game series.

Pros:

Cheaper
Full Support for motion controls
Massive number of available color and design options
Nano version available for smaller hands
Two extra programmable buttons in the rear
Cons

No Amiibo or HD Rumble support
Not quite as well built as Nintendo Switch Pro Controller

8BitDo Pro Controller
Versatile option for retro and mobile gamers
8BitDo may not be a household name in the gaming peripheral market, but the company has made a quickly-growing name for itself. One of their best-known offerings, the SN30 Pro line, supports not only the Nintendo Switch, but also Windows, MacOS, Android, Steam, and even Raspberry Pi.

Its ability to work with Raspberry Pi units has earned the SN30 Pro a massive following among tinkerers that have modified the cheap, diminutive DIY computers to create highly-capable retro gaming consoles. For Switch owners, the gamepad is an ideal option for its extensive library of Switch Online and retro titles available from the NES and SNES. Although Joy-Cons run these games just fine, its close resemblance to the original SNES controller provides that extra bit of immersion and nostalgia for gamers of a certain age.

8BitDO knows that nostalgia is at the heart of its success and has released retro-themed versions of the controller, including models with original SNES colors, Super Famicom variants, and even a colorway based on the original PlayStation.

Pros:

Usable across numerous gaming platforms
Full support for motion controls
Authentic feel and button layout for retro titles
Programmable shoulder and face buttons
Cons:

No Amiibo or HD Rumble support
Button layout may not be ideal for newer titles

GameCube Controller Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Edition
Niche offering for competitive Smash pros and GameCube lovers
gamecube-super-smash-bros-ultimate-edition.jpgAmazon
Nintendo's Super Smash Bros. franchise is one of the best-known fighting games in the world. It continues to draw a rabid following from fans old enough to have played the N64 original all the way up to those who first experienced the series via its latest entry, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for the Nintendo Switch.

A large portion of the Smash Bros. community swears by the original GameCube controller as the best, if not only, way to play the game right, despite the number of consoles it has appeared on. Nintendo caught on to his and decided to create a perfect replica of the original gamepad with a new USB-C connector.

Sure, this means sacrificing wireless connectivity and modern rumble feedback, as well as going back to what many considered a very odd controller layout. But, for the devotees that swear by that unusual form factor, the GameCube Controller Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Edition provides an excellent option.

Pros:

Pixel-perfect replica of the original, from its original creator
Authentic feel and button layout
Reduced latency due to wired connectivity
Cons:

No Amiibo or HD Rumble support
Wired connectivity with all its inherent tripping hazards
Pricey compared to non-licensed options

How did we choose these products?
Switch owners are the most diverse group of console gamers there is. Everyone from youngsters plowing through their first Mario Kart races, to Smash Bros veterans that have been playing since the N64, to casual gamers that just want to relax on their Animal Crossing islands all play on the same hardware. Because of this, the way that each of these owners customizes their own personal switch can vary greatly. However, a few things hold true for all of them and were integral to informing the selections made for this list.

First, the products chosen here have all received praise from both professionals and private users alike. Second, each product was pitted against its competitors to assess the best mix of features and value. Lastly, all of the items all fulfill a specific, practical need that most Switch users will likely run into during their ownership.

Are licensed accessories really worth it?
As annoying as this answer can be, the truth is: it depends. Official Nintendo licensing provides an extra layer of assurance that you're using a product that isn't likely to damage your switch or run into compatibility issues. That said, paying an extra 25-50% for the exact same MicroSD card because it has a Zelda logo printed on the outside is probably not a good idea for anyone but the most rabid Nintendo collector.

Can I just use the USB-C cord from my phone/tablet/laptop?
USB-C has become such a dominant protocol because of the versatility of the connector and the wide range of data and power it can deliver. Because of that, yes, most USB-C cables will work to charge the Switch. However, as with any mobile device, it is important to use undamaged, good-quality cables to avoid potentially harming an expensive console by cheaping out on a unsafe or frayed cable.

Can I charge the switch with (insert random power supply here)?
This is a less clearcut answer. Although it is highly unlikely that the switch will be damaged by being plugged into a third-party charger of good quality (thanks to the power delivery regulations of the USB-C protocol), it is not impossible. The most likely "bad" outcome is that the console will charge slowly or not at all. However, it is still best to confirm with a manufacturer, or at least an existing owner of the charging device, that it provides a good charging experience for Switch consoles.

05/10/2021

A Special Dockable clear case for Nintendo Switch
👉 Dockable with case
👉 Clear & Light & Slim
👉 Keep the original color for your Switch
We are committed to constantly upgrading and improving the clear case for Switch.

04/17/2021

04/15/2021

Nintendo Switch vs. PlayStation 4 vs. Xbox One:
---Top Game Consoles Duke It Out

Welcome to the eighth game console generation. The rise of 4K gaming. The remarkable arrival of the hybrid console-handheld. It's been several years since the Microsoft Xbox One and the Sony PlayStation 4 came out, with both systems getting more powerful variants partway through their life cycles. If that isn't enough, the newer Nintendo Switch has established itself as a retail powerhouse (even if it isn't a graphical powerhouse), with the ability to play connected to a TV like a home console or on the go like a handheld. Let's see how these systems compare against each other.

1) Price

$300 is the magic number for game consoles, it seems. All current baseline iterations of the three major systems are available at that price, including the redesigned PlayStation 4 Slim, the Xbox One S (which has replaced the larger Xbox One while adding 4K video output but not 4K graphics), and the Nintendo Switch.

Stepping up to 4K gaming requires paying a premium, however. The PS4 Pro tacks an extra $100 onto the price, while the Xbox One X adds $200. That means 4K gaming and enhanced PlayStation VR performance on the PlayStation 4 (recommended for the excellent Tetris Effect) will cost you $400, while experiencing Forza Horizon 4 in 4K on the Xbox One will run $500.

Winner: Tie, all non-4K systems (PS4 Pro for 4K)

2) Graphics

Arguing about technical specifications for game systems is silly, because different architectures and operating systems, along with a lack of consistent benchmarking across them, makes direct hardware comparisons moot. Game performance and graphical capability is what matters, and at that the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One are neck-and-neck. Some games will run slightly better on one, other games slightly better on the other, but both are similar enough that you won't find huge differences between them.

The big change in performance didn't come at the start of this console generation, but halfway through it. Both Sony and Microsoft released enhanced, 4K-capable versions of their game systems: the aforementioned PS4 Pro and Xbox One X. They're significantly more powerful than the original models, capable of reaching up to 4K resolution with high dynamic range (HDR) graphics. Notice I say "up to," because not all games will hit 4K even if you have a 4K TV, and often you'll see a bump in rendered resolution to somewhere between 1080p and 4K, which is then upconverted to 4K before going out to the TV.

Nintendo lags behind its competitors in raw power, but makes up for it in form factor. The Switch is a small tablet rather than a bigger, blocky console, and you can play it on the go with its built-in 720p screen. The compromise comes in a resolution that tops out at 1080p when connected to a TV, and generally poorer performance in terms of frame rate and effects than the PS4 and Xbox One.

Winner: Tie, PS4 Pro and Xbox One X

3) Controls

You need a good gamepad to play games, and both the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 have them. The Xbox One gamepad is a slightly updated version of the Xbox 360 controller, with a more rounded feel and trigger buttons that offer individual force feedback. The DualShock 4, the PS4's gamepad, is a completely overhauled controller that keeps the best parts of the DualShock 3 and fixes the worst. The analog sticks feel better, the triggers are more responsive, and the controller just feels nicer in the hand. It even features a built-in speaker and a potentially useful touchpad in the middle.

The Xbox One gamepad is also excellent, with Bluetooth connectivity and easy compatibility with PCs. The Xbox Design Lab also lets you build your own custom Xbox One controller from a variety of colors and patterns, which Sony doesn't offer.

The Nintendo Switch is a very unique case. It works both as a home console and a handheld, with two Joy-Con controllers that connect wirelessly to the system or snap onto the sides when you want to play on the go. They generally feel very good, though the direction buttons on the left Joy-Con aren't nearly as responsive or comfortable as the more conventional direction pads on the DualShock 4 or Xbox One controllers. The Joy-Cons pack some remarkable technology into their small cases, though, including an infrared camera, an NFC reader for Nintendo's Amiibo figures, and the most precise rumble effect we've seen yet. You can also use the Joy-Cons in a gamepad-like grip, or with one in each hand for an incredibly freeing, comfortable gaming experience.

The Switch also has the advantage of third-party controllers. The PS4 and Xbox One are very dedicated to their first-party gamepads, with only a few third-party wired options available unless you want to shell out a significant amount of money for a SCUF or Evil Controllers product. The Switch features the first-party option of the excellent Switch Pro Controller, which feels very similar to the Xbox One wireless controller, and works with third-party gamepads from 8Bitdo and Hori. The ability to switch out your Joy-Cons for an 8Bitdo SN30 Pro or Switch Pro Controller is a huge boon, along with the sheer flexibility afforded by the Joy-Cons themselves.

Winner: Nintendo Switch

4) Games

The biggest games from third-party publishers like EA and Activision are almost all cross-platform, so it comes down to which exclusives appeal to you more. Games made by Sony will probably only come out on the PS4. Games made by Microsoft will probably only come out on the Xbox One. Of course, Windows 10 availability for nearly all of Microsoft's major releases means that you can play most of the big Xbox One exclusives on your PC if you want, while PS4 exclusives remain solidly PS4-only. It gives Sony an edge, but it doesn't represent an advantage for consumers; exclusivity only limits, and doesn't improve the experience for anyone besides the publisher and manufacturer.

Currently, the PS4 has the better library of exclusives between the two, though this will obviously depend on your taste. Fantastic games like God of War, Spider-Man, and Tetris Effect came out last year on the PS4 (and only the PS4), along with several other excellent console exclusives since launch like Bloodbourne, Horizon: Zero Dawn, and Until Dawn.

And then there's Nintendo, which tends to run almost purely on exclusives. Mario and Link are pure gold, and Super Mario Odyssey and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild are two of the best games in their respective series (Breath of the Wild was also released on the Wii U). Add Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle, and the clever Nintendo Labo sets and you have a lot of Nintendo-only games. The trade-off is fewer current AAA games like Call of Duty (though Bethesda has ported Doom, Skyrim, and Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus to the system).

The Switch has proven to be a boon for third-party publishers and indie developers, too. The ability to play nearly any game in either home console or handheld mode breathes new life into older and smaller titles that were previously limited to TV-based systems. This has resulted in a surge of ports and remakes of classic games from the last few console generations like Bayonetta and Bayonetta 2, Dark Souls, Katamari Damacy, Okami, and Onimusha: Warlords. If that isn't enough, the system has received an explosion of excellent indie games including Dead Cells, Hollow Knight, Night in the Woods, Stardew Valley, and Undertale. It's a fantastic selection for a system that's been around for less than two years (even if we're still waiting for a Switch port of Super Mario Maker).

Winner: Tie, Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4

5) Online Services

Whether you want to play games online or watch Netflix, you need to connect your game system to the internet. The Xbox One uses Xbox Live, and the PlayStation 4 uses the PlayStation Network to access online services. In both cases, you need to purchase the premium subscription plan (Xbox Live Gold for Xbox Live, PS Plus for PlayStation Network) to play games online. Both services cost $9.99 per month or $59.99 per year (the better deal by far), and include additional benefits like free games every month.

Nintendo recently launched its own premium online service, Nintendo Switch Online, which is also now required to play most Switch games online. It doesn't offer nearly as many features on the system as Xbox Live Gold and PS Plus, but at $19.99 for a year it costs a third as much. It also offers free games, with a library of NES titles that expands monthly.

Winner: Tie, all systems

6) Media Features

Both the Xbox One S and the PlayStation 4 can play Blu-ray movies and access a variety of online streaming services like Netflix and Hulu Plus. The Xbox One S goes two extra steps with television integration and Ultra HD Blu-ray playback. An HDMI pass-through lets you run your cable or satellite box through the system, though without a Kinect you'll need a third-party infrared blaster to control it. This incorporates live television through your cable or satellite provider into the Xbox One's menu system.

You can also add over-the-air television with a third-party USB tuner. The OneGuide program guide displays both live television and what content is available on services like Hulu Plus and Machinima, giving you total control over what you watch, and you can even enjoy a split screen view of what's on television while you play your favorite game or browse the web, thanks to the Xbox One's Snap feature. If that isn't enough, the Xbox One S can play Ultra HD Blu-ray discs, which means you can watch 4K HDR movies on physical media. Bizarrely, Sony didn't add this feature to the PS4 Pro.

Nintendo lags far behind here, with currently only Hulu available for streaming video and no streaming music services (though Super Smash Bros. Ultimate does offer a library of 700-plus video game tracks).

Winner: Xbox One

7) Game Capture

The massive popularity of Let's Plays on YouTube and game streaming on Twitch has brought capturing game footage to the mainstream, so both the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 feature built-in capture options. The Kinect lets you record clips just by saying "Xbox, record that," and thanks to the latest update you can easily capture what you're playing just by double-tapping the Xbox button on your gamepad and pressing X or Y to save a screenshot or video clip. You can also snap the Game DVR app to the side of the screen to record up to five minutes of footage on demand.

The PlayStation 4 goes a step further, however, with a dedicated Share button right on the DualShock 4 controller. At any point you can tap it to save the last 15 minutes of gameplay, grab a screenshot of what you're playing, or start streaming live to PSN or Twitch. The longer capture length and more convenient setup makes the PS4 the better system for recording or streaming your games.

The Nintendo Switch has its own dedicated Capture button for grabbing screenshots and video clips, but it isn't as functional as the PlayStation 4's Share button. Not all games support capturing video at all, and there are no live streaming options. Annoyingly, to get any screenshots or video clips off of your Switch, you need to completely shut down the system and remove the microSD card, then put the card in a reader to transfer the files to your computer. Otherwise, you're limited to tweeting your screenshots or putting them on Facebook.

Winner: PlayStation 4

8) Virtual Reality

A few years ago, Sony launched the Playstation VR ($349.99 at Adorama) , a virtual reality headset designed for both the PlayStation 4 and PS4 Pro. We really like it, since it's the least expensive and most comfortable of the big-name tethered VR headsets. The selection of games is also pretty strong for new technology.

Rez Infinite is a must-play, revelatory experience in VR (which is amazing when you consider it's an updated version of a 15-year-old game). Rigs: Mechanized Combat League and Battlezone are both very fun, fully developed VR titles where you control big mechanical weapons. And for a standalone expansion that heavily reuses assets, Until Dawn: Rush of Blood is a surprisingly fun and visually stunning horror rail shooter.

Microsoft has its own VR platform for Windows 10 called Windows Mixed Reality, and Windows PCs can also use the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift headsets. However, none of these work on the Xbox One, and Microsoft hasn't announced any plans to make an Xbox One VR headset.

Nintendo is also currently VR-less, still gun-shy of the technology ever since the ill-conceived Virtual Boy.

Winner: PlayStation 4

9) And the Best Console Is...

By the numbers, the PlayStation 4 has a slight edge over the Nintendo Switch. The PS4 has better game capture features and supports VR, while the Switch has better controller options. Both have fantastic game libraries full of console exclusives, ports, and indie games. The Xbox One only excels in media features, with its Ultra HD Blu-ray support.

Game selections are a matter of taste, though, and the PS4 or Xbox One might have more games that appeal to you personally. There's also the issue of the Switch, while benefitting from portability, not being nearly as powerful as the PS4 and having no 4K option.

My own personal gaming setup involves a PS4 connected to my TV, a Switch that I travel with or use on the couch, and a gaming computer. Consider the different factors and decide which system is right for you. It might even be more than one.

04/12/2021

The Best Nintendo Switch Games for 2021

-The Nintendo Switch has amassed a bountiful crop of high-quality first- and third-party games. These are the best Switch titles, from new releases to well-worn (but still excellent) ports.

The Nintendo Switch is just over three years old and shows no signs of slowing down. Part of the gaming system’s appeal is the unique home-and-away design that lets you play your favorite titles on a big-screen TV when docked or in handheld mode when you're waiting in line at the post office. It's especially convenient for commuters or people with busy lifestyles. There’s now even the cheaper, portable-only Nintendo Switch Lite if you don’t want to bother with a TV at all.

The other huge appeal is the games. The Nintendo Switch saw one of the best first-year libraries in gaming history, and more must-have games are coming out every month. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is an action-RPG that will be spoken about for years to come. Splatoon 2 is a more-than-worthy follow-up to the excellent Wii U original. And Super Mario Odyssey is simply one of the best Mario games ever made.

Critics will likely retort, "You only mentioned first-party games!" Yes, because they're absolutely darling titles. That said, the Switch has gotten plenty of solid second- and third-party games as well, with surprisingly strong ports from both previous and current generations like Bayonetta 2, Diablo III, Doom, Skyrim, and The Witcher 3.

The system is strong with retro and indie games, too. Hamster, a company that specializes in many arcade-to-console ports, has brought loads of SNK's classic Neo Geo titles to the system, such as The King of Fighters '98 and Metal Slug. Nintendo is eking out its own classic pre-NES arcade games, and, though a true Virtual Console is still curiously missing from the system, the Nintendo Switch Online service includes a library of dozens of NES and SNES classics. Meanwhile, indies are extremely well-represented, with games like Cuphead, Hollow Knight, Night in the Woods, Inside, Into the Breach, Slay the Spire, The Missing: J.J. Macfield and the Island of Memories, and Undertale available on the Switch.

In short, even with the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S/X now here, the Nintendo Switch is the most compelling console on the market, and it has plenty of excellent games in its catalog. If you want to experience the Joy-Con life, these games are where you should start. They're all compatible with the Nintendo Switch Lite, too.

For something more specific, here are the best Nintendo Switch games for kids and some overlooked games we think play especially well on the Nintendo Switch Lite.

1) Animal Crossing: New Horizons (for Nintendo Switch)

No game may end up defining 2020 more than Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Nintendo’s adorable life simulator has always had its fans. However, with the real world under lockdown, countless players have flocked to their own virtual islands to find community. Paying a mortgage to a raccoon is a small price to pay for the freedom to relax in your own social life again.

2) ARMS (for Nintendo Switch)

ARMS is Nintendo's newest take on the fighting game genre. It combines cartoonish aesthetics, sci-fi weapons, and arm-stretching boxing into an accessible, offbeat fighter with a lot of variety. It's a polished, fun, competitive game that bears more than a passing visual similarity to Splatoon. Though time will tell if ARMS gains any momentum within the esports scene, the game offers plenty of opportunity to swing fists at your friends.

3) Bayonetta 2 (for Nintendo Switch)

Bayonetta 2 is another fantastic game that launched on the wrong system. Years later its initial release, Bayo 2 still stands as one of the best action games out there, and now that it's been ported from the Wii U to the Switch it can get the attention and devotion it deserves. Tight controls, robust challenge, and plenty of style make this stand out as a pinnacle of action games.

4) Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night (for Nintendo Switch)

If Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night's story of a demonic castle and a lone savior sounds incredibly familiar, it should: the game was spearheaded by Koji Igarashi, the big brain behind many revered Castlevania games. Bloodstained is an excellent Castlevania game in everything but name, hitting the same beats Symphony of the Night, Aria of Sorrow, and Order of Ecclesia did. If you're thirsty for a new, enjoyable Castlevania-like game that calls back to before Lords of Shadow rebooted the series and Mirror of Fate completely failed to capture any of its luster, this is the game for you.

5) Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the NecroDancer (for Nintendo Switch)

Crypt of the NecroDancer was a surprise indie hit in 2015, catching gamers' eyes and ears with its combination of roguelike randomized dungeon exploration with rhythm game beat-keeping. It hit the Nintendo Switch in 2018, and now it's back in a new and much more Nintendo-specific form: Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the NecroDancer, a title that injects rhythm game mechanics into The Legend of Zelda. This Switch game seamlessly combines Zelda and Crypt of the NecroDancer, creating a surprisingly accessible and thoroughly enjoyable experience played to the beat of Zelda's classic and music.

6) Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics (for Nintendo Switch)

Forget fancy new video games. Sometimes you just want to play chess, solitaire, or one of the other virtual vintage games that make up this classic compilation. Not only is this a convenient way to play some of history’s most enduring games with friends, but Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics does a great job educating you on that history, including the fascinating early Hanafuda history of Nintendo itself.

7) Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (for Nintendo Switch)

The Switch has gotten a reputation as a machine for game ports, and there's nothing wrong with that. The Wii U wasn't the massive hit the Wii was, but it still had several excellent games that went underappreciated in their time. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is one of them, a sequel to Donkey Kong Country Returns with even more challenge and variety. The Switch version of this game adds Funky Kong Mode, an easier setting and new playable character (Funky Kong himself) that makes the surprisingly brutal platforming feel a little less punishing.

8) Hades (for Nintendo Switch)

Hades takes the punishing and divisive roguelike genre and masterfully twists it into one of the year's most addictive games. Fighting your way out of the Greek underworld with randomly changing skills and weapons feels incredible. The family drama at the game’s core gives you that extra narrative push to keep going. Plus, everyone is smoking hot.

9) Indivisible (for Nintendo Switch)

While many role-playing games draw their influences from Western folklore, even RPGs made in Japan, Indivisible carves out a unique identity with a fresh Southeast Asian flavor. The 2D animation is exquisite, as we would expect from the developer of Skullgirls. Gameplay is a mix of nonlinear spaces to explore and enemies to defeat in tactical battles. Of the two types of play, the exploration sections impress us more. In these bits you find your way forward by using an axe to fling yourself up walls or by shooting arrows to blind sentries. That's just more satisfying than the frantic messes the fights, caught awkwardly between turn-based and real-time combat, can turn into.

10) Kirby Star Allies (for Nintendo Switch)

Kirby games are always fun. Whether they're the simple platformers like Kirby's Adventure or weirdly gimmicky experiences like Kirby's Dream Course, every first-party experience with Nintendo's pink puff ball has been enjoyable. Kirby Star Allies is no different, with a lighthearted campaign filled with colorful friends and abilities, surprisingly challenging extra modes to unlock, and support for up to four players at once. Get on the Friend Train!

11) The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (for Nintendo Switch)

Hyrule is in danger again, and Link must save it. That's been the theme for nearly every Legend of Zelda game, and it's still the case in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. The series' basic premise and Link/Zelda/Ganon dynamic are present, but nearly everything else is different. The classic Zelda dungeon-exploration structure is replaced by a huge open world that's filled with destructible weapons, monsters, puzzles, and quests. Breath of the Wild's scope is one previously unseen in the Zelda series, and Nintendo executes the adventure-filled world with aplomb.

12) Luigi's Mansion 3 (for Nintendo Switch)

What started as a weirdly specific parody of Ghostbusters and Resident Evil has become of one the finest Mario spin-off adventures. Luigi’s spooky journey throughout a haunted hotel is arguably the most visually stunning game on the Nintendo Switch. Along with sucking up ghosts, you can now slam them (back) to death and shoot plungers to pull apart the scenery. Your greatest, and grossest, tool has to be Gooigi. This slimy green doppelgänger expands your puzzle-solving powers and provides an easy option for younger co-op partners.

13) Lumines Remastered (for Nintendo Switch)

Puyo Puyo Tetris is great for classic, competitive block-dropping, but it's a bit overly perky and anime-ish to really relax to. Lumines Remastered is the ultimate chill-out block-dropper, syncing the mesmerizing pattern matching to dozens of hypnotic electronic and trance tracks. Load it on your Switch, put on your favorite headphones, and space out while you build huge combos.

14) Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle (for Nintendo Switch)

Before Minions, there were Rabbids, Ubisoft's manic, sublingual, noseless horde spawned from Rayman: Raving Rabbids. Then the weird, bug-eyed, rabbit-like creatures caused havoc in their own game series. Now, they're running around Mario's stomping grounds in Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle. This strategy-RPG combines two cartoonish worlds with satisfyingly deep, XCOM-like gameplay for a very fun and strange experience. It's a combination of styles that work much, much better than you'd expect.

15) Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (for Nintendo Switch)

Mario Kart 8 stood out as the best-looking Mario Kart game yet when it came out on the Nintendo Wii U. Instead of making a new Mario Kart for the Nintendo Switch, Nintendo brought Mario Kart 8 to its new game system. In the process, Nintendo threw in both previously released DLC packs and made some few welcome changes to its multiplayer options, justifying the game's full retail price. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the most robust game in the series so far, and with the optional portability of the Switch, it ranks as a must-own title.

16) Mario Tennis Aces (for Nintendo Switch)

You don't need to be a sports fan to enjoy Nintendo sports games. If a sport has "Mario" in front of it, it's probably going to be a fun, very unrealistic romp instead of a serious simulation. Mario Tennis Aces is an exciting tennis game not because of any realistic physics, but because of fast, responsive gameplay and strategic mechanics that make matches feel more like rounds in a fighting game than tennis sets.

17) Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 01 Variety Kit (for Nintendo Switch)

Labo is a weirder concept than the Switch itself. It's based around building cardboard "Toy-Cons" in which you place the Switch's components to let you do new things with them. It's also surprisingly functional, entertaining, and educational. The Nintendo Labo Variety Kit has all of the parts you need to build several different Toy-Cons like a piano and motorcycle handlebars, and walks you through every step of the process. Just building the Toy-Cons is fascinating, but the Toy-Con Garage mode adds surprisingly robust programming options to let you create your own remote-controlled creations.

18) Nintendo Labo: VR Kit (for Nintendo Switch)

It took over 20 years, but Nintendo finally got over its fear of virtual reality after the disastrous Virtual Boy. The Labo VR Kit lets you build your own VR headset that uses the Nintendo Switch and a set of lenses to create a stereoscopic image, and then insert that headset into different Toy-Con controllers to play a variety of games. That's already a ton of fun for $79.99 (or $39.99 for a starter set that only includes one Toy-Con to build instead of five). Add a programming environment on top that lets you create your own 3D games, and you have an impressive package.

19) Pikmin 3 Deluxe (for Nintendo Switch)

Pikmin isn’t the most recognizable Nintendo franchise, but the approachable real-time strategy game carries as much magic as Mario and Zelda. This Wii U port offers more missions and ways to control your army of cute plant creatures. The campaign's local, co-op play opens all kinds of new strategies, too. Veterans of previous Pikmin wars may have seen most of this content before, but Pikmin newcomers should absolutely jump into this tiny, tactical, and tactile world.

20) Pokemon: Let's Go, Eevee! (for Nintendo Switch)

We're so close to getting a completely new, full Pokemon game on a home console for the first time ever. That hasn't happened yet, but with the Switch out the eighth generation of Pokemon being playable on your TV looks inevitable. Until then, Pokemon: Let's Go, Eevee and Pikachu offer a taste of what that might be like. This duo of games remake the first-generation Pokemon Yellow, with bright, colorful HD graphics and a new capture mechanic based on Pokemon Go, as well as plenty of trainer battles and turn-based combat for fans of classic Pokemon.

21) Pokemon Sword (for Nintendo Switch)

Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu and Eevee were a nice warmup, but Pokemon Sword and Shield are the real home console Pokemon games we’ve been looking forward to playing. Travel across big, open landscapes to capture even bigger Pokemon. New expansions packs in 2020 give trainers even more regions to explore and more Pokemon to battle without having to buy a third version. The Pokedex will be complete before you know it.

Each new spaceship you raid is basically a tiny comic book-styled System Shock level with spooky enemies to shoot, machinery to hack, character traits to manage, and equipment to salvage. Use that equipment to construct permanent new weapons and perks that make you eager to start another raid. Our journey across the galaxy stretched on for hours because it’s so easy to say “just one more piece of loot.”