I didn't buy a Switch when it initially came out. I had already owned Breath of the Wild on the Wii U and wasn't interested in the other launch titles. The library of games has grown so much though that I finally broke down and bought one, and I can't say I'm disappointed. The games I have played have been a lot of fun and I have enjoyed how the Switch operates. It's very different from the other Nintendo consoles I have owned in the past and the portability is a huge plus. Below are some games I have played that I highly recommend.
Stardew Valley is a farming game with a little extra to help keep the player involved. The player inherits a farm from their grandfather with the intent of fixing it up and building their dream farm. Alternatively, though, the player can go an entirely different route. While farming is the main goal of the game and ultimately makes the most money, the player can opt to not farm all together. There are mines to explore where the player can fight different monsters, fishing, and different objectives and tasks for the player to complete. You can also befriend members of the local community, which is recommended to receive items from them, and have the option of marrying one of them. Many players will spend their time focusing solely on one thing and ignoring the rest. The game has all 4 seasons, with each one lasting 28 days. Some crops and fish can only be grown or caught in certain seasons so the player must plan when they can complete certain tasks. It was developed by Eric Barone, aka ConcernedApe, and is also available on PC, PS4, Xbox One, IOS, and Android.
This compilation of games was the main reason why I bought my switch. Super Mario Sunshine was the main Mario game I played as a kid after Super Mario World for the SNES. This is a compilation of the earlier 3D Mario games, Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and Super Mario Galaxy. It’s the perfect tool to delve into some good old-fashioned nostalgia or play a Mario game you may have missed. This compilation was the first time I had ever played Mario 64 and understood the hype surrounding it. I was also able to revisit Mario Galaxy, which was another Mario game that I played. It’s easy to access the different games, as you just pick one on the main menu and you can switch back and forth whenever you want. Something that I noticed, while playing Mario Sunshine, was that my hands still seemed to have the muscle memory of playing the game originally on the GameCube. This made playing a little challenging at first but after a while you get used to the controls.
I recently started playing this game and was sucked in fast. It’s centered around Greek Mythology as the main character, a mortal named Fenyx, wakes up from a shipwreck to discover that their brother and shipmates were all turned to stone. In their quest to save them, they learn that the myths are real and the Greek Gods do exist, but they also need help. A villain named Typhon has stolen the essences of Athena, Aphrodite, Ares, and Hephaistos, thus weakening them, and altering their appearance. The player must free their essences and restore them back to their godly form. Zeus goes to Prometheus for help who sets a wager that if a mortal can defeat Typhon, then he will be freed from his imprisonment. The game is told in an almost story-like way, with Prometheus narrating parts of the story and some humorous dialogue between him and Zeus. There are various puzzles and tasks for the player to complete to help increase stamina and other stats. Fenyx is also customizable, and their appearance can be changed at any point in the game. The game gave me strong Breath of the Wild vibes with how the player navigates the world and the puzzles that are completed reminded me of the shrines. Developed by Ubisoft, this game is also available on both PS4 and PS5, PC, and Xbox One, and Xbox series X and S.
I played this game with my family a few months ago and had a lot of fun. It follows the rules of golf at its core but has a few different game modes that the player can do. Players can also just do a typical game of gold where they play the holes. You can decide how many holes you play, and depending on the amount of people playing will determine how long the game lasts.
Want a game that's more of a challenge? Check out Michael's blog post on Elden Ring! You can also view other Switch games available through out catalog.