BEST OFFLINE NINTENDO SWITCH GAMES

The Nintendo Switch is a handy and innovative little system that allows players to take their games with them everywhere they go. As such, many of the games that have been released for the Switch have been specifically designed so that they don't require an internet connection in order to be enjoyed.

While video games have become largely focused on internet connectivity in the past decade, offline, single-player games are just as important to have available on a console's library. Not everyone has access to high-speed internet, but that should not be an issue when it comes to the best offline Switch games.

Updated May 12, 2024 by Mark Sammut: Nintendo fans have a few offline Switch games to look forward to over the next few months. Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door and Luigi's Mansion 2 are both making their long-awaited comebacks, while Tchia will be coming to the console. Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance should be the definitive edition of Atlus' fantastic JRPG, and it will be launching on the same day as Monster Hunter Stories. While waiting for these releases, players can check out the console's other standout single-player games.

The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom

Metascore: 96

In 2023, the Switch had long stretches were not a lot was really happening. That said, a decent release was never too far away Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe and Advance Wars 1 + 2: Re-Boot Camp were both good-to-great remakes, while Fire Emblem Engage was another confident strategy RPG in a franchise packed to the brim with them. At this point in its life, the Switch does not need system sellers, and these titles suffice as solid additions to an already vast library.

However, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is another beast entirely. Breath of the Wild's sequel somehow does the impossible and arguably improves upon what many consider to be the best single-player Switch game, even though it cannot hope to feel as groundbreaking as its predecessor. TOTK finds Link going on another expansive journey across Hyrule, this time in search of the missing Zelda. Furthermore, he also needs to explore floating islands and a massive underground world. Gameplay-wise, the 2023 release fundamentally feels the same as BOTW, just with a few new mechanics such as a fuse system that rewards creativity.

Metroid Dread

Metascore: 88

Like many of the other all-time greats of gaming, the Metroid series has suffered long spells on the sidelines since first breaking onto the scene more than three and a half decades ago. When it does rear its helmet-covered head though, fans can generally expect a fantastic experience, whether that be in two dimensions or three. Metroid Dread is an example of the former, and, depending on who one asks, possibly the best 2D Metroid game of all time.

Other than the ill-fated spin-off game, Metroid Prime: Federation Force, the franchise has always been geared towards a single-player experience, and that is once again the case with Dread. Players couldn't play the game with a friend or loved one even if they wanted to, which actually plays into some of its core themes quite nicely. At its core, Dread is a game that seeks to invoke feelings of isolation, and the single-player setting works incredibly well in that respect.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3

Metascore: 89

Any of the Xenoblade Chronicles JRPGs rank among the best offline switch games, but the 2022 entry gets the nod due to recency bias and the fact it is more accessible than the second entry. Xenoblade Chronicles 3 introduces a world defined by a seemingly eternal conflict between two nations, both of which utilize young soldiers who are expected to die within a decade. Due to a strange turn of events, two squads who were once enemies find themselves having to work together.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 offers potentially more than a hundred hours of content, and a significant portion of that playtime revolves around the main storyline. The combat gradually expands as the campaign progresses, adding mechanic upon mechanic to create a complex and satisfying system.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder

Metascore: 90

While not devoid of representation, the Switch does not have all that many traditional Mario projects. Consequently, Super Mario Bros. Wonder filled a genuine void that had been present for most of the console's lifespan, and the side-scrolling platformer is far from a retread of former glories. Boasting a gorgeous visual style and an array of new power-ups and gimmicks, Wonder lives up to its name by radiating creativity and imagination throughout most stages. It is arguably the best 2D Mario outing in decades.

Now, the game's marketing emphasizes its multiplayer quite a bit, and playing with friends certainly brings a unique charm to the campaign. However, Super Mario Bros. Wonder works flawlessly as a single-player package, as do most mainline entries in Nintendo's legendary franchise.

Super Mario Odyssey

Metascore: 97

Though there are a few online functions attached to Super Mario Odyssey - most notably the time trial-inspired, Luigi's Balloon World - the crux of the experience is centered around classic single-player action. It is technically possible to play with a second person controlling Cappy, although this is more of a gimmick than anything else.

The game itself features an array of vibrant sandbox kingdoms for Mario to explore with his brand-new capture ability, which allows him to take control of enemies and other characters that would usually be NPCs. There's a ton to do in every single kingdom, players can easily spend well over 100 hours in the game.

Pikmin 4

Metascore: 87

Nintendo took its time with Pikmin 4, and that patience paid off. The sequel builds beautifully on its predecessors' brilliant foundations, crafting arguably the most enjoyable entry in the series so far. As always, players must navigate an alien planet while leading Pikmin, small entities that come in a wide range of colors signaling their unique powers and uses.

While the core experience is not far removed from Pikmin 3, the 2023 release fine-tunes enough elements to feel like its own beast, all the while adding a few neat mechanics that largely complement the central gameplay loop. Visually, Pikmin 4 is among the best looking games on the Switch.

Persona 5 Royal

Metascore: 94

After existing as a PlayStation exclusive for a couple of years, Persona 5 Royal is now available across a spectrum of platforms, including the Nintendo Switch. Combining dungeon crawling with turn-based combat and social sim sections, Atlus' JRPG delivers a lengthy and engrossing story alongside enjoyable gameplay.

As the Phantom Thieves, players dive into people's subconsciousness to trigger a change of heart; while inside these mental palaces, the heroes encounter Persona, which they can battle or recruit. P5R is absolutely overflowing with content, making it one of the best single-player Switch games.

Dave The Diver

Metascore: 88

A few months after a successful PC launch, Dave the Diver made its way to the Nintendo Switch, and the imaginative indie game is a natural fit for the hybrid console. Taking notes from multiple genres, Mintrocket crafted an adventure that feels wholly unique, despite sharing similarities with various projects. Dave the Diver puts players in charge of managing a sushi restaurant, which means doing things like hiring employees and ensuring the clients' needs are met. Compared to some other management sims, the 2023 release is not particularly deep, although it makes up for this fact through its memorable characters and story. However, this element is only one-half of Dave the Diver's routine.

During the day, players must explore a transformative ocean to catch fish that can be served at the restaurant at night. These hunting sections make up the bulk of the campaign, and they are a blast to play through. They are also strategic since players can only carry one weapon, and their options all have pros and cons.

Kirby And The Forgotten Land

Metascore: 85

Kirby and the Forgotten Land drops HAL's iconic mascot in his first proper 3D adventure, and it was worth the wait. Living the isekai dream, Kirby is sent flying to another world, one filled with the broken remnants of a bygone civilization. Naturally, Kirby goes on a wild and colorful adventure as he tries to make his way back home, all the while taking on some impressive threats.

Regardless of whether someone has experienced every Kirby game or is looking for an entry point into the franchise, The Forgotten Land is a must-play Switch title. HAL expertly transitioned the franchise's core concepts to 3D, creating a journey that feels familiar while still offering something fresh.

Hollow Knight

Metascore: 90

Those who have yet to play through Hollow Knight are missing out on one of the best action platformers we've seen in the last decade. The talented Team Cherry put a lot of work into this visually beautiful title and its hard-as-nails gameplay fits well with its dark and doom-stricken aesthetic. People who enjoy the lore of it all can consume an underlying story that's actually quite interesting, while all the characters are a treat to interact with.

Hollow Knight holds no punches and is quite the challenge for those who are unfamiliar with platformers or Metroidvanias. But it's the perfect portable release, a great choice for players who are looking for something fun and engaging while offline.

Hades

Metascore: 93

Another fantastic indie release, Hades is one of the best roguelikes to enter the genre. Like Hollow Knight, it has its moments of difficulty, but dedicated players will find themselves progressing further and further through the game with each subsequent run. Hades has an incredibly addictive combat system going for it, but where it truly shines is in its story and character design.

Aside from the fun of finding new weapons, upgrading skills, and trying to escape the underworld, Zagreus will meet a colorful cast of godly characters that make the world of Hades feel truly alive. There are tons of voice lines and interactions, with players still discovering new NPC lore long after the game was released.

Divinity: Original Sin 2 - Definitive Edition

Metascore: 93

Larian's Baldur's Gate 3 has taken the RPG world by storm, but the 2023 game is not coming to the Nintendo Switch. Fortunately for owners of the latter console, the developer's previous masterpiece, Divinity: Original Sin 2 - Definitive Edition, is available on the hardware, and it is a fantastic overall experience. Even though it might not seem like the best fit for a controller, the game is a surprisingly smooth ride on consoles, and the Switch version runs pretty well for the most part.

Divinity: Original Sin 2 is the complete package, although its challenging combat might put off newcomers to turn-based tactical RPGs. Larian emphasizes player choice, and while someone's decisions might not impact the central questline all that greatly, they have wide ramifications in other parts of the campaign.

Stardew Valley

Metascore: 87

Although there are a lot of exciting games featured on this list, sometimes players simply want to relax. Thankfully, there are a lot of great games available for the Nintendo Switch that are relaxing and pretty therapeutic. Stardew Valley is a fantastic example, and it's filled to the brim with content, allowing players to sink hours upon hours into the unique farming simulator.

There is so much to see and do in Stardew Valley and each aspect of the game should appeal to a specific type of player. Fighting monsters, tending to crops, decorating, crafting, and building NPC relationships are just some of the things that gamers can do in the expansive world of Stardew Valley.

Ori And The Blind Forest

Metascore: 90

Players who enjoy the Metroidvania style of game will definitely want to check out Ori and the Blind Forest. Perhaps one of the most visually stunning releases of the last decade, Ori is a challenging platformer that features a gorgeous visual style that is an absolute treat for the eyes. A touching and heart-wrenching story, the gameplay adds an immense sense of danger to Ori's quest and will keep players enthralled as they try to solve platforming puzzles to progress through each zone.

All tied together by a fantastic soundtrack, Ori and the Blind Forest is one of the best games to have around when players are lacking an Internet connection and want to be engrossed in a truly entertaining single-player experience.

New Pokemon Snap

Metascore: 79

Pokemon Snap surprised quite a few people when it was released for the N64 back in 1999. Gone was the idea of catching Pokemon, with players now expected to capture all the little critters on camera instead. Despite the change in philosophy, however, the game was a huge success, with many players calling for a sequel. More than two decades later, one finally arrived.

New Pokemon Snap builds upon everything that made the original game so great, with more courses, more Pokemon, and some interesting new mechanics to keep things feeling fresh. There are limited online components, but the core mechanics are geared towards single-player action and offer a fun and relaxing time to those willing to check the game out.

Fire Emblem: Three Houses

Metascore: 89

Fire Emblem: Three Houses features a small amount of online content in the form of travelers, but, overall, they're not even close to required to enjoy the game. As with most of the other Fire Emblem games, the real fun can be found in single-player offline gameplay and Three Houses is one of the best examples of this.

Three Houses allows players to complete every single battle at their own pace, explore the monastery, and enjoy their support conversations with other units - all without any online connection. There is a ton of fun to be had with the game, and completing every possible route can take anywhere from 200 to 300 hours.

Bayonetta 3

Metascore: 86

PlatinumGames' Bayonetta 3 was one of the Nintendo Switch's headlining exclusives of 2022. The hack and slash title served as something of a conclusion to the eponymous Umbra Witch's run, although a prequel called Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon was released on March 17, 2023.

Bayonetta 3 is the easiest and most accessible entry in the trilogy, which could be off-putting to long-time fans. That said, the gameplay is fantastic, offering both style and substance. While a bit all over the place, the story is ambitious and has a couple of great moments.

Prince Of Persia: The Lost Crown

Metascore: 88

Despite its announcement garnering a mixed reception, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown proved to be a fantastic addition to Ubisoft's long-running franchise. Instead of a full 3D entry, the 2024 release is a 2.5D Metroidvania that delivers a lengthy campaign, tight controls, and a surprisingly deep combat system. The Lost Crown does not include any multiplayer elements, instead opting to focus on providing a satisfying single-player experience without any distractions.

Now, the game is quite different from most of the other projects in the Prince of Persia IP, and people who grew up with The Sands of Time should not go in expecting something similar. Nevertheless, The Lost Crown captures the spirit of its predecessors.

Unicorn Overlord

Metascore: 88

Vanillaware's reputation speaks for itself. The developer excels in crafting innovative games that seamlessly blend multiple genres, creating an experience unlike anything else on the market. Unicorn Overlord is no exception and an easy recommendation for anyone remotely interested in tactical RPGs. While the game supports multiplayer via an online arena, the campaign can be played offline without any issues, so Switch owners have nothing to worry about if they do not have constant access to the internet.

Narratively, Unicorn Overlord can seem basic at first, with the story following an exiled prince as he tries to lead a rebellion and reclaim his rightful seat on the throne. However, the execution makes it work, and the side quests do a great job of complementing the main missions while providing context and flavor for the kingdom's current status. The combat system is challenging as well, and players who love stats will likely have a blast.

Luigi's Mansion 3

Metascore: 86

The younger brother of the ever-popular Super Mario began his journey through his own independent adventures in the GameCube launch title Luigi's Mansion. Becoming a cult classic for being such an unorthodox game for the Mario franchise, Luigi's Mansion garnered a ton of dedicated fans.

When the series returned on the 3DS with Dark Moon, there was quite a bit of disappointment due to the drastic design and atmosphere changes. While Luigi's Mansion 3 is more similar to Dark Moon than the first, it brought back enough from the series' roots while adding that modern Nintendo polish to create a charmingly spooky experience.

2023-01-10T08:33:21Z dg43tfdfdgfd