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The best Switch eShop games you should buy today
Nintendo has a lot of classic games that always sell really well for them. Read: Mario titles, Animal Crossing, Pokémon, etc. What you might not know is that there are a ton of games on the Nintendo Switch eShop that are 1) less expensive, 2) super fun, and 3) easily downloadable. Check out the best Switch eShop games that you can download right now.
Learn more about the Switch in our extensive buyer’s guide.
The best Switch eShop games:
Hollow Knight
Hollow Knight is easily one of the best video games I’ve ever had the pleasure of playing. And tons of other players feel the same way. So of course it had to make it on this list of best Switch eShop games.
This is a 2D action-adventure game with a story that will grip you from the beginning. The lore behind this game makes it truly something special. Then, on top of a great story, there are awesome (and difficult) boss battles that will truly test your skills.
Stardew Valley
On the surface, Stardew Valley might seem like just another farming simulator. After playing for a while, you’ll realize it offers so much more than that.
You inherit your grandfather’s farm and have to make it profitable, so there is a huge farming aspect to the game. But if you don’t want to farm, you don’t have to. And you can still have tons of fun.
Related: The best Stardew Valley farm layouts: Sow the seeds of victory
You can build relationships with other characters in the game, marry someone, and even have kids. Explore the mines all the way to the bottom to fight monsters and find some nifty rewards. Or, you can spend all your time decorating and organizing your farm from head to toe to make it look beautiful. You can spend countless hours in this game, so at $14.99, it’s an absolute steal.
Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition
Ori and the Blind Forest is a spectacular video game. This game, as well as its sequel Ori and the Will of the Wisps, is a platform-adventure Metroidvania. Aside from the gorgeous hand-painted artwork you see, the story you experience will leave you breathless.
Check out: The best Nintendo Switch accessories, from controllers to cases and more
In this game, you play as Ori, a young orphan who has to take on unthinkable tasks. One of those tasks includes saving the whole dying forest of Nibel. Along the way, you’ll be gripped by the nearly flawless gameplay and beautiful story.
Fortnite Battle Royale
Fornite really needs no introduction. Ever since it was released, it’s been one of the most talked about, most hyped, and most played games. It’s completely free to play, which is one of many things that makes it such an appetizing pick on the Switch eShop.
Read also: The best free Nintendo Switch games (that’s right, totally free!)
If you haven’t heard of Fortnite, it’s a battle royale-type game. Your mission is to be the last one standing in a game of 100 other people. You can utilize your surroundings, your weapons, and your strategies to help you survive the longest. There are constantly new characters and abilities being added, along with special events.
Cat Quest I and II
The two games in the Cat Quest series are adorable 2D open-world RPGs in which you play as a cat. (In the second one, you can play as a dog too.) There are pretty hilarious story quests to embark on and a whole slew of cat puns. This is a short game to finish, so if you’re looking for a weekend or vacation game, this is an easy one to knock out.
You can use various magical powers to fight off enemies and protect yourself. The powers between Cat Quest I and II vary, but the combat style is the same. Personally, I like the story of the first Cat Quest game, but I enjoyed the second one as well.
Golf Story
Even if you find golf boring or you just don’t like it, I’d still give this game a try. While there is golf involved in this game, the heart of the game is in its story.
You play as a golfer who has one more shot at going after his dreams. In addition to perfecting your golf game, you have to stay on top of lots of other things like relationships, secrets, and other challenges. There are 8 different environments to explore, each with its own unique set of challenges.
Ages of Mages: The Last Keeper
Ages of Mages is one of the best multiplayer games you can download from the Switch eShop. It’s best described as a third-person shooter beat ’em up game. Swarms of enemies come at you and other players, and you have to kill them all before they kill you.
Read also: The best multiplayer Switch games to play with your friends
You can choose from four different wizards to play as, each of which has its own unique powers and abilities. The more you play, the more you can upgrade your abilities and slay enemies effortlessly. There is a lot of content to get through, even with four players helping speed things up; if you finish the main game though, there are always the dungeons to go back to. Dungeons are randomly generated, so you won’t always get the same one.
Puyo Puyo Tetris
Puyo Puyo Tetris is a beautiful mash-up of the game Tetris and Puyo Puyo from SEGA. You can play this game by yourself, but the real fun happens when you’re playing with other people.
When playing with local players, you can have up to four people play at one time. The Multiplayer Arcade has tons of different modes to keep everyone interested. One of my favorites is Big Bang mode, where players have to compete against each other and see who can complete the challenge boards as quickly as possible.
When playing online, you can play in any of the multiplayer modes that you can play in the Multiplayer Arcade. Or you can also participate in the Puzzle League and work towards upping your rating and earning ranks. And there’s also Free Play, where you can customize each match’s settings to fit how you want to play and then either play with random players or with friends.
A Short Hike
If you’re looking for a super inexpensive – but great, of course – game on the Switch eShop, look no further than A Short Hike. In this game, you hike up a mountain.
Okay, well there’s more to it than that. You do hike up a mountain, but along the way, you can fish, swim, collect treasures, and even interact with other hikers and sometimes do side quests for them. The music in this game is something special and makes the overall gaming experience more pleasant.
Untitled Goose Game
Untitled Goose Game was a huge hit when it first released in 2019, and it’s still a hit now. Surely everyone in their life has either had a bad experience with a goose or knows someone who has. That’s where the idea behind this game came from.
You play as a goose who just loves to mess up people’s days. You can play pranks on people, antagonize people, steal things, honk at people, and overall just ruin everyone’s days. This is a great game to unwind with if you’ve had a stressful day and you just want to take out your anger on virtual people via a goose.
Celeste
Celeste is an unbelievably difficult game, but it’s so rewarding. You play as Madeline (or whatever you choose to name her) as she climbs up Celeste Mountain. Of course, the climb to the top is hard physically, but Madeline also struggles to face her inner demons along the way.
The story of this game is beautiful, and the platforming challenges are infuriatingly addictive. There are 8 chapters to play and over 700 screens of platforming challenges. Not to mention, the music is amazing. Celeste’s soundtrack is one that you just want to play on repeat when you’re trying to study or relax.
Night in the Woods
Night in the Woods is a uniquely animated adventure game. It’s a single-player game that will keep your attention for hours with a rich story and characters. This game focuses a lot on exploration of the world and the main character’s story.
At $19.99, it’s a bit more expensive than other indie games available on the Switch eShop store, but it’s worth it. It’ll make you feel all the feels.
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