Nearly seven years into its lifecycle, the Nintendo Switch has cemented itself as one of the greatest consoles of all time. While we're still waiting to see when a successor will be officially revealed, there's no denying that Nintendo's hybrid gaming system feels like it is reaching the end of its time. Competitors are showing up and the limits of its hardware are becoming more evident, but if this is the twilight of the console, it's going out with a bang.
We've gathered up the data on the most critically acclaimed games of the year from our sister site Metacritic, and while some games were an obvious inclusion, we also had quite a few surprises when counting the numbers. Traditional role-playing games continue to be a big hit on the Switch, but surprisingly, so are visual-novels, puzzle games, and remasters. One of the key strengths of the Switch is that it's a flexible machine that has an incredibly varied selection of games to enjoy, and this list is just the tip of the iceberg for what's available on it.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Unsurprisingly, a sequel to one of the best Legend of Zelda games of all time quickly shot to the top of the Metacritic charts when it first debuted in May. Tears of the Kingdom improves on the 2017 game while retaining the explorative elements that made it such a smash hit six years ago. Throw in an unparalleled sense of creativity with all the new tools that Link can use, plenty of freedom to use them to their full potential, and awe-inspiring dungeons to dive into, and it's no wonder that Tears of the Kingdom emerged as one of the highest-rated Nintendo games of all time.
Metascore: 96 | Read our The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom review
Metroid Prime Remastered
The mark of a truly great game is that it can be as playable today as it was when it first arrived. Metroid Prime Remastered is proof positive of that statement, as beyond the quality-of-life changes and crisp HD visuals, this is still a revelatory experience that has aged well over the past 20 years. Metroid's first 3D adventure became the stuff of legend when it first landed on the GameCube in 2002, and Metroid Prime Remastered is a fitting time capsule that preserves that magic for new generations.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
There's been no shortage of Mario games over the last couple of years, but it has been a long wait to see Mario lace up his boots for a more traditional 2D adventure. Super Mario Bros. Wonder was worth the wait, as Nintendo's favorite son bounced into the GOTY discussion with a game that is constantly surprising and effortlessly charming. The new Wonder effects are an elephant-sized spanner that shakes up the Super Mario Bros. formula in all the best ways possible, each new stage is a creative wonderland, and online multiplayer adds to the fun in this lovingly crafted adventure.
Metascore: 92 | Read our Super Mario Bros. Wonder review
Xenoblade Chronicles 3: Expansion Pass Wave 4 - Future Redeemed
Future Redeemed is an impressive piece of story-based DLC for Xenoblade Chronicles 3, an essential extra chapter that improves upon the base game and further refines it. It's a victory lap for Monolith Soft's threequel, a meaty extension with its own impressive narrative that helps complete the Xenoblade Chronicles saga and creates a blank canvas for the next chapter in this franchise.
Sea of Stars
Sea of Stars feels right at home on a platform like the Switch, and while you can pick it up on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation, this retro throwback to the golden age of JRPGs is perfect for quick sessions of turn-based combat when you're on the go. It's all the thrill of a bygone era in gaming with a healthy sense of modernity, all tucked into a compact frame of gorgeous pixel art and riveting combat that makes Sea of Stars a standout experience in 2023.
Metascore: 91 | Read our Sea of Stars review
Jack Jeanne
If you'd guessed that an Otome rhythm game on the Switch would be one of the most critically acclaimed titles of the year, then we'd really like you to pick some lottery numbers for us. Jack Jeanne is a visual-novel delight, an engaging game about rhythm and emotional storytelling that combine to create a compelling experience on the Switch. Basically, if you're in the mood for drama, performing arts, and some handsome dudes, you can't go wrong with this game.
The Making of Karateka
To paraphrase Maxwell Lord, video game remakes are good but they can be better. The Making of Karateka is a terrific step forward for the genre of video game preservation, a step down memory lane that is informative, entertaining, and educational. Digital Eclipse has created the definitive time capsule for a highly influential game that'll be enjoyed for years to come, and we can't wait to see what the studio does next with this new stab of interactive video game history lessons.
Persona 4 Golden
While some of its gameplay--and some other story elements--remain dated, Persona 4 Golden still remains a highlight of the Atlus franchise when all of its engrossing RPG systems start to shine. Some of the rough edges from the initial PS2 release might be present here, but with a ton of "Golden" tweaks pulled from the superb PS Vita version and ported over to the Switch, Persona 4 still remains a goldmine of intriguing characters, timeless aesthetics, and a gripping narrative.
Metascore: 90 | Read our Persona 4 Golden review
Vampire Survivors
One of the best games of 2022 finally made its way to the Switch this year, bringing with it an intoxicating blend of way too many enemies, devastating weapon combos, and the ultimate bullet-hell power fantasy. Still as satisfying and as rewarding as ever, Vampire Survivors is the most gaming fun that you can have with a single finger.
Theatrhythm Final Bar Line
The Final Fantasy soundtrack library is the stuff of legend, hundreds upon hundreds of songs and themes that deserve to be celebrated. Or at the very least, compiled into one ultimate symphony of rhythmic action headlined by the cutest recreations of beloved characters. Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is more than a tribute act to the audio history of the franchise, it's a love-letter to the sounds that defined Final Fantasy and a fitting finale for a game series before the final curtain drops.
Metascore: 87 | Read our Theatrhythm Final Bar Line review
Pikmin 4
Pikmin 4 is a surprisingly slow burn of a game, but once it gets going, this marvel of adorable strategy and using your bipedal resources to their full potential is a cozy treat. A decade has passed between Pikmin games, and fittingly, this fourth chapter is perhaps the best entry-point into the series. It's an oddball odyssey with a gentle learning curve and no shortage of goals to achieve, a sublime strategy game filled with some of the best dungeons in the series and fun tasks to tackle.
Metascore: 87 | Read our Pikmin 4 review
Dave the Diver
A wholesome look at what lies beneath the waters, Dave the Diver is full of fun and heart as you plumb the ocean depths for fresh delicacies. Scavenge for supplies during the day, run a sushi shop at night, and prepare for an adventure of a lifetime in one of the biggest surprises of 2023. There's hours of fun to be had in this novel mix of fishing and restaurant-management, as this game generously gives back to you with a fresh catch of new ideas as you spend more time inside of it and search for the treasures of the deep.
Star Ocean: The Second Story R
In a year full of excellent RPGs, Star Ocean The Second Story R stands out as a nostalgic blast from the past done right. A remake built from the ground up and loaded with modern touches, Star Ocean: The Second Story R still plays like a grand fantasy game but with tweaks that make it more action-packed. Fast-paced and able to instantly grab your attention with its distinct art direction, this resurrection of a Star Ocean classic is one of the best RPGs of the year.
Metascore: 87 | Read our Star Ocean The Second Story R review
Anonymous;Code
The sixth mainline entry in developer Mages Science Adventure series, Anonymous;Code had a long development cycle before it was finally released in Japan in 2022. Fast-forward to 2023, and the game finally headed west, much to the delight of visual-novel players across the globe. Sure, it's a niche genre, but Anonymous;Code is a mind-bending story to explore. It builds on the ideas of previous games in the series, has an emotional rollercoaster weaved between its heady themes, and gorgeous visuals to keep your eyes on the prize.
30xx
Capcom might not have a new Mega Man game in the works, but for now, we'll gladly take a spiritual successor to the Blue Bomber if it captures the spirit of that franchise. Fortunately, 30xx is more than up to the task at hand, tightening up the areas where its predecessor 20xx was found wanting. It has tighter controls, a consistent sense of challenge, and the roguelite structure works pretty well in a game that's confidently reminiscent of classic Mega Man adventures.
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective
2023 has been a fantastic year for remasters and remakes, and you can add Ghost Trick to the pile of digital resurrections. The 2019 DS game struck a chord with its bold art direction and novel puzzle game mechanics, all wrapped up in a short and sweet story that never overstays its welcome. This new version retains all of the original game's charm, looks better than ever with its sharper visuals, and its stunning animation will live rent-free in your head long after you've turned off your Switch.
Metascore: 86 | Read our Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective review
The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure
One for longtime fans of the Trails series, Trails to Azure ends the Crossbell saga with a bang. It's excellently paced, all the action is enhanced by a superb soundtrack, and the high-stakes drama makes this chapter in the franchise stand out. Newcomers will be instantly confused if they choose to make this Trails game their first exposure to the franchise, but for veterans, it's a game that encompasses the best of the series.
A Space for the Unbound
There's a certain joy to bundling yourself up with a blanket and settling in for a night of cozy adventure gaming. On the Switch, A Space For the Unbound is a wonderful game in this genre to consider as you settle into your cocoon, a small adventure full of creative puzzles, charming aesthetics, and a surprisingly somber narrative. It's a gracefully poignant game full of endearing characters, and it leaves a lasting impression on you by the time that the end credits begin to roll.
Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo
You could fill a library with all the visual-novels available on the Switch, and Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo would be another excellent entry for that highly specific collection of text and images. The less you know about the narrative the better, as this tale has more twists than M. Night Shyamalan's entire filmography and incredibly effective moments of horror that'll make you sleep with the lights on.
Wargroove 2
Sure, the long-awaited remaster of the first two Advance War games might have debuted this year, but the spiritual successor to that franchise, Wargroove, was a potentially better entry in the turn-based strategy genre with its new sequel. Chucklefish and Robotality's return to its fantasy-strategy is deeper and more satisfying than ever, refining the first game's killer combo of vibrant visuals and cunning tactics with a more varied selection of maps and a few interesting tweaks on the gameplay.
Metascore: 85 | Read our Wargroove 2 review
Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals
Oxenfree 2 is a horror game for people who'd prefer to have their heart rate remain steady. This walk-and-talk thriller excels at making you feel uneasy, as its haunting atmosphere, phantasms infecting the radio airwaves, and cosmic-level existential crisis make for a compelling story to experience. It's a more mature sequel, full of razor-sharp writing and surprises that'll knock you off your feet when you aren't admiring its lo-fi visuals.
Metascore: 84 | Read our Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals review
Octopath Traveler 2
Octopath Traveler 2 improves on the original HD-2D game in myriad ways, finding that essence of greatness that barely eluded its predecessor. It's both a tighter and expanded game, confidently polishing the aspects of its design that fans fell in love with all those years ago and improving on other troublesome areas. It's a typical "bigger is better" sequel, but in the case of Octopath Traveler 2, that approach works wonders for this marvel of old-school RPG fun.
Metascore: 84 | Read our Octopath Traveler 2 review
Dredge
Who could have guessed that there would be two charming nautical-themed games this year earning rave reviews? While Dave the Diver is a wholesome game, Dredge focuses more on atmospheric dread as you steer a small boat across rough waters. There's terror in the isolation of the murky depths, a satisfying upgrade loop as you outfit your trawler with better gear, and a slight nudge to get out of your comfort zone in this eerie voyage.
Metascore: 84 | Read our Dredge review
Chants of Sennaar
One for lovers of linguistics and the riddles associated with deciphering forgotten languages, Chants of Sennaar is a unique exploration of the spoken word. It's also a captivating game thanks to its imaginative puzzle design and how it builds on the myth of the Tower of Babel. It doesn't hold your hand and there are times where its enigmas can feel obtuse, but once you crack the common themes of communication, it becomes a captivating examination of human connections.
Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster: FF35th Anniversary Edition
The debate over which platform is the best to play any of the first six Final Fantasy mainline entries on is one that will rage on for years, but there's no denying that this 35th-anniversary release of those RPG classics is the most convenient of the lot. All of those groundbreaking games are collected in one single package, a treasure trove of swords and sorcery that defined a generation of gaming. There's even a much-improved choice of font in this game alongside some thoughtful tweaks, making it a fun return to the formative years of the franchise.
Fuga: Melodies of Steel 2
The original Fuga is a heartbreaking game about mechs and tactical turn-based combat, and if you played it, you owe it to yourself to pick up this excellent sequel. Building on that game's foundation, Fuga: Melodies of Steel 2 refines the strategy and sacrifice mechanics of its predecessor to deliver a stronger and more confident sequel. Not only an improved game for fans of the original title, Fuga: Melodies of Steel 2 is also a great entry-point for anyone looking to give this series a bash.
Blasphemous 2
The first Blasphemous game was a sinister and moody Souls-like, packed full of riveting gameplay and decadently dark design. It wasn't perfect, but it showed potential to be better. Blasphemous 2 seized that opportunity to build a more action-packed game, doubling down on the inquisitorial action and fleshing out the world of Cvstodia with brand-new challenges for The Penitent One to tackle. A bigger and bolder sequel, Blasphemous 2 is a terrific mix of gritty gameplay and metroidvania exploration, a game that finds its stride and confidently struts into view with even more satisfying combat and thoughtful upgrades.
Metascore: 84 | Read our Blasphemous 2 review
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