10 Near-Perfect Switch Games Nobody Played

Navigating a library as expansive as the Nintendo Switch’s inevitably means several exceptional titles slip through the cracks. Thousands of physical editions sit alongside countless digital-only releases, creating a towering mountain of content. Naturally, not every game appeals to everyone; many players entirely bypass the digital storefront due to overwhelming digital clutter. Even physical releases frequently get lost in the shuffle simply because of the sheer volume flooding the market. Consequently, a wealth of hidden masterpieces remains waiting to be uncovered, particularly among exclusives unavailable on any other platform. Keeping that in mind, here are 10 phenomenal Switch games that tragically flew under the radar.

10

Part Time UFO

Image: HAL Laboratry

Released: October 2020

Crafted by HAL Laboratory—the esteemed developer behind Kirby’s Dream Land and its numerous sequels—Part Time UFO initially launched on mobile platforms before making its way to the Switch with an array of enhanced features and modes. Players pilot an adorable, crane-equipped UFO tasked with odd jobs ranging from hoisting livestock into a farmer’s truck to carefully assembling dinosaur bones inside a museum. It presents a deceptively straightforward puzzle experience backed by surprisingly robust physics that keep every task fresh and amusing. The Switch edition also introduces co-op functionality, allowing a companion to join the mischief and tackle tougher variations of familiar gigs. Since it is no longer available on iOS or Android, the Nintendo Switch version stands as the definitive way to experience it.

9

Astral Chain

PlatinumGames/Nintendo

Released: August 2019

PlatinumGames commands a fiercely loyal fanbase thanks to celebrated masterworks like Bayonetta and NieR: Automata. However, their ventures outside established intellectual properties frequently meet with quiet indifference from the broader gaming public, despite boasting exceptional quality. Astral Chain thrusts players into an elite police task force fighting grotesque invaders within a stunning cyberpunk metropolis, delivering the pulse-pounding, high-octane combat for which the studio is legendary. Backed by Nintendo’s publishing muscle, the game performed quite respectably by crossing the million-sales threshold. Even so, when measured against blockbuster titans like Mario and Zelda, Astral Chain was easily overshadowed. Millions of Switch owners have yet to experience its brilliance—an omission that desperately needs correcting.

8

Demon Throttle

Image: Doinksoft/Special Reserve Games

Released: July 2022

Doinksoft burst onto the scene with 2019’s delightful indie hit Gato Roboto. Following up with Demon Throttle, the studio chose a wonderfully unorthodox release strategy, launching the game strictly as a physical cartridge exclusively for the Nintendo Switch. To this day, it remains completely absent from the Nintendo eShop—both as a standalone purchase and within The Doinksoft Collection—transforming it into an elusive collector’s item that many modern players don’t even know exists. As a game, it channels classic scrolling shooters like Pocky & Rocky, using nostalgic retro graphics and chiptune audio to transport players back to an era of bustling mall arcades and neighborhood cartridge traders.

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7

Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the NecroDancer

Image: Brace Yourself Games/Nintendo

Released: June 2019

Brace Yourself Games captured indie superstardom with Crypt of the NecroDancer, releasing it across nearly every major platform of its generation. With Cadence of Hyrule, however, the developers tailored their vision specifically for the Nintendo Switch. Marrying iconic Zelda styling with rhythmic beat-driven mechanics, the game evokes the classic atmosphere of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past with astonishing fidelity. Adapting to the gameplay takes a moment; old instincts tell you to move freely, but survival requires pacing every step to the musical tempo. Once that rhythm clicks, the experience blossoms into something genuinely magical—arguably standing as the finest Zelda spin-off ever conceived.

6

Shinsekai: Into the Depths

Image: Capcom

Released: March 2020

Initially launched as an Apple Arcade exclusive, Shinsekai: Into the Depths eventually found its way to the Switch thanks to a visionary port by Capcom, immediately captivating anyone willing to dive in. Players must carefully manage dwindling oxygen supplies while exploring the haunting, labyrinthine ruins of long-lost civilizations, aided—sometimes frustratingly—by a rather unhelpful companion robot. Satisfying Metroidvania exploration and mesmerizing oceanic aesthetics make it profoundly immersive, even if traces of its mobile heritage occasionally surface. Look past those minor design quirks, and you’ll find an unforgettable aquatic voyage.

5

Good Job!

Image: Paladin Studios/Nintendo

Released: March 2020

Nintendo occasionally published quirky indie titles throughout the Switch lifecycle, and Good Job!—a surprise drop from the now-defunct Dutch developer Paladin Studios—stands among the absolute best. Set within a vibrant corporate office, the game transforms mundane workplace routines into chaotic, open-ended physics puzzles. Employees are tasked with resolving office obstacles using wildly unconventional (and gleefully destructive) methods that practically beg to be replayed. A drop-in multiplayer mode also invites a friend to help amplify the delightful mayhem. Beneath the bright, colorful presentation and sharp satire targeting corporate nepotism lies a genuinely robust and satisfying puzzle challenge.

4

Vitamin Connection

Image: WayForward

Released: January 2020

Developed by WayForward—the creative minds behind celebrated hits and revivals like Shantae: Half-Genie Hero—Vitamin Connection casts players as Vita-Boy and Mina-Girl on a microscopic mission to eradicate nasty pathogens. Spanning six vibrant, imaginative worlds, the game features ingenious asymmetric cooperative play. While one player holds a Joy-Con vertically to pilot and fire, the other holds theirs horizontally to rotate and aim. Overflowing with endearing artwork and catchy tunes, it stands as a shining example of creative hardware utilization.

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3

The Stretchers

Image: Tarsier Studios/Nintendo

Released: November 2019

For players searching for a phenomenal cooperative experience, The Stretchers offers a wildly comedic take on emergency medical transport. While emergency paramedics rushing patients to hospital isn’t a traditional video game setup, Tarsier Studios—famed for the chilling horror of Little Nightmares—crafted an absolute joy of a physics-based puzzle game. Playing alongside a partner transforms navigation into a hilarious exercise in coordination. Cheerful visuals and clever, unconventional challenges guarantee continuous grins, even if the brisk campaign leaves you yearning for an encore.

2

Fast RMX

Image: Shin’en Multimedia

Released: March 2017

Originating on the Wii’s WiiWare service, Shin’en Multimedia’s Fast franchise serves as the spiritual successor to futuristic sci-fi racers like F-Zero and Wipeout, delivering velocity that fully justifies its name. Fast RMX debuted as a launch title for the Switch, packing in every course and downloadable expansion from the Wii U’s Fast Racing Neo alongside a fresh batch of Switch-exclusive tracks. While aggressive AI opponents and aggressive rubber-banding can occasionally dampen a flawless run, the adrenaline-fueled racing remains top-tier. Anyone craving blistering anti-gravity speed will find this an absolute essential.

1

Golf Story

Sidebar Games

Released: September 2017

SideBar Games’ Golf Story emerged as one of the platform’s earliest breakout hits. Though ostensibly a sports title centered around hitting the links, it weaves a rich narrative framework utilizing mechanics reminiscent of 16-bit action RPGs. Players follow a determined golfer seizing one final opportunity to achieve greatness, navigating diverse courses while forging bonds and rivalries along the way. Those seeking a realistic sports simulator should look elsewhere, but players nostalgic for the RPG-infused brilliance of classics like Mario Golf on the Game Boy Color are in for an absolute treat.