Console generations are typically thought to final about half a decade, which is what makes at present’s Switch anniversary so momentous. Nintendo’s hybrid home-handheld console turns 5 at present, and it reveals no indicators of slowing down: Though rumors persist, there’s no introduced plans for a brand new console on the horizon. The most we’ve gotten are two redesigns — the Switch Lite and the OLED Switch — and the enlargement of Nintendo Switch Online to incorporate extra basic console video games. But whereas it’s definitely enjoyable to revisit outdated favorites like Super Mario Bros., Kirby’s Adventure and Earthbound, it’s the video games made for the Switch which have captured the hearts of the Engadget crew, together with a number of different titles that made their debuts elsewhere however actually shined on Nintendo’s moveable system.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Regular Engadget readers know there’s no approach I’d let a “favorite Switch games” publish cross with out even one Animal Crossing: New Horizons point out. I’ve been an enormous fan for the reason that recreation launched approach again in March 2020, and the large replace from final fall actually rejuvenated my love for it by introducing a boatload of recent options — sufficient for a completely new recreation, if Nintendo has determined to go that route. But no, this was solely free and new gamers are certain to get greater than their cash’s price as they work by means of all of it.

The recreation definitely benefited from launching at first of the pandemic, leaving tens of millions caught indoors with nothing to do. Animal Crossing’s vivid colours and relaxed tempo have been precisely what folks wanted in irritating occasions. But in one other actuality, would New Horizons nonetheless have been an enormous hit? I’d say sure: The sequence has at all times been an enormous vendor and New Horizons was an enormous, accessible enchancment on earlier installments. Once I obtain the fundamental in-game objectives I at all times tended in drift off in earlier Animal Crossing titles, however New Horizons is fascinating sufficient that I nonetheless play it recurrently two years after its launch. — Kris Naudus, Commerce Writer

Fire Emblem: Three Houses

Three Houses is an almost-perfect Fire Emblem recreation.

I’d been a fan of the sequence since its English-language debut on the Game Boy Advance, however like many, it was the 3DS video games that basically made it a agency favourite. 2013’s Awakening was extra accessible than something that got here earlier than, softening the generally brutal problem curve, and increasing the help/ship system in intelligent methods. Fates in 2016 was a really large recreation that tried to increase on the whole lot Awakening did, however in doing so made the overall expertise weaker. There was a way that the builders had ambitions that simply could not be achieved on the 3DS.

Through the 3DS period, there was a rising schism contained in the Fire Emblem sequence the place the varied mechanics and tones did not fairly gel. The transfer to the Switch for Fire Emblem: Three Houses restructures the sport for the higher. Centering issues round “castle life” integrates relationship constructing, recruitment and battling in a approach that simply feels pure. And the way in which the sport’s a number of plot paths are dealt with is so, so, so a lot better than in Fates.

The battles themselves are most likely the realm with probably the most room for enchancment. Generally there are solely a handful of maps that require you to rigorously take into consideration your method, and the issue is simply softened by the power to rewind strikes in case you mess up. It’s uncommon that you just truly encounter the sequence’ signature permadeath mechanic, which on one hand means you actually love all of the characters by the point one among them dies, however on the opposite takes away loads of the strain.

But but, I pumped 215 hours into this recreation by means of 2019, pushed by the forged of characters and the genuinely divergent story paths you possibly can take. My last playthrough additionally launched me to my favourite map within the recreation — the completely different paths even have some genuinely completely different ranges. At this level I believe I’ve skilled the whole lot the sport has to supply, however after replaying Awakening and Fates throughout the numerous coronavirus lockdowns, simply penning this has made me notice it is time to begin Three Houses over again. — Aaron Souppouris, Executive Editor

The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles

Playing DS again within the early 2000s was most likely my peak gaming period, not simply because I used to be working at a gaming firm (Pokémon) but additionally as a result of it was round then that I used to be launched to varied franchises and genres that might turn into lifetime pursuits for me. One was Animal Crossing, one other was the Ace Attorney sequence. The DS wasn’t the place the sequence first appeared, however it’s the place it was first launched within the United States. I’ve performed each installment since and am now an enormous fan of visible novels as a style. However, I used to be disillusioned once I heard the prequel sequence, Dai Gyakuten Saiban, was unlikely to get an American launch because of the problem of localization.

Well, till final yr after they went and launched it anyway as The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles. And, whereas it doesn’t function acquainted faces and a few gameplay methods launched within the earlier titles, it nonetheless has loads of new methods and attraction to supply each new and returning gamers. Instead of hiding the sport’s Japanese origins, Great Ace Attorney embraces them absolutely, and the ensuing expertise is as wealthy as it’s fulfilling. The story someway has much more twists and turns than earlier installments, and I like how the whole lot weaves collectively right into a cohesive entire by the top. I solely want I had time to play it final yr so I might have included it amongst Engadget’s favourite video games checklist of 2021. — Okay.N.

Hollow Knight

Hollow Knight wasn’t a Switch unique, however after spending dozens of hours exploring the murky depths of Hollownest, I’ll at all times really feel prefer it’s inextricably tied to Nintendo’s handheld. It stands out from the crowded area of Metroidvanias (and the subset with Dark Souls components), with its elegantly atmospheric aesthetic, attractive sprites and a soundtrack that evokes the melancholy of exploring a misplaced kingdom. It’s powerful, however not like the Souls video games, it by no means feels overtly punishing. (Can’t beat a boss? Try exploring one other nook of the map, gather some charms and improve your trusty Nail.)

What actually hooked me, although, was having the ability to take the expertise of Hollow Knight anyplace. I performed it on my sofa once I ought to have been working, throughout flights the world over and whereas I used to be caught with a new child sleeping in my arms (a enjoyable balancing act, for certain). While I might have performed Hollow Knight earlier on my laptop, or on vastly extra highly effective methods, the Switch ended up giving me a degree of freedom I didn’t know I needed. — Devindra Hardawar, Senior Reporter

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

It’s price acknowledging that The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild didn’t invent the open world style. But, it did carry the format to a sequence that was starting to get too reliant on its formulation of “explore a dungeon, use this item to beat dungeon boss, repeat.” Breath of the Wild as a substitute presents gamers the power to discover actually any nook of the world they will see in any order they select. Even the brief intro part on Hyrule’s Great Plateau presents little or no in the way in which of steerage.

Zelda video games have at all times inspired exploration, regardless of the linear dungeon-based format, however Breath of the Wild took this to new heights. Hyrule is positively large, on a scale not like any prior recreation within the sequence, and the shortage of conventional steerage means each participant could have a completely completely different expertise with the sport. I poured dozens of hours into Breath of the Wild when it got here out and ultimately beat the sport’s essential purpose, however I’ve gone again to it on and off within the years since to maintain discovering extra dungeons and challenges. I don’t assume I’ll ever be achieved exploring this exquisitely rendered model of Hyrule. — Nathan Ingraham, Deputy Editor

Metroid Dread

Metroid Dread confronted a tall order when it launched in late 2021. It was the primary all-new Metroid recreation since 2010’s disappointing Metroid: Other M, and the primary new mainline, side-scrolling recreation within the sequence since Metroid Fusion approach again in 2002. Fortunately for Metroid followers, Nintendo pulled it off. Dread works simply as nicely whether or not you’ve performed all of Samus Aran’s earlier adventures or if it’s your first time giving the sequence a shot.

Developer MercurySteam stored the acquainted Metroid loop of exploration that results in new weapons that opens up new areas that have been beforehand inaccessible, but it surely additionally added a serious stealth ingredient this trip. Some areas you discover are populated by an E.M.M.I. robotic that you just’ll must keep away from till you discover the suitable power-up to defeat it, and people robots can kill you in a single hit. So sneaking round is essential, however the recreation mercifully provides you loads of alternatives to retreat to protected floor and rethink your technique. It provides an entire new wrinkle to Metroid Dread — however the recreation’s focus isn’t solely on stealth. There are loads of monsters to battle, caverns to discover and large bosses to take down. It’s the whole Metroid package deal, whether or not you’re new to the sequence or not. — N.I.

New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe

Super Mario Odyssey would be the Mario title that acquired probably the most consideration within the final 5 years — however don’t sleep on the awkwardly titled New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe. If, like me, you grew up worshiping on the altar of Super Mario World, U Deluxe is the most effective side-scrolling Mario recreation Nintendo has launched in a long time. It’s proper up there with all-time greats World and Super Mario Bros. 3.

The recreation was initially launched for the Wii U, a system that acquired no traction in gross sales, so loads of Switch house owners had by no means skilled its joys when the sport was launched in 2019. And, whereas it’ll really feel acquainted in case you’ve performed any side-scrolling Mario recreation earlier than, the extent designs are contemporary, the challenges are simply the correct quantity of arduous and the world appears to be like simply attractive. It doesn’t precisely break new floor, however New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe reveals that the unique Mario format nonetheless has a spot in 2022. — N.I.

Sayonara Wild Hearts

Sayonara Wild Hearts was as soon as described as “Give Carly Rae Jepsen a Sword: the Game.” If that alone would not promote you on this gem, I do not know what’s going to. It’s an ultra-stylish fever dream of an arcade recreation tied to a killer pop soundtrack.

It ought to take simply over an hour to propel by means of the 23 ranges, that are filled with slick visuals and intelligent gameplay concepts that’ll maintain you in your toes. There’s a lot to soak up that, in case you’re something like me, you may replay the entire thing at the very least a number of occasions over (particularly if you wish to full the Zodiac Riddle targets).

There are some tough sections, however Sayonara Wild Hearts is a forgiving recreation with a ton of checkpoints and an choice to skip elements you would possibly wrestle with. The builders are decided that will help you attain the emotional finale and discover out whether or not the protagonist can restore her damaged coronary heart. It’s completely a worthwhile journey. — Kris Holt, Contributing Reporter

Super Mario Maker 2

Super Mario Maker 2 did what Breath of the Wild could not. It satisfied me to purchase a Switch. As a lifelong Mario fan who did not purchase a Wii U to play the unique Super Mario Maker, I wasn’t going to overlook out this time round.

I really like understanding that, at any second, I can decide up my Switch and play a Mario degree I’ve by no means seen earlier than. I’d even be the primary individual (aside from the creator) to attempt it. Sure, there are a ton of rubbish levels full of too many Bowsers, but it surely would not often take lengthy earlier than I play one which places a smile on my face.

I’ve dabbled in making ranges, although there’s only one I liked enough to share. It’s a puzzle stage impressed by, of all issues Marie Kondo. That’s type of becoming, given what number of occasions Super Mario Maker 2 has sparked pleasure for me. — Okay.H.

Stardew Valley

Of all of the Switch video games I’ve performed, Stardew Valley is without doubt one of the only a few that I constantly return to — significantly once I want some “me” time. Growing up, I spent loads of time taking part in video games like Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life, so Stardew fills that gap for me now as an grownup. I really like the repetitive humdrum of constructing my farm up from nothing, cultivating a pleasing little inexperienced house the place my character and all their chickens, rabbits, cows and goats can flourish. Harvesting pumpkins, strawberries and corn has by no means been extra satisfying, and I’m at all times longing for the change of seasons once I can kick the grime up on all of my plots and begin contemporary with a plethora of recent veggie and fruit seeds.

There are a ton of facet storylines and quests to finish, and I really like that I can do them by myself time, or under no circumstances. Maybe I spent an excessive amount of time tending to my cows and sheep and missed the deadline to ship a bunch of leeks to Evelyn. It’s OK, she received’t maintain it towards me… an excessive amount of. And once I really feel the urge to get a bit harmful, there are many mine ranges to discover with treasure to find, monsters to defeat and prismatic shards to desperately seek for. However, Stardew doesn’t have the best of stakes, and generally I’m within the temper for more durable battles and the potential for loss of life (ideally by Lynels). But nothing beats going again to the farm that you just constructed from scratch and selecting up the place you left off as soon as once more. After all, there’s at all times one thing extra to do. — Valentina Palladino, Commerce Editor