10 Switch Games for New Gamers

Do you have a friend who is looking to dip their toes in the gaming world? Or perhaps they took a break from Gaming a long time ago and have no idea where to start these days? A friend of mine recently told me he was looking to introduce his partner to the gaming world, and we got to talking about what games on Switch are accessible, fun, and overall, a great introduction to gaming.

Just an FYI, this list is in random order and isn’t a ranking-based list. I believe all of these games are a great entry point for newcomers to the Switch.

Thank you to Archie for this content suggestion. If you would like to see something on What’s It Like, you can email me at hello@whatsitlike.com.au, or drop a message on our socials. I would love to hear from you!

Animal Crossing

Ah Animal Crossing, the game I can always play and constantly come back to. Simplistic in approach, but deceptively in-depth, Animal Crossing manages to be the game you want it to be whether you are hardcore into completing all Museum collections, decorating your house, or simply spending your time collecting shells. There’s really nothing quite like it. Take it easy, or go mad creating the perfect town, the world is what you make of it. Its simple concepts and controls, as well as its addictive nature, make it a great entry for anyone looking to jump into gaming.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land

Another fantastic title from the big N, Kirby and the Forgotten Land impresses with its beautifully detailed world, deviously fun mini-games, and action-packed set pieces. The game is accessible but not without challenge and is a fantastic 3D platformer to sink your teeth into. The charm of the cutesy characters combined with a vibrant world makes it a visual delight that’s sure to be enjoyed by both seasoned gamers and newcomers alike.

Luigis Mansion

Chock full of gameplay and character, Luigis Mansion is an essential purchase for anyone who owns a Switch. Clever puzzles, gorgeous visuals, and a very gentle learning curve mean players are slowly introduced to the game’s mechanics and features. Mystery and intrigue keep games glued to their screens as they try to unravel the mystery of the haunted hotel. Its strength lies in the expressive animations of Luigi, which tells a story even when our reluctant hero is too afraid to.

Pikmin 4

The most recent release on this list. Pikmin is a hybrid adventure/strategy/puzzler game that’s sure to delight. It’s a gentle introduction to the world that slowly increases as you progress to find treasure with tougher enemies and clever dungeons/dandori battles. The game is a whimsical adventure that is so easy to get lost in since it’s one of the most jaw-droppingly beautiful games on the Switch. This new entry to the series has a more relaxed time frame and rewind feature making it more accessible to newcomers, and as the story is recapped concisely, it is a perfect entry into the series.

Pokemon Let’s Go

A Hybrid remake of the much beloved Pokemon Red/Blue/Green series but with Pokemon Go mechanics, Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu (or Eevee) is a great way to introduce new gamers to the wonderful world of Pokemon. With a more relaxed approach to catching em all, Pokemon Let’s Go is a welcoming experience that opts to retell the stories of the games that came before it, rather than focus too heavily on battling and EV stats. While there are some battles still in the game, the shifted focus to exploration and storytelling delivers an engrossing experience that’s lighter on the challenge.

Mario Odyssey

An epic adventure sprawling the globe! Mario Odyssey is an immersive 3D platformer with a great twist of being able to control certain NPCs and Creatures by throwing your hat on them. While the concept may seem simple enough, its clever puzzles, well-thought-out level design, and classic Nintendo polish make this Mario adventure one of the best in the entire history of the franchise. It’s welcoming to new players and has plenty of secrets to be discovered for the completionist at heart. Hat’s off to Nintendo for this great game!

Mario Kart

A staple for every Nintendo System, Mario Kart is a must-have, especially when friends come to play. Playable on half a Joycon and with 4 player Split Screen, Mario Kart offers hours upon hours of fun… even as a solo player. When you’re done with the game’s already chock-a-block selection of courses, you can get the Expansion pass which adds a whopping 48 courses into the mix. Classic battle modes return as well as a cops and robbers-style game that will have you and your friends gaming together for hours!

Mario 3D All Stars (If you can find it!)

If you enjoy the flagship of the Switch, Mario Odessey, then you may enjoy Mario 3D All Stars (if you can find it) which features Mario 64, Mario Sunshine, and Mario Galaxy, the flagship entries for the Nintendo 64, Gamecube, a WII respectively. Each game has its own unique spin and each game is a classic adventure in its own right. I won’t go into each one here but if you’re lucky enough to see this as a preowned game on a shelf or on Facebook Marketplace, lock it down and secure 3 of the best Mario games you’ll play!

New Pokemon Snap

To try to explain the concept of Pokemon would be to do it a disservice as in theory, it’s a concept that shouldn’t really work. But newcomers are sure to revel in the multi-path courses to discover and photograph Pokemon. It’s easy to get into for newcomers, and gyro controls will certainly help newbies get that perfect shot. Its calming yet addictive nature makes it a great game that’s easy to pick up and hard to put down, with each run yielding different results and Pokemon and poses to discover and photograph. Highly recommended!

Nintendo Switch Sports

I mean, how could this not be on the list? Back in the day Wii Sports put the Wii on the map, and its spiritual successor may not hit the seemingly impossible highs of its predecessor, but it’s a great game to get you moving and have a lot of laughs with friends. tennis, Bowling, and Golf make a welcome return and are joined by new sports like Badmington, Volleyball, and Soccer. The game is accessible and movement controls make it a great entry into the gaming world. Best enjoyed with friends, Nintendo Switch Sports is sure to delight!

So there you have it! Do you think I’ve missed something that should be on the list? Let me know in the comments below. For those of you who have stumbled on this article looking to get into the world of gaming, I hope you enjoy my recommendations.

Happy gaming to all!