10 Most Underrated Nintendo Switch Games of All Time

Published 12/27/2023, 11:56 AM EST

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How many of these lesser known gems on Nintendo Switch are you aware of? While waiting for a Switch upgrade or new game, revisiting top-tier games isn’t fun every time. Well, there’s another solution! There’s a whole bunch of game out there which unfortunately don’t get the recognition they deserve.

Players aren’t lacking for options. There’s been plenty of reasons for Nintendo players to rejoice this year alone like Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Tears of The Kingdom. However, the drawback to a busy lineup of games is that a lot of deserving games get overshadowed. From action RPGs to 3d fighting games, a lot of really good games have been caught in the shadows of the more popular titles. So today, we bring to you ten hidden Nintendo Switch gems that need to play right away.

10) NEO: The World Ends With You 

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This Square Enix-developed action RPG failed to appeal to the audience. A lot of the fans attribute the numbers to the poor marketing strategies implemented by Nintendo and Square Enix at the time of its launch. 

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The 2021 action RPG is a sequel to 2007’s The World Ends With You. If you’re wondering what makes this game interesting, this is it: You’re trapped in a deadly competition called Reaper’s Games where you’ll be erased from existence unless you complete daily missions. You can also cross paths with other players.

9) Triangle Strategy

Another Square Enix RPG that offers you a challenging gameplay of tactics. The combat and gameplay of Triangle Strategy would surely impress you but what will stay with you is the storytelling. The balance of quantity of lore with quality is done with such brilliance. The game despite being a decent hit on sales charts is considered an underrated one because of its true potential. 

The most fascinating aspect of Triangle Strategy is you’ll always be guessing what’s next. So, do not forget to check out the game as soon as you can. 

8) Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition

An unpopular opinion but Tales of Vesperia might be one of the most solid games under the Tales banner. Of course, it has its flaws and if you’re into a more story-focused gameplay, Vesperia might feel slightly pushed back. It has a more convoluted story with a lot going on at once, and multiple changes of the party’s goal. The characters are more ‘anime.’ Energetic, overly emotive, but still very likable. And does it cover the gaps with all other dynamic aspects, a big yes! 

Although the game made decent numbers in sales, there’s a lot more appreciation it deserved from Nintendo Switch players.

7) Rayman Legends: Definitive Edition 

Surprisingly, a lot of people may be unaware of this Nintendo Switch gem out there! Forget the game, a lot of gaming veterans may be missing out on this iconic 3D adventure franchise. Rayman Legends is the fifth main installment to the franchise in association with the Ubisoft developers. 

The gameplay is fun and if you want to be introduced to the adventure of the Rayman franchise, this definitive port edition can be your perfect debut!

6) Bayonetta 

Yes, Bayonetta’s Steam and Xbox versions provide an extra immersion to the game but the Nintendo Switch model isn’t any less. It showcases signs of genius in the action genre, much more impressive than some recent action games. The original game exceeded some set standards of the industry in the genre back in the day. And even today, the events of the Bayonetta universe can appeal to the requirements of an ‘ideal action carnival’. 

Certainly, Bayonetta would be worth every single penny you invest in the Nintendo Switch library.

5) Persona 5 Strikers 

It looks different with the demos seemingly another victim of poor marketing. The hybrid RPG has all the elements of an engaging experience. The story overall is alright, but the moments when it peaked, it’s really peaked. Unarguably, it feels like a strong leap from the source Persona 5. The two newly added characters are where it really shines. Also if you love Persona 5 characters, you’re going to love them even more here. 

So, as a fan of Persona 5, there’s no way you miss this experience on Nintendo Switch.

4) Metroid Dread 

Of course, with the numbers and critical response Metroid Dread received, you can debate if it’s even underrated. Well, the fact that the game has probably one of the best endings in gaming included with the gameplay and visuals, it deserved way more attention.

The game has crossed over 3 million in sales but can the Nintendo Switch players help the game reach its deserving 5 million mark? Here’s to one effort!

3) Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna The Golden Country

The story, the gameplay, the characters, and the action, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 lands everything impressively. However, the game still couldn’t perform up to its true potential in the markets. A major reason attributed to the loss of traffic to the game is its successor Future Redeemed turning out to be absolutely incredible. 

There’s no denying the fact that Xenoblade Chronicles 3 was an epic saga but that doesn’t take away from the experience its predecessor offered. It’s a delight and surely deserves to be in your Nintendo Switch library. 

2) Valkyria Series 

Unfortunately, the whole Valkyria series hasn’t managed to draw the attention of Nintendo Switch owners that it deserves. But it has a lot of good elements to make you sit through the tactical RPG fest. Differing from most other TRPGs, the action is in a semi-real-time/semi-turn-based fashion. The combat is loads of fun. 

The variety of characters, weapons, and strategies you can use is impressive. The hybrid action/turn-based combat works quite well. You have to be mindful of where you’re going, and where enemies are. Choosing between trying to take out an enemy at range and risk missing/wasting actions, or moving close to potentially sustaining fire in the meantime. Another aspect that works in favor of the game is its music, performances, and art style. Overall an experience worth your time. 

Now, moving on to the most underrated game on Switch..(drumrolls) 

1) Astral Chain 

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Astral Chain is undoubtedly one of the best games on Nintendo Switch to date. It does everything right. Although it missed a few points in the storytelling but does a fair compensation with the action and gameplay mechanics. The art style of this game is absolutely amazing, the cutscenes are a joy to watch, and the character models are amazing, with some really nice texture work for materials that really make close-ups pop. 

On a good day, it would make it to the top 5 games on the hybrid consoles! The Metacritic rating of 87 is the critical stamp of approval that says ‘ Do not miss out on Astral Chain!’

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So, how many of these underrated gems have you played? 

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Written by:

Vaibhav Singh Tomar

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?A Supernova resistant to pressure.? Greetings, fellow seekers of the extraordinary! I'm Vaibhav Singh Tomar, your guide to the electrifying universe of eSports and storytelling at EssentiallySports. With a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and over 7+ years of crafting narratives, I don't just write about esports; I sculpt captivating tales within this digital arena.
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Edited by:

Rohan Karnad