The Best Open-World Switch Games, Ranked

Highlights

• Enjoy a wide variety of open-world games on Nintendo Switch, from simulation to survival, offering plenty of exploration and adventure.
• Explore large maps and create your own adventures in titles like
  Pokemon Scarlet & Violet
  and Don’t Starve, perfect for handheld play.
• Discover renowned titles like
  Skyrim, Witcher 3,
  and
  Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
  on the Switch, offering expansive open worlds and thrilling quests.

While some players may argue that the Nintendo Switch has lagged behind compared to other consoles, there are still plenty of incredible games players are able to experience on this device; be it in handheld mode or docked to the TV, there is plenty for players to enjoy on the Nintendo Switch.

With a wide variety of genres to enjoy on the platform too, one that many have found themselves getting lost in is the open-world titles. These games give players the freedom to explore large maps and create their own adventures. These are the best open-world games that players can enjoy on the Nintendo Switch right now.

Updated on March 8, 2024, by Megan Smith: While the Nintendo Switch maybe 7 years old, it still shows a lot of promise for players that have enjoyed the platform, with many games planned to still be released on a mainly handheld device. One such promising example of this is the new Pokemon title known as Pokemon Legends: Z-A, which is expected to be released in 2025. Besides this title, there are already plenty of open-world Switch games for players to enjoy, with many of them easily showcasing what makes them some of the best open-world Switch games. Therefore, players are likely to find some of the Nintendo Switch’s best open-world games, that are both old titles and newly released games too.

13 Palia

Metascore: TBD

Palia is a massively multiplayer title that has an incredibly large world for the player to explore. As a simulation title, this open world is unlike many others on the list as players are free to explore Palia however they see fit. It’s quite a surprise to find such a great experience that works so well on the Nintendo Switch, but this MMO is truly one of the greatest, as players can explore this phenomenal open world with other Nintendo Switch users.

An open world is only made greater by its activities and Palia has lots of them, from insect catching, cooking, hunting, and much more to make Palia one of the best open-world games that has recently been added to the Nintendo Switch.

12 Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

Metascore: 72

Nintendo itself has created a few open-world titles that can be enjoyed on its console. One such example is the 2022 release of the ninth generation of the Pokemon franchise.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet really leaned into the open world aspect of Pokemon in this title as players were left to explore Paldea freely as they had to adventure across the map to find the different gyms to battle, not to forget mentioning the other tasks available to the player in this version of the game.

11 Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen

Metascore: 78

With the promise of Dragon’s Dogma 2 releasing in March 2024, many players may be looking to brush up on their Dragon’s Dogma lore and therefore play the previous titles. One of the greatest RPGs made by Capcom can even be enjoyed on the Nintendo Switch, with many enjoying Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen.

To many fans’ surprise, the port of Dragon’s Dogma works great on the Nintendo Switch. Even with how large the map is, and how intense some battles can be in this open-world RPG, players will not be disappointed if they decide to start their adventure on the Switch.

10 Don’t Starve

Metascore: 78

Don’t Starve is an open-world survival game where the main goal of the game is to not starve to death. Besides starving, players will have plenty of other goals, such as preparing for the winter months, fighting off wolves, and remaining sane while the darkness creeps closer.

Players may set up their base in one place, but to find all the resources they need, they will have to adventure across the randomly generated world to find what they are truly after. This combined with the interesting Gothic art style of Don’t Starve makes the survival title the perfect sort of game to enjoy while playing the Nintendo Switch handheld.

9 Slime Rancher

Metascore: 81

Slime Rancher is an incredible open-world game that can be enjoyed on the Nintendo Switch. Players can find and combine different slimes to collect plorts that can then be used to earn them extra gold. With an interesting storyline to discover while exploring the island, Slime Rancher can make for an intriguing little adventure.

As this version of the game has been specifically made for the Nintendo Switch, this also means that the simulator title runs perfectly on the small device.

8 Red Dead Redemption

Metascore: 83

Red Dead Redemption was originally released on PS3 and the Xbox 360 in 2010. However, as of 2023, this classic Wild West tale has made its way onto the Nintendo Switch. Players can finally control John Marston as he lives the life of a cowboy in a world that is drastically changing.

Even when using the Nintendo Switch in handheld mode, Red Dead Redemption remains a steadfast open-world game that players can now enjoy no matter where they go. Besides this, the game also includes Undead Nightmare, which allows players to enjoy the supernatural version of the title.

7 Spiritfarer

Metascore: 84

Players who are looking for an emotional adventure while also being able to sail across another open world need to look no further than Spiritfarer. In this title, players take on the role of Stella, a ferry master for the departed; through exploring various islands in a beautifully drawn art style, players must help these spirits get over past issues, so they can finally pass over.

With various islands to explore across an even wider ocean, there is plenty to discover than just the spirits players will likely help. The art style and cozy nature of this game all help it become a perfect open-world title for players to enjoy on the Switch.

Metascore: 84

Skyrim is a classic RPG that has seen itself ported onto various different consoles and platforms over the years. This has meant that, eventually, the game even made it to the Nintendo Switch, where it has surprisingly done pretty well, especially as the version available contains all the DLC along with it.

Players can easily explore the world of Skyrim either on the handheld or docked into their TV to experience the intense dragon battles or epic adventures on the big screen. With the capability to take this open world anywhere on the Nintendo Switch, it’s a must for any player looking for an open world to explore.

5 Minecraft

Metascore: 86

Minecraft is a sandbox open-world title that has seen itself spread to almost every platform in existence, from past generations of consoles to the current ones. The Nintendo Switch is no different, as Minecraft has even graced this console with players either playing it handheld or when docked.

This sandbox title has one of the largest maps; this not only includes how large it is to walk across the land and visit the different biomes but also how deep underground one can explore as well as the Nether and the End.

4 Subnautica

Metascore: 87

Even vast oceans and underwater depths can be experienced with the Switch. Subnautica is an unbelievable survival game that has players attempting to live on an alien planet covered in water. With various horrific monsters deep below the surface, Subnautica can be an intense experience.

Unsurprisingly, as Subnautica has made its way to a variety of platforms, even those who own a Nintendo Switch can take the plunge and survive on an alien world with its own fascinating story. Although the ocean may initially appear empty, there is plenty to discover in Subnautica.

3 Xenoblade Chronicles 3

Metascore: 89

The Xenoblade Chronicles is a well-received Nintendo franchise that has continued to be successful even on the Nintendo Switch, with Xenoblade Chronicles 3 being one of the most-loved action RPGs to be put on the platform.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is another Nintendo Switch title that has surprised players by how detailed the open world of the game is, especially as this map is one of the largest in the series to date. Besides how beautiful the world is, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 also has a phenomenal story that players have revisited ever since it was first released in 2022.

2 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Metascore: 92

CD Projekt Red is known to make plenty of incredible RPGs, but one of the greatest that can also be enjoyed on the Nintendo Switch is The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.

This game not only has an expansive open world that is so large it needs to be split into separate sections, but also a variety of monsters for the player to defeat to make them feel like the incredible monster hunter that Geralt is. With a horse available to explore the world, players are encouraged to explore, even on the Nintendo Switch.

1 The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom

Metascore: 96

By far, the greatest open-world game that can be played on the Nintendo Switch has to be the exclusive Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Before this was Breath of the Wild which amazed players allowing them to explore the entirety of Hyrule and complete various quests for the people around it.

Tears of the Kingdom are this and so much more, as players are now free to explore deep below the surface and high above the clouds. Still free to do whatever they wish with even more powers for them to play around with, makes the Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom a must for any with a Nintendo Switch.