This holiday season is the swan song for Nintendo Switch. Nintendo told us as much when it said the long-awaited Switch successor would be announced in April 2025. But fortunately, Nintendo didn't have a case of senioritis as it looks to move on to a Switch sequel, as 2024 had a litany of excellent titles. Come to the console almost eight years old. So we're taking a little look at some of our favorite games on Switch for 2024. One of the best things about this year's lineup of Switch titles is that they should all work in the Switch sequel, from Nintendo. confirmed that its next generation will be backward compatible. (And hopefully any performance issues with games on the current Switch will be resolved by playing them on the next model, if we're so lucky.)
We all have to be patient as we continue to wait for the Switch's successor, but these games are certainly worth playing during the final months of your current Nintendo console in the spotlight.
I know there are some of us on staff for whom Balatro It was our personal Game of the Year and I don't think any of us are players or big fans of poker. That's the beauty of this indie roguelike; You don't have to be a fan of card games or know anything about poker to enjoy its unique dopamine rush. From the music and sound effects to the lo-fi visuals, Balatro Hit all the right notes to sink into their hooks and lock you in. You'll probably find yourself muttering “just one more run” a lot. Next thing you know, it's 3am and the baby will be up in a few hours, or maybe that last part is just me.
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
Princess Zelda finally got her own game, allowing you to play as her full time in Legend of Real Zelda. It may not be perfect in its execution, but it's a worthwhile adventure in which Zelda solves puzzles and defeats bad guys by summoning previously defeated enemies and everyday objects.
There is an air of mystery about animal pit that can attract you or directly confuse you. If you're the type who loves to forego any guides and discover everything on your own, there's a good chance you'll love this pixelated 2D platformer. Mix a little Mario-like jumping puzzle with a Metroidvania sense of open exploration and adventure, complete with some mystery vibes.
Image: Games of fellow travelers
1000xStamina takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where humanity is driven underground by the arrival of an alien race. You play as Watcher, one of many clones of a young woman who is somehow immune to the massive disease caused by the alien occupiers. And of course, not everything is as it seems. It sure is science fiction with a capital E and a capital F.
Mario and Luigi: brotherhood
It's been a great year for Mario Role playing games. But after the new version of Super Mario RPG and the remastering of Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door, Mario and Luigi: brotherhood shows us that our favorite plumbing duo can still keep things fresh in the RPG space. sisterhood It has a lighthearted and fun story, fun turn-based combat, and an adorable art style. You can sum up how charming this game is with a unique two-word mechanic: Luigi Logic.
Get ready to feel feelings. Neva is the latest indie from the developer greyand in addition to being a beautiful piece of visual art, it tells a story about caring for a baby fox that is sure to make some people cry (especially if you're a parent).
“I want to take you for a walk.” And what a journey this collection of classic fighting games is, summarizing the various 2D crossover fighters from Marvel and Capcom and even including the punisher beat-'em-up that fueled the long-running collaboration. This best-of compilation is worth the price of admission just to finally get it. Marvel vs Capcom 2 on modern consoles, complete with online play.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown It was the first gem of 2024 and was released in January. In October, Ubisoft unfortunately disbanded its development team. But The lost crown It's still an amazing combination of side-scrolling Metroidvania/Soulslike with challenging (but very fun) combat and platforming. And while the game world is quite large, with plenty to explore, the game respects the player's time by offering useful in-game tools, such as pinning screenshots to the map.
Pepper mill is a unique 2D platformer where you will have to traverse its colorful world full of goblins with a drill, diving into dolphins and lifting them up from the ground. The game's key mechanics feel frenetic and extremely rewarding as you expertly navigate the world's obstacles through the violent path of your drill and fallen enemies. Then up the ante by adding a grappling hook. Still my beating heart. (No, actually, the fast action increases my heart rate sometimes, in a fun, non-worrying way.)
Image: Annapurna Interactive
Lorelei and laser eyes
If you've ever enjoyed an escape room, you'll probably be interested Lorelei and laser eyes. Its elegant black, white, and red art style and eerie environment fill the game with a sense of mystery, and its challenging puzzles are sure to tickle your brain. Just be prepared to take notes, so you don't feel overwhelmed when the game makes you think outside the box, or do basic math.
