Since its launch on March 3rd, 2017, the Nintendo Switch system has released a multitude of video games. Notably, numerous developers and publishers who had refrained from supporting Nintendo consoles prior to 2017 have eagerly embraced the Switch.
Switch games tend to vary wildly in price. It’s not too often that you’ll find a game on the eShop under $20, let alone a good one. Fortunately, we’ve compiled 10 of the best games that you can purchase if you want to get a good bang for your buck.
Celeste (January 25th, 2018)
Around five years ago, I completed Celeste on Xbox One. However, I recently purchased it again on the Nintendo Switch because I wanted to experience the thrill of finishing it once more, this time on a different platform. Despite its challenging nature, I found it enjoyable and, yes, quite frustrating.
In Celeste, each new room serves as a checkpoint within a stage, mitigating the impact of one-hit deaths and ensuring a fair gameplay experience. The music is exceptional, and the gameplay itself is incredible, introducing increasingly complex layers as you progress. Playing through the game is genuinely enjoyable and heartwarming.
The game is priced at USD$19.99 before tax, but it often goes on sale at discounted prices during promotional periods.
Bioshock: Remastered (May 9th, 2020)
Bioshock: The Collection encompasses all three games released so far: Bioshock: Remastered, Bioshock 2: Remastered, and Bioshock Infinite: The Complete Edition.
These games feature unsettling content and visuals that add to their unique atmosphere. Notably, the first game boasts a memorable plot twist, which is considered one of the most impactful in gaming history.
Throughout the series, you are equipped with elemental plasmids and a diverse arsenal of weapons to combat Splicers and Big Daddies while making decisions regarding the fate of the Little Sisters, leading to two different endings.
Furthermore, Bioshock 2 Remastered is widely regarded as the best instalment in the series, offering an enhanced single-player experience, multiplayer options, and multiple endings and character outcomes.
Bioshock Infinite, the third game in the trilogy, revolves around a father’s mission to protect a girl named Elizabeth. It features a complex storyline filled with twists and turns, culminating in a profound sacrifice driven by love. Despite the intricacies of the ending, which incorporates time travel and spatial complexities, the game’s core theme centers around family and the lengths one would go to safeguard it — a sentiment worthy of admiration.
The entire trilogy is priced at USD$19.99 per game, amounting to nearly USD$50 when purchased as a bundle.
Cuphead (April 18th, 2019)
Cuphead proved to be a risky venture for the Moldenhauer brothers, Chad and Jared, who faced potential foreclosure in their pursuit of bringing the game to life. However, their gamble paid off immensely. The game achieved phenomenal success, selling millions of copies and being ported to various platforms, including the Nintendo Switch.
While Cuphead features a few stages, its core gameplay revolves around thrilling boss fights. In 2022, the game received DLC in the form of a new island, accompanied by a fresh storyline and challenging new bosses to conquer.
In the regular stages, players can collect gold coins resembling those found in Super Mario World. These coins can be used to purchase additional combat abilities from the character PorkRind, such as invulnerability and smoke dash, enhancing the gameplay experience.
Puzzle & Dragons Nintendo Switch Edition (February 19th, 2022)
Puzzle & Dragons Nintendo Switch Edition, available on the eShop for a budget-friendly price of USD$4.97, offers an engaging and moderately active gaming experience with a thriving multiplayer scene featuring weekly and monthly tournaments. The game revolves around matching 3 or more orbs of various elemental types belonging to monsters or teams of monsters. These elements include Fire, Water, Wood, Light, and Dark.
Enemies, such as Vitra, have the ability to impact your game board by introducing Jammer orbs, altering the current element configuration, or even introducing poison orbs that deplete your health when cleared. As a result, having well-planned team presets and strategic skill usage plays a significant role.
While the Nintendo Switch version of the game may limit team customization, reducing the team member count to 5 and eliminating the helper feature, it still manages to deliver an enjoyable experience. Moreover, it serves as a testament that Nintendo Switch can successfully accommodate games from the DS era, and for that, I am grateful.
Toree 3D (April 9th, 2021)
You can get Toree 3D for a mere USD$2.00 or so on the eShop, but don’t let the low price deceive you. This game offers a wealth of fun and enjoyment. With three charming characters — Toree, Macbat, and a Ramen bowl with legs — it introduces players to nine regular stages and four remix stages that unlock upon completing the game and collecting all the stars in the regular stages.
Despite its modest character count and thirteen stages, Toree 3D captivates players with two distinct soundtracks, stunning graphics reminiscent of the beloved PS1 era, and abundant fun. I often found myself returning to this game for repeated enjoyment and even to achieve 100% completion.
However, I must warn you, reaching that milestone can be a true challenge, especially when facing the nightmarish task of completing Ducktown Throwdown, the first remix stage. Consider this a friendly heads-up for those aiming to conquer the game in its entirety.
Undertale (September 18th, 2018)
Undertale tells the story of Frisk, a human who, like their predecessor Chara, finds themselves in the Underground. It is revealed that Frisk had died at some point, leading to Asgore’s declaration of war on humanity in response to the death of his and Toriel’s son, Asriel. As the seventh human to fall into the chasm, it is now your responsibility to decide the fate of the monsters and humans.
You have the choice to either foster peace between the two groups, defeat some of the monsters protecting Asgore and challenge him to escape back to the surface, or mercilessly eliminate all the monsters and bosses. The decisions rest solely on your shoulders.
The game’s graphics are visually stunning, and the enemies come to life with lively animations. It is truly remarkable that Undertale was created by a single individual, considering the immense quality and depth it possesses.
Sonic Mania (August 15th, 2017)
Sonic Mania is undeniably one of the greatest Sonic games I have ever played, at least until Sonic Frontiers arrived. It truly is that exceptional.
The game brilliantly remixes old stages, pays homage to beloved characters like Bark, Bean, Fang/Nack from Sonic The Fighters and Sonic Triple Trouble, and introduces around four new original zones. These zones are meticulously designed, featuring a delightful mix of new and remixed tunes, as well as exhilarating boss battles that are brimming with nostalgic references appreciated by long-time fans like myself.
#3. Persona 4 Golden (January 19th, 2023)
Persona 4 Golden is an enhanced edition of the beloved PS2 classic, Persona 4, specifically designed for the PS Vita.
This iteration presents a captivating murder mystery storyline intertwined with elements like the enigmatic Midnight Channel, supernatural Personas and Shadows, compelling character identity arcs, Social Links, a memorable soundtrack, multiple endings, and subsequently, multiple final bosses. It also offers a generous amount of bonus content and extra features, including a bonus epilogue that can be unlocked by meeting specific conditions.
#2. Bright Memory: Infinite Gold Edition (July 21st, 2022)
Bright Memory: Infinite Gold Edition, as presented on the home page and eShop, is available for approximately USD$19.99 before taxes and any point discounts. This unique game offers a captivating blend of first-person and third-person gameplay, combining elements of shooting and slashing.
It immerses players in a world of primordial floods, black holes, ancient soldiers, and a gripping narrative that had me completely engrossed from start to finish. Upon completing the game, I found myself yearning for another installment, a true testament to its greatness.
#1. Final Fantasy VII (March 26th, 2019)
I understand that this choice may seem quite obvious, but it’s hard not to look past Final Fantasy VII. The additional features and options introduced, such as 3x speed and skippable battles, greatly enhance accessibility for newcomers.
Furthermore, it boasts an iconic plot centered around reclaiming the world from the clutches of the terrorist organization Shinra, while also undertaking the task of rescuing the Mako and the Lifestream from the hands of Sephiroth, a super soldier-turned-madman, and his otherworldly mother, Jenova.
Final Fantasy VII taught me valuable lessons about reconciling past mistakes and actions, as well as how to forge a path forward in life. Although the cast may be smaller compared to FINAL FANTASY VI, I view this as an opportunity for each character to receive ample development and shine.
And with that, we conclude our list of the top ten games on Nintendo Switch under USD$20. What are your thoughts on these selections? Do you agree with our choices, or do you feel there are other enjoyable games that we may have overlooked? Let us know by commenting down below!