Best Nintendo Switch Games For Newbies

Alright guys, so you just snagged yourself a shiny new Nintendo Switch and you're wondering, "What games should I dive into first?" It can be a little overwhelming with all the awesome titles out there, right? Don't sweat it! We've put together a list of the best Nintendo Switch games for beginners that are super accessible, incredibly fun, and will have you hooked in no time. Whether you're a seasoned gamer or someone who hasn't picked up a controller in ages, these games are perfect for easing you into the wonderful world of the Switch. Let's get this party started!

Super Mario Odyssey: A Beginner's Dream Adventure

If you're looking for one of the absolute best Nintendo Switch games for beginners, you absolutely cannot go wrong with Super Mario Odyssey. Seriously, this game is a masterpiece, and it's designed to be enjoyed by pretty much everyone. From the moment you boot it up, you're greeted with vibrant, colorful worlds that are just begging to be explored. Mario's core gameplay is simple to grasp – run, jump, and throw Cappy (his magical hat) to interact with the environment and enemies. The controls feel intuitive and responsive, making it easy to pick up and play, even if you're not a gaming pro. What makes Odyssey truly special for beginners is its forgiving nature. If you miss a jump or get hit by an enemy, you don't lose much progress; you're just sent back a few steps. This low-stakes environment encourages experimentation and exploration without the fear of harsh punishment. The game also offers optional objectives, like collecting Power Moons, which cater to different playstyles. You can zoom through the main story if you want a quick thrill, or you can spend hours meticulously searching every nook and cranny for every single collectible. The game doesn't force you into anything; it just provides a playground for you to have fun. Plus, the sheer joy and wonder packed into every level are infectious. Each kingdom feels unique, with its own theme, music, and challenges. You'll find yourself grinning from ear to ear as you discover new ways to use Cappy, like possessing a frog to leap across vast gaps or becoming a T-Rex to smash through obstacles. It's pure, unadulterated fun that appeals to all ages. The narrative is lighthearted and charming, focusing on Mario's quest to save Princess Peach from Bowser, who’s trying to force her into a wedding. It’s a classic setup that’s easy to follow. The sheer variety of gameplay mechanics introduced throughout your journey keeps things fresh and exciting. You'll never feel like you're doing the same thing over and over. From riding a unicycle to swimming through underwater ruins, Odyssey constantly surprises you. It’s a game that respects your time while offering an incredibly deep and rewarding experience for those who want to delve deeper. It truly sets the bar high for what a beginner-friendly game can be on the Nintendo Switch.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Open-World Exploration for Everyone

Next up on our list of best Nintendo Switch games for beginners is The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Now, I know what some of you might be thinking – "Zelda? Isn't that super complicated?" But trust me, guys, Breath of the Wild is surprisingly approachable, especially for newcomers to the series or even open-world games in general. From the very beginning, the game drops you into the vast, beautiful world of Hyrule with minimal hand-holding. This might sound intimidating, but it's actually one of its greatest strengths. The game encourages you to learn by doing. You'll stumble upon ancient shrines that act as mini-dungeons, teaching you new mechanics like using your "Sheikah Slate" abilities – things like creating bombs, freezing objects in time, or manipulating metal. These abilities are introduced organically, and the puzzles are designed to be solved through clever observation and experimentation rather than complex button combos. The freedom this game offers is unparalleled. You can go anywhere, climb almost anything, and tackle objectives in pretty much any order you want. This means you can avoid challenging combat encounters if you're not ready for them, or you can seek them out. The game provides a gentle learning curve, with early enemies being relatively easy to defeat, allowing you to get a feel for the combat system, which primarily involves attacking, dodging, and parrying. If you find yourself in a tough spot, you can always cook up some helpful elixirs or meals to boost your health and stamina, a system that's easy to understand and incredibly useful. The world itself is a constant source of discovery. You'll find hidden Koroks, secret caves, and ancient ruins scattered everywhere, rewarding your curiosity. The environmental storytelling is subtle yet profound, drawing you deeper into the lore of Hyrule without overwhelming you with exposition. The game’s physics engine is also a joy to play with – you can set grass on fire to create updrafts, roll boulders down hills to crush enemies, or use Magnesis to throw metal objects around. These physics-based interactions add a layer of emergent gameplay that feels incredibly rewarding to discover. Even if you’re not typically a fan of open-world games, Breath of the Wild offers a unique and captivating experience that’s less about overwhelming complexity and more about organic discovery and player-driven adventure. It’s a game that respects your intelligence and allows you to forge your own path, making it a fantastic entry point into the genre and a must-play for any Switch owner, beginner or not.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Relax and Create Your Paradise

For those of you looking for something a bit more chill, Animal Crossing: New Horizons is an absolute gem and easily one of the best Nintendo Switch games for beginners who want a relaxing experience. Forget high-octane action; this game is all about building your own island paradise at your own pace. You play as a customizable character who moves to a deserted island, and your goal is to develop it into a thriving community filled with adorable animal villagers. The core gameplay loop is incredibly simple: collect resources like wood and fruit, craft items and furniture, and decorate your island and home. There are no strict objectives or fail states, which makes it incredibly stress-free. If you want to spend an entire day fishing, you can. If you'd rather just dig up fossils or catch bugs, that's totally fine too! The game operates on a real-time clock, meaning that certain events, like seasonal changes or the appearance of special characters, happen on specific days and times. This encourages you to log in daily, fostering a sense of routine and connection to your virtual world. The social aspect is also a huge draw. You'll meet and interact with a charming cast of animal villagers, each with their own unique personalities and quirks. Building friendships with them is a core part of the experience, leading to heartwarming interactions and funny dialogues. The crafting system is straightforward: gather materials, find a DIY recipe, and voila – you've got a new item! This sense of accomplishment, from crafting a simple chair to designing a complex outdoor cafe, is incredibly satisfying. As your island grows, so does the variety of activities. You can go swimming, dive for sea creatures, terraform the land to create cliffs and rivers, and even host parties. The game provides you with tools and options to express your creativity freely. Whether you want to create a bustling metropolis, a serene forest retreat, or a quirky theme park, the possibilities are virtually endless. It’s a game that rewards patience and creativity, allowing you to build something truly personal. For beginners, this means you can take your time, learn the ropes without pressure, and gradually discover all the delightful things your island has to offer. It’s the perfect antidote to a stressful day and a wonderful way to unwind. The sheer charm and low-stress gameplay make it an ideal entry point into the Nintendo Switch library.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: Fun for Everyone, Anytime

When it comes to multiplayer fun that's accessible to absolutely everyone, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a no-brainer and a definite contender for the best Nintendo Switch games for beginners. This game is pure, unadulterated joy in a racing package. Even if you've never played a racing game before, you'll be drifting, boosting, and throwing shells in no time. The controls are incredibly simple: accelerate, brake, and steer. The game also features Smart Steering, which is a fantastic assist for beginners. With Smart Steering enabled, your kart will automatically stay on the track, preventing you from falling off edges or driving into walls. This takes a huge amount of pressure off new players, allowing them to focus on the fun aspects like using items and navigating the course. Item usage is a huge part of the Mario Kart experience, and it’s incredibly satisfying to unleash a Blue Shell on the leader or drop a banana peel to trip up an opponent. The variety of karts, characters, and tracks ensures that no two races feel exactly the same. You can race as your favorite Nintendo characters, from Mario and Luigi to Bowser and even Link! The tracks themselves are imaginative and colorful, inspired by various Nintendo franchises, offering visually engaging courses that are a treat to race on. From the underwater reefs of Water Park to the treacherous skies of Cloudtop Cruise, each course presents its own unique challenges and visual flair. What makes Mario Kart 8 Deluxe such a standout title for beginners is its pick-up-and-play nature, especially in local multiplayer. You can have friends or family members who have never touched a video game before jump in and have a blast within minutes. The game balances luck and skill perfectly; even if you're not the best driver, a well-timed item can change your fortunes. This keeps races exciting and unpredictable for everyone involved. Furthermore, the sheer amount of content is staggering. With all the DLC included, you get a massive roster of characters and an enormous selection of tracks, providing hundreds of hours of racing fun. Whether you're playing solo in Grand Prix or battling it out with friends in Versus mode, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe delivers consistent, high-quality fun. It's the perfect game to introduce non-gamers to the joy of playing together and is guaranteed to bring smiles and laughter to any gaming session.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land: A Whimsical 3D Adventure

Rounding out our list of best Nintendo Switch games for beginners is Kirby and the Forgotten Land. This game is an absolute delight and a perfect introduction to 3D platforming for anyone new to the genre. Kirby is known for his charm and accessibility, and this game really doubles down on that. The core mechanic involves Kirby inhaling enemies to copy their abilities, and these abilities are not only fun to use but also quite varied. From swinging a sword as Sword Kirby to breathing fire as Fire Kirby, or even wielding a hammer as Hammer Kirby, the sheer joy of experimenting with different powers is immense. The game introduces these abilities gradually, ensuring you have time to master each one before moving on to new challenges. What makes Forgotten Land particularly beginner-friendly is its forgiving difficulty. Kirby has a generous health bar, and if you do happen to lose all your health, you're simply sent back a short distance with plenty of opportunities to recover. The game also offers a "Spring-Breeze Mode" which further reduces the difficulty, making it even more accessible for players who want a purely story-driven and exploration-focused experience. The 3D environments are beautifully crafted, filled with secrets to discover and enemies to inhale. The level design is linear enough to guide you without making you feel restricted, allowing for plenty of exploration within each stage. You'll find hidden Waddle Dees that unlock new levels and upgrades, encouraging you to look around and engage with the environment. The "Mouthful Mode," where Kirby inhales oversized objects like cars or vending machines, adds a hilarious and unique twist to the gameplay, offering wildly different ways to traverse the levels and solve puzzles. These moments are pure spectacle and bring a massive smile to your face. The game also features co-op play, allowing a second player to join in as Bandana Waddle Dee, making it a great option for friends or family members who want to play together. This shared experience can make learning the game even more enjoyable. The overall tone is lighthearted and cheerful, with charming music and a delightful story about Kirby rescuing the Waddle Dees from a mysterious threat. It's a game that doesn't take itself too seriously but delivers a deeply satisfying and fun platforming experience. For anyone looking for a colorful, engaging, and easy-to-learn 3D adventure on the Nintendo Switch, Kirby and the Forgotten Land is an absolute winner and a perfect starting point.

Wrapping it Up

So there you have it, guys! A fantastic lineup of best Nintendo Switch games for beginners that are sure to get your gaming journey off to an amazing start. Whether you're drawn to the expansive worlds of Zelda, the creative freedom of Animal Crossing, the pure fun of Mario Kart, the epic adventure of Mario Odyssey, or the charming platforming of Kirby, there's something here for everyone. Don't be afraid to jump in and explore – the Switch is an incredible console with a library that just keeps growing. Happy gaming!