Top Tier Nintendo Adventure Games Worth Your Money
Our top pick is The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. It offers the most expansive open world and creative building mechanics. Its main limitation is the occasional performance dip in busy areas.
Premium Nintendo adventure games offer rich stories, vast worlds, and polished mechanics. They justify their higher price with hours of content and memorable experiences.
We compared seven of the best current titles for the Switch. Each one stands out for different reasons, from exploration to combat to narrative.
Our top picks
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Tears of the Kingdom expands on Breath of the Wild with sky islands and underground depths. Its ultrahand ability lets you build vehicles and contraptions, solving puzzles in creative ways. The story is more present and emotional. Owners report hundreds of hours of play.
Pros
- Massive world with verticality
- Creative building mechanics
- Engaging story
Cons
- Frame rate drops in places
- Can be overwhelming
Metroid Dread
Metroid Dread brings back 2D exploration with modern polish. Samus moves fluidly, and the E.M.M.I. robots create tense stealth sections. The map design encourages backtracking and mastery. It is shorter than Zelda but offers high replayability through speedrunning.
Pros
- Superb level design
- Intense boss fights
- Smooth controls
Cons
- Linear progression at times
- Difficulty spikes
Xenoblade Chronicles 3
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is a massive JRPG with a compelling story about war and life. The combat system is complex, blending real-time actions with class switching. The world is beautiful, and the soundtrack is memorable. It takes over 100 hours to see everything.
Pros
- Rich narrative
- Deep combat systems
- Huge world
Cons
- Long tutorials
- Can be grindy
Luigi’s Mansion 3
Luigi’s Mansion 3 is a charming adventure set in a haunted hotel. Each floor has a unique theme and puzzle. The vacuum mechanic is fun, and the co op mode lets a second player control Gooigi. It is accessible for younger players.
Pros
- Creative puzzles
- Great co op
- Funny and charming
Cons
- Boss fights can be repetitive
- Not very challenging
Kirby and the Forgotten Land
Kirby and the Forgotten Land is Kirby’s first true 3D adventure. It is colorful and welcoming, with mouthful mode letting Kirby swallow cars and vending machines. The level design is clever, and there are many collectibles. It is a joy for all ages.
Pros
- Accessible to everyone
- Creative abilities
- Bright and cheerful
Cons
- Easy for veterans
- Some abilities underused
Bayonetta 3
Bayonetta 3 delivers chaotic, stylish combat. The new demon slave mechanic lets you summon beasts for huge attacks. The story spans multiple universes, and the set pieces are spectacular. It is not for the faint of heart, but action fans will love it.
Pros
- Brutal combat
- Insane scale
- Great variety
Cons
- Story is convoluted
- Framerate issues in handheld
Monster Hunter Rise
Monster Hunter Rise lets you hunt giant monsters in a Japanese inspired setting. The wirebug adds vertical mobility. The game is online co op focused, but solo play is viable. The content is vast with many monsters and weapons.
Pros
- Satisfying combat
- Great co op
- Lots of content
Cons
- Steep learning curve
- Grind heavy
How they stack up
| # | Model | Platform | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom | Nintendo Switch | Ultimate open world freedom | 9.7 | Check price |
| 2 | Metroid Dread | Nintendo Switch | Tight action and exploration | 9.2 | Check price |
| 3 | Xenoblade Chronicles 3 | Nintendo Switch | Deep JRPG storytelling | 9.1 | Check price |
| 4 | Luigi’s Mansion 3 | Nintendo Switch | Family friendly puzzle adventure | 8.9 | Check price |
| 5 | Kirby and the Forgotten Land | Nintendo Switch | Wholesome 3D platforming | 8.8 | Check price |
| 6 | Bayonetta 3 | Nintendo Switch | Over the top action | 8.7 | Check price |
| 7 | Monster Hunter Rise | Nintendo Switch | Hunting and crafting loops | 8.6 | Check price |
How to pick the right one
Questions worth asking
Are these games exclusive to Nintendo Switch?
Yes, all of these games are published by Nintendo or are console exclusive to the Switch. Some, like Monster Hunter Rise, are also on other platforms, but the Switch versions are optimized.
Do these games require previous knowledge of the series?
Most of them do not. Each game is designed to be a standalone entry. You can jump into Zelda, Metroid, or Luigi’s Mansion without prior experience. Xenoblade has connections to previous games but is still accessible.
Which game has the best graphics?
Tears of the Kingdom and Xenoblade 3 are visually impressive, with detailed worlds and art direction. Bayonetta 3 also looks great in action scenes. However, Switch hardware limits resolution and frame rate, so do not expect 4K visuals.
Which game is best for younger children?
Kirby and the Forgotten Land is the most child friendly. It has a gentle difficulty and bright colors. Luigi’s Mansion 3 is also suitable, but some ghosts might be scary for very young kids. Both have co op to help.
Are there any games with online multiplayer?
Monster Hunter Rise offers full online co op for up to four players. Zelda has no multiplayer, but you can share screenshots. Xenoblade 3 has a small online component for collecting heroes, but it is not necessary.
How long does it take to beat each game?
Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom takes about 50 hours for the main story and over 100 for completion. Metroid Dread is around 10 to 15 hours. Xenoblade 3 is 60 to 80 hours. Luigi’s Mansion 3 is 15 hours. Kirby is 10 to 12. Bayonetta 3 is 10 to 15. Monster Hunter Rise can be hundreds if you pursue all content.
Can I play these games on Nintendo Switch Lite?
Yes, all of these games are compatible with Switch Lite. However, some games like Bayonetta 3 may have performance issues in handheld mode. If you play mostly handheld, consider games with stable performance like Kirby and Zelda.
Do these games have physical versions?
Yes, all of these are available as physical cartridges. They are also available digitally. Physical copies can be shared and resold, but they may require downloads for updates.
Which game has the most replay value?
Tears of the Kingdom and Monster Hunter Rise have high replay value due to open worlds and endless hunts. Metroid Dread has a speedrun mode and unlockables. Xenoblade 3 offers new game plus. Others have less replayability after completion.
Are there any discounts or deals?
Nintendo first party games rarely go on sale, but newer titles like Monster Hunter Rise and Bayonetta 3 sometimes get discounts. You can find deals during seasonal sales. Used physical copies are also a way to save money.
Our pick
If you want the best overall experience, get The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. It is a masterpiece that defines the Switch generation. For a shorter but intense adventure, choose Metroid Dread. If you prefer story, pick Xenoblade Chronicles 3. The other games are excellent for specific moods. But the clear winner is Zelda.
