If you're looking for a definitive guide to the best Nintendo Switch Lite games, you've come to the right place. The Switch Lite is a brilliant little console as its compact size means it's easy to carry and is cheaper than the larger consoles, and surprisingly, there are very few games that aren't playable on the Lite...
The following guide contains the very best Nintendo Switch Lite games picked out by our gaming experts. We've featured some older favourite franchises like Zelda, plus games like Celeste, that feels great to play on a handheld console.
Looking to buy the console itself? Check out our guides to both the best Nintendo Switch Lite deals and the best Nintendo Switch deals to help you find the best prices on the popular consoles. We also have a list of the best Nintendo Switch accessories if you're wanting to further upgrade your Nintendo set up.
Best Nintendo Switch Lite games available now
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Best solo adventure games
Best adventure game for the Switch Lite
+ Great story
+ Action and adventure
- Easy to get lost in
The latest addition to The Legend of Zelda Series, Tears of the Kingdom has an epic storyline as you embark on a quest to save the kingdom of Hyrule and defeat plenty of evil foes along the way. You'll venture through floating islands in the sky and explore dark caves.
A fun and cool Pokémon game
+ Open world exploration
+ Fun side quests
- Visually bland
Love Pokémon? Then this open-world RPG might be for you. You explore the world capturing 'wild' Pokémon to collect and register the breeds in the Pokédex, while side quests with non-player characters (NPC) bring some old-fashioned Poké-fights for fans. Overall it's a vast and engaging.
Best platform game that's hard
+ Gorgeous levels
+ Well constructed
- Brutally hard
Celeste is a brilliant platform game that goes perfectly with the Switch Lite. Based around a young girl climbing a mysterious mountain, Celeste can feel overwhelmingly gruelling at first, but learning the game's speed-running secrets is part of the fun Celeste offers. Unlocking the mountain's harder B-side and C-side levels is a punishing journey of dexterity.
Most challenging Switch Lite game
+ Loads of atmosphere
+ Looks fantastic
- Old-school gameplay
Metroid Dread follows the classic Metroid template: a vast 2D world to explore in which you grow Samus Aran's abilities and weaponry. Metroid Dread builds up the tension by throwing in near-indestructible robots that'll hunt you down, plus punishing boss fights. It's got the right mix of exhilaration and frustration.
The best game for avoiding repetition
+ Simple gameplay
+ Lots to discover
- Totally unforgiving
Hades is a rogue-like dungeon crawler, which means that it completely randomises every time you play, so you'll never play the same game twice. Gameplay here is all about survival and upgrading your weapons and skills, while smashing demons and attempting to escape from Hell.
Best open world game for the Switch Lite
+ Huge open world
+ Lovely graphics
- Eventually it ends
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild remains one of the best adventure games on the Nintendo Switch by a long way. Its vast open world, huge main storyline and enormous assortment of side quests mean that it's one you can play for ages, and still find new things to discover.
An excellent game for puzzle lovers
+ A vast open world
+ Deep puzzle rooms
- Feels Zelda-like
If you've rinsed Zelda: Breath of the Wild for all its worth and need a fix of similar gameplay while we all wait for a sequel, Immortals Fenyx Rising is probably the perfect choice for you. The approach to its puzzles is fantastic – and while these often sprawling puzzles evoke Zelda, they have enough scale and invention to feel original.
Best game for classic Pokémon fans
+ Classic Pokémon remaster
+ New features
- Feels dated
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are remakes of Nintendo DS titles given a good polish and extra content. As such, they're a great fit for the Switch Lite. Naturally it's about building your collection and becoming the best trainer. And while it's big on nostalgia there enough new side quests to add extra depth.
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Best game for thrill seekers
+ Includes 3 games
+ DLC content
- Feels dated
The Assassin's Creed franchise is hugely popular, and now you can enjoy three titles on the Switch Lite. This package includes Assassin's Creed II, Assassin's Creed Brotherhood, and Assassin's Creed Revelations which are all based around the story of Ezio, an Assassin on a journey of discovery.
Best relaxing and chill games
Relaxing Nintendo Switch Lite game
+ Fun gaming
+ Constantly rewarding
- Short on action
Less a game, more an escape from the everyday horrors of existence, Animal Crossing: New Horizons jets you off to your own island paradise to explore and customise or chill out on. There's lots to do, plus you get a good feeling as your island evolves.
Best farming simulation game
+ Beautiful pixel art
+ Lots to see and do
- Too slow-paced
Stardew Valley is a laid-back farming simulator with lovely pixel-art looks, and it's a perfect fit for the Nintendo Switch Lite. Starting with a field, you plant crops and grow your own farm, and along the way you meet the colourful townspeople. Plus you can invite three friends to farm alongside you.
Relaxing game for Star Wars fans
+ Smart scripting
+ Mix of styles
- A little simplistic
This is one of the best Lego games and smartest Star Wars games you can experience. This game has all the stats to grab your attention, including over 300 characters and 100 vehicles to unlock, and 23 planets to explore. The mix of gameplay styles and Lego humour make this game a joy.
Best games for young gamers
Fun Switch Lite game for fans of Mario
+ Lots of levels
+ Easy to share
- Building levels is hard
Super Mario Maker 2 is a great fit for the Switch Lite as it offers the kind of classic 2D Mario platforming action that made Nintendo the game developer it is today. What's more, you get the added fun of creating and sharing your own levels, as well as downloading and playing other people's creations.
The best quirky platform game
+ Great visuals
+ Adorable characters
- Can feel shallow at times
This fun, colourful game is quite unlike anything else on Nintendo's handheld console, it's also a bit weird! Hero Kirby can consume and absorb the powers of others, which means the he can evolve new abilities to fight and explore. Kirby also has a 'mouthful mode' where he can suck up items.
The best game for all the family
+ Everyone can get involved
+Many boards and mini-games
- Needs other players
Mario Party Superstars features an immersive board game that mixes skill and luck as you make your way around via dice rolls, and while you won't really have much fun playing by yourself, it comes alive when you add friends. You can play by passing the Switch Lite around, or local or online multiplayer.
Are there any games I can't play on the Switch Lite?
Not many, but some. These are usually games that require you to detach joy-cons (which can't be done on the Lite) or require motion controls. A few examples include 1-2 Switch, Switch Sports, Super Mario Party, Just Dance, Ring Fit Adventure, Fitness Boxing, and other movement-involved games.
Does the Switch Lite have motion controls?
Yes. But not swinging-movement ones. For example, if you're playing Mario Kart Deluxe 8 on your Switch Lite then you'll be able to rotate your console as you would a steering wheel – this is because the Switch Lite contains a gyroscope and accelerometer.
However, if you wanted to play virtual tennis or another type of game that involves detaching the joycons or any sort of swing movements then this would not be possible with the Switch Lite.
