The best Nintendo Switch Lite games can be slightly different to the ones you may see on other Nintendo Switch best game lists, that's because this slimmer and lighter console can only be used in handheld mode. It means while a game such as Nintendo Switch Sports can be played on the console, it won't work as well as on the Switch OLED in TV mode.
Instead, to make sure you get the most out of your console, our experts have rounded up the very best Nintendo Switch Lite games around. Some of these are the best-of-the-best, such as Zelda: Breath of the Wild, but others are games like the super-hard platform game Celeste that really feels good on a handheld.
I've made sure every game listed here is just as enjoyable on a smaller screen as it is on a 48-inch TV
Although the Nintendo Switch Lite is cheaper than both the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch OLED, it's still capable of running nearly all Switch games. That said, some games that work brilliantly on a big TV screen lose their impact on the Switch Lite's tiny display. So I've made sure every game listed here is just as enjoyable on a smaller screen as it is on a 48-inch TV.
Meanwhile, if you haven't got a Nintendo Switch yet, our guides to the best Nintendo Switch Lite deals and the best Nintendo Switch deals will help you find the best price. And if you go for a Nintendo Switch rather than the Lite, check out our roundup of the best Nintendo Switch games too.
Best Nintendo Switch Lite games available now
There's a reason that Animal Crossing: New Horizons has become somewhat of a cultural phenomenon. Less a game, more an escape from the everyday horrors of existence, it jets you off to your own personal island paradise to explore, create, customise and simply chill the heck out.
Whether you want to hunt for bugs, chat to villagers, plant trees or search for cool clothing for your villager or neat household items, there's always something to do, not to mention that special rewarding feeling as your island getaway grows and evolves. I find this is absolutely one of the best Nintendo Switch Lite games to play for when you need to unwind.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild remains one of the best adventure games on the Nintendo Switch by a long way. It's the kind of game you can spend months playing and never see everything is has to offer – I've been playing for two years and still find new content.
While it's best experienced on a big screen, it still works really well on the Nintendo Switch Lite. The bold cartoon graphics don't suffer as much as other epic games on a smaller screen. And 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.
Love Pokémon? Then here's our top recommendation for the Nintendo Switch Lite. An off-shoot of the main series, Pokémon Legends: Arceus is a little different than most Pokémon titles. While some of the core gameplay remains, in general this is an open-world RPG that has more in common with Capcom's Monster Hunter series, and that's a reason why I recommend it so much.
Visually it's a little bland in places, but overall this a vast and engaging adventure. Your challenge is to 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.
Looking for relaxed vibes, but tired of Animal Crossing: New Horizons? 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 an overgrown field, you plant it with crops and grow your own farm, and along the way you'll meet and interact with all manner of interesting and engaging townspeople, all hoping to rebuild Stardew Valley to greatness. And if you like you can invite up to three friends to farm along with you in multiplayer.
Want a game that's truly going to challenge you? Then here's the perfect title for your Switch Lite. Metroid Dread follows the classic Metroid template: a vast 2D world to explore in which you gradually built up Samus Aran's abilities and weaponry.
Metroid Dread builds up the tension by throwing in near-indestructible robots that'll hunt you down, as well as punishing boss fights. Overall, this game offers just the right mix of exhilaration and frustration... and you won't want to stop until you've uncovered every little hidden secret.
Do you hate it when games get repetitive? Then Hades could be just the thing you need. It's 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. But as soon as you die, it's all the way back to square one, the House of Hades, to start again. It's not for everyone, but it's the perfect title for anyone who likes their gaming tough.
In our view, Celeste is the greatest platform game of all time, and it's one that goes perfectly with the Switch Lite. Be warned, though: this indie classic is also one of the hardest games on Switch Lite.
Based around a young girl climbing a mysterious mountain, this is a game that can feel overwhelmingly gruelling at first. As you learn its ways and build your skills you should eventually find your way to the peak, at which point you'll be much better equipped to go back to the start and use everything you've learned along the way to get through its gorgeous and varied levels that little bit faster.
Learning its speed-running secrets is part of the fun Celeste offers. Unlocking the mountain's even harder B-side and even its C-side levels (we doubt we'll ever manage that last one) is a punishing journey of dexterity and concentration. Yet, you will carry on as Celeste offers an old-fashioned challenge few games today manage.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land is a cute and colourful mouthful of weird platform adventuring, and it's perfectly suited to Nintendo Switch Lite. Nintendo's lighter, smaller handheld feels a good fit for Kirby's old-fashioned 3D platforming.
Be warned, this game is weird. Hero Kirby can consume and absorb the powers of other 'things', which means the squidgy character can evolve new drill and ranger abilities to fight and explore the world. As well as these copy abilities Kirby has a new 'mouthful mode' where the character can suck up everything from cars to vending machines.
Kirby is weird, colourful and quite unlike anything else on Nintendo's handheld console, but I love it, even if Kirby and the Forgotten Land can get a little shallow after extended play.
Experience all nine core Star Wars films through the prism of Lego in Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga. There have been Lego Star Wars games before but this collection goes even further, offering all the movies to play through in any order you wish, and now includes larger sandbox maps and vehicle stages to play. This is not simply one of the best Lego games, but one of the smartest Star Wars games you can experience.
On Nintendo Switch Lite this new game has all the stats to grab your attention, including over 300 characters to unlock, 23 planets to explore and more than 100 vehicles to unlock and play. The Lego humour is as smart as ever, and the mix of gameplay styles ensures even seasoned gamers can find something to love. The Force is strong here, Star Wars Lego, you will love… etc, etc.
Looking for a game you can play with friends, family or just about anyone? Mario Party's always been a great option, and Mario Party Superstars is a best-of edition that features mini-games from all the previous versions, as well as game boards from the first three Mario Party games on the Nintendo 64.
This is basically a big, immersive board game that mixes skill and luck as you make your way around the board via dice rolls, and while you won't really have much fun with it playing by yourself, it comes alive when you add friends. You can either play by passing the Switch Lite around, or local or online multiplayer.
Who doesn't love a Mario game? And while Super Mario Odyssey might be the obvious pick for the standard Switch, we think that Super Mario Maker 2 is the better fit for the Nintendo Switch Lite. Quite simply, it offers the kind of classic 2D Mario platforming action that made Nintendo the game developer it is today. Plus you get the added fun of creating and sharing your own levels, as well as downloading and playing other people's creations. What's not to love?
On release Immortals Fenyx Rising was compared to Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and no game comes away from that comparison looking good. Zelda always wins. However, I still love this open world adventure, and highly recommend it. In particular the game's approach to its puzzles is fantastic – these often sprawling puzzles evoke Zelda but have enough scale and invention to feel original.
Between puzzles there are some standard adventure and item management shenanigans to partake in, but again Immortals Fenyx Rising manages to carve out its own sense of self. 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 fits perfectly.
Number two on our list offers a new take on Pokémon. But if you want a classic old-school Pokémon game instead, here's the best. 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 all about building up your Pokémon collection and becoming the best trainer of them all. And while it's big on nostalgia there are plenty of new side quests and quality-of-life additions that give the experience extra depth.
Read more:
- The best Switch Lite cases available now
- Find the best Nintendo Switch accessories in 2022
- Get nostalgic with the best retro game consoles
