10. Rocket League - Psyonix
I still don’t get over the fact that Rocket League went from a full-priced game to a free-to-play one, but I totally understand the strategy that went behind the scenes to make this decision as it has nothing but kept growing ever since that happened. And what can I say? A “vehicular soccer video game” is without any doubt an experience worth going through.
9. Fortnite - Epic Games
I mean, it was inevitable not to include this one on the list, but we’ll give some smaller cool titles be on the top spots. What can I say about Fortnite that hadn’t been saying before; whether you love it or hate it, it’s here to stay for a while and keep giving millions of players the time of their lives.
8. Ninjala - GungHo Online
This underrated free-to-play gem was first announced during 2018’s E3. Ninjala is a game focused on melee combat, and while it has been heavily compared to Splatoon due to its gameplay and artstyle, it’s pretty unique and a really fun option when you’re looking for short gaming sessions.
7. Apex Legends - Panic Button Games, Respawn Entertainment
Apex Legends is EA’s take on battle royales. I don’t personally love it but cannot deny the fact that it has very solid gameplay and quite creative seasons over the years ever since its release. Something else that I really have to appreciate is that you can play cross-platform, going from Nintendo Switch to iOS and even Play Station 5.
6. Super Kirby Clash - HAL Laboratories
Super Kirby Clash is an amazing co-op online game in which you join another 3 players to fight against some phenomenal bosses from Kirby history. One of the main characteristics of this free-to-start multiplayer is that you have to choose a specific role that you’ll have to assume to either attack or protect your online mates!
5. The Elder Scrolls: Blades - Bethesda Game Studios
I need to be really clear from the beginning; we shouldn’t expect a Skyrim-like experience from an Elder Scrolls game, although that doesn’t mean you won’t have some amazing hours of gameplay while completing missions and combating several enemies to power up your character.
4. Pokémon Café ReMix - The Pokémon Company, Genius Sonority
Of course, I wouldn’t let a puzzle game not be on this ranking; previously known as Pokémon Café Mix, this free-to-play game lets players recruit Pokémon from different generations and dress them to your please while completing well-crafted and incredibly fun puzzle challenges.
3. Tetris 99 - Nintendo, Arika
This is kind of a tricky one; of course, Tetris 99 is free to download, but you need an active Nintendo Switch Online membership to do it so. Tetris 99 was quite a big surprise when it was first announced; this isn’t the first time Tetris is heavily related to Nintendo, but to have a game in which you play Tetris against another 99 people, that’s dope.
2. Super Nintendo Entertainment System: Nintendo Switch Online - Nintendo
Same case as the Tetris 99 situation in which you need to be an active NOS member to be able to download it, but man… The catalog of the SNES is one the best ones in the history of video games not just in my opinion but in many others. Classics like Super Mario World, the Donkey Kong Country trilogy, Super Metroid, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, and Earthbound; I think that’s quite enough to have this one on the top tier list of “free” Nintendo Switch games.
1. Super Animal Royale - Pixile, Modus Games, Poppy Works
First place would’ve gone to the SNES - Nintendo Switch Online collection if it wasn’t for the fact that it isn’t 100% free. But guys, Super Animal Royale deserves this spot more than any other on this list. Super Animal Royale is a battle royale, a genre that’s popping out all over the place, but this one stands out because of its originality and overall cuteness; and it won’t go over my head the fact that it performs fantastically on the Nintendo Switch and it doesn’t have those invasive small transactions as other titles on this ranking. You should definitely give it a chance as I could play for hours without getting tired at all.
