The 20 Best Open World Switch Games

The world of Nintendo is ruled by gaming icons such as Mario, Samus, and Kirby. Another one of its ruling heroes is Link, the "Hyrule Kingdom" savior that always gets Princess Zelda out of a pinch and proves to be the evil Ganondorf's biggest threat. The Switch launch title that stars the "Master Sword" wielder is one of the best games ever made and a bonafide pick for fans of open world games. You'll be given a ton of freedom here during your trek through gorgeous green plains, activate helpful towers & shrines to place waypoints across the game's expansive map, and grow more powerful before you square off with "Calamity Ganon."

Breath of the Wild started Link's presence on the Switch on a strong note. And now Tears of the Kingdom has shown up to further solidify the highly satisfying open world formula The Legend of Zelda series now encompasses. This sequel brings back the best parts of its predecessor. And on the topic of new features, Link will be sent above the clouds to explore new expanses, gain the ability to attach objects together to create weird weapons & vehicles, ascend through solid matter, and rewind time on certain obstacles. This return to Hyrule is certainly a pleasant one.

Geralt of Rivia is heralded by novel readers, gamers, and viewers of the streaming series he appears in as a "Witcher" (and also a pretty swaggy ladies' man). If you grew to value him and the Slavic mythology-inspired fantasy realm he inhabits beforehand, then seek out his latest and greatest entry to date. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Complete Edition features a massive open world to explore as you take control of Geralt in an effort to protect a loved one from a vicious faction. You'll swing your blades, dole out magical attacks, and get embroiled in all sorts of political drama across the main campaign and the game's huge DLC add-ons within this feature-rich Complete Edition. You'll get tons of hours of playtime out of this one, which is why it's such a worthwhile pick on this list of the best open world games on Switch.

Mario initially hopped and bopped into the world of 3D open spaces in Super Mario 64. Then he continued hopping and bopping within that spacious realm with Super Mario Sunshine and Super Mario Galaxy. After you've spent some time playing those games to death, then it's only right that you do the same for the globe-trotting platformer known as Super Mario Odyssey. As one of the home/handheld hybrid console's best open world games, this platformer sees Mario going all over the globe and using his trusty hat "Cappy" to copy the abilities of his foes. Along with some lively 3D platforming, this game also features a cool nod to Mario's 8-bit side-scrolling days that will leave your jaw on the floor the first time you encounter one.

Greek mythology is the central theme here in this action RPG that deserves way more adulation from those who sadly ignored it. Immortals Fenyx Rising follows the main protagonist known as Fenyx, who must find a way to bring an end to the disastrous acts of the newly escaped demonic menace called "Typhon." And on the way to eliminating his negative presence from the world, you'll run into massive enemy types that include Cyclops, Medusa, Cerberus, and so much more. Alongside some solid third-person combat, this game also features an assemblage of clever puzzles that'll truly test your brain power and some humorous exchanges between a narrator following your journey and the almighty Zeus.

Nintendo made a genius move by attaching itself to the JRPG development studio Monolith Soft. Back on the Wii, the studio known for being masters at crafting quality JRPGs released the first Xenoblade Chronicles. Shulk, his powerful Monado blade, and the rest of his loyal allies are known by gamers worldwide thanks to their heroic exploits atop the boundless realms that exist on the frozen bodies of two warring titans. This Wii version got ported over to the Switch and has gotten the expected graphical & mechanical adjustments you'd expect from a classic game coming over to a more powerful console. This lengthy JRPG features an awesome combat system, an elegant open world to traverse, and an amazing story to get enveloped by.

Next up on this list of the best open world games on Switch look at the sequel to the last game we just mentioned! Xenoblade Chronicles 2 should be easy for folks who may have missed out on the first game to try out since this game provides a wholly new storyline separate from its predecessor. The only theme that's prevalent here as a signature series element is being able to adventure across the backs of "Titans." This JRPG journey centers on Rex and a living weapon named Pyra, who journey together with battle-ready "Blades" with the hopes of finding Pyra's mystical paradise. The action-packed combat mechanics of the first game make their return in a Xenoblade Chronicles follow-up that adopts a more anime-esque presentation.

And of course, we'll have to award a top spot on this list to the third mainline entry in the Xenoblade franchise! And this time, you'll get caught right in the middle of warring nations as you take control of child soldiers who are trying to find out who/what is pulling the strings behind their world's constant state of conflict. Noah, Eunie, and Lanz, who hail from Keves, plus Mio, Sena, and Taion, who hail from Agnus, all band together to take down the biggest danger of all that threatens both their worlds. You already know how the last two games on this list are, so you definitely know what makes this threequel so great - fast-paced battles, fun open-world expeditions, and an effective storyline that will stay with you long after you've completed.

A LEGO-ized Grand Theft Auto game exists? And it's...REALLY GOOD? Yeah, we were shocked to learn about it when it first came to the Wii U back in 2013. If you missed it back then, no worries - it's playable on the Switch! LEGO City Undercover is set within the bustling "Lego City," which is rife with crime. You'll be tasked with putting a stop to that recent uprise in criminal activity as an undercover cop named Chase McCain. You can go on the hunt for bad guys as Mr. McCain by joyriding in all sorts of cars, piloting helicopters, and donning a wide suite of disguises that will afford you different abilities that'll help you immensely.

Three cheers for the talented developers at Hello Games! While they initially disappointed everyone with this game at launch in 2016, the studio acknowledged all of its mistakes, made sure to acknowledge them, and go back to the drawing board to help No Man's Sky reach its fullest potential. Now, this game is one of the very best open world Switch games that takes place within a vast galaxy full of strange creatures, friendly space travelers, and mysterious planets worth exploring. What you'll get sucked into here is an infinite procedurally generated galaxy where gathering resources, moving between planets on a spaceship, and engaging in merchant trading is more fun than you think.

The first Monster Hunter Stories tried something different by hopping into a turn-based RPG format that utilized the series' monsters as commendable allies. Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin revisits that style of play to a great degree of success. Here, you'll cover the huge expanse of "Hakolo Island" as you form bonds with recognizable Monster Hunter beasts, equip different weapons/armor gearsets for battle, and take on online co-op/versus modes that add to this game's overall fun factor. Become a "Rider" and link up with some "Monsties" on your road to becoming the world's savior!

Pokémon fanatics have always fantasized about catching them all within the confines of an open world. Thankfully, this series spinoff arrived to make those dreams come true. Timeline-wise, Pokémon Legends: Arceus takes place in a pre-Sinnoh region era called "Hisui." Taking place long before the events of Pokémon Diamond & Pearl and their remakes, this prequel journey places you in a vast land defined by varied biomes that host all sorts of different Pokémon species. Interacting with those iconic creatures allows for seamless gameplay where you can throw a Poké Ball at a Pokémon while out exploring, enter battles without having to wait to load another screen, and even get attacked directly by the wandering Pokémon you'll encounter.

Rise, oh resurrected one! As the "Fateless One," you'll set out into the high fantasy world of the "Faelands" and take the fight to the rogue Fae Gadflow and his god Tirnoch. Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning remasters that game's action RPG-heavy experience, brings along all of its previous DLC, and surprisingly adds never-before-seen content in the form of the Fatesworn expansion. This throwback to the days of the PS3 and Xbox 360 is still a good time thanks to its exciting combat systems, massive world, and fascinating plotline.

Fans of games that take place within a post-apocalyptic world dominated by the undead will love everything about Dying Light. This definitive edition of the game comes with a sizable content slate for those who've never taken it for a spin (and you're crazy for not playing it beforehand, by the way!). We've chosen to crown Dying Light Platinum Edition as one of the best open world Switch games thanks to its satisfying amalgamation of fluid parkour exploration, meaty melee combat, and terrifying runs through the evening hours that truly test your survival instincts.

You know it, all the kids know it, and damn near everyone who hasn't been living under a rock knows it. Minecraft has broke records as it has dominated the conversation around the most important video game ever made. The open world elements are strong here as you'll be able to create anything your heart desires in an endearing blocky world. Alongside creation mechanics, survival gameplay also plays a huge role in how you interact with everything and everyone around you. All the Nintendo-themed content included in this version will do even more to appeal to Switch owners.

There are two juggernaut JRPGs that regularly sell boatloads of copies in Japan - Final Fantasy and Dragon Warrior. In the States, the latter is known as Dragon Quest and has also amassed quite a dedicated fanbase. The latest entry in the series is Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition, which added retro JRPG elements that revisit the golden age of the sub-genre. We placed this one on our list of the best open world games on Switch for several reasons - we love the warm camaraderie between the game's party members, the turn-based combat system is simple yet satisfying, and the epic adventure (which there are two big halves of) takes you across a compelling world. Plus the 2D mode is pretty cool for fans of Dragon Quest's pre-3D franchise entries.

This double-pack is a special treat for fans of the Assassin's Creed games before it went full steam ahead with action RPG mechanics. The two games included in this compilation are Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag and Assassin's Creed Rogue, which both tickle the fancy of gamers who want to sail the high seas in their own massive ship. You'll take on the role of an Assassin in Black Flag and you'll embrace the role of their biggest foes in Rogue. Playing as one of those no-good Templars provides an intriguing premise that you'll want to check out if you've never done so. This remastered collection is one of Ubisoft's best.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is damn near accessible on every modern-day system you can possibly think of. So it's no surprise that we've chosen to highlight it here on this list of the best open world games on Switch. Since originally launching in 2011, Bethesda Softworks' massive fantastical medieval action RPG has been ported countless times and improved upon. So at this point, the best way to play it if you haven't dabbled in it already is The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition. You can embrace the tough trials and tribulations of the all-powerful "Dragonborn" in this package's main campaign and three expansive DLC expansions (Dragonborn, Dawnguard, and Hearthfire).

Once you sit down with Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen, you'll realize why everyone's so amped about its upcoming sequel. This re-release of the original game is feature-rich as it features all of its base content, DLC content, a whole bunch of new items & gear, a debuting questline, and an entirely new region to explore. Diving into this one means you'll get to create your very own "Arisen" warrior, choose a combat class for them, and look to get revenge on the dragon that stole your heart (literally!). While this game doesn't feature online co-op, you can link up with AI-controlled "Pawns" that fight well enough to make you think they're actually being led by human hands. Grabbing and clinging onto big monsters and cutting them down a notch is oodles of fun.

Back in 2008, developer Criterion Games hit the road with one of the greatest open world racing games with an entirely new Burnout. That game arrived in the form of Burnout Paradise, which mashed together the explosive car crashes and breakneck speed of the series with the digital playground called "Paradise City." All sorts of local/online races, a day and night cycle, the inclusion of motorcycles, and the addition of "Big Sur Island" turned this racer into the ultimate package for arcade racing game fans. This remastered edition features every bit of that content and a crispier visual sheen that makes it worth replaying or checking it out for the very first time.