With the Nintendo Switch nearing the end of its eight-year run and the Switch 2 on the horizon, it’s time to revisit your console one last time. Don’t pack it away just yet—there are still some underappreciated masterpieces waiting to be discovered.

While blockbusters like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and Animal Crossing: New Horizons dominate the spotlight, the Switch’s library is packed with lesser-known titles that deserve your attention on Nintendo’s versatile hybrid console.

Time and budgets are tight, and the game library is vast, but these hidden Switch treasures are worth your while before the Switch 2 arrives. Dive in—you’ll be glad you did.

20 Must-Play Hidden Nintendo Switch Titles

20. Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon

A prequel to the iconic witch’s saga, Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon delivers a captivating puzzle-platformer wrapped in a stunning storybook aesthetic. Fans of Bayonetta’s signature combat will still find satisfying, fast-paced combos. Despite its unique art direction and prequel status, this gem deserves more love as a standout in the series.

19. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity

Blending the musou-style action of Dynasty Warriors with The Legend of Zelda, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity lets you control Link or Breath of the Wild’s Champions to fend off hordes of enemies. Though not part of the mainline Zelda canon, its thrilling battles and nostalgic ties to Breath of the Wild make it a must-play for fans eager to revisit Hyrule’s past.

18. New Pokemon Snap

The long-awaited follow-up to the Nintendo 64’s Pokemon Snap, New Pokemon Snap arrived in 2021 with more creatures to photograph and secrets to uncover across diverse biomes. Building on everything fans loved about the original, this charming spinoff appeals to both nostalgic players and newcomers seeking a unique Pokemon adventure.

17. Kirby and the Forgotten Land

Kirby’s first fully 3D adventure, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, maximizes the new dimension with expansive, explorable environments. Kirby’s classic ability to absorb enemy powers is enhanced with creative twists, like transforming into a car for exploration. This vibrant title is one of Kirby’s finest, and it’s a shame to miss it before the Switch era ends.

16. Paper Mario: The Origami King

The Paper Mario series is cherished for its whimsical art and puzzle-RPG gameplay, and The Origami King shines with its breathtaking open world. While its combat may not match earlier entries, the game’s visual charm and unique aesthetic make it a standout for fans of Mario’s paper-crafted adventures.

15. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is a 2D platforming masterpiece that demands attention. Its challenging levels push even seasoned players with crumbling icebergs and bouncy jello platforms, all paired with stunning visuals, a stellar soundtrack, and precise controls. This high-energy adventure is a must for platformer enthusiasts.

14. Fire Emblem Engage

While Fire Emblem: Three Houses stole the spotlight, Fire Emblem Engage deserves recognition for its throwback tactics RPG gameplay. Featuring tighter maps, punishing difficulty, and returning fan-favorite characters via a multiverse twist, it’s a strategic gem for players craving a challenge.

13. Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore

This unexpected crossover of Shin Megami Tensei and Fire Emblem, set in Japan’s vibrant idol culture, blends colorful RPG combat with a playful aesthetic. Though its localization softens some themes, the game’s unique charm and engaging battles make it a hidden treasure worth exploring.

12. Astral Chain

Astral Chain is a dazzling action game from PlatinumGames, featuring fluid combat with summonable “Legion” weapons and challenging boss fights. Beyond battles, its cyberpunk world offers exploration, puzzles, and investigation. Exclusive to the Switch, this title’s brilliance deserves wider recognition.

11. Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope

Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope combines strategic RPG gameplay with the charm of Mario and Ubisoft’s Rabbids. Its dynamic combat system, fueled by character upgrades and combos, delivers pure fun for fans of either franchise or newcomers alike.

10. Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door

A stunning remake of the GameCube classic, Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door boasts upgraded visuals, music, and gameplay. Join Mario on a treasure-hunting quest to save Peach and Rogueport in one of the finest entries in the Paper Mario series.

9. F-Zero 99

F-Zero 99 reimagines the iconic racing series as a 99-player battle royale, delivering heart-pounding races with strategic collisions and Skyway boosts. Post-launch updates have elevated this surprise hit into a standout entry that revitalizes the franchise.

8. Pikmin 3 Deluxe

Pikmin 3 Deluxe enhances the beloved strategy game with new Pikmin types, co-op story mode, and the Piklopedia. Its quirky characters and fruit-collecting gameplay add humor and charm, making it an essential addition to any Pikmin fan’s collection.

7. Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker

Originally a Wii U gem, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is a delightful puzzle-platformer where Toad navigates levels without jumping due to his heavy backpack. Its clever, bite-sized stages are perfect for on-the-go Switch play and deserve more acclaim.

6. Game Builder Garage

Game Builder Garage is an underappreciated gem that teaches game development through charming, interactive lessons. Unlike complex game engines, its approachable interface lets you create and share games with Nintendo’s signature polish, making it a must-try for aspiring developers.

5. Xenoblade Chronicles Series

Monolith Soft’s Xenoblade Chronicles series, including entries 1, 2, 3, and X, offers vast open worlds and epic tales of gods, robots, and civilizations. These time-intensive JRPGs deliver breathtaking exploration and storytelling that demand your attention.

4. Kirby’s Return to Dreamland Deluxe

A stellar 2D Kirby adventure, Kirby’s Return to Dreamland Deluxe shines with robust multiplayer and a wealth of levels and collectibles. Its new epilogue and classic subgames make it an ideal entry point for newcomers and a joy for longtime fans.

3. Ring Fit Adventure

Ring Fit Adventure blends fitness with a robust RPG, challenging players to defeat a villainous dragon using a fitness ring. Its engaging gameplay keeps you moving, making it more than just a workout tool—it’s a surprisingly deep adventure.

2. Metroid Dread

Metroid Dread revives the series’ 2.5D roots with intense search-action gameplay and terrifying E.M.M.I. robots that stalk Samus. Despite strong sales, this gripping adventure remains underplayed compared to other Switch hits, making it a must for action fans.

1. Metroid Prime Remastered

With Metroid Prime 4 looming, Metroid Prime Remastered is the perfect way to revisit Samus’s iconic 3D debut. This stunning remake upgrades visuals and controls for the Switch, delivering a timeless adventure of isolation and exploration at a budget-friendly price.

These standout Switch titles deserve your time before the Switch 2 launches. With backward compatibility confirmed, now’s the perfect moment to dive in and carry your progress forward.