The holidays are approaching and with them a rush to purchase gifts. If you are looking to buy Nintendo Switch games, we have made a list of five plus One suggestions of games to look at. Almost all of these are available physically and will make excellent gifts.

Astral Chain

PlatinumGames are the masters of action games, which they proved with titles like Bayonetta and Vanquish, so many are always excited for the new IP they work on. Astral Chain was one such IP the company made with Nintendo that showed why PlatinumGames is so well regarded.

Top-notch action, combined with new ideas and a neat cyberpunk aesthetic made Astral Chain stand out right away, but it is the non-action parts that deserve attention as well. Creating a mix of action with Police Procedural and investigation gaming was a risky move but it paid off well and resulted in one of PlatinumGames’ most unique titles. The innovative tether mechanic of the legion entities allowed for gameplay that was unlike previous titles from the developer and that opened eyes up as well.

To add to all this, the title was easier to get into than previous titles from, PlatinumGames and the result was a perfect entry into action games and perfect to get this holiday.

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order

When Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order was first shown off as a Nintendo Switch exclusive, many were surprised. Nintendo publishing a Marvel game developed by Team Ninja was not what anyone expected, but the results were very welcome.

The game like the first two entries, and the X-Men Legends games, is an Action RPG with a squad of four playable characters at a time, while also supporting multiplayer for 4 players locally or online. What stands out is the fact that Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order is not primarily MCU-based, but rather based on a variety of Marvel sources such as the comics, cartoons, MCU and even other games.

Each character plays differently thankfully, and you can create some innovative teams, and with the DLC, there are many great characters to choose from., making this Action RPG a must-play for any comic book fan.

Mario +  Rabbids Kingdom Battle

A crossover between Mario and the Rabbids was something no one expected or wanted when it was first leaked, but the actual game won over gamers immediately. Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle showed something that fans wanted to see, and that was creativity and innovation.

This tactical RPG plays almost like an all-ages version of X-Com but also manages to keep the Mario series sense of wonder and discovery. In many ways, it functions as a spiritual sequel to the classic Paper Mario games, and with its sequel coming, it may just become the premier Mario RPG series. With deep and engaging gameplay and a sense of fun, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle gave fans what they didn’t know they needed.

If you like tactical RPGs and Mario RPGs, this is a game for you for sure.

Cadence of Hyrule

Crypt of the Necrodancer is a brilliant rhythm action game that impressed many, including those at Nintendo. When approached about making Zelda-themed DLC for the Switch version, Nintendo themselves suggested that Brace Yourself Games make a full game and the result is amazing.

Cadence of Hyrule sends Cadence into a Hyrule that functions in a similar manner to Crypt of the Necrodancer, where she must team with Link and Zelda to defeat a new evil.  The music in this game is some of the best takes on the series iconic music. For those who do not wish to play rhythm games, but still want a great 2D roguelike Zelda game, there is a fixed beat mode that turns the game into a more traditional action-adventure roguelike.

With excellent dungeons, a great world to explore and items to find, Cadence of Hyrule is definitely one to keep on a buying list.

Arms

Smash Bros is what people think of when it comes to Nintendo and fighting games, but the company has tried many times to create a fighter. These include Urban Champion and Joy Mech Fight on the NES/Famicom, and in recent years we have had the newest attempt in Arms.

Arms is a 3D behind-the-view fighter, similar to an arena fighter and won over many fans of the genre quickly. The mechanics of the game are great, with each character having something to make them stand out and the customization elements add much to the gameplay. In addition, the online still plays excellent, with an amazing rollback netcode that ensures the matches will run perfectly.

Arms is a game that deserves more love and those looking to get Nintendo games this year should definitely try this one.

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And now for our Plus 1 entry.

Famicom Detective Club

The Two Famicom Detective Club games do not have a physical release in the west ( hence why they are separate here), but digital codes for the games can be purchased online on retailers like Amazon. These are well-crafted adventure games that have received ground-up remakes for modern audiences. Fans of titles like Ace Attorney and Professor Layton will get real enjoyment from these, albeit they are more serious.

Famicom Detective Club may be more niche but the quality is there, as is the joy of solving the mystery as you progress. If you are a fan of adventure games or know someone who is, you cannot go wrong with these games.

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And there you have it. Good luck with your holiday gift game shopping this year.