Do you see that mountain on the horizon? You can go there! That old chestnut game has been around for a long time, but for old-school gamers who remember the compartmentalized realms of yesteryear, there’s still a special magic that stems from being able to walk to a distant summit. Videogames, huh? Wonderful.
Despite the diminutive size of the console, Nintendo Switch has amassed a selection of vast realms and open worlds to explore and enjoy since launch, and we’ve compiled our picks for the best open-world games on Switch below.
How do we define an ‘open world’? Well, exploring a great world is critical, preferably with as little sluice as possible. The ability to go anywhere, anytime is a key part of the titles below, whether you have the skills to survive or not. If you’re looking for 2D platforms that gradually reveal a large open map to explore, you should check out our guide to the best Switch Metroidvanias.
So let’s take a look at a selection:in no particular order–of the best open worlds on Switch.
Editor: CD Projekt Red / / Developer: CD Projekt Red
We start with one of the most impressive ports on Switch. The fact that the CD Projekt Red action RPG runs on the Nintendo console is a minor miracle, but the experience the studio served The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt It holds up incredibly well thanks to the efforts of Saber Interactive. The epic adventure of Geralt of Rivia is a joy to play on a handheld, and the cross-game with the PC version of the game is the icing on a tasty little cake.
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Editor: Capcom / / Developer: Capcom
What it lacks in epic narrative and tradition it makes up for in tight and satisfying combat and the scope of its open world. Dragon dogma It may not be perfect, but Capcom’s action RPG still manages to shine on Switch. This port from the Dark Arisen update will not convert it if it doesn’t continue with the 2012 original, but we still get a strong recommendation from us.
Editor: Ubisoft / / Developer: Ubisoft
Thanks to the inclusion of exclusive content from Star Fox, Ubisoft’s cross-platform platform Starlink: Battle for Atlas It has a better Switch experience and is the closest thing to an open world Star Fox game. Comparisons with No Man’s Sky They’re valid, and while the game didn’t light up the charts when it launched, possibly thanks to its reliance on bulky toy-like accessories at a time when most of us already had our eyes on plastic peripherals … it’s one one of the funniest dog fighting / space exploration games money can buy. You can find it for a pittance these days, and we highly recommend you pick it up the next time you see it at a discount.
Editor: Bethesda Softworks / / Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
The game that set the standard for the modern open-world experience with its scope and ambition, the emergence of Skyrim on Switch was a pleasant surprise when she appeared in the reveal clip for the console in October 2016. If you’re looking for perfect, polished perfection, you’ll find Zelda further down the list; If you are looking for an epic adventure full of guts, glory and not a small amount of jank, this is still one of the best examples out there.
Editor: Koch Media / / Developer: Will
In the continuous absence of 3D Grand Theft Auto series on Nintendo consoles, Saints Row IV: reelected enters the picture and offers a consciously dumb and completely entertaining version of the open-world urban game. It works much better than its predecessor on Switch, and while its sense of humor won’t fit everyone, it’s definitely worth investigating if you like open-world games that aren’t taken too seriously.
Editor: Abylight Studios / / Developer: Heart machine
Hyper Light Drifter: Special Edition is a top-down adventure that wordlessly presents a The legend of Zelda-Esque kingdom to explore and puzzles. It’s a secret-packed standalone classic that works perfectly on Switch, whether you’re playing portable or docked. If you’ve had this on your ‘to play’ list, we urge you to dive into its magnificent pixel world as soon as possible.
Editor: Ubisoft / / Developer: Ubisoft
Switch owners have a couple of options when it comes to Assassin’s Creed games, but there is a clear and correct answer if someone asks you what they should be playing. Assassin’s Creed: The Rebel Collection contains both Black Flag (number four in the main franchise), plus the spin-off / interquel series Assassin’s Creed: Rogue. A feast for the eyes and ears, sailing the high seas while Edward Kenway feels no different than the voyages of a young cell-shaded sailor we first enjoyed on GameCube, and the beauty of the Caribbean waves and Pirate settlements shown in very good condition. Portable form in this excellent port of one of the high points of the series.
And Rogue isn’t bad either.
Editor: Klei Entertainment / / Developer: Klei Entertainment
The procedurally generated open worlds of Don’t starve Give him the feeling of a relentless Minecraft, with the pleasure of facing and conquering the difficulties and challenges of surviving in the desert. It may not be for everyone, and it can get a bit repetitive, but the Switch version is a great way to experience the game, and once Don’t Starve digs his teeth it will be very difficult to shake it up.
Editor: Electronic arts / / Developer: Criterion games
The open world approach of Burnout paradise It had a profound influence on the driving genre, although Nintendo platforms have not been blessed with a large number of open-world racers. The criterion is excellent Need for Speed: Most Wanted It made it to Wii U, but it didn’t make the impact it should have been due to that console’s disappointing sales. Having this precursor on Switch – and any Entry into the beloved Burnout franchise is a gift tainted only for the substantial price it carried at launch.
However, it runs at a speed of 60fps, and despite various elements showing its age a bit, it’s still a super sleek ride that works well on Switch. We recommend keeping an eye on a sale with this one.
Editor: Mojang / / Developer: Mojang
You know Minecraft, right? The open-world sandbox game where you mine and actually create materials to survive and shape the world to your liking. Not much more to say really. The Switch version is very solid and portable to boot. All in all, pretty good.
Editor: Nintendo / / Developer: Nintendo SPD
Fighting Skyrim for the title of ‘Painfully More Obvious Inclusion’, if you have a Switch and it’s not just a Animal crossing portal, you owe it to yourself to get Breath of the Wild. Her version of Hyrule is one of the most cohesive, polished, and watertight open worlds on any platform, and we’ve literally wasted real-life days exploring its hills and valleys, peaks and valleys, nooks and crannies. It is one of the best games that Nintendo has made; Of course it is here.
Do you think we have missed something? Don’t you agree with the previous selection? Please let us know below and we can massage the above list to include other open world games.
This article is one of our Switch Essentials guides covering a wide variety of genres, including the best Switch FPS games, the best Switch RPGs, the best Switch games for kids, the best cooperative Switch Couch games and the best Switch Fitness games and Exercise games. We can also help you search for the best Switch horror games, the best Switch racing games, the best Switch action RPGs, the best Roguelikes games, Roguelites and Nintendo Run based games, the best free Switch games and even games to play After you’ve finished Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
Whatever your favorite genre, we’ve got you covered: Strategy Games, Metroidvanias, Puzzle Games, Party Games, Online Multiplayer Games, Shmups, Fighting Games, Hidden Gems, 2D Platforms, 3D Platforms, Sports Games, Beat ‘ Em Ups, Chill Games, Family Games, Retro Inspired Games, Short Games, and the best Switch exclusives, as well as all Arcade Archives games, every ACA Neo Geo game, and every SEGA AGES game on Switch.
If you are looking for the best Switch games regardless of genre, our reader-voted selection of the best Nintendo Switch games should help you, and you can also find the best Nintendo Switch games of 2017, 2018 and 2019. And finally, if Are you interested in other Nintendo retro games and consoles, take a look at the best Game Boy games, best Nintendo DS games, best Nintendo 3DS games and best GameCube games as well as all NES games online Nintendo Switch and every Nintendo Switch SNES game online.
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