9 Best Underrated Switch Games That You Should Know Update 03/2024

Overrated Metroid Dread

The Nintendo Switch’s game library is stronger than ever now that it has a wide range of games. There are sure to be a lot of hidden gems and games that some people think are overrated in the Wii U’s huge library of games, which ranges from big Nintendo IPs to less well-known indies.

Many games have just gotten lost in this huge lineup, or they may have been overshadowed by mascots with Master Swords and moustaches. Maybe they don’t appeal to as many people or you have to play them more than once to fully appreciate them. Whatever the reason, Nintendo Switch has a lot of games that aren’t as popular as they should be, as well as some games that don’t quite live up to their hype. This list will talk about five of the best examples of each.

Stephen LaGioia added this on April 2, 2022: As the Switch’s library keeps growing quickly, more and more games have slipped under the radar of many fans. This is especially true now that people are getting more excited about games like Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 and Switch Sports. Since this article came out, there have been more releases that might have gotten a little too much attention for how good they were.

Overrated: The Legend Of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD

Overrated The Legend Of Zelda Skyward Sword HD

Fans have criticised The Big N for its many remastered and remade versions of older games, even when it comes to the much-loved Link. Still, some people couldn’t help but wonder if this Zelda adventure for the Wii was really necessary, especially when compared to Breath of the Wild, which is prettier and has more action.

Skyward Sword HD feels like “more of the same” to many people, even though it has exciting flight mechanics and fine-tuned motion controls. It is more of a small step than a big leap forward. The game is still fun to play because of its interesting settings and classic 3D Zelda gameplay. But since it was a rather bland remaster, many fans didn’t think it was good enough to be the main release.

Underrated: Astral Chain

This unique action-thriller from PlatinumGames has flashy graphics, smooth combat, and a colourful, almost cyberpunk theme. Players will find it hard to put down their Joy-Cons as they fight through hordes of interdimensional creatures as members of the task force.

Astral Chain is a fast-paced hack-and-slash game with a deep system of combos and upgrades. It has a good mix of depth and arcade action. Because it was heavily stylized and sometimes hard to understand, this 2019 game was often overlooked and underrated, even though it was one of the best games of that year.

Overrated: Metroid Dread

Overrated Metroid Dread

Even though it may be a controversial choice, it’s hard to argue that this 2.5D shooter didn’t quite live up to the huge hype, which was fueled by Metroid fans who couldn’t wait for the next game. Even though Dread is exciting to watch and works well, it moves too slowly and is too much the same.

Its gameplay is much less intense and more forgiving than the older games, which were all about hard work. It’s not bad, but in an era with so many great Metroidvanias from both big studios and small ones, it’s hard to care that much, especially with Metroid Prime 4 on the horizon.

Underrated: Aegis Defenders

Even though Aegis Defenders has simple-looking (but cute) pixel art graphics, it is full of detail and new ideas. Guts Department takes ideas and mechanics from both 2D tower defence games and co-op platformers like Lost Vikings and mixes them together.

Side-scrolling battles are fun and creative because players can switch between different characters as they solve puzzles and get resources. This makes some of the survival parts very addicting, which makes the game more fun and intense.

Overrated: 1-2 Switch

1-2 Switch

The idea of controlling a sandwich-eating minigame with one’s mouth, or milking a cow with nuanced motion controls may have been a cool novelty during the Switch’s launch. And, yes, it is a good way to show off the precise gyro controls and HD rumble.

But at the end of the day, that’s what 1-2 Switch really is: a demo with short, simple games instead of a full-fledged game. The best parts of the software are its easy-to-use interface and its fun local multiplayer. But even when these qualities are emphasised, it doesn’t really work in the long run.

Underrated: MUSYNX

It’s strange that no one has heard of this musical romp, since it could be one of the best rhythm games for Nintendo’s hybrid console. Fair enough, this indie game doesn’t have the widest appeal because it’s all about rhythmic gameplay set to obscure techno music.

Still, people who like music games like Guitar Hero are likely to enjoy this interesting ride. Not only is it a rare Switch game that makes good use of the touchscreen, but it also has a lot of content. This is because it has different levels of difficulty and a huge list of songs from many different types.

Overrated: Octopath Traveler

Octopath Traveler

It’s easy to be impressed by an original Square Enix RPG on Switch, especially one with a retro art style and a rich soundtrack like this one. In the end, though, many people have had trouble getting into this long journey, with its turn-based battles and random encounters.

The unique thing about Octopath Traveler is that it has a lot of different characters, each with their own history and skills. This is kind of interesting, but it also makes the player go through each of the eight story beats in separate chapters, which is a slow process that not everyone will enjoy.

Underrated: Yooka-Laylee And The Impossible Lair

It’s easy to see why this didn’t get much attention, since it’s based on a 3D platformer that people see as a bad tribute to Banjo-Kazooie. But this 2D spin-off is more like the old Donkey Kong Country games, even though it has some fun new features. It’s not too surprising, since Playtonic is made up of many of the people who made that famous series.

The only thing I don’t like about Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair is that the overworld can be hard to move around in. This is a great 2D platformer that gets too little attention. It has beautiful settings, solid gameplay, and satisfying abilities.

Kaze and the Wild Masks (Switch)

Kaze and the Wild Masks (Switch)

Kaze and the Wild Masks is a pleasure to play from start to finish. What it lacks in originality, it makes up for with its strong level design, responsive controls, kinetic move set, and attractive graphics. Excellent, action-packed platforming all the way through, with great gameplay variety and gimmicks that don’t get in the way of what the game does best: challenging, fast-paced obstacle courses and cleverly hidden secret areas. Easiest sell? Kaze and the Wild Masks is like Sonic the Hedgehog’s Freedom Planet compared to Donkey Kong Country. Don’t miss out on this!