The Nintendo Switch offers a lot of exciting games. Even in the Free2Play area, the hybrid console has some games available as free downloads. Here we present the best free Switch games of 2020!
Free2Play Switch games as an alternative: Mario, Zelda, Kirby, Yoshi, and many more: The Nintendo Switch boasts many unique games. Additionally, the mobility factor: You can easily take the Switch out of the dock and continue playing on the go. Quite practical!
However, if you just got a new Switch, you might not want to buy all the games at once. The good news: The Nintendo eShop has some fun games that you can download for free.
Here you will find 11 free-to-play games for the Nintendo Switch that you can download for free and try out easily. The list is not in any particular order; it is not a ranking.
Ninjala
This is Ninjala: In Ninjala, it’s about bubble-gum chewing ninjas who battle in a rather colorful world. In the “Ninjala” tournament, the most powerful ninja will be determined. And that’s where you come in.
You have the freedom to choose from several colorful, small ninjas to lead into battle. Don’t be surprised: Yes, all ninjas walk around as kids here. A side effect of the “Ninja gum” used for various weapons and abilities. You have various gum katanas, yoyos, or hammers at your disposal that you must master.
Once you have chosen your ninja, you can dive directly into the online multiplayer. You either compete solo against seven other players for the victory, or you can try your hand at 4-vs-4 battles. Currently, there are two arenas where you can prove your skills. Collect points by defeating opponents or destroying drones to celebrate victory in the end.
The download of the game is initially free, but there is an in-game shop and a season pass available, offering cosmetics, emotes, and more. However, you don’t need the shop or the pass to play directly.
Brawlhalla
This is Brawlhalla: Brawlhalla is likely the game to download if you’ve first bought Zelda and Pokémon but still want to play a bit of Smash Bros. At least the large model of Brawlhalla is clearly recognizable.
As in Smash Bros., you compete in Brawlhalla alone or with friends in battles with up to eight players. These take place on stages that often consist of multiple platforms and are designed similarly to those in Nintendo’s brawler.
In various game modes, the focus is primarily on fighting, although there are also one or two special modes. You have various heroes to choose from, which you can equip with different weapons during the battle. The game presents itself in a colorful comic style and offers a fun multiplayer experience.
Fortnite
This is Fortnite: Fortnite is probably known to almost everyone by now. The battle royale phenomenon has made its way to the Switch and is, of course, free on Nintendo’s console.
The principle is well-known: One hundred players drop onto an island where the goal is to survive the longest. This can be done solo or in various team and time-limited special modes.
Your character lands unarmed on the island – this means you should quickly start collecting weapons. The only thing you have is a harvesting tool to gather resources. You use these to build walls and stairs to gain an advantage in the fight for survival.
On the Switch, the game pretty much runs the same way as on other platforms. Only the controls with the Joy-Cons can be a bit clunky, especially in handheld mode. It’s worth taking a look at the Switch accessories, particularly the Pro Controller. Graphically, the game in the Switch version can’t always keep up with other platforms – but it’s still fun.
Tetris 99
This is Tetris 99: The Tetris game concept is known to everyone. After all, the game is one of the absolute classics of the video game world: Blocks fall from top to bottom and stack together to form a huge wall.
Your goal: Keep this wall from reaching the top for as long as possible. You achieve this by arranging matching blocks to create one or more rows – then they disappear.
What does the 99 in the title mean? The 99 stands for the duel character of the game – as you compete against a total of 98 online opponents at the same time. The goal: to be the last survivor, battle royale style. You achieve this by making multiple rows disappear simultaneously and sending garbage blocks to your opponents that block their rows. The “playing against each other” is the charm of this Tetris version. And of course, the soundtrack!
The game itself is available for free download. However, you need a “Nintendo Switch Online” membership to fully utilize the game.
SMITE
This is SMITE: SMITE has been free-to-play on the Switch since February 2019 – previously, it was already available for PC and console. It is a MOBA that focuses on the “Battle of the Gods”. Various game modes showcase this battle to the last.
SMITE stands out particularly for its action. You find yourself in the game right on the battlefield, not above it. Additionally, SMITE requires a good deal of tactics. Each of the over 90 gods has unique abilities and thus different tasks. Among others, you can play as Thor, Hercules, Medusa, and many others.
Super Kirby Clash
This is Super Kirby Clash: Super Kirby Clash does not represent a classic Kirby game like “Kirby Star Allies” – just to clarify. You don’t have to jump around and master levels. Instead, Super Kirby Clash consists solely of a series of boss fights – and it does this well.
Aesthetically, the game impresses for a free-to-play title. With up to four players, you can challenge classic Kirby bosses and enemies. You have the choice among the four classes: Magic Beam, Heavy Hammer, Healing Doctor, and Hero Sword. This brings variety to the game – especially since you can change classes as often as you like.
However, a downside is that the in-game currency frequently takes center stage. Whether you want to complete missions faster or get new items – the “Apple Jewels” appear repeatedly as a medium of exchange. However, the game can also be played without spending real money, but with patience. Since the download is free, you certainly won’t go wrong with a few rounds of fun boss battles.
Warframe
This is Warframe: In Warframe, you have a free MMO shooter that combines two exciting worlds. Space battles – and ninjas.
If you’re not interested yet, you probably won’t have much to do with Warframe. Others can look forward to a surprisingly multifaceted shooter for a free game, which also impresses with great gameplay and a fair payment system.
There are a variety of different warframes with unique abilities that you can use. Additionally, there’s a fast-paced parkour system that allows you to dash across the battlefield and more than 300 weapons.
Warframe is constantly updated and offers new challenges all the time. In online multiplayer, you can team up with up to four players to complete missions together.
Paladins
This is Paladins: If you’re looking for a hero shooter for the Switch that you don’t even have to pay for, then you’re in the right place with Paladins: The Switch port not only impresses with fast gameplay, but also with stylish graphics – even at 60 FPS.
Paladins visually and gameplay-wise resembles the competition from Overwatch, which also made it to the Switch in 2019. Additionally, it combines the pure shooter aspect with an exciting card system, which brings a strategic component to the game.
Asphalt 9 Legends
This is Asphalt 9 Legends: Yes, when you think of the Switch and racing games, you immediately think of Mario Kart. But not only the Mario racer can shine on the Switch – Asphalt 9 Legends is also worth checking out. Especially since the download costs you nothing.
If, based on its appealing graphics and realistic cars, you expect a realistic racing simulation, you will be quite surprised after the first total destruction of your car. Because in Asphalt 9, it can get explosive: You can trigger a boost with every car that gives you a significant speed boost. Anyone in your way can quickly disintegrate into their individual parts.
Additionally, there are jumps from great heights, wild drifts, and 360-degree spins that add more excitement to every race. In various modes, you can either race for the best time or aim for first place – either way, it’s definitely fun. Especially for a free game. There are also many optional purchases, but you can ignore them if you’re merely looking for a few fun laps on the track. By the way: You can also play it with the Switch steering wheels.
Dauntless
This is Dauntless: If you feel at home in Monster Hunter World, you will likely feel the same in Dauntless. Unless you’re not into comic style. Because that ultimately describes what Dauntless probably does best: A kind of Monster Hunter in a comic style.
The free-to-play adventure is clearly influenced by its big predecessor. Since December, the monster hunt has also been available on the Switch after it was previously released on PC, PS4, and Xbox One. By the way, the game also offers cross-play with these platforms! If you’ve played Dauntless on another system, you can transfer your progress to the Switch as well.
Pokémon Quest
This is Pokemon Quest: Shield & Sword, Let’s GO, or Pokémon Tekken DX – the pocket monsters are already well represented on the Switch. But if you just want to dip your toes into the Pokémon world without spending money right away, you can try Pokémon Quest.
The game comes in unusual block graphics and visually resembles Minecraft. But the similarities almost end there: There’s no extensive building here; it’s about exploration.
With your Pokémon team, you traverse the island Kubo and search for hidden treasures. Along the way, you encounter other Pokémon that you must defeat. This is done with a partially automated real-time combat system that only loosely resembles classic Pokémon. It’s still fun!
Additionally, you can expand your base and recruit wild Pokémon for your team. As a pastime before purchasing one of the “big” Pokémon titles, Pokémon Quest definitely does its job. Pokémon Go players are likely to feel at home here.
You can also find more great games for the Switch that you can play well with others here:
