Our record of the perfect Swap video games of the yr highlights every of the Pocket Ways group’s favourite video games that they’ve spent many, many hours with over the previous yr. It proves that regardless of being on the cusp of a brand new console, Nintendo by no means slows down.
In case you’re interested by the perfect cell video games of the yr, we’ve managed to pick eight of the perfect. Spoiler alert, it accommodates absolute bangers filled with spooks, husbandos, and Greek gods.
Listed below are our picks for the perfect Nintendo Swap video games of 2024:
Golden Solar – Ruby’s decide, Editor
There have been a whole lot of nice new video games this yr, however the launch I performed greater than all the remaining was Golden Solar on the Nintendo Swap On-line + Enlargement Pack. There’s a cause the Sport Boy Advance sport from approach again in 2001 earned the Metacritic Should-Play badge and sits at an impressive rating of 91, and it nonetheless holds up right now.
You tackle the function of a younger boy who should use highly effective weapons and psynergy to save lots of the world from dastardly villains. It appears like typical RPG happenings on the floor, however I like the way in which you need to use several types of magic to resolve puzzles and defeat enemies, and the story is certain to drag you in proper from the beginning.
Sonic X Shadow Generations – Kayleigh’s decide, Deputy Editor
2024 was a strong yr for Nintendo Swap releases, with varied Mario video games, a brand new Zelda sport, and titles resembling Prince of Persia: The Misplaced Crown (extra on that from my colleague), however for me, it really was the yr of Shadow. Sonic X Shadow Generations is every part I wished and extra from a brand new Sonic sport. Not solely did it let me roll again the years with a Generations remaster, but it surely lastly gave me a model new Shadow the Hedgehog marketing campaign.
Shadow is my favourite Sonic character, and I’m an enormous advocate of his 2005 sport, so with the ability to go on one other journey with him is nothing in need of a pleasure. The degrees are implausible, the story is enthralling (and equally heartbreaking, poor Maria), and the gameplay is as pleasing as ever. It fills me with hope for the way forward for the collection; maybe a complete sport devoted to Shadow is within the pipeline. Or, on the very least, Sonic Crew is gearing as much as provide us much more experiences with different characters. Massive the Cat fishing sport when?
Little Kitty, Massive Metropolis – Tilly’s decide, Guides Editor
As an obsessive mother to a candy little black kitty, I used to be bought on Little Kitty, Massive Metropolis as quickly as I caught my first glimpse of it. This pleasant little platformer really seems like a playground filled with paw-sibilities, seeing you’re taking management of the titular little kitty in a relatively large metropolis as you try to search out your approach residence.
Whereas it’s easy and never solely purr-fect, it oozes attraction from whisker to tail, inviting you to embrace your inside mischievous feline as you befriend the native critters, accumulate shinies to alternate for lovable hats, and extra. Paying homage to a laid-back PS2-era platformer, it’s a chill time appropriate for all audiences, from kittens to chill cats like us. In case you’re not bought but, you should definitely take a look at our full Little Kitty, Massive Metropolis overview, and head over to our Little Kitty, Massive Metropolis interview to listen to all concerning the sport’s inspirations, challenges, and the way my very own little kitty may’ve been the mastermind behind all of it.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Yr Door – Connor’s decide, {Hardware} Editor
I’d been ready for a Paper Mario: The Thousand-Yr Door Swap port since Nintendo’s handheld first arrived in 2017, and this yr, the gaming large lastly delivered. It’s every part I hoped it could be, with all of the charming dialogue, gripping boss battles, and visible panache of the unique, plus a number of quality-of-life enhancements and a little bit of post-game content material thrown in for good measure. With that in thoughts, it’s no marvel I gave the sport a 9/10 in my Paper Mario: The Thousand-Yr Door overview.
There’s simply one thing about Paper Mario TTYD that stands out from the lengthy record of Mario’s turn-based escapades. It’s a magic that Nintendo hasn’t been in a position to recapture since, regardless of its greatest efforts, and has impressed numerous copycats within the years since. In case you’re searching for a sport to maintain your mind busy and your humorous bone tickled in 2025, it’s value spending a while with Paper Mario and his wafer-thin mates.
Mediterranea Inferno – Daz’s decide, Workers Author
We’re very strict about giving out excellent scores right here at Pocket Ways, however one such sport that earned the ten/10 accolade is Mediterranea Inferno. I’ve by no means felt such visceral feelings from a videogame earlier than, which you’ll positively inform when you’ve learn our Mediterranea Inferno overview. This visible novel sport is not like something I’ve ever performed earlier than and I think about I gained’t play something prefer it once more till the solo developer, Lorenzo Redaelli, releases a brand new sport.
The story follows three queer Italian males of their early twenties, assembly up once more for the primary time post-COVID and attempting to recollect learn how to be mates once more. It’s a twisted narrative filled with morally gray characters dealing with exterior stress and insecurities, and making an attempt to navigate the European queer scene. This sport is an absolute must-play, particularly for these of us with comparable life experiences, because it actually forces you to look within the mirror and assess what actually issues in your life.
Yakuza Kiwami – Holly’s decide, Workers Author
2024 fulfilled a want I’ve had since 2017 – Yakuza on Nintendo Swap. Yakuza Kiwami graced the hand-held in the end and allows you to dive into Kamurocho as everybody’s favourite protagonist Kiryu wherever you’re, and uncover all of the secrets and techniques of the town’s underbelly.
On prime of beating up shmucks whereas carrying a snazzy go well with, you’ll be able to play hours of Pocket Circuit, win (and lose) on UFO claw machines, sing your coronary heart out at karaoke, rescue folks in foolish facet quests down each alley, and naturally – sq. off with Goro Majima any time and anyplace. For a full record of actions, learn my glowing Yakuza Kiwami overview right here. Relaxation assured, this is a wonderful addition to the Swap’s library, and I implore everybody to pattern the collection at the very least as soon as.
Prince of Persia: The Misplaced Crown– Verna’s decide, Workers Author
Even going in opposition to the weighty grain of nostalgia, Prince of Persia: The Misplaced Crown could be the most effective video games within the franchise. We get to return to Prince of Persia’s 2D platforming roots with a vastly pleasing Metroidvania and a brand-new protagonist, with stunning, colourful surroundings, an intriguing narrative, and fight that’s undeniably enjoyable. The Misplaced Crown has an expansive map with loads of environmental puzzles that take a look at each the verticality of the sport and the brand new talents you decide up in your travels.
It performs splendidly on the Nintendo Swap, the extremely stylized visuals make every motion crisp and clear, even when you’re zipping by way of the air on a charged Athra Surge, and above all, Prince of Persia: The Misplaced Crown simply had me coming again for extra. It’s a fantastic addition to a well-loved franchise, and it seems like Ubisoft lastly gave Prince of Persia the proper of consideration after so a few years of gentle to reasonable disappointment. Take a look at our Prince of Persia: The Misplaced Crown overview for extra of our ideas.
Wild Bastards – Sam’s decide, Workers Author
A religious successor to 2020’s Void Bastards, the brilliantly titled Wild Bastards doesn’t maintain again on the subject of zany motion thrills, oddball characters, and eye-popping visuals. Navigating by way of Wild Bastards’ roguelike FPS sport journey is commonly laced with surroundings straight out of these cursed The Beatles animated motion pictures from again within the day, or what I occur to see once I’ve had too many cans of Monster.
Throughout the sport’s sprawling array of planets, encountering every of the 13 outlaws seems like I’m placing collectively my very own Guardians of the Galaxy, though every member of this ragtag squad most likely desires to go away my guts strewn throughout the deepest depths of the intergalactic frontier. Wild Bastards’ gunfights, attractive risk-reward gameplay, and love for the shooter style make it an absolute gem that any Nintendo Swap proprietor must personal.
That’s it for our picks of the perfect Nintendo Swap video games of 2024! Did your favourite make the record? If not, possibly you’ll discover it on our record of the perfect Nintendo Swap video games total.
