Everyone loves a good freebie, and that’s certainly true for gamers as well. Check out the 10 best free Nintendo Switch games you can download right now.
Everyone loves a freebie. It doesn’t matter whether it’s free food or an added bonus you weren’t expecting, getting something without paying for it is always a nice surprise. The same is true of video games as well. Of course, consoles like the Nintendo Switch aren’t exactly known for their free-to-play games. These types of titles have traditionally been more widespread on mobile devices and PC rather than home systems, but that is now starting to change.
The Nintendo Switch may well be home to impressive premium experiences such as «The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild» and «Pokémon Legends: Arceus» but it also has a growing collection of free games that players can download right now without having to spend a single penny. Some of them are games that are also available on other platforms, while a few are first-party exclusives that you can’t play anywhere else.
Whatever the case, these 10 free Nintendo Switch games are almost certainly worth checking out for every owner of the hybrid console.Fortnite
What initially began as a sort of advanced tower defense game where players would defend spaces against hordes of zombie-like creatures has evolved into the worldwide phenomenon that is «Fortnite.» Epic Games’ battle royale game popularized the genre and has grown to the extent that it now has hundreds of millions of registered users and has generated billions in revenue. The player-versus-player title allows up to 100 players to battle it out on a large map as they try to be the last remaining survivor. Along the way, they fight opponents, build structures, and collect additional weapons or items to give them an advantage.
Having originally been available on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, «Fortnite» has subsequently been ported to almost every platform, with a release on the Nintendo Switch coming in the summer of 2018. Running smoothly at 30 frames per second, the Switch version of the battle royale game is just as fun and exciting as its counterparts on other systems. It also fully supports cross-platform play and gives users the opportunity to carry over their progression from other platforms.
Perhaps most interesting is that «Fortnite» players on the Nintendo console can get access to motion control support. It is easily one of the best shooters on the Switch and it can be fully enjoyed without spending a penny, although significant microtransactions are available in the form of a seasonal Battle Pass and cosmetic items. With Epic Games continually updating «Fortnite,» it’s an experience that always feels fresh and gives players plenty of reasons to keep coming back.Arena of Valor
In many ways, «Arena of Valor» is a fairly unique game even among the free titles available on the Nintendo Switch. Only released on Android, iOS, and the Nintendo console, it is an international port of the Chinese game «Honor of Kings» — a hugely popular MOBA (multiplayer online battle arena) that has been available in the country since 2015. Like other MOBAs, the game revolves around players fighting as a specific hero as part of a team against an opposing team. With gameplay that is very reminiscent of «League of Legends,» there are a variety of game modes available such as 1v1 and 5v5 battles.
With over 100 heroes to choose from across a range of different classes — including mages, tanks, assassins, and support characters — every user should be able to find the perfect match for their own strengths and weaknesses. Once in a match, players can level up their heroes to unlock new abilities and skills to help turn the tide in their favor, although this progression resets at the start of every game. «Arena of Valor» also supports ranked matches, an arcade mode, and two-player deathmatches featuring five teams.
With a limited number of MOBA titles available on consoles, the fact that one of the most popular mobile releases can be played on the Switch is a big deal. Throw in the fact that it has a fairly simple control scheme and is more accessible than most other MOBAs, and «Arena of Valor» is a great game to try out for those unfamiliar with the genre.Fall Guys
«Fall Guys» is easily one of the most unique and thrilling games of the last few years. Originally released as an exclusive game for PC and PlayStation 4, it has since been ported to every major system, including Xbox consoles and the Nintendo Switch. Developed by Mediatonic, the game is essentially a video game version of television shows such as «Wipeout» and «Takeshi’s Castle.» Typical matches see 60 players compete against each other across multiple rounds in game show-like challenges and obstacle courses. At the end of each randomly selected mini-game, a large number of contestants are eliminated until there is just one remaining player who is crowned the winner.
Meeting with immediate success upon its release and the game has proved a hit on other systems since it has been ported as well. Since shifting to a free-to-play model, «Fall Guys» has continued to see frequent updates to add new levels, ensuring that there is a lot of variety when it comes to playing matches. Noted for its fun gameplay, colorful characters and environments, and chaotic energy, this is a game that can be fully enjoyed alone or with friends.
