A good mix of action and adrenaline can make a game truly satisfying.
But complex and layered combat is nothing without a valid playground to let loose in. Masterful level design, competent enemies, and tight pacing all serve to sell the package in the world of action games.
Fortunately, the Nintendo Switch offers a wide variety of games with action elements that you can enjoy and explore.
From solo journeys to multiplayer experiences, here are the 23 best action games on Nintendo Switch.
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order
| Genre | Action, superhero, RPG |
| Buy from | The official Nintendo store or Amazon |
| Length | The main storyline takes around 14 hours to beat and a full, 100% completionist run will take you just over the 105 hour mark |
| Developer | Team Ninja |
| Release date | 19th July 2017 |
| Co-op | Local wireless and online, up to 4 players supported |
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order retains its top-down, action-packed gameplay from its predecessor and provides a wide variety of playable characters, such as Wolverine, Spider-Man, and other fan favorites.
This adventure revolves around the Infinity Gems, which Thanos and his infamous Black Order want to get. Heroes must unite to thwart the villain’s plan to destroy the universe by collecting these powerful gems.
The game itself is stunning. Each level looks beautiful and movement feels incredibly fluid.
There are also plenty of collectibles to pick up, like costumes and comic book pages, which help to keep the gameplay engaging.
Marvel UA3 incorporates the classic beat-’em-up playstyle, some minor hack-and-slash mechanics, and tactical combat. There are also great multiplayer options which require you to cooperate with friends in order to unleash deadly synergy attacks.
Unsouled
| Genre | ARPG, Soulslike, fighting |
| Buy from | The official Nintendo store or Amazon |
| Length | The main story takes 2-3 hours to finish and a completionist run will take you roughly 35 hours to finish |
| Developer | Megusta Game and Megusta Games |
| Release date | 27th April 2022 |
| Co-op | No, single player only |
Unsouled is a top-down ARPG that combines Sekiro-style gameplay with a modern flair. The game’s levels are incredibly challenging, and the combat is impossibly intricate.
In this game, you take on the role of a prince who can communicate with the dead and absorb souls. He defies his family’s traditions to forge his path in the world.
Unsouled is a punchy slash-em-up game that provides tons of action. The game’s main draw is its complex combat system, which offers players numerous possibilities for combos and special attacks.
Overall, if you enjoy challenging gameplay, Unsouled is a title you should check. The intricate combat system, challenging levels, and captivating storyline make it a must-play for fans of the genre.
Warframe
| Genre | Action, RPG, sci-fi, shooter |
| Buy from | The official Nintendo store |
| Length | The main campaign takes around 116-117 hours to finish and completing everything in the game will take you close to the 1600 hour mark |
| Developer | Digital Extremes and Panic Button Games |
| Release date | 19th November 2018 |
| Co-op | Online, up to 4 players supported |
Warframe is a free-to-play RPG that provides fast-paced action, a fluid movement system, and an overwhelming amount of content.
You play as a being called a Tenno. Tennos have links to mechs called Warframes, which have advanced weaponized armor and interesting sets of skills.They’re basically space ninjas fighting to restore balance across the solar system.
Warframe sends you and up to three other Tennos into tricky missions with different goals and objectives.
The combat system is truly spectacular as it combines hack-and-slash elements and looter-shooter mechanics in every skirmish.
The customization options in this game feel almost limitless, allowing players to change everything from Warframes and armor, to weapons and even pets. There’s also a deep modding system which can add even more value to the game.
Warframe is free, so you should definitely check it out at least once.
ScourgeBringer
| Genre | Action, roguelite, hack-and-slash, Metroidvania, platformer |
| Buy from | The official Nintendo store or Amazon |
| Length | This game takes roughly 10-12 hours to complete |
| Developer | Flying Oak Games and E-Studio |
| Release date | 21st October 2020 |
| Co-op | No, single player only |
ScourgeBringer is a roguelite hack-and-slash game that is full of fast-paced, punishing combat. The game shuts you in a room full of hard-hitting enemies that you must defeat using your sword, skills, and a few bullets in your gun.
The combat is very straightforward at first. You start by just dashing and slashing, but the game ramps up in complexity thanks to upgrades you can purchase between runs.
Sometimes, you can even find or buy items and bonuses for the run.
Eventually, you’ll come across the boss of the area. These bosses perfectly highlight how polished the game’s combat is. You’ll have to use everything at your disposal to take them down, as the difficulty curve is quite high.
This game might not be for everybody, but it can be a blast for those who enjoy pixel art and roguelite action games.
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game – Complete Edition
| Genre | Action, side-scroller, adventure |
| Buy from | The official Nintendo store or Amazon |
| Length | Main storyline takes around 5 hours to finish and a full, completionist run will take you between 18-19 hours to finish |
| Developer | Ubisoft Chengdu, Ubisoft Montreal, and Ubisoft Pune |
| Release date | 14th January 2021 |
| Co-op | Online, up to 4 players supported |
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game is the video game adaptation of the beloved graphic novel of the same name. It is an action beat-em-up game that has a classic arcade feel.
The gameplay here isn’t particularly innovative. You have to fight everybody in your way, defeat the boss, and move on to the next stage.
That being said, the game still executes it perfectly.
The gameplay is smooth, the controls are responsive, and the art is beyond amazing. This title is a proper adaptation that turns the original comic into a truly fantastic experience, complete with a brilliant soundtrack.
Each character has unique moves that can be individually upgraded.
Scott Pilgrim is a game that showcases personality and humor from beginning to end, and the game’s quality peaks during the boss fight against the evil exes.
Dark Souls: Remastered
| Genre | Action, Soulslike, dark fantasy |
| Buy from | The official Nintendo store or Amazon |
| Length | The main campaign takes 28-29 hours to beat and completing everything in the game will take you roughly 72 hours |
| Developer | QLOC, Virtuous, and FromSoftware Inc., |
| Release date | 19th October 2018 |
| Co-op | Online, up to 6 players supported |
Dark Souls is an action RPG notoriously known for its challenging, punishing, and methodical combat.
You play as a cursed undead tasked with rekindling the Age of Fire. The game doesn’t hold your hand. It throws you into the world and leaves you to figure out what to do.
As you begin your journey, you get to choose classes that suit your playstyle. These starting classes offer different gear and stats, but you can allocate your points as you level up and shape the character to your preference.
Besides, there are many weapons, armor, and spells to be found in the game.
It takes a while to understand what makes this game so good. That being said, once it clicks, chances are you will be looking for the next Dark Souls game to pick up.
Bastion
| Genre | Action, hack-and-slash, fantasy, adventure |
| Buy from | The official Nintendo store |
| Length | The main campaign takes 6-7hours to finish and a full run will take you just up to the 21 hour mark |
| Developer | Supergiant Games |
| Release date | 13th September 2018 |
| Co-op | No, single player only |
Bastion is an award-winning game by Supergiant and it’s worth playing thanks to its original art direction and satisfying gameplay.
In this game, you will follow one of the last survivors of an apocalyptic event that fractured the city and turned most residents into ash.
Your goal is to collect crystals to power the Bastion, the last safe haven after the Calamity.
There’s an ever-present and dynamic narrator that tells the story as you progress and reacts to your actions.
Bastion takes an isometric perspective and has a snappy combat system. You can carry two weapons at a time while modifying and enhancing them between levels.
The games Supergiant creates never let players down, and Bastion should known as one of the best story-rich games out there. It’s a must-have for your Switch library.
Children of Morta
| Genre | Action, roguelike, hack-and-slash, RPG, story-rich |
| Buy from | The official Nintendo store or Amazon |
| Length | The main story takes 14-15 hours to finish and a full, 100% completionist run will take you roughly 29 hours |
| Developer | Dead Mage |
| Release date | 20th November 2019 |
| Co-op | No, single player only |
Children of Morta is a gem. It has beautiful sprite work, interesting characters, and fantastic voice acting.
The plot of Children of Morta follows the Bergson family as they defend the world from the Corruption.
Where Children of Morta shines is through the dynamics, relationships, and struggles of each family member. The narrator definitely pulls the emotional heavy lifting here.
The action is exquisite. Each attack feels impactful and each family member possesses a different fighting style. The gameplay constantly shifts, preventing the game from becoming dull.
As a roguelike, each run becomes slightly more manageable as you unlock more boons and upgrade each family member. A unique feature in Children of Morta is that some skill trees unlock passive bonuses for the whole family.
Mother Russia Bleeds
| Genre | Action, beat-em-up, violent, fighting |
| Buy from | The official Nintendo store |
| Length | The main storyline takes around 5 hours to beat and a full, 100% completionist run will take you 22-23 hours |
| Developer | Le Cartel Studio |
| Release date | 15th November 2018 |
| Co-op | Single system, up to 4 players supported |
Mother Russia Bleeds is an unusual beat-em-up. The game tackles mature themes and disturbing amounts of violence, so expect that in both story and gameplay. As for the gameplay, it feels very much like Final Fight and Streets of Rage.
Set in an alternate timeline Soviet Union, you play as one of the Ruska Romani that was experimented on by the corrupt government. Mother Russia Bleeds lets you lead a revolution from the frontlines while also experiencing the side effects of their experiments.
Mother Russia Bleed is a difficult game. Each stage culminates in a grand boss fight that requires a unique strategy to win.
It also includes cooperative play that lets you enjoy the beatdown with your comrades, allowing more possibilities in combat that await you to discover.
Omensight: Definitive Edition
| Genre | Action, story-rich, adventure, RPG, fantasy |
| Buy from | The official Nintendo store |
| Length | Main storyline takes around 6 hours to finish and a completionist run will take you close to 11-12 hours to complete |
| Developer | Spearhead Studios and Nephilim Game Studios, Inc. |
| Release date | 13th December 2018 |
| Co-op | No, single player only |
Omensight: Definitive Edition is an action-adventure game with a hack-and-slash combat style and a mysterious and fantastical setting.
In this game, you are a mystical warrior who shows up during great crises. This time, you must stop an evil deity from causing the end of the world.
The dynamic combat system offers players a range of abilities, such as special attacks and dashes, to keep the action exciting.
One of the game’s most unique features is the use of the titular skill, Omensight, which allows players to share visions with characters that may alter the course of the story.
There are few games like Omensight. If you like a good story tied to your action games, make sure to play this one.
Monster Hunter Rise
| Genre | Action, RPG, fantasy |
| Buy from | The official Nintendo store or Amazon |
| Length | The main campaign takes 23-24 hours to complete and completing everything in the game will take you close to 166 hours |
| Developer | Capcom |
| Release date | 26th March 2021 |
| Co-op | Local wireless and online, up to 4 players supported |
Monster Hunter Rise is one of the best games of the Monster Hunter series.
The gameplay loop will be familiar to Monster Hunter fans. This game puts you and up to three other hunters to take down giant monsters. Afterward, you can break down their parts to build weapons and armor, which you can use to hunt even bigger monsters.
Monster Hunter Rise lets you choose from one of fourteen weapon types. All weapons are fun and complex to use, offering a distinct playstyle for each.
This game captures the essence of a monster-slaying action experience with diverse monster designs and layered weapons and makes it accessible to newcomers.
Samurai Bringer
| Genre | Action, puzzle, arcade, adventure, roguelite |
| Buy from | The official Nintendo store |
| Length | Main story takes 8 hours or so to finish and a full, 100% completionist run will take you to the 20 hour mark |
| Developer | ALPHAWING Inc. |
| Release date | 21st April 2022 |
| Co-op | No, single player only |
Samurai Bringer is a roguelite action game where you fight unending armies of samurai and demons. You must collect combat techniques and defeat Yamata-no-Orochi, the eight-headed dragon of Japanese mythology.
You play as Susanoo, a powerful deity who had his power taken from him by Yamata-no-Orochi. Defeating enemies rewards you with combat techniques, which you can mix and match to create your own fighting style.
You will encounter and fight over 100 legendary Japanese warriors, such as Oda Nobunaga, Date Masamune, and Sanada Yukimura. Defeating them will grant you their weapons and armor imbued with status-boosting effects.
Levels are procedurally generated, providing a different experience every time. It’s infinitely repayable and one of the most unique action games on the Switch.
Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2
| Genre | Action, superhero, adventure, funny, family-friendly |
| Buy from | The official Nintendo store or Amazon |
| Length | The main campaign takes 12-13 hours to finish and a full, completionist run will take you around 61 hours to finish |
| Developer | TT Games, Traveller’s Tales, and Feral Interactive |
| Release date | 1st December 2017 |
| Co-op | Single system, up to 4 players supported |
Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2 is a fun game with a semi-open world that lets you explore famous Marvel landmarks built with Legos.
The story is about Marvel heroes fighting against Kang the Conqueror who wants to conquer time and space. It is a delight for Marvel fans who want to explore the multiverse.
When it comes to gameplay, there’s nothing that makes this game stand out from other Lego titles. That being said, the team behind it clearly wanted to make combat fun. Every character plays differently and feels impactful.
This is also present during the puzzle sections, since this game features many hero-exclusive puzzles.
This is a great game to play with friends. It’s not the most action-oriented game on this list, but it is fun nonetheless.
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot
| Genre | Action, open world, RPG, anime |
| Buy from | The official Nintendo store in a collection or Amazon |
| Length | The main campaign takes roughly 30 hours to finish and a full, 100% completionist run will take you 55-56 hours overall |
| Developer | CyberConnect2 |
| Release date | 24th September 2021 |
| Co-op | No, single player only |
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is a semi-open world ARPG that perfectly embraces the source material, featuring cinematic cutscenes and stellar combat mechanics.
This title feels like an updated Legacy of Goku series from the Gameboy Advance system in one package.
The game retains the arena-like combat system seen in most Dragon Ball games. Although it urges you to spam buttons, it puts your mind to work while fighting, as enemies have different playstyles.
This game is comparable to Dragon Ball Z Xenoverse in many ways, but it takes you through Goku’s journey.
If you want to relieve Goku’s journey from his perspective in a fun action RPG, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is the game for you.
Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice
| Genre | Action, atmospheric, dark, story-rich |
| Buy from | The official Nintendo store |
| Length | The main story takes 7-8 hours to finish and a full, 100% completionist run will take you around 9 hours overall |
| Developer | Ninja Theory and QLOC |
| Release date | 11th April 2019 |
| Co-op | No, single player only |
Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice delivers a dark and harrowing story majestically. The game is a linear adventure with intense, immersive action that will give you goosebumps.
It is an in-depth story-driven game that explores the psychological horror unfolding in the titular Senua’s mind. The game takes inspiration from Norse mythology, letting you venture deep into Helheim to find the soul of Senua’s recently deceased lover.
Senua’s struggles are not only for the story, as they’re heavily integrated into gameplay.
For example, the voices inside Senua’s head give hints during combat and puzzle sections. You will often hear a voice warning you when someone is about to strike from behind or tell you of an object’s importance.
The Nintendo Switch competently handles Hellblade’s demanding graphics. Considering its great story, great visuals, and action-packed moments, Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice is a must-play.
Arietta of Spirits
| Genre | Action-adventure, mystery, RPG, story-rich |
| Buy from | The official Nintendo store or Amazon |
| Length | Main story takes around 4 hours to finish and a full, 100% completionist run will take you close to 8 hours overall |
| Developer | Third Spirit Games |
| Release date | 20th August 2021 |
| Co-op | No, single player only |
Arietta of Spirits is a charming adventure game that tells an emotional story with straightforward gameplay and fast combat. The game features a Zelda-like combat system with regular and special attacks and dodge rolls.
This game emphasizes puzzle-solving rather than combat to defeat creatures, requiring players to observe enemy attack patterns and weaknesses.
You play as Arietta, who embarks on a road trip to her grandmother’s cabin with her family. During her journey, Arietta discovers her ability to communicate with spirits.
She befriends a mysterious spirit named Arco, becoming one of the bounds that can walk between the living and spiritual worlds.
The game takes on real-life problems while incorporating imaginative storytelling, striking the perfect balance between grounded emotional moments, whimsy, and action sections.
Katana Zero
| Genre | Action, story-rich, platformer, sci-fi |
| Buy from | The official Nintendo store |
| Length | The main storyline takes 4-5 hours to finish and a 100% completionist run will take you roughly 11-12 hours |
| Developer | Askiisoft |
| Release date | 18th April 2019 |
| Co-op | No, single player only |
Katana Zero is an innovative side-scrolling, platformer action game that will mesmerize you with vibrant visuals and a masterfully crafted soundtrack.
You play as Zero, a samurai assassin who can slow down time and predict future events. There’s a loaded narrative here that never feels heavy or excessive.
The game has a fast-paced playstyle where everyone, including you, dies in one hit. Although Zero is a fearsome assassin, you will have to repeat the level until your execution is flawless to pass through untouched.
The combat system is simple, but the level and enemy design force you to think smart and fast, keeping the game interesting. You can slow down time in a pinch to cut down projectiles and get in a better position.
The game aims to make you feel unstoppable. The gameplay is fun and fluid, and it is a great title to enjoy on a handheld console.
Samurai Warriors 5
| Genre | Action, Musou, hack-and-slash, fighting, anime |
| Buy from | The official Nintendo store or Amazon |
| Length | The main story takes around 19 hours to finish and a full, 100% completionist run will take you 106-107 hours overall |
| Developer | Omega Force and Koei Tecmo |
| Release date | 27th July 2021 |
| Co-op | Single system or online, 2 players supported |
Samurai Warriors 5 is an action-packed, hack-and-slash Musou game that takes inspiration from the Sengoku era. The game showcases a combination of traditional Japanese art design with cell-shaded characters.
In many ways, Samurai Warriors 5 is a retelling of the happenings of the first game, which makes many consider this game a reboot.
In the main story, you play the young Nobunaga Oda and Mitsuhide Akechi as they try to oppose each other by having separate visions for the country.
Aside from the two characters mentioned, the game features over 39 playable characters. Not all of them are unique, but there is enough variation to entertain you for many hours.
God Eater 3
| Genre | Action, JRPG, hack-and-slash, anime, post-apocalyptic |
| Buy from | The official Nintendo store or Amazon |
| Length | Main campaign takes 24 hours to beat and a full, 100% completionist run will take you 63-64 hours to finish overall |
| Developer | Marvelous, Shift, and BANDAI NAMCO Studios |
| Release date | 12th July 2017 |
| Co-op | No, single player only |
God Eater 3 is a game set in a post-apocalyptic world where a team battles against divine monsters that destroy the planet. The game’s story is the strongest in the series, presenting young adults being used by shadowy overseers as disposable cannon fodder.
God Eater 3 offers new and terrifying threats, likable characters, and a realistic theme of older generations using younger generations to accomplish their own selfish ends.
Although similar to Monster Hunter, God Eater 3 has a straightforward approach but rewards reflexes such as blocking perfectly. The game packs a punch with various weapons that suit different playstyles.
God Eater 3 provides a fun, engaging experience with methodical, action-packed fights worth trying, especially if you like the idea of hunting huge monsters in an anime setting.
Okami HD
| Genre | Action-adventure, mythology, story-rich, open world |
| Buy from | The official Nintendo store or Amazon |
| Length | The main campaign takes 33-34 hours to finish and a full, 100% completionist run will take you to the 54 hour mark |
| Developer | Clover Studio, Capcom, and HexaDrive |
| Release date | 9th August 2018 |
| Co-op | No, single player only |
Okami HD is a classic and magnificent game that captures the beauty of traditional Japanese art and mythology all in one. It is an action-adventure game that will awe you with enchanting storytelling and an excellent soundtrack.
The game is set in classical Japan. You play as Amaterasu, the sun goddess, who took a wolf’s form to defeat a menacing demon that enslaved a whole village.
The gameplay seems heavily inspired by the 3D The Legend of Zelda games. It focuses on world explorations, creative puzzles, and characters that are colorful enough to encounter.
The game features a magical brush that you can use to solve puzzles and fight against enemies. It’s an excellent addition that genuinely shows the artistic approach of the game.
Mulaka
| Genre | Action-adventure, story-rich, mythology, platformer |
| Buy from | The official Nintendo store |
| Length | The main campaign takes roughly 8 hours to finish and a full, 100% completionist run will take you to the 11 hour mark |
| Developer | Lienzo, Lienzo Desarrollo De Videojuegos, and S.A. De C.V. |
| Release date | 1st March 2018 |
| Co-op | No, single player only |
Mulaka is an action-adventure game packed with a rich narrative, action-heavy gameplay, and a simple yet beautiful visual style.
The game takes inspiration from a real-life tribe called Tarahumara, an Indigenous tribe in Northern Mexico. You play as Sukuruame, a shaman from said tribe, given the task of fighting back against creatures that corrupt the land.
Gameplay-wise, Mulaka does an excellent job of combining fast-paced combat, tricky puzzles, and engaging platformer sections. The game world is rich with intriguing lore.
The combat adapts hack-and-slash elements such as light and heavy attacks, dodging, and special attacks that you can acquire with the aid of the demigods.
In addition, you also can transform into a beast such as a hawk, panther, or bear. These beast forms serve as a utility for combat and overcoming obstacles.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
| Genre | Action-adventure, open world, fantasy |
| Buy from | The official Nintendo store or Amazon |
| Length | The main campaign takes roughly 50 hours to beat and completing everything in the game will take you close to the 195-200 hour mark |
| Developer | Nintendo Entertainment Planning & Development |
| Release date | 3rd March 2017 |
| Co-op | No, single player only |
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a shining gem in the Zelda franchise.
In this game, players get to explore a large open world and adventure for as long as they want before moving to the final objective.
The game is full of surprises, with hidden treasures and secrets to uncover around every corner. If you are curious and love to explore, this game will stand out as one of the best action games on the Nintendo Switch by a mile for you.
Since every new location presents you with new things, there’s a good chance you’ll keep going to new areas just to see what happens. There’s always a hidden item, a challenging monster, and another dungeon to keep players engaged.
Hades
| Genre | ARPG, dungeon crawler, roguelike, mythology |
| Buy from | The official Nintendo store or Amazon |
| Length | The main storyline takes 23-24 hours to finish and a full, 100% completionist run will take you 98-99 hours overall |
| Developer | Supergiant Games |
| Release date | 17th September 2020 |
| Co-op | No, single player only |
It should be no surprise that Supergiant Games, the indie studio behind Bastion and Transistor, is also responsible for Hades. This roguelike ARPG connects gameplay elements to the story in a meaningful way.
In Hades, you can unlock god-like powers and combine them in fascinating ways to create a fresh and exciting experience with each playthrough.
The game offers six different weapons, each with four variants, providing a lot of complexity and variety right from the start.
What sets Hades apart from other games is how it seamlessly combines elements of different genres. Building relationships with NPCs is crucial to unlock items and powers. Despite the game’s roguelike structure, the NPCs remember you and your attempts.
The game’s captivating story and amazing gameplay certainly make it one of the best action games on the Switch.
