Summary
The Nintendo Switch is the perfect portable console for young gamers who want to play with friends or adventure alone, and it has thousands of titles to choose from. Among the choices are a number of free-to-play games from major developers, including Nintendo, Pokemon, and Epic Games.
While browsing the games on the store, you might notice that it also includes media software like Hulu and Crunchyroll and older games like Tetris or Pac-Man, which makes it hard to find the best options on a budget. Instead, here are the top games from the free-to-play list on the Nintendo Switch store that are up-to-date and endlessly fun.
Updated July 04, 2025, by Matthew Cochran:With summer in full swing, Nintendo is taking advantage of all this free time by introducing new games every month, and this, of course, includes free titles that are ready to play for most ages. These titles are also made by triple-A studios and include recognizable and beloved IPs that make them feel like you’re diving into the world of Star Wars, Pokémon, or Pirates of the Caribbean. They also range in commitment, letting you pick up your Switch whenever you’re free or preparing for a full night of adventure and competition. The best part is they are free to play and don’t require additional purchases to get the full experience.
One of the most successful multiplayer games of all time, Fortnite is a custom game creator with a battle royale at its heart. Fortnite has had endless collaborations with hundreds of characters and artists that have allowed you to play recognizable characters like Darth Vader, Optimus Prime, and Deadpool.
While the battle royale game mode is what made Fortnite popular, there are also thousands of player-made games that range from Hunger Games remakes to prop hunts and racing. Fortnite is the perfect game to pick up, especially if you want to play with friends and drop in together as Storm Troopers or Ghostbusters.
Fall Guys is an obstacle course-style game where only the last fall guy standing can claim the crown. Each course is unique, and new game modes and obstacles are still being added or updated to provide new challenges and ways to win.
There are also free costumes you may earn by winning, with hundreds of options and even crossovers to help your character stand out in the flurry of tumbling blobs. Just don’t expect to win every time or even most of the time, as it can be extremely challenging against experienced players.
Rocket League is a competitive, multiplayer game that combines rocket-powered cars and soccer to create unique gameplay.Along with soccer, there are plenty of other game modes that involve basketball, hockey, and something called Dropshot, where you must break apart a hex grid floor.
Rocket League has an intensely competitive community and ranked game modes for players looking for a challenge, but it can just as easily serve to de-stress with some solid goals after a long day. You can also customize almost every aspect of your car, from color, decals, and goal explosions to some crossover vehicles, including Twisted Metaland the Batmobile.
Set in the world of Palia, you play as one of the few remaining humans, returning to the world and helping build the community by learning a number of unique skills. Palia can be played solo or with friends on the same server and focuses on cozy activities such as farming, fishing, and crafting.
There is also a central story to Palia that you may slowly uncover by talking to one of the many unique residents that you can even romance. While the game gets bigger with each new update, there is plenty to do and see inthis open-world RPG.
Sky: Children of Light is a platforming exploration game that encourages socializing with other players and experiencing the world together. Children of Light has seven unique realms to explore, from dark forests to dungeon vaults and mystical prairies.
While the gameplay isn’t overly complicated or challenging, the cozy atmosphere and unforgettable music will give you a much-needed space to relax and explore while making new friends. While exploring, you’re able to also find cosmetics to help your character stand out, and it is a great excuse to dive into every nook and cranny.
One of many Multiplayer Online Battle Arena games, Pokemon Unite takes the best aspects ofPokemonwith the best mechanics of MOBAs and creates a satisfying experience without requiring a wiki to master. Currently, there are over 50 Pokemon on the roster, including legendary, mythic, and variant evolutions.
Pokemon Unite is perfect for Nintendo Switch because each match usually only takes ten minutes to complete and can easily be played portably. If you want a challenge, you’re able to play ranked games and earn rewards, and you can also play against AI if you prefer a more casual experience orjust want to practice.
A return to form from the first game, Overwatch 2 gives the multiplayer shooter a much-needed facelift with new playable heroes, maps, and game modes. Overwatch 2 currently has over 30 heroes, and more are being added with every few updates that change the game with each new release.
Although the game hasn’t changed too much from its predecessor, the player-made game modes ensure there is always a new way to play and friends to be made. You can even create your own custom game modes and play privately with your friends or open it up to other players.
Like Fortnite, Super Animal Royale is a battle royale shooter with a cuter aesthetic and loads of furry animals battling it out to be the last fuzzball standing. What makes this battle royale unique is the top-down style thatrequires strategy and teamworkover skill.
you’re able to also customize almost every aspect of your animal, from individual pieces of clothing, fur patterns and colors, and even your melee weapon. The map is also consistently being updated with new points of interest and balance changes that keep it interesting season after season.
Trove is a block-style fantasy MMO where you explore various, unique worlds and choose from up to 18 different classes as you fight bosses and raid dungeons. Trove also has some Minecraft elements with resource harvesting and building mechanics that you can save and place wherever you go.
As you level up and explore the world of Trove, you will find that it is surprisingly complex, with unique items and abilities that have spawned complex yet powerful class builds that are central to maximizing the gameplay. You can even create Clubs with your friends and have your own server to build whatever you want and even visit other player-made worlds.
Similar to Super Smash Bros., Brawlhalla is a 2D platform fighter with over 50 unique characters and over 60 crossover characters from Steven Universe, Adventure Time, Halo, and even Hellboy. Each arena can have up to eight players and plenty of non-traditional game modes like capture the flag and volleyball.
If you get good enough with your favorite fighter, you can even try ranked battles and fight your way up the tiers. Since Brawlhalla is still seeing constant updates with new fighters, maps, and game modes, you will struggle to run out of ways to play.
