The best first-party digital-only games for Nintendo Switch

Key things

• Nintendo is increasingly embracing digital games, but still values ​​physical copies that provide a refreshing gaming experience.
• Pokemon Cafe Remix, Super Kirby Clash and Part-Time UFO offer unique gaming experiences with high replayability.
• Stretcher, pokemon search and good job! provide engaging puzzle-solving adventures with multiple solutions and high replay value.

Digital games are becoming more and more common in the modern gaming market. They provide players with the most convenient and efficient way to play. Since digital games are downloaded to the console, losing games is not a problem compared to losing or breaking physical games. Many companies, including Nintendo, are taking advantage of this trendy type of game.

Nintendo still prefers physical games, although it uses the digital method more with each generation. They mainly use digital technologies to market their retro NES games in virtual consoles during the Wii and Wii U era. For the Nintendo Switch, they would include them in an online streaming service. This current generation has made the company more comfortable creating more digital games. They aren't big, although they provide a refreshing experience with high replayability.

11 Pokemon Cafe Remix

Relaxation shelter

Pokemon Cafe Remix is the updated version Pokemon cafe which brings new Pokémon and challenges on a leisurely journey to solve puzzles. The game depends on the player serving each Pokemon customer in their Pokemon Cafe. This is easily achieved by fulfilling each order and solving the food cooking. Each order requires a Pokémon to cook that excels in one of four options: drinks, appetizers, sweets, and small plates. The process is more efficient when you use the right Pokemon, getting better scores and food.

A variety of Pokémon visit the cafe, although some visitors may appear more frequently at certain events. Pokemon can even be recruited by doing enough of their orders.

10 Super Kirby Clash

Warrior On The Hunt

Super Kirby Clash is an action game that takes Kirby on a hunting adventure. Similar to Monster HunterKirby can accept the various quests available to destroy the desired targets. He won't do it alone because three other Kirbys can help him. A team of players can be assembled both locally and online.

Customization and team synergy are important when dealing with powerful bosses. Each Kirby must choose one of the four available classes: the balanced Sword Hero, the powerful Hammer Lord, the distant Beam Mage, and the supportive Doctor Healmore. Each class has specific abilities and equipment. Weapons and armor can be purchased from the shop to take down stronger targets.

9 Part-time UFO

Hard working alien

• Release: October 28, 2020
• Developer: HAL Laboratory
• Publisher: Nintendo

Part-time UFO focuses on UFOs trying to make a living on Earth. The alien uses his claw to do many odd jobs to earn some money, including construction work, cleaning, baking, and other household chores. Each task is graded by completion time and objectives. UFOs can even complete bonus objectives to earn bonus pay and medals.

As a break from accepting special quests, UFO can try other modes such as Tower of Infinity and Treasure Island. The money earned is used to purchase clothing, giving the UFO additional stats such as movement speed and claw strength. He doesn't even have to work alone, as there is a local co-op option for friendly UFOs.

8 Litter

Dizzy physics

Litter depends on the player to drive through the city to save the growing number of dizzy civilians. The overall predicament becomes more serious as the player must investigate the mastermind behind the Dizzies. The Vertigo infection causes civilians to become dazed, preventing them from moving from dangerous locations such as construction sites. How the tasks are completed is up to the player. There is an option for another player to join locally to ease the oppressive load.

Each mission will be scored based on the player's performance. Save points can shift during a mission, such as placing Dizzies in an ambulance or falling into the ocean. There are even bonus objectives that reward more save points. Completing enough quests and exploring the world map will open up more customization options and provide more decorative options for emergency collaborators or home base.

7 Pokémon Quest

Cooking for Pokemon

Pokémon Quest is the most affordable Pokemon game that mixes its formula on Tumblecube Island. Players can take up to three Pokémon on a journey in each level to discover loot and rewards. It is necessary to modify the Pokemon's stats and moves. Pokemon are not directly controllable during expeditions, but require a command from the player to time skill moves or play tactical strategy.

Acquiring Pokemon is different compared to traditional games as they are caught by cooking different recipes at home base. Using different ingredients can convince new Pokémon to join the player's party, including rarer types. Players can log in every day to earn rewards and bonuses to decorate their home base and cooking pot.

6 BOX BOY! + BOXGIRL!

Deal with

BOX BOY! + BOXGIRL! offers a simple yet rewarding puzzle-solving adventure with Qbby and Qucy. There are over 250 levels for the square duo to overcome together in an extended journey. They can create separate boxes for maneuvering over higher or distant platforms. The controls are simple to understand, although the puzzles can become more challenging as you progress through multiple stages.

The game contains three stories: a story for two, a story for one, and a story. Qbby and Qucy can be played together or separately in a story for two and a story for one. Qudy can only be played through the high story, which makes his platforming more unique due to his rectangular shape. Fortunately, challenging puzzles can be solved with friends in a local co-op.

5 Well done!

Climbing the physics ladder

• Released: March 26, 2020
• Developer: Paladin Studios[a]
• Publisher: Nintendo

Well done! is a puzzle game that offers several solutions to master the simplest tasks. The protagonist is the young son of the company's CEO, who works his way up the ranks through promotions. What makes the game fun is its high replayability with open objectives. The answer to solve the task can be straightforward or very crazy.

Each level has a list of required objectives, whether it's cleaning up a mess, watering plants, or carrying important items. The level ranks players based on completion time and destruction damage. There are hidden collectibles, including pieces of clothing that you can wear to class. It is up to the player to decide how to complete the task.

4 Pokemon Unite

pokemon league

Pokemon Unite moves the series into a unique competitive format on the islands of Aeos. It is a free 5v5 team like game League of Legends but with simplified controls and objectives. Players work together to break barriers and score as many points as possible. Each Pokemon is divided into different classes:

• Attacker: Excels at ranged damage, even with lower health
• Defender: excels in defensive play for himself and allies
• Supporter: excels at using beneficial effects for allies and harmful effects for enemies
• All-rounder: A balanced jack of all trades, though no great stats
• Speedster: Excels in high mobility and melee damage; best in scoring

The game currently has a roster of over 60 Pokemon that offer a variety of skills and play styles. The island's advanced technology allows each Pokémon to wear different holowears during battles for better fashion. Single battles are the best way to showcase team synergy, tactical planning and communication.

3 Kirby Dream Buffet

Sweet rolls

Kirby Dream Buffet it forces Kirby into a unique, developed predicament that he uses to his advantage. What became a concern of its diminutive size turned into a blessing in disguise with larger desserts. This motivates him to roll and race down the sweet paths to consume enough sweets as quickly as possible.

The game offers a variety of gameplay options, including battle royale, race, and mini-games. There's even a sandbox mode that tests each dessert spot for optimal routes and tricks. Up to four players can team up locally or online to test which one is the ultimate dream consumer.

2 Kirby Fighters 2

Super Kirby Bros

Kirby Fighters 2 is the best solution to decide which Kirby copy power is the strongest in the series. It is a platform fighting game that designs each copy of the ability as a separate fighter, including Yoyo, Stick, Sword, Beam and more. Up to four players can play together locally or online.

The game offers a variety of game modes, including story mode, one-handed mode, and battle mode. Not every fighter is unlocked as it requires traversing the ranks of fighters. Reaching high enough ranks unlocks more fighters, including other familiar characters like King DeDeDe and Bandana Waddle Dee.

Paired detectives

• Release: May 14, 2021
• Developer: Mages
• Publisher: Nintendo

Famicom Detective Club The Two-Case Collection revives the more than three-decade-old series that was originally a Japanese-exclusive release for the Super Famicom console. This includes Famicom Detective Club™: The Girl Who Stands Back and Famicom Detective Club™: The Missing Heir which can be purchased separately or together. These two interactive visual novels have finally been released in the West with remastered graphics and a soundtrack perfectly localized for modern audiences.

Both games require the player to explore suspenseful, terrifying mysteries plaguing Japan. Both respective games focus on certain sinister cases, including murders, hidden secrets, and terrifying rumors. Critical thinking and puzzle solving are required to piece together the right information from suspects and clues.