The Nintendo Switch surprises with graphically impressive games. Here are some of the best-looking titles that prove its capability.
The Nintendo Switch surprises with graphically impressive games
If you’re looking for the best looking Nintendo Switch games, you probably already know the answer. It’s not that surprising that compact consoles with less raw power would struggle to match the mighty PC and its counterparts, but that hasn’t stopped the Nintendo Switch from running graphically impressive games.
As a hybrid console, the Nintendo Switch can be played in both handheld and docked mode, which explains its slight limitation when it comes to graphics. However, over 20 years later, the Nintendo Switch still surprises with games that prove it can hold its own in the graphics department.
Best-looking Nintendo Switch games:
Spiritfarer: Despite not being a massive 3D open-world experience, indie game Spiritfarer is a graphically impressive piece of art with terrific hand-drawn graphics. With its atmospheric setting and colourful enemies inhabiting a dream-like land, it will whisk players away to a cute and calming world they won’t want to leave anytime soon. Splatoon 3: An entire series of colourful guns and full-on-paint-mode combat make Splatoon one of the more visually striking games to grace a Nintendo console. Splatoon 3 is no exception, as its vibrant colours, great music, and chaotic gameplay coalesce into one of the best-looking games on the Switch. Water has never looked this good. Wavetale: Pleasing to look at without even moving, the boating sim Wavetale is a stunning title that makes the most of the Switch’s portable display. While it isn’t the most graphically demanding game on this list, gliding across the water seeing the reflections ripple underneath is exceptionally satisfying, and it feels even better with little horns tootling away in the background. Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunion: This complete remaster breathes fresh life into one of the most beloved entries in the Final Fantasy series by updating some aspects of the graphics to 2019 quality, reworking a new gameplay system, and polishing up the story. The reworked gameplay gives a modern touch to the action-RPG game, and players will see new enemies, abilities, and a revamped Materia system. Monster Hunter Rise: Monster Hunter is perhaps the series synonymous with handheld gaming, but it’s also been harder to get into on the Switch. While the launch game, Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate, was arguably a tad barebones and the more recent MH Generations G sealed the deal, Rise is perhaps the best way players can enjoy this renowned series on the Switch. The graphics are gorgeous, the mechanics are improved, and the thrill of fighting large monsters has returned in full. Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Charming, vibrant visuals form the backdrop of this expansive JRPG game, with a style and technical detail that blend together to create a truly captivating world. Between scenic fields populated by the game’s assortment of societies and creatures from a variety of races, and various atmospheric locales that make up the game’s environments, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 manages to retain a sense of coherency, even as players are taken all over the place. New Pokemon Snap: The original Pokemon Snap may be showing its age somewhat, but the sequel lives up to the series’ visual standard with a far more extensive and diverse group of Pokemon subjects that are pleasing to look at. Not only are there more Pokemon to find and shoot, but the environments feel less constricted than the original’s, too, so players are not just shooting everything on the same hill. Mario Party Superstars: There are some incredible remakes in the Super Mario Bros series, and Super Mario 3D All-Stars is one of them. The remake of Super Mario Bros: The Lost Levels (released as Super Mario Bros. 2 in Japan), alongside Super Mario Bros. 3, vastly polished the graphics. It looks a lot more at home on a high-end PC than a hybrid handheld console, but Super Mario 3D All Stars is a true celebration of classic Mario Party. Rayman reboot titles: The Rayman reboot titles aren’t just graphically impressive, but they also boast an eccentric art style that looks more like a Saturday Morning Cartoon vibe that somehow works well in a side-scrolling voxel adventure game. While the environments look a bit like hand-drawn art, the characters are a sight to behold in their detailed, colourful costumes. Gris: The side-scrolling platformer Gris may look more like a watercolour painting rather than a video game, but its stunning art style and mesmerizing visuals make it a must-play game on the Nintendo Switch. Players will be captivated by the beauty as they explore the vibrant and emotional world of Gris. 
