The 24 Best Nintendo Switch Games for Teens

• Rated T for Teen
• Genre: Role-Playing Game

Nintendo has made the right move by investing in the development studio Monolith Soft. Back on the Wii, the studio known for being masters at crafting quality JRPGs released the first Xenoblade Chronicles. Shulk, his powerful Monado blade, and the rest of his loyal allies are known by gamers worldwide thanks to their heroic exploits atop the boundless realms that exist on the frozen bodies of two warring titans. This Wii original got ported over to the Switch and has gotten the expected graphical & mechanical adjustments you'd expect from a classic game coming over to a more powerful console. This lengthy JRPG features an awesome combat system, a beautiful world to traverse, and an amazing story to get enveloped by.

• Rated T for Teen
• Genre: Role-Playing Game

Now's the time to take a look at the sequel to the first game on our list! Xenoblade Chronicles 2 should be easy for folks who may have missed out on the first game to try out since this game provides a wholly new storyline separate from its predecessor. The only theme that's prevalent here as a signature series element is being able to adventure across the backs of "Titans." This JRPG journey centers on Rex and a living weapon named Pyra, who journey together with battle-ready "Blades" with the hopes of finding Pyra's mystical paradise. The action-packed combat mechanics of the first game make their return in a Xenoblade Chronicles follow-up that adopts a more anime-esque presentation.

• Rated T for Teen
• Genre: Role-Playing Game

And now we'll have to heap praises upon the third game in the Xenoblade franchise! And this time, you'll get caught right in the middle of warring nations as you take control of child soldiers who are trying to find out who/what is pulling the strings behind their world's constant state of conflict. Noah, Eunie, and Lanz, who hail from Keves, plus Mio, Sena, and Taion, who hail from Agnus, all band together to take down the biggest danger of all that threatens both their worlds. You already know how the last two games on this list are, so you definitely know what makes this threequel so great - fast-paced battles, fun open-world expeditions, and an effective storyline that will stay with you long after you've completed.

• Rated T for Teen
• Genre: Action

Development studio Omega Force has caught everyone's attention thanks to their work on the "Musou" genre of games attached to the Dynasty/Samurai Warriors IP. Nintendo linked up with the studio to create some fun beat 'em ups starring some of the most popular characters created by the Japanese gaming giant. Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition is one of those dream collabs as it throws Link, his buddies, and his most notable enemies into a version of Hyrule that's filled with a whole lot of intense hacking and slashing. We chose to drop this Wii U to Switch port of this Legend of Zelda Musou spinoff on this list simply because it's so much fun to tear up hundreds of foes with some of your favorite series heroes.

• Rated T for Teen
• Genre: Action

If you loved the previous game on our lineup of the best Nintendo Switch games for teens, then it makes all the sense in the world for you to dive into its sequel. As for this pick on our list, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity expands upon the mythos put in place by The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. The game's roster expands in this follow-up to include more proud warriors from that Switch classic, plus its art style adopts the watercolor painting theme of that game as well. Large-scale battles are the name of the game here, so you'll get a ton of hours of fun out of this one if you loved every minute of Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition. The Musou formula is a winning one here!

• Rated T for Teen
• Genre: Action-Adventure

Metroid frontwoman Samus Aran has her work cut out for her in a game where unstoppable EMMI robots seek to decimate her. Set after the events of Metroid Fusion, Metroid Dread follows Samus' trek through the many pathways that make up the entirety of planet "ZDR." This action-packed side-scroller provides quite the challenge as you'll need to brave the dangers associated with killer robots and deadly alien creatures. The Metroid formula, which consists of acquiring new weapons and tools that open up other parts of the map, still works as well as it did in past series entries within this latest Samus adventure.

• Rated T for Teen
• Genre: Role-Playing Game

If the teen you're getting Switch games for is looking to try their hand at a tactical RPG, do the right thing and direct them towards the Fire Emblem series. Fire Emblem: Three Houses puts you in the role of a notable professor who presides over one of three houses, where impressionable students fall under your learning tree. When the time comes to enter the heat of battle, you'll move your army of students across each map to pick your spots and cut down the ranks that make up the opposing forces. Any teenage gamer out there who's interested in titles centered on social events and more strategic turn-bases battles, then this Fire Emblem classic should be on their radar.

• Rated T for Teen
• Genre: Action

Hyrule Warriors takes Link and The Legend of Zelda's best parts to make it into a Musou brawler. And in the case of Fire Emblem Warriors, this beat 'em up lets you actively take control of the series' most iconic characters and hack & slash to your heart's content. What makes this Nintendo-themed Musou title a bit different is its inclusion of being able to give your troops tactical commands, which makes the gameplay loop for this one feel a bit less repetitive. Don't worry, though - you can still busy yourself with using all manner of swords, lances, axes, and more with heroes such as Lucina, Marth, and Corrin at the ready.

• Rated T for Teen
• Genre: Action

If the plot points and characters stood out to you in Fire Emblem: Three Houses, then it's definitely worth entering that game's universe once again for a Musou take on the tactical action. You've spotted three games just like this on the list already, so you already know what kind of madness you're getting into here - choosing your favorite Fire Emblem characters, pushing your army to victory, and wiping out hundreds (AND EVEN THOUSANDS!) of nameless soldiers. Along with the element of a debuting warrior named Shez, this beat 'em up also makes the likes of Edelgard, Dimitri, and Claude available for play.

• Rated T for Teen
• Genre: Role-Playing Game

The final Fire Emblem entry on this list of the best Nintendo Switch games for teens taps into its traditional tactical RPG roots. Fire Emblem Engage reaches back into the series' storied history to present a group of past characters that can be summoned mid-battle. You'll get to deliver big damage to enemy forces with the strength of Celica, Sigurd, Leif, and more at your disposal. And as the male or female version of the game's main protagonist Alear, you'll need to do some battling of your own and get caught up on the crucial social interactions and base building of Somniel.

• Rated T for Teen
• Genre: Adventure

The Little Nightmare games put forth incredibly tense horror experiences that are best experienced once the sun is down. If you or the teen you know is confident enough to tackle the scares associated with this side-scroller, then have at it! Little Nightmares Complete Edition comes with the main campaign and "Secrets Of The Maw" expansion, which are both chockful of heart-stopping terrors and tricky puzzles to complete. This scary platformer is not for the faint of heart, mind you. But beating this game means you're more than ready to approach its equally terrifying sequel.

• Rated T for Teen
• Genre: Fighting

Now if the teen you're looking to gift highly regarded Switch games with is a huge manga/anime fanatic, he or she probably most likely has an affinity for Naruto. The Ultimate Ninja Storm games have resulted in fans being able to play out the ninjitsu-powered clashes the anime have been popularized by. Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 Road to Boruto is the final chapter in the anime fighting game franchise and it goes out with a bang. Teenage Naruto fans will enjoy themselves immensely as they play out the final saga of the show and the entirety of Boruto: Naruto the Movie. You might wanna hop in for some multiplayer skirmishes with them too and give the game's huge roster a go. Prepare to have your mind blown by all those Ultimate Jutsu moves and Awakenings!

• Rated T for Teen
• Genre: Battle Royale, First-Person Shooter

So which game has so many players in the palm of its hands when we think of first-person, battle royale shooters? It's none other than Apex Legends, the team-based competitive multiplayer experience that pits teams of three "Legends" against each other and has them shoot it out on a sizeable playspace that continues to expand over time. Each Legend comes with its own special abilities that can be used in conjunction with all the different firearms that players can dominate each enemy encounter with. Apex Legends is free-to-play, offers constant content updates, steadily improves its gameplay mechanics, and features welcome character balance adjustments that easily classify it as one of the best Nintendo Switch games for teens.

• Rated T for Teen
• Genre: Battle Royale, Third-Person Shooter

Any respectable list of the best Nintendo Switch games for teens will surely have to include Epic Game's genre-defining battle royale shooter. Fortnite has captured everyone's attention and morphed into the most recognizable game in the world thanks to numerous updates that have improved upon its clever battle royale mechanics, introduced skins tied to characters from all forms of media, and put on universe-wide events that bring players together for monumental occurrences. Right now, Fortnite offers its traditional building mode and even one that ditches it and focuses on running & gunning. All the teens in the world are busy trying to earn new skins in this one. And one of those teens most likely includes the one you know.

• Rated T for Teen
• Genre: Beat 'Em Up

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles might be an 80s throwback franchise, but it still garners plenty of attention from today's young generation. And when it comes to licensed games based on the IP, this retro brawler is a must-play. TMNT: Shredder's Revenge is a natural evolution of the winning beat 'em up formula introduced by Turtles in Time as it focuses on fast-paced action and the most rewarding form of local/online co-op gameplay. Alongside the four famous turtles, the playable roster also features playable versions of Master Splinter, April O'Neil, and Casey Jones. The game's wealth of Easter Eggs and cameos from the original cartoon present it as a love letter to 80s & 90s babies that grew up with the "turtles in a half-shell." Get a bunch of 80s babies and teens together for some couch co-op on this one!

• Rated T for Teen
• Genre: Action Role-Playing Game

The Monster Hunter series is perfect for gamers who prefer co-op experiences that reward proper teamwork. Hooking up with three other "Hunters," tracking down a vicious beast, and banding together to take it down for good are all the elements that have kept the franchise going strong since 2004. With Monster Hunter Rise, players do all their adventuring, monster hunting, and weapon/armor blacksmithing in a world patterned after Feudal Japan. The debut of the super helpful "Wirebug" comes into play here and not only helps you get around much faster but it also gifts you new special moves according to which weapon you currently have equipped.

• Rated T for Teen
• Genre: Skateboarding

Tony Hawk is known far and wide as the GOAT when it comes to the sport of skateboarding. And if the teen you're buying buy games for is infatuated with that extreme sport, then make sure you gift them with this remastered compilation of the first two Tony Hawk's Pro Skater games. What's being presented here is an incredible time capsule into the late 90s and early 00s that features the type of music, famous shredders, and spacious skate parks the Tony Hawk games are known for. Pulling off sick trick combos and completing all sorts of outlandish objectives all the while will definitely make it hard to pull your teen away from this classic skateboarding simulator. This new and improved version of the classic Tony Hawk skating simulator is one of the best Nintendo Switch games for teens worth playing.

• Rated T for Teen
• Genre: Fighting

Now say the teen you're getting new Switch games is knowledgeable of the Super Saiyan adventures Goku, Vegeta, and Gohan embark on. If that's the type of situation you're dealing with, go ahead and do them a favor by getting them the greatest Dragon Ball fighting game they'll ever lay eyes on. Dragon Ball FighterZ is a Marvel vs. Capcom-esque team fighter that lets players build teams of three fighters for some Ki blast-filled battles. The massive energy beam attacks and sick air combos that erupt during this game's clashes look, sound, and feel amazing. This anime fighter won't just keep your teen entertained - it'll also become your newest fighting game addiction.

• Rated T for Teen
• Genre: Fighting

Teenagers who are knee-deep in the world of anime love some Demon Slayer, right? If that's the case for you or another teen Switch owner you know, it's best if you make them aware of this licensed fighting game. Demon Slayer: The Hinokami Chronicles plays and looks just like the Ultimate Ninja Storm games, so you can expect flashy arena battles and a campaign mode that lets you participate in the anime's foremost story arcs. The combat is way more fun than you'd expect, so you can look forward to running it back over and over with a friend just to see who's truly the strongest. Pro tip - Tengen Uzui is top tier!

• Rated T for Teen
• Genre: First-Person Shooter

The hero shooter sub-genre reached its biggest milestone when the first Overwatch took over the competitive multiplayer scene. Now a new and improved version of Blizard Entertainment's signature first-person shooter has arrived with new Heroes, new maps, and new modes to master. Overwatch 2 is free-to-play, so the teens you know who can't get enough of team-based shooters can hop into this one without having to spend a single dime. 5v5 PvP gameplay erupts here across signature modes such as Push and Control, plus genre staples such as Capture The Flag and Team Deathmatch.

• Rated T for Teen
• Genre: Action-Adventure

So It Takes Two touches on the heavy theme of a couple in the midst of a pending divorce. However, their world gets turned upside down when their daughter inadvertently turns them into dolls. Soon after, the couple has to find a way to become human again while overcoming all sorts of wild ordeals that result in varied gameplay styles being presented to co-op participants. It Takes Two is humorous, deeply emotional at some points, and helps maintain its freshness throughout the entire two-player campaign thanks to a host of novel gameplay concepts.

• Rated T for Teen
• Genre: Action-Adventure

No Man’s Sky has come a very long way, largely thanks to development studio Hello Games' successful attempts at further fleshing out the title post-release. While the game was heavily criticized at launch for being a mile wide and an inch deep, today the game has grown into its own. Players are sent off into a procedurally generated universe, technically a multi-verse, of endless planets to explore and extract from. Like other survival games, base-building is an important factor as well as managing resources for your spaceship. This interplanetary quest has finally tapped into its full potential and deserves to be mentioned here among the best Nintendo Switch games for teens.

• Rated T for Teen
• Genre: Action-Adventure

If you mention the Nintendo GameCube to an old head, then one of the many classics they'll mention that was playable on that purple box of greatness will be this one. Now on the Switch, that same goated game exists in its finest form. Metroid Prime Remastered cleans up the visuals to the highest level possible, so all that first-person "Space Pirate" busting, "Morph Ball" maneuvering, and visor switching looks incredible now. Teens will have an easier time tackling this dangerous journey for Samus Aran thanks to retooled controls that are easier to wield and a "Casual" difficulty option. It might be best if the teen you're getting this game for tries to overcome the dangers of "Tallon IV" via the same difficulty mode and control scheme you had to use during Metroid Prime's original release. DO IT THE OLD-SCHOOL WAY!

• Rated T for Teen
• Genre: First-Person Shooter and Puzzle-Platforming

If you know a teen gamer who's really big into the "speedrunning" scene, then they might just fall in love with Neon White. This insanely fast-paced first-person shooter emphasizes getting quick completion times across stages full of enemies and hazards that have the power to screw up your speedy progress. "Soul Cards" provide you with all the offensive tools you'll need to get all those troublesome demons out of your way. But you can sacrifice those cards to gain improved movement abilities, so there is a bit of risk and reward that plays into how you choose to reach the end goal of every stage. As the assassin named White, you'll need to outplay and outwit the competition so you can finally leave Hell behind and earn a permanent residence in Heaven. And with this final pick, we've finally reached the end of our list of the best Nintendo Switch games for teens. We hope all of this helped!