The words "free to play" aren't always exactly a good omen in the world of gaming. "Free to play" might also mean free to start, but pay to finish. Then again, it might also mean free-to-play but pay to win. With these concepts in mind, it's easy to see how players can be deterred from those three little words.
With that in mind, there are actually a few good apples in the bunch, especially on the Nintendo Switch. Well, they might not be perfect, there are definitely a few shining examples out there of free-to-play titles that are worth a little extra gameplay.
10 Color Zen
Not all games have to be deeply stimulating, challenging, or even complex to be fun. Sometimes all we really need from a game to turn off a weary brain. Color Zen provides exactly that. All it takes to win is clearing the right colors. It's like a playable abstract painting. The game is a stimulating puzzle title that provides a fun way to pass the time and asks for very little in return. In fact, the only thing that needs buying is Skip Moves.
9 Paladins
If one were to take the superhero aspect away from Blizzard's Overwatch game and replace it with a magical fantasy world, the results would be Paladins. Like many other titles of its ilk, the only things this online shooter asks players to pay for are skins, characters, and upgrades.
Currency can be earned through gameplay, and the main reason players would want to buy anything would be for primarily cosmetic use. Still, it's a nice alternative to the popular team-shooter title.
8 Dauntless
There have been several comparisons between Dauntless and the Monster Hunter series, and that concept is not without merit. To put it bluntly, players are given the basics for the game without even spending a cent. The object of the game is simple, hunt down monsters and enemies and try not to get absolutely murdered.
7 Smite
Similar to Paladins, the main thing a player would have to purchase in this title would be cosmetics and characters, the latter of which can be achieved by grinding for currency, which will become second nature the more players participate in online matches.
Immediately, players are offered a selection of Gods to play with in this arena-based combat game. With Pantheons of characters to select from, it's surprising that this title hasn't surpassed League of Legends.
6 Brawlhala
Need to satisfy the urge for Super Smash Bros. but lack the funds? Give Brawlhalla a try. This game can be thoroughly enjoyed, expanded, and won without having to make a single trip to the eShop. It's a great party game with colorful cartoon characters beating the absolute snot out of each other. With loads of weapons, colorful characters to play with, and tons of unlockables, there's a lot to offer in such a simple game.
5 Super Kirby Clash
Like so many of their developer peers, Nintendo has also gotten in on the Free-To-Play bandwagon, but with a much more enjoyable and winnable contribution. Currency, as always, is the main buyable gimmick in the game but if a player is diligent and patient, they can beat the title without spending a single penny.
The game is essentially a team boss-rush game with Kirby's cute and cuddly aesthetic. It's simple, smooth, and easy to pick up, making it perfect for young players wanting to try online action.
4 Rocket League
Who would have thought that soccer and racecars would make such an enjoyable combination? Rocket League is one of the most popular online games on the market and for Switch owners, it's completely and utterly free to play. Everything a player needs to enjoy this title is readily available right at the start. Apart from certain cosmetics and upgrades, most of the extra material is unlockable through dedicated repeated play. But in all honesty, it's not really all that's needed.
3 Warframe
If there's one game on this list that takes a lot of grinding to get any sort of change in gameplay, it's Warframe. Warframe is a very enjoyable hack-and-slash title that was absolutely ported well for the Switch, but if a player easily grows tired of the same armor and weapons, they're going to be grinding a while.
That being said, it's not a dull grind in the strictest definition, though some enemies are often repeated. It depends on how bad they want their next suit.
2 Tetris 99
No pay to win, no mandatory microtransactions, just fast-paced, addictive, combative Tetris. Inspired by possibly one of the most famous games in the history of the medium, Tetris 99 brings the addictive challenge of traditional Tetris into a last-player-standing extravaganza. Players pit themselves against 98 opponents to see who can outlast an all-out hailstorm of Tetraminos and puzzle screens. It's no easy task, but highly skilled players can rise to become number one.
1 Super Mario Bros. 35
Similar to Tetris 99, Super Mario Brothers 35 pits Nintendo players against one another in a last-player-standing version of one of their most iconic games. It's a race against both the clock and 34 other players to make it to the number one spot in the Mushroom Kingdom. It might have the same feeling, but this isn't the same 1985 cartridge. The original Mario title has been given a brawling shake-up and it's all free to play, at least until 2021.