It is incredible to see just how successful the Nintendo Switch has continued to be since its 2017 release, especially when you consider where the company was during the Wii U's run. 2021 saw the console continue its streak of massive victories. One notable event was the Switch OLED, which includes a bigger, better screen. Then there was the new add-on to the subscription service adding Nintendo 64 games.

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More important than all that, however, is the software, and 2021 saw a plethora of new titles that make the Switch worth owning as a primary console. Most of these are either exclusive to the Nintendo Switch or primarily associated with it. 2022 is probably going to be just as busy for Nintendo, so don't sleep on these titles before your backlog gets too clogged.

8 Shin Megami Tensei 5

The main protagonist reaching Da'at for the first time in Shin Megami Tensei 5

Shin Megami Tensei 5 was announced before the Nintendo Switch even came out, so it is great to finally see it hit shelves. Those familiar with the series will find all the hallmarks they love about SMT; difficult combat, a post-apocalyptic setting, and a dark storyline.

What other JRPG actually has enemies talking back at you during and after a fight? The difficulty options also make this game more accessible than prior entries.

7 Pokemon Shining Pearl And Brilliant Diamond

Pokemon Brillian Diamond And Shining Pearl: Cynthia Accepts Your Challenge

All Pokemon games receive a remake at some point and in 2021 it was Diamond and Pearl's turn. Shining Pearl and Brilliant Diamond don't do a lot to shake up the series' formula, but that's not a bad thing for longtime fans.

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One major criticism of the game is the experience share feature that makes your party overpowered too quickly. Even with this, it remains a perfectly suitable Pokemon experience.

6 Mario Party Superstars

CustomDiceBlock_MarioPartySuperStars

The Mario Party games rarely receive intense critical love, but they are always fun to play with friends. Mario Party Superstars is a compilation of the best minigames and boards from the series' history.

Bringing the top-tier material from the storied franchise is a great idea, and it paid off with a Metacritic score of 80. The stick-rotating minigames also make a return, though this time it comes with a disclaimer not to use your palm.

5 New Pokemon Snap

New Pokemon Snap two Bulbasaur on cliff by water

Fans had long yearned for Pokemon Snap to return since the original Nintendo 64 classic. It finally was announced and came out in 2021.

If you played the first Pokemon Snap, the gameplay of New Pokemon Snap should be familiar. There are significantly more Pokemon and new tools at your disposal this time around, however. There is also a photo editing feature letting you further flex your creative muscles.

4 Monster Hunter Rise

Bowgun leaping pose village Monster Hunter Rise

Monster Hunter World opened up the franchise to a whole new audience while not compromising what made fans love Monster Hunter in the first place. Monster Hunter Rise brings the series to the Nintendo Switch so you can bring the series on the go. It is not the first time the franchise has been on portable consoles, however.

It is only appropriate since the Nintendo Wii had several celebrated entries in the franchise. The game received stellar reviews, but don't expect the frame rate to be as smooth as in Monster Hunter World. The problems with frame rate might be remedied when the game comes out on PC in 2022.

3 Bravely Default 2

Bravely Default 2 Lonsdale standing

Bravely Default and Bravely Second were venerated for being a return to old-school JRPG sensibilities. Bravely Default 2 finally brought the series to Nintendo's current generation. Fans of the older titles will no doubt enjoy the sequel.

Unlike Bravely Second, Bravely Default 2 is not a direct sequel and takes place in a new setting. It can become difficult, so prepare for a potential grind — though it wouldn't be a proper throwback to older RPGs if grinding wasn't a part of the equation.

2 Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury

Cat Mario riding Plessie in Bowser's Fury

This list is excluding other remasters that came out in 2021 such as Skyward Sword HD, but Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury earns a place on this list because of Bowser's Fury.

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The ability to play Super Mario 3D World on the Switch would be enough to warrant a purchase, but Bowser's Fury is the first new Super Mario content since Super Mario Odyssey. It offers an open-ended Super Mario experience, feeling like a mixture of Super Mario 3D World and Super Mario Sunshine. It only takes about 6 hours or so to fully complete, but they are memorable hours for sure.

1 Metroid Dread

Dairon Shinespark Guide For Metroid Dread

It is funny to realize Metroid Prime 4 was announced before the Switch launched, but still has not come out. Fortunately, Metroid Dread came out this year and sated fans' hunger for a new game in the franchise.

It is the first new 2D Metroid since Fusion and it more than lives up to the franchise's legacy. Metroid's influence on gaming is undeniable, so it is good to see new games in the franchise remain relevant. Like the older games, Metroid Dread focuses on exploration and can be brutally difficult at times.

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