A good puzzle game can serve as an outlet for entertainment, diversion, as well as a sort of virtual brain exercise. There's seemingly been an influx in interesting examples of late, especially with the rise of the indie scene, which has brought a slew of creative and experimental puzzlers.
Between its handy portability, motion-controlled Joy-cons, and intuitive touch screen, Switch has proven a solid platform for these sorts of brain-busters. The hybrid console has seen a vast lineup of all sorts of puzzle games from Nintendo and other developers, ranging in style, content, and difficulty.
With this list, we'll cover the 10 top-ranked Switch puzzlers according to Metacritic.com
Updated April 27th, 2020 by Stephen LaGioia: The Switch is now in its fourth year, and its software is looking stronger and more robust than ever. This rapidly-expanding library has brought a range of interesting new puzzlers, which serve to complement this hybrid console. Given the continuing momentum and rich lineup of games, we felt it appropriate to update our list with another 5 highly-scored games according to Metacritic.
15 Pic-A-Pix Deluxe (78)
Fans of the graphic-assembling puzzle - also known as "Nonograms," should find much to occupy themselves with in this deluxe title, especially given its budget $7 price.
Thanks to the breadth of content featuring a whopping 300 exclusive puzzles and a 2-4 player co-op mode, this is one of the best ways for Picross fans to enjoy this unique, elaborate puzzler. Not only this, but the touchscreen functionality makes this typically tricky slew of puzzles simpler and more intuitive to tinker with.
14 Picross S 3 (78)
This enjoyable puzzler takes the appealing Picross formula and literally colors in the details, featuring a new mode that offers color-coded squares. These multi-hued illustrations are all the more satisfying to complete, and offer a fun new spin on the franchise.
In addition to this, the game includes a Mega Picross and Clip Picross mode, further mixing up the formula and rounding out a whopping 480 puzzles in total.
13 Puyo Puyo Tetris (81)
Though the battle royale known as Tetris 99 has taken much of the spotlight, this lesser-known Tetris variant is just as enjoyable, and even more packed full of content. This is perhaps the strongest entry on our list when it comes to splitscreen multiplayer, which comes with an equally solid online mode to boot.
At the same time, it doesn't sacrifice in terms of depth, offering a slew of variants on the classics puzzlers Tetris and Puyo Puyo. You've got a full-fledged adventure romp that alters between the 2 games, and even a mode which fuses the 2 into one colorful puzzle frenzy.
12 Lumines Remastered (83)
With feverishly addictive puzzles enhanced by vibrant visuals and a bumping techno soundtrack, Lumines Remastered is as entrancing as it is fun. The renowned puzzler, crafted by prominent game designer Tetsuya Mizuguchi, is back in full-force with this sleek remaster.
This adrenaline-pumping puzzle romp is a joy to play both in handheld mode and on the big screen. Some solid multiplayer support helps extend the already strong replay value.
11 Tetris 99 (83)
As Tetris fans know, this game is minimalistic in its concept of arranging blocks with the goal of eliminating rows and raking in points. Still, just like the original decades earlier, the gameplay has proven as addictive as ever. The battle royale concept, which allows for a whopping 99 players to go head-to-head in elimination fashion brought a new element of excitement to this already thrilling experience.
While the baseline game can be played for free, Nintendo released a paid DLC pack that focuses more on offline content, including a CPU Battle and an endless Marathon mode.
10 Mighty Switch Force! Collection (84)
Platforming can be a nice complement for the puzzle genre, as it provides a throughline of action to balance out the typically slower pacing of the puzzle gameplay. This appealing package features a compilation of WayForward's existing Mighty Switch Force! games for DSiWare, 3DS, and Wii U, spruced up with vibrant HD visuals for Switch.
Given its lack of marketing, as well as the abundance of Switch games, this sci-fi puzzle-platformer tends to get a bit overlooked. This is a shame, considering the quality and value you get in this multi-game remaster for $20.
Each stage contains sidescrolling action and shooting coupled with puzzle portions to progress, vaguely reminiscent of early Metroid. You may need to locate a certain helmet to access a particular area, etc. You can even play 4 player co-op with part of this collection.
9 Keep Talking And Nobody Explodes (84)
You might be intrigued by the off-kilter name of this one alone, and while the actual gameplay isn't quite as epic as the title lets on, this is still a neat project from Steel Crate Games.
As you might expect for a game that leans on VR tech and is available on mobile devices, the experience is rather basic. Yet, that's not to say that it's easy; far from it. You'll need a fellow player or 3 in order to multitask on the clock, as you scramble to diffuse a convoluted bomb before the timer runs out. Each module comes with a unique set of challenges and tasks, and each player will have to tinker with the bomb and convey certain information with the knowledge they're given.
It's a cool little exercise in communication and cooperation as much as brainpower.
8 World Of Goo (84)
2D Boy's breakout hit, World of Goo, surprised many with its charming, addictive gameplay that utilized such a basic foundation. After all, it initially came in 2008; an era rife with slick, bombastic AAA games. Along with massive hits like Minecraft, this experimental title helped usher in a new wave of successful indie projects.
This converted Wii game, which soon spattered its way onto mobile devices, proves a terrific fit for the portable, touchscreen-laced Switch. Cobbling together these platforms of goo is more satisfying than ever with the Joy-con's sharp and responsive pointer controls.
7 Toki Tori 2 + (84)
Taking its place as another appealing platforming-puzzle hybrid, Toki Tori 2 + on Switch is perhaps the best way to play this last-gen puzzle port. In many ways, this vibrant and adorable sidescroller keeps things quite simple and loose.
Your commands are limited to using a stomp move as well as busting out tunes with your chirping chick protagonist. Still, despite its passive and simplistic nature, many fans have been drawn to the rewarding puzzle-solving in a platforming setting, along with its overall relaxing vibe.
6 Snipperclips Plus: Cut It Out Together! (84)
Like many on our list, the delightful co-op puzzler known as Snipperclips is actually an improved, enhanced rendition of an already terrific game. This cute little shape-based romp has become a fan favorite for Switch owners with its inventive puzzle gameplay, which forces you to think creatively. The name of the game is to work through puzzles, either solo or with another player, by snipping out various shapes to guide objects and trigger various actions.
Initially released as a Switch launch game in digital form, a retail version of this expansion was churned out several months later. This featured 30 new stages amongst 2 brand new worlds, in addition to new multiplayer modes.
5 Baba Is You (84)
Sometimes you know your in for a unique and imaginative puzzler just based off the odd title. Such is the case with Baba is You, a game that blends wordplay with logic puzzles and rule manipulation. Drawing from these word associations and visual clues, you'll work through a series of 2D obstacles that are rarely the same. Certain word and object combinations will alter the conditions in these levels, allowing you to progress.
It's a cool little blend of word shuffling and image placement; one that allows the game to shine creatively in spite of its simplistic art style. Gamers that appreciate "outside the box" concepts will likely be drawn to this one.
4 Wilmot's Warehouse (85)
Who would have thought an inventory simulator could be so addictive?
This late-2019 release plays with the concept of nabbing, storing, and arranging objects in different ways. This is one that organized gamers and neat freaks will definitely want to put on their radar.
Similar to our previous entry, Wilmot's Warehouse by Hollow Ponds rolls with a flat, minimalistic presentation, letting the inventive, captivating puzzles take center stage. After all, as gamers have learned from efforts like Tetris, Dr. Mario, and Puyo Puyo, the most basic templates can often make for the most appealing games.
3 Return Of The Obra Dinn (86)
A unique, stylistic aesthetic can allow a game to "pop," and this is certainly the case with this visual-heavy puzzler. Return of the Obra Dinn, by developer Lucas Pope, paints a rich visual scene with its gritty black and white graphics, meshing nicely with its 1800s setting.
You find yourself on an eerie ghost ship of the East India Company, where you're tasked with finding out how its crew and passengers have died or disappeared. You'll do this by working with and drawing from various visual clues, objects, and text. The crude graphics and point-and-click style definitely invoke a sense of early PC gaming nostalgia.
2 Mini Metro (86)
This stripped-down puzzler takes on the feel of a Sim City game in a basic, but enjoyable form. The goal is to lay out the most efficient rail transit system possible, in order to appease and maintain a growing city. You know those color-coded maps you find atop buses and trains when traveling? You'll basically be constructing those.
Dinosaur Polo Club's project - initially released for PC and mobile devices in '15-'16, is a great fit for the Switch with its intuitive interface and added multiplayer features. As you cover more ground efficiently, your population will expand and more resources will be available. It all makes for an oddly rewarding experience.
1 (*) Bastion (90)
Puzzle-based gameplay can compliment RPGs and software of a more tactical bent, adding to the depth and bringing new gameplay twists. Such is the case with this rich, isometric adventure called Bastion.
While it's more "strategy-RPG" than puzzler, the game cleverly interweaves perplexing puzzles into its memorable adventure. This is further enhanced by some lush hand-painted environments and appealing dungeon-crawling.