Highlights

• The Nintendo Switch is home to a variety of excellent strategy games that are simple enough for newcomers, but still challenging for experienced players.
• Fire Emblem Engage may not be as beloved as other entries in the series, but fans will still find a lot to love, especially with classic characters making appearances.
• Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle is a fun and simple strategy game that serves as a perfect introduction to the genre for newer players.

You might be the kind of person who loves the Nintendo Switch, but also just can’t get enough of strategy games. Luckily for you, the console is not only home to some of the best of the generation, but some of the best of the whole genre. With just a bit of looking, there are dozens of excellent strategy games if you love getting a bit more tactical.

Even better, the Nintendo Switch is home to a shockingly varied array of strategy games that utilize unique and inventive mechanics. Many of the simpler strategy games on the console are also of note because they are simple enough for newcomers to the genre, but still challenging for those used to implementing the perfect strategy.

Updated on January 14, 2024, by Mohamed El Ouardighi: If you love a strategy game to play on the go, we've updated this list with improved formatting and added a couple of entries for you to enjoy in 2024.

11 Fire Emblem Engage

While it may not be as beloved as other entries in the series, Fire Emblem Engage is a fun little strategy game that will give you a fair challenge. You’ll be primarily controlling Alear, but like always, you’re responsible for the lives of the units within the army you build.

The game functions similarly to another on the list, but that doesn’t mean Engage should be ignored. Fans of the series will find a lot to love, especially with all the appearances of classic characters from the series’ history.

10 Dicey Dungeons

Those who have a love for both roguelikes and deck-builders will probably be drawn to Dicey Dungeons. It’s a classic set-up of having to get to the end of a set of challenges to be free of your fate, but it feels unique even among other similar titans of the genre.

As you might expect from a roguelike, you’ll be tasked with attempting run after run, so you’ll need to be able to keep your cool as you strategize the best run for your chosen character. With some fun dice mechanics involved, you might be shocked by how long you keep coming back to Dicey Dungeons.

9 Civilization 6

It’s almost impossible to have not heard of the Civilization series at this point thanks to how beloved and long-running it is. The whole point of the game is to build a civilization from relative nothingness and have it become the dominating force of the world.

Crafting the perfect civilization is surprisingly tricky thanks to all the moving parts you have to keep in mind. You need to constantly expand your civilization, but you’ll also have to constantly make deals with others in order to continue thriving without too much chaos ensuing.

8 Mushroom Wars 2

If you want a cute real-time strategy game, then Mushroom Wars 2 might be the one for you. It offers dynamic short-session matches where you command armies, capturing opponent buildings through strategic resource management and quick reflexes.

The game boasts a story-driven campaign with four episodes, featuring 50 missions each, and multiplayer options include free-for-all or team-based matches for up to three friends. Gameplay-wise, you select hero characters from four mushroom tribes, each with unique skills. and you have three building types with different upgrade options in order to conquer others and be the last one standing.

7 Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle

Many people were delighted by the fun and simple little strategy game known as Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, and it shouldn’t be hard to see why. The blend of Mario and the Rabbids was a decision that no one knew they needed but immediately loved anyway.

With simplistic customization options, maps, and some surprisingly tricky challenges, this game serves as a perfect welcome to the genre for newer players. There’s so much heart put into every inch of the game that you might find yourself searching for the sequel as soon as you’re done.

6 Slay The Spire

Some strategy games can feel a bit too similar for some people, and Slay the Spire might be the perfect way to avoid feeling that way. The entire game plays out through a kind of deck-building system that requires you to make tough choices and have a lot of luck.

With a variety of characters with even more builds to try out, Slay the Spire begs you to replay it as often as possible to learn the best strategy for each character. Managing to truly beat the game is a challenge that few manage to achieve, but you might be up for the task.

5 Pikmin 4

The Pikmin series hasn’t always gotten the same love as some others, but it’s always been there in the background just waiting for new players to pick it up. Pikmin 4 takes the classic gameplay and adds entirely new layers to it, creating a thrilling experience from start to finish.

It falls onto you to rescue all of your old companions through the help of the titular characters, the Pikmin. It’s not the most difficult game, but it is an inventive title that is great for beginners and those looking for something unique.

4 Mario + Rabbids Sparks Of Hope

Functioning fairly similarly to the first game in the series, Mario + Rabbids: Sparks Of Hope is yet another great strategy game for beginners. Those hoping for a bigger game will be in luck as it does make some key changes from the first and even adds in some new characters.

It becomes your job to save the Sparks and defeat the Cursa, though there are some fantastic surprises to experience along the way. Some actually prefer this game to the original thanks to the few changes that were made. Though that is debatable, both games make great plays.

3 Valkyria Chronicles 4

If you like some war in your strategy games, Valkyria Chronicles 4 should be a great option. You’ll be controlling a unit of specialized soldiers as you fight for your home of Gallia, though things do take a bit of a complex turn in a hurry.

You will need to look at the map and see through your unit’s view to set the perfect strategy into play, as lacking a single unit or character on some maps will make things much trickier. Trust in your units and don’t let that tank fall.

2 Into The Breach

Into the Breach is a great choice If you want some turn-based strategy that sees you battling the monstrous Vek. At a glance, the gameplay does seem a bit simple, but you’ll be surprised by just how many things you’ll need to take into account with each move.

This is easily one of the toughest strategy games on the Switch for newer players, but it is a welcome challenge. You’ve got to use your mechs to destory the Vek and ensure the safety of innocents, though you will be required to think about the gameplay in a unique way compared to other titles.

1 Fire Emblem: Three Houses

If you’re looking for an excellent strategy game that adds in some life simulation mechanics, Fire Emblem: Three Houses will be a joy to play. Controlling Byleth, you’ll select a group of students who you’ll be talking to for the remainder of the game, through school days and through bitter war.

The simple strategy gameplay of the Fire Emblem series is on display, but with a few welcome tweaks. It’s not hard to see why so many people love this entry to the series considering how attached you are likely to become to all of your students-turned-war-companions.