The best sandbox games unlock your imagination, whether that is by creating something fresh, reshaping existing worlds, or just vibing to pass the time. To do that we’ve put together an excellent list of games on Nintendo Switch and mobile, all of them putting exploration at the forefront.
Once you’re done exploring all the vast worlds we’ve collated, how about trying a completely different genre? Check out our picks for the best Switch RPG games and all the best free mobile games.
Here are the best sandbox games on Switch and mobile:
Minecraft – Switch and mobile
Minecraft is a bit of a given for any list of the best sandbox games, but it’s well worth its status. This game has been entertaining millions for over a decade now, whether it’s creatives building iconic structures inside the game or a team of pals coming together to tackle survival mode. It really is the epitome of the sandbox genre, allowing you to play your way, and we don’t see it losing any of its popularity any time soon.
Creativity pushes this beyond and has seen some truly remarkable things made all in the name of fun. Players have created enormous recreations of real-life locations, Ocarina of Time, and even painstakingly recreated the fantasy world of Game of Thrones. There’s no limit to the possibilities, hence why we are still seeing fantastic creations to this very day.
Terraria – Switch and mobile
A fantasy exploration and building game on a 2D plane, Terraria is so much deeper than its brilliant but modest visuals might imply. It’s always satisfying to gather resources, make a little cabin, and fight enemies to gather even more goodies.
Here everything just feels right, with slick controls and so much to see and do. Players might be surprised even to discover just how much is on offer here, as this is one journey you could potentially never finish.
ARK: Survival Evolved – Switch
Alright, listen, imagine an open-world game where you explore and create things, but with dinosaurs. If the elevator pitch doesn’t work, I’m not sure what will. ARK: Survival Evolved is a fun game where players explore a post-apocalyptic world overrun by dinosaurs and must work alongside them to stake their claim on this barren planet.
It’s great fun to fortify your settlement, and there are a lot of different ways to interact with the world. It’s also recently had a major update on Switch so runs better than ever before, so this is a great time to pick it up.
Dragon Quest Builders 2 – Switch
HOO BOY. Hold on to your hats, as I tell you about a little game called Dragon Quest Builders 2. It’s perfect, comprehensive, a masterpiece, and certainly not appreciated enough in its time. Built on the bones of the peerless fantasy RPG series Dragon Quest, Builders 2 takes that world and some mechanics but instead delivers the best open-world creative (or building) game I’ve ever played.
Imagine Minecraft had a story so good it could make you cry, had amazing new twists that simplify and expand upon regular building tools, and then slapped on some fantastic visuals and music. Folks, I am begging you to go play Dragon Quest Builders 2. It runs great on Switch and has a huge demo (which also transfers saved data when you purchase) but it is also available on PS4 and Xbox, just go and play it.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Switch
