If you’re looking for loads of free Switch games to sink your time into, you’re in the right place. Games aren’t cheap these days, but the good thing is that there are plenty of excellent experiences out there that don’t cost a single dollar. So, whether you’re a shooter fan or an adventure fiend, we’ve got something for everyone here.
Need more Switch games to pore over? Check out our picks of the best Star Wars games, some truck games, and even some ocean games if you want to dip your toes in.
Here’s our list of the best free Switch games.
Fall Guys
Get ready to be bean-boozled as you race, dodge, and dive to the finish line with tons of other players and fight to be number one. The aim is to finish as quickly as you can on each obstacle course level, but it’s all fun and games – especially when you get the silly costumes involved.
Each level is different and has many wacky themes like hammers, slides, fans, and more! Remember – it’s not all about winning (though getting that crown is fun), it’s about having fun and taking part.
Pokémon Café ReMix
This isn’t your average Pokémon game – Café ReMix is a puzzle game where you join strings of matching Pokémon together to get them out of the way while using power-ups, and breaking through blocks gumming up your path.
As the name suggests, it’s set in a café that’s run with the help of our favorite Pokémon, dressed up as chefs! You can also swap their outfits to make them even more adorable. What more could you want than to make a stir fry with Cyndaquil or a fine ganache with Gengar? Er, cooking alongside them, not, you know… with them.
Sky: Children of the Light
Sky is a social adventure game that we’re huge fans of – and it’s totally free! You head into the game as a Child of the Light, and your aim is to spread hope across the land after stars have fallen. This is a multiplayer game, where you can adventure with others, and team up to provide aid to spirits you meet.
You can also sing with others and make delightful music which is just really lovely. We sat down with the makers of Sky to talk about the incredible community behind it and met the creative director to ask about how the game came to be and where it may go in the future.
Fortnite
Let’s get it out of the way, Fortnite is the biggest game on the planet for good reason. Since adding its free-to-play battle royale mode, it’s become the go-to game for anyone who wants to find a few buddies and try to outlast everyone else. It even features a variety of collaborations with everything from Marvel to John Wick. There are no loot boxes here either, if you want to spend money, then you know exactly what you receive in return.
Players can purchase V-Bucks to pay for a battle pass each season, and every pass has a huge wealth of skins, weapon wraps, music, and more to unlock, as long as you can spare the time to level up. Years on from release, thanks to great controls and an addictive rotation of multiplayer modes, this remains some of the most fun you can have on Nintendo Switch with your friends.
Pokémon Unite
The new kid on the block, Pokémon Unite features almost endless gameplay thanks to exciting team-based battles and plenty of unlockable content. Where else can Cinderace wear an adorable pirate outfit? After working your way up a few levels, you can truly start to test your skills in ranked matches, but you’ll have to communicate with your team if you hope to win.
If you’re new to Unite, we recommend you check out our Pokemon Unite tier list to find out which character is best and grab the latest Pokemon Unite codes, too.
Rocket League
The car-soccer sensation Rocket League went free-to-play and is now using a season pass system just like Fortnite. Every mode is completely free, so you can team up in frantic 3v3 matches or get serious in some intense 1v1 action and truly show your friends who’s boss on the field.
Each season still brings free rewards, as well as extra unlockables in the season pass. Feel free to browse our Rocket League codes list to receive some extra goodies.
Tetris 99
Are you perhaps a little bored with the usual, single-player formula of Tetris? Well, what if you played against 98 other people to be the best Tetris-er out there? Tetris 99 allows you to do just that. You must fight to be the last person standing by sending completed lines out to stack up on other players’ screens, which buys you more time to advance. There’s also themed events from time to time that change the arena into a Kirby or Animal Crossing design to celebrate new games, which is nice.
While it’s not technically free, as you need to be a member of Nintendo Switch Online, but if you have the service there’s no additional cost to download this gem and start frantically stacking blocks as neatly as possible.
Fallout Shelter
While we wait for any of the full Fallout games to arrive on Switch, Fallout Shelter offers some post-apocalyptic micro-management fun, tasking you with organizing and supporting an entire community within your shelter, hoping to keep them alive and well.
There are plenty of ways to customize your vault dwellers, and you’ll need to arm them to face the threats of the wasteland as well.
Warframe
One of the best-looking games on Switch games also happens to be free, as Warframe is one hell of a port from powerhouse studio Panic Button. It’s a third-person shooter set in the far future, where you unlock and control various Warframes, basically mech suits, and grind to unlock improvements.
There’s even some story content, as well as online multiplayer, so this free-to-play title offers plenty of content for nothing.
Super Kirby Clash
If you’re looking for games for younger Switch owners, Super Kirby Clash could be the perfect fit. It’s a multiplayer action game, where up to four players team up to take on Kirby’s rogue’s gallery in exciting boss battles.
Use Kirby’s many abilities like beams, swords, hammers, and many more as you try to find the best way to tackle each fight. You can spend money to unlock outfits and weapons, but none of it is needed to enjoy the simple gameplay loop on offer.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel
The definitive dueling experience, this free-to-play entry brings Yu-Gi-Oh! to every platform under the sun, including cross-play as well. While the series is certainly a tad more complicated today, Master Duel does a good job of explaining things, and a bright, clean, user interface makes everything easy to understand.
Whether you’re a veteran or always wanted to try things out, this is a fantastic way to experience the legendary series card mechanics. Check out our full Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel review for more on the title, then check out our Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel decks guide to get you started.
Deltarune: Chapter 1 + 2
The original Undertale took the world by storm upon release, and since then creator Toby Fox has been working hard on the spiritual successor Deltarune, dropping chapters one by one. He has so far released both chapters for free, so if you played the original Undertale and enjoyed it, you have no excuse not to dive into the next dark RPG from the Indie creator.
Hopefully, when every chapter is complete Toby offers a physical release because with so much amazing free content, we’d honestly like to give him some money.
Overwatch 2
By now, we all know what Overwatch is, and no matter your personal opinions on the sequel – it’s still a good time considering the game is free to start. You can purchase skins and other goodies, or you can just get going without spending a penny on this PVP shooter.
If you’re struggling to pick a new main, check out our Overwatch 2 tier list which has all the Overwatch 2 characters ranked from the absolute best, down to the allegedly ‘worst’ options. I still love you, Reaper.
Roller Champions
Fancy a free-to-play sports title? Then we recommend Roller Champions. The sport in question is roller derby, a fast-paced racing game pitting teams against each other.
In Roller Champions, you go head-to-head with other players in bright arenas made specifically for the wheely good nature of the game. Hit speeds of up to 100 miles per hour and skate your way to the top – all while customizing your characters, of course.
Ninjala
Some of Nintendo’s own IPs are a bit pricey – and we understand that not everyone has pocketfuls of cash. Ninjala is quite like Splatoon 3, a title that is rarely on sale, so we recommend Ninjala as a fun alternative. It’s not quite the same, but it’s a great multiplayer game that takes place in bright and fun settings, with customizable and cute characters.
The game is free (or it wouldn’t be here) but you can purchase some in-game cash for cosmetics and other cool stuff if you like to jazz up your wardrobe.
Paladins
While you might be quick to dismiss Paladins as ‘Overwatch-lite’, this excellent fantasy-based take on the hero shooter subgenre is worth your time. Developed by Hi-Rez, Paladins initially released in 2016 and has been trucking on strong since then. The Switch port doesn’t just look great, but it also feels fantastic to play, with punchy combat and a generous roster of characters to master. Paladins still receives regular updates, and you can join in the fun right now.
The Elder Scrolls: Blades
Focusing on pure action rather than sprawling RPG exploration, The Elder Scrolls: Blade is a free-to-play experience that is all about challenging combat in procedurally generated dungeons. There are three different modes, including Abyss, which is a roguelike mode – just in case you were looking to really test your skills. The bulk of your experience will be in Arena mode, a PVP playlist that puts you face to face with other fierce competitors.
Perhaps you need something even more portable, in which case we suggest some mobile games – check out our Honkai Star Rail tier list, Genshin Impact codes, and Wuthering Waves codes.
