The Best Switch Games For Casual Gamers

Ranker Games
Updated August 1, 2025 29.8K views 114 items
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If you're a casual gamer looking to try a few Switch games but aren't sure where to start, you've come to the right place! While there are plenty of games developed for the more intense gamer, there are tons designed for those who enjoy gaming at a more casual pace. If picking up a game doesn't mean sucking 15 hours of your life away without noticing, these laid-back and casual games might just be perfect for you!

Finding the right casual Nintendo game means determining what you enjoy about gaming. If you're partial to racing games, then you can't go wrong with Super Mario Kart, which features racing, throwing bananas, and trying not to get hit by random turtle shells! Other games like Minecraft feature a massive open world, which you can explore, destroy, or build in any way you choose.

Most games for the Nintendo Switch can be picked up and put down easily enough, which is why it's the perfect console for casual gamers. Other titles, like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, have avid gamers in mind, but thanks to its intuitive controls and ease of use, it's also great for casual gamers. 

Most divisive: Just Dance 2020
Over 400 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Switch Games For Casual Gamers
This list is dynamically ranked based on user voting. The order reflects the consensus of our voters and is not influenced by paid placements or editorial bias.
Ranked by
  • Mario Kart 8
    1
    2014
    161 votes

    Mario Kart 8 is an adrenaline-fuelled racer that sees your favorite Nintendo characters duke it out across a host of inventive and nostalgic circuits. The game delivers furious high speed racing that is easy for casual gamers to jump into, yet also offers nuanced gameplay mechanics for those seeking a challenge. It has been a revolutionizing force in the kart racing genre and has garnered an adoring global fan base.

    • Developer: Nintendo EAD Software Development Group No.1
    • Genres (Video game): Racing, Arcade
  • Super Mario Odyssey
    2
    2017
    133 votes

    Super Mario Odyssey gives players a grand tour of the Mushroom Kingdom and beyond in a quest to save Princess Peach from Bowser's machinations. It boasts innovative gameplay mechanics that seamlessly blend the best of Mario's 2D past with a thrilling 3D exploration. Its dedication to keeping platforming fresh and exciting made it an endearing choice with casual and hardcore fans alike.

    • Developer: Nintendo EPD Production Group No. 8
    • Genres (Video game): Platform, Adventure
  • Minecraft
    3
    2011
    111 votes

    Minecraft is a pixelated sandbox of endless possibilities where you build, create, and survive in a blocky open world. The game’s immediate allure lies in its “easy to learn, tough to master” gameplay that has had a defining influence across the gaming community. Its extraordinary impact lies not only in its record-breaking sales but in its ability to bring creativity and exploration to the forefront of gaming.

    • Developer: 4J Studios, Mojang
    • Genres (Video game): Open world, Action game, Sandbox
  • Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is lightning in a bottle, packing an unforgettable roster in a tightly woven fabric of chaos and strategy. It's a brawl-fest that translates brilliantly to all player skill levels, offering some of the most accessible and chaotic fun around. It rightfully claims its place in history as a must-play fighting game that has broken barriers of entry.

    • Developer: Sora
    • Genres (Video game): Fighting, Platform
  • The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild offers players a sprawling Hyrule like never before seen, full of mysteries, dungeons, and monsters. Its seamless open-world exploration combined with clever puzzles and intense combat is a perfect welcoming mat for casual gamers and experienced players. It has set a benchmark in the action-adventure genre and is regarded as a masterclass in game design.

    • Developer: Nintendo EPD Production Group No. 3
    • Genres (Video game): Puzzle, Adventure
  • Luigi's Mansion 3
    6
    2019
    99 votes

    Luigi's Mansion 3 elevates ghost hunting to an art form as players navigate eerie rooms and fiendish traps alongside the timid protagonist. The gameplay cleverly combines action, puzzle-solving, and comedy, creating just the right balance for engaging casual players. It not only resurrects the series in style but has also set a new high for whimsical and accessible adventure games.

    • Developer: Next Level Games
    • Genres (Video game): Adventure