10 Best Open-World Switch Games for Endless Adventure in 2026
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This list is regularly updated to match what’s trending and in-demand among gamers.
If you’re searching for the best open-world Switch games, you’ve come to the right place. After extensive research, experience, and some irresponsible spending, I’ve played plenty of great games on Nintendo platforms – but I’ve also hit duds that promise open worlds yet provide unrefined mechanics, bland stories, or empty maps.
This list collects the best open-world Switch games, perfect in handheld or TV mode. You’ll find space exploration, classic sword-and-magic quests, and satisfying gunplay – something for every age and player. Despite varied playstyles, each pick shines for exploration with a unique twist and setting. Adventure’s calling. Let’s jump right in!
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Our Top Picks for Open-World Switch Games
Before we get to the list, here’s a quick overview of my top picks. These are undoubtedly the best Nintendo Switch open-world titles for performance, great graphics, impressive level design, and overall gameplay experience:
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Buy nowThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2017Arguably the best game in the genre on Nintendo Switch. Uninhibited exploration, plenty of secrets to find, satisfying, simple combat, in an awe-inspiring Hyrule & reimagining of the Zelda franchise.
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Buy nowRed Dead Redemption 2022Live out a classic Western adventure filled with memorable characters, cinematic gunfights, horseback exploration, hunting, and a gripping story set across the American frontier.
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Buy nowGrand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition 2021Experience three iconic crime adventures in one collection: GTA III, Vice City, and San Andreas. Explore sprawling cities, complete missions, drive freely, and cause classic GTA chaos.
But honestly, this is just scratching the surface of open-world games on the Nintendo Switch. There are plenty of games to play, so check the detailed list below to find the ultimate open-world adventure!
10 Best Open-World Switch Games: Immersive Worlds to Explore
There are plenty of different styles of gameplay for open-world games. Do you want a medieval/fantasy-style title with swords and magic? Gun-focused gameplay? Or maybe you want a mix of open-world exploration with a unique combat mechanic?
The story and challenge of these games might vary, but at their core, exploration and ‘openness’ are key components of the experience.
1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild [Best Overall Open-World Adventure]
- Platforms
- Nintendo Switch, Wii U
- Release Date
- March 3, 2017
- Genre
- Action-adventure
- Best For
- Explorers who want total freedom to climb and roam anywhere
- Mode
- Single-player
- Length
- Main Story: ~50.5 hours; Main + Extras: ~98.5 hours; Completionist: ~193.5 hours
- Offline Play
- Yes
- Age Rating
- ESRB: Everyone 10+
- Developer
- Nintendo EPD
- Publisher
- Nintendo
- Features
- Climb almost any surface, physics-based puzzles, 120 shrines, Korok seed hunting
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Quite possibly the best game on the Nintendo Switch, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (BoTW). Alongside blockbuster Nintendo Switch games like Super Mario Odyssey and the Fire Emblem franchise, BoTW is a landmark title.
With the third-person perspective, combat and exploration have a sense of wonder and fun, with a ‘real’ open world to discover.
You can literally go anywhere you see. Found a mountain? Climb it. Wanna explore the waters? Dive in! The first time I played the game, it felt like I had no limits, with true freedom to choose my path.
The combat is streamlined but can ramp up with some of the harder enemies, and the exploration is fantastic; finding hidden Koroks and chests for some new loot was always satisfying.
It doesn’t fulfill the ‘RPG’ aspects of other immersive action RPG games, but it’s an essential game to play at least once if you have a Nintendo Switch.
My Verdict: An essential experience for any Switch owner – breathtaking exploration, clever puzzles, and a true sense of freedom that defined the modern open-world genre.
GAMES LIKE THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: BREATH OF THE WILD
2. Red Dead Redemption [Best Western-Themed Open World]
- Platforms
- Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC
- Release Date
- August 17, 2023
- Genre
- Action-adventure, Western
- Best For
- Fans of gritty Westerns living out cowboy fantasies on the go
- Mode
- Single-player
- Length
- Main Story: ~17.5 hours; Main + Extras: ~26 hours; Completionist: ~46.5 hours
- Offline Play
- Yes
- Age Rating
- ESRB: Mature
- Developer
- Rockstar San Diego
- Publisher
- Rockstar Games
- Features
- Dead Eye targeting, lasso and duels, hunting and poker, Undead Nightmare included
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Red Dead Redemption is a fantastic game mainly for its memorable characters and intricate story. But it’s also got responsive and nuanced combat mechanics in a vast world to explore with that distinct Western feel.
Trot around on horseback rounding up baddies with a lasso, have an old-timey duel, or camp out in the wilderness. There’s just something special about living out my desperado cowboy fantasies, which RDR does perfectly.
Fancy yourself a hunter? Track down and hunt over 30 species of animals with specialized gear. Or how about a hand of Poker? Become the most notorious gambler in the West. Maybe you prefer the rancher lifestyle and want to herd cattle or tame horses.
Simply put, RDR fully immerses you in the gritty Western era with a gripping story and fun mechanics that no other top TPS game on the same system has to offer.
My Verdict: An unforgettable Western masterpiece with gripping storytelling, atmosphere, and emotional depth – one of Rockstar’s best worlds ever.
GAMES LIKE RED DEAD REDEMPTION 2
3. Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy [Best Open-World Crime Collection]
- Platforms
- Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, mobile
- Release Date
- November 11, 2021
- Genre
- Open-world action-adventure
- Best For
- Players nostalgic for classic Rockstar crime sprees
- Mode
- Single-player
- Length
- Combined trilogy: approximately 44 hours main story; ~67 hours with extras; ~105 hours completionist
- Offline Play
- Yes
- Age Rating
- ESRB: Mature
- Developer
- Grove Street Games
- Publisher
- Rockstar Games
- Features
- Three remastered GTA games, modernized controls, weapon wheel, mission checkpoints
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Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy is a phenomenal package that includes three of the most iconic games from the series: GTA III, GTA Vice City, and GTA San Andreas. Honestly, it’s kind of a surprise the game is on the same system as Mario and Super Smash Bros.
The Trilogy features updated visuals and upgraded mechanics and has you causing mayhem, recklessly driving through the iconic worlds, shooting down cops before getting wasted, and many crimes to commit.
Handle missions from mob bosses, build your drug empire, or go work out in San Andreas. These games are ‘iconic’ for good reason. It’s nostalgic of the ‘arcadey’ nature of the franchise, and since you get three games for the price of one, it’s well worth checking out.
My Verdict: Three iconic worlds in one package – nostalgic, chaotic, and endlessly entertaining for fans of open-world mayhem.
GAMES LIKE GRAND THEFT AUTO
4. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt [Best Story-Driven Open-World RPG]
- Platforms
- Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC
- Release Date
- October 15, 2019
- Genre
- Action RPG
- Best For
- RPG fans who crave a dark, choice-heavy fantasy saga
- Mode
- Single-player
- Length
- Main Story: ~57 hours; Main + Extras: ~123.5 hours; Completionist: ~189 hours
- Offline Play
- Yes
- Age Rating
- ESRB: Mature
- Developer
- CD Projekt Red
- Publisher
- CD Projekt
- Features
- Monster contracts, Gwent card game, branching story choices, both expansions included
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt thrusts you into a dark, unforgiving world as Geralt of Rivia, a famed and deadly ‘monster-hunter’ with enhanced, supernatural abilities through mutations.
The setting is cookie-cutter fantasy in a medieval era. There are plenty of sword fights, magic, and terrifying monsters to quell as you journey through the world in search of your adopted daughter, Ciri.
There’s just so much to explore here, from forgotten ruins, treacherous caverns, bustling cities, and a variety of locales with distinct feel and environments. As you’d expect, plenty of side quests, unique treasures to find, secrets to uncover, and choices to make.
Overall, an incredible open-world experience, with compelling storytelling and a robust combat system to take on a large variety of enemies and monsters.
My Verdict: A dark, emotional epic brimming with detail, choice, and unforgettable characters – easily one of the finest open-world experiences ever.
NINTENDO ESHOP GIFT CARDS
5. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom [Best Sequel & Creative Exploration Game]
- Platforms
- Nintendo Switch
- Release Date
- May 12, 2023
- Genre
- Action-adventure
- Best For
- Tinkerers who love building their own way across Hyrule
- Mode
- Single-player
- Length
- Main Story: ~59.5 hours; Main + Extras: ~117.5 hours; Completionist: ~247.5 hours
- Offline Play
- Yes
- Age Rating
- ESRB: Everyone 10+
- Developer
- Nintendo EPD
- Publisher
- Nintendo
- Features
- Ultrahand vehicle building, Fuse weapon crafting, sky islands, Depths underworld
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Next, we have the sequel to BoTW, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
It’s a surprise how the game world feels familiar and new at the same time. Where Tears of the Kingdom differentiates itself, though, is by taking things to new heights. Literally.
With the calamity of Ganon’s resurrection, the sky is falling and greatly changes Hyrule. There are now ‘sky islands’ to explore, providing extra verticality BoTW was sorely missing.
Link is now ‘armed’ with new, powerful abilities to create almost any weapon by fusing things like a mushroom sword, telekinesis-like powers with Ultrahand, ‘Ascend’ to quickly ‘swim’ through ceilings, and more.
Plus, you can use a fantastic variety of vehicles and structures using the new abilities. I’ve even crafted motorbikes, hot-air balloons, cars, and even jets to fly through the sky.
The story is fantastic and gut-wrenching, but the fun is in discovering new ways to get around Hyrule, creating inventive builds, and tackling clever puzzles that rival the best from our Nintendo Switch puzzle games list.
My Verdict: A brilliant follow-up to Breath of the Wild that redefines creativity and exploration – pure magic for imaginative adventurers.
GAMES LIKE THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: TEARS OF THE KINGDOM
6. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim [Best Classic RPG on Switch]
- Platforms
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
- Release Date
- November 17, 2017
- Genre
- Action RPG
- Best For
- Classic fantasy RPG fans who love wandering off the path
- Mode
- Single-player
- Length
- Main Story: ~35.5 hours; Main + Extras: ~110 hours; Completionist: ~240.5 hours
- Offline Play
- Yes
- Age Rating
- ESRB: Mature
- Developer
- Bethesda Game Studios
- Publisher
- Bethesda Softworks
- Features
- Learn-by-doing skill system, dragon shouts, motion controls, three DLCs included
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If we’re talking about open-world games, it’s impossible to not mention The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
You’ll take on the role of ‘Dragonborn’ after narrowly escaping a dragon attack. Once you escape, you’re set on an adventure, but really, you’re allowed to go anywhere you please, taking on side-quests, gaining abilities & treasures, and exploring.
Skyrim has a fantasy setting with a variety of melee and ranged weapons, magic spells, and Dragonborn powers to cause utter mayhem. Half the fun is in discovering the world, finding hideouts, bandit camps, and underground caverns.
The unique gameplay mechanics round out the package, like how increasing levels requires the use of certain skills; stealthily sneaking around increases Stealth, or shooting bows increases Archery.
You’ll have to wait to level up, but it totally immerses you in the world. It’s like you’re growing the more you use certain skills, tailoring the experience to your preferred playstyle.
My Verdict: Still one of the greatest RPGs ever made – immersive, expansive, and endlessly replayable, now portable for adventures anywhere.
GAMES LIKE THE ELDER SCROLLS V: SKYRIM
7. Xenoblade Chronicles X [Best Sci-Fi JRPG Open World]
- Platforms
- Nintendo Switch, Wii U (original version)
- Release Date
- March 20, 2025
- Genre
- Action RPG, sci-fi
- Best For
- Sci-fi fans who dream of piloting giant mechs on alien worlds
- Mode
- Single-player; online multiplayer features
- Length
- Main Story: ~68 hours; Main + Extras: ~107.5 hours; Completionist: ~252.5 hours
- Offline Play
- Yes
- Age Rating
- ESRB: Teen
- Developer
- Monolith Soft
- Publisher
- Nintendo
- Features
- Customizable Skell mechs, vast planet Mira, new story chapter, online squad missions
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Xenoblade Chronicles X is a remastered and expanded version of the original launch on the Wii U. You’re thrust into the world of ‘Mira’, a vast planet you crashland on and are looking to make into a new home for humanity.
Xenoblade is a unique series in the first place and typically features a group of characters who take on behemoth monsters with futuristic swords and guns, and with giant mecha robots called Skells.
As you progress, you’ll earn the right to pilot Skells and customize them to your liking. There are different weight classes and a great variety of weapon attachments to fully live out your mecha fantasies.
The combat system in Xenoblade Chronicles X is a mix of real-time strategy and turn-based mechanics, similar to Final Fantasy. So if you’re a fan of great RPG games, its memorable characters, vast world, and rewarding gameplay are worth trying.
My Verdict: A massive and ambitious RPG packed with mechs, monsters, and deep exploration – perfect for fans of grand sci-fi storytelling.
GAMES LIKE XENOBLADE CHRONICLES X
8. Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen [Best Monster-Hunting Fantasy RPG]
- Platforms
- Nintendo Switch, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC
- Release Date
- April 23, 2019
- Genre
- Action RPG
- Best For
- Monster slayers who like climbing giants to hit weak spots
- Mode
- Single-player (online Pawn features)
- Length
- Main Story: ~32.5 hours; Main + Extras: ~53 hours; Completionist: ~113.5 hours
- Offline Play
- Yes
- Age Rating
- ESRB: Mature
- Developer
- Capcom
- Publisher
- Capcom
- Features
- Climb-on-monster combat, Pawn companion system, Bitterblack Isle, nine vocations
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Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen is a fantasy-style monster hunter like a medieval Monster Hunter Rise. But instead of a central hub, you have a vast open world to discover and will travel through a lot.
The game rewards you for backtracking and revisiting places you’ve already gone to. You’ll find new rewards and treasure chests, valuable resources, and stumble upon additional characters & quests.
But the main draw here is the unique combat mechanics. Against gigantic monsters like cyclops or griffins, you can jump onto them and target body parts to inflict maximum damage, like stabbing a cyclops in the eye.
Combat is super satisfying and unique, the story is great albeit a little convoluted, and there’s plenty of content to play through with all the included DLC.
My Verdict: Unique, challenging, and full of personality – a hidden gem that rewards tactical combat and deep fantasy exploration.
GAMES LIKE DRAGON'S DOGMA: DARK ARISEN
9. Immortals Fenyx Rising [Best Mythological Adventure Game]
- Platforms
- Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC
- Release Date
- December 3, 2020
- Genre
- Action-adventure, puzzle
- Best For
- Mythology lovers after a lighthearted Greek adventure
- Mode
- Single-player
- Length
- Main Story: ~25.5 hours; Main + Extras: ~41 hours; Completionist: ~62 hours
- Offline Play
- Yes
- Age Rating
- ESRB: Teen
- Developer
- Ubisoft Quebec
- Publisher
- Ubisoft
- Features
- Aerial combat, god-granted powers, Vaults of Tartaros puzzles, Wings of Daidalos gliding
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Last up, we have Immortals Fenyx Rising, a BoTW ‘clone’ but with a unique spin; it’s set in ancient Greece.
But it has a few special features, like the combat system which features both ground and aerial combat. There’s a bunch of weapons to find and unlock, plenty of customization and armor, and God-given abilities to smite mythological creatures like Medusa and the Minotaur.
You’re the last hope of the Gods to break a curse and defeat the menacing Titan, Typhon, but along the way, you’ll find plenty of side-quests, challenging puzzles, and a vast world to explore with distinct and stylized regions.
My Verdict: A charming and underrated gem with witty storytelling, fun puzzles, and fluid combat – the perfect pick for fans of lighthearted open-world adventures.
10. No Man’s Sky [Best Space Exploration Experience]
- Platforms
- Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC
- Release Date
- October 7, 2022
- Genre
- Sci-fi survival, exploration
- Best For
- Spacefarers who want a near-endless universe to roam freely
- Mode
- Single-player on Nintendo Switch
- Length
- Main Story: ~32.5 hours; Main + Extras: ~77 hours; Completionist: ~158 hours
- Offline Play
- Yes
- Age Rating
- ESRB: Teen
- Developer
- Hello Games
- Publisher
- Hello Games
- Features
- Procedurally generated planets, seamless space-to-ground flight, base building, freighters
Forget open ‘world’, how about an open-universe game?
No Man’s Sky gives you a seemingly infinite universe to explore. Using procedural generation, every planet has a variety of life, resources, and environments.
With such a vast, infinite universe to explore, the challenge is surviving the environments you’re thrust into.
Each world you come across will differ from another; you might land on a fully oceanic planet, exotic planets teeming with life and strange creatures, or dead rocky planets. Some even have harsh environments like toxic substances, radiation, or frigid temperatures, so you need to be prepared before you land.
A challenging situation that requires you to adapt on the fly, but perfect for fans of good survival games.
What I loved about No Man’s Sky, though, is the ‘freedom’ to play as you like.
While you’re on your space-faring adventure, you can cruise through the universe as a trader, take down rogue ships as a bounty hunter, or maybe join the ‘dark’ side and become a space pirate.
The developer did make a fair share of mistakes at launch, but now there’s no good reason not to try No Man’s Sky.
My Verdict: A vast, ever-evolving space adventure that rewards curiosity and persistence – perfect for players who love freedom and discovery without limits.
NINTENDO ESHOP GIFT CARDS
Comparing the Best Open-World Switch Games
The best open-world Switch games offer different adventures, from creative exploration and fantasy RPGs to crime-filled cities and space exploration. Compare their standout features below to find your next favorite.
|
Game |
Primary Genre |
Open-World Structure |
Primary Player Hook |
|---|---|---|---|
|
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild |
Action-Adventure |
Open-World Physics Sandbox |
Organic discovery, physics-based puzzles, and freedom to explore Hyrule. |
|
Red Dead Redemption |
Western Action-Adventure |
Open Western Frontier |
Cinematic storytelling, gunplay, horseback travel, and atmospheric world design. |
|
Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition |
Open-World Action-Adventure |
Three Urban Open Worlds |
Crime missions, vehicle exploration, and three iconic cities to explore. |
|
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt |
Action RPG |
Large Open-World Regions |
Dark-fantasy storytelling, monster hunting, preparation, and meaningful choices. |
|
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom |
Action-Adventure |
Layered Open-World Sandbox |
Vehicle building, sky and underground exploration, and creative problem-solving. |
|
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim |
Action RPG / WRPG |
Open-World Fantasy Province |
Flexible character builds, guild quests, dungeon crawling, and roleplaying freedom. |
|
Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition |
Sci-Fi JRPG |
Five Major Regions on Planet Mira |
Alien exploration, pilotable mechs, and deep JRPG combat and progression systems. |
|
Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen |
Action RPG |
Open Fantasy World |
Climbing giant monsters, real-time combat, and customizable AI Pawn companions. |
|
Immortals Fenyx Rising |
Action-Adventure / Puzzle |
Region-Based Greek Mythological World |
Myth-inspired exploration, environmental puzzles, humor, and fast-paced combat. |
|
No Man’s Sky |
Sci-Fi Survival / Exploration |
Procedurally Generated Universe |
Space travel, planetary discovery, base building, and resource gathering. |
Whether you want to uncover Hyrule’s secrets, explore a sprawling fantasy kingdom, or chart distant planets, each game offers a different reason to keep adventuring. Consider whether you value creative freedom, a compelling story, challenging combat, or endless discovery before choosing your next open-world experience.
My Overall Verdict on the Best Open-World Switch Games
Open-world games on the Nintendo Switch bring some of the most diverse and memorable adventures you can experience on a handheld console. If you crave fantasy kingdoms, futuristic planets, or gritty western landscapes, there’s something here for every kind of explorer. These titles showcase how creativity, freedom, and immersion can coexist beautifully, even on limited hardware.
|
Nintendo Switch Open-World Games |
|
|---|---|
 |
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Explore Hyrule freely, solve physics-based puzzles, discover hidden shrines, and take on enemies your own way. Best for: players who love creative exploration, experimentation, and freedom to forge their own path. |
 |
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Explore a vast fantasy province, battle dragons, join guilds, clear dungeons, and develop your character through skills and equipment. Best for: RPG fans who want character-building freedom, fantasy quests, and hundreds of hours of adventure. |
 |
Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition. Explore the alien planet Mira, battle formidable creatures, build your team, and pilot customizable Skells across enormous landscapes. Best for: sci-fi JRPG fans who enjoy expansive environments, deep progression, and giant mech battles. |
 |
Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen. Journey through Gransys, fight powerful monsters, climb massive enemies during combat, and recruit AI-controlled Pawn companions. Best for: action RPG players who want challenging monster fights, tactical party support, and rewarding character progression. |
 |
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Explore Hyrule’s sky, surface, and Depths while building inventive vehicles, combining objects, and solving puzzles with Link’s unique abilities. Best for: creative explorers who love sandbox experimentation, layered worlds, and solving challenges in unconventional ways. |
No matter your taste – magic, mayhem, or mystery – these open-world Switch games provide unforgettable experiences that reward curiosity and creativity. Each one offers its own brand of freedom and storytelling excellence. If you’re hungry for even more gaming greatness, check out our guide to the best-selling Switch games to see which top titles players can’t get enough of.
FAQs
The best open-world Switch games include The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild for free exploration, Tears of the Kingdom for creative building, Skyrim for RPG freedom, and Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition for massive sci-fi adventures.
No Man’s Sky offers the largest sense of scale, with a procedurally generated universe of planets to discover, explore, and survive on.
Yes. Many single-player titles on this list, including Breath of the Wild, Skyrim, and Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen, can be played offline. Online features in supported games may require an internet connection.
Handheld mode is better for portability and convenience, and most games are optimized for this mode. But if you notice blur, slowdowns, or low resolutions, docked mode provides better performance with improved resolutions and smoother frame rates since it pulls power externally.
The best-looking open-world game with graphics optimized for the Switch is The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom, and The Witcher 3. These three have phenomenal graphics considering the Switch’s limitations.
