Gifting games can be tricky — especially with so many great titles out there. So, we decided to make things a bit easier! We’ve rounded up our favorite Nintendo Switch games that make perfect gifts, whether it’s for kids, teens, or even adults who just love a good round of Mario Kart.

We’re splitting our picks into three simple age groups: 0+, 6+, and 10+. But hey, age is just a number — we still enjoy plenty of the “for kids” games ourselves!

And if you’re already thinking ahead for the holidays — smart move! Getting your Christmas gifts sorted early means less stress, more hot cocoa, and extra time to relax (or game) when December rolls around. Grab a snack, get cozy, and check out our Top Nintendo Switch gift recommendations for this year!

Ages 0 and up

First up on our list, the adorable pink puff: Kirby! More specifically, Kirby’s most successful, imaginative and innovative recent release: Kirby and the Forgotten Land. In a nutshell, the Kirby franchise is known for child-friendly experiences. If there is one platformer you could hand a young child as a “first platformer” experience, there are few better options than The Forgotten Land. The story is appropriately easy-going with our protagonist out to save the Waddle Dees from captivity, as the inhabitants of Dreamland have been transported into a strange new world that looks quite close to a real-life city. The gameplay is fun and varied, though not overly complicated. We actually recently took a closer look at the game in our review and came away very impressed!

The great thing about this game is that while it is clearly targeted at younger audiences, it offers plenty of challenges for older gamers. And for those gamers looking to play something on their shiny new Switch 2, there is an appropriate (paid) upgrade in Star-Crossed World. Whether you opt for the original Switch release or go for the expanded version, we doubt anyone would be disappointed finding this game under their tree. 

It’s a list featuring Nintendo games we would recommend for all ages. How could we not include a Mario game in our list? Super Mario Odyssey falls in the category of 3D platformers, not dissimilar to Kirby. However, while Kirby is clearly aimed at younger audiences and gamers looking to have a relaxed gaming experience, Super Mario Odyssey challenges the player with tight controls, beautiful level design, and challenging puzzles. What adds a lot of complexity to the game is that Mario’s moveset has expanded from his standard running and jumping to now include Cappy! Cappy is his new sidekick-friend, who takes on the form of…well, his hat! Mario can throw Cappy at his foes and, by doing so, will “take over” their bodies and thereby inherit their abilities and moves. /pic of Mario Odyssey

It’s quite an exhilarating experience. And while it is one of the more challenging games of its category, it is still highly accessible to just about any age group. Know that if you are considering this game as a potential gift, you would be choosing one of the most highly rated games of all time. It is brimming with charm, accessible for all ages, and incredibly fun. Oh, and if you have a Switch 2, the game got a nice free visual upgrade. 

This is a great game to start or continue your Nintendo Switch 2 collection with. A racing game filled with characters from the Mario universe, it’s endlessly fun whether you’re playing solo or with friends.

Sure, there are players out there doing crazy shortcuts and blue-shell dodges worthy of YouTube montages — but even beginners can enjoy it with the most basic controls. Just hold “A” to accelerate and steer with the joystick — it’s that simple!

You’ll naturally pick up tricks like drifting, attacking, and defending with items as you play. And if you want a break from the racetrack, you can try fun mini-games like Balloon Battle, where you steal balloons from other players, or explore the Free Roam Mode introduced in Mario Kart World.

It’s one of those games that everyone can enjoy — perfect for family nights or casual get-togethers with friends.

Another game we reviewed! This game deserves all the praise it can get. Donkey Kong Bananza is made by the same developer as Super Mario Odyssey, and it shows. Bananza is a 3D platformer featuring the titular hero as he embarks on a quest together with Pauline to go to the center of the world, to have their biggest wishes granted. But it’s not just them that have their sights set on reaching the core. 

Mechanically, Donkey Kong is similarly adept as Mario, though in a slightly different way. See, while Mario focuses on stringing together beautiful acrobatics to make your way through the world. Donkey Kong broadly tells you where you need to go, but the question of how you will get there, using which moves and abilities, is up to you. Your objective is on the other side of this lava stream? Well, you could get a nearby ice chunk and ride it like a surfboard across. Or you could use your Bananza-powers to transform into an ostrich that can fly across. Or you could probably dig under the stream, potentially uncovering more treasures along the way. Donkey Kong Bananza truly lives the idea of the journey being more important than the destination. And boy, it’s a fantastic journey to be on. Just keep in mind, this is the only game on our list that is a Switch 2 exclusive. So if you are looking for something compatible with the original Switch, keep reading!

Ages 6 and up

Pokémon is one of the best experiences out there for first-time gamers. Its tutorials are friendly and straightforward, and the controls are easy to learn.

For newcomers, I’d recommend starting with Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! or Let’s Go, Pikachu!. In these, your Pokémon partner follows you around as you explore, catch new Pokémon, and battle other trainers — all while reliving the nostalgic Kanto region in a bright, modern way.

If you’re looking for something more recent, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are great choices. They expand the world with open exploration, picnics, cooking, and new co-op options with friends.

And if you’re shopping for a gift this Christmas, keep an eye out for the upcoming Pokémon Z-A! Nintendo seems ready to continue its winning formula with this next release — we can’t wait to try it out and share our thoughts when it’s out.

All in all, you really can’t go wrong with a Pokémon game — they’re classic, comforting, and fun for all ages.

If Mario Kart is the ultimate party racer, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is easily the best party brawler. It is the iconic Nintendo franchise, pitting the biggest names of the Nintendo Universe into an arena, and letting them duke it out. That’s 89 characters in total! That’s an absurdly high number, ensuring that there is always a fun character to play for anyone wanting to join the fight. And if you are the kind of player who likes to have large fights, Ultimate offers 8-player local matches. An absolutely unheard of number for multiplayer games. 

Super Smash Bros Ultimate is not only the ultimate Smash Bros game. It is the ultimate multiplayer experience. There are so many game modes, from a giant single-player campaign to different tournament modes all the way to a level editor that lets you create your own stages to duke it out on. The game achieves this while being absolutely accessible to all ages. There is no gratuitous violence or blood to be found. It’s all appropriately cartoony. The only reason we decided to put this game into the “6 and up” category is that its mechanics may just be a little too challenging for younger gamers. On the flip side, this game offers a lot of depth for anyone wanting to invest in the game’s mechanics. 

This one might not be ideal for very young kids — maybe six and up — since it involves things like paying off a house loan to a raccoon landlord (yes, really).

But don’t let that fool you — Animal Crossing: New Horizons is one of the most charming and relaxing games on the Switch. You live on a peaceful island surrounded by adorable animal neighbors. You can chat with them, give them gifts, decorate your home, and even terraform your island to create your perfect paradise.

There’s plenty to do — collect insects, fish, flowers, fossils, shells, and clothes. You can decorate every corner of your island or just sit back and enjoy the cozy, laid-back vibe.

It’s a game that grows with you and can easily become part of your daily routine. I’ve definitely lost track of time more than once while arranging flowers or visiting my favorite villagers!

Minecraft has been a global favorite for years, but now—with the upcoming movie starring Jack Black and Jason Momoa—it’s back in the spotlight once again.

The game’s charming, boxy style is instantly recognizable, and it’s perfect for playing either solo or with friends. You can gather materials, craft tools and items, and build your dream home completely from scratch! Along the way, you’ll explore caves, tame mounts, and face off against zombies, skeletons, spiders, and more.

One of Minecraft’s greatest strengths is its creativity. You can switch to Creative Mode (also known as “build mode”) to focus entirely on building incredible structures without worrying about survival. Players around the world have made everything from castles and cathedrals to the Eiffel Tower and even full-scale recreations of Planet Earth! There are tons of walkthroughs and tutorials on YouTube if you want to give building a try yourself.

Whether you’re collecting materials block by block or crafting tools using in-game recipes, Minecraft is a fantastic choice for kids and beginners to start—or continue—their gaming adventures. It encourages creativity, exploration, and patience, all while being genuinely fun to play.

Ages 10 and up

It is difficult to express my adoration for the Metroid franchise in just a few words. This is a series that has been genre-defining since its inception (where do you think the term Metroidvania came from?). So I am going to cheat a little bit by putting two games on our list here, with Metroid Dread and Metroid Prime Remastered (hey, Patty got to do it with Mario Kart!). Both these games put you in the suit of acclaimed bounty hunter Samus Aran, as she tries to uncover the mysteries of whatever planet she happens to crash land on. While there is a continuous storyline throughout these games, it is not necessary to have played any of the previous games. In the case of Metroid Prime, the game is the start of its own trilogy (soon to be quadrology with the release of Metroid Prime 4 Beyond), so it’s a perfect way to get into that series. 

So what do you do in the games? Well, these games are all about exploring the planets Samus lands on. As you explore these worlds, you keep finding new gadgets which in turn increase Samus’s arsenal of weaponry and items she can use to further explore more of these strange worlds – blasting her way through more challenging foes. That basic principle applies to both games equally, though the main difference is that one game is all in 2D (Dread), whereas the other is uniquely three-dimensional. Oh, and that Dread earns its name by putting you into nerve-wrecking scenarios where you are chased by an enemy robot that can and will outrun you! So you have to be very clever in your approaches. Whether you choose one or the other, I can guarantee you will not regret it. 

It is rather curious that one of Nintendo’s cutest, most adorable franchises just so happens to be one of their most difficult and hardcore. Pikmin is a rather interesting premise. You are an alien who crash-lands on a planet that looks very similar to Earth. Your mission: to make it back home. To do this, you need to fix your ship by collecting items scattered across the surface of this planet. To help you in your task, you partner up with these small creatures called Pikmin! 

Broadly speaking, this game is about micromanaging. Whenever you load into a mission, you have a set amount of time to collect as many items as you can, while managing your crew of Pikmin. These Pikmin can carry items for you, defeat enemies, extend electrical circuits, etc. Do not be fooled by this game’s cute first impression; this is not an easy game. However, for gamers who have already played several games and are looking for something more challenging, this may be the perfect fit. Just be warned, once you get hooked on Pikmin, you may not want to stop. Oh, and don’t be put off by the numbering of the Pikmin games; you can start with any of the games. For newcomers, Pikmin 4 (the newest game) is both the most content-rich as well as beginner-friendly game, so that is where I recommend you start!

If there is one genre that Nintendo has not generally been particularly comfortable with its shooters. It just does not vibe with their family-friendly image. That is, until Nintendo decided to get very creative during the difficult Wii U era. The result: Splatoon. Splatoon is a shooter in which you assume the role of an Inkling. What’s an inkling, you may rightfully ask? Inklings are kids who can transform into squids at will. This ability ends up being very useful for them as Inklings engage in regular battles (called “turf wars”) where they use super-soaker-like weapons to see who can cover an arena with the most ink. The game is basically a paintball-like shooter where the objective isn’t actually to hit your enemies; instead, you are trying to paint an arena in your colors. Covering the ground and walls in your ink has a further benefit, as Inklings can turn into squids and swim through their ink, thereby being able to traverse the arena much faster than on foot.

Admittedly, this all sounds rather complicated, but once you pick up the controller, the concept quickly becomes second nature. Next to the turf wars, the game has a very robust and stylish single-player campaign that feels more like a classic platformer, akin to Mario and Donkey Kong, than a shooter. Don’t let the cute graphics fool you, though. Nintendo has created a very mechanical, deep, and adrenaline-packed shooter that will delight just about anyone. With Splatoon, Nintendo has proven yet again that gameplay trumps everything and that you do not need hyper-realistic, bloody games to make an exciting shooter. If you are looking to pick up Splatoon, I would highly recommend starting with Splatoon 3 as it is the newest and most content-rich. Keep in mind that in 2026 Nintendo will release the next game in the series with the Switch 2 exclusive Splatoon Raiders – so it may be wise to wait just a little longer.

No Nintendo-related gift list would be complete without the mention of The Legend of Zelda. If somehow you are unfamiliar with Zelda, the premise is usually quite simple. You play as a young hero (usually in a familiar green tunic) called Link, who has to save the Kingdom of Hyrule (led by the titular Princess Zelda) from the evil clutches of some great calamity. This game is Nintendo’s take on role-playing. As Link, you have to explore the Kingdom, solving puzzles and defeating those who threaten the peace to once again restore Hyrule.

Of this classic Nintendo franchise, the two most recent releases, Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, are widely available on both the original Switch and Switch 2. While we recommend that Tears of the Kingdom should really only be played on Switch 2 (due to the graphical and technical improvements the Switch 2 edition is equipped with,) both are excellent games that offer hundreds of hours of entertainment. Truly, few games give the player as much freedom and agency as these two. While Breath of the Wild is generally viewed as the best of these two games, as it collectively blew our minds when it released with the original Switch, I would argue that its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, is the more impressive game. Giving the player the tools to create vehicles and structures that remind me of a more complex Minecraft.

While I will not deny that the Zelda franchise has never truly gripped me as much as the other games on this list (I am definitely in the minority here), I cannot deny these games the spotlight they so very much deserve. If you are looking for a game to keep someone occupied for not just one hundred, but several hundred hours, look no further than Zelda.

And there you have it!

And there you have it — our top Nintendo Switch gift picks to make any gamer smile this season! Whether it’s a little one starting their first adventure in Pokémon or a family game night showdown in Mario Kart, these titles are perfect for creating memories (and maybe a few funny rivalries).

Remember, the best part about gifting games is that they can be enjoyed together — laughter, teamwork, and the occasional “just one more round” included.

If you found a favorite from our list or have your own must-give game this year, let us know in the comments — we love hearing your picks!

Until next time, stay cozy, stay kind, and may your gift shopping be lag-free and stress-free.