10 Awesome Nintendo Switch 1 Games That Would Make Great Christmas Gifts

The original Nintendo Switch might be getting a bit long in the tooth, but it’s still got life left in it. If your gaming giftee doesn’t yet have a Switch 2 because of pricing or scarcity, there are plenty of awesome Switch 1 games to give them. Here are ten awesome original Switch games that should bring the gamer in your life plenty of enjoyment.

10 Nintendo Switch Games That Would Make Perfect Christmas Gifts

1. Super Mario Odyssey

It looks like it will be a while before we see a new mainline Mario game on the Switch 2, but his flagship Switch game is still a masterpiece. Mario explores various highly creative worlds with the help of Cappy, who allows Mario to transform into various creatures and objects. It’s a sheer masterpiece of a game. If your giftee somehow doesn’t yet have this game, do them a favor and give it to them.

2. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

What better way to ease the stress of the holidays than for the whole family to beat each other up as famous video game characters? Super Smash Bros. Ultimate lets up to eight players fight at once, which makes for delightfully chaotic rounds of Nintendo Switch fun. If you want a fun way to unwind after Christmas dinner (and take stress out on your family in a socially-acceptable way), play this game.

3. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Mario Kart World on the Switch 2 might be a massive hit, but Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on the Nintendo Switch  is still alive and kicking. With a large variety of tracks, including tracks based on other Nintendo franchises, this is another great game that the family can play together when the Christmas festivities are winding down. Have some fun throwing shells at each other, but don’t break your Nintendo Switch if people throw tantrums.

4. Animal Crossing: New Horizons

This game is getting a massive update next year, so it’s the perfect time for your giftee to discover it. It’s a super chill experience that lets you do whatever you want. You can decorate your island with awesome items like carnival rides, UFOs, Mario-themed items, and so much more. If your giftee has a stressful life, this is a great way to help them unwind on their Nintendo Switch.

5. Super Mario Bros. Wonder

This incredibly trippy side scroller is an unforgettable experience. Run into the Wonder Flowers and you never know what will happen to the level. You can also turn Mario into an elephant, which is worth the game price all by itself. There are many different playable characters and a vast world to explore. If you think you know Mario side scrollers, you haven’t seen anything yet.

6. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom

Yes, I grouped these games together since they’re connected. The sheer vastness of the open worlds these games offer can make any gamer’s draw drop. The games invite exploration and experimentation, yet they’re also true to the familiar tropes that made The Legend of Zelda such a classic franchise. Also, those cell-shaded graphics are nothing short of gorgeous.

7. Kirby and the Forgotten Land

It took decades for Kirby to get a full 3-D adventure, but it was worth the wait. Like all Kirby games, Kirby and the Forgotten Land is cute, charming, and laid back. Kirby can turn into numerous different things, including a car. Yes, a car. This is a great game to chill out with, so it’s another present that might be perfect for a stressed out giftee.

8. Luigi’s Mansion 3

Luigi’s trilogy of haunted house games can never get enough love, and the third game expands the story by taking place in a haunted hotel. There’s a floor with a shopping center, a floor with a movie studio, a floor with a greenhouse, and much more. Two players can also play co-op, with one of them taking the role of Luigi’s slimy partner, Gooigi. Who says you can’t be spooky at Christmas?

9. WarioWare: Get It Together!

Fans of Wario’s wacky microgames need this game in their collection. In this WarioWare entry, the wacky characters get sucked into the microgames, and they each have a specific way they can move. This means you have to apply brain power in just a few seconds to get through the microgames. There’s plenty of Wario’s trademark zany humor, meaning you’ll all be laughing around the Christmas tree.

10. Metroid Dread

If your giftee prefers dark, challenging adventures, give them Metroid Dread. Like all Metroid games, Metroid Dread perfectly captures a chilling, tense atmosphere, which perfectly enhances the challenging platforming and epic battles. If you play it alone in a dark room, you can easily get sucked into the game’s suspense, but it’s always a rewarding kind of suspense.

You Can’t Go Wrong with the Original Nintendo Switch 

There’s a reason why the original Nintendo Switch has lasted almost a decade. The game library is nothing short of stellar. Nintendo has said that they will continue to support the original Switch for at least another year or two, so original Nintendo Switch games are still great Christmas presents. Even if your giftee already has a Switch 2, they’ll probably appreciate some Switch 1 games, especially since they can be played on the Switch 2 as well.