Best Nintendo Switch Games to Gift This Holiday 2023 Season

The holidays are just around the corner, meaning it's time for one of the most stressful moments of the year: gift shopping. Searching for good games can be tricky, but Nintendo owners got some excellent releases this year. We'd like to share the best ones to make gift buying easier.

We decided to stick with this section's best games of 2023 and save older titles for honorable mentions.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder

Genre: Platformer, Action

Metascore: 92

Price: $59.99

Super Mario Bros. Wonder intrigued players when it was first teased. The new title introduced the Flower Kingdom, where Mario and his crew must stop Bowser from wreaking havoc. We saw several new ideas, from the new power-ups to the mysterious Wonder Flowers. 

This Mario game lived up to the hype. Nintendo made the classic 2D side-scroller feel fresh and exciting while sticking to the nostalgic elements everyone loves. Super Mario Bros. Wonder is the perfect game for kids and adults, whether they’d like to play alone or with others. You can also read our Super Mario Bros. Wonder review on App Trigger.

Pikmin 4

Genre: Action, Adventure, Strategy

Metascore: 87

Price: $59.99

Another fan-favorite series got a sequel this year, and it didn’t disappoint. In Pikmin 4, you must save your Rescue Corps crew and other castaways to get your ship running again. 

That sounds similar to previous titles, but the latest addition is different. Pikmin 4 features Dandori Battles, character customization, night expeditions, a dog companion named Oatchi, and much more. It’s great for those who enjoy a mixture of adventure and strategizing. If you’re a Pikmin fan, you may enjoy this slideshow of the most unsettling things in Pikmin 4.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Genre: Role-playing, Adventure

Metascore: 96

Price: $69.99

When we thought Breath of the Wild couldn’t get any better, Tears of the Kingdom came out. This time, Link ventures into the Depths and explores the sky islands to harness his newfound abilities and save Hyrule from the Demon King.

Breath of the Wild’s world is vast, but Tears of the Kingdom kicks it up a knock by vertically expanding the playing field. Not only that, but you’ll create devices that will help Link on his journey. Curious and innovative gamers will appreciate the environmental details and creative freedom in Tears of the Kingdom.

Super Mario RPG

Genre: Role-playing, Adventure

Metascore: 84

Price: 59.99

The first remake makes it to the list! Super Mario RPG was initially released in 1996, so this remake is long overdue. Mario and his team must repair Star Road and defeat the Smithy Gang in this classic adventure.

The 2023 version of Super Mario RPG adds several new features, like the Action Gauge, Chains, Special Enemies, and much more. Players who want to try an RPG should give Super Mario RPG a shot. Mario fans who’d like to walk down memory lane won’t want to miss out on it, either. 

Metroid Prime Remastered

Genre: Adventure, Action, First-Person, Platformer

Metascore: 94

Price: $39.99

In this title that happens between Metroid and Metroid II: Return of Samus, Samus Aran explores Tallon IV to defeat Space Pirates and eliminate a radioactive substance called Phazon. The bounty hunter’s Power Suit allows her to use visors, weapons, the morph ball, and several other abilities to reach her goal.

Not only do you get enhanced visuals and sound design, but there are also dual-analog controls, difficulty options, and bonus content in the upgraded title. Fans of the franchise will enjoy the original story, enemies, and improvements this remastered title offers. Visit our game review if you want to learn more details about Metroid Prime Remastered. 

Honorable Mentions