While the Nintendo Switch system is home to a variety of family games, platformers, and puzzlers, it also has a lengthy list of shooters. These range from third-person online shooters, to first-person single-player campaigns, and everything in between. Some are realistic, others are sci-fi, and some even blur the lines between genres.
But with so many options, it’s easy to be overwhelmed. In this list, we’ll go over the best shooters on Nintendo’s latest platform.
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Neon White
89%
4/5
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo Switch
Genre
Shooter, Platform, Adventure, Indie
Developer
Ben Esposito
Publisher
Annapurna Interactive
Release
June 16, 2022
There isn’t anything else like Neon White and since it pulls off nearly everything it attempts to execute, it deserves a spot on this list. Neon White is a first-person shooter with a heavy emphasis on platforming. In it, you must run around the large open stages, use parkour to reach platforms, defeat enemies, and get to the finish line in time. Along the way, you’ll come across various cards, each offering a temporary ability and weapon. This gives the game an original identity, offering a bit of strategy while navigating each stage. The other selling point is this game’s art. It’s absolutely stunning, with an aesthetic that looks partly like an anime and comic book combined. If you liked Mirror’s Edge, you’ll probably enjoy Neon White.
DOOM
86%
3.5/5
Platforms
Nintendo Switch
Genre
Shooter
Developer
id Software
Publisher
Bethesda Softworks
Release
May 12, 2016
Id Software and Bethesda surprised just about everyone when 2016’s Doom reboot managed to not only be worthy of the series’ name, but was miles better than we assumed it would be. The smooth action and brutal Glory Kills system were impressive on PC, Xbox One, and PS4, but the Nintendo Switch port managed to make the kill perfectly playable on a handheld as well. Despite lower resolutions and some muddy textures, Doom runs like a dream on Switch. Its sequel, Doom Eternal, is available on Switch as well, though it’s largely regarded as a downgrade from the first entry, at least in terms of performance on Switch, but it’s also worth playing.
Metroid Dread
88%
4.5/5
Platforms
Nintendo Switch
Genre
Platform, Adventure
Developer
MercurySteam, Nintendo EPD
Publisher
Nintendo
Release
October 07, 2021
If you’re looking for one of the best Metroidvania games on Switch, this is it. Metroid Dread picks up where Fusion left off narratively, but it’s a much more mechanically modern title comparatively. As a shooter, it has the vibe of an old-school 2D Metroid game with some difficult fights. You get access to weapon upgrades, suite upgrades, and a whole suite of abilities to play around with. Dread also ups the series’ horror tendencies as Samus must escape from the robotic E.M.M.I., which stalk her like Alien‘s xenomorphs. It all comes together to form one of the scariest, toughest, and most stylish games Nintendo has made in a very long time. Take a look at our Metroid Dread beginner’s guide to get started.
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
83%
4/5
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Shooter, Adventure
Developer
MachineGames
Publisher
Bethesda Softworks
Release
October 27, 2017
Bethesda’s other major first-person shooter franchise went in a very different direction with the 2014 soft-reboot, Wolfenstein: The New Order, and its sequel Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus, which is available in full on Nintendo Switch. Set primarily in an alternate-history United States taken over by Nazi Germany, the game’s story sees legendary hero BJ Blazkowicz slaughter fascists in even more entertaining ways and even offers information on his childhood and parents. It’s backed up by excellent first-person shooting gameplay with plenty of challenge, too, letting you play as either a one-man wrecking crew or as a stealthier agent who takes out his enemies from a distance. If you’re a fan of Doom and Doom Eternal, you might like Wolfenstein II. Check out more Bethesda games if you want to go even further.
Overwatch 2
65%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Shooter
Developer
Blizzard Entertainment
Publisher
Blizzard Entertainment
Release
October 04, 2022
Now that Overwatch 2 is here, the original game is no longer playable — but thankfully, the newest entry fills the void left by its predecessor. This all-new hero shooter builds upon the foundation of the first game but with several changes, many of which are for the better. Overwatch 2 offers better pinging, along with a slew of quality-of-life improvements. Most notably, the game is free, which opens the floodgates for more players to jump in. With Blizzard’s plans to keep supporting Overwatch 2, there’s plenty to be excited about — especially with its upcoming PvE mode coming at some point in the future.
SUPERHOT
77%
Platforms
Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Google Stadia
Genre
Shooter, Puzzle, Tactical, Indie
Developer
SUPERHOT Team
Publisher
IMGN.PRO, SUPERHOT Team
Release
February 25, 2016
Few shooter games are as creative as Superhot, and even fewer are able to execute on their ideas as well. Set in a cyberpunk-infused world with a user interface similar to The Matrix, you battle against faceless enemies and are killed instantly if you take one hit. The twist in Superhot, however, is that time only moves when you move, so you can plan every step and attack in advance to take down your targets efficiently. It’s a simple gimmick that manages to be extremely effective, and the story that unfolds in between each stage had us invested and frequently laughing from beginning to the very end. It’s definitely one of the coolest Nintendo Switch games out there.
BioShock: The Collection
87%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Shooter, Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
Developer
2K Games, Virtuos
Publisher
2K Games, Take-Two Interactive
Release
September 13, 2016
Even 13 years after its original release, BioShock remains one of the best first-person shooters of all time — and thankfully, we can now play it on the go on Nintendo Switch. Its visual style is designed in such a way that it still looks great and will likely remain timeless. The underwater city of Rapture oozes with environmental storytelling, and its inhabitants are just as creepy as ever. We arguably don’t get enough good survival horror games (or many at all), but BioShock is up there with the greats like Resident Evil and Dead Space. When you’re finished with the first one, you can play its follow-ups, BioShock 2 and BioShock: Infinite, as part of the collection on Switch.
Borderlands Legendary Collection
Platforms
PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Shooter, Role-playing (RPG)
Developer
Gearbox Software
Publisher
2K Games, Take-Two Interactive
Release
May 29, 2020
We also don’t get enough shooter RPGs, but thankfully, the fan-favorite Borderlands 2 is available on Switch. It sends you on an insane quest for loot, with over-the-top weapons and a gameplay loop that will likely sink its teeth into you. It’s important for a game to feel good to play, and Borderlands 2 absolutely hits it out of the park in that department. Unlike a lot of shooters that focus on dark and realistic tones, Borderlands always has emphasized silly themes and sticks out due to its beautiful cel-shaded visuals. You can play the original Borderlands, The Pre-Sequel, and Borderlands 2, along with all of their DLC, on Nintendo Switch. Borderlands 2 is easily one of the best FPS games of all time and it’s now available on Switch!
Fortnite
68%
4/5
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Android, iOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Shooter, Role-playing (RPG), Strategy
Developer
Epic Games
Publisher
Epic Games
Release
July 25, 2017
The biggest video game in the world can be played in your living room or while you’re sitting on the toilet. Fortnite: Battle Royale took the basic formula established in titles like The Culling and PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds and mixed in a structure-building element that lets you turn any location into a defendable fortress. Its goofy art style and continuous updates have changed the game drastically over time, and as a cross-play game, it is supported across all systems. This means a Switch player can enjoy the battle royale game with his friends on Xbox, PlayStation, or even their mobile phone, so no one has to ever play by themselves again. As one of the best free games on Switch, it also comes at no cost to you.
The Outer Worlds
80%
5/5
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Shooter, Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
Developer
Obsidian Entertainment
Publisher
Private Division
Release
October 25, 2019
Fans of the Fallout series will be right at home, as The Outer Worlds gives players dozens the choices to make, weapons to wield, and locations to explore, all while navigating a satirical storyline. A few concessions had to be made due to technical limitations, and the graphics leave a bit to be desired, but anyone looking for an FPS fix will be happy this gem found a home on the Switch. When it first launched for Switch, it was a little tough to play due to performance issues, but it runs a lot more smoothly now. You can also keep an eye out for The Outer Worlds 2 which will come out at some point in the future.
Warframe
76%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Shooter, Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
Developer
Digital Extremes
Publisher
Digital Extremes
Release
March 25, 2013
You can’t play Destiny 2 on Nintendo Switch, but you can play a game that millions of players seem to prefer: Warframe. The free-to-play science-fiction game blends elements of shooters and third-person action together, with a ton of content and customization options. It’s a free-to-play game done well, never feeling like it’s asking for your money before you can do well, and developer Digital Extremes even includes enormous ships you can fly through space to take on roaming enemies. You have very little to lose by trying it out, except the time you’ll spend playing it if it manages to get its hooks in you — especially with it being a free game.
Resident Evil 4 HD
89%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Shooter, Adventure
Developer
Capcom Production Studio 4
Publisher
Capcom
Release
September 08, 2011
Sure, Resident Evil 4 often is categorized as a survival horror game, but c’mon — it’s a shooter, too. Many consider it to be the best Resident Evil game in the series, and while we like to lean more toward the newer entries like Resident Evil 7 and the recent remakes, Resident Evil 4 is a must-play. It masterfully treads the line between a shooter and horror game, with tons of campy characters and scary monsters to fall in love with. This Switch game especially satisfying to acquire new upgrades to make the main character, Leon Kennedy, even stronger. Even if this game has some outdated things like the depiction of its damsel in distress, Ashley, there’s still a lot to love in RE4. Word on the street is that it will be getting a remake treatment, due out in the next few years, so survival horror fans might have that to look forward to.
The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+
85%
4.5/5
Platforms
Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Shooter, Role-playing (RPG), Adventure, Indie
Developer
Edmund McMillen, Nicalis, Inc.
Publisher
Nicalis, Inc.
Release
January 03, 2017
What a bizarre and wild game. The Binding of Isaac is a rougelike that we’re honestly surprised is even available on the Nintendo Switch, due to its heavy religious themes. It just goes to show how Nintendo — and video games as a whole — have evolved over time. In this Nintendo Switch game, you play as a naked baby named Isaac, who shoots horrifying enemies with his tears (no, we aren’t joking). It plays a lot like a dungeon crawler but features procedurally generated levels, in which no two runs are the same. But this also feels like a horror game at times. Random drops will help (or hurt) your character as he climbs through each floor in this top-down shooter. It’s grotesque, difficult, and funny — and there isn’t anything else like it.
Nuclear Throne
70%
Platforms
Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Shooter, Role-playing (RPG), Adventure, Indie, Arcade
Developer
Vlambeer
Publisher
Vlambeer
Release
December 05, 2015
Rogue-like games and shooters don’t usually mix, but no one told that to Vlambeer. The developer’s take on the top-down shooter lets you augment yourself with abilities via the nuclear wasteland, and backs it up with blistering shooting action as you make your way to the titular Nuclear Throne. You have tons of different weapons and explosives to choose from as you fight your way to your goal, and you’ll need to learn just a little bit more on each run if you want to ever be successful. Even just one slip-up can leave you vulnerable to shot from the game’s bizarre enemies, so never take your safety for granted.
Cuphead
86%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Platform, Adventure, Indie, Arcade
Developer
Studio MDHR
Publisher
Studio MDHR
Release
September 29, 2017
Initially only available on Xbox One and PC, Cuphead now is an indie game on Nintendo Switch, and we’re so glad it is. The 2D shooter plays like a classic run-and-gun game mixed with a platformer, and its art style is reminiscent of classic Disney animated films like Steamboat Willie. Don’t let the cute exterior fool you, however, as it’s also one of the hardest games available on Switch. The Cuphead bosses show you no mercy, particularly as you approach the ending, and it will take every ounce of your abilities to make it to the final boss unscathed.
Rolling Gunner
98%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo Switch
Genre
Shooter, Indie, Arcade
Developer
Project Rolling Gunner
Publisher
mebius
Release
August 10, 2018
Rolling Gunner is a traditional horizontal shooting game exclusive to Nintendo Switch, and it will appeal to fans of Thunder Cross and Gradius. It’s a challenging game — you’ll need to avoid bullets while attacking enemy ships — but you can customize your difficulty setting if need be. It features a marriage of modern and retro visual styles, with both forefront and hidden enemies. It’s not exactly revolutionary, but it builds on the classic shooter games of the 1990s and early 2000s.
Turok
67%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Shooter, Platform, Adventure
Developer
Night Dive Studios
Publisher
Night Dive Studios, Limited Run Games
Release
December 17, 2015
Functioning as an enhanced port of the 1997 classic, Turok: Dinosaur Hunter is a first-person shooter that — as its name suggests — pits you against deadly dinosaurs. In 1997, 3D worlds were still a novel idea, and this is one of the games that brought 3D to the forefront. In this Nintendo Switch game, you’ll use a large arsenal of weapons (including a grenade launcher, Plasma Pulse Rifle, the Atomic Fusion Cannon, and more) to take out a slew of foes such as the Laser-Guided T-Rex. Expect to navigate through traps and puzzles along the way, as you progress towards defeating the evil overlord known as The Campaigner.
Apex Legends
78%
4/5
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Shooter
Developer
Respawn Entertainment
Publisher
Electronic Arts
Release
February 04, 2019
In terms of value, it doesn’t get much better than Apex Legends, a free-to-play multiplayer Battle Royale shooter that launched for Nintendo Switch in 2021. This FPS game has been available on other platforms since 2019, but is now playable on the Switch, with cross-play functionality as well. Apex Legends features a slew of characters to choose from, each with their own unique abilities and personalities. This offers a twist on the familiar battle royale formula, giving it elements of hero shooter as well. And thanks to Respawn Entertainments’ continued support, Apex Legends players have no shortage of content to enjoy, with more planned for the future.
Metro Redux
84%
Platforms
Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Shooter, Role-playing (RPG)
Developer
4A Games
Publisher
Deep Silver, Koch Media
Release
August 26, 2014
Metro Redux is a compilation featuring Metro 2033 and Metro: Last Light, which originally launched in 2010 and 2013, respectively. These are two of the best survival first-person shooters, with an emphasis on exploration, resource management, and horror. Both games give you an arsenal of weapons to choose from, but don’t expect to mow down enemies Rambo-style. Instead, you’ll need to preserve ammo as much as possible by using stealth attacks to get by unseen. The Metro series leans into realism, with a limited heads-up display (HUD), and immersive animations that mimic real life. While these two entries aren’t as good as the recent Metro Exodus, they’re both fantastic and worth playing on Switch.
Splatoon 3
4/5
Platforms
Nintendo Switch
Genre
Shooter, Platform
Developer
Nintendo
Publisher
Nintendo
Release
September 09, 2022
Since Splatoon 3 is widely a step up from its predecessor in most ways, we’re replacing Splatoon 2 with its sequel here. Splatoon 3 is fantastic and is currently enjoying a large player-base thanks to its recent launch. That means Nintendo is supporting it with various events called Splatfests, along with balancing updates to keep things as polished as possible. Beyond the excellent competitive online mode, Splatoon 3 features the most robust and jaw-dropping single-player campaign the series has ever had, offering plenty of depth, and a stunning finale that steals the show. Splatoon 3 has plenty of personality and is one of Nintendo’s most beloved series for a reason.
Metroid Prime Remastered
95%
Platforms
Nintendo Switch
Genre
Shooter, Platform, Adventure
Developer
Retro Studios
Publisher
Nintendo
Release
February 08, 2023
After being rumored for years, Nintendo finally released Metroid Prime Remastered. This, as its name suggests, is an enhanced version of the original Metroid Prime, which first launched for the GameCube in 2002. It takes many of the series’ best features but flips the perspective on its head, shifting from 2D to 3D. In this first-person shooter, Samus must battle enemies, uncover new locations, and unlock powers to aid her on her journey. It’s easily one of the best games of all time, and we’re glad it’s finally available on Switch.
