Best games
Best Action games on Nintendo Switch
The 250 best Action games on Nintendo Switch, ranked from 58,482 critic and player ratings.
The best Action game on Nintendo Switch right now is The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, with a critic score of 100/100 — updated September 2026.
How this ranking is built
- Games are ranked on the aggregated critic score out of 100 imported from IGDB and Metacritic, never on Tier's own grades.
- A game only enters the ranking with at least 80 external ratings, so a single enthusiastic review never outranks a proven classic.
- Community grades from F to S are shown next to every game, and only stated as a fact above 5 Tier ratings.
- Release window covered: 1970 to 2026.
- 50 games are listed on this page, carrying 58,482 ratings between them.
- Rankings are recomputed hourly; this one was last rebuilt on 28 September 2026.
Top 50
01
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Venture back to Hyrule and an age of magic and heroes. The predecessors of Link and Zelda face monsters on the march when a menacing magician takes over the kingdom. Only you can prevent his evil plot from shattering the land of Hyrule. In your quest, you'll venture into twisting mazes, dungeons, palaces and shadowy forests. Test your mettle with mighty swords and magical weapons. Or heft a boulder and hurl it at your enemies. If the going gets tough, dive into a river - you can swim to escape! Learn powerful spells, locate magical artifacts and solve the mysteries of the evil magician and the hidden realm of Hyrule.
100
/100
02
Super Castlevania IV
A century of Transylvanian tranquility is about to come to a shocking end. Once again the mortifying screams of helpless villagers shake the ground as they huddle against new nightmarish horrors unleashed by the Duke of Darkness, Count Dracula. And this time he has a tombstone with your name on it, Simon Belmont. You must descend into Castle of the Undead and its gruesome ground, accompanied by the most chilling sound effects to ever tingle your spine. Inside, a freshly dug 11 levels maze features the treacherous Terrace of Terror, the dangerous Rotating Dungeon, the Sunken Ruins of Lost Spirits, torture chambers and creature filled caves. Use your whip like a grappling hook and swing past hundreds of traps and a host of ghost freaks, living corpses and hidden goblins. All while dodging or destroying the unpredictable spitting lizards, carnivorous coffins, and more. Find the concealed weapons needed to defeat everything from eerie phantoms to haunted furniture. Then prepare to find yourself face-to-thing with hideous torments like the Tongue Lasher, the Darkest Knight, the Bone-Afide Horseman and the Granite Crusher. When your nerves get shot, use your password and take a breather. But forge on, Simon Belmont, because if you though Dracula was down for the count, he's only just begun to fright!
100
/100
03
S
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is the first 3D open-world game in the Zelda series. Link can travel anywhere and be equipped with weapons and armor found throughout the world to grant him various bonuses. Unlike many games in the series, Breath of the Wild does not impose a specific order in which quests or dungeons must be completed. While the game still has environmental obstacles such as weather effects, inhospitable lands, or powerful enemies, many of them can be overcome using the right method. A lot of critics ranked Breath of the Wild as one of the best video games of all time.
98
/100
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Venture back to Hyrule and an age of magic and heroes. The predecessors of Link and Zelda face monsters on the march when a menacing magician takes over the kingdom. Only you can prevent his evil plot from shattering the land of Hyrule. In your quest, you'll venture into twisting mazes, dungeons, palaces and shadowy forests. Test your mettle with mighty swords and magical weapons. Or heft a boulder and hurl it at your enemies. If the going gets tough, dive into a river - you can swim to escape! Learn powerful spells, locate magical artifacts and solve the mysteries of the evil magician and the hidden realm of Hyrule.
100
/100
02
Super Castlevania IV
A century of Transylvanian tranquility is about to come to a shocking end. Once again the mortifying screams of helpless villagers shake the ground as they huddle against new nightmarish horrors unleashed by the Duke of Darkness, Count Dracula. And this time he has a tombstone with your name on it, Simon Belmont. You must descend into Castle of the Undead and its gruesome ground, accompanied by the most chilling sound effects to ever tingle your spine. Inside, a freshly dug 11 levels maze features the treacherous Terrace of Terror, the dangerous Rotating Dungeon, the Sunken Ruins of Lost Spirits, torture chambers and creature filled caves. Use your whip like a grappling hook and swing past hundreds of traps and a host of ghost freaks, living corpses and hidden goblins. All while dodging or destroying the unpredictable spitting lizards, carnivorous coffins, and more. Find the concealed weapons needed to defeat everything from eerie phantoms to haunted furniture. Then prepare to find yourself face-to-thing with hideous torments like the Tongue Lasher, the Darkest Knight, the Bone-Afide Horseman and the Granite Crusher. When your nerves get shot, use your password and take a breather. But forge on, Simon Belmont, because if you though Dracula was down for the count, he's only just begun to fright!
100
/100
03
S
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is the first 3D open-world game in the Zelda series. Link can travel anywhere and be equipped with weapons and armor found throughout the world to grant him various bonuses. Unlike many games in the series, Breath of the Wild does not impose a specific order in which quests or dungeons must be completed. While the game still has environmental obstacles such as weather effects, inhospitable lands, or powerful enemies, many of them can be overcome using the right method. A lot of critics ranked Breath of the Wild as one of the best video games of all time.
98
/100
04
A
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
An epic adventure across the land and skies of Hyrule awaits in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom for Nintendo Switch. The adventure is yours to create in a world fueled by your imagination. In this sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, you'll decide your own path through the sprawling landscapes of Hyrule and the mysterious islands floating in the vast skies above. Can you harness the power of Link's new abilities to fight back against the malevolent forces that threaten the kingdom?
96
/100
05
Modern Combat 5
Step into the action as the latest installment in the best FPS series raises the bar for shooter games once more! Create a squad, add your friends and test your individual and team skills against other squads in dynamic multiplayer warfare! Is single player your thing? Then step into a world on the brink of anarchy and shoot your way out of one dire situation after another to expose a lunatic who’s trying to tear the world to shreds.
96
/100
06
B
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Skyrim reimagines and revolutionizes the open-world fantasy epic, bringing to life a complete virtual world open for you to explore any way you choose. Play any type of character you can imagine, and do whatever you want; the legendary freedom of choice, storytelling, and adventure of The Elder Scrolls is realized like never before.
94
/100
07
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Choose Your Path! Set 4,000 years before the Galactic Empire, you are the last hope for the Jedi Order and the Republic - can you master the ways of the Force to become their savior? Or will you fall to the dark side and achieve ultimate power? Hero, villain, peacekeeper, or chaos-bringer... you and your party will determine the fate of the galaxy! Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is a role-playing video game. Players will be able to create their own characters and be able to choose what gender, appearance, class, skills, attributes, and feats they have throughout the game - no two characters will be the same!
94
/100
08
B
Hades
A rogue-lite hack and slash dungeon crawler in which Zagreus, son of Hades the Greek god of the dead, attempts to escape his home and his oppressive father by fighting the souls of the dead through the various layers of the ever-shifting underworld, while getting to know and forging relationships with its inhabitants.
94
/100
09
Planet of Lana
A young girl and her loyal friend embark on a rescue mission through a colorful world full of cold machines and unfamiliar creatures. Planet of Lana is a cinematic puzzle adventure framed by an epic sci-fi saga that stretches across centuries and galaxies.
93
/100
10
S
BioShock Infinite
BioShock Infinite is the third game in the BioShock series. It is not a direct sequel/prequel to any of the previous BioShock games but takes place in an entirely different setting, although it shares similar features, gameplay and concepts with the previous games. BioShock Infinite features a range of environments that force the player to adapt, with different weapons and strategies for each situation. Interior spaces feature close combat with enemies, but unlike previous games set in Rapture, the setting of Infinite contains open spaces with emphasis on sniping and ranged combat against as many as fifteen enemies at once.
93
/100
11
Super Mario 3D World
93
/100
12
S
Hades II
93
/100
13
A
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
92
/100
14
OKAMI HD
92
/100
15
Bayonetta 2
92
/100
16
B
Batman: Arkham Knight
92
/100
17
S
Red Dead Redemption
92
/100
18
S
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
92
/100
19
Mark of the Ninja
91
/100
20
Vampire Survivors
91
/100
21
S
Batman: Arkham City
91
/100
22
A
Resident Evil 2
91
/100
23
Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove
91
/100
24
NieR:Automata Game of the YoRHa Edition
91
/100
25
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
91
/100
26
Dark Souls
91
/100
27
C
Bastion
90
/100
28
S
Portal
90
/100
29
Bayonetta
90
/100
30
S
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
90
/100
31
Ultimate Doom
90
/100
32
Spelunky 2
90
/100
33
N++ (NPLUSPLUS)
90
/100
34
A
Hollow Knight: Silksong
90
/100
35
A
Batman: Arkham Asylum
89
/100
36
Super Mario Bros. 3
89
/100
37
Tunic
89
/100
38
SteamWorld Dig 2
89
/100
39
A
Overwatch
89
/100
40
Amnesia: The Dark Descent
89
/100
41
Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast
89
/100
42
Mark of the Ninja: Remastered
89
/100
43
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury
89
/100
44
Shovel Knight
89
/100
45
Hyper Light Drifter
89
/100
46
B
Cult of the Lamb
89
/100
47
Blasphemous II
89
/100
48
Figment
89
/100
49
Owlboy
89
/100
50
A
Hollow Knight
88
/100
A
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
An epic adventure across the land and skies of Hyrule awaits in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom for Nintendo Switch. The adventure is yours to create in a world fueled by your imagination. In this sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, you'll decide your own path through the sprawling landscapes of Hyrule and the mysterious islands floating in the vast skies above. Can you harness the power of Link's new abilities to fight back against the malevolent forces that threaten the kingdom?
96
/100
05
Modern Combat 5
Step into the action as the latest installment in the best FPS series raises the bar for shooter games once more! Create a squad, add your friends and test your individual and team skills against other squads in dynamic multiplayer warfare! Is single player your thing? Then step into a world on the brink of anarchy and shoot your way out of one dire situation after another to expose a lunatic who’s trying to tear the world to shreds.
96
/100
06
B
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Skyrim reimagines and revolutionizes the open-world fantasy epic, bringing to life a complete virtual world open for you to explore any way you choose. Play any type of character you can imagine, and do whatever you want; the legendary freedom of choice, storytelling, and adventure of The Elder Scrolls is realized like never before.
94
/100
07
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Choose Your Path! Set 4,000 years before the Galactic Empire, you are the last hope for the Jedi Order and the Republic - can you master the ways of the Force to become their savior? Or will you fall to the dark side and achieve ultimate power? Hero, villain, peacekeeper, or chaos-bringer... you and your party will determine the fate of the galaxy! Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is a role-playing video game. Players will be able to create their own characters and be able to choose what gender, appearance, class, skills, attributes, and feats they have throughout the game - no two characters will be the same!
94
/100
08
B
Hades
A rogue-lite hack and slash dungeon crawler in which Zagreus, son of Hades the Greek god of the dead, attempts to escape his home and his oppressive father by fighting the souls of the dead through the various layers of the ever-shifting underworld, while getting to know and forging relationships with its inhabitants.
94
/100
09
Planet of Lana
A young girl and her loyal friend embark on a rescue mission through a colorful world full of cold machines and unfamiliar creatures. Planet of Lana is a cinematic puzzle adventure framed by an epic sci-fi saga that stretches across centuries and galaxies.
93
/100
10
S
BioShock Infinite
BioShock Infinite is the third game in the BioShock series. It is not a direct sequel/prequel to any of the previous BioShock games but takes place in an entirely different setting, although it shares similar features, gameplay and concepts with the previous games. BioShock Infinite features a range of environments that force the player to adapt, with different weapons and strategies for each situation. Interior spaces feature close combat with enemies, but unlike previous games set in Rapture, the setting of Infinite contains open spaces with emphasis on sniping and ranged combat against as many as fifteen enemies at once.
93
/100
11
Super Mario 3D World
93
/100
12
S
Hades II
93
/100
13
A
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
92
/100
14
OKAMI HD
92
/100
15
Bayonetta 2
92
/100
16
B
Batman: Arkham Knight
92
/100
17
S
Red Dead Redemption
92
/100
18
S
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
92
/100
19
Mark of the Ninja
91
/100
20
Vampire Survivors
91
/100
21
S
Batman: Arkham City
91
/100
22
A
Resident Evil 2
91
/100
23
Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove
91
/100
24
NieR:Automata Game of the YoRHa Edition
91
/100
25
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
91
/100
26
Dark Souls
91
/100
27
C
Bastion
90
/100
28
S
Portal
90
/100
29
Bayonetta
90
/100
30
S
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
90
/100
31
Ultimate Doom
90
/100
32
Spelunky 2
90
/100
33
N++ (NPLUSPLUS)
90
/100
34
A
Hollow Knight: Silksong
90
/100
35
A
Batman: Arkham Asylum
89
/100
36
Super Mario Bros. 3
89
/100
37
Tunic
89
/100
38
SteamWorld Dig 2
89
/100
39
A
Overwatch
89
/100
40
Amnesia: The Dark Descent
89
/100
41
Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast
89
/100
42
Mark of the Ninja: Remastered
89
/100
43
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury
89
/100
44
Shovel Knight
89
/100
45
Hyper Light Drifter
89
/100
46
B
Cult of the Lamb
89
/100
47
Blasphemous II
89
/100
48
Figment
89
/100
49
Owlboy
89
/100
50
A
Hollow Knight
88
/100
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Action game on Nintendo Switch?
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past currently tops the ranking with a score of 100/100 across 1,667 ratings. Ranking updated September 2026.
How is this ranking built?
Games are ranked on their aggregated critic score out of 100, with a minimum vote threshold so a single glowing review never outranks a proven classic; the Tier community's own F-to-S grades are shown alongside each game.