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Best short games on Nintendo Switch

The 180 best short games on Nintendo Switch, ranked from 25,943 critic and player ratings.

The best short game on Nintendo Switch right now is Undertale, with a critic score of 96/100. Updated October 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.
  • Only games with a measured main story of 10 hours or less are listed: HowLongToBeat first, IGDB when HowLongToBeat has no figure.
  • 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 25,943 ratings between them.
  • Rankings are recomputed hourly; this one was last rebuilt on 11 October 2026.

Top 50

01 Undertale B Undertale 2015 · 1,892 ratings · 2 Tier votes A small child falls into the Underground, where monsters have long been banished by humans and are hunting every human that they find. The player controls the child as they try to make it back to the Surface through hostile environments, all the while engaging with a turn-based combat system with puzzle-solving and bullet hell elements, as well as other unconventional game mechanics. 96 /100
02 Super Mario Bros. Wonder Super Mario Bros. Wonder 2023 · 219 ratings Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a side-scrolling platform game and the first 2D Super Mario entry since New Super Mario Bros. U (2012). Players choose from twelve characters and traverse levels across the Flower Kingdom, a new setting for the series. The game's central mechanic is the Wonder Flower, which dramatically alters levels in unpredictable ways when touched. New power-ups include an elephant transformation, a bubble flower, and a drill hat, while an equippable badge system allows players to customize their abilities. The game supports local multiplayer for up to four active players and includes an asynchronous online mode. 95 /100
03 Super Mario 3D World A Super Mario 3D World 2013 · 435 ratings · 1 Tier vote Super Mario 3D World is a 3D platformer action game for the Wii U, and a follow-up of the Nintendo 3DS installment Super Mario 3D Land. The game builds upon the previous installment, following a similar 3D level-design convention inspired from the 2D platformer titles where players must navigate through a linear-designed level within a time limit to reach a level's Goal Pole. One key aspect introduced in this title is the simultaneous multiplayer: while not the first game in the series to do so, it is the first 3D title in the Mario series to incorporate up to four players cooperating with each other to reach the goal. Players can select their character from a pool of playable characters prior to starting the game, and each of these characters have their own unique playstyle that gives them advantages and disadvantages over other characters. The game makes use of several Wii U exclusive features, such as tapping blocks with the touch screen on the GamePad and blowing into the mic to reveal hidden items and blow away enemies. Various new power-ups are introduced in this title, with the trademark suit being the Cat power-up, which enables characters to perform a melee attack, climb up walls, and leap while midair, as well as the game generally having a cat-based theme. 94 /100
04 Planet of Lana Planet of Lana 2023 · 120 ratings 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
05 Finding Paradise Finding Paradise 2017 · 96 ratings A story-driven experience about two doctors traversing through a dying man's memories to artificially fulfill his last wish. 93 /100
06 Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Mario Kart 8 Deluxe 2017 · 624 ratings Hit the road with the definitive version of Mario Kart 8 and play anytime, anywhere! Race your friends or battle them in a revised battle mode on new and returning battle courses. Play locally in up to 4-player multiplayer in 1080p while playing in TV Mode. Every track from the Wii U version, including DLC, makes a glorious return. Plus, the Inklings appear as all-new guest characters, along with returning favorites, such as King Boo, Dry Bones, and Bowser Jr.! 93 /100
07 Unpacking Unpacking 2021 · 244 ratings Unpacking is a zen puzzle game about the familiar experience of pulling possessions out of boxes and fitting them into a new home. Part block-fitting puzzle, part home decoration, you are invited to create a satisfying living space while learning clues about the life you’re unpacking. Over the course of eight house moves, you are given a chance to experience a sense of intimacy with a character you never see and a story you’re never told. 92 /100
08 The Exit 8 The Exit 8 2023 · 80 ratings You are trapped in an endless underground passageway. Take a good look around and find a way to escape. 92 /100
09 Inside Inside 2016 · 1,642 ratings An atmospheric 2D side-scroller in which, hunted and alone, a boy finds himself drawn into the center of a dark project and struggles to preserve his identity. 92 /100
10 Mario Kart World Mario Kart World 2025 · 131 ratings Mario Kart World is a kart racing game for the Nintendo Switch 2, featuring characters from the Mario franchise. It introduces an open-world design to the series, allowing players to drive freely between courses rather than selecting them from a menu. Races support up to 24 players and include new mechanics such as off-roading, boat racing, rail grinding, and wall riding. The game features a Knockout Tour elimination mode where racers compete across connected courses with periodic eliminations at checkpoints, as well as a Free Roam mode for open exploration and collectible-finding. 92 /100
11 Mark of the Ninja Mark of the Ninja 2012 · 317 ratings 91 /100
12 Hollow Knight S Hollow Knight 2017 · 2,253 ratings · 6 Tier votes 91 /100
13 Bastion C Bastion 2011 · 759 ratings · 1 Tier vote 90 /100
14 Ultimate Doom Ultimate Doom 1995 · 99 ratings 90 /100
15 Dusk Dusk 2018 · 108 ratings 90 /100
16 SteamWorld Dig 2 SteamWorld Dig 2 2017 · 192 ratings 89 /100
17 Amnesia: The Dark Descent Amnesia: The Dark Descent 2010 · 545 ratings 89 /100
18 Cocoon Cocoon 2023 · 156 ratings 89 /100
19 Animal Well Animal Well 2024 · 124 ratings 89 /100
20 Viewfinder Viewfinder 2023 · 109 ratings 89 /100
21 The Case of the Golden Idol The Case of the Golden Idol 2022 · 90 ratings 89 /100
22 Shovel Knight Shovel Knight 2014 · 530 ratings 89 /100
23 Hyper Light Drifter Hyper Light Drifter 2016 · 256 ratings 89 /100
24 Owlboy Owlboy 2016 · 131 ratings 89 /100
25 Ori and the Blind Forest Ori and the Blind Forest 2015 · 1,534 ratings 88 /100
26 Apex Legends C Apex Legends 2019 · 666 ratings · 3 Tier votes 88 /100
27 Kirby and the Forgotten Land Kirby and the Forgotten Land 2022 · 99 ratings 88 /100
28 Machinarium Machinarium 2009 · 447 ratings 88 /100
29 Super Mario Maker 2 Super Mario Maker 2 2019 · 204 ratings 87 /100
30 BioShock 2 S BioShock 2 2010 · 1,114 ratings · 1 Tier vote 87 /100
31 Mouthwashing Mouthwashing 2024 · 119 ratings 87 /100
32 Doom S Doom 2016 · 1,926 ratings · 1 Tier vote 87 /100
33 What Remains of Edith Finch What Remains of Edith Finch 2017 · 991 ratings 87 /100
34 World of Goo A World of Goo 2008 · 340 ratings · 1 Tier vote 87 /100
35 Hotline Miami A Hotline Miami 2012 · 1,267 ratings · 1 Tier vote 86 /100
36 Orwell: Keeping an Eye on You Orwell: Keeping an Eye on You 2016 · 138 ratings 86 /100
37 Fez Fez 2012 · 457 ratings 86 /100
38 Sonic Mania Sonic Mania 2017 · 325 ratings 85 /100
39 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge 2022 · 177 ratings 85 /100
40 Transistor Transistor 2014 · 486 ratings 85 /100
41 Stray Stray 2022 · 747 ratings 85 /100
42 Dispatch S Dispatch 2025 · 304 ratings · 2 Tier votes 85 /100
43 The Room The Room 2012 · 239 ratings 85 /100
44 Katana Zero Katana Zero 2019 · 350 ratings 85 /100
45 Indika D Indika 2024 · 88 ratings · 1 Tier vote 85 /100
46 SuperHot SuperHot 2016 · 556 ratings 85 /100
47 LEGO Marvel Super Heroes LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2013 · 258 ratings 85 /100
48 Yoku's Island Express Yoku's Island Express 2018 · 111 ratings 84 /100
49 Cave Story Cave Story 2011 · 99 ratings 84 /100
50 The Walking Dead S The Walking Dead 2012 · 1,749 ratings · 1 Tier vote 84 /100
Best short games

Other platforms

Best short games on PCBest short games on Xbox OneBest short games on PlayStation 4Best short games on PlayStation 3Best short games on Xbox 360Best short games on PlayStation 5Best short games on Xbox Series X|SBest short games on Wii UBest short games on WiiBest short games on Nintendo Switch 2

Same platform, other play styles

Best couch co-op games on Nintendo SwitchBest online co-op games on Nintendo SwitchBest long games on Nintendo Switch

Nearby rankings

Best Nintendo Switch games

Catalog statistics

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Frequently asked questions

What is the best short game on Nintendo Switch?

Undertale currently tops the ranking with a score of 96/100 across 1,892 ratings. Ranking updated October 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.