29 of the Best Open World Switch Games

Sometimes, you just want to be fully immersed in an open world, exploring every nook and cranny and getting lost in its grandeur. These 29 games are the cream of the crop when it comes to open world titles on Nintendo Switch but if you believe that we’ve missed some, feel free to let us know by emailing us at team@switchaboo.com.

This list has been updated as of June 2020.

A Hat in Time

Developed By  Gears for Breakfast
Published By Humble Games
Rating T
Players 1 – 2

The 3D platforming genre is one that can be difficult for an indie studio to create and when the attempt is made, it’s difficult to say how it will turn out. A Hat in Time is one of those attempts that features a small top hat-wearing girl who has lost her source of fuel (Time Pieces) and must now venture to retrieve them all whilst making many frenemies along the way. Charming, whimsical and creative; these are the three words that I’d use to describe A Hat in Time.

Assassin’s Creed: The Rebel Collection

Developed By  Ubisoft
Published By  Ubisoft
Rating M
Players 1

The Assassin’s Creed: The Rebel Collection comes complete with two stellar titles: Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag and Assassin’s Creed: Rogue. From this, the title to point out is Black Flag as not only is the game open world, but open seas. Become a swashbuckling pirate, setting out to become the fiercest pirate across the Caribbean and finding chests of treasure along the way.

Cat Quest 1&2

Developed By  The Gentlebros
Published By  Pqube
Rating E10+
Players 1

Cat Quest is an open world action adventure game that takes place in a land populated by cats known as Felingard. Ready your weapon and set out to save your sister after she is catnapped by the evil Drakoth and in between your rescue missions, you can always help out your fellow catizens in plenty of side quests

Don’t Starve

Developed By  Klei Entertainment
Published By  Klei Entertainment Inc.
Rating T
Players 1

Don’t Starve is a sandbox open world game that has you play as Wilson, a scientist who finds himself stranded in a world where everything is out to kill him. Brave the dangers of your surroundings and do your best to keep Wilson healthy, fed and mentally stable for as long as you can by exploring the open world and utilising all it has to offer.

Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen

Developed By Capcom
Published By Capcom
Rating M
Players 1

For the first time on a Nintendo console, Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen is an open world action-RPG set in the fantasy world of Gransys. Take on terrifying mystical monsters with a choice of nine different vocations alongside your three AI companions known as pawns. As the Arisen, prevent the prophesied apocalypse and stop the heart-taking Dragon.

Dragon Quest Builders 1&2

Developed By SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.
Published By Nintendo
Rating E10+
Players 1

In the iconic world of Alefgard, from the original entry in the series, monsters are running rampant and the cities have been reduced to nought after the Dragonlord’s victory. Now, in the present day, you play as the builder who is tasked to gather resources and building structures in order to restore Alefgard to its former glory.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Developed By Bethesda Game Studios
Published By Bethesda Softworks
Rating M
Players 1

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim was shown being played on Nintendo Switch in its original reveal trailer and fans were even more excited to get their hands on the hybrid console. Skyrim is one of the most influential games to grace the open world genre and as well as being on nearly every console (and refrigerator), the game seems to be a great fit on the Switch.

Fe

Developed By  Zoink Games
Published By  EA Originals
Rating E
Players 1

Fe is a beautiful 3D platforming experience that draws you in with its enchanting art design and sombre music implementation. It’s subtlety in story development allows you to take in the plot organically without the overuse of dialogue and drawn out cutscenes.

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Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition HD

Developed By  Square Enix
Published By  Square Enix
Rating T
Players 1

We may not have received the original Final Fantasy XV on Nintendo Switch, but the Pocket Edition is perhaps the next best thing… and cuter! Play as Noctis, the prince of Lucis, as you travel to Altissia to marry Lunafreya, but that adventure may not be as straightforward as it may seem. So jump in The Regalia, set the radio to play the original Final Fantasy overworld theme and take in all that the open road has to offer.

Forager

Developed By HopFrog 
Published By Humble Bundle
Rating E10+
Players 1

Forager is an open world survival game that places most of its focus on foraging and crafting. Beginning on a single island, expand the world around you by levelling up, learning new skills and using your gathered resources to build and create. Keep going and you may uncover a few secrets along the way.

L.A. Noire

Developed By Rockstar Games
Published By Rockstar Games
Rating M
Players 1

A few years after the second World War, renowned LAPD detective Cole Phelps is thrown into the golden age of Hollywood that is riddled with crime and corruption. Freely explore the streets of Los Angeles and solve the mysteries behind a string of arson attacks, conspiracies and murders.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Developed By Nintendo
Published By Nintendo
Rating E10+
Players 1

On launch day, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild allowed us to freely explore the world of Hyrule like never before. It was hard to believe that this big and beautiful world could be possible on the go but on March 3rd 2017, our minds were blown! Winner of the 2017 Game of the Year Award, Breath of the Wild redefined the concept of open world.

LEGO City Undercover

Developed By TT Games
Published By Warner Bros. Entertainment
Rating E10+
Players Up to 2 players

Think of LEGO City Undercover as Grand Theft Auto with a colourful coat of plastic blocky paint. Chase McCain is a police officer undercover to put a stop to the crime lord, Rex Fury. Freely explore this blocky world and enjoy the lighthearted humour with plenty of 80s police movie reference that is aimed at a much more adult audience than you’d initially expect.

LEGO Worlds

Developed By  TT Games
Published By  WB Games
Rating E10+
Players 1 – 2

For those who have a fondness for LEGO and building blocks, LEGO Worlds allows you to build and create to your heart’s content. With additional features to building, the player has the option to either build one block at a time or landscaping tools. Some of your creations will even come to life, creating a world made and populated entirely by LEGO.

Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition

Developed By Mojang
Published By Mojang
Rating E10+
Players Up to 8 players

The cultural phenomenon requires next to no description or introduction, but I need to earn my paycheque regardless. In Minecraft, the entire world is at your disposal with the ability to ‘Create. Explore. Survive.”. In this Nintendo Switch edition, all Super Mario features are included in what can arguably be the best way to play Minecraft.

Okami HD

Developed By Capcom
Published By Capcom
Rating T
Players 1

Capcom’s classic Okami has you play as Amaterasu, a Japanese sun goddess who takes the form of a white wolf, and restore colour to the once vibrate nation of Nippon. Marvel at the timelessly beautiful art style inspired by Edo-Japanese paintings in glorious HD graphics.

Retro City Rampage DX

Developed By  Vblank Entertainment
Published By  Vblank Entertainment
Rating T
Players 1

Retro City Rampage DX is an 8-Bit inspired, quirky, top down action game that is very reminiscent of the original Grand Theft Auto games. After you are sent back in time, you must gather the seven items to restore the Flux Combobulator of Doc Choc’s time machine. The game has a tonne of self-referential humor and parodies from not only the 80s and 90s pop culture, but also pokes fun at modern video game practices.

Saints Row: The Third – The Full Package

Developed By  Volition
Published By  THQ
Rating M
Players Up to 2 players

Saints Row: The Third is the closest thing the Switch has received to a Grand Theft Auto-like experience. Explore the open world urban town, take out all sorts of bizarre weapons and wreak havoc on the go. With the Full Package, this edition comes complete with all additional content with a wide variety of new weapons, items and customisation option.

Saints Row IV: Re-Elected

Developed By Volition
Published By Koch Media
Rating M
Players Up to 2 players

You are the president of the United States and quite frankly, it couldn’t have happened at a worse possible time. Just before giving a speech to the public, an alien race invades Earth and whilst attempting to fight back, you are captured and placed inside a simulation world where anything goes. Switch between this artificial world where anything goes and the real world (or what remains of it) to put an end to the alien’s tyrannical rule.

South Park: The Stick of Truth

Developed By Pipeworks Studio
Published By Ubisoft
Rating M
Players 1

Ever wanted to freely explore the world of South Park? As a brand new kid moving into town, Join Stan, Kyle, Cartman, Kenny and a host of other iconic South Park characters on a quest to become cool. Equip weapons and don mystical armour and engage in turn-based RPG combat riddled with humour from the minds of Trey Park and Matt Stone.

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Starlink: Battle for Atlas

Developed By Ubisoft
Published By Ubisoft
Rating E10+
Players Up to 2 players

Starlink: Battle for Atlas isn’t exactly ‘open world’, rather it is more ‘open universe’. Travel seamlessly from planet-to-planet and with the Nintendo Switch version, you can do so as the iconic Fox McCloud. Team up or take part in the Starlink initiative, travelling from one corrupted planet to the next in order to put an end to The Forgotten Legion’s evil plans.

Terraria

Developed By  Pipeworks Studio
Published By  505 Games
Rating T
Players 1 – 8

Terraria is a critically-acclaimed sandbox adventure where the world if your oyster. With beautiful sprite-based animations, this wide 2D open world can be explored with up to eight players and is host to a myriad of gaming opportunities. It’s hard to get bored with this one.

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 / Torna – The Golden Country

Developed By Monolith Soft
Published By Nintendo
Rating T
Players 1

The second entry in the mainline Xenoblade Chronicles saga is the best selling Xenoblade game to date. Follow the scavenger known as Rex and his Blade partner Pyra in their quest to guide Pyra to the fabled paradise, Elysium. Travel on the backs of titans, taking an incredibly large scope that helps to make the game as epic as it seems. 

Not long after the release of the Xenoblade Chronicles 2, story DLC released known as Torna: The Golden Country. The DLC follows the story of events that had taken place decades before Xenoblade 2’s plot. This story DLC is so large that it was actually received its own physical release.

Woodle Tree 2: Deluxe

Developed By Chubby Pixel
Published By Chubby Pixel
Rating E
Players 1 – 2

The Wood Lands are in danger and it is up to the adorable Woodle to save it! In this 3D platformer, Woodle Tree 2: Deluxe has you freely exploring an open sandbox world that contains eight separately-themed areas and restoring the Water Tears. With its colourful aesthetics and charming personality, Woodle Tree 2: Deluxe is a delightful adventure to embark on.

Yoku’s Island Express

Developed By Pipeworks Studio
Published By 505 Games
Rating T
Players Up to 8 players

Yoku’s Island Express is a Metroidvania Pinball game that is as unique as it sounds. Play as a little beetle tethered to a ball twice his size who has just accepted a new job as a postman (postbug?) on the tropical island of Mokuma. However, Mokuma is in danger as the ancient island deity is trapped in a restless sleep. So it falls to you to gather the three chiefs and save the island… for some reason.

Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles

Developed By  Prideful Sloth
Published By  Prideful Sloth
Rating E
Players 1

Set in the beautiful and expansive world of Gemea, Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles boasts wide open plains and beautiful towns and environments to explore. Seek out and rescue Sprites in order to lear the beautiful land of the murk that plagues the land and its inhabitants.

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• Belinda Cubitt