The Best Exploration Games for Nintendo Switch

Update : Esca added at rank #48.
1

Outer Wilds (2019)

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94
Review score
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Xbox One Playstation 4 PC Windows Xbox Series X Playstation 5 Nintendo Switch Android

Unravel the mysteries of the universe in Outer Wilds, an award-winning open world game. Explore an ever-evolving solar system, uncover alien secrets, and enjoy a thought-provoking narrative. With no enemies to fight, you're free to discover at your own pace. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure in space!

Buy

What we like:
  • Unique and immersive gameplay experience
  • Beautiful and intricate world-building
  • Thought-provoking narrative
  • Encourages fearless discovery
  • Captures the mysteries of the universe
What could be improved:
  • May cause motion sickness
  • Game's physics can lead to unexpected deaths

  • exploration
  • mystery
  • discovery
  • puzzle
  • open-world
  • space
  • sci-fi
  • endless
  • first-person
  • adventure
  • day
  • story

2

A Short Hike (2019)

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99
Review score
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PC Windows Mac OS Nintendo Switch Playstation 4 Xbox One Linux

Join Claire on her vacation and take a hike to the top of Hawk Peak in A Short Hike. Meet quirky characters, gather collectibles and uncover secrets across the charming island park. Enjoy the original soundtrack that perfectly captures the game's atmosphere. Don't let the game's title fool you, there's plenty of adventure waiting for you on this short hike.


What we like:
  • Immersive gameplay with a captivating story and charming characters
  • Beautiful pixel art and evocative soundtrack that complement the game's atmosphere perfectly
  • Rich and detailed world with lots of secrets to uncover
  • Short and concise game that provides an enjoyable and fulfilling experience
  • Great value for money
What could be improved:
  • Cumbersome inventory system
  • No map

  • park
  • relaxing
  • exploration
  • cute
  • adventure
  • flight
  • open-world
  • walking-simulator
  • inventory
  • parkour
  • funny
  • nature
  • platform
  • vertical
  • short

3

Caravan Sandwitch (2024)

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81
Review score
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Playstation 5 PC Windows Nintendo Switch

Embark on a journey across vast landscapes in Caravan SandWitch, a captivating narrative-driven exploration adventure.


  • exploration
  • 3d
  • post-apocalyptic
  • metroidvania
  • driving
  • fiction
  • 1980s
  • colourful
  • stylized
  • third-person
  • mystery
  • robots
  • futuristic
  • action-adventure
  • interactive

4

Unsighted (2021)

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86
Review score
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PC Windows Nintendo Switch Xbox One Playstation 4 Android

UNSIGHTED invites you into a post-apocalyptic world where you have a ticking clock before your own expiration. With Metroidvania-like gameplay, fully interconnected world, and an interesting story that allows for tough choices, the game provides a balanced mix of exploration, combat, and character progression. With additional modes like co-op and rogue-lite, UNSIGHTED guarantees a high replay value. A game that creatively brings several game designs together to make a fun and polished game.

Buy

What we like:
  • Balanced mix of gameplay elements
  • Interesting story with tough choices
  • High replayability with additional modes
  • Polished sound and graphics
  • Responsive controls
What could be improved:
  • Writing could be better
  • Characters feel one-dimensional
  • Dialogue interrupts gameplay

  • pixel
  • exploration
  • boss
  • top-down
  • robots
  • metroidvania
  • dungeon
  • combat
  • puzzle
  • war
  • post-apocalyptic
  • souls
  • platform
  • rpg
  • crafting

5

Lego Horizon Adventures (2024)

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78
Review score
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Nintendo Switch j PC Windows Playstation 5

Join machine hunter Aloy as she leads a colourful crew of heroes on a quest to save the world and learn the secrets of her past. Dive into boundless adventure, customize to your heart’s content, and take on action-packed battles solo or with friends.


  • cooperative
  • combat
  • exploration
  • dinosaurs
  • isometric
  • customization
  • level
  • battle
  • arena
  • light-hearted
  • moment-to-moment
  • open-world
  • robots
  • narrative
  • adventure

6

Axiom Verge 2 (2021)

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83
Review score
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Playstation 4 Nintendo Switch wii u vita PC Windows Mac OS Linux

Dive into Axiom Verge 2, an epic adventure that takes you into a mysterious parallel universe. As Indra, unravel the secrets of this world, battling monsters, hacking machines, and exploring ancient ruins. With intriguing gameplay, unique combat mechanics, and a refreshing protagonist, this game offers an immersive, fast-paced, and thrilling experience.

Buy

What we like:
  • Excellent game design with a lot to discover
  • Unique combat mechanics that encourage stealth and hacking
  • Refreshing protagonist that breaks stereotypes
  • Improved aesthetic with varied pixel art and haunting music
  • Gameplay is fast-paced and responsive with a diverse array of weapons
What could be improved:
  • Level tree imbalance and unclear progression at times
  • Combat feels optional and some weapons are underutilized
  • Occasional confusion in navigating the open world
  • Less emphasis on bosses and limited weapon options

  • boss
  • exploration
  • platform
  • metroid
  • retro
  • boss-fight
  • classic
  • sci-fi
  • alternate
  • pixel
  • combat
  • metroidvania
  • narrative
  • adventure
  • fight

7

Alba: a Wildlife Adventure (2020)

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90
Review score
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IOS iPhone Nintendo Switch PC Windows Xbox One

Alba: A Wildlife Adventure takes you to a beautiful Mediterranean island to save endangered animals and clean up litter. With over 60 species to document, using your phone app, you'll go on an adventure to make a difference in the world around us. Enjoy a relaxing and feel-good experience with a great soundtrack and stunning visuals. Join Alba and her friend Ines and help them on their mission to save the island and the world!

Buy

What we like:
  • Cute and wholesome with calming music and nice art
  • Addictive gameplay focused on exploring and photographing wildlife
  • Strong sub-theme of photography
  • Fun story with a good message
  • Bug-free and runs smoothly
What could be improved:
  • Limited achievements
  • Traversal can be boring towards the end of the game
  • Game could have been longer with more content

  • exploration
  • open-world
  • adventure
  • relaxing
  • cartoony
  • nature
  • collector
  • creature
  • cute
  • colourful
  • family-friendly
  • construction
  • economy
  • 3d
  • table

8

No Man's Sky (2016)

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89
Review score
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PC Windows Android Mac OS Xbox Series X osvr psvr Playstation 5 Xbox One Playstation 4 Nintendo Switch

No Man's Sky is a massive universe-sim sandbox experience that lets you explore an infinite number of planets with unique lifeforms and environments. Upgrade your ship and suit for survival and choose your own path - whether you want to be a trader, fighter, or explorer. The game offers great graphics and good VR support with the ability to play with friends and share your discoveries.


What we like:
  • Deliver on promises
  • Great graphics
  • Cross-play enabled
  • Good VR support
What could be improved:
  • Some bugs present
  • Not challenging enough
  • No co-op progression

  • inventory
  • survival
  • exploration
  • sci-fi
  • crafting
  • pirates
  • resource
  • discovery
  • aliens
  • trading
  • multiplayer
  • space
  • sandbox
  • open-world
  • management

9

Castlevania DominuS Collection (2024)

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90
Review score
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Xbox One Xbox Series X Playstation 5 PC Windows Nintendo Switch

Three incredible action adventure games from the Castlevania series have finally returned, for the first time! But wait, there's more! Haunted Castle Revisited, a redesigned version of the very first Castlevania arcade game, makes its debut!


  • metroidvania
  • platform
  • pixel
  • rpg
  • vampire
  • action-adventure
  • action
  • exploration
  • 2d
  • dark
  • remake
  • compilation
  • arcade
  • piracy
  • time-consuming

10

Bramble: The Mountain King (2023)

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80
Review score
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Nintendo Switch Xbox Series X Xbox One Playstation 5 Playstation 4 PC Windows

Bramble The Mountain King is a grim adventure set in a world inspired by dark, Nordic fables. Explore the beautiful yet dangerous and twisted land of Bramble in your endeavour to rescue your sister. Traverse a wondrous landscape and survive deadly encounters with Bramble's many hideous creatures.

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  • horror
  • platform
  • dark
  • exploration
  • narrative
  • puzzle
  • boss-fight
  • cinematic
  • adventure
  • mythology
  • action-adventure
  • fantasy
  • story
  • emotional
  • lore

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