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The Absolute Best Nintendo Switch Sandbox Games of All Time

Nintendo Switch Sandbox Games

The Absolute Best Nintendo Switch Sandbox Games of All Time

Key Facts

  • Minecraft is as popular as it gets having charmed PC gamers for years on end. Once you enter into its world, you will need to build everything from scratch and survive the dangers of the night.
  • Super Mario Odyssey consists of not just one, but 16 sandbox worlds through which you will have to wander, collecting moons making for a truly exciting experience.
  • No Man’s Sky takes creativity to new levels with its numerous planets which each come with different biomes. Depending on the mode you choose you might even be able to explore endlessly.

Open-world games, or Sandbox games, have quickly become one of the most popular gaming genres in recent years. A huge proponent of this rise in popularity is the Nintendo Switch. Being able to play full-fledged games on the go or on the big screen easily has changed the way people interact with video games. Not to mention the absolute geniuses at Nintendo consistently make brilliant games.

In this article, we will be covering the absolute best sandbox games for the Switch, at least the top 6. And don’t worry for all those indie fans out there. We have included a good mix of Nintendo classics and indie darlings. Note that these games are listed in no particular order.

1. Minecraft

Nintendo Switch Sandbox Games
Minecraft is the all-time biggest-selling video game.

©History-Computer.com

We have to stop with the absolute genre-defining classic Minecraft. If you are into video games, regardless of age, you have probably played or heard of Minecraft. But if you haven’t, it takes a simple idea of a game and perfects it. You can play in two main game modes, survival and creative.

In survival, you play in an open world where you have to source all your materials to build your housing and survive the monsters that come out at night. Creative, however, allows you access to all the materials you could ever want and build your wildest dreams. If you are trying out Minecraft for the first time, we recommend trying survival mode to get a true sense of the game.

Minecraft - Nintendo Switch
$29.79
  • Minecraft is a game about placing blocks and going on adventures
  • Explore randomly generated worlds and build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles
  • Play in creative mode with unlimited resources or mine deep into the world in survival mode, crafting weapons and armor to fend off the dangerous mobs
  • Play on the go in handheld or tabletop modes
  • Includes Super Mario Mash-Up, Natural Texture Pack, Biome Settlers Skin Pack, Battle & Beasts Skin Pack, Campfire Tales Skin Pack; Compatible with Nintendo Switch only
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
11/28/2023 03:27 am GMT

2. Super Mario Odyssey

Nintendo Switch Sandbox Games
Super Mario Odyssey lets you play through different worlds to collect moons.

©History-Computer.com

Although Super Mario Odyssey doesn’t fall into the typical sandbox game genre, we had to include it. We believe this iteration of 3D Mario is one of the best Nintendo has released. Of course, the best 3D Mario is Super Mario for the N64, but that is for a different list.

In Super Mario Odyssey, you play through 16 fantastic sandbox worlds to collect moons. Each world has its own design, making each new level feel rewarding. In addition, Mario’s move set is one of the most expansive we have played. You can also play this game with two players, in certain levels, where one of you plays as Mario and the other plays as the hat, which has a surprising amount of powers.

Super Mario Odyssey (Nintendo Switch)
$53.10
  • Mario embarks on a new journey through the unknown, running and jumping through huge 3D worlds in the first sandbox-style Mario game since Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Sunshine
  • Jump out of the Mushroom Kingdom on a journey through mysterious places and new experiences whilst sailing between worlds aboard an airship;Number of Players: 2 players simultaneous; ESRB Content:...
  • Find something interesting? Toss your cap at it and see what happens! There are lots of fun and surprising ways to interact with your surroundings
  • Compatible with the Nintendo Switch only
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11/28/2023 09:57 am GMT

3. A Short Hike

Nintendo Switch Sandbox Games
In A Short Hike, you explore the island as a flightless bird.

©History-Computer.com

If you are more of a cozy gamer, A Short Hike is a game for you. Playing as a flightless bird on a small island, you are free to explore the island at your pace and in whatever order you wish. The game pairs a relaxing art style with mechanics that are just complicated enough to keep your interest but not too much to get frustrated by.

You gather many of your quests, as you do in most games, from NPCs wandering around the island. But instead of attacking a horde of monsters or chasing a dragon out of town, you are searching for a rabbit’s headband that they lost. If you like exploring an adorable world, talking to forest creatures, and being swept away by an outstanding soundtrack, be sure to pick up A Short Hike.

4. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Nintendo Switch Sandbox Games
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim I sone of the best open-world games out there.

©History-Computer.com

Speaking of attacking a horde of monsters or chasing a dragon out of town, the next sandbox game that comes to mind is Skyrim. Skyrim has been out forever at this point, and you can play it on just about any console. And the Switch version does not add anything to the game; it does the legendary game justice.

Skyrim is another Nintendo Switch sandbox game that really defines the genre and is typically the go-to open-world game people think about. Play as whatever character you want to create, and explore a massive fantasy world where you can fight dragons, help armies, or simply steal cabbages from unsuspecting NPCs.

Award-Winning Remaster of the Original Classic
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Nintendo Switch)
$58.99
  • The classic open-world adventure remastered in HD for modern consoles
  • Includes all official DLC including Dawnguard, Hearthfire, and Dragonborn
  • Exclusive features from The Legend of Zelda franchise
  • Amiibo and motion control compatible
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
11/27/2023 03:52 pm GMT

5. The Legend of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild

Nintendo Switch Sandbox Games
Breath Of The Wild is the highest-rated Switch game on Metacritic.

©History-Computer.com

Breath Of The Wild has changed how people think about Zelda games, and most likely, any Zelda game in the future will be compared to Breath Of The Wild. It is the highest-rated Switch game on Metacritic of all time. If you have played an older Zelda game, Breath Of The Wild is an entirely open world, and you could fight Ganondorf after the first tutorial mission if you really wanted to.

With the addition of survival elements, like cooking, temperature, weather, and weapon durability, you feel like you have been dropped into Hyrule to fend for yourself and find your own journey. When it was first announced, one of the selling points for this game was if you can see it, you can get to it.

A Classic for a Reason
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Nintendo Switch
$49.22
  • Choose your own paths, make your own choices, and face your own consequences
  • Discover multiple solutions to dozens of dynamic puzzles
  • Search for surprises around every corner
  • Collect armor, weapons, plants, animals, and more
  • Live off the land as you cook food and brew elixirs
  • Utilize special technology with in-game Sheikah Slate controls
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11/28/2023 03:57 am GMT

6. No Man’s Sky

Nintendo Switch Sandbox Games
No Man’s Sky lets you explore a tremendous amount of space.

©History-Computer.com

Despite this game’s so-so reputation, we think No Man’s Sky is an excellent space exploration game, especially as a Nintendo Switch sandbox game, after the countless updates and free DLC releases. Although we are not playing with the mechanics that the creator promised when making the game. Like real-time interaction, you cannot beat the amount of space you actually do get to explore.

The countless planets all have different biomes for you to explore. Like Minecraft, you can play No Man’s Sky in survival or creative mode. Survival mode will give you an entire gameplay experience where you must conserve fuel and ensure you have enough resources to survive. In creative mode, you can explore endlessly into space without worrying about getting stuck and restarting from the last time you saved.

Up Next…

Interested in similar articles? Click on the links below:

No Man's Sky - Nintendo Switch
$29.99
  • Embark on an epic voyage, find your own destiny in this epic space adventure
  • Includes 6 years of updates
  • An entire universe to explore on the go in the palm of your hands
  • For the first time ever, PlayStation 5 physical edition as well as Nintendo Switch (physical & digital)
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
11/28/2023 04:57 am GMT

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Witcher 3 switch open-world?

The Witcher 3 is open-world, and the only reason we didn’t include it was because of Skyrim. If you want something that goes into more high fantasy than Skyrim, be sure to check out Witcher 3.

Will Elden ring ever be on Switch?

With the graphics need and storage needs of Elden Ring, we do not expect it to show up on Switch anytime soon.

Why is SIMS not on Switch?

EA has stated their main reason for not making Sims available for the Switch is that they were unsure of the Sims community playing on the Switch. However, there is a chance that an upcoming Sims game might be available on Switch.

What is the #1 switch game in the world?

In terms of sales, Mario Kart 8 is the #1 Switch game in the world.

How many hours is Witcher 3 Switch?

If you are exclusively focusing on the main quest lines, Witcher 3 plays about 55 and 1/2 hours. But if you are exploring the world, you can easily put hundreds of hours into this game.

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