5 of the Best Free Games on the Nintendo Switch

Functioning as a traditional console as well as a portable device, the Nintendo Switch has made a big splash with video game lovers. One of the coolest things about the Nintendo Switch is that many games are free to play (233 as of the time of writing this). Note that in-game upgrades, additional content, extras, and so on cost money. But regular gameplay is totally free, and there’s no obligation to make additional purchases.

With that said, here are five of the best free games on Nintendo Switch.

If you’re into classics, Pac-Man 99 is a must. This game has the same fun, retro feel as you would expect from old-school Pac-Man but with a new twist.

In it, you take part in a 99-player online battle royale where you match your skills against other players to see who’s the last one standing. And to make things interesting, you can “switch between eight different strategies and send Jammer Pac-Man to get in your opponents’ way.”

Following the same premise as Pac-Man 99 is Tetris 99, which is also a competitive spin-off of the classic game where you battle 99 other plays to see who’s the best. “In Tetris 99, your goal is to rotate and move falling blocks called Tetriminos to complete horizontal lines. Completed lines disappear, clearing space for more Tetriminos, which fall faster and faster.”

If you want your nostalgia fix, this is one of the best free Nintendo Switch games to check out.

Imagine the same epic racing you’ve seen from Mario Kart since its initial release in 1992, but with augmented reality. That’s exactly what you get with Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit.

With it, you can create your very own race track right in your home. You design it, customize it, place gates through it, and use your Nintendo Switch system paired with a real-life Mario Kart to race through it on your way to victory. In this innovative game, you see your course and your opponents on your screen and feel the full impact when you get hit with weapons like green or red shells and piranha plants.

If you’re looking for a highly immersive game that’s perfect for kids, this is a great choice.

And if you’re a fan of classic arcade gaming, it doesn’t get much better than Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium. “From 3D-rendered arcade cabinets to scanline filters, there’s everything you need to recreate that arcade atmosphere. Fully customizable display settings let you craft your own personal experience and truly relive the glory days of arcade gaming.”

There are shooting games, fighting games, racing games, and more to create the feel of an arcade right in your home. And the online leaderboard rankings make for fierce competition where you continually see where you stand against other plays from around the world.

Finally, there’s Apex Legends, a shooter game with a huge weapons arsenal and an amazing roster of legendary characters. In it, you build your own custom crew by uniting your talents with other online players and battle your way through an ever-changing universe for endless adventures.

It’s easy to learn the basics of Apex Legends, but difficult to master, which makes for consistently compelling gameplay where you’re always challenged.

There are three different types of Nintendo Switch consoles. The Classic Nintendo Switch retails for $299.99, the Nintendo Switch Lite retails for $199.99, and the Nintendo Switch OLED Model retails for $349.99.

While this isn’t as much as some other video game consoles, it’s still a significant investment. That’s why it’s recommended to get a Switch extended warranty that kicks in once the one-year manufacturer’s warranty expires.

Upsie, for example, offers two-year and three-year plans that not only cover defects and mechanical failures, but also accidental drops, spills, and more for complete peace of mind. Claims can be conveniently made 24/7/365 whenever you experience an issue. And a claims representative will schedule a repair to get your Nintendo Switch back up and running as quickly as possible.

Also, Upsie costs up to 70% less than most in-store offers, which means you get comprehensive coverage at a reasonable price. Learn more about how Upsie works here.