Want to use your thinking cap? Check out some of the best puzzle games the Nintendo Switch has to offer ponderous thinkers.
Puzzle games are a great way to relax when you get home from work or school. They’re also a great way to keep your mind sharp, especially if you enjoy thinking outside of the box. There’s a little something for every puzzle solving skill level in this list of the best puzzle games on Switch.
Want something challenging right off the bat? Start with Baba Is You. Want to ease your child into critical thinking? Maybe Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is a better place to start.
The Talos Principle
The Talos Principle for the Nintendo Switch is a game that will make you think, and possibly question the very nature of reality. It’s like a cross between a classic puzzle game and a philosophy class, but with better graphics and more interesting homework assignments.
And unlike a philosophy class, you can play it on the go, so you can ponder the meaning of existence while you’re stuck on a long train ride or waiting in line at the DMV. Just don’t blame us if you start talking to inanimate objects and they don’t answer back.
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is a game that will have you saying “toad-ally awesome!” as you guide the intrepid Captain Toad on his quest for treasure. With its charming visuals and clever puzzles, this game is a real gem. But watch out for those pesky enemies, they’ll have you saying “toad-ally ouch!” in no time. So grab your pickaxe and get ready for an adventure that’s anything but mushroom-y. Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is a treasure trove of fun that you won’t want to miss!
Baba Is You
Baba Is You is a game that will make you question the very nature of reality. With its deceptively simple gameplay, you’ll find yourself rearranging words on a grid to change the rules of the game. One moment you’re a rock, the next you’re a flag, and before you know it, you’re a sheep wearing a hat.
It’s like a game of mad libs on steroids, and it’s guaranteed to keep your brain cells hopping. Just be careful, you might end up losing track of time and end up playing for hours on end. In short, Baba Is You is a game that will make you laugh, cry, and question the meaning of existence all at the same time.
Battle Chef Brigade
Battle Chef Brigade serves up a unique dish of action and puzzle gameplay that will have you craving for more. As a chef in a fantasy world, players must hunt for ingredients and cook them up in real-time battles to impress the judges and become the ultimate Battle Chef.
With a cast of colorful characters, mouth-watering dishes, and challenging puzzles, Battle Chef Brigade is a recipe for success that will leave your taste buds tingling and your thumbs sore from all the cooking and battling. The format of the game mimics Iron Chef competitions, so fans of cooking competitions will enjoy the game, too.
INSIDE
Inside for the Nintendo Switch is a game that will have you thinking inside the box… and then completely blowing it wide open with its mind-bending puzzles and gripping narrative. The game’s minimalist art style and eerie atmosphere will keep you on the edge of your seat, while the clever use of mechanics will have you scratching your head in the best way possible.
It’s a game that will make you question what’s truly going on, and leave you with a satisfying feeling of accomplishment when you finally figure it out. In short, Inside is a game that will have you feeling anything but inside a box.
Gorogoa
Gorogoa is a beautifully crafted puzzle game that tells a deeply moving story through its unique and visually stunning gameplay. The hand-drawn illustrations and animations are a feast for the eyes, and the game’s clever use of layering different scenes and images creates a sense of depth and wonder.
The puzzles themselves are clever and thought-provoking, requiring players to think outside the box and connect seemingly disparate elements in order to progress. But it’s the game’s emotional core that truly sets it apart, as players are taken on a journey that is both poignant and powerful. Gorogoa is a puzzle game on Switch that will stay with you long after you’ve finished playing it.
Lumines
Lumines is the perfect game for those who love to multitask: trying to clear blocks, create combos, and groove to the beat all at the same time. It’s like a puzzle party on your Switch, and the only thing missing is the pizza. So grab your Joy-Con, turn up the volume, and get ready for a gaming experience that will have you saying ‘just one more round’ for hours on end.
Unpacking
Explore the life and times of a person through the various moves they make throughout their life. Finding a place for everything in a new home is satisfying, but there are also bits of story you learn as you unpack these boxes. It’s a zen way to spend an evening with plenty for puzzle gamers to love.
Chicory: A Colorful Tale
Chicory: A Colorful Tale is the perfect blend of cute, quirky, and clever. This Switch game will have you feeling like a master painter as you bring life to a vibrant world with your stylus.
The charming characters and whimsical story will keep you engaged, while the satisfying puzzle-solving gameplay will keep you coming back for more. It’s like a Picasso painting come to life, but with less existential angst and more adorable animals.
Donut County
Donut County is the hole-y grail of gaming. With its addictive gameplay and charming storyline, it’s sure to leave a lasting impression on players. And let’s be real, who doesn’t love a good donut metaphor? One minute you’re a small hole in the ground, the next you’re a giant, all-consuming black hole devouring everything in your path.
Talk about a power trip! But beware, too much of a good thing can be bad, and in this case, it just might lead to the downfall of Donut County. So sink your teeth into this tasty treat, but don’t get too greedy or you might just end up on the trash heap.
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