Nintendo consoles have always been great if you wanted to play Nintendo's games. The same hasn't been true of third-party titles. While the SNES had plenty of third-party support, the consoles that followed were much more spotty.
That is, until the Nintendo Switch came along! Now there are so many games available for the system that it's tough to separate the wheat from the chaff—but it isn't impossible.
Here are my picks for the absolute best Nintendo Switch strategy games worth playing on the hybrid handheld gaming console.
9. SteamWorld Heist
Turn-based tactics games usually take place from either an overhead or isometric point of view. SteamWorld Heist turns that on its side, literally, by using a side-scrolling view similar to what you'd see in a 2D platformer.
This leads to some excellent ricochet aiming mechanics, which makes this another great entry in the SteamWorld universe.
8. The Banner Saga
Are you looking at this list and thinking that all of these games seem too... happy? Then The Banner Saga Trilogy is for you.
The atmosphere starts out relatively bleak, and things just keep getting worse as you make your way deeper into the series. That said, the addictive gameplay will keep you coming back.
7. Valkyria Chronicles 4
Like the rest of the Valkyria Chronicles series, the fourth installment is a turn-based affair set in a fictional world during a conflict not entirely unlike World War II (here it's the Second Europan War).
The twist is that when you take control of a character, you're not moving them on a grid or hexagonal map. Instead, you control the character directly, setting up shots or getting behind cover!
6. Battlestar Galactica Deadlock
So far, every game on this list has been a turn-based affair where you take your turn, then the enemy takes its turn, and so on.
Battlestar Galactica Deadlock is also turn-based... but in more of a "set it up and watch it fall apart" style that's seen in the WeGo genre of strategy games.
You plan your actions at the same time as your enemy, and then both sides play out simultaneously. This gives battles a much more hectic-and-out-of-control feeling, which is perfect for the Battlestar Galactica universe.
5. Into the Breach
FTL developer Subset Games didn't dial back the difficulty when crafting their turn-based mecha-strategy game Into the Breach.
Each new combat encounter feels like a puzzle to be solved. You can still win the "wrong" way, but getting through a battle unscathed is much more satisfying than just scraping by.
4. Civilization VI
One of the original 4X (eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, eXterminate) games, Sid Meier's Civilization series has been essential for strategy fans since 1991.
While the series' heart is still on PCs, this sixth installment works surprisingly well on the Nintendo Switch. Great if you want to grow your empire on your morning commute.
3. Disgaea 5
Take Final Fantasy Tactics, make it funny, then add 15 more different gameplay systems. That's Disgaea in a nutshell.
This is the latest entry in the series, originally released for the PlayStation 4. The first and fourth games in the series are also available on the Nintendo Switch as well.
2. Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle
I'm not sure who was the one who said, "What if we did XCOM but with Mario?" And then decided it would be better to incorporate the rabbids from Ubisoft's Rayman series. But I'm glad they did!
While things start off easy enough, the difficulty in Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle ramps up. You'll be glad the series is so whimsical when you start getting to the tougher fights.
1. Fire Emblem: Three Houses
The Fire Emblem games have been steadily gaining popularity in the US for years, but Fire Emblem: Three Houses is where the series finally hit the mainstream.
Combining turn-based tactical battles with an immersive Persona-style school sim full of ragtag kids becoming proper fighters, every ingredient in this video game stew is addictive.
