What better way to unwind after a long day at work, school, or wherever than to dive into some intense hack and slash action? Or better yet, why not take the action with you?
Well, thank goodness for the Switch, which has become a quiet little home for some of the best action games of the generation. From the classics of the PlayStation 2 era to being the home of the Umbra Witch herself, Switch lets you sink your teeth into some nail-biting action games that combine different mechanics, enemies, and visual styles to create riveting palm-sweating games. . experiences. These aren’t action RPGs, RPGs that contain hack and slash combat like NieR: Automata, and we also have a handy list of the best action RPGs on Switch.
Instead, you’ll be slashing enemies one moment, or running around to find some collectibles or hidden secrets the next, and while these games’ stories often encompass their over-the-top action, sometimes you might be in for a bit of a surprise.
So, we’ve rounded up the cream of the action crop here for you on Switch. And with developers like PlatinumGames, Capcom, and indie studios like Heart Machine making a name for themselves in the genre, there is an ever-growing multitude of action titles available. Flex your fingers and sharpen the blade – let’s rock!
Editor: Nintendo / Developer: platinumgames
With its stunning visuals, fantastic presentation, varied gameplay, and deep and rewarding combat, Astral Chain is one of PlatinumGames’ most accomplished tokens. It combines detective work with exciting battle sequences that are inventive, challenging, and perhaps most importantly, mind-bogglingly cool. The complexity of the game’s myriad systems can be intimidating to some players, but the inclusion of cooperative gameplay and the ability to automate many of the mechanics via ‘Unchained’ mode means even newcomers can enjoy the ride. Astral Chain is absolutely one of the best action games available on Switch, cementing PlatinumGames’ status in the genre.
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Editor: supergiant games / Developer: supergiant games
Hades’ sublime combination of satisfyingly gritty and flexible combat, a wonderfully vibrant art style, and a genuinely fun and engaging narrative make for a pretty perfect action-packed package. Supergiant Games have an excellent track record thus far, but this truly feels like their finest hour, a rip-roaring rampage through the underworld that arrived here on Switch. Even if you haven’t yet gotten carried away with the admittedly repetitive ebb and flow of the hack-and-slash roguelike genre, we’d passionately urge you to at least give this one a try; For fans of the genre or anyone remotely interested, this is a heavenly vision of hell that we highly recommend you sacrifice for.
Editor: Nintendo / Developer: koei-tecmo
Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition is an excellent time waster, featuring fun but no-nonsense action gameplay that offers the potential for dozens, if not hundreds, of hours of content. While it certainly feels like an overly bloated game in places, it manages to balance the Zelda and Dynasty Warriors elements well. Combine all of that with stellar presentation and impressive handheld gameplay, and you have a game that does a great job of doing something new (and weird) with a classic Nintendo property. We’d give this one a recommendation, especially to fans of the Zelda series who have always wanted there to be some kind of “anniversary” game. Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition may not have a lot of depth, but it’s frantic hack-and-slash fun set in the Zelda universe, and you’d be missing out if you didn’t pick up this complete edition.
Editor: ninja theory / Developer: ninja theory
Having Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice on Switch in this way is a boon you shouldn’t miss out on. The game itself is a psychological sensory experience that we highly recommend, but the fact that it has been translated to Switch in such a comprehensive way is the real surprise here. It doesn’t feel like a downgrade at all and prides itself on being alongside the other ‘miracle’ ports on the system, possibly surpassing them in some respects. This goes beyond being a riveting action game – it’s also an amazing port and a haunting, gripping story.
Editor: THQ Nordic / Developer: Kaiko
This faithful port of the original Darksiders is a great way to get into the series. Darksiders: Warmastered Edition brings every Chaoseaster cut and bloody execution to Nintendo Switch in all its glory. While still down from some later entries, this first installment is still a robust action platformer filled with satisfying melee combos, open-ended levels, and a suitably over-the-top story. Easily one of the most underrated franchises to appear in the previous generation, this port finally unleashes the Apocalypse in portable form.
Editor: Nintendo / Developer: platinumgames
After its fantastic launch on Wii U, Bayonetta 2 shines brighter on Nintendo Switch. It runs smoothly at 60fps, looks amazing in both TV and tabletop modes, and offers a fluid, addictive combat formula that peppers platforming, light exploration, and a ridiculous story to create something that just need to experience. If you’ve never played it before, you’re in for a surprise. If you have already played it, it is even more captivating as a wearable gem.
And of course we to have recommend the original Bayonetta as well, although that one is showing its age a bit more. The beginnings of the series are still so bright, and the entire trilogy is now together on Switch. hey!
Editor: Capcom / Developer: Capcom
Thanks to a handful of truly impactful changes, Onimusha: Warlords lives again on Switch. Tank controls are lighter to the touch and visual enhancements help remove that clunky PS2-era look, allowing the game’s deep combat to shine through. The updated soundtrack may be a bit inferior, but it still brings an extra layer of authenticity to a game that draws from Japan’s rich war history. Hopefully the rest of the series will get the same treatment because this classic swashbuckling adventure (with the occasional horror moment) has re-sharpened its blade and is ready for action once again.
Editor: bandai namco / Developer: bandai namco
While God Eater 3 took a bit of a hit in the visuals department on Switch, it’s a sacrifice that’s more than worth it for mostly consistent performance and consistent framerates. The inclusion of local co-op is a boon for Switch owners, allowing them to team up with friends to take down massive beasts together. With all previous content updates and patches included, you get a version as good as, if not better than, the ones on PC and PS4. If you’re looking for an alternative to Monster Hunter, this is your next port of call.
Editor: Capcom / Developer: Capcom
Even many years after its debut in 2005, Devil May Cry 3 remains one of the best action games ever made. It may have aged in places, but that turbocharged, combo-charged action feels as fresh today as it did in the mid-nineties. The new Freestyle mode, which allows players to swap combat styles on the fly at any point during the action, is a really great addition to the package, and the ability to play Bloody Palace in local co-op is the icing on the Switch cake. . port that should appeal to anyone interested in sampling the fiendish delights of this all-time classic.
We also want to thank the original Devil May Cry. While it may feel its age even more than this one, it’s still a brilliant mix of action and atmosphere.
