Summary
Since the NES, Nintendo has always relied on its IPs to sell its consoles. This certainly hasn’t been a bad strategy, as iconic franchises likeSuper Mario,The Legend of Zelda,andPokemonhave been responsible for millions of console sales. But something that is becoming more prevalent with Nintendo is for them to release ports of other AAA games.The Witcher 3, Skyrim, Dark Souls, Ori and the Will of the Wisps,andDivinity: Original Sin 2all had critically acclaimed releases on other consoles before coming to the Nintendo Switch.
One AAA game series that hasn’t had many releases on Nintendo’s latest console isFallout,with just the free-to-playFallout Shelterbeing available. Moreover, withMicrosoft’s $7.5 Billion acquisition of ZeniMax Media, Bethesda’s parent company, there may never be anotherFalloutentry on a Nintendo console. Thankfully, the Nintendo Switch has plenty of other excellent RPGs,particularly JRPGs, to scratch players' role-playing itch.
Updated on June 06, 2025, by Ritwik Mitra:The last platform anyone would think about when talking about the Fallout series is the Switch, with none of the major releases from this franchise making an appearance on this console. However, this doesn’t mean that owners of this revolutionary hybrid console can’t be graced with some stellar games that do a great job of eliciting a lot of what makes this series such a blast to play through. Whether it be the CRPG goodness of past titles or the modern take on this series, there are many Nintendo Switch titles players can check out if they can’t get enough of Fallout, with the hit TV adaptation still making waves to this day and compelling more people to check out more of what this beloved franchise has to offer.
TheHarry Pottergames were pretty fun in their own right, but some people felt like the true potential of a game set in Hogwarts was yet to be reached. So, whenHogwarts Legacywas released, fans were glad to see an open-world game set in the wizarding world that is pretty engaging, despite not really doing anything innovative or groundbreaking.
To make things even better, the game was also ported to Nintendo Switch, which is hard to believe even now for many players. Accessing this vast, magical world on a handheld device will certainly be quite invigorating for players who want to enjoy one of the greatest gaming experiences around. It may seem different fromFalloutin many ways, but the open-world structure is something that fans of this series will be quite familiar with.
After the release ofBreath of the Wild, fans wondered how Nintendo would top this amazing experience. After all, this evolution for theZeldaseries evolved the very nature of open-world gaming itself, which was a massive achievement in its own right. It might’ve taken six years, butthe release ofTears of the Kingdomshowed just how malleable the systems of this brand-new engine were.
The addition of Link’s new powers allowed him to build a bunch of unique objects, fuse items, ascend to a platform above him, and reverse the time of certain objects. These were a massive upgrade from the Runes in the previous game and allowed players to spend hundreds of hours tinkering with the game’s mechanics. It’s this massive achievement that has led to many people callingTears of the Kingdomone of the greatest video games ever made, and rightfully so. Shades of the apocalypse are still visible here, making it a fun change of pace forFalloutfans.
Dragon’s Dogmaisa game that took everyone by surprisewith its deep combat, engaging story, and a world that wasn’t the biggest but had its fair share of unique and interesting landmarks. It took a while to get going, butDragon’s Dogmaeventually became a fan-favorite title, with players loving the action-packed combat system that made every class pretty engaging in its own right.
The enhanced version of the game,Dark Arisen, features an endgame dungeon called Bitterblack Isle that allows players to flex their incredible character build as they explore this massive hostile area and take out the many tough enemies and bosses that stand in their way.Dark Arisenis easily one of the best games that fans of theFalloutseries should check out on the Switch if they want to explore a dark fantasy world with surprisingly intricate yet approachable gameplay.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3is the latest entry in the critically acclaimedXenobladeseries. Known for its immersive open-world gameplay and engrossing storyline,Xenoblade Chronicles 3continues the series' tradition of epic RPG adventures. Players who want a fresh change of pace from the bleak open world ofFalloutlove the vibrant world on full display here.
With stunning visuals and a captivating narrative, fans of the series loveXenoblade Chronicles 3, with many considering it to be the best title in this esteemed series. This is especially impressive given the fact that all the games in the franchise boast a tremendous amount of quality, meaning that the third game did something really special to be remembered so fondly.
Divinity: Original Sin 2is a highly regarded CRPG that has won multiple awards for its innovative gameplay and storytelling. The game features a deep and intricate world with a vast array of characters and a branching narrative that is shaped by the player’s choices. Players who loved the CRPG roots ofFalloutwill find this title to be right up their alley.
The Switch version of the game delivers this engrossing experience with the bonus of being able to play it on the go, which works surprisingly well with the structure of the game as players can quickly pick up the handheld andget through a challenging battleor a portion of a quest before moving on. Players who love meaty RPGs with tough-as-nails strategic combat will love everythingDivinity: Original Sin 2has to offer.
Pokemon Legends: Arceusis a game thatfinally shook up the traditionalPokemonformula, and it succeeded in many aspects. Set in the Sinnoh region’s past (when it wasn’t even called this name), the game allows players to explore a vast open world and catch Pokemon in a way players could only dream about.
With real-time battles and a fresh take on the traditionalPokemongameplay,Pokemon Legends: Arceusis a must-play game forPokemonfans and Switch owners alike. Isekai fans will love the setup of this game as well, with the main character being sent back in time to the then-Hisui region. Players who want a lighter take on the open-world genre compared to games likeFalloutwill love what this title has to offer.
The Outer Worldswas developed by Obsidian Entertainment, the same company that developed the critically acclaimedFallout: New Vegas.This title was originally released on PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4 in 2019 before coming to Nintendo Switch the following year. Despite the AA limitations,The Outer Worldsdoes a great job of letting players enjoy a space odyssey for the ages that doesn’t overstay its welcome.
This action RPGlets players explore meticulously designed sci-fi environments while indulging in various side quests and a fantastic over-arching story that helped the game win the Game Writing award from the Nebula Awards. The Nebula Awards weren’t the only institution to recognizeThe Outer Worlds’quality. The game also picked up the Role-Playing Game of the Year accolade from the 23rd Annual D.I.C.E. Awards.
Wasteland 2was developed by inXile Entertainment and was originally released on PC and Mac in 2014. The following year, a director’s cut came out, which eventually made its way to Nintendo Switch in September 2018.
Wasteland 2is a post-apocalyptic RPG that differentiates itself from theFalloutseries with its turn-based tactics combat. A sequel,Wasteland 3, was released in 2020 with a positive reception from fans and critics; however, this game hasn’t made it to Nintendo Switch as of yet.
13Atom RPG
An Amazing Attempt By A Small Studio To Develop A Fallout-Inspired CRPG
Atom Team’s 2018 indie gameAtom RPGtakes players to a post-apocalyptic iteration of the USSR in an alternative history where it was crippled by a nuclear war. The game doesn’t hide its influences from theFalloutfranchise, particularly the series' older releases.
Atom RPGstruggled to impress critics, exemplified by its 65 Metascore for Nintendo Switch. However, the game still deserves a spot on this list. The reception from fans was far more positive, exemplified by an 8.6 User Score on Metacritic and a Very Positive All Reviews mark on Steam.
12Smoke And Sacrifice
A Survival RPG That Retains Its Charm Despite Being Quite Morbid At Times
Smoke and Sacrificeis a survival RPG developed by Solar Sail Games. The game puts players in the shoes of Sachi, a mother who hopes to find her son. The game can be tough at times, but it’s worth persisting. This wonderfully written story is a great, continued payoff for the hard work.
There’s an oddly beautiful charm to this title. Despite the morbid story and often disturbing visuals, the fantastic art design elicits a sense of wonder. If fans find this statement familiar, it’s becauseFallout’s best games can also be described in a similar manner.
