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Hey everyone! A couple of years ago I made a blog post about the best free-to-play games you can play on Switch.
It’s one of my most popular posts, and although I still think it’s a good list, it’s time we look into the future.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is now home to 5 free-to-play Nintendo Switch 2 Editions, and it’s about time I ranked them.
Just keep in mind that all of these titles can also be played on Switch 1, with worse performance and visuals, and most of them are actually included on that very first list.
However, there is one that I was excited to finally play since on Switch 1 it ran poorly.
With this said, let’s go over the list together:
5. Asphalt Legends Unite
Asphalt Legends is a fast-paced arcade racer that runs at a steady 60 fps with no drops, from my experience.
While the game looks great, I’d expect more from the graphics department, especially seeing how other racing games on Switch 2 look.
But the reason it sits at the bottom is the fact that it is extremely Pay-to-Win, and if you want a good car to compete well against other players, you will need to spend money.
However, you can still enjoy the game at your leisure, like playing in small bursts while unlocking upgrades slowly.
If this isn’t for you, then I’d suggest you pick another great game right from the eShop called Fast Fusion. It’s cheap, it’s a wonderful Switch 2 game, goes on sale pretty often, and will not constantly ask you for more money.
4. The New Denpa Men
Next up we have The New Denpa Men, whose Switch 2 Edition was released recently. While it does run better and the graphics look sharper, it wasn’t on my list of games desperately needing an upgrade.
This game is an RPG but with some cumbersome free-to-play walls, like a stamina system, and too much grind to get good gear and level up. And of course, if you pay, you can get things much faster.
And this is the reason I stopped playing the game altogether a few days after its release. It’s just too mobile for my tastes.
It’s a shame, though, because if you look at the game, you can clearly tell its Dragon Quest influences. After digging a bit, I found out the developer company was composed of several developers from this legendary series.
Then they started creating Pokémon games like Pokémon Colosseum, Gale of Darkness, and many others. These days they seem to focus on mobile games like Pokémon Cafe ReMix and The New Denpa Men.
I’m hoping one day they can partner with the Pokémon Company again and deliver us a great Pokémon title in modern times.
3. Warframe
Does Warframe even need an introduction anymore?
Warframe is undeniably one of the best free-to-play games of all time, and the port on the original Nintendo Switch is nothing short of a miracle.
I can also confirm the port on Switch 2 is amazingly good, running steadily at 60 fps. But there’s a small issue.
Warframe is an older game, and as such, some textures don’t look that great and could’ve been updated for this Switch 2 Edition. Surprisingly, the area I have the most issues with is their first open area, Plains of Eidolon.
The rest of the areas I’ve played looked decently well, and the Warframe models are sharp and detailed, showcasing all their cool features.
As mentioned, Warframe has been around for a while, and if you hop in now, you’ll be able to go through years worth of content that will amount to hundreds of hours. And yes, you can play them all for free if you’re patient.
Warframe is a free-to-play MMO, and as such, it’s very grindy. But honestly, it’s not as terrible as Asphalt Legends Unite and The New Denpa Men in terms of microtransactions. Here there’s actually quality, and if you do choose to spend money like I have in the past, I think it’s money well spent.
2. Apex Legends
Holy s***, guys.
I never gave Apex Legends a try because of how poorly it ran on Switch 1. But after seeing how well the Switch 2 Edition ran, I had to try it for myself.
So the other day I finally played a few matches all the way. And afterward I made the conscious decision to uninstall it — but not because I had a bad time with it.
You see, Apex Legends is addictive, and I knew it would affect my schedule.
For years I thought this was just another battle royale, but after experiencing it for myself, I can clearly say I prefer this over Fortnite in almost every way.
I love that we get to play as Champions with unique abilities and designs. This is the part that makes Apex Legends more appealing for someone like me that has played MOBAs like League of Legends and hero shooters such as Overwatch. The latter desperately needs a Switch 2 Edition as well…
However, there is just one thing I don’t enjoy with Apex Legends — there is no solo mode option, which is my preferred way to play in Fortnite.
Playing with other people was fun, but I like the option of going solo so I can drop off whenever I want, since it’s difficult to find solo time for competitive online play.
And Apex Legends is pretty competitive since it has cross-play with other platforms! Also, there are no pay-to-win microtransactions, and the only thing you can spend your money on are cosmetics, which is a major win in my book.
So, if all of this sounds good, definitely give Apex Legends a try!
1. Fortnite and Fortnite Lego Odyssey
With no surprise, Fortnite is the best free-to-play game on Nintendo Switch 2, and I don’t think I need to elaborate much.
Fortnite is most popular for its Battle Royale mode, but over the years it added so many more ways to play that it gained an entirely new identity.
It’s not just a battle royale game — it’s a game where you can engage with other people in many ways.
While you can still have fun shooting each other, you can now explore other options like the Creator Mode, where you can set your imagination free and build whatever you want.
Or, you can hop on a concert and play a Guitar Hero clone. And if that’s not enough, what about playing Lego survival mode?
This is the best free-to-play game out there because it’s literally more than one game. And just like Apex Legends, the microtransactions only involve the battle pass and cosmetics, with no pay-to-win mechanics.
If you like battle royales, I still recommend Apex Legends over Fortnite. However, if you want to be part of an entire ecosystem of different game modes, then Fortnite is the best choice.
So, What Are the Best Free-to-Play Games on Nintendo Switch 2?
For now, these are the best free-to-play games on Nintendo Switch 2 — and the only ones so far.
I struggled a lot ranking the top 3 since I love Warframe and was so surprised by how good Apex Legends actually is.
But in the end only one could take the top, and Fortnite is the undisputed king of free-to-play on any platform.
Thanks for reading, and I’ll be seeing you again next time with brand-new content.
