2020 has officially come to a close, and so review aggregate site Metacritic has started releasing its lists for the highest-rated movies, TV shows, and video games for the year. When it comes to video games, Metacritic includes an overall list of the highest-rated games, but the site also includes more specific lists, naming off the top-rated games for each platform. This includes a list of the 10 best Switch games for 2020, which shows that Nintendo's home console/handheld hybrid had a pretty strong year.
The 10 best Switch games for 2020 include three titles that had a 90 or above average rating. The list is topped by Supergiant Games' Hades, a roguelike that was widely considered to be one of the best games of 2020. Following up Hades is Ori and the Will of the Wisps, which is strangely enough an Xbox-published Metroidvania. And finally, the third Switch game to earn a 90 or above was Animal Crossing: New Horizons, which also has the distinction of being one of the best-selling Switch games, behind only Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
The rest of the list is mostly comprised of indie games, as well as Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition. Since so many of the Nintendo Switch's top-rated games of 2020 were indie releases, it makes a great deal of sense that Nintendo has made indie titles a big focus for its latest console, hosting Indie World Showcase events to give them a bigger spotlight.
Here is Metacritic's list of the 10 highest-rated Switch games of 2020:
- Hades - 93
- Ori and the Will of the Wisps - 93
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons - 90
- Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition - 89
- A Short Hike - 88
- Super Mega Baseball 3 - 87
- Kentucky Route Zero: TV Edition - 87
- Streets of Rage 4 - 887
- Huntdown - 86
- Heroes of Hammerwatch - Ultimate Edition
Right behind Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition is the popular indie game A Short Hike. It's perhaps no big surprise that A Short Hike has scored so highly on the Switch, as the game has been compared to some of Nintendo's biggest franchises. In fact, A Short Hike combines elements of Animal Crossing, Super Mario, and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild to create a completely unique experience that has clearly resonated well with critics.
Switch owners may also want to take note of Streets of Rage 4, the latest entry in the long-running beat 'em up series. Streets of Rage 4 was developed by an independent team as opposed to Sega, and it has proven to be a major return to form for the franchise. Streets of Rage 4 reviews have been largely positive, with a great deal of praise given to the game for its fun action and local co-op options.
New Nintendo Switch games in 2021 should include plenty of big indie games as well, so it will be interesting to see which ones come out on top.