Since the HD generation first started in the mid-2000s, more and more companies have been trying their hands at free-to-play games. Nintendo dabbled but would not get into full free-to-play, or free to start, mode until the Switch launched. There are tons of free games to check out directly from them and other publishers.

RELATED: Nintendo Console Variations That Exclusively Released In Japan

There are also “free” offerings to Nintendo Online members. There is the great retro library that is slow to update but is still filled with Nintendo classics. There are even new games such as Tetris 99. Those aren’t exactly free though so let’s focus on the games fans can one hundred percent check out now.

10 Pokemon Unite

Promo art featuring characters from Pokemon Unite

Pokemon Unite is a new take on the MOBA genre. It has lanes, cannon fodder enemies, and playable heroes based on classic creatures. Getting points is different though in that it is also a sports game. Players have to accrue points and then sort of slam dunk them into goalposts. It’s pretty inventive for a free spinoff in the series.

9 Rocket League

Promo art featuring cars from Rocket League

Rocket League is another odd mashup of genres. It’s a soccer game played with cars and giant balls. Driving and keeping the ball in play can be tricky. It’s not a game about winning though. It’s all about having fun and this game has plenty of it. It even has a lot of crossover vehicles from other franchises although one needs to play to get a lot of the good ones.

8 Fortnite

Promo art featuring characters from Fortnite

Fortnite needs no introductions nor does it need any further promotion. If someone hasn’t heard or played this game at least once before then that person may have had their head in the sand for a few years now.

RELATED: Common Misconceptions About Fortnite

It’s a game not for everyone but one can’t certainly deny how big it is. It’s free, full of content that rolls out guest characters, and is a fairly harmless-looking shooter to appeal to any aged gamers.

7 Sky: Children Of Light

Exploring the world in Sky

Sky: Children of Light first hit the mobile scene before eventually making its way to consoles via the Switch first. It’s a little bit like Journey both aesthetically and gameplay-wise. That game had players team up with a random stranger to go on a literal journey.

That’s the core of this game too, exploring new worlds, except with more players and more in-depth mechanics. It’s an always-online game too if that matters.

6 Knockout City

Promo art featuring characters from Knockout City

Knockout City is not the best dodgeball game of 2021 on Switch. That reward should go to Dodgeball Academia which is an action sports RPG. Knockout City does have that game beat since it is free to try out on Switch and the multiplayer is better. It hasn’t reached levels of infamy like other free sports games out there but if given time and it may yet reach those heights.

5 Super Kirby Clash

Promo art featuring character from Super Kirby Clash

Super Kirby Clash is like a 2D version of Monster Hunter. Players can play alone or with friends to tackle famous bosses from the series. Kirby heroes can also be equipped with classic powers from the series which act like classes or weapons in Monster Hunter.

RELATED: Every Kirby Final Boss, Ranked

It is not the most in-depth game in the franchise, but it is an interesting one that is worth a shot since it is free.

4 Warframe

Promo art featuring character from Warframe

Warframe is the game that keeps on giving. It is one of the most miraculous free-to-play games out there as the content updates are still dropping hot. It doesn’t look or run the best on Switch compared to the other consoles.

It’s a little bit behind at times in terms of content too. It’s still great to see this game somehow run on the Switch as some sort of free equivalent to a game as service title.

3 Brawlhalla

Fighting a match in Brawlhala

Brawlhalla is very much like a free version of Super Smash Bros. It started off with original characters and because of that, not much attention was given. Since its launch, the developers have added more and more guest characters to improve its image including the turtles from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

The roster is still behind Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s and it doesn’t play as well, but for free, Brawlhalla is good for a few rounds.

2 Dauntless

Promo art featuring characters from Dauntless

Dauntless is a more robust take on Monster Hunter. It is a more literal clone in other words. It’s not as open as some of the more recent entries in the series but that’s okay. What this game does better is that matches are quicker.

The grind is also not as taxing. Plus, again like all of these, it is free. It doesn’t run as well on Switch compared to the other consoles it is on but only marginally so. It does have crossplay which is always nice to see.

1 Pinball FX3

The bob’s burger table from Pinball FX3

Pinball FX3 is basically a pinball hub. Players can download this game for free. There are some demos inside and then players can pay about $3 per table. That’s not asking a lot in terms of a free-to-play model.

It has some great tables too based on other games like Portal and TV shows like Bob’s Burgers. $3 is a steal for the amount of fun one can draw from these pinball themes. If that seems like too much to spend then the core hub still has plenty of free content too.

NEXT: Nintendo Games That Never Received A Single Sequel