Highlights

• Nintendo may not be known for mature gaming, but there are a few adult-oriented gems on the Switch.
• Diablo 3, Divinity: Original Sin 2, and Bayonetta 3 are M-rated Switch games that offer satisfying adult gaming experiences.
• Other notable M-rated games on the Switch include Red Dead Redemption, Disco Elysium, BioShock: The Collection, Skyrim, Dusk, and Inside.

Nintendo consoles are well-known for many things; for Mario and Zelda, for innovation, for family-friendly fun, and much more. One thing that Nintendo isn’t known for, however, is mature gaming.

Nintendo’s first-party titles are almost exclusively centered around beloved mascot characters who are easily marketable to children while still being popular with adults for their corresponding games’ consistent quality, whether it be Mario, Donkey Kong, Kirby, or any of the other iconic Nintendo franchises.

Although M-rated Switch games are few and far between, there are a handful of gems on the system that will surely satisfy those looking for a more adult gaming experience.

Updated on January 3, 2024 by Mark Sammut: The Nintendo Switch is largely known as a family-friendly system, but the console is not lacking in adult-oriented projects either. In fact, some of the best Switch games are M-rated.

11 Diablo 3: Eternal Collection

Due To Blood And Gore, Partial Nudity, Violence

Diablo 3 was developed by Blizzard Entertainment and released on Switch in November 2018, over six years after it was first released on PC. It has aged remarkably well.

The Nintendo Switch received the Eternal Collection version of the hack and slash role-playing game, which contains the Rise of the Necromancer and Reaper of Souls expansions. Diablo 3 was a hit with critics, exemplified by its 88 Metascore for both the PC and Nintendo Switch versions of the game.

10 Divinity: Original Sin 2 – Definitive Edition

Due To Blood and Gore, Language, Sexual Themes, Violence

Larian Studios’ Divinity: Original Sin 2 is a fantasy role-playing game that was released on the Nintendo Switch in September 2019, just under two years after it first hit stores. The game is best known for its intricate combat mechanics, story, and seamless cooperative features that make the game a blast to play with friends.

The Switch’s Definitive Edition version of the game adds a range of new features, including a tutorial, new story content, and an overhauled Arena mode.

9 Bayonetta 3

Due To Blood And Gore, Partial Nudity, Strong Language, Violence

All three Bayonetta games are playable on the Nintendo Switch, and they form a consistently great trilogy. Now, the third entry is generally not regarded as the franchise's high point, but it deserves a mention here due to being the only title created specifically for the Nintendo Switch. While the more open stages result in a few too many empty spaces with little action, Bayonetta 3 nevertheless shines through its combat, which is the most accessible and easiest in the series so far.

Bayonetta (and players) are granted access to a plethora of battle options that make her feel regularly overpowered. There is also a secondary playable character who focuses on blocking and parrying rather than dodging. Story-wise, Bayonetta 3 takes a few unique turns that will likely not be to everyone's fancy, although the plot still retains the over-the-top tone that defines the previous games.

8 Red Dead Redemption

Due To Blood, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use Of Drugs

Rockstar has not released many games on Nintendo consoles over the last decade, and the publisher has not shown any interest in crafting experience specifically for the Switch. At least, in 2023, the company ported Red Dead Redemption, one of the landmark open-world releases of the PS3 era, to the system. In a vacuum, RDR is among the best games of all time, which naturally makes it a standout on any modern console; however, the Switch version brings very little new to the plate despite its high price tag. Consequently, it feels like a missed opportunity.

Still, RDR has aged well in the areas that matter: story and characters. John Marston's quest to save his family by completing jobs for the Bureau of Investigation features some of Rockstar's strongest writing, particularly in the narrative's gradual breakdown of the protagonist's past.

7 Disco Elysium: The Final Cut

Due To Blood, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs, Violence

Disco Elysium was originally released exclusively on PC in October 2019, before coming to a range of other systems in the months and years that followed, including PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and of course, Nintendo Switch. It brought the best of modern text-based gaming to the console.

The Nintendo Switch received the expanded version of the game, known as Disco Elysium: The Final Cut, which features full voice acting and new content. ZA/UM’s game impressed fans and critics with its encapsulating story and unique art style that is reminiscent of oil paintings.

6 The House In Fata Morgana - Dreams Of The Revenants Edition

Due To Blood And Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language

Considering how family-friendly the Nintendo Switch is, players might mistakenly believe that the top ten list is all cartoons and bright animations. Nope! The House In Fata Morgana is ranked third-highest for any Switch game of all time and is the top-rated mature game on the console.

Gamers who usually don't enjoy visual novels may still enjoy this game due to the fantastic artwork that spans almost a thousand years of storytelling. Even the most emotionless player will find their heartstrings being pulled.

5 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition

Due To Blood And Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use Of Alcohol

The Nintendo Switch's Complete Edition version of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt contains every DLC, including the two critically acclaimed comprehensive story expansions, Blood and Wine & Hearts of Stone, which are today regarded as the benchmark for other story DLCs.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt turned heads in 2015 with its incredible visuals and kept players’ attention with the excellent range of quests that often feature engrossing stories that will suck players into the game’s fantasy world. Players aren’t just along for the ride with the story, however, as they must make numerous crucial decisions that can greatly affect the narrative’s outcome through the universally beloved Geralt.

4 BioShock: The Collection

Due To Blood And Gore, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use Of Alcohol And Tobacco

BioShock: The Collection was released in September 2016 and is a great value-for-money package that contains the iconic BioShock trilogy and their DLCs - the package also features remastered versions of the first two games. For those that haven’t played the trilogy yet, the collection is worth buying for the atmosphere in the first game alone, as the descent into Rapture is still as breathtaking today as when the game was first released in August 2007/

Although the second game struggled to reach the heights of its predecessor, it’s still a great time for fans of the series, particularly as it lets gamers play as a Big Daddy for the first time. The third game responded to criticisms that the second game was too similar to the first, with a complete change of pace by taking players out of the underwater city of Rapture to the beautiful city in the sky known as Columbia. Who knows what the setting for the next installment will be?

3 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Due To Blood And Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Use Of Alcohol

Given how long Skyrim has been out now, it’s easy to forget just how good the game is, as firing up the game and starting a new save has become almost second nature to some players.

Skyrim’s level of role-playing freedom is what keeps drawing players back, as the game can be played aggressively with players completing as many mercenary quests as possible or passively with players opting to focus on house building, trade, crafting, or other casual activities.

The Anniversary Edition is also on the Nintendo Switch.

2 Dusk

Due To Blood And Gore, Use Of Alcohol And Tobacco, Violence

The Nintendo Switch has a few M-rated FPSs due to Doom and Wolfenstein being available on the platform, and most of those projects are fine options. However, due to Switch's limitations compared to other modern consoles, it provides the worst versions of Doom Eternal or Wolfenstein 2, which makes them slightly difficult to recommend to anyone who has alternatives to the Nintendo system.

Consequently, Dusk is a better pick since it runs well on the hybrid console; furthermore, it is an excellent game by any metric. Split into separate stories and taking inspiration from '90s run and gun classics, Dusk nails its atmosphere, dropping players in a series of episodes soaking in horror imagery. The frantic gunplay feels great, and players gradually unlock an impressive array of weapons that are powerful and creative.

1 Inside

Due To Blood And Gore, Violence

Don't let the artistic simplicity or young protagonist fool anybody, this game is definitely one that takes a mature mind to appreciate. The tense moments where defeat is a whisper away are tough to survive and take experienced reflexes to navigate.

The game is full of puzzles but the plot itself is a puzzle. Deducing what is going on in this world takes a clear head, calm nerves, and an inquisitive mind. The somber atmosphere is a delightful change of pace for Switch gamers.MORE: The Best Switch Games Under $10