Nintendo was never known for creating consoles that were home to some of the best shooters, but the company has turned that around with Switch games — offering a robust lineup of shooting games in 2D, 3D, first-person, and third-person, with a little something for everyone. You’ll find indie shooters on the system, some from AAA third parties, and even one from Nintendo itself. While the Switch doesn’t stand toe to toe with the PC, Xbox Series X/S, or PS5 shooter games, it has enough variety to make it a solid choice when playing games of that genre.
In this list, we’ll go through the best shooters on the platform — while highlighting what makes them so great. Let’s hope the Nintendo Switch keeps the momentum going as a great system for shooters for years to come.
Below are the best shooter games on the Nintendo Switch, including some free FPS games worth playing.
Recommended reading
DOOM
86 %3.5/5MPlatformsNintendo SwitchGenreShooterDeveloperid SoftwarePublisherBethesda SoftworksReleaseMay 12, 2016Id Software and Bethesda surprised just about everyone when 2016’sDoomreboot managed to not only be worthy of the series’ name, but wasmilesbetter than we assumed it would be. The smooth action and brutal Glory Kills system were impressive on PC, Xbox One, and PS4, but the Nintendo Switch port managed to make the kill perfectly playable on a handheld as well. Despite lower resolutions and some muddy textures,Doomruns like a dream on Switch. Its sequel,Doom Eternal,is available on Switch as well, though it’s largely regarded as a downgrade from the first entry, at least in terms of performance on Switch.Read our full DOOM review
Metroid Dread
88 %4.5/5TPlatformsNintendo SwitchGenrePlatform, AdventureDeveloperMercurySteam, Nintendo EPDPublisherNintendoReleaseOctober 07, 2021If you’re looking for one of the best Metroidvania games on Switch, this is it.Metroid Dread picks up whereFusion left off narratively, but it’s a much more mechanically modern title comparatively. As a shooter, it has the vibe of an old-school 2D Metroid game with some difficult fights. You get access to weapon upgrades, suite upgrades, and a whole suite of abilities to play around with. Dread also ups the series’ horror tendencies as Samus must escape from the robotic E.M.M.I., which stalk her likeAlien‘s xenomorphs. It all comes together to form one of the scariest, toughest, and most stylish games Nintendo has made in a very long time. Take a look at our Metroid Dread beginner’s guide to get started.Read our full Metroid Dread review
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
83 %4/5MPlatformsPC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo SwitchGenreShooter, AdventureDeveloperMachineGamesPublisherBethesda SoftworksReleaseOctober 27, 2017Bethesda’s other major first-person shooter franchise went in a very different direction with the 2014 soft-reboot,Wolfenstein: The New Order, and its sequelWolfenstein II: The New Colossus, which is available in full on Nintendo Switch. Set primarily in an alternate-history United States taken over by Nazi Germany, the game’s story sees legendary hero BJ Blazkowicz slaughter fascists in even more entertaining ways and even offers information on his childhood and parents. It’s backed up by excellent first-person shooting gameplay with plenty of challenge, too, letting you play as either a one-man wrecking crew or as a stealthier agent who takes out his enemies from a distance. If you’re a fan ofDoom andDoom Eternal, you might likeWolfenstein II. Check out more Bethesda games if you want to go even further.Read our full Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus review
Overwatch
83 %4/5TPlatformsPC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo SwitchGenreShooter, StrategyDeveloperBlizzard EntertainmentPublisherBlizzard Entertainment, Square EnixReleaseMay 24, 2016It took a few years, butOverwatchfinally released for Nintendo Switch in 2019, and despite some lower-resolution textures and a few loading issues, it’s a perfectly fine way to play the online shooter. The same characters, maps, and modes are intact, and with a Wi-Fi connection when you’re out and about, it’s the perfect way to keep playing and leveling up your account. The game’s blend of tactical team-based objective gameplay with all-out action never gets old, and the continued release of new characters and events has kept players on other platforms coming back for years. There are few games that have been able to pull that off, even as a mountain of imitators have attempted to steal Blizzard’s thunder. Be on the lookout forOverwatch 2 if you like this one — though it’ll be a while before the sequel is released.Read our full Overwatch review
SUPERHOT
77 %TPlatformsLinux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Google StadiaGenreShooter, Puzzle, Tactical, IndieDeveloperSUPERHOT TeamPublisherIMGN.PRO, SUPERHOT TeamReleaseFebruary 25, 2016Few shooter games are as creative asSuperhot, and even fewer are able to execute on their ideas as well. Set in a cyberpunk-infused world with a user interface similar toThe Matrix, you battle against faceless enemies and are killed instantly if you take one hit. The twist inSuperhot, however, is that time only moves when you move, so you can plan every step and attack in advance to take down your targets efficiently. It’s a simple gimmick that manages to beextremelyeffective, and the story that unfolds in between each stage had us invested and frequently laughing from beginning to the very end. It’s definitely one of the coolest Nintendo Switch games out there.
Bulletstorm: Duke of Switch Edition
90 %MPlatformsNintendo SwitchGenreShooterPublisherGearbox PublishingReleaseAugust 29, 2019A first-person shooter that plays as an exaggerated parody of other first-person shooters, People Can Fly’sBulletstormdidn’t make much of a splash when it initially released on last-generation consoles. That’s a shame, because the game’s irreverence, ridiculous story, and Skillshot system make it a breath of fresh air compared to all the gray-and-brown military shooters that have become so popular. The Switch version even includes the option to play as Duke Nukem for the entire game, if you’re into that, and you’ll definitely be saying the game’s dumb one-liners after you stop playing.
BioShock: The Collection
87 %MPlatformsPC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo SwitchGenreShooter, Role-playing (RPG), AdventureDeveloper2K Games, VirtuosPublisher2K Games, Take-Two InteractiveReleaseSeptember 13, 2016Even 13 years after its original release,BioShock remains one of the best first-person shooters of all time — and thankfully, we can now play it on the go on Nintendo Switch. Its visual style is designed in such a way that it still looks great and will likely remain timeless. The underwater city of Rapture oozes with environmental storytelling, and its inhabitants are just as creepy as ever. We arguably don’t get enough good survival horror games (or many at all), butBioShock is up there with the greats likeResident Evil andDead Space. When you’re finished with the first one, you can play its follow-ups,BioShock 2 andBioShock: Infinite, as part of the collection on Switch.
Borderlands Legendary Collection
MPlatformsPlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo SwitchGenreShooter, Role-playing (RPG)DeveloperGearbox SoftwarePublisher2K Games, Take-Two InteractiveReleaseMay 29, 2020We also don’t get enough shooter RPGs, but thankfully, the fan-favoriteBorderlands 2 is available on Switch. It sends you on an insane quest for loot, with over-the-top weapons and a gameplay loop that will likely sink its teeth into you. It’s important for a game tofeel good to play, andBorderlands 2 absolutely hits it out of the park in that department. Unlike a lot of shooters that focus on dark and realistic tones, Borderlands always has emphasized silly themes and sticks out due to its beautiful cel-shaded visuals. You can play the originalBorderlands,The Pre-Sequel, andBorderlands 2, along with all of their DLC, on Nintendo Switch.Borderlands 2 is easily one of the best FPS games of all time and it’s now available on Switch!
Splatoon 2
83 %E10PlatformsNintendo SwitchGenreShooter, PlatformDeveloperNintendo EPDPublisherNintendoReleaseJuly 21, 2017The only game developed by Nintendo itself on this list,Splatoon 2, is exactly what aSplatoonsequel needed to be: more Splatoon. The multiplayer gameplay remains fast-paced and intense as you destroy your enemies with ink blasters while also trying to cover the map in as much ink as possible, and the game’s multiplayer progression system and customization options keep you engaged despite matches playing out similarly each time. It also offers another creative and platforming-filled campaign mode filled with plenty of fish puns, as well as a new cooperative Salmon Run mode that will put your abilities to the test. We also haveSplatoon 3 to look forward to, which is planned to launch in 2022!
Fortnite
68 %4/5TPlatformsPC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Android, iOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|SGenreShooter, Role-playing (RPG), StrategyDeveloperEpic GamesPublisherEpic GamesReleaseJuly 25, 2017The biggest video game in the world can be played in your living room or while you’re sitting on the toilet.Fortnite: Battle Royaletook the basic formula established in titles likeThe CullingandPlayerUnknown’s Battlegroundsand mixed in a structure-building element that lets you turn any location into a defendable fortress. Its goofy art style and continuous updates have changed the game drastically over time, and as a cross-play game, it is supported across all systems. This means a Switch player can enjoy the battle royale game with his friends on Xbox, PlayStation, or even their mobile phone, so no one has to ever play by themselves again. As one of the best free games on Switch, it also comes at no cost to you.Read our full Fortnite review
The Outer Worlds
80 %5/5MPlatformsPC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo SwitchGenreShooter, Role-playing (RPG), AdventureDeveloperObsidian EntertainmentPublisherPrivate DivisionReleaseOctober 25, 2019Fans of the Fallout series will be right at home, asThe Outer Worlds gives players dozens the choices to make, weapons to wield, and locations to explore, all while navigating a satirical storyline. A few concessions had to be made due to technical limitations, and the graphics leave a bit to be desired, but anyone looking for an FPS fix will be happy this gem found a home on the Switch. When it first launched for Switch, it was a little tough to play due to performance issues, but it runs a lot more smoothly now. You can also keep an eye out forThe Outer Worlds 2 which will come out at some point in the future.Read our full The Outer Worlds review
Warframe
76 %MPlatformsPC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|SGenreShooter, Role-playing (RPG), AdventureDeveloperDigital ExtremesPublisherDigital ExtremesReleaseMarch 25, 2013You can’t playDestiny 2on Nintendo Switch, but you can play a game that millions of players seem to prefer:Warframe. The free-to-play science-fiction game blends elements of shooters and third-person action together, with a ton of content and customization options. It’s a free-to-play game done well, never feeling like it’s asking for your money before you can do well, and developer Digital Extremes even includes enormous ships you can fly through space to take on roaming enemies. You have very little to lose by trying it out, except the time you’ll spend playing it if it manages to get its hooks in you — especially with it being a free game.
Resident Evil 4 HD
89 %MPlatformsPC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo SwitchGenreShooter, AdventureDeveloperCapcom Production Studio 4PublisherCapcomReleaseSeptember 08, 2011Sure,Resident Evil 4 often is categorized as a survival horror game, but c’mon — it’s a shooter, too. Many consider it to be the best Resident Evil game in the series, and while we like to lean more toward the newer entries likeResident Evil 7 and the recent remakes, Resident Evil 4 is a must-play. It masterfully treads the line between a shooter and horror game, with tons of campy characters and scary monsters to fall in love with. This Switch game especially satisfying to acquire new upgrades to make the main character, Leon Kennedy, even stronger. Even if this game has some outdated things like the depiction of its damsel in distress, Ashley, there’s still a lot to love inRE4. Word on the street is that it will be getting a remake treatment, due out in the next few years, so survival horror fans might have that to look forward to.
The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+
85 %4.5/5MPlatformsLinux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo SwitchGenreShooter, Role-playing (RPG), Adventure, IndieDeveloperEdmund McMillen, Nicalis, Inc.PublisherNicalis, Inc.ReleaseJanuary 03, 2017What a bizarre and wild game.The Binding of Isaac is a rougelike that we’re honestly surprised is even available on the Nintendo Switch, due to its heavy religious themes. It just goes to show how Nintendo — and video games as a whole — have evolved over time. In this Nintendo Switch game, you play as a naked baby named Isaac, who shoots horrifying enemies with his tears (no, we aren’t joking). It plays a lot like a dungeon crawler but features procedurally generated levels, in which no two runs are the same. But this also feels like a horror game at times. Random drops will help (or hurt) your character as he climbs through each floor in this top-down shooter. It’s grotesque, difficult, and funny — and there isn’t anything else like it.Read our full The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+ review
Ikaruga
89 %EPlatformsPC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox 360, Nintendo GameCube, Dreamcast, Android, PlayStation 4, Arcade, Nintendo SwitchGenreShooter, Puzzle, Indie, ArcadeDeveloperG.rev, TreasurePublisherSega, ESP Software, Atari, Treasure, Nicalis, Inc.ReleaseDecember 20, 2001One of the best modern shoot-‘em-up and bullet hell games available on any platform, Switch included,Ikarugais absolutely perfect for the platform. The game only makes use of a few buttons, with your ship able to fire projectiles and switch its polarity to deal damage against certain enemies while absorbing attacks from others. The game served as the main source of inspiration forNier: Automata, and while we wait for that game to finally release on the console, you can get a taste of its aesthetic and intensity here. Just don’t get too upset if you find yourself struggling to make it more than a few minutes in without dying.
Jamestown+
79 %E10PlatformsPC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Nintendo SwitchGenreShooter, Adventure, Indie, ArcadeDeveloperFinal Form Games, Final Form GamesPublisherFinal Form GamesReleaseMarch 17, 2015First released in 2011 asJamestown: Legend of the Lost Colony, the alternate-history vertical shooter came to Switch in 2019 asJamestown+. The game is set on Mars hundreds of years in the past and sees colonizing forces battling it out with an array of advanced weaponry. It has the classic intense feedback you want from a vertical shooter, and it uses a gold-collecting system to power special “Vaunt” abilities that give you momentary shielding and increased damage.Jamestown+is so much more than meets the eye, and its soundtrack is a bizarre blend of golden gaming age nostalgia and frontier-era music that we’ve never heard before.
Nuclear Throne
70 %E10PlatformsLinux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo SwitchGenreShooter, Role-playing (RPG), Adventure, Indie, ArcadeDeveloperVlambeerPublisherVlambeerReleaseDecember 05, 2015Rogue-like games and shooters don’t usually mix, but no one told that to Vlambeer. The developer’s take on the top-down shooter lets you augment yourself with abilities via the nuclear wasteland, and backs it up with blistering shooting action as you make your way to the titular Nuclear Throne. You have tons of different weapons and explosives to choose from as you fight your way to your goal, and you’ll need to learn just a little bit more on each run if you want to ever be successful. Even just one slip-up can leave you vulnerable to shot from the game’s bizarre enemies, so never take your safety for granted.
Cuphead
86 %E10PlatformsPC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo SwitchGenrePlatform, Adventure, Indie, ArcadeDeveloperStudio MDHRPublisherStudio MDHRReleaseSeptember 29, 2017Initially only available on Xbox One and PC,Cupheadnow is an indie game on Nintendo Switch, and we’re so glad it is. The 2D shooter plays like a classic run-and-gun game mixed with a platformer, and its art style is reminiscent of classic Disney animated films likeSteamboat Willie. Don’t let the cute exterior fool you, however, as it’s also one of the hardest games available on Switch. The Cuphead bosses show you no mercy, particularly as you approach the ending, and it will take every ounce of your abilities to make it to the final boss unscathed.
Rolling Gunner
98 %E10PlatformsPC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo SwitchGenreShooter, Indie, ArcadeDeveloperProject Rolling GunnerPublishermebiusReleaseAugust 10, 2018Rolling Gunner is a traditional horizontal shooting game exclusive to Nintendo Switch, and it will appeal to fans of Thunder Cross and Gradius. It’s a challenging game — you’ll need to avoid bullets while attacking enemy ships — but you can customize your difficulty setting if need be. It features a marriage of modern and retro visual styles, with both forefront and hidden enemies. It’s not exactly revolutionary, but it builds on the classic shooter games of the 1990s and early 2000s.
Blazing Chrome
81 %TPlatformsPC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo SwitchGenreShooter, Platform, Indie, ArcadeDeveloperJoyMasherPublisherThe Arcade CrewReleaseJuly 11, 2019This list doesn’t include Contra: Rogue Corps, even if it’s available on Nintendo Switch. It’s a low-quality Contra game for both consoles and arcade shooters. As an alternative, we suggest Blazing Chrome, which is similar to Contra III and Contra: Hard Corps in all the best ways. You’ll get challenging bosses and enemies and tons of weapon choices, but the best part about Blazing Chrome is its ample checkpoint and continue system. You won’t need to waste time starting from scratch if you’re having trouble with one section.
Sine Mora EX
71 %MPlatformsPC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo SwitchGenreShooter, ArcadePublisherTHQ NordicReleaseJuly 31, 2017Similar to Ikaruga, Sine Mora EX puts a fun variation on a standard aerial arcade shooter game by linking your health with the time limit. If your enemies hit you, you won’t instantly die, but your time available to finish the level will decrease. This feature means you don’t have any room for mistakes, and you’ll need to beat the bosses as fast as you can if you want time to finish your objective. The game is set against a dark apocalyptic backdrop with voice acting but also offers a separate arcade mode if you’re purely focused on the shooting.
Turok
67 %MPlatformsPC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo SwitchGenreShooter, Platform, AdventureDeveloperNight Dive StudiosPublisherNight Dive Studios, Limited Run GamesReleaseDecember 17, 2015Functioning as an enhanced port of the 1997 classic,Turok: Dinosaur Hunter is a first-person shooter that — as its name suggests — pits you against deadly dinosaurs. In 1997, 3D worlds were still a novel idea, and this is one of the games that brought 3D to the forefront. In this Nintendo Switch game, you’ll use a large arsenal of weapons (including a grenade launcher, Plasma Pulse Rifle, the Atomic Fusion Cannon, and more) to take out a slew of foes such as the Laser-Guided T-Rex. Expect to navigate through traps and puzzles along the way, as you progress towards defeating the evil overlord known as The Campaigner.
Apex Legends
78 %4/5TPlatformsPC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo SwitchGenreShooterDeveloperRespawn EntertainmentPublisherElectronic ArtsReleaseFebruary 04, 2019In terms of value, it doesn’t get much better thanApex Legends, a free-to-play multiplayer Battle Royale shooter that launched for Nintendo Switch in 2021. This FPS game has been available on other platforms since 2019, but is now playable on the Switch, with cross-play functionality as well.Apex Legends features a slew of characters to choose from, each with their own unique abilities and personalities. This offers a twist on the familiar battle royale formula, giving it elements of hero shooter as well. And thanks to Respawn Entertainments’ continued support,Apex Legends players have no shortage of content to enjoy, with more planned for the future.Read our full Apex Legends review
Metro Redux
84 %MPlatformsLinux, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|SGenreShooter, Role-playing (RPG)Developer4A GamesPublisherDeep Silver, Koch MediaReleaseAugust 26, 2014Metro Redux is a compilation featuringMetro 2033 andMetro: Last Light, which originally launched in 2010 and 2013, respectively. These are two of the best survival first-person shooters, with an emphasis on exploration, resource management, and horror. Both games give you an arsenal of weapons to choose from, but don’t expect to mow down enemies Rambo-style. Instead, you’ll need to preserve ammo as much as possible by using stealth attacks to get by unseen. The Metro series leans into realism, with a limited heads-up display (HUD), and immersive animations that mimic real life. While these two entries aren’t as good as the recentMetro Exodus, they’re both fantastic and worth playing on Switch.
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