The Best Switch Games of 2021

by Jason Dietz, Metacritic Features Editor – January 2, 2022

Which Nintendo Switch games impressed professional reviewers the most during the past year? We rank the best-reviewed Switch games released between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021 by Metascore. Games must have at least 7 reviews from professional critics to be eligible for inclusion. (All scores listed here are from January 1, 2022.)

10 of 14 photo by Devolver

88 Death's Door

(#4) Death's Door is the latest release from Acid Nerve, the two-person British indie studio best known for the 2015 game Titan Souls. The story-driven fantasy action game follows a sword-wielding, grim reaper-type character named Crow who must reclaim a soul that has been stolen, fighting off giants known as "tyrants" along the way. The sword-and-magic-based combat certainly owes a debt to Zelda but the game's blend of darkness, humor, difficulty, and cute design is unique.

“There’s a reason why Death’s Door won the 2021 Golden Joystick Award for Best Indie Game and was nominated for the Best Independent Game Award at The Game Awards this year — it’s damn good. Nothing is missing here, every component perfectly balanced against everything else to make for a near-spiritual gaming experience.” —Hey Poor Player

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