Our listing of one of the best Change video games of the yr highlights every of the Pocket Techniques group’s favourite video games that they’ve spent many, many hours with over the previous yr. It proves that regardless of being on the cusp of a brand new console, Nintendo by no means slows down.
When you’re inquisitive about one of the best cellular video games of the yr, we’ve managed to select eight of one of the best. Spoiler alert, it accommodates absolute bangers filled with spooks, husbandos, and Greek gods.
Listed here are our picks for one of the best Nintendo Change video games of 2024:
Golden Solar – Ruby’s decide, Editor
There have been loads of nice new video games this yr, however the launch I performed greater than all the remainder was Golden Solar on the Nintendo Change On-line + Growth Pack. There’s a cause the Sport Boy Advance recreation from approach again in 2001 earned the Metacritic Should-Play badge and sits at an excellent rating of 91, and it nonetheless holds up at this time.
You tackle the position of a younger boy who should use highly effective weapons and psynergy to avoid wasting the world from dastardly villains. It feels like typical RPG happenings on the floor, however I like the best way you should use various kinds of magic to resolve puzzles and defeat enemies, and the story is bound to tug you in proper from the beginning.
Sonic X Shadow Generations – Kayleigh’s decide, Deputy Editor
2024 was a strong yr for Nintendo Change releases, with varied Mario video games, a brand new Zelda recreation, and titles corresponding to Prince of Persia: The Misplaced Crown (extra on that from my colleague), however for me, it really was the yr of Shadow. Sonic X Shadow Generations is every part I needed and extra from a brand new Sonic recreation. Not solely did it let me roll again the years with a Generations remaster, however it lastly gave me a model new Shadow the Hedgehog marketing campaign.
Shadow is my favourite Sonic character, and I’m an enormous advocate of his 2005 recreation, so having the ability to go on one other journey with him is nothing in need of a pleasure. The degrees are implausible, the story is enthralling (and equally heartbreaking, poor Maria), and the gameplay is as fulfilling as ever. It fills me with hope for the way forward for the sequence; maybe a whole recreation devoted to Shadow is within the pipeline. Or, on the very least, Sonic Staff is gearing as much as provide us much more experiences with different characters. Massive the Cat fishing recreation when?
Little Kitty, Massive Metropolis – Tilly’s decide, Guides Editor
As an obsessive mother to a candy little black kitty, I used to be offered on Little Kitty, Massive Metropolis as quickly as I caught my first glimpse of it. This pleasant little platformer really appears like a playground filled with paw-sibilities, seeing you are taking management of the titular little kitty in a relatively massive metropolis as you try to search out your approach house.
Whereas it’s easy and never fully purr-fect, it oozes allure from whisker to tail, inviting you to embrace your interior mischievous feline as you befriend the native critters, acquire shinies to change for lovable hats, and extra. Paying homage to a laid-back PS2-era platformer, it’s a chill time appropriate for all audiences, from kittens to chill cats like us. When you’re not offered but, make sure you try our full Little Kitty, Massive Metropolis evaluation, and head over to our Little Kitty, Massive Metropolis interview to listen to all concerning the recreation’s inspirations, challenges, and the way my very own little kitty may’ve been the mastermind behind all of it.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-12 months Door – Connor’s decide, {Hardware} Editor
I’d been ready for a Paper Mario: The Thousand-12 months Door Change port since Nintendo’s handheld first arrived in 2017, and this yr, the gaming large lastly delivered. It’s every part I hoped it could be, with all of the charming dialogue, gripping boss battles, and visible panache of the unique, plus a couple of quality-of-life enhancements and a little bit of post-game content material thrown in for good measure. With that in thoughts, it’s no surprise I gave the sport a 9/10 in my Paper Mario: The Thousand-12 months Door evaluation.
There’s simply one thing about Paper Mario TTYD that stands out from the lengthy listing of Mario’s turn-based escapades. It’s a magic that Nintendo hasn’t been in a position to recapture since, regardless of its finest efforts, and has impressed numerous copycats within the years since. When you’re in search of a recreation to maintain your mind busy and your humorous bone tickled in 2025, it’s value spending a while with Paper Mario and his wafer-thin pals.
Mediterranea Inferno – Daz’s decide, Workers Author
We’re very strict about giving out excellent scores right here at Pocket Techniques, however one such recreation that earned the ten/10 accolade is Mediterranea Inferno. I’ve by no means felt such visceral feelings from a videogame earlier than, which you’ll undoubtedly inform if you happen to’ve learn our Mediterranea Inferno evaluation. This visible novel recreation is in contrast to something I’ve ever performed earlier than and I think about I received’t play something prefer it once more till the solo developer, Lorenzo Redaelli, releases a brand new recreation.
The story follows three queer Italian males of their early twenties, assembly up once more for the primary time post-COVID and making an attempt to recollect learn how to be pals once more. It’s a twisted narrative filled with morally gray characters dealing with exterior stress and insecurities, and trying to navigate the European queer scene. This recreation is an absolute must-play, particularly for these of us with comparable life experiences, because it actually forces you to look within the mirror and assess what actually issues in your life.
Yakuza Kiwami – Holly’s decide, Workers Author
2024 fulfilled a want I’ve had since 2017 – Yakuza on Nintendo Change. Yakuza Kiwami graced the hand held in the end and allows you to dive into Kamurocho as everybody’s favourite protagonist Kiryu wherever you’re, and uncover all of the secrets and techniques of the town’s underbelly.
On high of beating up shmucks whereas sporting a snazzy go well with, you possibly can play hours of Pocket Circuit, win (and lose) on UFO claw machines, sing your coronary heart out at karaoke, rescue individuals in foolish facet quests down each alley, and naturally – sq. off with Goro Majima any time and anyplace. For a full listing of actions, learn my glowing Yakuza Kiwami evaluation right here. Relaxation assured, this is a superb addition to the Change’s library, and I implore everybody to pattern the sequence at the very least as soon as.
Prince of Persia: The Misplaced Crown
– Verna’s decide, Workers Author
Even going in opposition to the weighty grain of nostalgia, Prince of Persia: The Misplaced Crown may be among the finest video games within the franchise. We get to return to Prince of Persia’s 2D platforming roots with a massively fulfilling Metroidvania and a brand-new protagonist, with lovely, colourful surroundings, an intriguing narrative, and fight that’s undeniably enjoyable. The Misplaced Crown has an expansive map with loads of environmental puzzles that take a look at each the verticality of the sport and the brand new skills you decide up in your travels.
It performs splendidly on the Nintendo Change, the extremely stylized visuals make every motion crisp and clear, even if you happen to’re zipping by way of the air on a charged Athra Surge, and above all, Prince of Persia: The Misplaced Crown simply had me coming again for extra. It’s an amazing addition to a well-loved franchise, and it appears like Ubisoft lastly gave Prince of Persia the correct of consideration after so a few years of delicate to average disappointment. Take a look at our Prince of Persia: The Misplaced Crown evaluation for extra of our ideas.
Wild Bastards – Sam’s decide, Workers Author
A non secular successor to 2020’s Void Bastards, the brilliantly titled Wild Bastards doesn’t maintain again in terms of zany motion thrills, oddball characters, and eye-popping visuals. Navigating by way of Wild Bastards’ roguelike FPS recreation journey is commonly laced with surroundings straight out of these cursed The Beatles animated motion pictures from again within the day, or what I occur to see once I’ve had too many cans of Monster.
Throughout the sport’s sprawling array of planets, encountering every of the 13 outlaws appears like I’m placing collectively my very own Guardians of the Galaxy, though every member of this ragtag squad in all probability desires to depart my guts strewn throughout the deepest depths of the intergalactic frontier. Wild Bastards’ gunfights, attractive risk-reward gameplay, and love for the shooter style make it an absolute gem that any Nintendo Change proprietor must personal.
That’s it for our picks of one of the best Nintendo Change video games of 2024! Did your favourite make the listing? If not, possibly you’ll discover it on our listing of one of the best Nintendo Change video games total.