If Dreams Come True: The Best Xbox Game Pass Games to Play on Nintendo Switch
With rumors swirling that Microsoft is gearing up to bring Xbox Game Pass and other Xbox Live features to basically every screen they can, sources say that excitingly includes Nintendo Switch. So, we decided to have fun and get ahead of ourselves with a list of the best Xbox Game Pass games to play on the Switch.
This list isn’t organized in any specific way, but there’s no better example of a Game Pass game suited for Switch’s on-the-go capabilities than Playground’s award-winning open-world racer. It’s the type of game you can jump into for long or short intervals and always feel like you’ve accomplished something thanks to the way the game constantly throws more objectives at you.
The progenitor of battle royale is already on smartphones, so plenty of people already enjoy playing PUBG on mobile platforms, but to have it on Switch — bigger screen, physical buttons — would make it the best place to play when you’re away from your TV.
While not the best mobile gaming experience, we think it would just be too cool not to have Gears running on a Nintendo device. We’ve highlighted the original here so new players can jump on and start fresh, but really the whole Game Pass-ready series would be awesome on Switch.
Like Forza , Undead Labs’ zombie survival game offers plenty to do in both short and long play sessions. Taking State of Decay 2 on a trip without lugging around a huge console in your backpack is a true dream come true for at least one TA staff writer (see: me).
Strange Brigade is a game that’s very comfortable in its own skin. With quick, fun action and a story that isn’t meant to be taken too seriously, it lends itself well to the jump-right-in nature of its online modes, which in turn translates well to mobile gaming when you’re just looking to pass the time.
Where would Super Lucky’s Tale be without Nintendo’s trailblazing platformers? Probably nonexistent, so this pick feels like it’s all come full circle. The cutesy colorful Lucky and friends already feel at home on Nintendo platforms.
Here’s another with ties to early Nintendo systems, as some of those that made ReCore first made names for themselves working on Metroid Prime and Mega Man . It would feel like a happy homecoming for Keiji Inafune and company to play ReCore on a Switch.
Part of the Xbox on Switch rumors say Microsoft will be releasing their first-party games directly on the device, seemingly aside from their Game Pass inclusion, and the Ori sequel was mentioned as one such title that may get that treatment, so it’s only natural that players old and new to the Xbox brand play this Metroidvania on Nintendo Switch.
Not nearly as suitable for short-burst playtime, having Mass Effect on Switch would be as cool as it was to get Skyrim on Switch. Who can say they wouldn’t start a new save file to play as a more mobile Shepard?
Saints Row is a great example of a dumb fun sort of game. It needn’t be taken seriously and thus can be picked up whenever, wherever. That makes it the perfect choice to play undocked on a Switch.
As you can see, a lot of the fun in this idea is getting to experience previously Xbox-exclusive games on a new mobile platform. That’s precisely the appeal with Fable . It doesn’t feel so far off from a Nintendo game anyway, with its signature charm and wit feeling at home on the family-friendlier platform.
Speaking of family friendly, here’s one of the best options on the list. Zoo Tycoon feels like a mobile game already, only it offers all the depth you’d want without the annoying paywalls so often plaguing iOS and Android stores. You could even play this while you’re actually at the zoo — which is ridiculous, we know.
It’s not the best game from Rare’s iconic series, but what would an Xbox-Nintendo partnership be without a Rare game or two? Heck, throw in Sea of Thieves and Perfect Dark Zero while you’re at it. It’ll be a crossover event everyone wants but no one expected.
