Switch Beginner FAQ: Game Selection, Saving Money, and Online Play

Just got a Switch or have been playing for a while but don't know how to expand your game library? This is a common problem for many people. You've bought the console, but how to pick games, save money, find two-player titles, and whether indie games are worth your time—these questions are more widespread than you'd think. Below, we break them down into the most frequently asked questions.

1. How to find truly fun Switch games?

Let's get straight to the point: don't just look at the cover art and title, and don't rely solely on the ratings on the store page. Many great games are hidden deeper. A better approach is to first browse game rankings and game encyclopedias on various platforms—for example, lists with real player scores in communities like Xingba are much more reliable than the official store's "Top Downloads."

Another practical tip: if you find yourself finishing a game and not knowing what to play next, search for Switch game recommendations by genre. Many players organize lists by categories like "JRPG," "farming sim," or "action-adventure," which is far more efficient than aimlessly browsing the store.

2. Want to play with your partner or friend—what two-player Switch games are there?

Two-player games are an area where it's easy to make mistakes. Many games labeled "multiplayer" actually require one console per person. True same-screen co-op or versus modes are what work for two players on a single Switch. Currently, widely recommended two-player Switch games include the Overcooked series (also known as "Breakup Kitchen"), Kirby and the Forgotten Land (co-op mode), Mario Party, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

One often overlooked detail: some games support "one purchase, two players," like the Just Dance series, which uses a smartphone as a controller—no extra Joy-Con needed. Always check how the multiplayer mode works before buying, so you don't end up with a game where you can only take turns.

3. Are indie games worth seeking out?

Many players first try indie games because they're "on sale and cheap," but their real value isn't the price—they often take more risks in gameplay innovation than big-budget titles. For example, Hollow Knight, Hades, and Stardew Valley have given many people more playtime than some AAA games. If you usually play Nintendo first-party titles, it's worth trying the ones that frequently appear on indie game recommendation lists—they cover a wide range of genres and have low trial costs.

A small reminder: indie games usually don't have physical cartridges. Before buying, it's best to check actual gameplay footage or a demo to avoid being misled by "concept art."

4. Is it better to buy digital or physical cartridges?

There's no standard answer—it depends on your habits. If you never plan to replay a game after finishing it, buying a cartridge and reselling it second-hand is the most cost-effective option; you might only lose ten or twenty dollars. But if you're the type to pick up and play on a whim, digital is more convenient—no swapping cartridges, just turn on and play anytime. Communities like Xingba have Nintendo game recommendations and digital price comparisons. Keep an eye on eShop discounts in different regions; some games' historical lows can be as low as 30% of the original price.

There's also a practical issue: digital games take up storage space. The Switch itself has very limited capacity (the original model only has 32GB). Buying too many digital games means either frequently deleting games or buying a microSD card. Cartridge users don't have this worry.

5. Too many games to choose from—how do I decide?

If you're staring at a huge list of games and your mind goes blank, the simplest way is to first decide what type of game you want to play recently ("relaxing" or "challenging"), then check the top ten in that category on a game ranking. Another approach is to browse game encyclopedia "player tags"—tags like "healing," "hardcore," or "great story" are closer to the real experience than official categories.

Don't overlook user reviews in the community. Some games look cool in trailers but are boring to play; others with average graphics can be addictive once you get into them. Reading real player experiences is more effective than official descriptions.

In the end, the Switch's game ecosystem is unique—it has both high-quality exclusives carefully curated by Nintendo, plus a large number of indie games and third-party ports. Once you get these questions sorted, you'll hardly waste money or end up with games that collect dust. If you still have specific doubts, browsing Xingba's game library and community posts is far easier than researching alone.