If it’s the perfect game to play with a mate or a last-minute Xmas gift you are after, the crew at Happy has pulled together our favs.

Evolution is a beautiful thing, just look at how far our iconic little pizza maker has come since starting out on Donkey Kong. 

As we near the holidays, and gear up to spend some downtime with family and friends, there is literally nothing better than a sweet new game to enjoy.

When it comes to consoles, the Nintendo Switch just keeps giving, with some of the best games going, not to mention the stack of new updates and features, we thought we would share a few of our favourites to set you up for the holiday season and beyond. 

Whether you are looking to add to your Nintendo Switch titles or are looking for a guide to the best Nintendo Switch games going right now, you can confidently tick off buying the perfect present from your shopping list, because with any one of these, you are guaranteed to put a smile on someone’s dial.

Nintendo Switch Sports

If you are looking for a bit of friendly competition that will include the whole family, this is it. 

Get moving with Football (Soccer), Bowling, Volleyball, Tennis, Badminton, and Chambara (Swordplay) using Joy-Con controllers – one of the most intuitive controllers going. You can confidently hit the court, field, or lane, and add a little curve to your bowling ball, or spin to your tennis shot.

The addition of a seventh sport has just been included via a free update, so get your golfing arm ready because Golf has come to Nintendo Switch sports. 

Sporting a couple of cool features, friends, family, and other players near or far can join in, at home, or online (paid membership required). As you play online, you can redeem points for in-game rewards like outfits, sports accessories, gear, and much much more.  

NINTENDO SWITCH SPORTS

BUY HERE

Splatoon 3

One of the most colourful and interactive action shooter games going, Splatoon 3 is packed with a great story, loads of style, and attitude. 

Enter the Splatlands, and find yourself immersed in a sunburnt desert controlled by the battle-hardened Inklings and Octolings, where you have to ink, dive, swim, and splat your way to the top.

As well as a new story mode, there is a stack of gameplay options.

Turf War gameplay is Splatsvilles local’s favourite pastime. Two teams of four compete to ink the most turf on the map within three minutes. Points can also be accumulated by inkling literally anything you come across.

Loads of new techniques have been introduced, like the Squid Surge where players can swim up walls in a single burst, and the Squid Roll which makes it possible to jump out of ink while turning around. You can even get your ‘glow’ on while making your move, which acts as an ink repellent.

Turf War battles aren’t the only types of encounters in the Splatlands. In Anarchy Battles, players compete for rankings. There are four separate modes, which are on rotation: Splat Zones, Tower Control, Rainmaker and Clam Blitz. Anarchy Battle (Series) is for players who want to take on a challenging solo. Alternatively, joining Anarchy Battle (Open) is the way to go when teaming up with friends.

Salmon Run mode returns in Splatoon 3, which requires four players to team up and collect Power Eggs from the Salmonids advancement.  Expect to encounter ferocious creatures called Boss Salmonids, the new Slammin’ Lid, and the Big Shot. In addition, every few months, there’s Big Run, an event where Salmonids invade the city in which Inklings and Octolings live.

There is also Story Mode: Return of the Mammalians, which is ideal for getting the hang of weapons and battles, all while you set out on an adventure to discover the secrets of Alterna, and the Fuzzy Ooze. As the latest recruit of the New Squidbeak Splatoon aka Agent 3, players will battle it out with the Octarian Army, or explore the many stages, jam-packed with twists and turns.

Splatoon has loads of special features that include some majorly exotic locations, like the Eeltail Alley, Scorch Gorge, Mincemeat Metalworks, and Undertow Spillway. There’s also the new Hagglefish Market, a pier filled to the brim with vibrant street vendors.

All original weapon types are available from the start, as well as a wide array of new ones, like the bow-like Tri-Stringer, and stat boosters, in the form of the Tacticooler –  a fridge with boosting beverages for the team.

There is also a very cool lobby, where online friends appear as 3D holograms, you can also access the memory player, where you can watch recent battles.

SPLATOON 3

BUY HERE

Pokémon Scarlet & Pokémon Violet

Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet, are the newest chapters in the Pokémon series, and best of all, they come with loads of new Pokémon to discover.  You can set out to explore at your own pace, and hone your skills as a Pokémon Trainer in your own timely fashion. 

With so many never-before-seen Pokémon just waiting to meet you, you can catch, battle, and train Pokémon in a vast land filled with lakes, towering peaks, wastelands, small towns, and sprawling cities.

Partner up with Sprigatito, Fuecoco, or Quaxly, before setting off on your journey over land, water, and air by riding on a form-shifting Legendary Pokémon—Koraidon in Pokémon Scarlet and Miraidon in Pokémon Violet.

Online is a big part of Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. You and up to three friends can join each other and explore Paldea together at the same time, in the same world (you’ll need a Nintendo Switch Online Subscription). That means you can get up to some mischief together, take photos, or just help each other out and give each other tips while all playing at the same time. 

POKEMON SCARLET AND POKEMON VIOLET

BUY HERE

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Enjoy the biggest Mario Kart yet and race anytime, anywhere, with anyone. Whether you’re pitting against your family on the big screen in your living room or visiting a friend’s house over the weekend, take the fun factor up a notch and play your way.

There are plenty of great features that tick all the boxes of this classic game, that include: The ability to race as every character.

Battle on new courses, like Urchin Underpass and Battle Stadium, or returning ones, such as GCN Luigi’s Mansion and SNES Battle Course 1.

Race in three new Spaltoon-inspired vehicles, alongside Splatoon’s very own Inkling Girl and Inkling Boy, King Boo, Dry Bones, and Bowser Jr.

In addition, there is now Smart steering, which makes driving easier for those just starting out. Best of all, you can play with your friends in local wireless multiplayer with up to 8 players.

This is also a great time of year to take advantage of a Nintendo Switch Bundle which comes complete with a Nintendo Switch console, a copy of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and a 3-month subscription to Nintendo Switch Online. It doesn’t get much better than this.

MARIO KART 8 DELUXE 

BUY HERE

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Escape to an Island Paradise, and create and customize as you go. The Islands come complete with an abundance of natural resources, that you can use to create creature comforts, hunt down insects, or enjoy a spot of fishing at sunset.

The time of day and season match real life so you can show off, or share your Island with family or friends. Whether you play online, or with your friends at home, you can grow your community, and meet new friends Tom Nook and Isabelle who are on hand to help you out.

Play on the same system with up to four people, or play together online with up to eight players (Nintendo Switch Online membership sold separately) 

ANIMAL CROSSING: NEW HORIZONs

BUY HERE

*Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Games are available at all participating retailers.