The Switch is a great platform for strategy games. The portability of the console allows you to scratch that gaming itch no matter where you are. On top of that, the combination of its touch controls and button-mapping has made playing games without a mouse or keyboard a breeze. It’s also truly impressive how varied the selection of the best Switch strategy games are.
So in this list, we’ve rounded up the best the platform has to offer, listing the games, and telling you a little about each one. The sheer variety present among the best Nintendo Switch games really does mean that you’re unlikely to ever want for choice.
Here are the best switch strategy games.
XCOM 2 Collection
XCOM 2 is a great turn-based tactics game that built upon Firaxis’ original, which re-imagined the classic series back in 2012. It comes in two flavors: the vanilla XCOM 2, a decent but quite brutal game, and War of the Chosen, which completely revamped all areas of the original.
The XCOM 2 Collection contains both of these, as well as some of the game’s minor DLC, and is a well-handled port, with a decent level of graphical fidelity.
Nowhere Prophet
We like strategy games that offer something a little different, and Nowhere Prophet has that in spades. Officially, it belongs to the same class of games as Crying Suns or even FTL, as you lead a group of survivors in a post-apocalyptic world, trying to find a place of safety.
The game revolves around you traveling from point-to-point, encountering anything from random events to full-blown battles. Each of your followers represents an individual entity and makes up your deck, which is used during the game’s tactical battles. All in all, Nowhere Prophet is a smart take on survival-strategy.
Tharsis
This hilariously grim strategy game puts you in charge of the crew of a dying spaceship en route to Mars. Your job is to see the mission through and succeed, which means that sacrifices must be made. Do you have to eat a crew member in order to survive? Well… better pass the salt. Tharsis’s central dice allocation mechanic is very much inspired by tabletop, as you roll and allocate specific dice to actions, in order to resolve crises that are currently messing up your day. Definitely a solid pick for any who enjoys TTRPGs.
Northgard
Northgard lets you play as one of a variety of different Viking-inspired tribes, fleeing their homeland in search of pastures anew. Each game map is an island split up into different territories, filled with various dangers, and other tribes who’ve also landed to settle the territory. You must explore and expand to ensure you have enough resources for when winter arrives, and there are multiple ways to secure victory. Northgard also features multiplayer support for up to six people.
Battlestar Galactica Deadlock
Set during the first Cylon war, this excellent turn-based tactical space strategy game puts you in command of a fleet of ships trying to fight off a Cylon assault against twelve colonies. You command everything from small combat ships, to fully-armed battlestars, as you play through the single-player campaign’s mix of tactical battles and fleet management play. It’s quite easily the best Battlestar Galactica game of all time and an excellent strategy game in its own right.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses
As the only game on this list developed as a Switch exclusive, Fire Emblem: Three Houses has big shoes to fill, but as is typical of the series, it does not disappoint. You play as the professor of a military academy training students from three feuding realms.
You must train these students in tactical turn-based battles, and watch as they grow into new powerful classes. Three Houses also features a great story, with tonnes of NPC depth, and some fantastic voice acting. You’ll find yourself really bonding with the game’s characters, which can be tough considering Fire Emblem’s classic permadeath.
Into the Breach
Into the Breach is the poster child for how well a strategy game can work on the Switch. The game features a team of mechs fighting back against an encroaching invasion of giant bugs. There’s a lot of meta-strategy to this game regarding upgrading your team and choosing missions, but the star of the show is the combat itself.
You will never be able to brute-force your way to victory, as the large amount of enemy units makes that impossible. Instead, your team comes with moves that synergise with each other, forcing the enemy into unfavourable positions. It’s a smart strategy game and even won BAFTA in 2019.
Bad North
We all love a good Viking game, don’t we? Bad North is an RTS all about island-hopping, while defending yourself at every turn as a Viking horde follows hot in your footsteps. Each island plays out a little like a tower defense, and you position your trusty soldiers at vital strategic points to defend houses.
For every dwelling you defend, you get some coin that you can use to upgrade your troops and unlock new abilities. Bad North is one of the best examples of micro-strategy around, and is perfect for Switch – read our Bad North review if you want to know more!
Sid Meier’s Civilization VI
The celebrated civilization-builder is now on Switch, and it’s not the cut-down version that the earlier Civilization Revolution games were, either. This is pure Civilization, ready to suck all of your free time away.
You select a ruler and civilization, and slowly build up your city, sending out settlers to establish further colonies, and engaging in diplomacy and warfare against other factions. It’s as classic as classic goes, following the recognized 4x formula of expansion and conquest. Check out our Civilization VI tier list to learn who the best rulers are.
Valkyria Chronicles 4
Valkyria Chronicles is a strategy series at home on the Switch, with controls optimized for Joy-Cons, rather than mouse and keyboard. This new instalment centres around a squad of soldiers in an anime parallel to World War 2, as they overcome the trials and tribulations of warfare. Combat in the game is turn-based, and you spend action points to move specific units and execute actions. Valkyria Chronicles 4 is definitely worth checking out if you like strategy with a good story thrown in.
John Wick Hex
A recent yet welcome addition to the Switch strategy genre is the real-time tactics game, John Wick Hex. In our John Wick Hex review, we said it had “carefully captured the spirit of the franchise” and lets players step into the shoes of the infamous hitman as he takes down targets in a quest to dismantle the underground organisation known as ‘Hex’.
As you move through each action-packed level you’ll be faced with split-second decisions, and have to utilise your resources efficiently to make progress, and survive each deadly encounter.
The Banner Saga
Though the Banner Saga first launched back in 2014 it’s still a fantastic trilogy of Norse-themed narrative strategy games. Each installment sees you take command of a caravan of survivors, managing supplies and making tough choices as you search for a safe haven during what is effectively Ragnarok. The game also features a powerful soundtrack and excellent tactical battles, as you use your party’s skills and special moves to outmanoeuvre your opponents.
Wargroove
While we patiently wait for Advance Wars to come to Switch, here comes an indie to fill the gap, with some serious improvements to the formula. Build and battle an army with Wargroove, the strategic war game for up to four players, also has a fantastic level editor so you’ve got plenty to play beyond the already great campaign.
Triangle Strategy
Well, this one does what it says on the tin. A confident and utterly gorgeous strategy game about three warring countries, Triangle Strategy tests your brain as well as your resolve, as tough decisions inform the future of the entire nation. For more be sure to check out our full Triangle Strategy review.
Steamworld Heist
The Steamworld series just never misses. Playing out a bit like a 2D X-COM, Steamworld Heist has you controlling a ship full of robot pirates, exploring the universe and taking on enemies in close-quarters shootouts. You’ll need some seriously sharp precision and an eye for ricocheting bullets, but when you hit there’s little else that feels as satisfying. Play it so we get a sequel!
That’s our list of the best Switch strategy games. For some further tactical recommendations, be sure to see our list of the best mobile strategy games, too!
