Even though the Nintendo Switch is rapidly approaching its 7th birthday, it continues to be one of the most popular consoles on the market. Not only is it Nintendo's second-best-selling console, but it's also the third-best-selling game console of all time, with only the Nintendo DS and PlayStation 2 above it. Over the years, the Nintendo Switch has accumulated a fantastic line-up of games. From instant classics such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild to high-intensity shooters such as DOOM, the Nintendo Switch has something for everyone. But what about those looking to game on a budget?

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Like many other consoles on the market today, the Nintendo Switch is no stranger to some of the strongest free-to-play games around. If you're after some new games to jump into, but don't want to break the bank doing so, here are the ten best free-to-play games on the Nintendo Switch.

10 Disney Speedstorm

Your Favorite Disney Characters Hit The Track

Some of Disney's most iconic characters, such as Captain Jack Sparrow, Mulan, Mickey Mouse, Baloo, and more are ready to hit the tracks in one of the best free-to-play hero-based kart racing games around.

Disney Speedstorm is a fun, fast-paced racing game for anyone to enjoy.

Not only are there a plethora of different Disney characters to play, but Disney Speedstorm also features a wide range of tracks inspired by some of the best Disney and Pixar movies of all time. Whether it's solo or online with friends, you can upgrade different characters and use their unique abilities on the track to come out on top.

Disney Speedstorm is a fun, fast-paced racing game for anyone to enjoy, but you'll need to master your skills to hit those perfectly timed nitro boosts, drift around corners, and adapt to the dynamic track environments if you want to come out on top.

Disney Speedstorm
Released
April 18, 2023
Developer(s)
Gameloft

9 Dauntless

Monster Hunter Lite

Dauntless is an action RPG that sees players take on the role of a Slayer, hunting down giant monster-like creatures that are devouring the land. This free-to-play title is a must-play for fans of Monster Hunter, as it is heavily inspired by the series.

Dauntless trims out a lot of the extraneous Monster Hunter elements and focuses specifically on the hunting/crafting loop, creating a lean and action-oriented gameplay experience.

The monsters, known as Behemoths, come in all different shapes and sizes but become increasingly stronger as you progress through the game. Thankfully, players can loot slain monsters to craft and upgrade their weapons, always at the ready for the next battle that awaits them. And there's no need to take on these Behemoths alone, as Dauntless also features seamless online multiplayer, which means you can embark on this epic adventure with your friends. Dauntless trims out a lot of the extraneous Monster Hunter elements and focuses specifically on the hunting/crafting loop, creating a lean and action-oriented gameplay experience.

Dauntless
Released
September 26, 2019
Developer(s)
Phoenix Labs

8 Super Kirby Clash

Quests, Boss Fights, And Classic Kirby Fun

If you're a lover of Kirby and boss battles, look no further than Super Kirby Clash. This action role-playing game sees Kirby head into battle to fight a series of formidable bosses, many of whom Kirby fans will recognize from previous Kirby games.

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Guaranteed to get you spooked on the small screen (or big one).

Super Kirby Clash can be played solo or with up to three friends via local multiplayer, local wireless play, or online multiplayer, making it the perfect game to play with friends. Plus, with four unique characters to choose from, each of your friends can choose the character with the ability that suits them best.

Super Kirby Clash
Released
September 4, 2019
Developer(s)
HAL Laboratory

7 SMITE

With over 35 million players, SMITE has cemented itself as one of the most popular action MOBAs around. What separates SMITE from other games in the genre is its unique third-person perspective, putting players right at the heart of the action.

SMITE is a MOBA that will keep you endlessly entertained.

SMITE also features over 100 different gods for players to choose between, with some best used at range, while others dominate up close. And with a plethora of different game modes and content updates released regularly, SMITE is a MOBA that will keep you endlessly entertained.

SMITE
Released
March 25, 2014
Developer(s)
Hi-Rez Studios

6 Fall Guys

Be The Last Bean Standing

If you've ever watched Total Wipeout, you're going to love Fall Guys. This platform Battle Royale game pits 40 players against each other as you battle it out in a variety of exhilarating and vibrant shows. You'll need to watch out for falling balls, rotating platforms, slippery slopes, windy fans, and so much more as you make your way from one end of the course to the other before everybody else.

...a recent update added the ability for players to create their very own maps, so the fun never has to stop.

Like many of the other free-to-play titles on this list, Fall Guys is constantly releasing new content updates in the form of seasons. With each new season comes new outfits, modes, shows, and more for players to jump into. But if that wasn't enough, a recent update added the ability for players to create their very own maps, so the fun never has to stop.

Fall Guys
Released
August 4, 2020
Developer(s)
Mediatonic

5 Apex Legends

A Fast-Paced Battle Royale

Set in the same universe as Respawn Entertainment's Titanfall series, Apex Legends is a fresh take on the franchise as a free-to-play Battle Royale. Unlike other Battle Royales, such as Fortnite and Call of Duty: Warzone, Apex Legends comes with a plethora of different Legends for players to choose from. As each Legend comes with a different set of abilities, players can master certain Legends to dominate in the Apex Games.

With new Legends, features, weapons, and maps added frequently (usually via new season updates every 2-3 months), Apex Legends constantly feels fresh and fun to play.

What keeps Apex Legends at the top of the free-to-play pile, though, is its constantly evolving gameplay. With new Legends, features, weapons, and maps added frequently (usually via new season updates every 2-3 months), Apex Legends constantly feels fresh and fun to play.

Apex Legends
Released
February 4, 2019
Developer(s)
Respawn Entertainment

4 Pokemon Unite

A Fantastic Intro To The MOBA Genre

Pokemon Unite might not be your typical run-of-the-mill Pokemon game, but that doesn't mean you should dismiss it. Rather than assembling a team of your own Pokemon, you'll control one of the many available to compete in aggressive 5v5 play.

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This free-to-play MOBA is Pokemon's first (and only, so far) swing at the genre. It's also a great introduction to the genre as a whole, allowing players to partake in intense 5v5 team battles with friends or alone. But this is most certainly a game best played with friends, as you'll want to communicate and cooperate with teammates to win battles and level up your Pokemon.

Pokémon Unite
Released
July 21, 2021
Developer(s)
TiMi Studios

3 Rocket League

Put Your Vehicular Soccer Skills To The Test

Rocket League is a game like no other...literally. This vehicular soccer game is a must-play for anyone looking for some fast-paced, tactical soccer antics.

With a bunch of different cars and modes to choose from, Rocket League is endless fun, especially when you team up with friends.

Like real-life soccer, the aim is simple: score goals. But Rocket League's twist is that you'll be controlling a vehicle of your choosing to boost around the pitch and in the air to smack the ball into the opponent's goal. There are also multiple different modes, such as Hoops, which replace the football with a basketball and the goals with baskets. Then there's Snow Day, which replaces the ball with a hockey puck.

With a bunch of different cars and modes to choose from, Rocket League is endless fun, especially when you team up with friends.

Rocket League
Released
July 7, 2015
Developer(s)
Psyonix

2 Tetris 99

Classic Tetris ... With A Competitive Twist

Have you ever wondered what Tetris would be like if it was a Battle Royale? No, me neither. But the Japanese development company Akira did, so they made it a reality...and boy, is it fun.

Undoubtedly the franchise's most electric entry to date.

As the name implies, Tetris 99 pits you against 98 other players, all at the same time. Your Tetris abilities will be put to the test in what is undoubtedly the franchise's most electric entry to date. And to add even more action to this frantic puzzle game, every time you clear a line, you'll send garbage blocks at your enemies, making it even trickier for them to win. But the same will happen to you too as your opponents clear their lines, so make sure you're on your toes for this one!

Tetris 99
Released
February 13, 2019
Developer(s)
Arika

1 Fortnite

A Free-To-Play Game Like No Other

Whether you love it or hate it, there's no denying that Fortnite remains a worldwide phenomenon. While you may be well aware of Fortnite's popular Battle Royale mode, there's now a handful of other games that are completely free-to-play and built right into Fortnite.

LEGO Fortnite, Rocket Racing, and Fortnite Festival are the latest games to have been released inside of Fortnite by Epic Games, each with its own unique gameplay elements. LEGO Fortnite, for example, is a massive open-world survival game...with LEGO! Then there's Rocket Racing, which is developed by the team behind Rocket League. But instead of vehicular soccer, this is a high-octane racing game. And finally, we have Fortnite Festival, a music/rhythm mode from the creators of Rock Band that will put your reflexes to the test.

All of this, and more (we haven't even mentioned the endless Creative maps), is completely free-to-play on the Nintendo Switch, making it the best deal in gaming.

Fortnite
Released
July 25, 2017
Developer(s)
Epic Games
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