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29 Best Nintendo Switch Puzzle Games To Exercise The Brain

Put on your thinking caps!

#29 Mario vs Donkey Kong

#28 super mario rpg, #27 hogwarts legacy, #26 pikmin 4, #25 unpacking, #24 far changing tides, #23 the gardens between, #22 the room series, #21 gorogoa, #20 bridge constructor portal, #19 unravel two, #18 the trine series, #17 baba is you, #16 the talos principle, #15 snipperclips: cut it out, together, #14 relicta, #12 little nightmares 2, #11 captain toad: treasure tracker, #10 12 minutes, #8 world of goo, #7 return of the obra dinn, #6 keep talking and nobody explodes, #5 the sexy brutale, #4 portal series, #3 puyo puyo tetris, #2 thimbleweed park, #1 tetris 99.

If you’ve been enjoying the Nintendo Switch, you’ll know that there are all sorts of genres for you to play on the system in great number. And if you like puzzles? Yeah, they got hat in droves as these games will show you.

Platform: Switch Release Date: February 16, 2024

If you never got the chance to play  Mario vs Donkey Kong  on the Nintendo DS, you’re in luck, as the game has been remade for the Nintendo Switch!

The game will put you in over 100 levels filled with challenges, all so you can get back the Mini-Mario toys that Donkey Kong has stolen! But it won’t be as easy as simply finding all the toys. You’ll need to work your way through various challenges to reach them, and then, you’ll need to get them to safety! Sometimes, you’ll even need to guide whole scores of Mini-Marios to the exit!

With new levels and challenges, now is the perfect time to jump in!

Platform: November 17, 2023 Release Date: Switch

You might not think that  Super Mario RPG  is a “puzzle game,” and it’s not in the overall, but there are puzzles in the world to solve.

Not to mention, you have to worry about the “puzzles” that await you in combat! The game will maintain its classic turn-based combat but will also feature plenty of challenges within it that’ll test your timing and skill in figuring out how to exploit the enemies within!

So, while it may be an RPG, that doesn’t mean you can’t put your puzzle brain to the test by playing it! After all, it’s a remake of a classic title. What’s not to love?

Platform: PC PS5 XSX|S – February 10, 2023 | PS4 Xbox One – May 05, 2023 Release Date: Switch November 14, 2023

Steam | PlayStation | Xbox | Nintendo

Many people would say that the most important thing about being a witch or wizard is being able to use powerful spells and curses. But the wise ones among you will state that it’s about how you use those spells and whether you can use them to your advantage in multiple scenarios.

As you travel throughout the world of Hogwarts Legacy, you’ll have to face trials, not dangerous in nature but puzzling. So think like the educated student you are and use spells to move objects or erase obstacles from your path.

The more puzzles you solve, the further you’ll get to explore!

Platform: Switch Release Date: July 21, 2023

It’s easy to picture the Pikmin as just tools to use or beings to throw at foes to get them out of your way. But as  Pikmin 4  reminds you, you’ll need to use them and other entities wisely if you wish to get around the alien world you’ve crash landed upon.

At first, you’ll be restricted to certain areas, and you’ll need to use the Pikmin to open new paths, collect “treasures” to fix your ship, and fight off against familiar figures in Dandori battles to rescue your lost squad mates.

So don’t think of Pikmin as expendable. Instead, think of them as your most useful tool for getting out alive!

As the name suggests, this unique puzzle game tasks players with helping to unpack a person’s belongings after a move. Beginning in 1997, Unpacking follows the same person across several moves and many different years. From childhood to college to relationships, players will gain clues about the person’s life and experiences by looking at their belongings. Play casually to enjoy the story or search for all the hidden achievements for an added challenge.

A sequel of sorts to Far Lone Sails , Far Changing Tides puts you on a large boat, where a young man is trying to sail it in order to get to a new place for him to live in a world that has been nearly flooded.

The puzzles here lie in both the world around you, as you’ll need to activate certain things to open paths to get your boat through, as well as your ship itself. Dive deep into the vessel to figure out what it is all about, how to operate it correctly, and more.

It’s you and your ship against the world, and you’ll find that this adventure will take you to highs and lows while also giving you a unique atmospheric experience.

For a more lighthearted adventure, you might want to try out The Gardens Between . Because this single player title puts you in a story that focuses on “time, memory and friendship.”

You play as Arina and Frendt, two friends who fall into a “dream world”, and that world just so happens to be filled with relics from their time together as friends. Now, you’ll control the two friends and work together to solve puzzles to figure out more about their friendship, what they really mean to one another, and more.

It’s a very unique title that delves deep into its narrative, so you might just want to play it to see where the “bittersweet” story goes…and ends.

The Room Series is for those who like a deep approach to their puzzle titles while also twisting the perceptions of what those games can be. Because in the game, and the many that follow, you’ll be a person locked in a room, or dimensional space, and you’ll be left with nothing but puzzle boxes and clues as to what you need to do.

With each puzzle you solve, your “world” grows a little bigger, but then again, so does the mystery. You’ll learn about various sciences and dark practices and wonder how it’ll all going to end. More than likely…you won’t be able to guess…

With multiple games in the series, you’ll be able to try them on Switch and have plenty to do for a while.

There has long been an argument about whether “games are art”, and the answer is very obviously, “yes”. But if you want a game that very much proves that feeling, you need to look no further than Gorogoa .

Because in this game, you’ll be solving puzzles within a very special narrative, the twist is that these puzzles are tied to illustrations (thousands of them) that were made by a singular man: Jason Roberts. How you use these illustrations/art pieces will depend on the puzzle and what you’re trying to do.

The visual style here is truly unique, as is how you use it all gameplay-wise. So if you want a truly visual yet deep puzzle experience, here you go!

Combining elements from both the Portal universe and the Bridge Constructor series, Bridge Constructor Portal is an engineering puzzle game. As the name implies, players must construct bridges to transport trucks around Aperture Laboratories. Any bridge that withstands one truck passing over it will solve the challenge, but for a higher rating, all the trucks in the convoy must successfully cross. In addition, the cost of building each bridge is calculated, and players are challenged to keep their costs as low as possible.

After a shipwreck, two Yarnys (creatures whose bodies are made of wound-up yarn) connect their loose yarn ends. This binds the two together and creates a magical spark, which the players must chase. Using the yarn of their characters to climb, swing, and pull objects, players solve puzzles across the game’s island setting while uncovering a surprisingly dark story about children fleeing from abusive adults.

Set in a fantasy world, the Trine games focuses on a set of heroes who use an object known as the Trine in order to solve puzzles and fight evil. All so that they can save the kingdom they’re in.

The twist here is that unlike typical fantasy games, the combat and other elements are all tied to physics based puzzles. Each of the main characters for examples have skills that will affect things in a way that can solve puzzles or send objects at enemies to bust them up.

Because of the freedom and the skills of your characters, there are multiple ways to solve puzzles in the series. Plus, since there are 4 different games in the series, that’s a lot of puzzles to go and solve.

As an evil man once said, “True power is warping reality around you,” and that is a perfect lead-in to the title Baba Is You . Because in this game, every level you play you can change the rules of the game and the reality you play in.

That’s because the “rules” are displayed in blocks, if you change them, everything changes with it. And that means that anything and everything can happen depending on how you want to play things.

Plus, with 200+ levels for you to “bend the rules in”, that’s a lot of potential and possibility for chaos! In the fun way, of course.

So jump into Baba Is You and see just how you can change the world!

Sometimes the best puzzle games are the ones that make you ask the questions of all that is going on. In The Talos Principle , you are an entity in a world of ancient ruins…but also modern technology. The one who built you put you on a “mission” to solve over 120 puzzles scattered throughout the place.

But the question becomes…will you do it as your master wants? Or, will you try and solve the puzzles to learn more about yourself and then seek a way to escape?

The Talos Principle has a deep and twisting story that will ask a lot of big questions, all the while having you enjoy the puzzle-solving experience.

In this co-op puzzle game, players will snip and clip the paper bodies of their co-op partners to create different shapes to solve puzzles (for example, cutting a pointed shape to pop balloons). The game’s World mode allows one or two players, while the Blitz and Party modes allow up to four players. Party mode features puzzle challenges designed for more players. Blitz mode ups the ante with snipping deathmatches alongside games like basketball and hockey.

In this M-rated, first-person puzzle game, players will use magnetism and gravity to solve physics-based challenges. After being stranded on a moon base, a top-level physicist searches for her daughter while also confronting the truth behind her own research. Players can simply solve the puzzles or take their time exploring, fleshing out the story of this 22nd-century world and perhaps changing the destiny of humanity itself.

Arguably one of the best puzzle games ever made, Fez puts you in the role of Gomez, who is a 2D creature…that all of a sudden gets “revealed” the third dimension. Curious about what is going on, Gomez sets out on a journey to figure out the truth, leading to a large puzzle adventure you’ll enjoy.

Unlike many on this list, Fez doesn’t need “over the top” or even ‘super realistic” graphics to get things done. The visual style is simple for a reason, and it lends to the deep world that the game is trying to portray in its own way.

Trust me, the game is deeper than you realize, and so if you haven’t check this game out yet…you should.

There are some rather dark titles on this list as you’ve seen so far, and Little Nightmares 2 is another example of that.

In this sequel, you’ll play as Mono, who ends up in a nightmare world full of distortions and monsters. The reason for this is a signal tower, and it’s up to you and another named Six to reach the tower and figure out what is going on.

You’ll have to get the two characters to work together to not just solve puzzles, but fight off the various creatures that inhabit the dark and mysterious areas you’ll travel to.

This is definitely a title for those who prefer a very spooky element to their games. So try out Little Nightmares 2 is that fits your style.

It took us a while, but here indeed is a 1st-party puzzle game. Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker was first released on the Wii U, but ported to the Switch (like so many games before it…and after it…) so that more people could try it out. And you should absolutely do so.

You’ll play as…who else? Captain Toad! And in each level you’ll need to use all the camera angles and perspectives to figure out how to get from one spot to the next, get all the treasure, and avoid enemies and traps!

You can even play in co-op to have someone help you out with those enemies! It’s a lighthearted and simple title, but at times…isn’t that what we really need?

This top-down game boasts the voice talents of James McAvoy, Daisy Ridley, and Willem Dafoe. A husband and wife are celebrating the news that she is expecting their first child when a man claiming to be a cop arrives at the apartment. The man accuses the wife of murdering her father, and in the ensuing struggle, both the husband and wife are killed. The husband then wakes up moments before the man’s arrival. As the husband, players must use the time loop to save their wife and determine the truth about the death of the wife’s father.

It’s honestly hard to describe a game like Inside without diving deep into spoilers, so I’ll try and keep it light.

In this game, from the creative team of PlayDead, who made the equally dark and praised title Limbo , you’ll find yourself as a young boy who is drawn to a certain building where a “dark project” is being done.

What exactly is going on here? That’s for you to figure out in this narrative-driven puzzle title. You’ll have to make it through the confines of the building, solve puzzles, avoid detection, and learn the truth. But as these games like to show…sometimes it’s best if the truth…isn’t revealed at all.

Here’s another classic that was eventually brought over to the Switch. World of Goo puts you in control of living glob entities that you can both get and then place in order to build various things. Like what? Bridges, buildings, slingshots, and more. As long as you have the right structure, and amount of goo, you can make it.

Why do you need to do it? Because the game’s levels are all meant to do something specific, and you have to get your goo creatures to build the right kind of structure to complete the task.

It might sound simple, but it’s not. Each level is special, and can even have dangers for your goo creatures. So use them wisely, and get to the next challenge!

In 1803, the Obra Dinn set sail around the Cape of Good Hope with 60 people on board, but the ship never arrived at its destination. Five years later, it has mysteriously washed up at the port with all its passengers and crew either dead or missing. In this “1-bit” gorgeously-stylized, first-person game, players assume the role of an investigator and search the ship to try to determine what happened to the Obra Dinn . They are aided by the Memento Mortem, a device that lets them go back in time to witness a person’s final moments.

In this multiplayer puzzle game, communication is key. While one player (the Defuser) attempts to disarm a bomb, the others (the Experts) must read the instruction manual and convey the proper procedures for doing so. Neither party can see the other’s screen, so players are forced to rely on each other to disarm the bomb as a team. And if the bomb’s timer reaches zero, everyone explodes.

A party in a mansion has gone horribly wrong. All the party-goers are dead except for Lafcadio Boone, a preacher. Boone is stuck in a time loop, reliving the party over and over again, looking for a way to prevent the deaths of the party goers. In this single-player puzzle game, players must explore the mansion, gain new abilities, and decipher how to save the party guests. Along the way, they’ll uncover the truth about the guests, Boone, and the party itself.

…so, who wants some cake?

The Portal Series is indeed on Switch, and Switch players are lucky to have this title as it’s one of the most important puzzle franchises ever made.

In it, you are stuck in Aperture Labs, and an evil robotic entity known as GLaDOS is “guiding you” through the place in order to complete various tests. You won’t have a weapon in the game to help you though, all you have…is your portal gun.

The puzzles, creativity, and feel of this series is S-tier in every way, and that’s part of what makes it so great to play over and over again. And now that you can play it on the go…you have even more reason to try it out on Switch.

I’ll admit that I’m a little bias with this game because it’s something I found really fun even though I didn’t know what Puyo Puyo was.

Basically, this game is a fusion of two worlds of puzzle games complete with adorable and hilarious characters that interact with one another to try and save the universe! And naturally, you’ll save it by playing Puyo or Tetris against other characters and even against one another.

There’s a lot of depth in this game believe it or not, and that makes it all the more enjoyable to play not just the story modes, but all the other game modes.

There’s two games in the series on Switch, so don’t miss out!

Developed by Ron Gilbert and Gary Winnick, this point-n-click puzzle game is a spiritual successor to Maniac Mansion and The Secret of Monkey Island . A pair of FBI agents arrive in the town of Thimbleweed Park to investigate a murder, but not all is as it seems in Thimbleweed Park. Using commands like “pick up” and “talk to,” players navigate the town while collecting evidence and interviewing suspects to uncover the truth behind the murder and the town itself.

There are a lot of reasons why I’m putting Tetris 99 on top despite it not being a “typical puzzle game”. But in point of fact, Tetris as a whole IS a puzzle game. You’re trying to fit the pieces together (like a puzzle) in order to get points and keep going.

In Tetris 99 , the difficulty is ramped up because you’re going to be facing off against 98 other players who are trying to not just beat you, but bury you in Tetris blocks.

So you’ll have to play fast AND play smart so you can trip them up before they do it to you, as well as get out of any sticky situations you find yourself in.

Do well enough, and you’ll be No.1!

About Todd Black

14 Best Educational Games for Nintendo Switch

TheToyZone is an independent publication with no ties with companies mentioned on the site. We don’t accept free products in exchange for glowing reviews. Instead, we report our own findings to help you make an informed decision.

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As we all know, education is not exclusive to the classroom. We spend our lives learning new skills and acquiring more information until we gather enough wisdom to be as intelligent as the smartest people on the plane — Mom and Dad.

Gone are the days when video games were seen as corrupting our youth; now, they can teach us valuable math, sports, problem-solving and social skills. No other console promotes these types of games more than the Nintendo Switch . With their bright, colorful, fun releases, they have given us games that educate and entertain.

It’s crucial that screen time is used productively; that’s why these games are perfect for players of all ages. Most of the time, players don’t even realize they are learning.

So whatever educational game you’re looking for, you should be able to find it here.

The Top 3 Educational Games for Nintendo Switch

Those are my top three picks, but check out the rest of the list to find the perfect educational game for yourself or as a gift.

1. Best for Creativity: Minecraft

If you like your creativity mixed in with some action, we have the perfect educational game for you. Minecraft became an instant hit when it was released in 2011 and has solidified itself as a classic in the gaming world. Combining fun characters and vast worlds to build and explore, Minecraft’s longevity, creativity and educational value know no bounds.

What We Love:

❤️ You can build pretty much anything you want ❤️ You have to protect your environment from enemies ❤️ Building your own community with other players

What We Don’t Love:

💔 Building can take a while to get used to

2. Best for Problem-Solving: Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain

When it comes to problem-solving, I believe it’s a lot more fun to battle against others, brain vs. brain. With this academic accolade, up to four players can pit their brain power against each other, testing memory, math and motor skills in various games involving speed and accuracy. 

Developing and training memory skills are essential in childhood as they lead to other skills they will learn. Studies have shown that a good memory takes you back to previous experiences and allows kids to retain information such as language, follow directions, learn routines and solve problems. It also has a big part in developing imaginative play. 

❤️ Each player can set their own difficulty level  ❤️ You can test yourself against scores from other players around the world ❤️ The use of split-screen mode when connected to a monitor

💔 It’s more fun in multiplayer mode than solo play

3. Best for Sports Education: Nintendo Switch Sports

Following on from the success of Wii Sports , Switch Sports features new games and some of the classics of its predecessor. Grow your skills while staying active as you play Soccer, Volleyball, Bowling, Tennis, Badminton, Chambara and (my favorite) Golf. You navigate your character by swinging, kicking, spiking and putting your way to victory and maybe, if you’re successful, take those skills to the field in real life.

Taking part in sporting activities is not solely about fitness and fun; it can also promote academic success in children . Team sports can teach social skills, teamwork, discipline and leadership capabilities.

❤️ You can play against people at home or across the world online  ❤️ Includes a leg strap for soccer ❤️ Adjust the difficulty as your skills develop

💔 You need plenty of room to play

4. Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Not all education is about arithmetic and spelling; humans must also learn about the community. One of the best games to promote social skills on the Switch is Animal Crossing, which focuses on building your home, decorating it and creating a community with other players. You can fish, hunt for fossils and plant your own garden, but most importantly, you must learn how to exist peacefully in your society.

There are plenty of activities in Animal Crossing that promote social-emotional learning that can develop skills such as personal responsibility, decision-making, generosity, money management and altruism — all critical life skills that, when taught at a young age, can benefit a person significantly.

❤️ The colors and animations are very child friendly ❤️ There is a vast land to explore ❤️ The seasons change over time

💔 Can become addictive, so you may need to limit screen time

5. My Friend Peppa Pig Complete Edition

This little piggy went to market, this little piggy stayed at home, but this little Peppa Piggy has taken the world by storm with books, movies, theme parks and now, her very own video game. A new friend has come to play with Peppa, a character you have created. Explore the landscape, tidy up the home and sing songs with your new best friend as you learn and play.

Peppa Pig is bright, colorful, fun, and offers great educational value to younger kids. Peppa, as a character, is kind, thoughtful, polite and friendly, teaching social-emotional learning like learning to share, giving thanks, compassion and making new friends.

❤️ It’s fun to see your creation interact with Peppa ❤️ It’s incredibly bright and colorful ❤️ Learn new activities and songs

💔 It is more story than gameplay

6. Super Mario Maker 2

Have you ever imagined designing your very own video game? With Super Mario Maker 2 you can start by making custom Mario levels of your design. You can choose which blocks go where, add enemies to your liking and plot out brand new courses for Mario to navigate through.

We all know how important creativity is in a child’s development. Dr. Sandra Russ , a creativity and play expert, described creativity as “the ability to come up with original ideas; to put ideas or images or experiences together in new ways.” Super Mario Maker 2 promotes creativity and helps build valuable STEM skills as kids better understand basic video game coding .

❤️ You can choose which era in the Mario Saga you want to design ❤️ Learn which designs work and which don’t ❤️ The possibilities are endless

💔 It takes a lot of patience to design a level

7. My Universe – Pet Clinic: Cats & Dogs

Another important lesson is how to look after those around us, including our pets. This game allows you to run your own pet clinic, where you must learn how to care for animals and nurse them back to health. First comes the diagnosis; when you know what is wrong with each animal, you can treat them to make them better.

Although much is still to be learned about the educational values of simulation games, studies have shown that these types of games off great real-world experiences for children in a risk-free environment. Pet Clinic, in particular, teaches kids valuable lessons in compassion and empathy and developing their business skills.

❤️ Make a diagnosis by solving the puzzle of their symptoms ❤️ As you progress, you can upgrade your clinic ❤️ Treatments include; x-rays, bandages and preparing medicine

💔 You need a good grasp of reading to play

8. Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics

What better way to spend some downtime than to play a classic game with your friends/family? This release includes 51 classic games all in one place for you to develop your problem-solving and strategy skills and learn that important lesson; how to win and lose graciously. Including Chess, Checkers, Dominos, Darts, Bowling, Backgammon and solitaire, there is tons of fun to be had.

Problem-solving games such as these are a great tool in a child’s education. They encourage critical thinking, promote collaboration and competitiveness and provide opportunities to apply concepts they’ve already learned and learn new ones.

❤️ It’s ideal for long journeys ❤️ You can connect several Switchs’ together for multiplayer games ❤️ You can change difficulty settings

💔 You have to learn the rules for 51 games

9. Dr. Kawashima’s Brain Training

If there’s any game in this list that exemplifies the expansion of your brain, it’s this. Test your existing skills and grow your brain power with this set of classic and new exercises. You can play alone or train with friends or family in the same room or online.

It may sound obvious, but studies show that brain training games can play a major role in improving cognitive functions in both children and adults. Benefits from these types of games can include; improved memory and recognition, increased attention span and enhanced cognition.

❤️ You can use the touchscreen or the controllers ❤️ It comes with a stylus  ❤️ Improves your memory

💔 If you’ve played the DS version, you may already know most of the puzzles

10. Snipper Clips Plus: Cut it out Together!

Snipper Clips Plus is pretty out there when it comes to solving puzzles in video games, but that’s what makes it so fun. Most of the time, you don’t realize that you are developing your problem-solving skills when playing. You don’t win “Family Game of the Year” at the 21st Annual D.I.C.E. Awards for being boring.

The benefits of these types of games are well-studied, and evidence shows how much of an asset they can be to our educational growth and development. As well as improving motor skills and promoting creativity, recent studies have shown that kids who play puzzle-solving video games show higher brain activity associated with memory and attention.

❤️ The main characters are adorable ❤️ Up to four players for co-op play ❤️ Each level is a different challenge

💔 The harder puzzles can get frustrating to solve

11. Game Builder Garage

Computer programming may seem complicated, but it doesn’t have to be with Game Builder Garage. Take your first steps into a new world by building your own video game using the step-by-step lessons. Not only will you learn new skills, but you can also let your imagination run wild with different designs.

No matter how you feel about computers, they’re here to stay, so learning coding early can have enormous benefits to a child’s development. The University of Texas states that learning coding at a young age can boost problem-solving skills, advance computational thinking and digital literacy, encourage persistence and improve confidence and communication skills.

❤️ You can test your skills between each lesson ❤️ You can share your games with others online  ❤️ You can play games created by others

💔 You need plenty of patience

12. Professor Rubik’s Brain Fitness

The Rubik’s cube has puzzled us for 50 years, flipping the colors around to make them match up. With this brain fitness video game, you test your speed, memory and logic skills in its twelve mini-games involving the famous cube.

The Rubik’s Cube is the ultimate brain teaser, but sticking with it (and not throwing it out the window in frustration) can lead to great benefits in our development. Enhancing problem-solving skills is the most obvious asset, but it also boosts cognitive power, improves memory, enhances brain-hand-eye coordination and instills confidence.

❤️ It tracks your activity to show your progress  ❤️ The difficulty heightens as you progress ❤️ It’s challenging and stimulating

💔 It encourages you to play everyday

13. Taiko No Tatsujin: Drum ‘n’ Fun! Bundle

They say music is the food of love, but it’s also food for your brain. This Drum ‘n’ Fun bundle keeps your mind active by memorizing patterns and following rhythms to over seventy iconic video game songs. Playing video games that involve rhythm and music can be an excellent way for kids to dance, sing and have fun, but they can also promote some key developmental skills.

The prestigious Kaufman Music Center in New York states that music training can strengthen a child’s decision-making network, encourage the ability to take instructions and improve focus and concentration.

❤️ Connect your Switch consoles together for multiplayer mode ❤️ Play as characters from the Nintendo universe like Kirby and Splatoon 2’s Squid ❤️ The drum is a fun accessory

💔 Banging the drum can be loud

14. Colors Live

One of my favorite classes in school was Art, so I had to include this colorful, creative title in our list. Colors Live lets your imagination run free with realistic painting and design. It features a pressure-sensitive painting to give it a real-life feel and lets you record your process to see how it all came together.

Art and creativity are an integral part of our social and emotional development . As well as the satisfaction and pride you get from creating something, it allows us to share our perspectives and learn to express ourselves. What makes art so special is that it can be used as an expression of our imaginations and feelings or as a fun activity to enjoy as a group.

❤️ Complete challenges to advance your skill ❤️ You can display your work online for all to see  ❤️ Comes with a Sonar Pen to draw and paint with

💔 The lessons are more for beginners

Frequently Asked Questions About Educational Games for Nintendo Switch

🤔 are educational switch games good for kids’ development.

Simple answer. Yes.

Video games are a fantastic way to carry on a child’s education outside the classroom. As we see it, they will want to play video games anyway, so why not sneak in some lessons to screen time while they do?

Nintendo has an MO of releasing bright, colorful, fun games for all the family, making their latest handheld console, the Switch, the ideal platform to bring educational games into the hands of younger players.

With so many titles on offer, the key is to find a suitable game that kids will engage with to get the most out of the lessons they’re learning while having fun.

🤔 How can video games contribute to kids’ education?  

Gaming has become a huge part of our society, and while some games are mindless fun, others can stimulate and expand key learning skills in a child’s development. 

Don’t just take my word for it; check out the results of this study into Children’s Motivations for Video Game Play in the Context of Normal Development from Harvard student Cheryl K. Olson.

The right educational video game can:

• Teach problem-solving skills
• Inspire interest in history and culture
• Develop social and competition skills
• Encourage exercise
• Spark creativity

So… What Educational Game Should I Get?

The great thing about kids is that they all have various interests, but sometimes they find it hard to engage with anything other than what they enjoy. The surefire way to find the right game is to discover their interests and what kind of games they enjoy playing.

If they’re big into sports, then Nintendo Switch Sports is the obvious choice. If they are a budding artist, you can’t go wrong with Colors Live . And for the academics out there, you can nurture their thirst for problem-solving with Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain .

If you’ve seen a Switch game that I haven’t included in this list and you think it should be, PLEASE send me a message so I can update and include it.

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The 16 Best Puzzle Games on Nintendo Switch, Ranked

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As a hybrid gaming console, the Nintendo Switch is perfect for pretty much every type of video game—especially puzzle games, when played in handheld mode.

If you've ever had a Game Boy, you know how many hours you can sink into a game like Tetris when you're on the couch, in the car, or wherever else. But there are hundreds of puzzle games of varying quality available for the Nintendo Switch!

So, which ones are worth your time? If you aren't sure where to start, here are my picks for the best Nintendo Switch puzzle games that are pretty great and worth checking out.

16. Watermelon Party

Watermelon Party is a pretty simple game, but it's also pretty cheap—significantly so if you can grab it on sale—and it's fun to break out every so often as a quick filler game between bigger ones.

The goal is to be the first to pick up all your watermelon slices, which you do by placing tiles on the ground. Your character will automatically move along the path you set, so the trick is to build the most effective road as quickly as you can.

It's definitely not your typical puzzle game, but that uniqueness helps set this one apart and make it worth trying.

15. Pack Master

You know how packing luggage into a case can feel like a puzzle? That's basically what Pack Master is, except this game is a lot more relaxing than shoving actual clothes and gadgets into a carry-on!

Every level in Pack Master is basically a set of objects of varying sizes and shapes, along with a case where they need to be fitted into. You'll need to rotate the objects and place them with precision if you want to get them all inside properly.

The solo mode is very relaxing and a great way to kill time—especially in handheld mode—but the versus mode is also fun as you rush to pack your case before anyone else can.

14. Tumblestone

Tumblestone is an action-puzzle game that's perfect for when you want a simple game that exercises both problem-solving skills and dexterity challenges. The quicker you are, the bigger the advantage!

In Tumblestone , each level is a set of colored blocks and your goal is to clear the blocks by removing one at a time. The catch? You can only pick from the blocks closest to you, and you always have to clear three of the same colored blocks at a time.

The campaign mode is a full-on take-your-time puzzle challenge, but the endless mode and versus mode both have you racing to see how quickly you can clear everything.

13. Lumines Remastered

The PlayStation Portable didn't make much of a dent in the sales of Nintendo's handhelds, but it did have its share of fantastic games, one of which was the mesmerizing Lumines .

This remastered take on that game is every bit as addictive as the original title was, and it's a must-play for Switch owners even remotely interested in puzzle games.

It's just a shame that there is no online multiplayer to let you face off with other players from around the globe.

12. Slayaway Camp: Butcher's Cut

Have you ever wondered what it would look like if you tried to make a puzzle game out of a slasher horror movie franchise?

Slayaway Camp: Butcher's Cut is the answer to that question. While it starts relatively stacked in favor of the player character, Skullface, you'll eventually face tougher levels that feature SWAT teams and other challenges to your reign of terror.

11. Art of Balance

Art of Balance is a physics-based puzzle game where you're given a set of strangely-shaped pieces and tasked with stacking them in such a way that they don't topple over.

Of course, the game becomes deeper in later levels, especially when other types of objects are introduced—such as glass blocks that can only withstand a certain amount of weight on top—which force you to think on multiple levels for a solution.

While Art of Balance is a fine game for solo play, it shines with friends. You can play it cooperatively (taking turns placing blocks) or competitively (in a race to see who can finish first).

10. BOXBOY! + BOXGIRL!

The titular characters in BOXBOY! + BOXGIRL! can create boxes, hence their names. You, in turn, use these boxes to make your way around whatever obstacles the game throws at you.

Of course, it's never actually this simple. It's what you do with the boxes that matters, and this is where the complexity lies.

9. Puyo Puyo Tetris 2

As the name implies, Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 is a mash-up of the gameplay styles of the Puyo Puyo and Tetris franchises. You can play either game standalone, but the modes that combine them both are the reason to play this game or its sequel.

Pode is a brilliant, lovely, artistic, soft experience that's ultimately about two strangers—an orb of fire and a block of stone—who fall in love and must work together to navigate puzzle-laden levels.

On top of the solid puzzle gameplay, Pode stands out for its ambience and environmental storytelling that makes for a relaxing puzzle experience. You don't need much action-dexterity and you don't need to be a genius. You just need to work together!

7. Mr. Driller DrillLand

At it's core, the gameplay of Mr. Driller DrillLand is simple: drill downward through colored blocks, line up color combos, and make sure none of the falling blocks from above land on you.

That said, the balance of tension and action make this one of the more gripping puzzle games you'll find. This is a great one for puzzle fans looking for some twitch action.

6. What the Golf?

What the Golf? originally debuted on Apple Arcade, one of the few games that made the service feel worthwhile.

On the Switch the game is just as fun, and it doesn't feel like a mobile game carelessly ported to the Switch, it feels like this was the target system for the game all along.

5. Tricky Towers

Take Tetris , but take away the part where the blocks always align perfectly, and that's Tricky Towers in a nutshell. Building taller and taller towers in this game feels like a combination of Tetris and a 2D Jenga , and it's just as fun as that sounds.

4. Death Squared

Death Squared is a phenomenal cooperative puzzle game where players take on the roles of four different colored cubes, navigating through levels where each player can only interact with certain objects.

This means everyone needs to work together to solve the puzzle of each level, all while dodging and overcoming hazards (especially in the later levels). The 3D stage geometry leads to some really interesting solutions that force you to think outside the box.

While Death Squared is best played with friends, you can play it solo. It's a different experience, but still a solid one worth having.

3. Puzzle Bobble Everybubble!

Puzzle Bobble is far from the only old-school puzzle game on the Nintendo Switch, but a list of puzzle games wouldn't be complete without a bubble shooter like this one.

You know this game: you shoot bubbles and cluster them together to pop them, which drops everything that was clinging to them. The whole experience is surprisingly relaxing and satisfying.

Modern gamers will want to opt for Puzzle Bobble Everybubble! , a remake that takes the original gameplay and wraps it up in a co-op adventure that supports up to four players.

And when you're done with the story mode, you can keep playing in multiplayer mode, from 1v1 up to 2v2.

2. Picross S8

Nintendo handhelds and Picross have a long history together, and there are already plenty of games of this kind on the Nintendo Switch.

You can pick up and play any one of them and have fun, but this is the latest entry in the series, so it's as good a place to start as any other game in the series.

1. Tetris 99

Here's an idea: take Tetris and make it a battle royale. That may sound pretty terrible on paper, but for some reason it works...

...and the cherry on top is the fact that this game is free as long as you subscribe to Nintendo's Switch Online service.

There are optional paid add-ons, but you can have plenty of fun without paying an extra dime.

Pocket-lint

Best puzzle games on switch: get thinking with these clever games.

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The Nintendo Switch is a superb console for many reasons, not the least of which is that it plays host to a huge range of genres and types of game. If you're looking for a new title for the Switch and fancy a bit of a puzzle, this is the list for you.

We've gathered the very best options for the Switch if you want to have to think plenty before making a move, whether it's a pure puzzler or a devious adventure game. These are the top puzzles games on Switch.

Return of the Obra Dinn

The Case of the Golden Idol

Paradise Killer

The excavation of hob's barrow.

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker

Storyteller

Incredibly inventive and mind-boggling to figure out to its full extent, this is a puzzling masteropiece.

• Beautiful visual style
• Incredible sense of discovery
• Leaves it all to you
• Seriously tough nut to crack

Return of the Obra Dinn is one of the most challenging games we've ever had to wrap our heads around, but that challenge is entirely cerebral. You play an insurance inspector making your way through a ship that lost all its hands on a long voyage, piecing together exactly what happened.

Your main tool is a timepiece that lets you view a snapshot of the death of any corpse you come across, and this turns into a marvellously complex operation that will have you following obscure threads to uncover a range of interesting twists in a patchwork story.

A brilliant puzzle game that leaves you to figure out what's going on, and tells a wickedly dark tale in the process.

• Doesn't hold your hand
• Smart hint system
• Very quickly gets super complex

The Case of the Golden Idol follows the story of a stolen treasure passed down through devious generations, each twist uncovered as you explore a frozen tableau figuring out who's there, who's died, and how.

If that sounds straightforward, it quickly becomes anything but, and you'll soon be flipping between rooms, comparing notes and scrambling to remember seemingly inconsequential details from prior scenes, all with the aim of figuring the next out.

Paradise Killer is a really fun look at how a detective game could work with multiple possible outcomes depending on how you build different cases.

• Loads of fun dialogue
• Game adapts to your conclusions
• Zippy, fun soundtrack
• Somewhat clunky controls

Paradise Killer is a really chilled-out exploration game that divvies up its puzzles into two main camps - talking to people, and exploring its huge island. You play a detective called in to figure out a bizarre supernatural crime in the titular paradisal island, with a baker's dozen of suspects to sift through.

Interrogations are sprightly and well-written, the game has loads of nooks and crannies to explore that yield further secrets, and all of its adapts to offer multiple satisfying endings, making for a really well-rounded but relaxed detective experience.

Hob's Barrow is a wonderful homage to a classic genre of games, and will have you puzzling your way to a truly memorable ending.

• Great story
• Terrific voice acting
• Lovely art style
• Some clunky controls
• Occasionally obtuse

If you've a hankering for a truly old-school adventure game (and the puzzles that automatically come with that territory), then you can't do much better than the superb Hob's Barrow, a creepy and folksy tale of dark secrets.

With a gorgeous art style and a tone that clearly pays homage to the likes of The Wicker Man, Hob's Barrow sees players guiding Thomasina Bateman through her attempts to excavate a rural gravesite - and it's just as eerie as that sounds.

A delightful puzzle game that makes amazing use of 3D spaces to create levels that beg to be rotated and explored.

• Lovely tone and style
• Family-friendly
• Great levels late on
• Pretty easy in early stages

Nintendo doesn't just leave puzzle games to indie studios, though - it also makes some of its own, and an early star of the Switch generation was Captain Toad's Treasure Tracker, a Wii U re-release that shines on newer hardware.

It lets you move Toad carefully through 3D diorama levels that hide clever secrets and loads of treasure, and is a perfect puzzle game for families and younger players.

This delightful puzzler is simple but makes the most of its short runtime with excellent, inventive applications of its clever premise.

• Good central premise
• Nice funny art
• Doesn't outstay its welcome
• Could still be longer

It took absolutely ages to make, and it might not be the longest game ever despite that, but Storyteller is a real treat that uses a simple system of swappable cards to create delightful conundrums.

It's all illustrated by fun cartoony art, and shows how simple formulae can make for satisfying puzzles even when you're familiar with how they all should work.

How we picked the best puzzle games on Switch

There's only one real way to figure out the best puzzle games for Switch, and that's to play a whole bunch of puzzle games on the Switch, which is exactly what we've done.

This has taken us through a bunch of sub-genres that you'll find reflected above, from point-and-click adventure games to first-person explorers and more, but all of them share the core facet that they make you stop and think about what you're meant to be doing next, or what you conclusions you can draw from what you've seen so far.

Each is an excellent game in its own right, but as a whole they make up a smorgasbord of puzzle choices for Switch gamers.

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Top 20 best puzzle games on Nintendo Switch

Updated by Jupiter Hadley on July 1st, 2024  - swapped 1 game. We have made a list of the top 20 best Switch puzzle games that you can get right now on the popular handheld console!

But, first things first, we need to answer this question: What exactly is considered to be a puzzle? It seems like the term 'puzzle game', is used to describe titles from different genres. From first-person adventures to platformers, simulations, and  Switch board games . The list goes on and on.

Well, the truth is, that puzzle games make up a very broad category, and they include various subgenres. So, in order to avoid getting too technical about this, let's just consider any title that has some puzzle-solving as a core mechanic to be a puzzler.

Picking the top 20 Switch puzzle games was harder than you think

1 animal well.

Animal Well is a single player, rouge like that is absolutely packed with puzzles. The world itself is dark, full of secrets, and you'll need to explore and collect items to figure out what you need to do next. When it comes to creatures in this strange, under ground cavern, you will not know at first if they are friendly or not. Finding items is most of the gameplay, but you'll also need to figure out the best way to use them!

If you are looking for a challenging puzzle game with hidden puzzles and tons of content, this is a fantastic option!

2 Return of the Obra Dinn

Return of the Obra Dinn is a first-person adventure that blends mystery and puzzle elements together. Take on the role of an insurance investigator who's working for the East India Company. Your objective is to figure out what in the world happened to the merchant ship Obra Dinn that suddenly drifted into London's port, five years after it was declared lost at sea. Use a mysterious pocket watch to turn back time and view each person's last moments.

Return of the Obra Dinn features an utterly unique art style that looks both retro and fresh, it uses a black-and-white "dithering" technique to create high-resolution visuals using one bit per pixel. Don't underestimate it though, because Return of the Obra Dinn is visually gorgeous.

3 Good Job!

Good Job! is an action Switch puzzle game that supports up to 2 players and offline gameplay. If you want to climb the corporate ladder, you better be prepared to do whatever it takes! Your job duties will vary from fixing the office's internet connection to cleaning up the weird goo. With every puzzle you solve, you come one step closer to the executive suite!

Every puzzle is a hilarious exercise in "just how much chaos can I cause." Why carefully water the plants when you can flood the office? Why wheel the copier into a new room when you can risk lives by constructing a catapult with zero regard for doors, walls, and basic safety? It's brilliant, laugh-out-loud fun matched by a cartoony art style and slapstick humour.

4 Untitled Goose Game

Untitled Goose Game is another puzzle game for Switch that supports up to two players co-op in offline gameplay. You play as a loose goose that is about to bring chaos to a whole town. Steal hats, set up pranks, honk a lot, and do pretty much anything that you can to be super annoying and ruin everyone's day.

Following the quest objectives is only part of the fun. Sure, you can steal slippers, trap a terrified kid in a phone booth and drop garden tools in the pond ("rake in the lake" is our favourite quest objective ever) but part of the fun here is in experimentation and generally being horrible. It's great in single-player, but couch co-op makes puzzle-solving and chaos-worshipping even better. Therefore, we highly recommend you try this funny gameplay together with a friend. All hail the honk.

5 Catherine: Full Body

Vincent's love life is... complicated... to say the least. On top of that, he's starting to have weird nightmares that force him to climb for his life. Catherine: Full Body is a mature action-adventure puzzle with an intriguing storyline and challenging puzzles. Gorgeously animated in anime style, you'll alternate between daytime segments where you'll navigate Vincent's relationships with various girlfriends, and nightmare segments climbing a tower made of blocks that must be arranged to facilitate your escape.

Aside from the great story, daytime segments also allow you to purchase drinks which will help in the nightmare segments... but have too many drinks, and you'll make your escape that much harder. If you're looking for a more mature puzzler, this is for you.

INSIDE is an award-winning puzzle platformer by Playdead. It is known for its art style, a combination of dark visuals and audio that creates a cold, dystopian world. In its 2.5D monochromatic environment, you control a young boy without a name who has to solve a series of puzzles in order to stay alive. This clearly isn't the one for younger audiences.

INSIDE is atmospherically heavy and creepy, leaving the story open to your own interpretation as you sneak through its haunting halls and otherworldly environments. If you liked Playdead's previous game, Limbo , you'll love this.

7 Little Nightmares 2

Little Nightmares 2 is a single-player, 2.5D puzzle platformer. The story precedes the events of the original Little Nightmares. You play as Mono, a boy who's trapped in a distorted world, caused by a humming transmission coming from a tower far away. A girl named Six will be his guide as he sets out to explore the Signal Tower and uncover its secrets.

It's atmospheric, grotesque, and foreboding at every turn. A game with such a cute art style shouldn't be this scary, should it? If you are up for a horror adventure that has a lot of mind-bugging puzzles, Little Nightmares 2 is a must-try. If you have already played it, and looking for something similar, here we have a list of the best mobile games like Little Nightmares .

8 The Talos Principle

The Talos Principle is a single-player, puzzle adventure. You play as a robot, tasked by its creator to solve a series of increasingly complex puzzles in an ancient-looking world. Here you will find 120+ puzzles with different levels of complexity, so it actually might take quite a while to beat the game.

It's best to go into The Talos Principle knowing as little as possible about its story and its world, but excellent puzzle-solving experience, combined with a unique storyline, make this title a must-have for the fans of the genre. It'll stay with you for a long time after the final credits roll. Sounds interesting, right? To learn more about this exciting title, feel free to read our The Talos Principle review .

9 Machinarium

There are all sorts of Switch puzzle games. Block-based puzzlers, platformers, first-person, strategy, and the list goes on. Machinarium is a single-player, point-and-click adventure puzzler that was originally released for PC back in 2009. Prepare to solve a series of puzzles and brain-teasers.

The story follows Josef, a little robot who's trying to get back to the city and reconnect with his girlfriend after he was dumped in a scrapyard. Games are often criticised for being too "brown," but Machinarium has a unique, sketch-like art style and brown-toned colour wash that only adds to the impression of a cold, surreal robotic world. In case you want to know more about the title, feel free to read our Machinarium review for some additional information.

10 Human: Fall Flat

Human: Fall Flat is an excellent puzzle game with lots of challenging puzzles and entertaining gameplay. You will have to complete levels full of various obstacles, find items and figure out how to use them properly in order to beat the level. The very first task here is to learn how to control your character because it is pretty complicated.

Human: Fall Flat also has a multiplayer mode, therefore, we recommend you play it with friends because solving puzzles together with someone is even more exciting here than in any other similar title. It is definitely worth your attention, but if you are still having doubts about it, feel free to read our Human: Fall Flat review to learn more about this exciting game.

11 Snipperclips - Cut it out, together!

Snipperclips - Cut it out, together! is a unique action-puzzle game. If you are looking for a title to play with friends or family, then you should give this one a try. Snip and Clip must cut each other up in order to overcome tricky obstacles and match the outlined shapes. Or just for fun. Too tall? Take a little off the top. Even though the puzzles are easy at the start, they get increasingly more complex as you progress.

It's surprisingly pretty, too, with the characters reacting to each snip and cut with joy and laughter. If you have enough controllers, you can even play with four people on the one Switch, making this a fun, light-hearted party title. If you're not convinced yet, and looking to learn even more about it, we have a Snipperclips review !

12 Human Resource Machine

Another type of Switch puzzle game that blends strategy and simulation elements together is Human Resource Machine, a delight for 'expert' nerds. At every level, you have to program little office workers, to automate a task given to you by your boss. If you succeed, and you make your boss happy, well, you get promoted to the next stage.

At the start of the HRM, you can only use 2 commands to program your workers, but as you advance new commands become available, making it more complex. You don't need to know programming, either. You'll be automating the workplace in no time! An exciting title, isn't it?

Gorogoa is a narrative-driven puzzle game. Arrange and combine a series of beautifully illustrated panels in order to solve the puzzles. It may be short and might only take you less than two hours to complete. But, its absolutely amazing art style and unique gameplay make for a great gaming experience. It is a cute story about a young boy that makes you relax and enjoy the adventure.

What makes this more impressive is that it was created by one person, developer Jason Roberts, hand-drawn and written over a period of six years. Without a doubt, such efforts truly deserve admiration, and the title itself is so beautiful you cannot just skip it. If you want to know our detailed opinion about it, make sure to read our Gorogoa review , where we explain in detail why this puzzler is a masterpiece.

14 The Gardens Between

The Gardens Between is a single-player puzzle adventure about two friends reliving their fond memories together. The game's time manipulation mechanics offer an interesting take on the indie puzzle genre, allowing you to reassemble parts of the environment that were previously impossible. It is a pretty short title, you can complete it in a few hours.

The island environments are bursting with detail, too; from flood-soaked rocks to falling autumnal leaves, the visuals are vibrant, beautiful, and storybook-like. With simple controls and a calm, ambient soundtrack, this is a world you'll love to get lost in.

15 Tetris 99

How do you make Tetris even better? You make it super competitive.

In this version of Tetris, you are not just competing against yourself, but you go up against 98 other players. That's right, it's Tetris meets Fortnite. Who knew the puzzle genre could work as a battle royale? You take part in large-scale online battles and defeat your opponents one by one in order to be the last player standing!

On top of being very entertaining, it's also totally free for Nintendo Switch Online members, making it a fantastic reason to join the service (in addition to everything else it offers, of course). If that was not enough to convince you to try the game, feel free to read our Tetris 99 review , and after that, destroy your opponents on Tetris battlefield!

16 Death Squared

Most puzzle games are single-player, but not Death Squared. This is a co-op puzzler, and even though it can be played solo, it was clearly made to be played by a group of people. Each player takes control of a robot, which they need to guide to a colour-coded goal. But, there's a catch. The path is full of deadly traps and hazards. For a team to survive, close observation and communication are key.

This is great to play at parties, but just don't blame us if you lose a few friendships or relationships along the way. Also, we're totally not advocating for sabotaging your friends. You won't clear the level that way... but it'll be really, really funny. And before you move to the next game on the list, make sure to check out our Death Squared review for more detailed information.

17 World of Goo

World of Goo is a physics-based puzzler where the player must use balls of goo to create bridges and various other large structures, in order to help other goo balls reach the endpoint of each stage.

You will have to overcome not only gravity but also various types of terrain. The challenge is to use as few balls as possible each time. Its strange, surreal levels and quirky designs just make this one even better. Indeed, the level design here is pretty interesting and unique, and on top of that, World of Goo has a simple but, at the same time, beautiful art style. Throughout the game, you will find many new goo balls that have various abilities that you should use wisely to beat the level. For detailed info, check out our review for World of Goo .

18 Super Bomberman R 2

Older players remember Super Bomberman as one of the first battle royale games, even before the genre existed officially. It was just known as a PVP game. Well, many years later, you can rejoice, as Bomberman 2 is out!

The essence of the game is rather simple, you have a limited ring where you need to blow up all other players in order to win. The gameplay is incredibly frenetic, as each player needs to destroy as many obstacles as possible and collect as many boosts as possible before going into a fight with another player. It's a combo between puzzle solving and quick reflexes, and it's fun as hell! Bomberman 2 brought a new Castle mode, where a player will have to defend his treasure against the rest of the team. We still think that the original gameplay is much more fun, as it will bring so much laughter.

19 Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is an enhanced port of the action-puzzle game that was released for the Nintendo Wii U originally, and then ported to Nintendo Switch. Toad has never quite been the star of his own game quite like this. Take control of Toad and try to safely navigate through various obstacles to reach the endpoint of each level, rotating the levels to reveal hidden paths and avoid enemies. Even better, this port includes additional extra levels, and it also supports multiplayer gameplay.

We have a pretty detailed Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker review for those who want to learn more about the title.

20 Lumines Remastered

Lumines Remastered might initially look like a Tetris clone, but make no mistake: this title is its own addictive beast. Lumines has you dropping square blocks consisting of four smaller blocks and (often) two different colours. Match as many colours as possible before the timeline bar sweeps across the screen from left to right. When the bar touches your matched blocks, the combination will be counted and you'll be awarded your score. Then, rinse and repeat.

It's simple to explain, but fiendishly addictive in its execution. Couple that with the game's sleek design, colourful visuals, and pumping electronic tunes by Mondo Grosso, Lumines is hard to put down. When the song changes, the stage changes. You'll be returning to this one again, and again, tapping your foot to the rhythm of the bass.

The 14 Best Nintendo Switch Puzzle Games

Em is an RPG fanatic from the UK with a love for all things cute, witchy, and spooky. Their favorite games include World of Warcraft, Animal Crossing, and Pokémon.

Puzzle games make up a huge portion of the Nintendo Switch library, and with good reason.

Some puzzle games are approachable, lighthearted and ideal for beginner players. Others come complete with rich storylines and genuinely challenging gameplay to put seasoned gamers through their paces. It’s an incredibly versatile genre.

If you’re looking for a new puzzle title to tackle, I’ve gathered up 14 of the best Nintendo Switch puzzle games that you need to add to your library today. I’ve made sure to include a variety, covering everything from story-heavy games to mind-bending classics.

The Gardens Between

The Gardens Between is a visually stunning indie game that puts a new spin on the puzzle genre. It’s charming and creative, and manages to tell a fantastic story with no dialogue.

The game follows two children (Frendt and Ariana) who are hiding out from a storm in the treehouse that connects their back gardens.

A time-traveling orb flips their worlds upside down, providing them with a constant stream of puzzles and challenges to navigate that take place around their homes.

The time travel element here is fascinating, and it works masterfully with the controls. Instead of moving the characters around like a standard puzzle game on the Nintendo Switch, you’re controlling the flow of time and assisting the characters.

It’s genius, and makes for an immersive experience.

I love the attention to detail that went into the character design with this game, too. Both Ariana and Frendt have a unique ability to help them navigate the confusing world in the game, and there’s a lot of personality in their every movement.

The game itself plays very smoothly, with intuitive controls that don’t take long to pick up and a very pleasing art style. It matches the console perfectly, and you can pick from handheld or docked mode depending on your preference. The soundtrack is utterly entrancing, too.

The Gardens Between is one of the most creative puzzle games on the Nintendo Switch, hands down. The puzzle style is unique, and there’s a real level of difficulty to match the satisfying challenges that the game throws at you.

If you’re on the hunt for a unique game that’s driven by elegant visuals, Gorogoa is the game you need to buy this year. It’s an absolute gem.

This game feels similar to a visual novel, but with a fascinating twist. The screen is split up into four sections for each page of the story, and players will have to interact with each individual element to solve the puzzles.

It’s hard to talk about Gorogoa without immediately jumping into a monologue about how beautiful it is. This is a truly stunning game, with wonderful graphics and controls that match the overall aesthetic perfectly. It looks fantastic on the Nintendo Switch, and it plays very smoothly as well.

The level of challenge presented in Gorogoa is perfect, and it builds at a steady pace.

The game allows you to get your bearings with minimal hints and suggestions, and presents a real challenge with the puzzles throughout the game. It’s ideal for experienced gamers, yet still accessible for people who are new to puzzle games.

I won’t dive into the story too much, as I don’t want to spoil it for anyone who’s hoping to play through the game in full. It’s an immersive and enchanting narrative, and it’s easy to see why this game picked up such a cult following.

Gorogoa is unlike the vast majority of puzzle games on Nintendo Switch. It offers an entirely fresh perspective on puzzles and story-driven games, and it’s something that you simply cannot miss out on playing.

Lumines Remastered

This remaster of the 2004 title Lumines is really masterful. It’s perfectly built for the Nintendo Switch, and offers up a fun, fast-paced experience that’s ideal for gamers who enjoy classic games like Tetris.

The general idea behind Lumines is that players have to position blocks that fall from the top of the screen, while keeping up with a timeline on the top of the screen that’s synced up to the music. It’s a fast, vibrant and exciting game, with plenty of twists to keep you on your toes.

Something that I really love about Lumines Remastered is that it’s accessible for new players, but still presents a real challenge as you get stuck into the game. It ramps in difficulty steadily, and it’s quite intense towards the end of the game.

There’s a mountain of content to tackle in Lumines Remastered, as it comes with several game modes. You can play through it in everything from shuffle and skin edit mode, to challenge and time attack mode.

There’s a lot to unpack in this game, and it offers great value for money.

Lumines Remastered also offers a great single player CPU mode , where you can battle against a surprisingly active and complex computer opponent. Unlike other puzzle games with CPU modes which can feel repetitive or not challenging, this mode is refreshingly difficult and you can adjust the pace where needed.

You can also use the online leaderboards to add extra hype and excitement to your gameplay. I would have personally loved to see some online multiplayer modes (sadly, there aren’t any) but the different leaderboards manage to keep it interesting still.

This is a stellar example of what a puzzle game should look like on the Nintendo Switch. It’s full of wonderful content to keep you occupied, and plays incredibly well on the console. I highly recommend getting a copy for yourself today.

Tricky Towers

If you’re a fan of Tetris, this is the ideal pick for you.

Tricky Towers is a fun, fast-paced game that’s very similar to Tetris and has been made with multiplayer gaming in mind. You’ll stack and arrange falling blocks in rainbow towers, battling against physics to keep everything lined up and in the right place.

One of the things that makes this game stand out from the other puzzle games on Nintendo Switch is that it offers both local and online multiplayer modes. This means that there’s plenty of ways to enjoy the game with friends and family.

There’s also a handful of different modes and gameplay styles to explore in the multiplayer aspect of Tricky Towers, too. You can play through race mode, survival mode or puzzle mode, each coming with their own challenges and perks.

There are single player options available in Tricky Towers, but they’re admittedly a little less fleshed out than the multiplayer modes. You can play through in endless mode, or tackle the trials mode. They’re still great fun, and a nice feature to have available if you want even more content to sink your teeth into.

If you’re a competitive person, you’ll be happy to know that the scores in the endless mode for single players end up on a global leaderboard.

Each mode also has difficulty settings on offer, to help make this game accessible to all.

If you’re an experienced gamer, you’ll be able to bump the difficulty settings up high for a fast-paced and intense game. If you’re a newer player or looking for something more chilled, you can skip that and fit the game style to your needs.

Something that I love about this game is the extra features and add-ons that each mode has to offer. For example, race mode can add in everything from challenging winds blowing across the screen to magic bolts that you can chuck at opposing players. They’re small features, but add to the complexity and overall enjoyment of the game.

Tricky Towers plays incredibly well on the Nintendo Switch, with no performance issues or hiccups. The art style is charming and colorful, and the controls are very easy to pick up.

7 Billion Humans

7 Billion Humans is a refreshing addition to the puzzle game genre on the Nintendo Switch. This game has a coding theme, and oddly charming characters to go along with it.

The general premise behind this game is that you’re an office manager solving problems in a workplace, using code to keep employees busy and finish tasks like shredding or copying. You’re working with data cubes that all have a numerical value, and will be using basic code to solve the problems throughout.

It’s important to note that you don’t need to know how to code to play this game. 7 Billion Humans is a fairly paced, accessible game that steadily ramps up in difficulty, and it’s worth checking out even if you’ve never coded before.

The game itself is beautiful, with quirky little characters, vibrant set design and bold fonts. It plays very well on the Nintendo Switch, with intuitive controls and no performance issues.

Games about coding might not always make you think of great writing, but this particular title has some stellar writing throughout it. It’s a genuinely enjoyable experience, with emotive scenes and characters that you’ll grow to love as you play through it.

Out of all the games in this list, this is one of my personal favorites. It’s incredibly unique, and brings something entirely new to the puzzle genre. It’s been made well, and also comes with some educational value too. What’s not to love?

Bomb Chicken

This game stars a bomb-laying chicken, fighting against the fowl misdeeds of a huge, evil fast food corporation named BFC.

That sets the tone for Bomb Chicken nicely. This is a silly, fast-paced arcade style game that meshes the adventure, platform and puzzle genres together perfectly.

As the main character, you’ll have to use bombs to cross lava pits, break down barriers and fight enemies. Each stage is full of challenges like moving through obstacles, hiding from danger or battling bosses.

There’s a wonderfully retro vibe to this game, with a vibrant and pixelated art style that works perfectly on the Nintendo Switch. The music fits the theme perfectly too, and the game makes good use of the rumble mechanics that the Switch has to offer. It manages to feel just like an older arcade game, but with a polished spin.

Something that really stood out to me with Bomb Chicken is the creative and quirky character design. There’s a heap of different enemies and characters to battle, ranging from mystical old gods to BFC employees. The characters make the world feel much more alive.

Bomb Chicken scales in difficulty perfectly as you progress throughout the game. If you’re a new gamer, you’ll be able to tackle this game and learn on the go. It still offers enough challenge to keep experienced gamers occupied and happy, though.

I’m a big fan of the silly, pixelated world that Bomb Chicken has to offer. It plays well on the console, looks great and crosses multiple genres skilfully.

Little Inferno

Little Inferno is one of the most interesting puzzle games on the Nintendo Switch. Tomorrow Corporation is known for creating innovative and unique titles, and this particular game is no different.

Little Inferno has one simple task at its core. Burn things.

As you sit in front of a fireplace and burn things, you’ll earn money. This money can in turn be used to buy more items that can be burnt up. It’s an incredibly simple premise, but surprisingly very enjoyable and almost meditative. To complete catalogs of items, you’ll need to burn up specific item combos.

This game is a gem, and I’m a huge fan of the visuals. It’s a charming yet eerie art style that fits the vibes of Tomorrow Corporation’s other games nicely, and it looks great on the Switch. It plays well too, with minimal performance issues and intuitive controls.

This game is a port of an older WiiU title, and they’ve managed to nail the controls surprisingly well. It’s easy to pick up the game controls, and it fits the console incredibly well.

Unlike the original WiiU version of this game, Little Inferno has a multiplayer option available which is good fun. It’s not the most complex or competitive game by any means, but it makes for a fun two player experience.

I love the aesthetic and creepy, underlying story of Little Inferno. To me, it stands out from the majority of the puzzle games on the Nintendo Switch and I’d highly recommend checking it out today.

Puyo Puyo Tetris 2

This title is a crossover game that features both the worlds of Puyo Puyo and Tetris, which are both iconic games in the puzzle niche. It’s a colorful and vibrant addition to the Nintendo Switch eShop, and worth checking out.

If you’ve played Puyo Puyo or Tetris before, you’ll be able to pick up this game quickly. This game offers fun, fast-paced versions of both games, and even a quirky fusion mode which combines both gameplay styles into one package. It’s a lot of fun, and easy to pick up.

I’m a big fan of how this game looks on the Nintendo Switch. It plays very well, with funky graphics and easy, intuitive controls. It feels right at home on the console, and captures the vibes of both featured games perfectly.

Something that’s essential to highlight with Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 is the sheer amount of content that is on offer. This is a huge game. There’s a main adventure mode and free play mode, skill battle mode and four individual game leagues to check out. There’s gameplay modes for both single players and multiple players.

This game offers immense value for money.

It is worth noting that you will have to play either Puyo Puyo or Tetris at some point in the game, so if you’re only a fan of one of the games then this may not be the best pick for you. There are some individual game modes, but the two games do cross paths.

Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 is a polished, light hearted game that’s ideal for both experienced puzzlers and newbies alike. It’s perfect for players who enjoy both Puyo Puyo and Tetris, and offers even more content than the first game.

Untitled Goose Game

Have you ever wanted to experience life as a chaotic goose? If so, this is the game for you.

Untitled Goose Game is absolutely ridiculous, yet wonderful to play through.

This title is a hybrid between a puzzle game and an action game, and it features (as the name might suggest) a goose as the main character.

You’ll be set increasingly disruptive tasks as you play through as the beaky protagonist, including breaking objects, dressing up statues and forcing people to pay for their own belongings.

While this is certainly a silly and goofy game, there’s still a nice amount of difficulty to be found in the puzzles. It’s not the most complicated game on the market by any means, but solving the puzzles is very satisfying and you’ll need to be a creative thinker if you want to beat the game.

The art style for this game is endearing, and it looks fantastic on the Nintendo Switch. The game itself plays very well, with a surprisingly realistic physics system that makes the puzzles that much more rewarding to solve.

This game is a cohesive title, with delightful puzzles, an intriguing world and a simply horrible main character that is immensely fun to play as. I’m a huge fan of the inherently chaotic vibes that this game gives off, and highly recommend checking it out.

Touhou Spell Bubble

If you’re looking for something that combines the best of puzzle and music games on the Nintendo Switch, this is the perfect pick for you. Touhou Spell Bubble is a lively party game that combines a musical theme with a fast-paced puzzle mechanic.

This game is a competitive puzzler, tasking you with scoring more points than your opponent by popping bubbles and successfully keeping up with the rhythm element of the game. There are special bubbles and character spell cards that help to add an extra level of complexity, too.

Something that I adore about this game is how well it plays. The mechanics work incredibly smoothly, with intuitive controls and a pleasant user interface. It feels at home on the Nintendo Switch, and it’s enjoyable to play through.

The character design in this game is second to none. Each character sprite is vivid and well drawn, and there’s a fantastic level of style throughout the game. The narrative in the story mode is great too, but can feel a little clunky in places.

It’s refreshing to see that this game doesn’t hold your hand through every stage. There’s a cohesive introduction for newer players, but the game has plenty more to unlock and explore past this. It’s a game that is accessible for sure, but the difficulty ramps steadily.

Touhou Spell Bubble capitalizes off of the popular bubble popping style of puzzle game, and presents something unique and enjoyable. This game is a gem, and it’s worth getting it for your Nintendo Switch library today.

Baba Is You

Out of all the games in this list, Baba Is You stands out to me as one of the most creative indie games on the Nintendo Switch. This game is simplistic at first glance, but offers a truly unique and immersive world to explore.

This game follows a simple sliding puzzle mechanic with a twist.

Each level will have phrases on the floor, which you can slide around the map. You’ll need to push them into the right spaces to form the rules of that level e.g. if the phrase ‘object is push’ is seen, you’ll be able to push that object on screen around until the phrase is broken up.

There is so much nuance and detail to explore in these 2D puzzles, and it’s an absolute joy to play through. The world is vivid and charming, with a lovely art style and interesting soundscape to accompany it. It plays well on the Nintendo Switch too, with sensible controls and no performance issues.

The difficulty picks up steadily as you get further into the game, and the solutions to the puzzles get much more complex. If you’re a big fan of puzzle games and you want something tricky, the later puzzles in Baba Is You are genuinely challenging.

While this game is not the most accessible puzzle game on the Nintendo Switch, the unique game mechanics and intriguing play style make this a must-have for any puzzle game nerds. The art style is wonderful, the puzzles are challenging and the game world is fun to explore.

Subsurface Circular

Did you read those ‘choose your own adventure’ RPG books growing up? If so, you’ll be a huge fan of this game. Subsurface Circular is a creative puzzle-adventure hybrid, with a simple text RPG style of play.

The general premise for this game is that you’re a robot (known as a Tek) who is programmed to be a detective. The whole experience takes place inside one train carriage, with the initial story focusing on a missing Tek. You’ll need to unravel the story and get to grips with the strange world that you’ve found yourself in.

The star of the show here is the storytelling. The sheer quality of the writing and attention to detail that went into the story is second to none, and makes this one of the best games in this list. It’s simply fantastic.

Despite the singular location that this game takes place in, the visuals in Subsurface Circular are fantastic. The art style is smooth and polished, and the visual mechanics work incredibly well on the console. As a whole, the game plays incredibly well.

This game has a wonderful electronic soundtrack too, which matches the art style and gameplay perfectly.

In terms of difficulty, Subsurface Circular feels incredibly balanced. It’s not immediately difficult right off the game, but as you uncover more mysteries and gain more pieces of information, each interaction and conversation becomes more loaded.

Something that I love about this game is the ability to unlock developer commentary. Once you play through the game and complete it, you’ll be able to unlock the developer commentary and play through with this in place. It makes for an intriguing experience, allowing you to learn more about the world and game itself.

Subsurface Circular is impressive, and worth picking up today. It may seem simple at first, but the story and puzzles that lay within it are rich and packed with detail.

Tumblestone

Diehard puzzle game fans will adore Tumblestone. This game is a masterclass in the match 3 style of puzzle games, and will keep you entertained for hours.

In Tumblestone, you’ll be presented with a grid of multicolored blocks to shoot with other blocks, with the aim of matching colors. There’s a limit on which blocks can be shot in which order, requiring you to plan ahead and think strategically about your moves.

There’s a surprising amount of difficulty to be found in this game, with new mechanics and challenges being thrown at you in every step of the way. If this is a game style that you find yourself leaning towards often, this is a title that I’m sure you’ll get hours of enjoyment out of.

Speaking of hours, there’s an immense amount of content in this game. There are tons of levels to play through, and completing the game will take you a good while. There are different game modes to explore too, including marathon, arcade, infinipuzzle and heartbeat modes.

There are also some wonderful multiplayer modes to explore as well, including puzzle race, battle and tug of war mode. The multiplayer mode offers local multiplayer only, though, which is a shame as online multiplayer could have been a lot of fun here.

Tumblestone is a stellar game. There’s a lot of warmth and humor packed into this game, with quirky characters, vibrant level designs and plenty of content to keep you occupied. It’s enjoyable for local multiplayer games, and offers plenty for single player options as well.

Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon

There are lots of games on the Nintendo Switch eShop that combine action, adventure and puzzles, and Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon is one of the best, hands down. This pixelated puzzler packs a punch, and I’d absolutely recommend checking it out.

In this game, you play as a knight who discovers a magical cube that transports him into a mystical dungeon. To escape the dungeon, you’ll have to tackle a falling block style of gameplay that feels similar to Tetris, with more of a focus on combat and battling enemies. A new block drops every time you take a step.

The art style and character design in Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon stand out to me, as there’s clearly been a lot of thought put into it. Each enemy is unique and has a different skill set to contend with, and the world feels immersive and lively.

Speaking of characters, I love the variety of playable characters that are on offer in this game. There are characters to fit any needs or preferences that you have for a game like this, and unique skills and designs to go along with each one.

Something that’s worth noting is that this game is pretty tricky. There are a lot of different challenges and obstacles to overcome, with a slightly unforgiving style of play. Don’t let this immediately discourage you though, as the game can be modified and adapted where needed to suit all skill levels.

There’s a great multiplayer mode available with Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon, where you can play against a friend in versus mode. Unfortunately there is no online multiplayer mode available, but it’s fun to play with a friend in person.

Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon is a cohesive, fast-paced game that’s ideal for experienced puzzle gamers. The art style is charming, and there’s a lot to love about the puzzles, too.

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Best Switch Puzzle Games

It's time to leave the crossword and word search books at home. Playing brain-teasing puzzle games on the go, has never been more stimulatingly fun and addicting.

From falling block and adventure puzzles, to challenging physics-based and cooperative problem solving puzzles, these games are the perfect brain teasers for a handheld console. Here's a list of some of the best Switch puzzle games.

Mario's Super Picross

What would a list of Nintendo games be without a Super Mario Bros. cameo? This puzzle game of logic is like a cross between the games, Paint by Numbers and Crossword. Players must use a rock-hammer and chisel to dig up and reveal pictures. Uncovered pictures reveal number clues to show the amount of squares that should go in each column or row. Mario's Super Picross draws players in slowly with its simplicity , then ultimately challenges them, as each level progresses and grows more complex .

Tricky Towers

Tricky Towers feels like a tricky take on Tetris and Jenga. Stack up falling blocks to build the tallest and strongest tower, while competing against others. Players can cast spells on their opponents, or on themselves ; by choosing to use these powers to either hinder their enemies or to help change the physics of each round and alter the game in their favor. Tricky Towers is great to play with friends, and can become a very competitive and addicting game!

Boxboy! + Boxgirl!

This cute and charming strategy puzzle game allows players to create platforms and bridges with Qbby and Qucy, by forming strings of boxes in order to traverse levels. Boxboy! + Boxgirl! is a puzzle game with a minimalist square-art style feel, that's just perfect for passing time.

Related: Best Switch Exclusives

Lumines Remastered

Made by the creator of Tetris, before Tetris; Lumines Remastered is new and improved, making it a perfect fit for the Switch . Create squares with the falling blocks of the same color, from 2x2 pieces. With stunning visuals and HD rumble feedback to the rhythm of some very addicting music, Lumines Remastered is a great puzzle game, that's easy for players to get lost in while playing.

The Gardens Between

The Gardens Between is an adventure puzzle game , with a metaphoric take on friendship, that's teeming with surreal heartfelt emotion. Players will journey as Arina and Frendt through a surreal dreamlike garden; unlocking secrets, reliving past memories, and manipulating time to solve puzzles . This single player puzzle game tests logic and observation , with lively animations and strikingly vibrant color visuals.

Think classic Tetris , with a Battle Royale twist . Somehow, it just works. Tetris 99 requires problem solving , concentration, and training in order to defeat 98 players in its multiplayer battle mode. The tetriminos cleared by players will transfer to their opponents at random, or players can manually select which enemy will get their left overs. Tetris 99 also has a variety of solo challenges , reviving this classic puzzle game to its ultimate potential.

World of Goo

World of Goo is a multi award winning, physics-based , puzzle/ construction game. As millions of delicious Goo Balls curiously explore, completely oblivious to the fact that they are in a video game; players must drag and drop these lively globs of goo to build structures , bridges, cannonballs, and giant tongues. Each level is dangerously enchanting and introduces new areas and puzzle challenges to overcome. World of Goo oozes a fairytale of love, conspiracy, and discovery of dangerous beauty in the third dimension.

Related: Nintendo Switch Error Codes List — And How to Fix Them

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker

Filled with a series of charmingly smart puzzles and brilliantly designed mazes , this adventure puzzle game allows players to cheerfully hunt for treasures as Toad and Toadette. Waddle through traditional 3D Super Mario Bros. themed levels to collect the golden star and discover buried objects, hidden inside dense challenging mazes along the way. With more than 70 aesthetically themed levels , that establish their own unique schemes overtime; Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is perfect some classic Super Mario Bros. fun, with a brain-teasing twist.

Snipperclips: Cut It Out Together!

One of the best strategy puzzle games on the Switch, is Snipperclips . Cut the paper characters, Snip and Clip into the correct shapes, in order to solve compelling puzzles in colorful challenges. Explore a variety of activities in an addicting world, full of creativity and imagination. This simple, yet artful puzzle game was designed with a strikingly balanced visual approach, that is meant to be experienced socially . Requiring two or more players, Snipperclips is the ultimate puzzler to play with friends.

Puyo Puyo 2

Sega's crossbreed of its Puyo Puyo series, and Tetris; a falling block puzzle game containing skill battles, that gives a Role Playing feel to the fun. Compete against other players, no matter which falling block game they are currently playing. This not only challenge the players knowledge of the block game they are playing, but it will test the knowledge of the block games their opponents are playing . Puyo Puyo 2 is another classic puzzle game, successfully revived and transformed for the new age gamers.

Need more Switch games to play and connect with friends on? Take a look at this list of the Best Switch Multiplayer Games.

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The Slant team built an AI & it’s awesome

Find the best product instantly, what are the best puzzle games for the nintendo switch, 16 games considered.

World of Goo

My rec ommendation for world of goo, my recommendation for world of goo.

Excellent physics engine

A twisted tale, beautiful visual style, great variety in puzzles, my rec ommendation for gorogoa, my recommendation for gorogoa.

Beautiful artwork

Really short.

Captivating puzzle mechanics

Device screen, simple yet effective storytelling, little inferno, my rec ommendation for little inferno, my recommendation for little inferno.

Minimalistic, eerie puzzles, gameplay and narration pointing out how the games we play manipulate us

The game is quite short, delightfully warped gameplay makes for an amusing way to burn digital objects, no puzzle diversity or large number of mechanics added, intriguing wordplay-based puzzles that keep the player guessing, most of the time is spent waiting and not on puzzles, human: fall flat, my rec ommendation for human: fall flat, my recommendation for human: fall flat, playing co-op with your friends adds a whole new experience to the puzzle solving, not much visual appeal, oddly rewarding control scheme, levels have multiple paths, encouraging discovery, can cause motion sickness due to camera shaking, fantastic physics, good progression of difficulty, you can personalize your avatar with colors and textures, hilarious co-op mode, puyo puyo tetris, my rec ommendation for puyo puyo tetris, my recommendation for puyo puyo tetris, great online experience, unfair matchmaking in online mode, tons of game modes, tetris is slowed down, two strategic, classic games in one, has some balance issues, level skip for tricky puzzles, story mode will not appeal to all, fast and frantic competitive play, very interesting gameplay premise, captain toad: treasure tracker, my rec ommendation for captain toad: treasure tracker, my recommendation for captain toad: treasure tracker, battle chef brigade, my rec ommendation for battle chef brigade, my recommendation for battle chef brigade, a new in-game challenge every day, too much guesswork in the cook-offs, good difficulty progression pacing, an enjoyable blend of puzzle solving and action gaming, snipperclips, my rec ommendation for snipperclips, my recommendation for snipperclips, davinci resolve 15, my rec ommendation for davinci resolve 15, my recommendation for davinci resolve 15, my rec ommendation for ironcast, my recommendation for ironcast, unique setting, favors rng over skill, a new experience each playthrough thanks to randomized missions, permadeath doesn't feel like it fits in a luck based game, loads of strategic combat choices, gameplay feels fresh and new due to the puzzle based combat, fun and exciting combat, lumines remastered, my rec ommendation for lumines remastered, my recommendation for lumines remastered, bridge constructor portal, my rec ommendation for bridge constructor portal, my recommendation for bridge constructor portal, interesting puzzles, can feel frustrating, decent amount content for its price, can seem a little bland in its presentation, sushi striker: the way of sushido, my rec ommendation for sushi striker: the way of sushido, my recommendation for sushi striker: the way of sushido, expensive for a puzzle game, flowlines vs., my rec ommendation for flowlines vs., my recommendation for flowlines vs., levels+: addictive puzzle game, my rec ommendation for levels+: addictive puzzle game, my recommendation for levels+: addictive puzzle game, my rec ommendation for subaracity, my recommendation for subaracity, don't see your favorite option add it., steamworld dig, my rec ommendation for steamworld dig, my recommendation for steamworld dig, super bomberman r, my rec ommendation for super bomberman r, my recommendation for super bomberman r.

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Ranking The Best Puzzle Games On Nintendo Switch

Home > Games > Ranking The Best Puzzle Games On Nintendo Switch

• Seb Santabarbara
• Updated: January 2, 2023

Get ready to work those little grey cells as we check out the best puzzle games on Nintendo Switch!

Sometimes, there’s nothing better than kicking back with a puzzle game and patting yourself on the back for completing a really hard challenge.

Who am I kidding; I live for this stuff. It’s why I’ve always been obsessed with the best Zelda games , after all.

Now that the DS is no longer in production, the Switch is the perfect handheld for players to get their puzzle fix on the go.

And when you’re back home, you can continue the action on your TV.

From famous series that dropped on the DS through to new and exciting titles to the Switch, here’s 10 of the best puzzle games in 2022 for you to work your brain muscles and give yourself a better IQ.

That last sentence isn’t guaranteed, but it sounds pretty convincing, right?

Table of Contents

1. Gorogoa (2017)

We’ve puzzled our way to Number 1, and Gorogoa is officially the best puzzle game for the Nintendo Switch!

Seriously, this game is beautiful. That word isn’t used enough to describe video games, but it’s well and truly meant here.

All the artwork in this title is hand drawn by an artist called Jason Roberts. It’s truly unique and utterly original, combining tricky puzzles that will make your brain hurt with stunning visuals that will fill you with wonder.

What a review, eh!

Just look at those stills above! It’s like flicking through an actual picture book, utilising incredible illustrations to drive the narrative forward and keep the action flowing.

I think as a fan of fantasy novels with a huge imagination swimming around my massive head, this game appeals to me on so many levels.

Puzzles galore with a wholly original way of looking at a computer game, all perfectly packaged on the Nintendo Switch.

What more could a person want?

2. The Gardens Between (2018)

The Gardens Between takes the 2nd spot in our list of the best puzzle games on Nintendo Switch!

Looking and feeling like a cross between Brothers and The Curse Of Monkey Island, this game sees two characters moving through beautiful garden islands.

The weird thing about this game that makes it instantly shoot to second place, however, is the fact that the players don’t control the characters.

They manipulate time!

I love the direction of this game and how different it is from others in the genre. It’s both a testament to the power of friendship and also a game that makes you think about the effects that time has on all of us.

Mess with memories Harry Potter-style and contend with worlds where time flows in all directions.

Each puzzle you solve contributes to an interesting and immersive plot line that will have you well and truly hooked. It’s a game with many levels and branches, one that’s a true work of art.

3. World Of Goo (2017)

World of Goo might not have received a physical release on the Wii, but you can grab a copy of it for the Switch and stick it on your shelf with pride.

This is one of the most addictive games I’ve ever played. It’s like one of those iPhone games that did the rounds back in the day like Flappy Bird or Cut the Rope, except it’s actually stood the test of time.

And the best but is that it’s not only cleverly made but also really eye-catching too!

Some of the best Indie games on Switch are just as good as the main titles from the major developers, and while World of Goo isn’t ever going to beat BotW in good looks, it’s definitely a title that everyone needs to play.

So what is all the fuss about?

Well, players need to build blob structures over chasms and create towers to reach heights. You need to head to the goo pipe at one point in the level so your little guys can escape.

The fewer blobs you use, the more points you get. If you need a game to keep your brain healthy, then give this one a go!

4. Tetris Effect: Connected (2021)

Tetris Effect: Connected reimagines Tetris in a whole new way. Gone are the blocky visuals of the NES days (though it’s still about blocks) or the slow-building wonders of the N64 title.

If you’ve ever played Lumines or Rez, then it won’t come as a surprise to know that the same developers made this game.

With epic tunes and special effects, it’s like Tetris fell into a rave and never wanted to come out!

The iconic tumbling puzzler now feels like an audio-visual sensory experience that messes with and enriches the mind in equal measure.

Everything moves in time with how you’re playing, making all the stages wholly unique every time you play.

It’s Tetris at the core with tonnes of bells and whistles, a nice change for anyone looking to up their game from the DMG days.

5. Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (2018)

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker takes the 5th spot in this list of the best puzzle games on Nintendo Switch!

It’s the first game where Toad has been put in the limelight and not as a supporting character, and he makes a real good job of it too!

Searching for treasure, this little ‘fun-guy’ works his way through a Yoshi’s story-style comic book while solving treasure and uncovering gold.

Exploration and puzzle-solving are perfectly combined in this game. Find collectables, defeat enemies, and find the golden star normally saved for Mario to collect.

That backpack of Toads has a lot of exciting weapons and items in it too; he’s not messing about!

The Wii U made this game look super swish, but it’s even more impressive on the Switch. Kicking back with my OLED Switch while collecting mushrooms and dodging bad guys never fails to make me smile.

Does Toad eating mushrooms make him a cannibal? Is he eating his own family members?

6. Layton’s Mystery Journey: Katrielle and the Millionaires’ Conspiracy (2019)

Professor Layton is one of the best detectives of our time. But when he goes missing in Layton’s Mystery Journey: Katrielle and the Millionaires’ Conspiracy, his daughter has to solve the mystery of his disappearance.

Don’t worry though; Katrielle is just as sharp as her dad and more than capable of cracking the case.

If you miss the days of clicking for puzzle coins on the DS, then playing this game in handheld mode will definitely scratch your puzzle itch.

Or, see all the action on the big screen with the Switch docked and use the Joycon motion controls to help uncover clues and complete puzzles.

This looks and feels like Professor Layton 2.0. If you enjoyed the Curious Village, then this mind-bending puzzlefest will keep you smiling for days on end.

7. Sushi Striker: The Way Of The Sushido (2018)

Sushi Striker: The Way Of The Sushido takes the 7th spot on our list of the best puzzle games on Nintendo Switch!

Any game that has the tagline ‘Eat to Defeat’ is always going to be a winner in my book. That’s even more so when Sushi is involved too.

Control a character with an appetite as big as their bravery as you defend your land from an evil empire.

Oh, and it takes place in a time period called ‘The Sushi Struggles’… how cool is that!

If you’ve ever played the mini games in Mario Party, then you’ll be all over this plate-matching game.

I know I’m used to eating sushi, but it’s also used as a weapon here.

Maybe the fish is a little off?

Build the biggest plate stack and finish off your opponent in true Sushido-style!

8. Mr. Driller: DrillLand (2020)

Want to travel to a secret amusement park under the ground? Mr. Driller: DrillLand can take you there in a heartbeat!

With 5 attractions to drill your way through, there’s plenty for Mr Driller fans to sink their teeth into in this game.

And of course, there are tough bosses to beat along the way too. Because no attraction is complete without a gnarly enemy to destroy!

This is the very first Mr Driller game on the console too. This is one of the games that I usually only play handheld too; I don’t know why, but it feels like a feet-up, close-up type of game to me!

Play with up to four friends once you do get off the sofa and dock your Switch, or just dig to your heart’s content in the Easy mode.

That’s definitely the best thing to do on a lazy Sunday.

9. Snipperclips Plus (2017)

Snipperclips Plus is one of the niftiest games on the planet. It’s so simple to play and a real cute title to have a bash at with a friend or partner.

But don’t be fooled by its colourful graphics. This is a real tough cookie to crack at times and requires a lot of brain power.

It’s also easy to just be super annoying destroy your partner’s little character… which I’ve done a lot!

The main premise behind Snipperclips is working together to reach a certain goal or make a specific shape.

You’ll need to carefully snip your partners character in the right way, often combining together to create weird and wacky shaped or push objects towards a goal.

If you’re looking for a game that isn’t high-octane and easy to play no matter what your gaming level, then give Snipperclips Plus a go!

10. Art Of Balance (2018)

Art Of Balance finished off our list of the best puzzle games on Nintendo Switch, bringing 200 levels of addictive goodness to Nintendo’s handheld hero.

A game where you build a stack of shapes might not sound that addictive, but trust me… it is!

Any fans of the tension created while playing Wario Ware on the GameCube will instantly connect with this. Watch out for shapes breaking and some pieces even reversing gravity!

Online play is a nice touch in this game, but the local split screen will always be my favourite. Nothing says stress like having your friends poking and goading you while trying to stack objects.

If it wasn’t for the tranquil sounds of this game and amazing music, then I think I might have pulled my beard out a long time ago.

This is one that people of any gaming ability can play easily. Practice makes perfect, and you will find it incredibly tough to put down!

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The 10 Best Puzzle Games on Nintendo Switch: SwitchArcade Special Edition

It’s SwitchArcade Special Edition time again, friends. We’ve got another list of our favorite Switch games in a particular genre. Use it as a shopping list, some light reading entertainment, or whatever other purpose you can think of. This time around, we’re checking out puzzle games. It’s an incredibly wide genre, and I’ve opted to mix all sorts in here rather than break it down into sub-categories. As such, I’m sure there are many games you might like that aren’t on here. There’s a solution for that! Head down to the comments and let us know your favorite Switch puzzle games. It’s win-win. As always, the games aren’t listed in any particular order. Here we go!

Baba Is You ($15.00)

Some puzzle games are great to relax and zone out with. Baba Is You is not one of those. No, Baba Is You is going to require your full attention and concentration. It’s the cleverest twist on a Sokoban -style box-pusher that I’ve ever seen. Each stage challenges you to win, but what that entails can be completely different depending on the current rules. You can manipulate those rules by rearranging the words, and you’ll often have to think completely outside of the box to find a solution. This game will make you feel like an idiot 90% of the time and a genius the rest of the time. Utterly brilliant.

Tetris 99 (Free w/Switch Online)

No list of great puzzle games would be complete without the most popular game in the genre. There are a few different ways to play Tetris on your Switch, but I think the best way is through Nintendo’s own Tetris 99 . It started off as a pure multiplayer title, a ridiculously enjoyable Battle Royale take on the concept. That part of the game is free to play for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers. Later on updates added a nice selection of offline modes via paid DLC that you can enjoy when you’re on the go. There are lots of unlockable themes but ultimately what makes this the pick of the litter is in how it feels to play. Nintendo has always hit the nail on the head when it has worked on the Tetris series, and this may be its finest effort yet.

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker ($39.99)

Ready for adventure! There are a lot of great things about Super Mario 3D World , but among the coolest of its new ideas were the levels starring the stalwart Captain Toad. They proved popular enough that Nintendo created a whole game built around the concept. You’re presented with diorama-like stages where you need to seek out treasures and reach the goal. It would be an easy matter for the agile Mario, but Captain Toad’s pack is heavy and he can’t jump at all. You’ll have to make clever use of the gimmicks of each stage, keep a sharp eye out for tricks, and move with quick timing to avoid hazards. This Switch version includes the base game, the new Super Mario Odyssey -inspired stages, and is the only version of the game to offer the DLC that adds even more fun things to do. It’s not terribly difficult even at its hardest, but it’s a rather nice way to spend a weekend or two.

Touhou Spell Bubble ($54.99)

Somehow this is the most expensive game on this list, and I understand that it can be hard to convince people that a matching puzzle game is worth full-price in the current year. But Touhou Spell Bubble does its best to justify its price with compelling gameplay that builds on the classic Puzzle Bobble series, an enjoyable story mode, a killer soundtrack that ties into the mechanics, and tons of unlockable goodies. The only thing it’s missing is an online multiplayer mode, and that is admittedly a big omission given what a blast the local multiplayer mode is. It’s both a great puzzle game and an excellent means of entering the rather complicated world of Touhou Project video games.

Murder By Numbers ($14.99)

I remember when we used to have to get by with a single Picross -style game for a whole console generation. Now, we’re absolutely swimming in the things. If you find yourself needing a little something extra to go with your logic puzzles, you’ll want to give Murder By Numbers a look. It combines Ace Attorney -style adventure scenes with Picross -style puzzles, and while it’s not always the smoothest blend it turns out to be rather excellent on the whole. The puzzles are satisfying to solve, and the story is quite well-written on top of that. Another good one to chill with if you need to relax after a hard day of battling ninjas. As one does.

Mini Metro ($9.99)

This stylish little number puts you in charge of the train systems in a bunch of cities around the world. It’s part time management and part strategic planning as you try to serve all of the stations without any of them getting overcrowded. At first it’s rather easy, as you’ll only need to handle a small number of stations and passenger types, but the longer you play on each map the more demanding things become. Each week you survive, you’ll have to pick between useful assets to help you keep those plates spinning. Both unique and compelling, Mini Metro will keep you playing for hours on end.

Puyo Puyo Champions ($9.99)

While it has only recently picked up in popularity in the West, Puyo Puyo has long been a staple of the competitive puzzle game scene in Japan. While it can be a little tough to wrap your head around if you’re coming in from Tetris , once you get the hang of setting up and firing off combos you won’t want to put Puyo Puyo down. Puyo Puyo Champions is focused on creating the best possible multiplayer experience and is a bit light on single-player content as a result. It will teach you how to play and it has a bunch of puzzle stages and challenges to clear, but you’ll eventually want to take your skills against other players to get the most out of this one. There are lots of multiplayer modes and options, and you can choose to play under the rules of Puyo Puyo 2 or Puyo Puyo Fever , the two most popular versions of the game.

ACA NEOGEO Money Puzzle Exchanger ($7.99)

Hamster’s Arcade Archives series has a lot of fun puzzle games to discover from the various eras of arcade gaming. One of my favorites is the scarcely-seen NEOGEO puzzler Money Puzzle Exchanger, sometimes known under the title Money Idol Exchanger. The idea is that you need to stack coins to create larger denominations until you’re able to match two 500-coins, which will clear them from the play area. It’s quite similar to Magical Drop , but something about this one clicks just a little better for me. As with many matching puzzle games from the 1990s, the real meat of the gameplay comes from setting up combos. Plan things properly and you’ll be able to watch as huge portions of the screen are swept away, much to the detriment of your opponent. Fair warning on this one: the CPU opponent gets very nasty, very quickly.

Mr. Driller DrillLand ($29.99)

There are a number of Mr. Driller games out there, as for a while Namco was pretty serious about putting it on almost every platform. Seriously, it was one of just four games the company put out on the Dreamcast. Mr. Driller DrillLand , originally released on the Gamecube, may well be the best of them. Lucky us, it’s also the one that Namco chose to bring to the Switch. It includes a number of variations of the core digging gameplay under the premise that Mr. Driller now has his very own theme park dedicated to him. This set-up not only helps to lend the game much-needed variety, it also serves as a nice motivation to keep playing. There are lots of fun things to unlock, some interesting things to read, and some silly events that are only there to keep the theme park idea going. The robust single-player content is backed up by some highly enjoyable multiplayer action.

Part Time UFO ($8.99)

It’s a tough world out there. Even UFOs need to get jobs these days. Help one little UFO make ends meet in this incredibly adorable game. The core premise sees you picking things up and taking them somewhere else, a task that can be simple or virtually impossible depending on the size, shape, and weight of the object in question. It builds on this basic idea by having you perform various tasks like stacking objects, grabbing specific types of objects, or simply trying to fit everything in a container that seems like it shouldn’t be able to hold it all. There are also some fun secrets to find on each job, rewarding you for experimenting. It’s another unique title that offers a specific flavor of joy you won’t find anywhere else.

Interested in more lists? Check out our other recommendations!

• The Best Party Games on Nintendo Switch
• The Best Beat-Em-Up Games on Nintendo Switch
• The Best 2D Platformers on Nintendo Switch
• The Best Western RPGs on Nintendo Switch
• The Best Shoot-Em-Up Games on Nintendo Switch
• The Best Fighting Games on Nintendo Switch
• The Best Action-RPGs on Nintendo Switch
• The Best Rhythm Games on Nintendo Switch
• The Best Visual Novel Games on Nintendo Switch
• The Best JRPGs on Nintendo Switch
• The Best 3D Platformers on Nintendo Switch
• The Best Metroidvanias on Nintendo Switch

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Nintendo Switch Is Getting One Of The Best PS5 Games On November 19

I've played the $300 deadpool game - don't waste your money, pokémon legends: z-a's release window just got smaller thanks to the tcg.

The puzzle genre has become popular on the Nintendo Switch, with massive hits like the Untitled Goose Game and Donut County keeping players busy solving entertaining levels. Switch owners who want to test their skills and try out a puzzle game don’t have to spend a single penny as there are quite a few of them available on the eShop for free.

RELATED:  15 Best Co-Op Games For Switch, Ranked By Metacritic

Out of over 70 free-to-play and free-to-start titles to choose from, there are seven free puzzle games that players can download at any time. Some of these games have great mechanics, complex puzzles, and entertaining levels that make them worth checking out.

Angry Bunnies: Colossal Carrot Crusade

Angry Bunnies: Colossal Carrot Crusade is a bunny-flinging puzzle game where players have to figure out the best ways to demolish structures and crush foxes in each level. The physics-based demolition game has over 150 levels, designed to become increasingly complex as the player progresses.

Angry Bunnies is a funny game for the Switch , but it’s an obvious revamp of the more popular and humorous Angry Birds games. It doesn’t really add anything new to the formula as it mostly just replaces birds and pigs with bunnies and foxes. The puzzles aren’t too challenging to figure out, and the bunnies’ special abilities do little to add excitement to the gameplay. It might be fun for players who have never tried anything from the genre before, but the game's uninspired levels are a pale imitation of the original, which is also free to download on any smartphone.

Lost Lands: Dark Overlord

After Susan takes a phone call and turns away from her son for a split second, Jimmy is suddenly pulled into a mysterious portal, which closes before his mother could reach him. Lost Lands: Dark Overlord follows Susan through this magical dark world, where she must solve puzzles and look for clues to figure out how to get her son back.

RELATED:  15 Scariest Games You Can Play On Switch Right Now

The game has beautiful hand-drawn visuals, which is pleasantly surprising for a free title. Its soundtrack adds to the magical atmosphere of the hidden world. The puzzles aren’t too exciting, as they’re nothing players haven’t seen before. For instance, there are puzzles where players have to turn over tiles to match images and others that require them to light up bulbs to form constellations. On the other hand, the clue-finding aspect is fun, as there are a ton of overstuffed rooms for players to sift through. It’s worth checking out for players who want an easy puzzle game with stunning visuals.

Gems Of War

Gems of War is a fun puzzle game on the Switch that tasks players with matching gems and skulls to power their characters and defeat their enemies. It incorporates RPG elements, as players have to level up troops and equip them with armor and weapons, while also discovering new attacks and spells along the way. There are also various quests, guild activities, fight modes, and events for players to enjoy.

Gems of War is an interesting take on the genre, as it combines all the fun elements of RPGs but combines them with puzzles. It requires players to be strategic about using their mana, as it’s easy to run out of it after enough matches against other skilled players. The biggest issue with this game is that it’s extremely difficult to level up characters without buying better gear or upgrading abilities through microtransactions. If players are willing to grind for hours to gain a few ingots in the game, Gems of War can be a rewarding experience with a good number of quests and other entertaining activities to do.

Hexceed is a challenging but also relaxing Switch game that puts a spin on the classic title it’s based on ( Minesweeper ). Instead of a dull gray grid, it features creatively designed levels filled with hexagons for players to uncover. Like the classic game, each hexagon will reveal how many dangers are hidden around, allowing players to strategize about their next move.

The game has some fun level designs, with one of them even made to look like a map. Hexceed doesn’t try to innovate on Minesweeper ’s core elements, but it does improve them by making the gameplay more exciting through brilliant design. The pastel color palette and relaxing soundtrack are an added bonus.

The most relaxing game that’s free on the eShop is undoubtedly Color Zen . The objective given to the player is simple – just keep combining shapes with the same color until only one fills the screen. The level designs become increasingly complex, eventually forcing the player to strategize (at least a little bit) to clear each one.

RELATED:  10 Best Free RPGs On Nintendo Switch

Even on the hardest levels, this game never becomes frustrating. It’s almost impossible to get annoyed when there’s a meditative soundtrack and relaxing sound effects that accompany every move. The simplicity of the shapes and the overall gameplay make it a charming game for players who want to relax for a few hours.

Nintendo’s Tetris 99 is another  classic game made with better graphics with a multiplayer twist. Just like its name suggests, players are pitted against 98 other users in a thrilling Tetris battle that ends with only one winner. During the battle royale-style matches, players can send out Garbage Blocks to opponents, which will slightly obscure their screen.

Having 99 Tetris games all at once is an ambitious concept for a game, but it works amazingly well. Players have to be strategic not just about their own game, but about who to target next. The excitement and tension are only intensified as more and more players are knocked out. It’s also ridiculously difficult to win against so many other players, but the thrill of trying makes it worth playing over and over again.

Pokémon Café Mix

Pokémon Café Mix is a feel-good game that tasks players with running a café with an adorable staff. Familiar Pokémon like Charmander and Togepi help the player churn out tasty-looking treats like Eevee cakes and Diglett sandwiches. The more puzzles players complete, the more food and drinks they can serve – the café can even be expanded to attract more customers.

One of the most thrilling parts of the game is the Pokémon customers that come to dine in the café. Minccino can just walk in and order decaf – if it’s good enough, he might even join the staff! The actual puzzles aren’t difficult at all, as it’s easy enough to link Pokémon faces together to clear the levels. This isn’t surprising, as the playful art style and relaxed café environment suggest that the game isn’t mean to be hard. It’s a fun and easy puzzle game for players who aren't really looking for anything challenging.

NEXT:  15 Best First Person Shooter Games Ported To Switch

• Nintendo Switch

The Best Problem-solving Games

• Math Puzzle Games - Cross Math
• Found It! Hidden Object Game
• Wood Nuts & Bolts, Screw
• DOP 5: Delete One Part
• My Doge: Puzzle Game
• Wood Nuts & Bolts Puzzle
• Release date: New first
• Review score: Best first
• IOS (iPhone / iPad)
• PS4 (Playstation 4)
• PS5 (Playstation 5)
• Xbox Series X
• Oculus Rift

qomp2 (2024)

An artful reimagining of Pong. Control a Pong ball aching to break free of its life stuck between two paddles. Explore a dangerous, minimalist world, armed with simple two button controls.

• problem-solving
• experimental
• exploration

Math Puzzle Games - Cross Math (2023)

Crossmath is a fun and engaging math puzzle game that tests your problem-solving skills. The game features a variety of levels and difficulty settings, so you can find the perfect challenge for your math skill level. To play, you'll need to solve a series of math problems, using addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

• competitive

Found It! Hidden Object Game (2022)

Find all hidden objects by moving around the interactive maps and completing quests to unlock new colorful locations. Use hints to put your target and find it. You can also zoom in, out, and swipe through every corner of the map.

• friends-and-family
• interactive

Wood Nuts & Bolts, Screw (2023)

Get ready to embark on a mechanical journey like no other in Wood Nuts & Bolts, Screw Puzzle. With each level, the puzzles become more intricate and satisfyingly complex. Freely twisted, unscrew and screw pin to solve Bolts.

DOP 5: Delete One Part (2023)

Using your finger as an eraser, pick which part of the picture you want to delete to solve the puzzle and reveal the final image. Progress through levels of varying difficulty as the questions become more complicated.

Syllatiles (2023)

Syllatiles is the ultimate word puzzle game that challenges you to decipher a word, then locate its various parts and assemble them in the correct order. With a multitude of levels and mind-bending riddles to solve, Syllatile promises endless hours of entertainment and mental stimulation.

• mind-bending
• entertainment

My Doge: Puzzle Game (2023)

My dog - dog head swollen is an original puzzle game, which contains a large number of brain-burning levels, each level, there is a dog head waiting for you to open your mind to save him. The abundance of creative and interesting puzzle questions may break common sense and bring you a whole new experience. This is a great tool for friends and family to spend time together, so download it and experience a different kind of puzzle game!

Super Kye (2024)

**Super Kye** is a puzzle adventure with unique challenges and a level editor. Navigate mazes, solve puzzles, and unlock levels in a game where strategy meets creativity.

Piece Link (2024)

Connect the shapes to fit them together!

• visual-novel
• point-and-click
• challenging
• family-friendly

Wood Nuts & Bolts Puzzle (2023)

Wood Nuts & Bolts Puzzle is a captivating game designed to challenge your problem-solving skills. Master the art of strategically rotating wooden bolts to fit them into place. Embark on a journey through 100+ levels.

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It’s no understatement to say puzzles form the backbone of video games as a medium of entertainment.

For me, it started with games like The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past , in which dungeons contained numerous mysteries that pushed me to consider, and then reconsider, how I used Link’s vast arsenal of tools to accomplish a task like, say, opening a secret door to a room. And while several adventure games make problem-solving a key aspect of exploring, just plain old puzzles also have played a large role in the history of video games.

It could be the picture book-esque stylings of point-and-click games like Goragoa or the mind-bending worlds of Cocoon , developers continue to shower fans of games with all kinds of brainteasers. Even in the past two years, I’ve seen word games — still puzzles! — take on a new level of widespread popularity through the breakout success of games like the New York Times’ Wordle and now Connections .

There are truly too many puzzle games to choose from. If we really wanted to get philosophical, we could extend this designation to the vast majority of games. So we here at Polygon decided to start by writing up some of our personal favorite puzzle games. From classic match games like Puyo Puyo to the deviously clever visual puns of Baba Is You , here are Polygon’s favorite puzzle games. — Ana Diaz

Our latest updated added Arranger.

Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure

Where to play: Android, iOS, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Windows PC

Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure is one of those puzzle games that changes the way you think about all puzzle games — rather than simply shuffling around the grid, you can also loop yourself around to the other side of each row and column, forcing you to get accustomed to a brand new mechanic from the jump. Your movements also impact static items and non-player characters, including the enemies you destroy by configuring weapons to push into them with your next move.

Add the impeccable and appropriately percussive soundtrack by Argentinian composer Tomás Batista and the compelling story told in stunning comic-book-like illustrations and you have one of our favorite puzzle games of 2024 so far. Best of all, the levels are a mix of challenging, rewarding, and relaxing — you can always skip a level if you’re too stuck — making even a few minutes of Arranger between meetings rewarding. —Zoë Hannah

• $20 at Steam
• $18 at Nintendo

Baba Is You

Where to play: Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, Windows PC

Baba Is You is a word game and an environmental puzzle game, but not in the way that either of those genre terms typically get used.

In this game, the words you select change the environment around you and the entire conditions of the game itself — almost like you’re the level designer. The top-down, 2D game starts simply enough, giving you rules in the form of text on the screen like “Baba is you” (you control a little sprite named Baba), “rock is push” (if you run up against a rock, it’ll move), and “flag is win” (touch the flag to complete the level). But each of those pieces of text can be moved around on screen to spell out different commands, thereby changing the entire world. Pushing these pieces of text to instead make them say “rock is you” turns the rock into a playable character, while Baba simply stands there motionless.

That might not sound too complicated, until the game introduces a ton more objects and actions, thereby allowing you to feel like even more of a galaxy-brained genius upon figuring out how to reorder them in your favor. Like the best puzzle games, Baba Is You will make you feel both smart and stupid constantly — but mostly smart, because you’ll be training your brain to think in ways that are entirely new. — Maddy Myers

• $15 at Steam
• $15 at Nintendo
• $7 at Google Play

The Case of the Golden Idol

Where to play: Nintendo Switch, Windows PC

Much like Return of the Obra Dinn (more on that in a sec), the real work of playing The Case of the Golden Idol doesn’t involve anything you do on screen — it happens in your head as you sort through the clues the game has provided.

In this game, it’s not just one event that you need to unravel, but a whole series of mysterious and fantastical murders to solve, one by one. The killings take place over the course of several years, each of them related in some way to a magical object with extraordinary and lethal powers (the titular Golden Idol). Like Obra Dinn , all you get are glimpses of each murder, but not a whole cutscene — just an unsettling, looping animation of the victim’s final moments. As the omnipresent investigator, you can sort through the character’s pockets and explore the victim’s surroundings, which will allow you to put together clues and make an accusation — in the form of a written logbook that has predetermined phrases for you to select.

In that way, Golden Idol involves some process of elimination, since there are only ever so many words that you can put into your logbook to describe the murder’s events, but those words might not make any sense to you until you’ve fully processed the scene and the clues. Again, this is a game that unfolds in your head and not on screen — because once you know whodunit, selecting the words that describe the solution is a total breeze. This is a game that will have you wishing you could erase your memory and play it again. Luckily, there’s some fantastic DLC for it and a sequel on the way. — MM

• $12 at Steam

Where to play: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X

It’s difficult to communicate the terms of a puzzle without using a single line of dialogue or piece of text, yet that’s precisely what Cocoon does throughout its short (four-to-five-hour) but monumentally impressive run time. You play as a cute little bug exploring a series of strange sci-fi worlds using mysterious, glowing orbs to transport yourself to and fro. Environmental hazards abound, but the path beyond each of them always turns out to be head-slappingly simple, requiring you to just look at the minimal tools at your disposal and using them to your advantage. The pulsing synth soundtrack will accelerate in a hopeful direction whenever you get closer to solving a puzzle, which helps. The only frustrating part is that Cocoon still has boss battles in between its oodles of environmental puzzles, and these are fine but not nearly as fun as, well, the puzzles. That’s why you’re here, after all. — MM

• $25 at Nintendo
• $25 at Steam
• $25 at PlayStation

Connections

Where to play: NY Times Games

Sometimes you want a gorgeously rendered puzzle game that you can sink hours into on your PC or your console. And other times, you want “grid on phone.”

“Grid on phone” is having a moment in the puzzle genre — trivia games like the Immaculate Grid or Vulture’s Cinematrix have captured the hearts of nerds of all stripes. But for my money [ Ed. note: Those games are all free] the New York Times’ daily Connections is the most complete and satisfying version of “grid on phone.”

Each day, players are presented with a four-by-four grid of words. The goal is to find four groups of four connected words: Maybe they rhyme, or have to do with a connected topic, or can all use the same prefix or suffix. Some are harder than others — in each set of four groups, typically two are pretty easy and two are pretty difficult — and Connections editor Wyna Liu is quite skilled at tricking you into thinking you’ve found a group where one doesn’t exist. That level of difficulty is what makes Connections challenging and fun, and when you manage to guess the most difficult group of the day first, it’s a great feeling. — Pete Volk

Where to play: iOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One

Capybara Games’ Grindstone is one of my go-to games if I’m just traveling with my iPad. You play as an ogre-like miner who slays monsters and collects items called grindstones. To collect these stones and complete each level, you’ll chart a path through a corral of monsters by connecting creatures of the same color. If you slay more than 10 monsters in one turn, you’ll be rewarded with a shiny grindstone that allows you to continue your chain attack with a differently colored monster.

Grindstone is polished down to the most minute details. The developers honed in on a strong sense of style that leans into colorful, cartoony art and quirky character design. Even small actions, like slicing through monsters, feels oh-so satisfying as your little ogre grunts and rips through all the little creeps.

I also personally like that you can play through the campaign and upgrade your character. So while it’s a puzzle game, the game does have a progression element where you power up your little miner. What’s more is that this part of the game also introduced certain strategy elements, so you might need to plan out what items and upgrades you’ll want depending on the specific challenge of each level. — AD

• $20 at Nintendo
• $20 at PlayStation

Lumines Remastered

Where to play: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows PC, Xbox One

Have you ever loved a game that you absolutely suck at? That’s me with Lumines Remastered . On its face, this game has a rather simple premise that will feel comfortable to fans of other falling-block games, but it never fails to kick my ass.

In the main mode, you work with a generously wide board that’s 16 blocks long and 10 high. As you play, a two-by-two square composed of smaller blocks falls from the top of the screen. Each of these squares has its own combination of two different colors of blocks. For example, the first level has a silver-and-orange theme, so one square might have three orange blocks, and then one silver block in the upper right corner. You clear the board by arranging these smaller squares so that the smaller blocks of the same color stack to form other square and rectangular shapes. You lose the game once the blocks stack up and surpass the height of the board.

Lumines Remastered feels great to play and has a great sense of style to boot. The game has a rhythmic pace to it because the squares and rectangles of the same color don’t clear until a cursor aligned with the beat passes over them. I personally think fans of Tetris Effect will love it for its pulsing electronic beats and dazzling visual effects. I might not always get as far as I want, but I’ll always come back for more. — AD

• $15 at Xbox

Where to play: Android, iOS, PlayStation 3, Windows PC, Xbox 360

Peggle was released in 2007 and it’s still one of the best puzzle games of all time. A mix of Japanese gambling arcade game pachinko, pinball machines, and centuries-old billiards game Bagatelle, Peggle is played by launching a ball from the top of the screen to bounce around and clear a board full of pegs. It’s a mix of luck and strategy in deciding where to aim the ball to maximize the amount of pegs that are lit up or cleared. It’s pure serotonin when you make huge combos or clear the board — set to an epic rendition of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, particularly “Ode to Joy.”

I remember playing Peggle on Xbox Live Arcade, but it’s now available on basically all platforms. PopCap eventually released Peggle Nights and Peggle 2 , plus Peggle Blast for mobile devices, among others. From its major success, Peggle has almost become a genre: There’s roguelike Peglin , dungeon crawler Roundguard , and role-playing game Beast Breaker , if you’re looking to spice up the original gameplay. — Nicole Carpenter

• $1 at Steam

Where to play: Nintendo Switch

Nonograms like Picross are a tried-and-true puzzle format. In Picross games, you fill in boxes on a grid to reveal a picture by using numbered hints assigned to each line. My personal favorite version of it is Sega’s: the Picross S games for Nintendo Switch. Sega released the first Picross S in 2017 and has released more than eight different versions of it since. (I played Picross S4 and 5 , and enjoyed those ones specifically.)

Picross games have a laid-back feel that’s notably less frantic than some of the other options on this list. You can learn the basics in minutes and kick back once you do. I personally appreciate how the Picross S series feels great to play in a digital format since it gives you all the notation tools you need to succeed.

Picross would make the perfect match for the sudoku-inclined. I’d also venture to say that its laid-back gameplay and almost pen-and-paper feel would make it a great next step for any fans of word games wanting to try something new. It is the perfect game to play on a lazy Sunday morning as you drink a giant cup of coffee. —AD

• $8 at Nintendo

Pocket Card Jockey: Ride On!

Where to play: iOS, Nintendo Switch

One of my favorites puzzle game genres is “improbable mashup of solitaire with something else” (see the entry for Regency Solitaire in this list), and you don’t get more improbable than Pokémon developer Game Freak’s collision of frantic, high-speed card-clearing with a surprisingly deep and tactical horse-racing sim. Originally appearing on Nintendo 3DS, Pocket Card Jockey is now available in a remake for iOS (via Apple Arcade) and Nintendo Switch. The game involves clearing hands of cards very quickly against the clock to determine your success in various phases of the horse race, but there’s a load of other stuff going on too, including managing your horse’s positioning on the track, its levels of energy and stamina, and so on. There’s even an involved and lengthy career mode where breeding and stable management comes into play. Super cute and accessible on the surface, Pocket Card Jockey is a deep, hypnotic, and exciting mashup of sports and puzzle game under the surface. —Oli Welsh

• $7 at Apple Arcade 1 month

Pokémon Puzzle League

Where to play: Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack

When I’m hanging out with family around the holidays, there’s always one game that comes out. It’s not a sleepy-eyed Mario Kart or anything like that, no — we just love to play Pokémon Puzzle League .

Originally released on Nintendo 64 in 2000, we now enjoy the game by playing it via the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription . The game is basically Tetris Attack (also known as Panel de Pon ) with a Pokémon skin. You navigate a one-by-two cursor that flips the blocks from one spot to another. So if you have a red “fire-type” block sitting to the left of a blue “water-type” block, it will swap their spots so the blue one is on the left and red is on the right. Then, you just try to match up lines of three of the same color or more. When you get into it, the game can take on a dizzyingly fast pace that can hook you in for hours.

With a soundtrack that contains cutesy versions of classic tracks like “ Pokémon World ” and crunchy animated visuals from the early era of the franchise, it will tickle any longtime fans of the series. However, it still holds up as a great puzzle game and is a joy to play in local co-op with the non-Pokémon lovers in my life. —AD

• $50 at Best Buy

Puyo Puyo Tetris

Where to play: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows PC, Xbox One

If there is one game on this list that has an uncanny ability to leave me and my friends red-eyed and wondering how it’s already 3:00 a.m., it’s Puyo Puyo Tetris .

The game combines Puyo Puyo — the beloved color-matching game from Sega — and Tetris , the classic falling-block game with tetrominoes. It’s kind of a matter of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” and Tetris certainly doesn’t need any fixing. Puyo Puyo Tetris (and its accompanying sequel) have long been my couch co-op Tetris game of choice.

While the game does have single-player content, I’ve only ever played it with others. In a match, each person gets to choose between playing with the Puyo Puyo mode or Tetris mode. You can play with up to four people at once, and clearing lines on the board in the Tetris version or matching colors in the Puyo Puyo version sends attacks that fill up your competitors’ boards with gray blocks or Puyos.

Puyo Puyo Tetris blends the two classics excellently, even if my groups tend to skew toward the Tetris side of things. I’ve had friends jump in with Puyo and it provides a new kind of challenge as a Tetris player. The one drawback? Some might find the voice-over of its cartoon characters a tad annoying, but even their grating nature can be endearing in its own way, especially if you’re one to shout into the late hours of the night. — AD

• $4 at PlayStation

Puzzle & Dragons Story

Where to play: iOS

Puzzle & Dragons Story is an Apple Arcade game that combines creature battling and match-3 systems. The classic tile-matching gameplay is where you’ll be attacking the monsters you’re fighting — what you match determines how hard you hit, what element is boosted, or when you heal. It’s one of those games that looks easy, but there’s a lot of strategy involved when you get into the depths.

The franchise has been around since 2012 in several different forms on mobile, but Puzzle & Dragons Story is the latest release, removing the microtransactions from the game — one of the big things the game has been criticized for in the past. Between the dungeons, Puzzle & Dragons Story is filled out with a dramatic narrative that’s easy to consume in small bites, making this one of my top games for whenever I’ve got a spare moment. — NC

• $0 at Apple

Regency Solitaire

For soothing, smooth-brain puzzling in the true casual-gaming tradition, you can’t do better than this elegant solitaire variant with a Jane Austen-inspired storyline. In 2015’s Regency Solitaire and its 2024 sequel you play Bella, a social-climbing debutante whose pursuit of the perfect marital match is punctuated by lots of attractively arranged tableaux of cards to clear by clicking on them. And the clicking feels great — developer Grey Alien Games is a master of this sort of thing, so the crisp sound effects and light arcade-style scoring systems are perfectly tuned to keep you pleasantly engaged, but not too excited. The Austen pastiche is pretty funny, too. There’s not much to choose between the first and second games, but Regency Solitaire 2 looks better on modern displays, and is a tad more refined. (The original is available on Switch and PC; Regency Solitaire 2 is on PC only.) — OW

Return of the Obra Dinn

The vessel Obra Dinn left port with 60 souls aboard and returned with none alive. It’s your job to deduce what happened to each member of its crew and how they met their fate. You’re given a crew manifest, some sketches, and a pocket watch. Using this device next to a corpse or other points of interest presents you with a snapshot of how the incident occurred and a bit of dialogue, allowing you to piece together events as you explore more of the ship.

The first handful of deductions are relatively simple, but as you cross names off your list, evidence becomes increasingly obscure, forcing you to fill in the blanks by cross-referencing new information as it becomes available. You have an unlimited amount of time to come to your conclusions before departing, but the Obra Dinn isn’t a particularly hospitable place. From the moment you step aboard, the eerie silence is punctuated only by your footsteps and the groaning of the vessel against the increasingly restless tide. Even with the knowledge that I could leave at any time, I found myself occasionally jumping at shadows and wondering if I wasn’t joined by some spectral passenger.

The first-person perspective might throw someone that’s unfamiliar with the genre, but the simple control scheme and leisurely pace ensure that it remains accessible for anyone looking for a puzzle game that offers an honestly unique experience. — Alice Jovanée

Suika Game was one of my most-played games last year, and will likely be in the running in 2024, too. Even with so many hours logged, I’m not good at Suika Game , and I’m not sure I ever will be . And yet, I keep playing — the fruit-merging game has its hooks deep in me. It’s, again, one of those deceptively simple games: Just combine two of the same fruit and keep fruits from spilling out of the box? Easy, right? No! This is like Tetris if it had bounce physics, so you also have to worry about fruits shooting themselves out of the box with a weird bounce. Though I get frustrated, I keep coming back because it is a compelling mix of skill and luck — but likely mostly luck. You can only play Suika Game on Nintendo Switch in the United States right now, but there’s hope for it coming to mobile. — NC

• $3 at Nintendo

The Witness

Where to play: Android, iOS, PlayStation 4, Windows PC, Xbox One

If you want to go on a philosophical journey into the heart of puzzles as an art form — and who doesn’t? — there is perhaps only one game that can take you there: The Witness , the abstract, first-person puzzle adventure that was designer Jonathan Blow’s follow-up to Braid . In a way it recalls Myst ; you wander around a strange, idyllic, deserted island, solving puzzles to unlock new areas. But in The Witness , absolutely all the puzzles, which you access via panels in the game world, are 2D maze puzzles, variations on an original design of Blow’s. Through countless permutations, Blow builds upon this simple puzzle concept, turning it into a language in its own right and a dialogue with the player — like Bach turning a simple melody into the Goldberg Variations. It’s one of the most rigorous and challenging explorations of game design ever, and an essential experience for the true puzzle connoisseur. — OW

• $40 at Steam

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Best Video Games About Problem Solving | TheReviewGeek Recommends

There are a lot of video games out there and in this age of mobile and home-based gaming, the choices have never been greater.

So how do you cut through the noise and find the “Best of” for any chosen topic? Well, we’re here to help celebrate and shine a spotlight on some of the latest, greatest and unforgettable games through the years.

For our ongoing series of articles depicting the best video games, our attention this time turns to games with a focus on problem-solving. From thought-provoking adventures to lighthearted action-puzzle games, there’s a good choice to whet your appetite.

Of course, if we’ve missed any of your favorites, feel free to comment below and we’ll get them added on!

Professor Layton

While many puzzle games aim for a simple formula like Tetris and Puyo Puyo, others lean toward telling a constructive narrative. The Professor Layton franchise does that with its take on the point-and-click adventure genre through its well-written story beats, characters, and glorious setting.

Professor Layton follows the adventures of Professor Hershel Layton and his partner Luke as they help solve many mysteries regarding missing family heirlooms, murder, and time travel. It’s safe to say that these two are always on their toes regarding case requests. Considering Professor Layton’s excellent detective skills, they have nothing to fear.

Phoenix Wright of the Ace Attorney franchise inspired the idea and concept behind Professor Layton’s gameplay and character. The gameplay utilizes the Nintendo DS’s touch screen to a tea, as players must interact with Professor Layton’s setting, characters, and puzzles.

Some puzzles players encounter are logic, math problems, and maze-based. However, the game offers a memo pad that allows players to work out issues that may be too bothersome to complete in one’s head. Puzzles grant players points that help them progress through the story.

The Professor Layton franchise is remarkable for people looking for a brain-teasing challenge and a good time.

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is a visual novel adventure game held in high regard by many fans. While some may not agree that it fully replicates the life of a real-life lawyer, the trials, interrogation, and puzzle components are what makes this franchise a grand one.

There have been many games in the Ace Attorney franchise, some with new protagonists. However, the protagonist many people attach this franchise to is Phoenix Wright. Starting as novice defense attorneys, players must help Phoenix thoroughly investigate surroundings for clues. Then they find themselves in the courtroom where it’s their job to either defend or go against the person being held accountable for the crime.

This is where the game’s incredible puzzle-solving mechanics come into play. Essentially, players interrogate witnesses and their attorneys for fallacies and contradictions by picking apart their claims in court. They also have to answer specific questions the judge may have about one of the five particular cases.

The gameplay is simple but requires the player to think carefully before making their argument. Thankfully, the game includes ways to scroll through previous statements to help them identify the fallacy in their opponents’ claims. The characters also have great enthusiasm in their reactions to trials, especially the convicted individual in the said case.

If you’re looking for a visual novel experience that’ll make you use your max brainpower, be sure to purchase any of the Ace Attorney games.

Despite creating violent-oriented franchises like Left 4 Dead and Half-Life, Valve aren’t afraid to tackle new territory. Portal and its sequel Portal 2 have a limited campaign which bothered most at first. However, others have looked past its short story duration and uncovered a game filled with originality, distinct gameplay, and a dark plot.

The Portal franchise follows Chell, who must create portals to solve an AI named GLaDOS’s many puzzles. Mastering the game’s physics is important as players must create portals in a specific way to progress through the game. Momentum, preservation, and redirection are the three elements players must know before diving into this game.

Chell’s vulnerability is at an all-time high, making matters difficult. If she lands on a surface from a high enough distance, she’ll receive damage upon impact. The game also includes various machinery to amp up the challenge via turrets, bouncing energy balls and toxic substances. Players don’t have access to a visible health bar either.

Lastly, the game features well-written characters, and slowly drip feeds hints toward its inevitable conclusion as the player progresses. Valve made GLaDOS’ personality shine in the game, even though it’s a robot that taunts players constantly. It surprisingly never gets stale as the jokes only get funnier.

If you’re looking for a puzzle game with enthusiasm, originality, and mystery, Portal is the one for you.

Baba Is You

While some puzzle games have precise and easy-to-follow gameplay, there are rarely any that allow you to bend the rules. Baba is You is an indie puzzle game that wants its players to break the rules of puzzle-solving.

Baba Is You entails players controlling the animal-like being, Baba, who must solve several word puzzles to reach specified checkpoints. Each level presents players with word blocks they can interact with and manipulate to their heart’s content. While some will leave players with fewer roadblocks in their path, others may give them an experience they hadn’t expected.

Some of these experiences include transforming Baba and her world’s organisms into different objects. You can also change your end goal into something completely different. The game spans 200 uniquely designed levels that encourage players to devise critical ways to manipulate the game’s roadblocks to their liking.

While the title doesn’t offer the most jaw-dropping graphics, it does deliver outstanding puzzles designed to help boost your critical thinking skills.

Famicom Detective Club

The old Famicom Detective Club games have been resurrected on Nintendo Switch as a mystery visual novel. While it didn’t sell as well as Nintendo’s blockbuster franchises, it offers worthwhile cases and interactivity.

The Famicom Detective Club games play like every ordinary visual, but the fascinating aspect of the game is that it used to be a Super Nintendo exclusive in Japan. A component that makes the Famicom Detective Club remakes better than the original is the astonishing voice acting, clever overarching mysteries, and beautiful character sprites and CGs.

Only the first two entries were remade and finally brought to the west. Both games center around a young detective protagonist who must solve two cases involving death. The Missing Heir delves into Kiku Ayashiro’s death, a woman who had inherited her family’s plot. The second game, The Girl Who Stands Behind, discusses the demise of a high school student named Yoko Kojima.

While the gameplay isn’t as interactive as Ace Attorney and others that came out after it, the remakes helped revitalize the world for a newer audience. Unlike most visual novels, the Famicom Detective Club remake contains cinematic cutscenes and superb voice acting. There’s also a subtle yet unique dungeon crawling minigame near the end that helps it stand out from others, including Ace Attorney.

Despite Famicom Detective Club being a niche gem, it’s a puzzle-solving adventur1e game that players shouldn’t skip out on.

Unfortunately, some indie games don’t reach mainstream levels of success. When they do, the reception is either overwhelmingly positive or negative, with many praising it or declaring the game is overhyped. While it spawned millions of “suspicious memes,” Among Us delivers in its addictive gameplay and player interactivity.

While it doesn’t have a deep narrative to accompany its world, Among Us’s simply-designed characters and world serve their purpose well. How players participate and interact with Among Us is where its fun aspect kicks into overdrive since the game requires you to think and manipulate your way to victory.

Among Us allows the player to control one of many crewmates who must complete simple tasks while onboard a ship. However, one or two players take on the role of imposters, deadly hybrid beasts that aim to annihilate every crewmate onboard without being ratted out.

To call out these phonies, players must signal a meeting, where all the players unite to discuss discovered dead bodies or to declare who they believe is an imposter. Often, people make statements that are difficult to confirm or deny, which is where the puzzle-solving comes into play.

While it may not sound like it, the game will make players stress over wrong decisions, further encouraging them to keep their eyes peeled. If you’re a fan of the old murder mystery tropes often depicted in a train-ride setting, then Among Us has you covered.

Human Fall Flat

Portal was a platform puzzle game with a dark storyline and intriguing mechanics, but many may prefer something more lighthearted. Human Fall Flat is a puzzle platformer indie game whose goal is to make your whole friend group or family giggle and smile.

Players can take control of this world’s interpretation of humans and must solve quirky and fun-filled puzzles. While the puzzles start simple, the difficulty rises as you progress further into the game. These difficult puzzles will require some brainpower despite appearing heartwarming and cute.

Players manipulate their human arms to carry and place crates in specific locations to solve these puzzles. Other puzzles include pressing switches or needing to walk backward while onboard a fast-moving vehicle. Therefore, it’s best to expect many failures along the way, but at least you’ll end up with a good chuckle out of it.

As for the characters themselves, players can customize them to their heart’s content. You can make your character look like a dog or one of those driving test dummies. The game also allows you to build puzzles yourself to play alongside friends on a comfortable couch and online co-op play.

While the game doesn’t have a highly sophisticated narrative, the gameplay and wacky shenanigans you’ll end up in make Human Fall Flat a worthwhile purchase.

Catherine: Full Body

The multiple branch trope often finds a home in many story-centric video games like visual novels. These branching paths help players immerse themselves in the world and its characters. While it isn’t a visual novel, Catherine: Full Body contains 13 different endings in a game where problem-solving is your goal.

Catherine: Full Body is a re-release of the original PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 Catherine game. Players take on the role of Vincent, a doubtful protagonist who must overcome his romantic struggles. This concerns two females named Catherine, yet one starts with a K. To do so, players must help Vincent settle his quarrels by completing the game’s dating sim and action-platforming elements.

There’s no definitive answer to the dating sim components since it’s up to the player’s decision regarding Vincent’s choices. The players’ choices in the game will lock them into specific endings, including Vincent’s reactions to said scenarios. This allows the game’s storyline to thrive with different outcomes, thus giving players a reason to revisit the title to witness Vincent’s other chosen fates.

As for its action-platforming components, which play out like Tetris to a degree. These puzzles occur in Vincent’s nightmares he’ll endure after each day. Players must help Vincent swiftly climb a tall tower whose goal is to have him crumble. These towers start slow but get inherently fast in time, and several hazards come into play only to make matters worse.

While the game sounds like a breeze, it’ll have your brain wearing with its incredibly fast puzzles and difficult life-oriented choices.

Puzzle-platformers can come in many shapes, but Braid aimed to change things with its time manipulation game mechanic. A premise similar to Super Mario Bros. Braid requires players to rescue a princess while traversing many worlds, each with its puzzles.

Braid allows players to enact different actions regarding time manipulation, involving rewinding events to move immovable objects and discovering parallel realities. Every time players complete a puzzle, they’ll receive something new and intriguing about Braid’s world.

Braid’s other fascinating aspect is that players cannot die or technically lose. As a result, Braid’s puzzles challenged gamers to use every ounce of their wit to progress. Some worlds will have players searching for puzzle pieces while others require them to manipulate time or create entrances to different realities.

Moreover, the game delivers a unique experience with its fresh gameplay and mechanics that could ultimately improve a gamer’s thinking capabilities. Therefore, Braid wishes to encourage and increase anyone’s thinking capabilities under the presentation of a time manipulating puzzle game.

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker

Although it took many years for the mushroom-headed toddler to get a game series, the wait was well worth it. Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is an action platformer that started as a minigame for the Wii U’s Super Mario 3D World game. It later received an enhanced port via the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo 3DS.

This game’s story contains three chapters. The first chapter has players controlling Toad to save Toadette from Wingo, a villainous bird. The next chapter goes in the opposite direction while the endgame features a boss fight with Wingo and later Draggadon, a royal dragon. While the story is a bit convoluted, the gameplay and puzzles are imaginative and fun.

You guide Toad or Toadette through various distinct platform puzzles. Some feature conveyor belts, stairs, and the Mario Bros. franchise’s iconic enemies. Players have no access to jumping and will lose if Toad or Toadette receive damage at any point.

Fear not, as Toad regains health by finding mushrooms. Also, he can defend himself with his trusty Super Pickax and turnip pulling abilities from Super Mario Bros. 2. As for level design, each puzzle feels uniquely designed for each world. The extra content in the Nintendo Switch and 3DS versions also make it more worth the money.

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is a great game to kickstart younger fans’ dive into the puzzle genre of video games.

So, there we have it, our pick for the best games through the years about problem-solving!

What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!

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Any good puzzle game recommendations?

I'm looking for a good puzzle game to wreck my brain over my last few days off. Unfortunately, all of the puzzle games I've been eyeing aren't available on Switch so I was hoping you guys would have some good recommendations. I adore Baba is You, if there's anything at all similar to that out there I'd love to find it. I really enjoyed Link's Awakening as well although it's not fully a puzzle game. I've also almost finished Portal but that one didn't click with me as much.

I generally prefer flat/2D and one-screen puzzles, but I'm open to anything. I would like something with a good challenge, though.

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Great Nintendo Switch Games For Casual Gamers

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6 Games That Are Surprisingly Thought-Provoking

15 games you should play before you sleep, the best wii u games ever made, ranked.

Nintendo has always been a good friend to the casual gamer, offering a wide range of titles like Mario and The Legend of Zelda that don't have competitive play and often let players go at their own speed. The Nintendo Switch has become an immensely popular and successful console, with hundreds of games available in its store.

The Switch has a massive number of non-Nintendo games featured on its platform, which has been great for the casual gaming scene. It has allowed smaller developers to be seen by more people, and the Switch’s TV link abilities have given a boost to local co-op games . Whether casual gamers are looking for peaceful environments, easy controls, or low-stakes puzzle-solving, the Nintendo Switch has the perfect solution.

Updated April 16, 2024, by Alexandra O'Leary: Nintendo is no stranger to the casual gaming scene. As one of the first console companies to successfully make gaming a family-wide activity, Nintendo has been catering to a broad audience for decades. From the Wii, to the DS, to the Switch, there's a game for everyone. Some casual gamers look for good vibes and minimal gameplay, while others prefer more lighthearted and whimsical titles. Not every game needs to be gritty and challenging, and not every gamer has to spend hours grinding away to make any progress. For those who like to pick up a game in their spare time and jump straight into the fun, the Nintendo Switch has endless choices.

Nintendo: Mario's Best Rivals

Mario has locked horns with a lot of enemies over the years. These are some of the Nintendo mascot's best rivals.

19 Dave the Diver

Diver by day, sushi chef extraordinaire by night.

Dave the Diver

Dave the Diver came swimming onto the indie gaming scene out of nowhere, and became a huge hit with all kinds of gamers. It combines exploration and adventure with management and simulation, resulting in a genre-defying, unbelievably fun game.

By day, go diving in the sparkling blue sea of the Blue Hole. By night, serve imaginative sushi to an array of customers. There's little more to ask for in this idyllic, entertaining game. Even several hours into the game, players will still be unlocking new content and mini-games to keep them entertained. Ultimately, players will be able to manage their sushi restaurant, grow their own crops, farm fish, explore multiple different areas of the sea, participate in festivals and cooking shows — all while restoring an ancient race of sea people. For those who love mellow, charming games with a little bit of challenge here and there, Dave the Diver is a must-play.

18 WarioWare: Move It!

Kooky, chaotic party games.

WarioWare: Move It!

WarioWare: Move It! is the second WarioWare game released for the Nintendo Switch, and the eleventh in this fan-favorite party game series. Known for its ridiculous, nonsensical mini-games that are bound to leave players laughing, WarioWare has become immensely popular as a go-to choice for parties and groups.

While it's not always the best option for single-player, the fast-paced and frantic nature makes for oodles of fun in a group setting. The mini-games (or microgames, as WarioWare calls them) are highly entertaining. With low stakes and minimal challenge, it's a super accessible choice for those who only dip into the video game world occasionally, and is great for all kinds of people.

17 Princess Peach Showtime

Fanciful fun and easy gameplay.

Princess Peach: Showtime!

Princess Peach: Showtime! is the long-awaited, second-ever Princess Peach fronted Nintendo game. After several long years, players finally have another chance to play as Peach , who is front and center for all the action. Showtime definitely has a different energy from other Mario spin-offs. While Wario found his stride with wacky party games, Peach's niche is switching up her outfits and becoming a jack-of-all-trades.

Mario: 6 Games With The Most Timeless Graphics

Not all Mario games have aged well throughout the years, but the same can't be said for these charming entries in the series.

Princess Peach: Showtime! is reminiscent of the Paper Mario series, with a similar style of villain and a more theatrical plot. It's not as challenging as many other Mario games, which makes it an easy choice for the casual gamer. Still full of fun and creativity, it's an easy way in to the franchise for gamers who don't go for platformers and would prefer some action-adventure.

16 Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley

A cozy, cute adventure.

• Released: 2024
• Developer: Hyper Games
• Genre: Adventure

Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley is a cozy adventure game based on the longstanding world of Moomin . Surrounded by the whimsical and Nordic Moominvalley, players explore the map as Snufkin searches for Moomintroll, who has mysteriously gone missing after winter.

This adorable game is brimming with heart and beauty. At its core is a lesson about respecting the Earth and spreading kindness, and the atmosphere, puzzles, and art-style all perfectly capture that message. While it might not be the most challenging or stressful game, those who want a fun and fanciful jaunt with their favorite childhood characters will absolutely adore Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley.

15 Fall Guys

Colorful and casual battle royale.

Fall Guys was initially released in 2020 with sweeping success. Its massive multiplayer battle-royale style made it a perfect option for gamers during lockdown, and its diverse, fun games have kept it popular since. The game was acquired by Epic Games in 2022 and was ported to most major platforms. Fall Guys is a great, casual battle royale with silly skins and game show mini-games like obstacle courses and last-person-standing levels.

Each round will eliminate a certain number of players until one person is finally victorious, making it competitive but relatively low-stakes - although players might find themselves wanting that crown after a few losses. In-game, players can interact with each other by grabbing or knocking one another over in order to stunt progress. There are multiplayer options that allow groups of friends to play together, as well as team rounds for ultimate hilarity. It's by far the best battle-royale game for cozy or casual gamers, thanks to its adorable art and limited PvP.

14 Mario Party Superstars

Virtual board game with fun, easy mechanics.

Mario Party Superstars

Mario Party Superstars is the latest installment in the Mario Party franchise and features the best of the best in terms of boards and mini-games. It's essentially a virtual board game where players roll dice and move around a map, interacting with various spaces and competing in relatively simple mini-games. These mini-games can range anywhere from jumping in front of a camera to counting goombas as they run by.

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Mario Party Superstars compiles several remastered boards from the first three N64 games as well as most of the mini-games from previous Mario Party titles. Any gamers familiar with the original games will feel nostalgic and right at home with the classic but updated boards, and new players will get to experience all the fun for the first time. This franchise has always been popular with families and casual gamers thanks to its easy-to-understand premise and player-friendly system.

Cozy Introduction to MMOs

Palia is a cozy MMO (massively multiplayer online) game that combines the life simulation of games like Animal Crossing with the social interactivity of games like Runescape . With multiple NPC villagers to meet and befriend - each with their own backstories and roles, players can customize their living space and learn to live off the land.

It's a friendly introduction to MMO games, one that appears a lot less intimidating than a lot of other classic games in the genre. The servers aren't quite as vast as some, so if players feel unsure about the MMO aspect - they aren't likely to run into too many people and can easily plan to play with friends. One of the biggest draws for any newer gamers is that it's free to play, making it a great choice to try out this style of game.

12 Overcooked 2

Hilarious co-op cooking.

Overcooked 2

Overcooked 2 is a crazy, hectic co-op cooking game that sets up players as chefs in a busy kitchen. The game uses simple controls (essentially pick up, throw, slice, and cook) that are easy to learn, which makes it accessible to almost anyone. At its core, it's a creatively fun cooking game with adorable customization options and wacky levels.

The challenge in Overcooked 2 comes from the timer and bustling environments - players can find themselves floating above the world in a hot air balloon or running across busy roads holding boiled rice. Anything goes in Overcooked 2 , and that's part of what makes it so fun. The game has local and online co-op, so gamers can play with their friends anywhere in the world.

11 Nintendo Switch Sports

Fun sports simulator with classic mechanics.

Nintendo Switch Sports

Nintendo Switch Sports might look familiar to some Nintendo gamers, and although it doesn't quite have the same ring to it as Wii Sports , it has all the fun. Nintendo Switch Sports combines some classic games from the series, like bowling and tennis, with a few new ones, including soccer and volleyball.

Using the Nintendo Switch joycons, players can physically take part in a variety of sports and compete against others to win. Anybody who was a fan of the original series will love the Switch adaptation, which lets gamers compete with dozens of others all around the world. It's also a great game to play with friends, both locally and online - once again proving itself a great way to finally get good at sports.

10 Disney Dreamlight Valley

Magical adventure game with familiar faces.

Disney Dreamlight Valley

Disney Dreamlight Valley is a life simulation and adventure game, combining the best of Disney's storytelling with the ability to have a vivid player character in the middle of the magical world. It's another great choice for cozy gamers who want a more calm and exploration-based gaming experience. The game takes place in real-time, so whenever players decide to hop on, they'll find the in-game time the same - which can be great for immersion.

Disney Dreamlight Valley is a fantastic game for casual games since it features the familiar faces of beloved Disney and Pixar characters, and although it's non-linear, it has a great selection of adventures for players to go on. The world is so fun to experience, with characters taking up fitting roles throughout Dreamlight Valley and providing Disney at its most immersive level so far.

9 Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Easy controls and a variety of games modes.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

It's no surprise that Mario Kart has made its way onto this list. The spin-off game featuring beloved Mario characters has been incredibly successful ever since its first iteration on the SNES and has now expanded to feature familiar faces from The Legend of Zelda , Animal Crossing, Splatoon, and more.

This classic title is the perfect choice for players looking for a fun game with easy controls and different modes. Solo gamers can rise through the ranks by playing Grand Prix style or find out who's the best racer by playing with friends. If players get tired of classic mode, they can always try their luck with Battles that offer new stakes and tactics. Similarly to the Wii, the Switch is a fantastic console for local multiplayer, and Mario Kart is the perfect party game.

Forgiving, Linear Game with Simple Gameplay

This may seem like a strange choice; after all, Inside is - to some degree - a horror game. It's true that there are stakes to Inside —its monochromatic appearance and minimal sound make it very easy for players to become overwhelmingly protective of the main character, a young boy clearly on the run from something.

These games may not immediately strike players as philosophically deep, but they do have many thought-provoking themes.

However, Inside is forgiving of mistakes and will respawn players at the most recent checkpoint if they happen to die during their journey. The game is predominantly puzzle-driven, and the controls are relatively simple, which makes it accessible to most gamers. Although some might not find the dark essence of the game appealing, it would be a shame to miss out on such a creative indie game . Inside is also a fantastic game to watch and can easily become a shared immersive experience.

7 Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Friendly and accessible social sim.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Animal Crossing is renowned for being a friendly, comforting game. Its release at the very beginning of the pandemic was monumental for its sales. As a social simulation game, it provided players with much-needed interaction - especially since it allows players to visit friends' islands.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is an adorably pleasant game that asks players to help Tom Nook and Isabelle build a brand-new village on a luscious island. Players can build their own cute avatar and run around the island collecting resources, chatting with various anthropomorphic villagers , and deciding everything from the location of homes to the style of pathways. Animal Crossing: New Horizons is an easy choice for any casual gamer looking for a peaceful game with low stakes since it allows players to go completely at their own pace.

6 Stardew Valley

Peaceful farming sim with no time limits.

Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley is perhaps one of the most successful independent games of all time, initially developed entirely by ConcernedApe (Eric Barone). Not dissimilar to Animal Crossing , although very aesthetically different, Stardew Valley is a farming simulation RPG that allows players to experience the tranquility of village life while completing various daily chores.

Stardew Valley has very simple controls, arguably even easier on the Switch, and does not require fast-paced responses unless players are specifically in combat. As they work to rebuild the derelict town center, players can farm, forage, fish, and mine their way to a perfect life. The enemies in the game can be found in the mines, where players can defeat relatively un-threatening monsters to gain resources. However, the easy-to-use co-op mode is perfect for splitting up tasks, meaning players who prefer to fish quietly can do so while their partners scurry down the mines in search of battle.

5 Snipperclips

Silly co-op puzzle solving.

Snipperclips: Cut It Out Together

Snipperclips is a co-op puzzle launch title for the Switch. It involves two pieces of paper - Snip and Clip - running around a paper world and cutting themselves into various shapes in order to complete puzzles. The co-op element is that Snip and Clip can only cut each other out, meaning players will have to communicate well in order to progress.

Snipperclips does a great job of introducing its mechanics to players and is increasingly creative with its puzzles and solutions. This is the perfect game for two people looking for a simple, fun game and hoping for some laughs. It may occasionally stump players, but the game is nonetheless endearing enough to keep interest. The only stakes in this game are the ones players place upon themselves, otherwise creating the perfect environment for a casual gamer.

4 Untitled Goose Game

Chaotic gameplay with simple controls.

Untitled Goose Game

Untitled Goose Game is likely wildly different from any other game players may have encountered before. This peculiar game puts players in the position of a pesky goose , intent on wreaking havoc everywhere it goes. With both single-player and multiplayer options, this game is hilarious and charming.

Untitled Goose Game requires players to walk, run, quack, and grab, meaning the controls are simple and easy to master. Therefore, players can focus on waddling around various environments and completing the list of tasks assigned, which will be crossed off as and when they are achieved. Any players looking for a silly, incredibly fun, and satisfying game will absolutely adore Untitled Goose Game.

Adorable Puzzle Solving with Pikmin

Pikmin is another of Nintendo's long-standing, recognizable titles. Although it isn't a household name quite to the extent that Mario might be, it is nevertheless an adorably fun and unique game filled with charming details. Released ten years after its last main installment on the Wii-U, Pikmin 4 puts players in charge of a whole horde of Pikmin and must use them to cleverly complete puzzles.

From Stardew Valley to Flower, these wonderful games might just help you unwind and de-stress from your day.

Pikmin 4 focuses on a vibrant and charming world and therefore places minimal pressure on players to execute tasks perfectly. Although it is a real-time puzzle game, Pikmin 4 does a wonderful job of introducing players to creative problem-solving and mainly requires them to choose carefully between the types of Pikmin - who have individual skills based on their color. An added perk of this edition is that players can create their own Pikmin to play as, only adding to the fun and imaginative world.

2 Unravel Two

Endearing platformer with friendly co-op.

Unravel Two

Unravel Two is a platform puzzle game designed to be single-player or local multiplayer. It follows two endearing bundles of yarn - Yarnys - on a big quest. The game takes place in the foreground of a story that predominantly happens around the Yarnys and takes some darker turns at certain points.

The game has relatively simple controls, and its stunning art is enough to win most gamers' hearts. It's the perfect game to play with a friend and has a great combination of story and gameplay. Like Inside , Unravel Two is just as fun to watch, and the endearing Yarnys will have players invested in no time.

1 Sea of Stars

Nostalgic rpg with no time pressure.

Sea of Stars

Sea of Stars is a turn-based combat, retro RPG with carefully created, nostalgic art that will appeal to all gamers. With charming art, music, and characters, Sea of Stars is an overwhelmingly appealing game that evokes genuine joy. Players can make their way through this delightful world wielding elemental powers and foraging for resources in order to make tasty snacks.

The turn-based element of this game makes it perfect for casual gamers since it doesn't require quick reflexes or stressful combat encounters. Players can take their time while in battle and can otherwise happily explore the charming world to find new friends and adventures. The game offers side-quests, endearing dialogue, and puzzles, perfect for any gamer looking for an enjoyable addition to their collection.

Owners of the Wii U had several fun games to choose from despite eventually being overshadowed by the Nintendo Switch.

• Video Games

The Best Co-Operative Puzzle Games

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Although it's fun gaming solo, sometimes you want to get someone else in on the action with you, whether it be a close friend, partner, or complete stranger. Luckily, cooperative games seem to be on the up, with some amazing new additions finding their way onto shelves and digital libraries in the last few years.

The Best Puzzle Games On Steam

The best puzzle games can hook even the most resilient players, and these puzzlers on Steam are some of the best ones available.

Many of these cooperative adventures contain puzzle-solving elements, requiring you to work together and communicate well to reach your end goal. So whether you're looking to escape a frightening labyrinth, work out a gravity-defying world, or even play as two geese waddling their way to village overlords, here are some of the best cooperative puzzle-solving games out there, all fantastic for an evening on the sofa together.

Updated on January 25, 2024, by Jouanna Bondakji: Gaming by yourself is fun, but being able to share that joy with others makes it all the better. Neither you nor your friend(s) need to be video game experts to enjoy cooperative puzzle games. We've added even more entries for you and your loved ones to enjoy together.

23 Never Alone

Lots of co-op puzzle games focus on the funny hijinks you and your co-op buddy can get into, but Never Alone is a bit different. You play as a young Iñupiaq girl named Nuna and her fox companion as you venture to put an end to an eternal blizzard that threatens her village.

The developers collaborated with members of the Iñupiat to bring the game's story and environment to life, and it shows. Not only is the gameplay itself immersive and challenging, but you'll learn a lot about the Iñupiaq along the way.

22 Boxboy + Boxgirl

Part of the Boxboy series and at least as good as the other games, Boxboy + Boxgirl is a co-op puzzle platformer where you create boxes to overcome obstacles and complete levels. The catch is that you can't make as many boxes as you please; every level has a certain limit on the amount you can create.

You and your co-op partner will have to put your heads together to figure out how to make the best possible use of the boxes you can make. And if you like collecting things, good news: you can collect crowns to purchase power-ups, accessories, and even bonus levels that up the challenge.

21 Heave Ho

If you're looking for something you can play with a group in gatherings, Heave Ho fits the bill. It's a silly platforming game with one goal: don't fall. The puzzle aspect comes from finding out how to best move along the level while being attached to three other people. The platforms you stick to come in all shapes and sizes, from hooks to boulders to see-saws, and some even have spikes you can't touch.

The levels aren't easy, but the humor factor will make you and your friends laugh out loud instead of yelling in frustration. You can customize your characters to more easily differentiate who each person is supposed to be (and to look cool), but that won't totally save you from plummeting to your deaths more times than you can count.

20 Very Very Valet

Very Very Valet is a wacky party puzzle game that is dripping with off-the-wall shenanigans. If you haven't guessed from the game's title, you play as a valet driver. Your chosen cartoony valet driver works diligently to wrangle up as many cars as possible to park them and eventually retrieve them for your patrons.

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These are the best co-op games to play on PC for free.

While that setup may sound undeniably simple and even mundane, nothing could be farther from the truth, especially when playing this one in zany co-op. Adding two or more players to the mix really makes this game a blast as you work with your chosen co-op partner to drive around the vehicles, which end up basically being puzzles since you have to navigate them through specific stage-based hazards and scenarios.

19 Good Job!

If you haven't played the downright hilarious puzzle adventure game Good Job!, you should be sure to remedy that right away. It's equal parts fun and hilarious, especially in co-op. In this game, you play as the heir to a successful CEO, and it's now up to you to work your way to the top, literally and figuratively.

Good Job! relishes in physics-based mayhem where your goal is to move through different stages of a large office building, solving environmental puzzles, interacting with objects, and, of course, causing tons of destruction. While the game is fun solo, adding a friend to the mix turns this game from a simple puzzle experience to a bonkers one.

18 39 Days To Mars

This Kickstarter-funded project by It's Anecdotal finally came to fruition after years in limbo, flying under the radar as a particularly innovative indie puzzler. The charming co-op game forces two players to work together through a series of creative brain-busters as they embark on a short but memorable trip to Mars by airship.

These 19th-century explorers must scramble to solve problems on board so they can reach their destination in one piece. Whimsical themes and stylized, hand-drawn visuals add a sense of character to the experience, engrossing you as you tinker with clever puzzles to maintain the ship. Tasks range from churning mechanical contraptions to assembling maps—and even the simple act of making tea.

17 Shift Happens

Shift Happens is a puzzle-platformer game. It's really best experienced with two people, but the developers also ensured there was a single-player mode available

The two creatures that the players control (named Bismo and Plom) are made out of jelly, which allows them to do chaotic and creative things! One of the main mechanics is "shifting," which allows you to trade jelly to adjust your size between a big version and a small version of your jelly creature. There are four worlds to explore, each requiring your unique talents.

16 Snipperclips: Cut It Out Together

This delightful puzzler channels that feeling of playing around in elementary school art class. Similar to that experience—just about anything goes in Snipperclips, as two players must use intuition and improvisation on the spot to solve crafty puzzles.

8 Hardest Video Game Puzzles Ever

These puzzles are so difficult that they're more frustrating than fun.

The game's puzzles revolve around rotating and overlapping controllable shapes to snip out new ones, which are used to transport or otherwise interact with other objects. Communication is key here, as both players will be working through a slew of random scenarios on the spot with little to no guidance. This colorful co-op romp makes for a fun little diversion that's good for some laughs.

15 Death Squared

Released by SMG Studio in early 2017, this mechanical game harkens back to the old-school puzzler feel, standing out in an era when bigger and more bombastic seemingly equals better. But while this blocky title seems simple on the surface, Death Squared offers some deceptively tricky tasks that keep folks coming back for more.

Two players will need to be precise and work in synchronicity to progress through the dozens of unique block mazes. This includes clearing obstacles and platforms by triggering contraptions and matching with switches of the same color.

14 Human Fall Flat

Fumbling through these courses may seem counter-productive and silly due to the clumsy ragdoll physics—but in No Brakes Games' co-op journey, this is the point. The aptly named Human Fall Flat drops loads of online players into a set of progressively tricky stages. From there, they'll hop, stumble, and crawl their way through various puzzles while dealing with impeding obstacles, mostly themselves and each other.

One can imagine the laughs this goofy experience brings—with the blend of drunken physics, bustling crowds, and the relative precision the game demands to progress. Something as simple as dropping a plank for a bridge and scurrying across can be a tough, treacherous act.

13 A Way Out

Those seeking a cooperative game with a slightly grittier, cinematic blend should look no further than this 2018 effort from Hazelight Studios and EA. Though more action-adventure than a straight-up puzzle game, A Way Out tasks you with coming up with solutions and working through tasks together in order to progress.

It's a fun and intense experience with much on the line—as you must work together to sneak, fight, and maneuver your way out of prison while steering clear of the authorities. Uniquely, this memorable game stresses local split-screen play , as many of these actions require discussion and knowledge about what your fellow prisoner is currently up to.

12 Labyrinthine

One for horror fans, Labyrinthine is unique. It combines fan-favorite survival horror with some classic puzzle-solving as you seek to escape a creepy children's hedge-maze together and hopefully survive the bloodcurdling horrors calling it home.

The Best Asymmetrical Multiplayer Games

These are the best Asymmetrical multiplayer games, including some recent hits and the classics that are worth revisiting.

Labyrinthine was built for cooperative play between four players and plays like a classic puzzle-solver. Everyone must know what they're doing and work together to uncover the dark secrets lurking around every corner and escape the maze in one piece.

A journey for two players, Dyo has you assume the role of two Minotaurs both trapped on either side of a split-screen who must work together to escape the cursed labyrinth they've been trapped within.

You each need to control your Minotaur and use your ability to hop over the split-screen to mix up and manipulate levels, working together to solve platforming puzzles and carve out a path to your freedom. There are no enemies and no time limits, so sit back, get puzzling, and try not to yell at each other as you both attempt to solve this maze's tricks and traps together.

10 Tick Tock: A Tale For Two

Tick Tock: A Tale For Two is a game where playing solo is not an option, as you'll need both of you working in unison to escape this escape room-style game together.

The story is based on Scandinavian folklore, creating a beautiful, if not slightly eerie, setting. The key to freedom is in cooperation, with you both needing to share information to get the full picture of what's going on and solve the story's mysteries in tandem.

9 We Were Here Series

We Were Here is unique, having you and your partner separated and needing to work on puzzles both independently and together through your communicative walkie-talkies in order to work out your locations and (hopefully) escape.

We Were Here plays as an immersive first-person cooperative adventure, with both of you needing to discover useful items and communicate well in order to solve each other's puzzles and reach the end. It's great for those looking for a short escape room style of adventure game, and with a trilogy and fourth game due to be released, there's no time like the present to be picking this title up.

An older entry in the cooperative puzzle genre, but one still going strong as a two-player co-op adventure for you and a friend to spend hours upon hours puzzling over.

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Puzzle games are for a niche audience, but these are the best Xbox puzzlers to keep veterans and newcomers busy.

Portal 2 's cooperative mode offers an entirely separate campaign mode with a unique story, portal mechanics, and two new characters to play as. The trick to success is teamwork, as in working together, you'll discover new ways to use portals and hopefully create a means of escape from the test chambers before Glados turns you against one another.

7 Ibb and Obb

Ibb and Obb is a delightfully cute and creative cooperative puzzle game using gravity-changing mechanics to have you working together to move past obstacles and have some innovative level-solving fun.

With stylish art and sound, it's great for an easy game to play together on the couch , and will keep you coming back again and again with some tough and challenging puzzles - but nothing your teamwork can't solve.

6 Unravel 2

Unravel 2 is arguably perfection in couch co-op, needing you and another player to solve platforming puzzles in order to progress through the stages and save two children running away from unreliable adults looking to hurt them.

The game is beautiful, with breathtaking scenery and gameplay surrounding a sad but enlightening tale. The puzzles featured in the game vary from needing to escape a crazed pheasant, using objects to get to hard-to-reach places, and most of all, making sure to never leave one another behind.

5 Heavenly Bodies

Heavenly Bodies is a wonderful game about space exploration where you play as cosmonauts! (Did you know that a person who travels to space from America or the rest of the western world is known as an astronaut, while one who travels from the Soviet or Russian space programs are known as cosmonauts? If they were launched from China, they're called taikonauts.)

In space, you'll need to help people on the ground by installing and maintaining solar arrays, doing research, and building telescopes, among other things! It's not quite like any other game you've played before; the physics in space are unfamiliar and you're performing fairly precise tasks, so it'll take some practice before you're perfect.

4 Untitled Goose Game

The world's (least) favorite goose is back, and this time he's got company. The incredible open-world cooperative game for two players, Untitled Goose Game co-op allows for two geese to travel through the village's story together; solving problems, chasing villagers and of course, endlessly honking.

Nintendo Switch: The Most Relaxing Games To Play That Aren't Animal Crossing

Animal Crossing isn't the only chill and relaxing game you can play on your Nintendo Switch.

This is a great relaxing game for two, with you able to work together to solve your list of errands without a time limit. So whether it be chasing a boy into a phone box, wearing a fancy bow, or stealing an old man's slipper - why not do it together? Just don't forget to HONK.

• Triple-A Games

• It Takes Two

What Kamala Harris has said so far on key issues in her campaign

As she ramps up her nascent presidential campaign, Vice President Kamala Harris is revealing how she will address the key issues facing the nation.

In speeches and rallies, she has voiced support for continuing many of President Joe Biden’s measures, such as lowering drug costs , forgiving student loan debt and eliminating so-called junk fees. But Harris has made it clear that she has her own views on some key matters, particularly Israel’s treatment of Gazans in its war with Hamas.

In a departure from her presidential run in 2020, the Harris campaign has confirmed that she’s moved away from many of her more progressive stances, such as her interest in a single-payer health insurance system and a ban on fracking.

Harris is also expected to put her own stamp and style on matters ranging from abortion to the economy to immigration, as she aims to walk a fine line of taking credit for the administration’s accomplishments while not being jointly blamed by voters for its shortcomings.

Her early presidential campaign speeches have offered insights into her priorities, though she’s mainly voiced general talking points and has yet to release more nuanced plans. Like Biden, she intends to contrast her vision for America with that of former President Donald Trump. ( See Trump’s campaign promises here .)

“In this moment, I believe we face a choice between two different visions for our nation: one focused on the future, the other focused on the past,” she told members of the historically Black sorority Zeta Phi Beta at an event in Indianapolis in late July. “And with your support, I am fighting for our nation’s future.”

Here’s what we know about Harris’ views:

Harris took on the lead role of championing abortion rights for the administration after Roe v. Wade was overturned in June 2022. This past January, she started a “ reproductive freedoms tour ” to multiple states, including a stop in Minnesota thought to be the first by a sitting US president or vice president at an abortion clinic .

On abortion access, Harris embraced more progressive policies than Biden in the 2020 campaign, as a candidate criticizing his previous support for the Hyde Amendment , a measure that blocks federal funds from being used for most abortions.

Policy experts suggested that although Harris’ current policies on abortion and reproductive rights may not differ significantly from Biden’s, as a result of her national tour and her own focus on maternal health , she may be a stronger messenger.

High prices are a top concern for many Americans who are struggling to afford the cost of living after a spell of steep inflation. Many voters give Biden poor marks for his handling of the economy, and Harris may also face their wrath.

In her early campaign speeches, Harris has echoed many of the same themes as Biden, saying she wants to give Americans more opportunities to get ahead. She’s particularly concerned about making care – health care, child care, elder care and family leave – more affordable and available.

Harris promised at a late July rally to continue the Biden administration’s drive to eliminate so-called “junk fees” and to fully disclose all charges, such as for events, lodging and car rentals. In early August, the administration proposed a rule that would ban airlines from charging parents extra fees to have their kids sit next to them.

On day one, I will take on price gouging and bring down costs. We will ban more of those hidden fees and surprise late charges that banks and other companies use to pad their profits.”

Since becoming vice president, Harris has taken more moderate positions, but a look at her 2020 campaign promises reveals a more progressive bent than Biden.

As a senator and 2020 presidential candidate, Harris proposed providing middle-class and working families with a refundable tax credit of up to $6,000 a year (per couple) to help keep up with living expenses. Titled the LIFT the Middle Class Act, or Livable Incomes for Families Today, the measure would have cost at the time an estimated $3 trillion over 10 years.

Unlike a typical tax credit, the bill would allow taxpayers to receive the benefit – up to $500 – on a monthly basis so families don’t have to turn to payday loans with very high interest rates.

As a presidential candidate, Harris also advocated for raising the corporate income tax rate to 35%, where it was before the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that Trump and congressional Republicans pushed through Congress reduced the rate to 21%. That’s higher than the 28% Biden has proposed.

Affordable housing was also on Harris’ radar. As a senator, she introduced the Rent Relief Act, which would establish a refundable tax credit for renters who annually spend more than 30% of their gross income on rent and utilities. The amount of the credit would range from 25% to 100% of the excess rent, depending on the renter’s income.

Harris called housing a human right and said in a 2019 news release on the bill that every American deserves to have basic security and dignity in their own home.

Consumer debt

Hefty debt loads, which weigh on people’s finances and hurt their ability to buy homes, get car loans or start small businesses, are also an area of interest to Harris.

As vice president, she has promoted the Biden administration’s initiatives on student debt, which have so far forgiven more than $168 billion for nearly 4.8 million borrowers . In mid-July, Harris said in a post on X that “nearly 950,000 public servants have benefitted” from student debt forgiveness, compared with only 7,000 when Biden was inaugurated.

A potential Harris administration could keep that momentum going – though some of Biden’s efforts have gotten tangled up in litigation, such as a program aimed at cutting monthly student loan payments for roughly 3 million borrowers enrolled in a repayment plan the administration implemented last year.

The vice president has also been a leader in the White House efforts to ban medical debt from credit reports, noting that those with medical debt are no less likely to repay a loan than those who don’t have unpaid medical bills.

In a late July statement praising North Carolina’s move to relieve the medical debt of about 2 million residents, Harris said that she is “committed to continuing to relieve the burden of medical debt and creating a future where every person has the opportunity to build wealth and thrive.”

Health care

Harris, who has had shifting stances on health care in the past, confirmed in late July through her campaign that she no longer supports a single-payer health care system .

During her 2020 campaign, Harris advocated for shifting the US to a government-backed health insurance system but stopped short of wanting to completely eliminate private insurance.

The measure called for transitioning to a Medicare-for-All-type system over 10 years but continuing to allow private insurance companies to offer Medicare plans.

The proposal would not have raised taxes on the middle class to pay for the coverage expansion. Instead, it would raise the needed funds by taxing Wall Street trades and transactions and changing the taxation of offshore corporate income.

When it comes to reducing drug costs, Harris previously proposed allowing the federal government to set “a fair price” for any drug sold at a cheaper price in any economically comparable country, including Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Japan or Australia. If manufacturers were found to be price gouging, the government could import their drugs from abroad or, in egregious cases, use its existing but never-used “march-in” authority to license a drug company’s patent to a rival that would produce the medication at a lower cost.

Harris has been a champion on climate and environmental justice for decades. As California’s attorney general, Harris sued big oil companies like BP and ConocoPhillips, and investigated Exxon Mobil for its role in climate change disinformation. While in the Senate, she sponsored the Green New Deal resolution.

During her 2020 campaign, she enthusiastically supported a ban on fracking — but a Harris campaign official said in late July that she no longer supports such a ban.

Fracking is the process of using liquid to free natural gas from rock formations – and the primary mode for extracting gas for energy in battleground Pennsylvania. During a September 2019 climate crisis town hall hosted by CNN, she said she would start “with what we can do on Day 1 around public lands.” She walked that back later when she became Biden’s running mate.

Biden has been the most pro-climate president in history, and climate advocates find Harris to be an exciting candidate in her own right. Democrats and climate activists are planning to campaign on the stark contrasts between Harris and Trump , who vowed to push America decisively back to fossil fuels, promising to unwind Biden’s climate and clean energy legacy and pull America out of its global climate commitments.

If elected, one of the biggest climate goals Harris would have to craft early in her administration is how much the US would reduce its climate pollution by 2035 – a requirement of the Paris climate agreement .

Immigration

Harris has quickly started trying to counter Trump’s attacks on her immigration record.

Her campaign released a video in late July citing Harris’ support for increasing the number of Border Patrol agents and Trump’s successful push to scuttle a bipartisan immigration deal that included some of the toughest border security measures in recent memory.

The vice president has changed her position on border control since her 2020 campaign, when she suggested that Democrats needed to “critically examine” the role of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, after being asked whether she sided with those in the party arguing to abolish the department.

In June of this year, the White House announced a crackdown on asylum claims meant to continue reducing crossings at the US-Mexico border – a policy that Harris’ campaign manager, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, indicated in late July to CBS News would continue under a Harris administration.

Trump’s attacks stem from Biden having tasked Harris with overseeing diplomatic efforts in Central America in March 2021. While Harris focused on long-term fixes, the Department of Homeland Security remained responsible for overseeing border security.

She has only occasionally talked about her efforts as the situation along the US-Mexico border became a political vulnerability for Biden. But she put her own stamp on the administration’s efforts, engaging the private sector.

Harris pulled together the Partnership for Central America, which has acted as a liaison between companies and the US government. Her team and the partnership are closely coordinating on initiatives that have led to job creation in the region. Harris has also engaged directly with foreign leaders in the region.

Experts credit Harris’ ability to secure private-sector investments as her most visible action in the region to date but have cautioned about the long-term durability of those investments.

Israel-Hamas

The Israel-Hamas war is the most fraught foreign policy issue facing the country and has spurred a multitude of protests around the US since it began in October.

After meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in late July, Harris gave a forceful and notable speech about the situation in Gaza.

We cannot look away in the face of these tragedies. We cannot allow ourselves to become numb to the suffering. And I will not be silent.”

Harris echoed Biden’s repeated comments about the “ironclad support” and “unwavering commitment” to Israel. The country has a right to defend itself, she said, while noting, “how it does so, matters.”

However, the empathy she expressed regarding the Palestinian plight and suffering was far more forceful than what Biden has said on the matter in recent months. Harris mentioned twice the “serious concern” she expressed to Netanyahu about the civilian deaths in Gaza, the humanitarian situation and destruction she called “catastrophic” and “devastating.”

She went on to describe “the images of dead children and desperate hungry people fleeing for safety, sometimes displaced for the second, third or fourth time.”

Harris emphasized the need to get the Israeli hostages back from Hamas captivity, naming the eight Israeli-American hostages – three of whom have been killed.

But when describing the ceasefire deal in the works, she didn’t highlight the hostage for prisoner exchange or aid to be let into Gaza. Instead, she singled out the fact that the deal stipulates the withdrawal by the Israeli military from populated areas in the first phase before withdrawing “entirely” from Gaza before “a permanent end to the hostilities.”

Harris didn’t preside over Netanyahu’s speech to Congress in late July, instead choosing to stick with a prescheduled trip to a sorority event in Indiana.

Harris is committed to supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression, having met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at least six times and announcing last month $1.5 billion for energy assistance, humanitarian needs and other aid for the war-torn country.

At the Munich Security Conference earlier this year, Harris said: “I will make clear President Joe Biden and I stand with Ukraine. In partnership with supportive, bipartisan majorities in both houses of the United States Congress, we will work to secure critical weapons and resources that Ukraine so badly needs. And let me be clear: The failure to do so would be a gift to Vladimir Putin.”

More broadly, NATO is central to our approach to global security. For President Biden and me, our sacred commitment to NATO remains ironclad. And I do believe, as I have said before, NATO is the greatest military alliance the world has ever known.”

Police funding

The Harris campaign has also walked back the “defund the police” sentiment that Harris voiced in 2020. What she meant is she supports being “tough and smart on crime,” Mitch Landrieu, national co-chair for the Harris campaign and former mayor of New Orleans, told CNN’s Pamela Brown in late July.

In the midst of nationwide 2020 protests sparked by George Floyd’s murder by a Minneapolis police officer, Harris voiced support for the “defund the police” movement, which argues for redirecting funds from law enforcement to social services. Throughout that summer, Harris supported the movement and called for demilitarizing police departments.

Democrats largely backed away from calls to defund the police after Republicans attempted to tie the movement to increases in crime during the 2022 midterm elections.

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