Top 10 Most Popular Nintendo Switch Games in May 2025

It’s still setting the pace for what streaming culture looks like. With an army of iconic franchises, evergreen gameplay, and a passionate fanbase that lives and breathes Nintendo, the Switch continues to dominate Twitch and YouTube Gaming alike. In May, juggernauts like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Super Mario Bros. Wonder kept audiences glued to their screens. Whether you're diving into sprawling quests, cozy life sims, or chaotic party nights, Nintendo’s catalog fuels both the content and the creators. Let’s break down what’s keeping Nintendo on top of the charts, spotlight the biggest May hits, and peek ahead at what June’s about to bring.

Why Nintendo titles dominate stream charts

Let’s not sugarcoat it, Nintendo’s not just lucky. Their success is deliberate, calculated, and deeply embedded in how these games are built. Here’s why their titles are born to trend:

• Legendary IPs: From Mario to Zelda to Pokémon, these aren’t just characters, they’re culture
• Streamer-Ready Gameplay: Whether it’s chaotic couch co-op or jaw-dropping solo moments, every session is made for viral clips.
• Content Drops That Matter: Timely DLCs, seasonal events, and stealth drops keep games alive and pulsing.
• Nintendo Directs = Instant Hype: One trailer is all it takes to detonate the internet.
• On-the-Go Streaming: The Switch’s hybrid nature gives creators flexibility, making live sessions possible anywhere.
• Built-In Esports Scenes: Smash Bros. and Splatoon keep the competitive crowd coming back.
• Family-Friendly, But Not Boring: Accessible for kids, deep enough for veterans—Nintendo doesn't gatekeep.
• Nostalgia That Evolves: Remasters and legacy titles bring old fans back while giving new players a reason to care.

Top 10 Most Popular Nintendo Switch Games Overview

Here’s a quick look at the top 10 most popular Nintendo Switch games for May 2025,  the ones everyone’s playing, watching, and talking about.

If you haven’t tried connecting your Nintendo Switch to a portable gaming monitor, you’re missing out. A bigger, sharper screen with better refresh rates can instantly level up your experience, especially for multiplayer races, Smash battles, or open-world marathons. Portable monitors give you console-quality visuals anywhere, whether you’re docked or playing tabletop mode on the go.

How to Connect: It’s super simple. Just plug your Switch’s dock into the portable monitor via HDMI, or for portable/tabletop play, use a USB-C to HDMI adapter straight from the Switch (for monitors that support it).

#	Game	Release	Genre	Monthly Streams	Lifetime Sales	Active Players	Switch Support
1	Zelda: TotK	2023-05-12	Action-Adventure	1.5M	21.55M	3.2M	All
2	Mario Wonder	2023-10-20	Platformer	1.2M	15.51M	2.7M	All
3	MK8 Deluxe	2017-04-28	Racing	1.1M	68.20M	6.1M	All
4	Smash Ultimate	2018-12-07	Fighting	1.0M	36.24M	3.5M	All
5	AC: New Horizons	2020-03-20	Life Sim	950K	47.82M	4.0M	All
6	Splatoon 3	2022-09-09	Shooter	900K	10M	1.9M	All
7	Pokémon S/V	2022-11-18	RPG	850K	26.38M	3.0M	All
8	Metroid Dread	2021-10-08	Action-Adv	800K	3M	0.5M	All
9	DK Bananza	2025-07-17	Platformer	750K (est.)	N/A	800K (est.)	Switch 2, OLED
10	Mario Party Jam	2024-11-03	Party	700K	N/A	1.2M	All

May 2025: 10 Most Played Nintendo Switch Titles

1. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

● Type: Action-Adventure, Open-World

● Gameplay: A bold follow-up to Breath of the Wild, this epic expands Hyrule’s landscape with floating sky islands, eerie underground caves, and a versatile crafting system that lets you build makeshift vehicles, airships, and creative traps. Players can tackle story quests, shrines, and world events in any order, with physics-driven puzzles and dynamic combat throughout.

● Why It’s Worth Playing: It’s a limitless sandbox for streamers, packed with viral build experiments, unexpected stunts, and unpredictable gameplay moments that never get old.

● Beginner Tips: Prioritize stamina upgrades early to reach vertical areas. Fuse weaker weapons to avoid mid-battle breakage. Cook often—meals with buffs are key for surviving late-game bosses.

2. Elden Ring

● Type: Action RPG, Open-World, Soulslike

● Gameplay: FromSoftware’s colossal fantasy world throws players into brutal battles against towering bosses, deadly wildlife, and cryptic NPC factions. With sprawling open zones, underground labyrinths, and countless secrets, it’s an unforgiving yet rewarding journey.

● Why It’s Worth Playing: Its challenge, mystery, and freedom make it ideal for streamers chasing “no-hit runs,” lore breakdowns, or crafting bizarre, powerful builds. Pair it with a 120Hz gaming monitor to fully experience its fluid combat and stunning environments.

● Beginner Tips: Start as a Vagabond or Astrologer for balanced early survivability. Use Spirit Ashes for backup in tough fights. Don’t force progress — roam, level up, and return stronger.

3. God of War: Ragnarök

● Type: Action-Adventure, Narrative-Driven

● Gameplay: Kratos and Atreus battle through Norse realms, facing gods, beasts, and mythic horrors in a mix of cinematic storytelling and brutal axe-swinging combat. Expansive side quests, hidden upgrades, and skill trees round out the experience.

● Why It’s Worth Playing: It blends top-tier visuals and storytelling with crunchy, satisfying combat. Ideal for narrative streamers and action junkies alike.

● Beginner Tips: Master dodging and parrying early. Swap between Leviathan Axe and Blades of Chaos for tactical advantage. Always explore side paths—they hide game-changing gear.

4. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

● Type: Action, Superhero, Open-World

● Gameplay: Swing through an expanded New York City as Peter Parker and Miles Morales, swapping between them mid-mission. Features new web gadgets, enemy types, and a Venom-fueled narrative.

● Why It’s Worth Playing: Fast-paced action, tight combat, and emotional story beats make it one of the most entertaining superhero games to stream.

● Beginner Tips: Use gadgets liberally in combat. Prioritize side missions for quick XP and unlockable suits. Mix up Peter’s and Miles’ abilities for varied playstyles.

5. Starfield

● Type: Sci-Fi RPG, Open-World

● Gameplay: Bethesda’s galaxy-spanning RPG lets players chart their own course—build ships, explore alien worlds, and engage in political intrigue. Offers endless side quests, planetary scans, and custom ship combat.

● Why It’s Worth Playing: It’s a slow-burn space sim for streamers who love immersive world-building, moral choices, and emergent stories. Navigating star maps, comparing gear stats, or analyzing faction dialogue trees becomes far more efficient with a vertical monitor, which neatly displays long UI lists and mission logs without constant scrolling.

● Beginner Tips: Focus on ship storage, weight management, and scanning skills early. Keep a rotating set of crew members for different perks. Accept multiple side jobs for steady credits.

6. Resident Evil 4 Remake

● Type: Survival Horror, Third-Person Shooter

● Gameplay: A tense, over-the-shoulder remake of the 2005 classic with sharper gunplay, smarter AI, and revamped boss battles. Atmosphere-heavy environments keep you on edge.

● Why It’s Worth Playing: Balances horror and action beautifully, delivering tense, scream-worthy moments perfect for reaction clips and intense playthroughs.

● Beginner Tips: Conserve ammo by aiming for weak spots. Combine treasures before selling. Use stealth takedowns to thin out enemies quietly when possible.

7. Final Fantasy XVI

● Type: Action RPG, Fantasy

● Gameplay: Real-time combat replaces turn-based mechanics, blending fast-paced melee combos with elemental Eikon abilities. A mature, war-torn story unfolds through cinematic cutscenes and sprawling boss battles.

● Why It’s Worth Playing: A dark, gritty reimagining of the series, with epic visuals and fluid action that keeps viewers hooked.

● Beginner Tips: Focus on a few Eikon combos you enjoy and master them. Invest in abilities that fit your combat rhythm. Upgrade your favored gear regularly.

8. Baldur’s Gate 3

● Type: Turn-Based RPG, Fantasy

● Gameplay: A sprawling Dungeons & Dragons RPG where choices matter, combat is tactical, and party relationships shift with every decision. Features deep character customization and chaotic, unpredictable battles.

● Why It’s Worth Playing: Its depth, humor, and drama-packed moments make for excellent streamer content — from unexpected crit fails to wild moral choices. If you're playing on the go or managing multiple party inventories mid-session, a 15.6-inch white portable monitor makes it easier to keep track of character stats, combat logs, and dialogue choices without clutter.

● Beginner Tips: Save often, especially before risky dialogue checks. Use the environment in combat (explosive barrels, high ground). Build party compositions with balanced roles.

9. Hogwarts Legacy

● Type: Action RPG, Fantasy, Open-World

● Gameplay: A massive magical world to explore as your own custom witch or wizard. Attend classes, learn spells, tame beasts, and uncover ancient secrets in Hogwarts and beyond.

● Why It’s Worth Playing: It’s pure wish fulfillment for Harry Potter fans, packed with Easter eggs and deep lore for streamers to uncover.

● Beginner Tips: Upgrade talents in damage-dealing spells first. Improve the Room of Requirement for brewing and crafting. Always scan for loot before leaving an area.

10. Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty

● Type: Action RPG, Sci-Fi

● Gameplay: A story expansion for Cyberpunk 2077, adding a dense new district, espionage missions, and revamped gameplay systems. Features improved gunplay, hacking, and stealth mechanics.

● Why It’s Worth Playing: The redemption arc is complete — this version delivers the tight, stylish cyberpunk action fans expected at launch.

● Beginner Tips: Pick perks that match your preferred combat style (stealth, hacking, heavy weapons). Always move and use cover. Quickhacks are lifesavers against tougher enemies.

Predictions for June 2025

While May’s list gave us plenty to play, June is gearing up to turn the heat even higher:

● Mario Kart™ World is drifting into first place with its Switch 2 debut, featuring revamped classics and gyro-fueled chaos that’s built for multiplayer mayhem.
● Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition lands on Switch 2 with gyro aiming, a full visual overhaul, and the Phantom Liberty arc right on the cartridge—expect RPG fans to flock in.
● Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma is set to charm life-sim lovers with a perfect blend of farming, fantasy, and online co-op magic.
● Street Fighter 6 throws down on Switch 2 with rollback netcode, motion-controlled party modes, and every fighter from Years 1 and 2.
● Gex Trilogy is bringing retro back, and you can bet speedrunners are already licking their chops for mid-June’s launch.
● RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army ends the month strong with its enhanced tactical action and demon-fusing madness ready for JRPG streamers.

Conclusion

Nintendo’s ability to blend nostalgia, innovation, and community-driven gameplay keeps its titles at the top of the streaming charts year after year.
May 2025 proved once again that when it comes to consistent hits, Nintendo delivers—Zelda, Mario Kart, and Smash remain cultural cornerstones. With a wave of Switch 2 exclusives like Mario Kart World and Street Fighter 6 heading into June, the console's momentum isn’t slowing—it’s accelerating. Whether you're a streamer chasing clout or a viewer seeking viral moments, Nintendo’s magic continues to deliver.