Great Switch Games To Play If You Like Fallout (2024)

Since the NES, Nintendo has always relied on its IPs to sell its consoles. This certainly hasn't been a bad strategy, as iconic franchises like Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, and Pokemon have been responsible for millions of console sales. But something that is becoming more prevalent with Nintendo is for them to release ports of other AAA games. The Witcher 3, Skyrim, Dark Souls, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, and Divinity: Original Sin 2 all had critically acclaimed releases on other consoles before coming to the Nintendo Switch.

One AAA game series that hasn't had many releases on Nintendo's latest console is Fallout, with just the free-to-play Fallout Shelter being available. Moreover, with Microsoft's $7.5 Billion acquisition of ZeniMax Media, Bethesda's parent company, there may never be another Fallout entry on a Nintendo console. Thankfully, the Nintendo Switch has plenty of other excellent RPGs, particularly JRPGs, to scratch players' role-playing itch.

Updated on June 5, 2024, by Ritwik Mitra: The last platform anyone would think about when talking about the Fallout series is the Switch, with none of the major releases from this franchise making an appearance on this console. However, this doesn't mean that owners of this revolutionary hybrid console can't be graced with some stellar games that do a great job of eliciting a lot of what makes this series such a blast to play through. Whether it be the CRPG goodness of past titles or the modern take on this series, there are many Nintendo Switch titles players can check out if they can't get enough of Fallout, with the hit TV adaptation still making waves to this day and compelling more people to check out more of what this beloved franchise has to offer.

21 Hogwarts Legacy

An Open World Sandbox That Gives Players A Lot Of Freedom Without Forcing Them To Do The Main Quest

The Harry Potter games were pretty fun in their own right, but some people felt like the true potential of a game set in Hogwarts was yet to be reached. So, when Hogwarts Legacy was released, fans were glad to see an open-world game set in the wizarding world that is pretty engaging, despite not really doing anything innovative or groundbreaking.

To make things even better, the game was also ported to Nintendo Switch, which is hard to believe even now for many players. Accessing this vast, magical world on a handheld device will certainly be quite invigorating for players who want to enjoy one of the greatest gaming experiences around. It may seem different from Fallout in many ways, but the open-world structure is something that fans of this series will be quite familiar with.

20 The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom

A World Recovering From An Apocalyptic Event

After the release of Breath of the Wild, fans wondered how Nintendo would top this amazing experience. After all, this evolution for the Zelda series evolved the very nature of open-world gaming itself, which was a massive achievement in its own right. It might've taken six years, but the release of Tears of the Kingdom showed just how malleable the systems of this brand-new engine were.

The addition of Link's new powers allowed him to build a bunch of unique objects, fuse items, ascend to a platform above him, and reverse the time of certain objects. These were a massive upgrade from the Runes in the previous game and allowed players to spend hundreds of hours tinkering with the game's mechanics. It's this massive achievement that has led to many people calling Tears of the Kingdom one of the greatest video games ever made, and rightfully so. Shades of the apocalypse are still visible here, making it a fun change of pace for Fallout fans.

19 Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen

A Surprisingly Engaging Open-World Fantasy Game With Fun Action Combat

Dragon's Dogma is a game that took everyone by surprise with its deep combat, engaging story, and a world that wasn't the biggest but had its fair share of unique and interesting landmarks. It took a while to get going, but Dragon's Dogma eventually became a fan-favorite title, with players loving the action-packed combat system that made every class pretty engaging in its own right.

The enhanced version of the game, Dark Arisen, features an endgame dungeon called Bitterblack Isle that allows players to flex their incredible character build as they explore this massive hostile area and take out the many tough enemies and bosses that stand in their way. Dark Arisen is easily one of the best games that fans of the Fallout series should check out on the Switch if they want to explore a dark fantasy world with surprisingly intricate yet approachable gameplay.

18 Xenoblade Chronicles 3

Features A Pervading Feeling Of Hopelessness That Players Slice Through With Their Actions

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is the latest entry in the critically acclaimed Xenoblade series. Known for its immersive open-world gameplay and engrossing storyline, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 continues the series' tradition of epic RPG adventures. Players who want a fresh change of pace from the bleak open world of Fallout love the vibrant world on full display here.

With stunning visuals and a captivating narrative, fans of the series love Xenoblade Chronicles 3, with many considering it to be the best title in this esteemed series. This is especially impressive given the fact that all the games in the franchise boast a tremendous amount of quality, meaning that the third game did something really special to be remembered so fondly.

17 Divinity: Original Sin 2

A Massive CRPG With A Reactive World And Tough Tactical Combat

Divinity: Original Sin 2 is a highly regarded CRPG that has won multiple awards for its innovative gameplay and storytelling. The game features a deep and intricate world with a vast array of characters and a branching narrative that is shaped by the player's choices. Players who loved the CRPG roots of Fallout will find this title to be right up their alley.

The Switch version of the game delivers this engrossing experience with the bonus of being able to play it on the go, which works surprisingly well with the structure of the game as players can quickly pick up the handheld and get through a challenging battle or a portion of a quest before moving on. Players who love meaty RPGs with tough-as-nails strategic combat will love everything Divinity: Original Sin 2 has to offer.

16 Pokemon Legends: Arceus

An Open-World Pokemon Game That Promotes Player Freedom Over Everything Else

Pokemon Legends: Arceus is a game that finally shook up the traditional Pokemon formula, and it succeeded in many aspects. Set in the Sinnoh region's past (when it wasn't even called this name), the game allows players to explore a vast open world and catch Pokemon in a way players could only dream about.

With real-time battles and a fresh take on the traditional Pokemon gameplay, Pokemon Legends: Arceus is a must-play game for Pokemon fans and Switch owners alike. Isekai fans will love the setup of this game as well, with the main character being sent back in time to the then-Hisui region. Players who want a lighter take on the open-world genre compared to games like Fallout will love what this title has to offer.

15 The Outer Worlds

Obsidian's Impressive AA Sci-Fi RPG With Fun First-Person Combat

The Outer Worlds was developed by Obsidian Entertainment, the same company that developed the critically acclaimed Fallout: New Vegas. This title was originally released on PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4 in 2019 before coming to Nintendo Switch the following year. Despite the AA limitations, The Outer Worlds does a great job of letting players enjoy a space odyssey for the ages that doesn't overstay its welcome.

This action RPG lets players explore meticulously designed sci-fi environments while indulging in various side quests and a fantastic over-arching story that helped the game win the Game Writing award from the Nebula Awards. The Nebula Awards weren't the only institution to recognize The Outer Worlds' quality. The game also picked up the Role-Playing Game of the Year accolade from the 23rd Annual D.I.C.E. Awards.

14 Wasteland 2: Director's Cut

A Spiritual Success To The Early Days Of Fallout

Wasteland 2 was developed by inXile Entertainment and was originally released on PC and Mac in 2014. The following year, a director's cut came out, which eventually made its way to Nintendo Switch in September 2018.

Wasteland 2 is a post-apocalyptic RPG that differentiates itself from the Fallout series with its turn-based tactics combat. A sequel, Wasteland 3, was released in 2020 with a positive reception from fans and critics; however, this game hasn't made it to Nintendo Switch as of yet.

13 Atom RPG

An Amazing Attempt By A Small Studio To Develop A Fallout-Inspired CRPG

• Initial Release Date: 19 December 2018
• Available Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Android, iOS
• Main Story Completion Time: 37.5 hours

Atom Team's 2018 indie game Atom RPG takes players to a post-apocalyptic iteration of the USSR in an alternative history where it was crippled by a nuclear war. The game doesn't hide its influences from the Fallout franchise, particularly the series' older releases.

Atom RPG struggled to impress critics, exemplified by its 65 Metascore for Nintendo Switch. However, the game still deserves a spot on this list. The reception from fans was far more positive, exemplified by an 8.6 User Score on Metacritic and a Very Positive All Reviews mark on Steam.

12 Smoke And Sacrifice

A Survival RPG That Retains Its Charm Despite Being Quite Morbid At Times

• Initial Release Date: 31 May 2018
• Available Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, PlayStation 4
• Main Story Completion Time: 10.5 hours

Smoke and Sacrifice is a survival RPG developed by Solar Sail Games. The game puts players in the shoes of Sachi, a mother who hopes to find her son. The game can be tough at times, but it's worth persisting. This wonderfully written story is a great, continued payoff for the hard work.

There's an oddly beautiful charm to this title. Despite the morbid story and often disturbing visuals, the fantastic art design elicits a sense of wonder. If fans find this statement familiar, it's because Fallout's best games can also be described in a similar manner.

11 Morphite

A Slow-Paced Game Focused More On Exploration; Perfect For Fallout Fans Who Can Do Without The Tough Combat

• Initial Release Date: 19 September 2017
• Available Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Android, iOS, PC
• Main Story Completion Time: 10.5 hours

Most of the games on this list are fast-paced, with countless tasks to complete. Morphite, on the other hand, decides to slow things down and offer a more meditative approach to exploration and adventure. Morphite features a beautiful low-poly game world with numerous planets that players can explore at a meditative pace.

Many of the game's planets are procedurally generated, though there are fifteen that are hand-crafted to give a more focused approach to parts of the story. Players who want to enjoy the same sense of wonder they had while exploring the detailed worlds of Fallout without any of the combat will find this title to be right up their alley.

10 Tales Of Vesperia: Definitive Edition

A Great Action RPG That Focuses On The Evils Of Abusing A Natural Resource For Personal Greed

Tales of Vesperia is a fantasy RPG developed by Namco Tales Studio. It's the tenth entry in the Tales series that has included many fantastic games such as Tales of Symphonia and Tales of Xillia. The game received praise upon release for its excellent battle combat system and intricate story but some criticism for its lack of postgame content.

Given how fun combat and great stories have been a hallmark of the Fallout series, it's easy to see why Tales of Vesperia is such an easy recommendation in this regard. The party members and familiar mechanics for Tales fans make this title a blast to play through in every way.

9 Octopath Traveler

A Great Homage To Old-School JRPGs With A Combat System That Encourages Strategy

Most games on this list appeal to fans of modern Fallout games like Fallout 4 and Fallout New: Vegas. On a different note, though, Octopath Traveler's HD-2D will appeal more to fans of the series' first two games.

Octopath Traveler takes players to the fictional land of Orsterra. Players will follow the interweaving stories of eight separate characters over the game's impressive 60 to 80-hour runtime. Its retro aesthetics and tactical combat will make it a unique yet fitting recommendation for players who loved the CRPG roots of Fallout.

8 The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild

Set In A Desolate World Ravaged By Dark Forces

The iconic Legend of Zelda series received its 19th main series entry in 2017. The game received incredible praise from fans and critics upon release, many of whom branded it as the best Zelda game yet.

Breath of the Wild differentiated itself from the vast majority of games in the franchise by bringing the series back to its roots. Much like the original NES game, there is very little hand-holding. Players can freely complete quests in any order that they choose, something that is right up the alley of Fallout fans (in addition to the post-apocalyptic setting, of course). Along with comparisons to the series' original, many critics pointed out similarities to FromSoftware's Dark Souls.

7 Dark Souls Remastered

A Mysterious, Intriguing World Where Death Awaits The Player At Every Corner

Speaking of Dark Souls, the modern classic came to the Nintendo Switch with the recent remastered version. Unfortunately, the remaster offered very few changes from the original, but it's still the best way to play the game if players haven't picked it up yet.

Despite receiving little acknowledgment and marketing at the time of its release, Dark Souls has quickly become one of the most beloved and influential games of the 21st century. Players who loved the thought-provoking and tactical combat of old Fallout games will love the real-time spin on such mechanics, compelling players to form a thoughtful build and do some research before investing their hard-earned Souls to improve their stats.

6 Final Fantasy 12: The Zodiac Age

An Open-World Final Fantasy Game Where Players Join A Resistance Movement To Fight Against Heinous Foes

One aspect that brings this iconic series acclaim is the unique playstyle and themes that differentiate it from the competition. Consequently, the juggernaut gaming series Final Fantasy may not have many direct similarities to Fallout. However, when talking about great RPGs, it would be remiss not to include Square Enix's legendary franchise.

Final Fantasy 12, one of the most critically acclaimed modern entries to the Final Fantasy series, came to the Nintendo Switch in 2019. The remastered game vastly improved the game's visuals and also expanded the soundtrack. In many ways, this title is pretty similar to the first two Fallout games in terms of its world structure and combat.

5 Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition

A Beautiful RPG With Real-Time Action Combat Set In A World Dominated By War

From one remastered RPG to another, Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition came to the Nintendo Switch in May 2020. Despite the cartoony art style, Xenoblade Chronicles has many similarities to the Fallout series.

The game's huge open world is filled to the brim with items to discover and sidequests to complete. Furthermore, the game gives players all the time in the world to explore the landscape. There's no pressure to get back onto any sort of linear pathline, which is something that Fallout fans will be right at home with.

4 Xenoblade Chronicles 2

A Great Evolution Of The First Game With A Focus On Both Narrative And Exploration

If remasters aren't all that appealing, then Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is a great game to check out. The game was one of the Nintendo Switch's most highly-anticipated titles when it was announced alongside the console, evidenced by its huge sales figures totaling over 2 million units.

Similar to its predecessor, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 has a huge open world that is a joy to explore. The game wasn't as well-received as the original Xenoblade Chronicles, but it still scored a respectable 83 on Metacritic. It's a great game for players who want to enjoy a more vibrant game compared to the Fallout series while still retaining some dark and mature elements.

3 Dragon Quest 11 S: Echoes Of An Elusive Age - Definitive Edition

A Combination Of Traditional And Modern RPG Elements With Fun, Strategic Combat

Dragon Quest 11 S: Echoes Of An Elusive Age - Definitive Edition isn't just long in name, but in the runtime too. According to HowLongToBeat.com, the game has an impressive completionist time of 129 hours. The latest release in the main series of Square Enix's Dragon Quest, the game was universally praised by critics.

The shift to a semi-open world structure is something that Fallout fans will appreciate, giving them a nice alternative if the bleak post-apocalyptic world of these games is getting too much to bear. The mere fact that Dragon Quest 11 sparked a wave of interest in this series from Western fans is a testament to how well this title did.

2 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Complete Edition

One Of The Greatest Open-World Action RPGs Ever Made

The crown jewel of the recent Xbox One and PS4 generation, CD Projekt Red's The Witcher 3 was released early in the consoles' lifespans. Just over two years after the Switch's release, the game found its way to the Nintendo console. The game was released as a Complete Edition, which included the game's two expansion packs, Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine.

Players who love the dark themes and open-world trappings of the Fallout series will find Geralt's final journey to be right up their alley. New Vegas is one of the most celebrated games known for its amazing DLC, and this is something that fans of The Witcher 3 are quite familiar with.