What Games Can I Play on Nintendo Switch Without Membership?

As an avid Nintendo Switch gamer, this is one of the most common questions I receive from newcomers to the platform. The good news is that there are hundreds and hundreds of incredible single player focused games along with a handful of popular online multiplayer titles you can dive into with no membership required.

In this comprehensive look at the Switch game library membership-free options, I will showcase the breadth of diverse gaming experiences waiting for you from Nintendo exclusives to indie darlings that keep me fully entertained outside of the membership paywall.

Can You Play Switch Games Online Without Membership?

Nintendo limits online play in most 1st party Nintendo Switch titles to paying members. But there is still a batch of popular, quality online multiplayer games available completely free including:

• Fortnite – The iconic Battle Royale experience needs no introduction. Constant updates and cross platform support with PS, Xbox and mobile make this a free must play. Metacritic Score: 88
• Apex Legends – This squad based Battle Royale from the makers of Titanfall offers strategic hero based combat praised as a worthy competitor to Fortnite and Warzone. Metacritic score: 89
• Rocket League – Customize your car and compete in 5v5 soccer matches that has become an online phenomenon thanks to its addicting gameplay and skill based matchmaking across platforms. 2017 Game of the Year winner. Metacritic Score: 86
• Destiny 2 – Available as a free download, enjoy hours of solo, co-op and competitive FPS gameplay though Destiny 2 does sell expansions to unlock all content. But you get a sizable taste for zero upfront cost. Metacritic Score: 82

Based on review aggregation site Metacritic, all of these leading free-to-play online titles rank as high quality gaming options with resonating gameplay. And being able to play competitively online without needing to pay the Switch Online membership fee makes them extremely compelling downloads.

Single Player & Local Co-Op Nintendo Switch Games

Away from online multiplayer, the Nintendo Switch offers gamers an incredible lineup of single player focused experiences from open world adventures to platformers and creative sandbox gameplay suitable for all ages.

Let‘s explore some top hits available to enjoy offline whether gaming solo or through local wireless co-op multiplayer with friends and family sharing Joy-Cons.

Iconic Nintendo Franchise Hits

The Switch has become the go-to platform for Nintendo‘s core iconic franchises, most of which emphasize engrossing single player gameplay for longtime fans and newcomers alike:

• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – 24+ million copies sold; This open world re-imagining of the Zelda series is considered one of the greatest games ever made offering 100+ hours of exploration, puzzles and adventure. Metacritic Score: 97.
• Super Mario Odyssey – 23+ million copies sold; Mario‘s globe trotting 3D platforming adventure wow‘d critics as a return to form for the mascot, overflowing with creativity. Metacritic Score: 97.
• Pokemon Legends: Arceus; The latest generation of Pokemon broke the mold with a fully 3D open world action RPG filled with catching, battling and exploring the early origins of Sinnoh region. Metacritic Score: 89
• Animal Crossing: New Horizons – 40+ million copies sold; Craft your ideal desert island getaway alone or with friends through local play in Animal Crossing‘s biggest and most fully featured entry yet. Metacritic Score 88.

Based on critical reception and record sales, these single player focused Nintendo exclusives showcase the Switch as a must own platform for fans.

Indie Gaming Favorites

While Nintendo‘s own titles take much of the spotlight, the Switch‘s flexible portable design has made it the home for standout indie hits defined by award winning art styles, novel gameplay hooks and experimental ideas.

Fan favorite indie adventures worth playing solo without a membership include:

• Hollow Knight – This 2D action platformer stands as one of the genre greats with tight combat and exploration through creepy crawly caves and ruins. Metacritic score: 90
• Dead Cells – Blend state of the art 2D animation with tough-as-nails roguelike action for a unique and scintillatingly brutal challenge. Metacritic Score 88
• Cuphead – Streamlined run and gun boss battles bursting with 1930‘s cartoon style visual pizzaz. Prepared to be tested but charmed. Metacritic Score 86
• Stardew Valley – Escape to pastoral splendor by crafting a farmstead, befriending locals and uncovering secrets in this country life simulator that‘s dangerously habit forming. Metacritic Score 89

This sampling of indie hits illustrate the proposed benefit of the Switch as a platform tailored for experimental passion projects from smaller teams to find breakout mainstream appeal through the hybrid device‘s flexible on-the-go play.

Family Friendly Gaming For All Ages

A benefit matched by few consoles before it, Nintendo has positioned the Switch as a family friendly gaming destination suitable for the youngest of gamers on up to parents, thanks to its commitment to age appropriate software experiences:

• Nintendo Labo Toy-Cons – These innovative DIY cardboard creations let kids and creative minds bring their own custom controllers to life through imaginative Joy-Con integration. Enjoy cute gaming experiments through the engaging software.
• Pokemon Let‘s Go Pikachu/Eevee – A vibrant, streamlined take on core Pokemon RPG adventures designed to serve as an inviting entry point for newcomers to the franchise.
• Super Mario Party – The latest home console Mario Party experience sports 80+ brand new mini games to like up and play through alone or locally with up to 4 players.Metacritic Score 76
• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – It‘s colorful kart racing fun for all ages alone or with friends in HD. With 42 iconic tracks, gravity defying courses and upgraded visuals, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is designed for multiplayer mayhem. Metacritic Score 92
• Minecraft – Available on all platforms, Minecraft‘s versatile creation tools, family friendly aesthetic and cross device synchronization make it a globally beloved series for younger gamers. Metacritic Score 88

Unlike the online interactions of its competitors, Nintendo‘s general refusal to adopt realistic gun violence combined with bright, playful IP and gameplay create a safe space for gaming get togethers with family and friends of all ages through the magic of local wireless play.

Accessing the Nintendo eShop Storefront

An area not locked behind the Nintendo Switch Online membership paywall is the eShop digital games storefront itself. Switch owners can freely browse, purchase and directly download both free game trials and priced releases to their system‘s storage without needing an active membership.

The eShop grants free access to:

• Browsing new releases, best sellers charts and search for genres/franchises
• Purchasing any title (memberships only limit certain online multiplayer functionality not the games themselves)
• Downloading purchases directly to your Switch console storage
• Demo trials for upcoming releases
• F2P game downloads

So feel free explore Nintendo eShop sales or take advantage of weekly deals and offers even if you aren‘t subscribed to Switch Online. Just be aware you may need a membership to access online components for certain multiplayer focused titles after purchase.

But overall, the eShop storefront remains open for business regardless of membership status!

Wrapping Up

Rather than locking gamers into a mandatory membership service just to gain online access as the Xbox and PlayStation ecosystems largely employ, the Nintendo Switch stands uniquely accessible thanks to:

• Quality free-to-play online multiplayer releases like Fortnite and Apex Legends
• Hundreds of incredible single player focused Nintendo exclusives selling 10‘s of millions apiece
• Indie award winners offering stylish, experimental passion projects
• Party friendly local multiplayer games suitable for Get togethers of any age

It‘s to Nintendo‘s ongoing credit that they continue nurturing such a diverse library rather than simply divert all resources towards competitive online experiences. Through universal accessibility, Nintendo have bred arguably the healthiest gamer community and list of software options on the market.

And based on over 114 million systems sold to date, Switch owners certainly aren‘t hurting for awesome games to dive into on the go or couch co-op style even without factoring in the bonuses included with Nintendo‘s optional Switch Online membership program.

So hopefully this tour through Nintendo‘s impressive membership-free gaming catalog offered up some fresh ideas on awesome Switch experiences beyond the confines of first party multiplayer. Especially for newcomers wary of that recurring membership fee just to compete online, rest assured you can absolutely own and enjoy everything great the Nintendo Switch offers out of the box.

As both an industry analyst and passionate Nintendo fan, I‘m always happy to offer more personalized recommendations based on your tastes. Sound off in the comments on what piques your interest or if you still have any lingering questions!