Summary
Tactics games are incredibly popular and are part of a booming genre, spawning new and excellent releases seemingly every year, whether they are indie gems or part of a long-running and popular series. Many of these essential gaming experiences make their way to Nintendo’s top-selling hybrid console, some of which areeven exclusively on the Switch.
Given how many stellar tactics games there are on the Nintendo Switch, some must-play titles had to be omitted. However, that means that these are the absolute cream of the crop on the hybrid console, ranked here based on a combination of their general quality and popularity with players.
Containing the base gameDisgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeanceand all DLC, the Nintendo Switch port is known asDisgaea 5 Complete. The ultimate goal of the game is to defeat Void Dark,a demonic entitywho has destroyed numerous Netherworlds with his army of over one million, called The Lost.
Players venture to the various Netherworlds to recruit Overlords to their cause, and party-building is one of the most satisfying aspects of the game. There is a vast array of playable classes, each with its own weaponry and attacks, and this game is surprisingly welcoming to new players despite its complexity.
Following the success of the first three titles in the series,Valkyria Chronicles 4adds a new Grenadier class to give players an extra tactical edge on the battlefield. Controlling Commander Claude Wallace and his friends, players mustbattle the weather and hordes of enemies, some of which even possess godlike powers.
The new “Last Stand” mechanic sometimes gives a fallen unit the opportunity to have an impact on the battle before succumbing to their fate, such as performing a counterattack or giving an ally a boost. Engaging gameplay, a vibrant art style, and likable characters all make this arguably the best entry in its series.
Played on an eight-by-eight grid and often compared to chess,Into the Breachfeatures plenty of tactical elements for players to sink their teeth into. Set in the far future, players use their gargantuan mechs to battle a race of giant space monsters known as the Vek in turn-based combat with roguelike elements.
Sacrifice plays a major role in combat, forcing players to make tough decisions about allowing mechs to be destroyed, or even important buildings. As players advance through the levels, they must alter their tactics on the fly, due to the fast-paced nature of the gameplay and changing circumstances on the different battlefields.
7Invisible, Inc.
Tactical Stealth And Espionage
InInvisible, Inc.the key word is stealth, as it is absolutely crucial in thisXCOM-inspiredgame about spies and espionage. Players have three days to prepare for their final mission and must choose tasks leading up to that end goal very carefully, as journey lengths and mission difficulty can eat away that valuable commodity called time.
Adding to the tactical element is resource scarcity and the specific skillsets of operatives. Some agents can be recruited who will potentially bring their own unique abilities, giving players an extra edge in conflict or infiltration. Levels are randomly generated, so gameplay never gets old and will continuously test the tactical acumen of players.
There is a reason that all tactics games arecompared to theXCOMseries, and players were very excited to playXCOM 2in handheld mode on Nintendo’s hybrid console. Featuring the full game, plus DLC and theWar of the Chosencampaign expansion, defending Earth against the invading aliens with that frustrating yet satisfying combat is incredibly popular for a reason.
It only sits so high on this list due to the few technical troubles that have plagued the game, especially at launch. Despite the occasional stuttering and crashes, most players will take the graphical trade-offs so that they can enjoy this masterpiece on the go, since the story, solid combat, and deep squad customization options are well worth it.
Originally released in 1995 asTactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together, it was later updated and ported to the Switch and its contemporaries asTactics Ogre: Reborn. Touted as the inspiration forFinal Fantasy Tactics, this game features branching paths and multiple endings, as the choices of player character Denam can drastically change the game world, Valeria.
One major change from the original is that all cutscenes are now fully voiced, and enemy AI has been improved to change their own tactics on the fly. This, combined with the revamped class system, means that combat never gets old, and players can really tweak their characters in countless ways, so each playthrough is unique.
A remake of two Game Boy Advance exclusive titles,Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp Editionis a fast-paced,turn-based simulation of continental conflict. Each of the Commanding Officers hails from different regions of the map, each possessing their own strengths and weaknesses, and their special moves can change the tide of battle drastically.
Managing resources and units effectively is paramount to success, and importance is also placed on capturing bases and buildings, as well as defending them. Gameplay can be surprisingly challenging but fair and extremely addictive. Plus, the art style is vibrant and eye-catching, makingAdvance Warswelcoming to players of all ages.
While many players may look past this gem due to its name,Unicorn Overlordis amongthe best tactics games ever made. Despite many finding the story of Alain and the power struggle in the Zenoiran Empire quite generic, the later narrative elements and side stories all came in for significant praise, and that’s without mentioning the tight gameplay.
Combat is complex but enjoyable, mixing elements of resource management, real-time strategy, and pre-battle tactical planning. It’s tough but very fulfilling to get it right. Battles are large-scale and there are over 60 unique characters, including humans, angels, and hulking beasts, so combat is always refreshing.
Following on from its predecessorKingdom Battle,Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hopeis a crossover ofMarioandRabbidsfeaturing turn-based battles. Unlike the previous game, it now features a more open layout on the battlefield, rather than a grid, and some environmental weapons, which adds some real-time elements to the game.
New playable characters include Bowser, a Rosalina-style rabbid called Edge, and even Rayman in the DLC. Roster-building and character upgrades continue to be rewarding, and utilizing great teamwork through team jumps and strategic positioning adds a surprising level of depth to a game aimed at people of all ages.
Set on the continent of Fodlan and featuring a school and time management system outside of combat,Fire Emblem: Three Housesis regarded as amongthe best in theFire Emblemseries. Playing as a professor in the academy and former mercenary, players decide at some point which of the three noble houses they will side with for the remainder of the playthrough.
Even the social simulation and tutoring aspect of the gameplay can have an impact on tactics, teamwork, and the course of battles, so efficiency in every part of the game is important. The different paths and story outcomes make each replay different, especially given the depth of the character roster, the myriad combat arts, and the plethora of weapon options available.
