Guide: 10 Sandbox Games You Need to Play on Nintendo Switch

The gaming world is filled with excitement surrounding increasingly gritty releases: utterly realistic graphics, innovative gameplay styles, or storytelling successes. These aspects are certainly interesting, especially for veteran gamers; however, we also have older categories that can equally be fun.

The sandbox genre is no stranger to anyone, and it boasts a remarkable simplicity; your exploration will bring you resources, and with those resources, you advance, but in whatever direction you prefer. I believe this space, which stimulates reasoning and creativity, is timeless, and games of this type can be enjoyed even a decade later. Despite the few exclusives in the category, the Nintendo Switch is a popular system, with countless options for players to choose from - check out our selection of games in the sandbox category.

One of the releases that made the console soar, this one marked the rebirth of the Zelda saga within the new technologies of the time: vast, creative, and innovative, the praise is countless. A very important factor in a sandbox is expansion and exploration, and this game stands out for the same reason: the map is large, and after unlocking it as the story progresses, the player can pursue their adventure as they wish. The customization is extensive, and therefore has its positive points, such as the range of available weapons; in this first entry, we still didn't have as many skills as the sequel, but the idea of ​​acquiring mechanics in dungeons was well-acclaimed by the public.

Released in 2023, six years after its predecessor, Tears of the Kingdom not only expanded the open-world style pioneered by the previous game, but also delved even deeper into resources and creativity. The skies became explorable, with floating islands, and the underground as well; the game follows a dynamic of entering dungeons and temples to acquire resources and new abilities, and returning to the surface to use them. As already known, the new range allows you to fuse items, create complex contraptions, and more. Its applications don't just extend to construction, as powers are also part of combat and puzzles.

A Nintendo exclusive, Animal Crossing excels at its customization and charisma. In the game, the protagonist moves to an island, where they can explore it however they choose, gradually developing the community that lives there. Besides being a multi-award-winning game, its release took place in March 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it carries significant meaning for players during that same period, marked by hardship and isolation.

A delight for those who enjoy marine biology, exploration, and construction, Subnautica is set in a world completely filled with ocean, where the protagonist must survive by exploring and acquiring new technologies to advance ever deeper into the sea. The game is very detailed about the biology of each fauna and flora, and very open-ended in terms of progression. However, the game explores aspects of fear of the unknown as it progresses, so it may not be suitable for those who feel uncomfortable in large bodies of water.

Following in the footsteps of an astronaut, we arrive at a previously unexplored plane, with no clear objectives for what to do. Despite hints through missions, the game progresses toward further advancements with tools, but the objective is non-linear and remains open to the player. The game features terraforming mechanics, allowing players to dig indefinitely for resources by exploring caves.

Despite its age, Terraria offers excellent portability for the Switch and categorically offers robust character customization. The game takes place in a 2D world and begins with survival and exploration, building your base, and more. Throughout development, we're introduced to the concepts of classes and bosses, mounts, ecosystems, and weapons. Ultimately, the gameplay shifts toward RPGs, and the endgame becomes quite challenging.

Another game with an interplanetary theme, No Man's Sky was known for its rushed and disappointing release: it wasn't easy to create a semi-infinite generational universe of planets for each player to explore without becoming repetitive. This vision, however, was sustained by the developers, who actively released regular updates until the game became what it was intended to be. Therefore, in its latest version, it's a great choice for galaxy lovers.

A lighter game, Hotel Galactic is a resource management game where the player owns their own business, where space travelers can stay. You can customize all the furniture and wallpapers, as well as chat with these beings who make brief visits. This recommendation is great for players who want lighthearted games, without major challenges, that bring personal satisfaction through art, storytelling, and ease.

Dragon Quest is already known for its striking narratives and this one is no exception; however, it also takes its entire plot and combines it with the mechanics of a building sandbox. Very intuitive, it follows the same principle of creating your base and collecting resources, defending it from monsters, and evolving your tools. The visuals are relatively retro, and it's definitely an aesthetic few appreciate.

Although many don't consider it a sandbox, Super Mario Maker 2 combines editing aspects with the classic platform game that are enjoyable for players of the genre and for those who like editing and customizing their own levels. It remains a good choice for players who enjoy a challenge, as its strengths lie in its challenging community-created levels. It also has a single-player campaign and is incredibly fun to play in the popular Couch Co-Op mode.

Sandbox games have a strong development factor throughout each title; the further you progress, the more building options, weapons, mounts, locations to explore, new quests, and more become available. This non-linearity, without the pressure of always following the main quest, is great and provides a lighthearted experience for those who simply want to express themselves.

Until next time!