Strategy and tactics games by their very nature require deep thought and careful consideration, and many gamers these days often find it hard to embark on epic multi-hour campaigns in a single sitting.
Fortunately, the portability of Nintendo Switch, Switch Lite, and Switch OLED — plus their sleep function — makes them ideal machines to help squeeze these brilliant games into hectic lifestyles, and Switch has a great selection of strategy and tactics games available at retail and on the eShop. So, if you’re planning a multi-turn offensive in a 4X game like Civilization or outfitting your party with optimal gear in a Strategy RPG like Fire Emblem: Three Houses, you can take your campaign on the go and dip in and out of them as you please.
Below, we’ve collected together a selection of the very best of the genre games on Switch. We’ve excluded the Mega Man Battle Network LegacyCollection because, really, six games? That’s a little unfair.
Anyway, whether you’re looking to dominate a room, a battlefield, or an entire continent, fetch your thinking cap, sit back, and enjoy our picks — in no particular order — of the best strategy games on Nintendo Switch.
Sid Meier’s Civilization VI (Switch)
If you think the world’s premier 4X game (explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate) peaked at Civilization IV, the sixth entry won’t change your mind, but we envy anyone who’s never played the series, as Civilization VI on Switch is a brilliant introduction. Watching — and influencing — how the world unfolds is as addictive as ever, and the boon of portability makes this a great way to play.
Lack of online play is an obvious disappointment, but the core game works fantastically well on the handheld and we had an absolute blast; with a mountain of DLC to discover after you’ve exhausted the substantial base game, take our advice and get stuck in.
Civilization VII is also pretty excellent, and with added mouse support coming to the Switch 2, we think it has the chance to be even better.
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Tiny Metal: Full Metal Rumble (Switch eShop)
Tiny Metal: Full Metal Rumble surpassed both its predecessor and Wargroove to become the number one Advance Wars ‘clone’ available on Switch. Indeed, it may be fair to say that this time around developer Area 35 has beaten Advance Wars at its own game with a super-tight and generous SRPG that takes the best from the greats it emulates and wraps them up in a much more modern and satisfying package.
Battles here are challenging, tense and highly replayable affairs, new tactical options add even more depth to proceedings and the story, once it gets going, will keep you locked in until the fight is done.
Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden – Deluxe Edition (Switch)
Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden – Deluxe Edition was a great addition to the tactical RPG genre; a well-written and rewarding experience that combines the creative use of stealth found in the legacy of its ex-Hitman developers with a world that’s full of interesting characters and ideas. Almost every game in this genre lives in the shadow of XCOM, but Mutant offers enough new ideas to set itself apart.
The visual downgrade on the Switch version can be a little hard on the eye, but considering how this sacrifice has preserved the quality of the game within, we’d call that a worthy trade-off.
Bad North (Switch eShop)
A slice of Viking strategic combat right out of the heart of Scandinavia’s indie development scene, Bad North was at the vanguard of a wave of smart yet intrinsically accessible real-time strategy titles. Swedish developer Plausible Concept calls it ‘micro-strategy’ and it’s the perfect encapsulation of a minimalist approach that covers everything from unit management to the Monument Valley-style isometric art style.
With enough enemy variance to convince you you’re playing an interactive episode of the Vikings TV show, this endlessly entertaining sea of bitesize battles will teach you to fear — and love — the sound of the oncoming horde.
Into The Breach (Switch eShop)
Coming from Subset Games, the makers of the brilliant FTL: Faster Than Light, Into The Breach is a brutal, uncompromising game of making hard decisions and living with your mistakes, but the short length of battles and endless variety of playthroughs makes for an extremely addictive experience.
Though the graphics are nothing special, the gameplay is some of the very best you’ll find in the strategy genre on the Switch, and we can easily recommend this to anybody who’s looking for an in-depth game that’ll make you think. Into The Breach feels right at home on the Switch, and whether you play more at home or on the go, this is a cracking grid-based game.
Banner Saga Trilogy (Switch)
If you happen to love Norse mythology or epic fantasies full of consequence and deft storytelling, then look no further than The Banner Saga. The first game sets the scene beautifully with intriguing cast, gripping tale and absolutely stunning artwork and soundtrack to transport you to a world filled with plenty of danger and surprises.
Subtle refinements in the sequel make it a series which just gets better with each entry, and the development of characters, gradual progression of the narrative and multiple choices presented throughout the trilogy lead to multiple satisfying endings with fitting outcomes in the third and final game.
Element (Switch eShop)
Element was one of the first games to show just how well the real-time strategy genre can work on the console when reinterpreted in the right way. Offering enough simplicity and depth for both newbies and old school players, Element cements itself as one of the most intriguing and unique titles you can play on the go.
It’s a shame there’s no support for any form of multiplayer, but even as a purely solo effort, it’s a fresh-feeling and excellent addition to a long-in-the-tooth genre.
Invisible, Inc. Nintendo Switch Edition (Switch eShop)
Invisible, Inc. is a brilliant little tactics game, right up there with Into the Breach and XCOM – if not even better. The bite-sized structure belies a deceptively complex and meaningful game, where all your decisions ultimately mean something significant for that final desperate attack.
If you enjoy stealth or tactics games – or you’re simply looking for a way into either genre – then Invisible, Inc. deserves your attention.
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle (Switch)
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle is a must-have for Switch-owning fans of turn-based tactical games. More importantly, such is the style and depth on offer that it’s also ideal for those that haven’t played much of the genre, for whom ‘XCOM’ sounds like a silly acronym from a war movie. It introduces the concept in the best possible way, and then utilises its own ideas for what becomes a smart and – at times – deliciously challenging experience.
Even if you don’t actually like the Rabbids, this game — and its familiar Mario cast and setting — is so good that even Ubisoft’s mascots become likeable. Well, almost. The sequel, Sparks of Hope, changes things up a bit more, but it’s still a worth successor and worth checking out if you love the first game.
Wargroove (Switch eShop)
As far as strategy games are concerned on the Switch, Wargroove is one of the best titles you can find on the eShop. Extremely deep and diverse strategy gameplay, ridiculous amounts of replayability, and charming presentation all combine to make this one an easy recommendation to anybody looking for a deep and cerebral experience for their Switch that isn’t Advance Wars but scratches that itch.
Wargroove 2 is also equally excellent, taking everything that made the first game great and building upon it with tons more charm and fun.
Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless (Switch)
Disgaea 7 offers up yet another enjoyable entry in the long-running series, offering up a more refined take on the famously in-depth gameplay systems. New mechanics such as Jumbification add some interesting wrinkles to the SRPG battles, while new modes like competitive ranked online bring even more playability to a game that’ll take you hundreds of hours to see to completion. Perhaps best of all, Disgaea 7 is very newcomer-friendly, though we will add that the very deliberate and measured approach to min-maxing isn’t for everyone. Whether you’re looking for an excellent new RPG to sink a lot of time into or you’ve been a fan of Disgaea since the PS2 days, Disgaea 7 is a worthwhile entry that we’d recommend you pick up when you can.
For those of you looking for something a bit more challenging, Disgaea 5 Complete is the way to go. And If you fall in love with the series, then Disgaea 1 Complete, Disgaea 4 Complete+, and Disgaea 6: Defiance of Destiny should keep you occupied for hundreds of hours.
This War of Mine Complete Edition (Switch)
This War of Mine Complete Edition is an affecting survival strategy experience on Switch and this edition is a comprehensive package. A couple of minor technical issues do little to diminish its power and, although the lack of touch controls is odd, sleep mode is a winner for squeezing in a few days as and when you can.
Switch arguably helps make this downbeat game as accessible as possible and it deserves to be played – a very welcome addition to Switch’s diverse catalogue.
Valkyria Chronicles 4 (Switch)
Valkyria Chronicles 4 is a sublime strategy experience that fans of the genre won’t want to miss out on. The engaging, character-driven plot, third-person action, deep customisation options, and high replayability make this one an easy recommendation, although pacing issues and cumbersome menu management may make it a little more intimidating to newcomers to the genre. if you’re au fait with SRPGs, though, this is a great entry point to the series for Nintendo fans.
Alternatively, the original Valkyria Chronicles still holds up impressively well and is likewise some of the best strategy action that gaming has to offer. It may be marginally rougher around the edges than its great-grandchild, but you really can’t go wrong with either entry.
SteamWorld Heist: Ultimate Edition (Switch eShop)
SteamWorld Heist: Ultimate Edition is a fantastic port of a fantastic game, and it fits perfectly on the Switch. Deep, engaging gameplay and stylish presentation combine to make this one a standout indie release; a great example of a well-put-together game.
If you are at all a fan of strategy games, or are just looking for a fun diversion to occupy your time for a couple of weeks, pick up this game. It puts a neat twist on standard turn-based strategy gameplay, and stands as another fantastic entry in Image & Form’s SteamWorld series. Plus, 2024 gave us a brand new sequel, so there’s no better time to jump into the Heist sub-series.
XCOM 2 Collection (Switch)
XCOM 2 Collection on Switch is the full-fat XCOM 2 and XCOM 2: War of the Chosen experience. Virtuous has had to knock the graphics right down to the lowest setting, there are plenty of framerate issues and bugs that we’ve already encountered on other platforms and the not-insignificant – but hopefully patchable – problem with the game’s character creation pool, but this is still a highly playable version of the game.
If you can make peace with some stuttering and long loading times and aren’t too offended by pretty ugly textures here and there, you’ll be rewarded with one of the very best turn-based tactical titles currently available. XCOM 2 is nothing short of a masterpiece and now you can play it on the go, which we reckon is well worth any sacrifices made here.
SD Gundam G Generation Cross Rays (Switch)
Import title SD Gundam G Generation Cross Rays offers months of content in an accessible, user-friendly package that will reward players who like to tinker with squad micro-management but will also let newcomers to the series enjoy the pyrotechnics display from each engagement. We doubt that we need to tell fans of the franchise why this is such a worthy investment; the amount of fan service (we’re talking the good, wholesome variety here) is staggering and more than worth the admission price.
To those who love strategy RPGs and have already exhausted all the usual suspects, we offer this advice: Cross Rays might just be the best game of this type on Switch that you’ve never heard of, and would probably pass you right by if you’re not a Gundam fan. Take a chance on this and you might just become one. It’s a fitting 40th-anniversary celebration of the entire saga.
If the import bug bites you, Super Robot Wars T is another strategy title worth investigating.
SEGA AGES Herzog Zwei (Switch eShop)
There aren’t many games from more than three decades ago that you can truly say have stood the test of time, but Herzog Zwei is such a perfectly-balanced strategy offering that it’s genuinely hard to pick fault or suggest how it could be improved or enhanced. Sure, the unit AI can be a little basic, the online play is a bit jerky and the split-screen mode in multiplayer cuts off a lot of your viewing area (and also reduces the ability to launch sneak-attacks) but the core gameplay is utterly fantastic, and remains just as addictive and engaging today as it was back in 1989, when the game first arrived in Japanese stores.
In single-player, the varied map types and scalable difficulty mean that Herzog Zwei will keep you entertained for weeks (if not years) but when played with another person – be it locally on the same console or online – this game is elevated to a whole new level of greatness. Even if RTS titles aren’t your cup of tea, we highly recommend you give this one a whirl because, outside of spiritual successor AirMech, there really hasn’t been a game quite like this since.
Othercide (Switch eShop)
Though there are plenty of other well-made SRPGs on the Switch today, Othercide does more than enough to differentiate itself from the pack and carve out for itself a unique identity. The striking art style, endlessly punishing gameplay and esoteric storytelling ensure that this one will likely only appeal to longtime fans of the genre, but it’s more than worth the effort.
Despite the difficulty, Othercide is quite a rewarding experience, and this coupled with its well-built gameplay systems makes for a game that we can confidently state is worth your time. Don’t let its frequent struggles in the performance department or its intimidating challenge dissuade you; Othercide deserves a spot in your Switch library.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses (Switch)
There was a lot riding on it, but Fire Emblem: Three Houses managed to live up to the hype and will stand as a highlight in the series for years to come. The expanded gameplay styles, retooled combat, lovable characters, and in-depth character customisation hook you fast and are almost guaranteed to keep you engaged for dozens, if not hundreds, of hours as you come to understand this enormous game in its entirety.
Fans both new and old won’t want to miss out on what Fire Emblem: Three Houses has to offer; this set a new standard for what a strategy RPG could be and proved itself to be a must-have release for Switch.
if you want more strategy and less story, however, then Fire Emblem Engage is the one you’ll want to try. It’s full of sweet turn-based tactical action that’s embedded in a satisfyingly OTT, beautifully presented anime narrative, making this sequel a very fine example of the genre.
Jurassic World Evolution: Complete Edition (Switch eShop)
Jurassic World Evolution: Complete Edition on Switch is a feature-packed and surprisingly playable port of a hugely entertaining and tactical business sim that provides a ton of fun for fans of the genre and Jurassic Park nuts alike.
There are undeniably problems in handheld where the visuals take a pretty big hit and the framerate does struggle here and there in docked but, if you can deal with these issues, you’ll find one of the most straight-up fun management sim offerings currently available on Switch. So, who’s hungry?
Star Renegades (Switch eShop)
Star Renegades‘ primary sales pitch is how it fuses ideas from a bunch of popular and well-respected releases, but it succeeds where many others fail in actually making something inventive and compelling with those borrowed ideas. At its best, Star Renegades is a gorgeous, deep, challenging, and thoroughly gripping release that successfully delivers a fun and enjoyable experience.
There are some technical issues that hold it back from perfection, but there’s little else here that otherwise feels below par. Star Renegades is a title that absolutely belongs in your Switch library; if you’re a fan of roguelites, RPGs, or strategy games, you owe it to yourself to give this one a shot.
Pikmin 4 (Switch)
Pikmin 4 is a sumptuous strategy adventure that serves up tons of fun for returning fans of the franchise whilst also adding lots to entice new players into giving it a try. Oatchi is the star of the show in our eyes, a very good boy who is woven cleverly into the core of the puzzle action. Series-best dungeons, a hugely inventive overworld, night missions, Dandori battles, and post-credit goodies only sweeten the deal. Yes, the co-op is disappointing, and the campaign’s not gonna be challenging enough for some diehard fans, but overall Nintendo nailed it here, serving up a magical Pikmin adventure tailor-made for Switch.
All the other Pikmin are also now available to play on Switch, too. There’s Pikmin 3 Deluxe, of course, but also the excellent Pikmin 1 and Pikmin 2. Want to know which game in the series is the absolute best after 4? We might be able to help you out there…
Got enough grids and maps to keep you busy for a while? That’s it for the best Strategy Games on the Switch. Don’t forget, we’ll keep this list updated with more great strategy games on the console.
Best Switch Strategy Games FAQ
Need some more help on planning out your strategy game ambitions? Let’s address those questions and concerns you may have.
Are there any Strategy games on Nintendo Switch Online?
There are — but your selection is pretty limited if you’re stuck to the Western NSO library.
In fact, to have access to any NSO strategy games in the West, you’ll need to have the Expansion Pack subscription. And even then, the selection is very slim — and limited to only Strategy RPGs, albeit excellent ones:
If you have a Japanese Nintendo account, however, you’ll get access to a handful more titles:
- Famicom Wars
- Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light
- Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem
- Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War
When the GameCube Switch Online service comes to Switch 2, we’ll also have access to Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance at some point. Now that’s an extremely rare GameCube game, so we’re excited to have easy access to it.
What’s the difference between Strategy RPG and just Strategy?
For this list, we’ve bundled the two together, but there are a few key differences between strategy RPGs and strategy games like Civilization.
For one, Strategy RPGs often give you groups of named characters, classes, and “roles” to play with, each with individual weapons, stats, and kits to use in combat. Most of these see you moving these characters around a grid, taking on the opposition’s army.
Strategy games, meanwhile, are focused more on units and usually look at multi-turn offensive based around the 4X (“eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, and eXterminate”) structure. There’s no levelling, and you’re often looking to grow an empire rather than progress a story.
What about deckbuilders? Aren’t they Strategy games?
Well, some of them are. Some of them aren’t. They do require a lot of thought, so they do often cross over, but they’re very much their own thing.
As such, if you think we’re missing games like City Wars, then check out our separate list of the Best Switch Card And Deckbuilding Games. Bonza!
Hold up, where’s Tactics Ogre: Reborn?
Switch hosts a well-received remake of SNES classic Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together, and a good remake it is – we said as much in our review!
We weren’t as taken with Tactics Ogre: Reborn as some — not quite enough for it to meet the score threshold for this list — but if you’re a strategy fan (and let’s assume you are if you’ve gotten to the very bottom of a Best Strategy Games list), it’s absolutely worth investigating.
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