Although Nintendo has been around for a while now, there are more and more people who are interested in starting their own journey with the console. And I understand; everyone has been a struggling beginner at some point. So it’s natural to want to start with something a little bit easier.
Fortunately, Nintendo Switch 2 offers plenty of games suitable for newbies, so if you don’t know what any of these buttons do yet, don’t worry, because these titles are the perfect warm-up for becoming a pro. Of course, there are different types of games; some offer easier combat, while others allow a lot of freedom to experiment, but in any case, they all make learning the ropes of Nintendo very enjoyable.
As long as a game runs on the Switch 2, it qualifies for this article.
5
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Freedom to Learn at Your Own Pace
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is perfect for beginners, mostly because of the freedom it gives you. Once you have completed the Great Plateau tutorial, the game lets you venture out on your own to explore Hyrule in almost any direction. This means that you are free to dictate the pace entirely.
Find the odd one out before the timer hits zero.
Moreover, the four main Sheikah Slate rune abilities get introduced quite early in the game, so you will not have to gradually discover and learn a thousand mechanics. I think the best part about Breath of the Wild is that the puzzles have multiple solutions. In other words, you can use your own creativity to solve them, instead of scratching your head and wondering what the developers expected you to do. This freedom extends to combat as well. If you feel unprepared for a certain encounter, you can just avoid it until you feel more confident in your abilities.
In any case, Breath of the Wild will slowly teach you how to recognize environmental cues to find secret areas and solve problems without relying on instructions, so eventually you will be okay. However, the game is at the bottom of this list simply because there are easier titles out there, but I’d say that you shouldn’t be afraid to experiment; Breath of the Wild actually supports new players quite a lot, and it doesn’t force anyone into difficult situations before they are ready.
4
Stardew Valley
A Relaxed Introduction to Gaming
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Not every beginner wants to spend their first few hours gaming feeling overwhelmed by enemies they are simply too weak to defeat. Or at least I know that would discourage me personally. If you are like me, then you should definitely give Stardew Valley a try, because it is one of the most chill games I have ever played.
The main point of the game is to participate in simple activities like planting crops, watering them, harvesting produce, and selling it to make money and progress further. These are routine activities, and they are great for beginners who are taking their first steps in dealing with progression systems and resource management. However, what is more important is that it introduces basic interaction without demanding fast reactions, which is perfect for getting familiar with the Switch 2’s controls.
Sure, it will not teach you every single button on the controller, but it’s a great start if you don’t want to feel overwhelmed like I did the first time I laid my hands on one of these consoles. Moreover, the game gradually introduces new tools, resources, and upgrades, so progression is relatively easy to follow and there’s almost 0 stress. Whatever challenges there are, they are in the mines where there is combat, but this is not the main purpose of Stardew Valley anyway.
Stardew Valley: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
- Released
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2025
- ESRB
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Everyone 10+ / Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Simulated Gambling, Use of Alcohol, Use of Tobacco
- Developer(s)
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ConcernedApe
3
Super Mario Odyssey
Learning 3D Platforming Without Constant Frustration
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Many would agree with me when I say that Super Mario Odyssey is one of the greatest introductions to 3D platformers out there. You are not required to learn any complicated mechanics when you first jump into the game, and you’re generally expected to start with some simple actions such as running, jumping, and interacting with the environment. Later, when you feel more comfortable, you are welcome to experiment with more complex movements, which gives you a sense of progression.
There is also the so-called Assist Mode that provides enough guidance toward objectives and even restores Mario’s health when he stands still, which is absolutely perfect for newbies. Moreover, the game includes Cappy, which allows you to take advantage of enemy abilities after you capture them, which means that the game doesn’t force you to rely only on precise movements anyway.
Last, but not least, when you collect Power Moons, you get access to optional challenges, so instead of having to jump into complicated objectives right off the bat, you can actually take things at your own pace.
2
Princess Peach: Showtime!
Different Gameplay Styles Without Complicated Mechanics
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I think the most challenging part of being a beginner is to figure out what kind of games you are into in the first place, but I think Princess Peach: Showtime is a title that appeals to almost everyone out there, especially newbies. It does not focus on a single playstyle, which gives you this sense of variety, while, at the same time, it keeps things entertaining by introducing different activities through short theatrical adventures.
Each of these challenges focuses on a different aspect: combat, observation, and even preparing desserts. This is great for learning different sets of actions and experiencing different gameplay styles without having to learn the extensive mechanics of a few separate games, so in a sense, this title is like 5 games in one. It also features the so-called Heart Charm, which grants Peach three additional hearts.
This is perfect for making mistakes without having to face negative consequences constantly. Moreover, this usually makes people comfortable enough to use unfamiliar mechanics more and even discover which activities they enjoy most. In other words, it’s the most appropriate choice for those who want to try a little bit of everything and learn in a safe and fun environment.
1
Kirby and the Forgotten Land
Forgiving Combat That Builds Confidence
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Image via Nintendo -
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Without a doubt, Kirby and the Forgotten Land gets the top spot on this list because it introduces several gaming skills without making everything feel heavy and frustrating. More specifically, it allows players to learn the fundamentals of 3D gaming alongside a more experienced player. They can join as Bandana Waddle Dee and help them overcome obstacles in real time. This is a huge advantage, especially for absolute beginners.
Moreover, the game features the Spring-Breeze Mode, which gives Kirby more health and generally makes the enemies easier to defeat, which is always welcome during the first stages of gaining experience with the Nintendo Switch. You also have the freedom to switch between difficulty modes at any time. Also, Kirby’s ability to float makes certain movements a lot more forgiving and gives you additional control over your jumps.
This allows you to recover easily from mistakes, so I’d say that this is one of the most forgiving games out there when it comes to learning the ropes. This makes it an excellent choice for someone who has never held a controller before, as they can get comfortable with the basics while having someone to guide them too.
