Best Survival Games on Nintendo Switch

When it comes to tough, rewarding experiences, the survival video game genre is often the best of its class, typically pairing a demanding gameplay loop with equally immersive storytelling. Survival games typically drop you into procedurally generated worlds full of deadly creatures and harsh weather while your resources dwindle over time. Nintendo Switch is a great platform for survival games, letting you play on the TV or in handheld mode whenever you want. Nintendo Switch doesn't offer as many survival games as PS4 or PC, but there are still plenty of great options to choose from on the handheld hybrid. Here's a look at the best survival games on Nintendo Switch.

What Are the Best Survival Games on Nintendo Switch?

Terraria

Terraria is sometimes called "2D Minecraft," and while the two games share a lot of similarities, the comparison isn't entirely fair. The biggest thing Terraria does is focus on wild creature designs that lean into an almost surreal space, whether it's a giant floating eyeball or a skeletal snake. Beyond that, Terraria offers a demanding gameplay loop that keeps you moving while also letting you explore and gather resources — after all, it's a survival game. Speaking of which, every world is procedurally generated with surprises around every corner. You'll want to find and craft the best armor possible to survive against the deadly creatures waiting for you.

Subnautica + Subnautica Below Zero Double Pack

This pack bundles both Subnautica and its sequel, Subnautica: Below Zero, as part of the Double Pack, giving you plenty of content to enjoy on Nintendo Switch. As the name suggests, Subnautica has you surviving by exploring and processing resources — as you'd guess — while sending you into the depths of the ocean. Unlike many other survival games, the story in Subnautica and Below Zero is one of the driving forces that will keep you coming back for more. It's genuinely surprising how well both titles run on Switch given how impressively they perform. The game starts by dropping you straight into the deep end (quite literally), setting the tone for what's ahead with a mission to get back to your escape pod. If you're after a challenging but exciting underwater adventure, Subnautica and Below Zero are exactly what you're looking for.

Don't Starve Together

Don't Starve is the most distinctive game on this list thanks to its presentation, art style, and quirky tone — it looks like something out of a Tim Burton film. This entry includes many of the familiar tropes survival games are known for, like procedurally generated worlds, the ability to craft items, and deadly enemies to defeat. Still, Don't Starve also features a day/night and seasonal cycle that constantly changes everything, meaning you need to prepare for what's coming. Making sure you have the right materials ahead of time is especially important during the winter months. It also has a cooperative play feature that makes it easier to survive against deadly weather effects and the wild enemies you'll encounter. Even if you don't fall in love with the gameplay, Don't Starve will likely catch your eye thanks to its stunning visuals.

This War of Mine: Complete Edition

Many of the games on this list take a lighthearted approach to survival with a less realistic presentation or style. While This War of Mine: Complete Edition has a distinct, almost graphic-novel aesthetic, its wartime themes make it far more mature than many of the other games on this list. In it, you take control of a group of survivors living in a war-torn city under the control of armed forces. You'll need to scavenge for resources while avoiding soldiers aiming to take over the city. In that sense, player choice is front and center, with plenty of opportunities to make decisions that affect the overall story. This War of Mine: Complete Edition comes with the base game, the latest update, and all DLC, giving you plenty to do.