The Best Survival Games for Nintendo Switch

Update : Miniland Adventure added at rank #31.
Here are our 10 Best Survival Games for Nintendo Switch:
1

Astroneer (2019)

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94
Review score
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Xbox One Playstation 4 PC Windows Nintendo Switch IOS iPhone

Embark on a cosmic journey in Astroneer, where you can shape worlds to your heart's content. Dig, build, and survive in a sandbox universe, creating bases and vehicles with friends. Uncover mysteries and enjoy a crafting odyssey across vibrant planets—your space adventure awaits!

Buy

What we like:
  • Engaging crafting and building mechanics
  • Vibrant, immersive worlds
  • Relaxing, open-ended gameplay
  • Satisfying cooperative multiplayer
  • Regular updates with new content
What could be improved:
  • Occasional control and camera issues

  • survival
  • crafting
  • sandbox
  • cooperative
  • open-world
  • exploration
  • space
  • drop-in
  • drop-out
  • resource
  • base-building
  • adventure

2

Rain World (2017)

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94
Review score
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Android Nintendo Switch PC Windows

Rain World is a grim industrial wasteland game where you take on the role of a vulnerable Slugcat, torn away from their family after a huge flood. Your mission is to reunite with your family while also surviving and navigating around the dangerous creatures in this world.

Buy

What we like:
  • Challenging platforming gameplay
  • Unique predator-prey relationships
  • Great music and sound design
  • Huge map with interconnecting levels and hidden areas
  • Creative use of hibernation chambers as save checkpoints
What could be improved:
  • Controls could be improved

  • survival
  • platform
  • post-apocalyptic
  • exploration
  • pixel
  • 2d
  • difficult
  • metroidvania
  • atmospheric
  • stealth

3

Endling (2022)

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78
Review score
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Playstation 4 Android IOS iPhone Playstation 5 Xbox Series X PC Windows Xbox One Nintendo Switch

Endling puts you in the role of the last fox on Earth. Driven from her forest home by a devastating fire (started by humans), our poor vulpine heroine is forced to find a makeshift den in which to deliver her pups, while simultaneously trying to track down her kidnapped baby. As each night falls, you'll need to venture forth from your makeshift den and forage or hunt for food, while also protecting your brood from trappers and other opportunistic humans.


What we like:
  • Heart-wrenching story
  • Stunning visuals
  • Powerful soundtrack
  • Adorable fox pups that grow and learn skills as they explore with you
  • Tough decisions between food or rescuing pup
What could be improved:
  • Can feel like stuck in a rut without making much progress

  • survival
  • skill

4

Green Hell (2019)

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83
Review score
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PC Windows Xbox One Playstation 4 Nintendo Switch

Survive the uncharted Amazonian rainforest in Green Hell, a gripping psychological thriller. With realistic survival mechanics, you'll build shelters, craft weapons, and hunt for food. The immersive gameplay and beautiful visuals will keep you on your toes, as you unravel the truth in this unique and unforgettable experience.

Buy

What we like:
  • Realistic survival mechanics
  • Immersive and challenging gameplay
  • Psychological twist adds intrigue
  • Beautiful and detailed graphics
  • Multiplayer mode for added replayability
What could be improved:
  • Inaccurate portrayal of native plants
  • Steep learning curve
  • Limited building system
  • Lack of replayability

  • survival
  • crafting

5

Wizard With a Gun (2023)

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73
Review score
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Nintendo Switch Xbox Series X/s Xbox One Xbox Series X Playstation 5 PC Windows

Dive into 'Wizard with a Gun', an enchanting survival adventure where you craft bullets, battle beasts, and bend time! Team up with friends or brave it alone in a world where your magical firepower is your lifeline. Customize your wizard and tower, uncover secrets, and master the art of gunomancy in this bewitching, chaotic realm.


What we like:
  • Stunning art style
  • Engaging crafting and customization
  • Co-op gameplay enhances fun
  • Unique time-travel gameplay mechanic
  • Captivating story with deep lore
What could be improved:
  • Potential grind for gear
  • Some clunky inventory management

  • survival
  • sandbox
  • crafting
  • cooperative
  • rogue-like
  • isometric
  • twin-stick
  • set
  • boss
  • shooter
  • magical
  • tower
  • exploration
  • online
  • resource

6

Grounded (2020)

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89
Review score
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Nintendo Switch Android Playstation 5 Playstation 4 Xbox Series X Xbox One PC Windows

Grounded is an exciting survival game that sees you playing as one of four teenagers who find themselves miniaturized and exploring the backyard of Dr.Tully, the inventor of the SPAC.R shrinking device. You'll need to hunt for resources, craft tools and armor and build shelters in order to survive the hostile creatures that inhabit this new world. With a great variety of biomes to explore, landmarks to discover and surprises around every corner, Grounded provides an epic adventure in a surprisingly small space!


What we like:
  • Unique setting
  • Varied biomes to explore
  • Visually impressive sights
  • Great character development and story telling
  • Challenging yet accessible difficulty levels and accessibility options
What could be improved:
  • Occasional glitches and bugs
  • Lacklustre quest design at times
  • Quests requiring backtracking

  • survival
  • crafting
  • sandbox

7

No Man's Sky (2016)

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89
Review score
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PC Windows Android Mac OS Xbox Series X osvr psvr Playstation 5 Xbox One Playstation 4 Nintendo Switch

No Man's Sky is a massive universe-sim sandbox experience that lets you explore an infinite number of planets with unique lifeforms and environments. Upgrade your ship and suit for survival and choose your own path - whether you want to be a trader, fighter, or explorer. The game offers great graphics and good VR support with the ability to play with friends and share your discoveries.


What we like:
  • Deliver on promises
  • Great graphics
  • Cross-play enabled
  • Good VR support
What could be improved:
  • Some bugs present
  • Not challenging enough
  • No co-op progression

  • inventory
  • survival
  • exploration
  • sci-fi
  • crafting
  • pirates
  • resource
  • trading
  • aliens
  • discovery
  • multiplayer
  • sandbox
  • space
  • management
  • open-world

8

Subnautica (2014)

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97
Review score
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Mac OS Android Xbox Series X Xbox One osvr Playstation 5 Playstation 4 PC Windows Nintendo Switch

Plunge into Subnautica's alien ocean world, where survival hinges on your ability to adapt. Build, explore, and unravel mysteries in a breathtaking underwater realm. It's not just a game—it's an odyssey beneath the waves that will test your instincts and dazzle your senses.

Buy

What we like:
  • Gorgeous, immersive environments
  • Deep crafting and base-building
  • Compelling exploration and discovery
  • Rich storyline and world-building
  • Dynamic sound design enhancing atmosphere
What could be improved:
  • Occasional performance dips in deep areas
  • Limited inventory space can frustrate resource management

  • survival
  • underwater
  • crafting
  • open-world
  • exploration

9

DYSMANTLE (2021)

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87
Review score
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Mac OS PC Windows Playstation 4 Xbox One Xbox Series X Playstation 5 Nintendo Switch IOS iPhone Android

DYSMANTLE is a post-apocalyptic open-world game where you explore a world inhabited by nasty and vile creatures. Craft permanent weapons, tools, outfits, and trinkets, farm plants, cook delicious recipes, and solve puzzles to gain upgrades. With over 99% of everything breakable for materials, the possibilities are endless. Enjoy the bittersweet apocalypse and thrive in a dangerous world.

Buy

What we like:
  • Progression system is nice
  • Unique story with nice plot twist
  • Great feedback when hitting stuff
  • Cathartic to destroy everything
  • Good value for amount of content
What could be improved:
  • Crafting system is too grindy
  • Building feels like an afterthought
  • Travel is painfully slow
  • Lack of purpose for building and sleeping

  • zombies
  • crafting
  • survival
  • open-world
  • post-apocalyptic
  • beast
  • rpg

10

Disc Room (2020)

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88
Review score
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PC Windows Nintendo Switch Linux Mac OS

Disc Room is an exciting game that takes place in 2089 when a gigantic disc appears around Jupiter. You play as a scientist on board to explore the strange and dangerous environment and dodge discs while surviving for as long as possible. Underneath the surface, there are various tasks and objectives to complete in each room which require you to think creatively.

Buy

What we like:
  • Unique concept
  • Inventive challenges
  • Ability upgrades
  • Comic-style cutscenes
  • Visually appealing art style with themed visuals per region
  • Exciting soundtrack by doseone
What could be improved:
  • Challenging difficulty requiring quick inputs and reflexes
  • Obtuse 8-bit era inspired mechanics

  • arcade
  • puzzle
  • bullet-hell
  • survival
  • cartoony
  • gore
  • platform
  • 2d
  • twitch-action
  • difficult
  • boss
  • boss-fight
  • precision
  • retro
  • room-by-room

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