The Best Survival Games for Nintendo Switch

Update : Subnautica 2 added at rank #3.
1

Grounded (2022)

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

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
  • cooperative

2

Subnautica: Below Zero (2021)

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90
Review score
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Nintendo Switch IOS iPhone Android PC Windows Playstation 5 Xbox One Xbox Series X Mac OS Playstation 4 Nintendo Switch 2

Plunge into the icy depths of Subnautica: Below Zero! Unravel the mystery of your sister's disappearance while braving the alien arctic. Craft, explore, and survive in a world teeming with otherworldly wonders. Each discovery propels you through a story rich with adventure and intrigue. Are you ready to uncover the secrets beneath the ice?

Buy

What we like:
  • Stunning alien underwater environments
  • Engaging narrative with a personal quest
  • Diverse biomes filled with unique creatures
  • Streamlined survival mechanics
  • Inviting to both series veterans and newcomers
What could be improved:
  • Some resources can be challenging to locate
  • Exploration may be hindered by confusing terrain

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

3

Subnautica 2 (2026)

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93
Review score
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Mac OS IOS iPhone Android Xbox Series X/s PC Windows Playstation 5 Playstation 4 Nintendo Switch

Subnautica 2 is an underwater survival adventure set on an all-new alien world, developed by Unknown Worlds. Play alone or with friends in 4-player co-op. Adapt to survive by building custom bases and crafting tools. Explore the unknown to uncover the mysteries hidden within the depths.


  • underwater
  • survival
  • open-world
  • horror
  • cooperative

4

Subnautica (2018)

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96
Review score
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Mac OS Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Switch Playstation 4 Playstation 5 osvr Xbox One Xbox Series X PC Windows IOS iPhone Android

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

5

Astroneer (2019)

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

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

6

Core Keeper (2024)

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86
Review score
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Linux Xbox One Playstation 4 Nintendo Switch Xbox Series X Playstation 5 PC Windows Nintendo Switch 2

Core Keeper is a mining/crafting-adventure game that combines elements from games like Terraria, Stardew Valley, and Valheim. Dive into a subterranean world where you mine, build, and battle in an ever-expanding cave of wonders. Forge your path, unearth relics, and conquer monstrous foes, solo or with friends. It's a sandbox of secrets waiting for you to uncover!


What we like:
  • Infinite exploration with diverse biomes
  • Complete creative freedom in a fully destructible environment
  • Rich in secrets and stunning vistas
  • Varied gameplay with distinct regions
  • Extensive mod support enhances replayability
What could be improved:
  • Challenging navigation without clear landmarks
  • Limited inventory and storage space

  • survival
  • crafting
  • sandbox
  • cooperative
  • mining
  • cooking
  • farming
  • pixel
  • open-world
  • building
  • boss
  • procedural
  • simulation

7

ARK: Survival Evolved (2017)

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91
Review score
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Android Mac OS Nintendo Switch Linux Playstation 4 PC Windows Xbox One Xbox Series X stadia

ARK: Survival Evolved is an action-adventure game that throws you into a mysterious world filled with dinosaurs, where you must learn to survive and craft your own weapons, clothing, and tools in order to thrive. You must explore the land, build bases and enlist the help of creatures in order to defend against predators. With beautiful water animations, lush forests and varied creatures ARK will keep you engaged and entertained for hours.

Buy

What we like:
  • Varied creatures to explore & tame
  • Combat is incredibly satisfying
  • Crafted weapons can be used to threaten or destroy enemies
  • Trading items with other players
  • Stunning visuals & water animations
What could be improved:
  • Awful character customisation
  • Long taming process can test patience

  • survival
  • dinosaurs
  • crafting
  • open-world

8

60 Seconds! Reatomized (2019)

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98
Review score
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PC Windows Android IOS iPhone Nintendo Switch Playstation 4 Xbox One Mac OS

60 Seconds! Reatomized is a remastered version of the original game that released back in 2015, set in the 1950s and following the McDoodle family as they try to survive a nuclear apocalypse. The game is split into two parts - scavenging for supplies where you have 60 seconds on the clock and survival mode, making decisions inside a bunker to keep the family alive. Challenge modes give an additional layer of strategic gameplay.

Buy

What we like:
  • Replayability
  • Wacky moments
  • Strategic challenge mode
  • Hand-drawn style visuals
What could be improved:
  • Clunky controls when scavenging

  • survival
  • comedy
  • choices
  • post-apocalyptic
  • dark
  • simulation
  • hand-drawn
  • text
  • adventure
  • point-and-click
  • difficult
  • outbreak
  • interactive
  • horror
  • funny

9

Mr. Prepper (2021)

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90
Review score
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Nintendo Switch Mac OS Xbox One Playstation 4 PC Windows

In Mr. Prepper, you must build an underground shelter, craft machines, and explore atmospheric locations to survive in a world controlled by an authoritarian government. Will you help Mr. Prepper defy the government and stay alive? This thrilling survival game offers an interesting prepper/survival concept, with a decent variety of items to build and explore. The game will keep you on edge with the slight stress of coming under inspection, all while providing a relaxing experience. Craft, trade, explore, and scavenge your way to success!

Buy

What we like:
  • Interesting prepper/survival concept
  • Decent variety of stuff to build
  • Slight stress of coming under inspection
  • Fun exploring the map
  • Relaxing game
What could be improved:
  • Building/crafting loop is low-impact
  • Short replay value
  • UI improvements needed
  • Lots of grinding

  • survival
  • crafting
  • resource-management
  • simulation
  • base-building
  • underground
  • life
  • 2.5d
  • atmospheric
  • management
  • point-and-click
  • economy

10

No Man's Sky (2016)

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89
Review score
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psvr osvr Xbox Series X PC Windows Playstation 4 Xbox One Playstation 5 Mac OS Android 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
  • discovery
  • trading
  • aliens
  • multiplayer
  • space
  • sandbox
  • management
  • open-world

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