Nintendo Released Two Switch Games No One Talks About, and They’re Must-Plays

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The Nintendo Switch enjoyed an incredibly successful period, consistently releasing high-quality games that felt almost effortless. Most of Nintendo’s own games for the Switch were outstanding, either redefining their genres or establishing a new standard for fans. During the Switch’s peak, players could reliably expect excellent new and familiar Nintendo games, even if they sometimes took a little while to arrive.

With the next Nintendo handheld starting to take shape, things have become a bit quieter as Nintendo considers its vision for this new generation. This pause has led me to think more about the Switch’s full game collection, but not the big titles everyone remembers. Instead, I’ve been remembering some of Nintendo’s lesser-known games that seem to have been forgotten. Between hits like Breath of the Wild and Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Nintendo released two games that hardly anyone talks about, and I think it’s time to highlight them. Both Good Job! and The Stretchers really showcase what makes the Switch so special.

The Stretchers & Good Job! Are Underrated Nintendo Gems

If you’re looking for great co-op games on the Nintendo Switch, you won’t often see Good Job! and The Stretchers mentioned. However, The Stretchers, created by the team behind Little Nightmares, was surprisingly one of the most fun co-op experiences I’ve had on the Switch. It’s a unique mix of physics-based challenges and open-world craziness, similar to games like Moving Out and Crazy Taxi. Meanwhile, Good Job!, developed by Paladin Studios, is all about causing as much playful destruction as possible, with levels specifically designed for chaotic fun.

I don’t think either of these games are the best on the Nintendo Switch, and that’s okay. What they do offer is classic Nintendo fun – games with a charming, timeless look that were clearly made to be as enjoyable as possible, even with a limited budget. You could easily imagine Nintendo developing these as fun side projects. This isn’t meant to diminish the developers’ hard work, but to show how perfectly these games fit the Switch and how well they embody Nintendo’s focus on creative, playful experiences rather than pushing technological boundaries.

It’s not surprising that, even though both games are fun to play and look great, they didn’t become popular or receive much attention. Nintendo didn’t promote them very effectively, and hasn’t made a strong effort to publish games from other companies like its competitors. This is unfortunate, because games like The Stretchers and Good Job! are exactly the kind of titles Nintendo needs, and they’d be a perfect fit for the Switch 2, especially with the current lack of major first-party releases.

Nintendo Should Focus On Smaller Games On The Switch 2

There’s been a lot of discussion about the limited number of games Nintendo has released themselves for the Switch 2 in its first year. This has been a sticking point for many, particularly since the original Switch launched with huge, groundbreaking games like Breath of the Wild. While it’s unfair to expect every new console to reach that same level, and the current Switch 2 games do offer value to excited fans, it’s hard to ignore that the selection of first-party titles feels a little underwhelming.

Games like The Stretchers and Good Job! offer a smart way to address this challenge. By having smaller studios create games in between their big releases, Nintendo can concentrate its own resources while also supporting smaller developers who might otherwise have a hard time. While Nintendo would still need to invest some money in these projects, it would likely be much less than creating entirely new games with original ideas from their own studios.

It’s not unusual for major companies like Nintendo and PlayStation to have smaller development teams create games for them, but this practice has become less common recently. While they still support independent developers and mid-budget exclusives, they do so on a much smaller scale, often with specific conditions, like PlayStation’s Hero Project. It’s smart to leverage the skills of other developers to create games for audiences or genres a company might not be able to reach on its own. This is particularly true for Nintendo, which is now trying to expand beyond its traditionally family-friendly games. We see this clearly in titles like Good Job! and The Stretchers – Nintendo didn’t previously offer anything similar on the Switch. These games allowed Nintendo to enter a growing and popular niche that was already thriving on the console.

It would be great to see Nintendo release a wider range of games, beyond the usual franchises. These don’t need to be revolutionary; Nintendo’s core games can handle that. Simply offering more variety would fill the gaps between major releases, give both new and established developers a chance to collaborate with Nintendo, and allow for fresh ideas backed by Nintendo’s publishing support. However, Nintendo might decide it’s too costly or might be hesitant after past attempts. If that’s the case, we at least have The Stretchers and Good Job!, two excellent games that I highly recommend playing right away – you won’t be disappointed.

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2026-05-10 19:16