The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim arrived on Switch as one of the first big third-party ports and proved that a sprawling open-world RPG could work on a handheld console. The player wakes up as a condemned prisoner on the chopping block in a northern province, only to discover they carry a dragon's soul and the ability to use the dragon tongue as magic. What follows, though, is mainly freedom: the main quest can be shelved for dozens of hours in favor of joining the thieves' guild, the college of magic, the war between the empire and the rebels, or simply wandering mountain trails and digging up old tombs.

The character system has no classic classes. The player improves at whatever they actually do, meaning whoever shoots a bow gets better with a bow, whoever steals gets better at sneaking, and on top of that they pick perks from skill constellations. Combat is simple but has weight: blocks, power attacks, and spells in both hands, plus dragon shouts that can knock an opponent off a cliff or slow down time. The Switch version includes all three major expansions, motion control support for sword swings and bow aiming, and bonus content tied to Zelda in the form of Link-inspired gear. Technically it's a compromise, meaning lower resolution and simpler effects than on other consoles, but it's a fully playable version in your hands, which changes how a player returns to a game of this scope.

The atmosphere rests on the Nordic landscape, mist between the mountains, and music with sweeping choirs that even someone who's never launched the game remembers. The original 2011 release ranks among the most influential RPGs ever, since it opened the genre to a wide audience, and its modding scene keeps the game alive to this day. The Switch version's reception was favorable, with complaints about the price and the aging technical side. Today it's the easiest way to carry the entire province of Skyrim in your bag, and the game keeps its main strength: the player decides for themselves what actually matters in it.