Lock and load, readers; it’s time to check out the best hunting games for Nintendo Switch!
Don’t worry, no animals were harmed in the making of this article, only pixels.
From stunning forest landscapes to fantasy realms, the Nintendo Switch gives players the chance to head out on the tail of creatures and scary monsters from the comfort of their sofa or tucked up in bed.
No rolling around in dear faeces in real life then, eh?
Whether you’re looking to bag a bass or gut a Gloomharrow, the best hunting games for Nintendo Switch have got a little something for everyone.
Let’s sneak into position to catch the first game in our list, shall we?
10. Big Buck Hunter Arcade (1984)
We’re kicking off our list of the best hunting games on Nintendo Switch with Big Buck Hunter Arcade.
That’s right; we’re talking about bona fide arcade action from your sofa, hunting digital animals from the comfort of your sofa.
Take to forest and woodland around the world, hunting moose and whitetail or practicing shooting in epic champions.
I’ve spent a fair amount of time playing hunting games in the run up to this article, and the controls in Big Buck Hunter Arcade are pretty easy to pick up. You don’t need a lot of practice to get into the action, and it’s fun to play along with a mate too!
9. Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate (2018)
There are going to be a few Monster Hunter titles in this article (the clue is in the title), so let’s start off with Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate!
As a young monster hunter starting out your career, you must work to prove yourself in your gruesome monster battles of epic proportions.
Protect villages from the Fated Four as you slay beasts as big as your house. Discover different Hunting Styles as you learn what it means to be a Monster Hunter.
Master the nuances of your craft, and don’t die… that’s very important!
There are so many missions and quests to tackle that you’ll have a hard time feeling bored playing this game. Still, if you do, just get some other friends to join in the action with you!
Multi-slayer – result!
8. Bass Pro Shops: The Strike – Championship Edition (2018)
Bass Pro Shops: The Strike – Championship Edition takes players to real lake environments and provides an exciting, realistic fishing experience on the Switch.
No maggots to mess around with or flies eating your sandwiches!
The lures in this game move perfectly too, and fisherman will be all over the many species of fish available to catch in game.
Cast off, set your hook, and pull back as though a fish really were causing tension on the other end of the controller.
If you want the best virtual angling experience on the Switch, then look no further! You could even splash yourself with the shower to make it feel more lifelike!
7. Hunting Simulator 2 (2020)
Hunting Simulator 2 takes the 7th spot in our list of the best hunting games on Nintendo Switch!
Before we go any further, I want to talk about the graphics on this game. It’s absolutely stunning, with realistic settings and 33 different animals to track just like hunters do in the wild.
Search over 6 square miles of gameland, aiming and honing your senses. This isn’t an easy game, so you’ll need to stay calm and keep your hands steady!
Never go out into the woods alone; take a dog with you that has different hunting attributes to help you with your search.
There’s a whole host of weapons too; 160 in total.
I don’t think I could even name 160 guns, but if you know your stuff, then use equipment for Browning, Bushnell, Verney-Carron, and more!
6. Windbound (2020)
Windbound takes the 6th spot in this list of the best hunting games on Nintendo Switch!
This survival game might look and feel like an exact rip-off of Breath of the Wild… mainly because it is.
Still. as your hunger drops over time and is the main timer that dictates how long you spend on each level, hunting plays a huge part of the game plot.
Animals are pretty brutal in this game, especially the Plainstalkers and the Gloomharrows – those things are lethal!
Using different bows with elemental properties, players can take down humongous creatures and leave meat to cook by fires.
You’ve got to be on the ball too as meat goes off over time, so be careful!
5. Deer Drive Legends (2012)
Deer Drive Legends is another realistic hunting game that puts you in the heart of the wilderness.
Have you ever wanted to scour the globe for deer? You have, haven’t you? It’s ok, that’s why you’re here, after all.
And the great thing about a computer game is that you can hunt animals that are extinct too.
The environments are richly textured, and the animals move pretty smoothly too. There’s no janky jumping or glitching to be found here!
Battle T-Rex (yes, they definitely are extinct), saber-tooth tigers (also extinct), elk, wolves, and much more!
4. The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild (2017)
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild takes the 4th spot in our list of the best hunting games on Nintendo Switch!
Yes, you heard me right. If you’re new to the Legend of Zelda series and have never played BotW before, then this is the first Zelda game where picking up hearts from grass wasn’t an option.
Instead, you have to cook food to keep your energy up, which means hunting animals and taking the meat they drop.
Using everything from a bow and arrow to bombs and spears, players can hunt prey in the wild and reap the spoils they leave behind.
If you attack something with a fire arrow you can cook it too! Result!
3. Cabella’s The Hunt: Championship Edition (2018)
Cabella’s The Hunt: Championship Edition takes the bronze medal in our best hunting games for Nintendo Switch compendium!
The difficulty modes in this game are what sets it apart from other hunting titles. Ramp it up all the way to the top and spend hours upon hours chasing and stalking prey, giving you the full hunting experience.
And why go into the woods alone when yo can take your mates along for the ride in the multiplayer mode!
This is the most realistic hunting game on the Switch by far. Of all of the other titles I’ve played, Cabella’s takes features like scent and range of shot such more seriously.
Hunt everything from bears to ducks using bows, rifles, and more, all while following fancy GPS and pulling off decoy calls.
With ten maps to traverse through all teeming with animals that want to eat you and creatures that like to hid in hard to reach places. It’s quick, it’s airy, and it’s perfect for the hunter that doesn’t like to leave the house.
To be fair, that’s better than killing real animals!
2. Monster Hunter: Rise (2020)
Monnster Hunter Rise combines two of my favourite things of all time; ninja themes and monster hunting.
Seriously, some of the monsters in this game could give Geralt of Rivia a run for his money! They’re absolutely massive!
I love playing this game solo, but it’s infinitely better with mates joining you for the hunt.
And let’s face it; it’s also easier to take down the monsters too!
Palamute the dog gives his all in fights too; I wish my dog Bilbo had an ounce of that pooch’s courage!
1. Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin (2021)
You wanted a mad hunt, and we provided- Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin is officially the best hunting game for the Nintendo Switch!
If you want to track and hunt creatures in an open-world fantasy epic with RPG feels, then you’ve come to the right place.
Hunting elk is all well and good, but when you can hunt real scary monsters and slay them with massive swords, it’s much more exiting!
No wonder it appeared in our best open world Nintendo Switch games article!
As well as hunting big-‘ol monsters, you can also befriend them and send them into battle.
Play as a the grandson of a famous rider as you and a lady with a weird egg team become good pals.
Hunt monsters, uncover mystery, and discover the secrets that make up the bizarre tapestry of your world.
That’s right; Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin wins our best hunting games for Nintendo Switch prize. It’s one tough cookie to slay, so it’s probably going to stay in the top spot for a heck of a long time yet!
Seb Santabarbara has bought every Nintendo console that has ever been released in his 31 years on Planet Earth. His favourite game franchise is Zelda, and he’s patiently waiting for Banjo-Kazooie to come back to the fold. When he’s not playing games, he’s travelling the world in his self-converted camper van.
