Have you tried out the popular multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) genre yet? These team-based, competitive strategy games pitch players against each other in intense real-time matches. And they can get quite addicting!
If you own a Nintendo Switch, you‘re in luck – some fantastic MOBA titles are available that are perfect to play on the go. As an experienced gamer, I‘ve rounded up the absolute best Nintendo Switch MOBAs that I highly recommend checking out.
In this guide, you‘ll discover:
- What makes MOBA games so fun and appealing
- A brief background on the Nintendo Switch
- Reviews of the top 6 Nintendo Switch MOBAs
- Where to get your hands on these titles
- Tips for buying Nintendo Switch games
Let‘s dive in!
What Are MOBA Games?
MOBA stands for multiplayer online battle arena. These real-time strategy games involve two teams of players competing to destroy their opponent‘s base first.
Unlike slower-paced RTS games, MOBAs emphasize quick, exciting matches between players that typically last 30-45 minutes. They combine elements of RPGs, tower defense games, and more – offering a uniquely addictive experience.
Each player controls a single character with various abilities to help their team. As you clash with opposing players, your character gains experience levels and gold to purchase equipment upgrades.
The most well-known MOBAs like League of Legends and Dota 2 have millions of dedicated fans. Their replayability and requirement for strategic teamwork keeps players hooked.
Now let‘s talk about the platform all these games I‘ll be covering are played on…
A Brief Nintendo Switch Background
The Nintendo Switch has become massively popular since its launch in 2017. Its hybrid design that transitions between a handheld and home console gives players unmatched flexibility.
Nintendo has always been renowned for fun, innovative devices and games. The Switch carries on that legacy with an ever-expanding library of fantastic titles across various genres.
Early hits like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey showed the Switch‘s potential for great games. And its selection has grown exponentially to include indie darlings, AAA blockbusters, and everything in between.
As of 2022, over 111 million Switch consoles have been sold globally (Source). It appeals to gamers of all types with its top-tier portability and game diversity.
Next up, let‘s cover the cream of the crop when it comes to MOBAs available on Nintendo‘s hot console…
6 Best Nintendo Switch MOBAs
The Switch‘s excellent hybrid mobility and tactile controls are perfect for diving into intense MOBA gameplay anywhere. And there‘s an excellent variety of MOBA options to choose from.
Based on critical reception and user ratings aggregated by Metacritic and Opencritic, here are the absolute best MOBAs you can get right now for Nintendo Switch:
#6 Arena of Valor
If you want a solid mobile MOBA baseline brought flawlessly to Switch, Arena of Valor is a great starting point.
- Arena of Valor on Nintendo Switch – Review Scores Chart (Source)
As you can see above, it garnered impressive review scores across the board. Critics praised its accessibility for newcomers and focus on quick 5v5 matches compared to heavier MOBA titles.
Arena of Valor will feel instantly familiar to fans of mega popular MOBAs like League or Legends or DOTA 2. You choose from dozens of unique heroes, leverage their abilities in battle strategically, push lanes past defensive towers, and demolish the enemy base.
Matches keep the intensity high by limiting each one to 15-20 minutes typically. There‘s also four game modes to try out, adding replayability.
If you want to dip your toe into the Switch MOBA waters, Arena of Valor is a solid first choice.
#5 Esports Life Tycoon
Most MOBAs focus purely on battling other players. But Esports Life Tycoon turns the concept into a deep simulation game.
You start your own professional MOBA organization by recruiting promising players, managing budgets and facilities, and winning competitions to earn prize money. Progress through your company‘s ranks to become an elite global esports tycoon.
Reviewers praised the sheer depth of strategic choices available and fun factor of steering your own team‘s destiny. The average critic score is 86%, with GameSpew calling it "challenging yet compelling".
If the business side of professional gaming intrigues you, Esports Life Tycoon lets you walk that road to victory. The strategic richness offers tons of replay value too.
#4 Ignis: Duels of Wizards
This magic-focused MOBA casts you as a powerful wizard annihilating enemies. Like League of Legends, you‘ll choose from over 20 heroes, each with diverse skills.
Face off 1v1 or in intense 3v3 battles as you zap foes, destroy defensive towers, and outplay opposing teams. Matches last 5-15 minutes for quick hits of fun.
The wizard theme gives Ignis a fresh, vibrant style compared to more traditional medieval fantasy MOBAs. And reviewers praised the convenience of its brief, action-packed battles.
If you want your MOBAs with a side of sorcery, Ignis: Duels of Wizards brings impressively addictive arcade-style competitions. The skill ceiling stays high too, offering plenty of room to improve your wizardly abilities.
#3 Paladins: Champions of the Realm
Paladins masterfully merges hero shooter and MOBA elements together into one cohesive package. Choose your champion and duke it out 5v5 on vibrant fantasy maps.
Unlike other MOBAs, each match starts you off at the same power level. As the battle rages, you earn gold to upgrade your champion‘s cards and weapons. This creates an evolving power curve that keeps things fair.
With 36 unique champions, a deckbuilding card system, and ultimate abilities, Paladins offers incredible strategic depth layered under approachable gameplay. Matches play out quickly too, averaging 15-20 minutes.
Reviewers praised the sheer amount of content and innovations present in Paladins on Switch. It feels like the natural evolution of a MOBA fused with a hero shooter. Tons of unlockables will keep you hooked chasing new characters and deck builds to try.
#2 Pokémon UNITE
Nintendo and The Pokémon Company squeezed the pocket monster franchise into MOBA form excellently with Pokémon UNITE.
You‘ll join 5v5 battles with iconic creatures like Pikachu, Charizard, and more. Level them up during competitions, evolve them into more powerful forms, and unlock new moves.
Stadiums modeled after recognizable Pokémon regions like Remoat add nostalgia and vibrancy. Matches keep the action concise too, averaging 10 minutes.
As IGN‘s review stated, it retains the familiar competitive spirit of the games and anime. Therockpapershotgun called UNITE "a surprisingly great MOBA."
With colorful style and approachable depth, this is a phenomenal entry point for Pokémon fans into the MOBA scene. Young kids can dive in too thanks to the straightforward mechanics. But hidden complexities reward dedicated players with room for mastery.
#1 SMITE
If you want the full depth of DOTA 2 or League of Legends in your Switch MOBA, SMITE delivers in spades.
The game unleashes gods and mythological figures from various pantheons into 5v5 divine battles. Thor, Zeus, Anubis, Monkey King…each deity wields signature powers. Their explosively cinematic ultimate abilities demolish foes gloriously.
With over 140 playable gods and regular content updates, SMITE offers seemingly endless replay potential (Source). Items also drastically augment your character‘s stats for tremendous customization freedom.
Matches unfold quickly yet tactically across beautifully designed maps based on locations like Mount Olympus and the Great Wall of China. Welcome to the battleground of the gods!
Reviewers praised how competently the full PC/console SMITE experience translated flawlessly to Switch. The strategic intricacy sits right alongside DOTA 2 and LoL. IGN summed it up as an "endlessly exciting MOBA" (Source).
For the pinnacle of Nintendo Switch‘s selection of MOBAs, SMITE reigns supreme.
Where To Buy Switch MOBAs
Luckily, grabbing all these awesome games is simple. Here are your options:
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Nintendo eShop – Purchase digital copies directly through your Switch console to download & start playing ASAP.
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Major Retailers – Stores like Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Gamestop carry physical cartridges you can add to your collection.
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Online – Large marketplaces like Amazon offer both digital codes and physical games shipped to your door.
When buying pre-owned physical cartridges secondhand online, read seller reviews carefully before making purchases. Digital codes don‘t carry that risk though and allow instant access.
Tips For Buying Nintendo Switch Games
Here are quick tips to ensure your MOBA purchases go smoothly:
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Nintendo Switch games come on cartridges (physical) or digitally through the eShop. Both play identically.
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Downloading digital titles lets you swap between games rapidly without carrying cartridges.
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MicroSD cards expand limited internal storage for downloading more titles.
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Seek out deals from retailers/eShop sales to save money on quality games.
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Screen protectors and carrying cases keep your Switch protected.
Get In That MOBA Battle Arena!
Hopefully this deep dive has shown you how phenomenal the MOBA genre shines on Nintendo‘s hit console.
With so many competitive worlds and heroes awaiting, there‘s guaranteed to be a Switch MOBA perfectly matched to your tastes. Gather some friends, select your champion, and start dominating the strategic showdowns!
To recap, here are my picks one more time for the absolute best Nintendo Switch MOBAs available now:
- SMITE
- Pokémon UNITE
- Paladins: Champions of the Realm
- Ignis: Duels of Wizards
- Esports Life Tycoon
- Arena of Valor
Have one of these titles already? Share your thoughts below on what makes it so fun and addicting!
