Today, I’m deep-diving into my own Top 5 Educational Nintendo Switch games. It’s no secret that I’m a huge Nintendo fangirl. I’ve been loyal to the brand since way back in the day, when my parents bought my sister and I a NES for Christmas. *Whispers* that was over 30 years ago now.

My 9 year old daughter, Syd now has both a Nintendo Switch Lite and a proper Switch. I also have a Switch of my own, too. So between us, we’ve played a fair few games, and I feel confident compiling a list of our top 5 Educational Nintendo Switch games. I’ll come back to this post now and then, to update it. So hopefully you’ll find some inspiration for educational Nintendo Switch games below!

Top 5 Educational Nintendo Switch Games

In my opinion, the following Nintendo Switch games are ones I would class as educational. They are in no particular order. Before you buy any games for your Nintendo Switch, if you have more than one device in your household, make sure you link them together before downloading – that way you’ll only need to pay once.

1). 51 Worldwide Games

Players: 1-4
Age: 12+
UK Release Date:  June 2020
Play mode: TV Mode, Tabletop mode, Handheld mode, Paid online membership service.

I wrote a 51 Worldwide Games review a while ago, so feel free to check that out for an in-depth breakdown. Long story short, this game is made up of 51 different traditional-style games, which teach logic, strategy, problem solving, patience. It is suitable for players aged 12 and over, and while each game has a different player limit, there’s a range of 1-4 player games.

2). Dr Kawashima’s Brain Training For Nintendo Switch

Players: 1-2
Age: 3+
UK Release Date:  Jan 2020
Play mode: TV Mode, Tabletop mode, Handheld mode, Paid online membership service.

This game challenges your intellect via fun, addictive puzzles and challenges. It tests your skills with a variety of exercises and tests in different play styles. You sometimes need to hold your Nintendo Switch console vertically and using a stylus or your finger to write. The game also utilises the right Joy-Con’s IR Motion Camera, which detects the shape of your fingers.

Dr Kawashima’s Brain Training calculates your overall Brain Age Score by performing a series of back-to-back exercises. These will challenge your information processing speed, short-term memory and self-control. When you play daily, you’ll see your Brain age score improve, so you can see the progress you’re making. This game teaches logic, strategy, problem solving, and also patience.

3). Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain

Players: 1-4
Age: 3+
UK Release Date:  Dec 2021
Play mode: TV Mode, Tabletop mode, Handheld mode, Paid online membership service.

Have you ever wondered who’s got the smartest brain in your family? You can work that grey matter and find out in Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain for Nintendo Switch. The game features brain-flexing challenges in five different areas: Memorise, Identify, Compute, Analyse, and Visualise.

You can go brain-to-brain with friends and family in local multiplayer, to see who can get the highest score in Party Mode. (You’ll need one compatible Nintendo Switch controller per player). You can also play against friends, family members or even random brainiacs from around the world, when you have a Nintendo Online subscription.

The theory is that the more you play, the sharper your skills will become. It’s a great way to boost your brain and see your progress, over time. The competitive angle is also a great incentive for reluctant learners. How about a family contest, and the winner gets a prize? Or a reward for playing for a set length of time?

4). Layton’s Mystery Journey: Katrielle and the Millionaires’ Conspiracy

Players: 1
Age: 7+
UK Release Date:  Nov 2019
Play mode: TV Mode, Tabletop mode, Handheld mode.

The Professor Layton series of games was my favourite on the Nintendo DS. The Professor is a private detective, who solves a different mystery in each game. You complete a series of puzzles, to progress through the levels. With Professor Layton missing, it’s time for his daughter Katrielle to take centre stage in the Nintendo Switch game: LAYTON’S MYSTERY JOURNEY™: Katrielle and the Millionaires’ Conspiracy!

This game brings the famous Professor Layton mystery series to your TV screen, for the first time. Which means would-be sleuths can finally share the joy of puzzle-solving with friends and family.

Players can now solve puzzles at home or on the go, Helping Katrielle crack the case with either button or motion controls. You can also enjoy deluxe features, including enhanced visuals and redesigned puzzles, aimed specifically at the Nintendo Switch.

Layton’s Mystery Journey teaches logic, strategy, problem solving, and patience. TV play is not available via the Switch Lite.

5). Fitness Boxing

Players: 1-2
Age: 7+
UK Release Date:  Dec 2018
Play mode: TV Mode, Tabletop mode.

PLEASE NOTE: This game is not compatible with the Nintendo Switch Lite.

Fitness Boxing is less about academic learning, and more about physical education. Any game which gets kids moving is worth considering, in my opinion. Fitness Boxing allows you to follow boxing-based workouts, while bopping along to instrumental versions of popular music hits. You can work up a sweat in daily, boxing-based workouts featuring tunes, from artists including Lady Gaga, Avril Lavigne and more.

Whether players want to improve their fitness levels, improve general well-being, target specific areas of the body, or simply getting active with a friend, grab a Joy-Con (or two!) and box to the beat as you work towards the fitness goals you’ve set. This game is great for working on fitness, stamina and learning about goals and how to work towards them.

My Thoughts on Educational Nintendo Switch Games

It’s worth remembering that while the 5 games above offer some educational value, the Nintendo Switch is an entertainment device. This means that while it can offer some educational gameplay, it’s not a replacement for more traditional learning methods.

Please note there are probably other Educational Nintendo Switch Games out there – these are just 5 I have discovered and experienced, personally.

PS: This post contains affiliate links.