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The Nintendo Switch in handheld mode.

Boss Rush Banter: What Are The Best Nintendo Switch Games to Play in Handheld Mode?

3–4 minutes

The Nintendo Switch is truly a unique gaming console that gives players unprecedented freedom.

Players have the option of playing the system on their TVs or take the device on the go. Many have their preferences on what is the best way to play the console, but the great part is there is no wrong way. 

There are many, like myself, who enjoy a healthy dose of both handheld and docked modes. That decision comes down to a variety of factors such as situation, allotted time, and family TV usage, to name a few.

While I use the Switch in both forms, I’ve found that I have certain games that I enjoy in handheld more than docked and vice-versa. These are my go-tos when I have to play in either mode and I don’t believe I’m alone in split in my library.

Let’s focus on handheld today. What games do you prefer to play in handheld mode?

The first go-to handheld games, for me, are retro titles. I recently finished Final Fantasy VIII and solely played it in handheld mode. Yes, this was the remastered version, but I preferred the older graphics on a smaller screen. 

I have a similar feelings for other retro titles. SNES, Genesis, and NES titles just feel right in handheld. Even 3D games such as Super Mario 64 or other Nintendo 64 titles fit better in handheld. 

Another group of games I play in handheld tend to be most indie titles. 

Gameplay footage from Hollow Knight.
Image Credit: Team Cherry (via GQ)

Hollow Knight felt right at home in handheld. I even tried it on the TV and it just didn’t feel right. I think the side-scrolling nature just fit the handheld concept better.

Other indie titles that, for me, fit this format include The Last Campfire. The semi-top-down view seems to lend itself better to a handheld experience. I’m sure there are other indie titles that fit this description for other players.

While I try to avoid playing new games in handheld because I enjoy seeing them on the TV, there are a few that I prefer in handheld. One such title is Triangle Strategy

The 2D-HD is such a cool twist on the old format and looks gorgeous. I love playing it in handheld because that style just feels right in a handheld setting. I feel similarly with Octopath Traveler and Live A Live.

There are so many great games that just seem to fit the handheld model. We all have our personal preferences so I know all our lists will be different.

So what about you? What Nintendo Switch titles do you prefer to play in handheld mode? What is it about seeing those games in handheld that you enjoy the most? Let us know in the comments below or by heading over to our Discord channel to join the conversation.


Nintendo Pow Block Podcast – Wednesdays at 7 a.m. ET

Nintendo Pow Block

Nintendo Pow Block is Boss Rush Media and The Boss Rush Network’s Nintendo podcast. Each week, Edward, Corey, and their friends from around the internet come together to talk about the week in Nintendo, including news, rumors, new games, questions, and the fan-favorite Snacktendo segment. Check out Nintendo Pow Block Live on Twitch every Monday night at 8:30 p.m. Eastern / 5:30 p.m. Pacific or on Podcast Services and YouTube Wednesday mornings at 7 a.m. If you enjoy the show, consider leaving us a five star rating on iTunes and Spotify. Thanks for listening to Nintendo Pow Block!

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2 responses to “Boss Rush Banter: What Are The Best Nintendo Switch Games to Play in Handheld Mode?”

  1. […] While handheld mode has become a popular feature, there is still docked mode that many utilize, sometimes using it exclusively.  […]

  2. erichagmann Avatar

    I have an OLED, so I honestly really enjoy any game I play because the colors are so wonderfully vivid!

Leave a Reply

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Email your ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠questions to the podcast here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Nintendo has officially brought Star Fox back with a brand-new game for Nintendo Switch 2. In this episode of the Direct Recap Show, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Edward Varnell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Corey Dirrig ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ break down everything revealed during the surprise Star Fox Direct on the Nintendo Today! app, including the game’s June 25th, 2026 launch date, its cinematic approach inspired by Star Fox 64, new co-op and multiplayer features, and the redesigned versions of Fox, Falco, Peppy, and Slippy. We also discuss how closely the game seems connected to the original classic and whether this is the direction the franchise needed moving forward.This and more on the Direct Recap Show by Nintendo Pow Block.Support the podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on Patreon here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Join our Communities:Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Boss Rush Network Community Discord⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Join the ⁠⁠Boss Rush Network Facebook Group⁠⁠.Follow Nintendo Pow Block on Social Media: Nintendo Pow Block Podcast: ⁠⁠X/Twitter⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Instagram,⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Twitch.TV⁠⁠Follow the Boss Rush Network: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X/Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Twitch.TV⁠⁠Follow our Hosts: ⁠⁠Edward Varnell⁠⁠, Cofounder of Boss Rush Media and host of ⁠⁠Nintendo Pow Block⁠⁠⁠. ⁠⁠X/Twitter⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠Corey Dirrig⁠⁠, Cofounder and CEO of Boss Rush Media and host of the ⁠⁠Boss Rush Podcast⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Nintendo Pow Block⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Xbox Casuals⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠Tower Casuals: The Destiny Podcast⁠⁠. ⁠⁠X/Twitter⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠, ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠Support Boss Rush Network:Support Boss Rush on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and buy merch on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Store.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Boss Rush on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website at BossRush.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more great content.Thanks for Your Continued Support!Thank you for supporting Nintendo Pow Block! If you’re listening on podcast platforms, leave us a five-star rating and a review. If you’re watching on YouTube, subscribe, like, comment, and hit the bell so you never miss an episode. Your support means the world—see you next time on Nintendo Pow Block!

The Death of Xbox Copilot, Leadership Changes, and 007: First Light - Xbox Casuals: An Xbox Podcast

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