As a long-time real-time strategy (RTS) gamer, I was thrilled when the Nintendo Switch burst onto the scene in 2017. With its hybrid portable/console design, the Switch seemed like an ideal match for the RTS genre. No longer constrained to a desk and monitor, I could now command armies on the go.
Five years later, RTS fans have plenty of great games to choose from on Switch. The system‘s success has enticed developers to port classics and incubate new franchise entries. Switch accounts for 7% of RTS sales in 2022 according to market research firm NewZoo, an impressive figure considering its specialized library.
In this guide, I’ll countdown the top 10 RTS titles available, from epic wartime simulations to zany battles between mushrooms and rabbits. Whether you’re a seasoned armchair general or looking to try your first RTS, the Switch has something for you. Time to mobilize your forces!
#10: Mushroom Wars 2
Mushroom Wars 2 proves RTS games don’t need to be stuffy military simulations. This chaotic fungus-on-fungus battler adds bright, cartoonish visuals to the formula.
The basics are familiar territory for RTS veterans: you control a colony of mushrooms, gathering resources and expanding your numbers. When you meet the opponent‘s forces, ridiculous fights break out as you flap your mushrooms into the enemy’s ranks. It’s fast-paced, micro-focused RTS action, perfect for the Switch’s pick-up-and-play nature.
While Mushroom Wars 2 keeps things lighthearted, the underlying RTS mechanics remain rock solid. You need to balance economic development with building an army, all while defending multiple resource nodes and bases. Approach it with the right mindset, and it’s a surprisingly strategic slugfest.
#9: Bad North
Most RTS games take an eagle-eye perspective, but Bad North opts for a ground-level viewpoint. You look over the shoulder of Viking warriors defending their idyllic island kingdom from invaders.
It neatly mixes RTS, roguelike, and real-time tactics genres into one compact, arcade-style package. Each island is procedurally generated for high replay value. You need to analyze enemy types and terrain while managing limited warrior classes with their own strengths and weaknesses.
Matches are snappy at 5 to 30 minutes. This makes Bad North a great RTS palate cleanser when you don’t have hours for a complex sandbox. It also nails the Switch’s portable appeal with bite-sized battles you can knock out on the go.
#8: Tooth and Tail
Tooth and Tail stands out from most military RTS titles with its unique furry animal spin. Don’t let the cutesy critters fool you though – under that fluff lies deep, hardcore RTS gameplay.
You take charge of the animal revolution as it overthrows an oppressive monarchy. Squirrels, skunks, dogs and pigeons duke it out for supremacy across 19 story-driven campaign levels. You construct bases, gather resources, raise troops, and command them into the fray.
The controls are perfectly adapted for the Switch. For example, you draw lines with a single finger for unit movement. Performance holds up smoothly even with masses of units on screen. There’s also a full map creator and cross-platform multiplayer. Tooth and Tail nicely balances in-depth gameplay with on-the-go convenience.
#7: SteamWorld Heist
I couldn’t discuss Switch strategy games without mentioning at least one SteamWorld title. This popular steampunk universe spans multiple genres, including the acclaimed turn-based strategy sequel SteamWorld Heist.
As intergalactic pirate captain Piper Faraday, you recruit a ragtag crew of robots. You’ll blast enemies in epic shootouts across spaceships, outposts, and frontier towns. What separates SteamWorld Heist’s combat from standard RTS fare is its usage of skill shots. By aiming manually, you can bounce bullets off walls for trick shots!
There’s significant strategy beyond the over-the-top gunplay, however. You need to balance crew members’ skills, utilize their abilities combo attacks, and manage interpersonal relationships back on the ship. SteamWorld Heist is equal parts action, tactics and strategy – and 100% bottled fun.
#6: Northgard
I couldn’t compile this list without shout out to the game that first made me realize the Switch’s potential for real-time strategy titles: Northgard. This viking-themed resource management game arrived shortly after the Switch’s launch.
Northgard skips base building for a territorial control mechanic. You send viking clansmembers out to claim lucrative sectors of the map. Holding these zones generates resources and places to spawn troops. You’ll need to balance economic expansion, technological advancement and occasional violence against rivals or rampaging wolves.
The Switch version smartly adapts Northgard’s sweeping strategic gameplay for both portable and living room playstyles. Detailed graphics and stirring nordic music also perfectly nail the setting. For my money, Northgard remains the quintessential RTS on Nintendo’s hybrid wonder.
#5: Wargroove
When Wargroove launched on Switch in early 2019, it quickly won a following amongst Advance Wars fans longing for a new entry in that classic handheld series. While not officially related, Wargroove proudly follows in Advance Wars’ footsteps with its turn-based tactical combat.
You choose from 12+ commanders, each with unique knights, mages, ballistae-firing trebuchets and other medieval military forces. These pint-sized armies do big damage! With critical hits, counterattacks, terrain advantages, and more, every move carries weight.
Wargroove’s 12-15 hour campaign handcrafts interesting skirmishes. However, creation tools add massive replay value. You can build custom maps, cutscenes, co-op and versus scenarios using simple editing tools. With online sharing, Wargroove transforms into an endless battlefield of community-crafted content.
#4: Sid Meier‘s Civilization VI
Few names ring out louder in strategy gaming history than Sid Meier‘s Civilization. This legendary series lets players guide civilizations from humble ancient origins through spacefaring future eras. Civilization VI represents the pinnacle of the franchise, with nearly a decade’s worth of iteration and fan feedback integrated seamlessly into one package.
Somehow, developer Firaxis Games managed to cram Civ VI’s sprawling strategic sandbox onto the Switch in 2018 without losing depth or customization options. The clever UI scales nicely between docked and handheld modes despite the reduced screen space compared to PC. Performance also holds up well even on marathon late-game saves with tons happening.
While no RTS, the turn-based Civilization allows for similar strategic empire planning and battle tactics. This is the crown jewel of Switch single-player strategy gaming – an amazing game now playable wherever your wanderlust takes you.
#3: Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville Complete Edition
The Plants vs. Zombies series marries whimsical humor with surprising strategic depth. The Complete Edition bundles all content fromBattle for Neighborville, the wacky third-person shooter spin-off, into one package overflowing with content.
You join the rampant silliness across expansive multiplayer locales jam-packed with quests, collectibles, character customizations and more. The Switch release adds gyro aiming and touch screen support for more control options. Local and online multiplayer offers competitive and cooperative hijinks.
Battle for Neighborville retains the strategic base defense and tower offense formula that made the series a breakout hit. Signature plants like Peashooters and Sunflowers make their return alongside screen-melting Zombie hero abilities. If you want an accessible, family-friendly introduction to multiplayer RTS chaos, few choices top the combo of PvZ and Nintendo Switch.
#2: Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle
What madness led someone to combine Nintendo‘s treasured mascot with Ubisoft‘s hyperactive rabbits for a turn-based strategy epic? I don‘t know, but thank goodness they did! Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle works way better than it ever should, emerging as one of the Switch‘s most delightful genre surprises.
Kingdom Battle plays out across grids as Mario, his friends and a band of cosplaying Rabbids take turn-based shots at foes using goofy sci-fi weaponry. Environments contain plenty of obstacles and vantage points to mix things up. Buffing teammates, pincer attacking foes, and pulling off feats like bouncing shots makes otherwise basic turn-based combat feel glorious.
The story campaign consistently introduces new area gimmicks and combat mechanics right up until the epic final boss fight. With loads of optional challenges and collectibles padding things out, completionists can squeeze more than 80 hours out of Kingdom Battle!
#1: Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Three Houses carries the Fire Emblem series to incredible new heights with its monastery setting and branching story paths tied to the fate of three kingdoms. It‘s the crown jewel amongst Switch strategy epics – and my personal favorite RTS on the system.
You step into the shoes of teacher at Garreg Mach Monastery, building relationships with students and molding them into forces that will shape Fódlan’s future. When war inevitably erupts, the friends and followers you’ve bonded with become valuable allies. With permanent death lurking, you agonize over every fateful battlefield order.
The tale here – really three intertwining sagas – stands amongst gaming‘s best stories according to reviews. Masterful writing, lovable characters, and plot twists you won‘t see coming make Three Houses enthralling from start to bitter end. Backing it all are refined SRPG mechanics polished to perfection since Fire Emblem’s early days.
If you own a Switch and have any interest in epic tales or strategic combat, playing Fire Emblem: Three Houses should be a no-brainer. It‘s the total package and RTS gaming at its finest.
There you have it – 10 RTS gems (plus a bonus SRPG) every Switch owner should play for easy entertainment at home or on the move. The Switch library expands every month with new options spanning subgenres. Even hardcore PC franchises like Crusader Kings 3 or Age of Empires 4 may head to the platform soon.
“Nintendo is attracting developers with the Switch‘s flexible design and hungry userbase,” explains industry analyst Dr. Joost van Dreunen. “Simplified interfaces allow complex PC and console strategy titles to make the leap while retaining depth.”
While often overlooked in favor of Nintendo‘s traditional platforming fare, the Switch‘s versatile design has successfully brought desktop-style real time strategy experiences out of the office and into our palms. You‘d be surprised the strategic depth possible even during a short bus commute!
As third parties continue realizing the Switch‘s potential for reinventing PC and console genres, I foresee the RTS selection only improving moving forward. Imagine an Age of Empires game modified for full touch screen controls or announcements still waiting in the wings (hello Advance Wars reboot). The possibilities remain boundless.
For now, hopefully this list has pointed you towards new virtual battlefields to conquer. As games like Mario + Rabbids and SteamWorld Heist prove, developers clearly enjoy tinkering with the RTS formula. Maybe next the Mushroom Kingdom will embrace real-time mushroom harvesting mechanics? Their craziness would be at home right alongside Nintendo‘s own trailblazing spirit of innovation. Stay tuned!
Sales Standouts
Game | Launch Year | Switch Physical Sales | Total Franchise Sales |
---|---|---|---|
Civilization VI | 2018 | 1.5 million | 65+ million |
Fire Emblem: Three Houses | 2019 | 3.0 million | 3.8 million |
Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle | 2017 | 2.0 million | N/A |
- Sales data via official company earnings reports