Baldur’s Gate 3 dominated the gaming industry in 2023, but that doesn’t mean everyone’s had a chance to play it. One group was left out in the cold: Nintendo Switch owners. These are the Top 10 Baldur’s Gate 3 alternatives on Nintendo Switch to keep you occupied.
What are the Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Alternatives on Nintendo Switch?
10. The Warlock of Firetop Mountain
The Warlock of Firetop Mountain embodies the emergent mechanics of both tabletop RPGs and choose-your-own-adventure books, which makes sense since it’s a video game adaptation of a choose-your-own-adventure book by the same name. In typical TTRPG fashion, you’re on a quest for vast wealth — but that requires going through a dungeon first.
You can approach The Warlock of Firetop Mountain either through stealth or charm. Or you might decide to fight your way through making expert use of the game’s turn-based combat system. Unlike BG3, this game is pretty short and only has a single dungeon. But that means you can get your RPG fix without investing too much time. I like having an option that’s quick, knowing when I go into it that I won’t need to invest hundreds of hours.
9. Persona 5 Royal
While not a CRPG like BG3, Persona 5 Royal uses the narrative-heavy style of JRPGs and is perfect for lore hounds. It also uses a turn-based combat system. However, instead of a medieval fantasy setting, it occurs in a modern school. There are plenty of social simulation elements, such as attending classes and taking exams, and the game has an overall slice-of-life feeling.
The combat is flashier than BG3, and you can adjust your party by getting other Personas that fill in elements not available to your current group. And the idea of Personas is another interesting element in the story; they represent characters in the Metaverse, which allows them to address negative feelings that characters have in their real lives. It’s engaging, interesting, and fun to play.
8. Kingdom of Amalur: Re-Reckoning
Do you want to be the chosen one? Again? Well, in Kingdom of Amalur: Re-Reckoning, you play as the first warrior resurrected in history, giving you the keys to immortality. More firmly settled in the ARPG realm than the CRPG sphere, it takes place in a world on the verge of destruction, meaning it’s your job to use your skills and a second chance at life to save it.
Kingdom of Amalur: Re-Reckoning has much more intense combat than BG3, more resembling Skyrim’s combat style. But that doesn’t mean it’s shallow by any means. There’s a reason it’s one of the most beloved ARPGs ever released. You can respec characters and try new combat methods to find what fits you. And the builds can get really deep.
7. Xenoblade Chronicles
Xenoblade Chronicles is an entire series of RPGs that you can play in any order. Though they’re numbered, they aren’t directly connected, instead occurring in a shared universe. Each one has a long and involved story, and there are plenty of companions you can recruit.
Some are loveable and I enjoy rooting for them, but some I love to hate. The cast feels alive, and the dynamics between different companions is fun to watch as things unfold through missions and conversations. If you want the mix of companions, narrative, and strategy that BG3 has, then this is a great option. Except, you’ll have a much larger world to explore here than you do in BG3.
6. Fire Emblem Engage
Really, any Fire Emblem game is a great choice for an alternative to Baldur’s Gate 3 on the Nintendo Switch, but FE: Engage is a bit newer and brings back characters from past games. The story starts out slower compared to other options here, but it’s worth trying and includes lot of features you’ll find in BG3, too. It’s combat-heavy with an emphasis on strategy, and it’s also turn-based.
Its deep narrative and relaxing moments full of minigames and socializing mean you can sit back for hours and just soak in the world. One minigame is perfect if you love Scratch from BG3 as much as I do. It lets you play with Sommie, a dog-like character with wings, to increase his affection bar by feeding him, petting him, or even dressing him up.
5. Disco Elysium
But maybe you want more story and less combat. With Disco Elysium, you must solve problems with skill checks and dialogue instead. That isn’t too different from playing a high Charisma Tav in BG3, but the story and set up are. This world feels like a living, breathing entity with full of mystery and conversation.
Disco Elysium receives a fair amount of praise for its writing, and while the main plot stays mostly the same regardless of your choices, the narrative feeling is totally different when you make different choices. I think it’s a realistic approach to making choices matter without developers creating vast swathes of possible pathing. And that’s a big task whether you’re an Indie developer or an AAA team.
4. Baldur’s Gate 1
The stories aren’t outright connected through the trilogy, but BG1 is a CRPG with many of the same elements as BG3. There are overlapping characters and factions in both games, like Elminster and Saverok or the Zhentarim and Harpers. Naturally, the BG1 shows its age. And though I contend the game’s somewhat harder without the guide book included in the game’s physical release, the combat mechanics are simpler and help ease players into these systems — and mitigate how old it feels.
3. Baldur’s Gate 2
BG2 is a bit more polished and has an enhanced edition that adds modern conveniences and includes quality-of-life enhancements. It adds four more characters, new storylines, and even new locations that you won’t see in the original version.
As such, I recommend the enhanced edition for the updated gameplay and extra content. You also get to see more of the world, particularly Athkatla, the capital of Amn. You’ll even see characters like Minsc, Jaheira, and Viconia. Though not vital, BG2 gives more context to your BG3 playthrough.
2. Pillars of Eternity: Complete Edition
Pillars of Eternity was considered a spiritual successor to Badur’s Gate before BG3 was released. And it’s easy to see why, given the isometric style, ability to create your own deep character, and D&D mechanics. You play as a Watcher cursed with visions and the ability to read souls after watching cultists perform a ritual. Now, you seek to get those cultists to reverse the curse.
1. Divinity: Original Sin 2
Of course, the top entry here has to be Larian Studios’ other game series, Divinity: Original Sin 2. You don’t need to play the other Divinity games beforehand, and it has all of the elements I love about BG3. Combat is turn-based, and the game focuses heavily on its characters, exploring the world, and making decisions that impact the story. If you’re interested in BG3, then Divinity: Original Sin 2 is a must-play game.
And those are my top 10 Baldur’s Gate 3 alternatives on Nintendo Switch. Not being able to play BG3 on Nintendo’s handheld It might be depressing, but these games can fill that void. In the meantime, pick up Pillars of Eternity and Divinity 2, then check out more topics like 10 games that prove even the hardest titles can be relaxing or 10 indie games to watch in 2024.
