Best Nintendo Switch games for planes

Nintendo Switch (and Nintendo Switch 2) have become a staple of many gamers’ living rooms. But one of the best things about this little device is the possibility to take it out of the dock and use it as a full-scale portable gaming machine. Whether you’re on your way to school, work, or on holiday, you can quickly take it out of your bag and play a level or two of your favourite games.

Plane journeys are when a Nintendo Switch finds itself to be especially useful. You are stuck to your seat often for hours anyway — so why not get immersed in an amazing virtual world, instead of watching another movie on the crappy, small airplane screen, or try to sleep while your co-passengers talk and flash their phone lights straight into your eyes?

For this reason, in this blog post, we’ll be looking at the best Nintendo Switch games for planes — so that you are fully prepared for your next journey in the clouds. We will, however, take a unique twist on the topic.

Here’s the twist: did you know that in the EU and UK, you can claim flight compensation if your flight is delayed or cancelled? The compensation amount depends on the distance:

• €250/£220 for a flight under 1,500 km — these flights usually last between 45 minutes and 2h30
• €400/£350 for longer flights within the EU, or any flight outside the EU between 1,500–3,500 km — these flights usually last between 2h30 and 5h
• €600/£520 for the longest flights, those with a distance of more than 3,500 km — we are talking about truly long journeys, sometimes even 10h+!

We will therefore divide our top 10 best Switch games for plane rides based on these flight compensation distances. Because sometimes, on a very short flight, you don’t necessarily want to start a 100h+ jRPG, right?

And if you had a flight delay or cancellation within the last few years, Flight Delayed can help you claim your money back. Use the button below to check if you are eligible and claim your money in only a couple of minutes!

Best Nintendo Switch games for short flights (below 2:30h)

Elechead

A tiny gem that can be beaten in about 2 hours — perfect for a short flight within the EU! It’s a puzzle platformer with an incredibly cute character who has to use electricity to move forward in his quest. The whole game was made by a single Japanese developer and mentioned in one of the Nintendo Direct showcases!

A Short Hike

A Short Hike is a cozy journey lasting less than 2 hours. You are a small bird who hikes, climbs and flies through a calm, peaceful mountainside area. It’s a short and sweet indie game that’s perfect for even those who are just starting their gaming journey!

Untitled Goose Game

If you’re travelling with kids, show them Untitled Goose Game. It’s a game about a goose (you wouldn’t guess, huh?) who decides to spread mischief in a small village. Steal food from humans, mess up their gardens, and sink their favourite pants in a river nearby. 

Best Nintendo Switch games for longer flights (2:30h-5h)

Portal

A true classic from Valve, one of the most beloved game developers and creators of the Steam Store. In Portal you use… yup, portals — to solve puzzles and get to next levels. The twist? You make the portals yourself using a device very cheekily called a Portal Gun.

PS. Portal: Companion Collection comes with Portal 2 as well, giving you even more puzzling fun!

Sonic Mania

One of the best Sonic games ever, made by a studio formed by long-time fans of the blue hedgehog. Made with love, filled with intense, fast-paced platforming, and perfect both for a long flight as well as a quick level or two while waiting by the gate for your plane to arrive.

Trine

While I’m writing these words, we are waiting for Trine 6 to be released. In the meantime, you can play all the other five! These are puzzle platformers where you roam through a magical world — alone or with others! The Trine series is known for its support of co-op gameplay for up to 3 or 4 players (depending on which Trine you are playing).

Best Nintendo Switch games for long-haul flights (5h+)

Dispatch

Do you want to play a game and watch a series at the same time? Dispatch is for you. It’s a narrative masterpiece, telling the story of a fallen superhero who loses his Iron Man-style suit and ends up being a dispatcher for a group of misfit villains-turned-superheroes. Laugh and cry along with the characters — and let your flight fly by as Dispatch can take up to 10h to beat.

Metroid Dread

A fantastic entry in the famous Metroid series — as Samus Aran, a galactic bounty hunter, you save the galaxy (yet again) from chaos in this roughly 10h journey. Thanks to a couple of difficulty options, this one is a great choice for both hardcore gamers and those who have never experienced the joy of playing a Metroid game before.

Super Mario RPG

We could honestly list any Mario game here — but why not go with the remake of one of the most beloved and unique games starring the moustache guy? In Super Mario RPG you will yet again fight to save the Mushroom Kingdom. This time, however, you will fight koopas and other weird creatures in old-school turn-based battles! The game will likely take you 12h+ to beat.

Persona 5 Royal

What other situation if not a long flight is perfect to start one of the most magical journeys in gaming? Persona 5 Royal will take you a whopping 100h+ to finish — but if you are eager to dedicate yourself to it, you will remember its story forever. 

Don’t forget about your flight compensation!

Switch and carts packed? Then remember to double-check if you can claim flight compensation! If you had a flight delayed by at least 3 hours or cancelled last-minute, you might get up to €600 per person for the trouble. 

Even flights from a few years ago might still qualify so make sure to check your flight before it’s really too late!