All free Nintendo Switch games

Free Switch simulator and sandbox games

Simulators and sandbox games go hand in hand as they both allow players to take control of situations and determine how things are managed. Here are all of the free simulators and sandbox games on Switch. 

EMERGENCY HQ *

You are the new incident commander, which means that the police, fire department, rescue services, and technical units in your town need you to build up your base in order to keep your residents safe and taken care of. Manage your various responsibilities and solve problems as they arise. 

EMERGENCY HQ

EMERGENCY HQ

It's up to you to take care of your town residents by running the emergency departments well. Make changes, put out fires, and keep everyone safe and happy. 

Download at: Nintendo

Pokémon HOME

Pokemon Home Switch

(Image credit: iMore)

The Pokémon HOME service is a great companion software for anyone playing Pokémon GO or other Pokémon games on Nintendo Switch. 

You can store Pokémon, trade them with other players, or transfer certain Pokémon to and from various Pokémon games on Switch. It's a great way to store your rarest catches or acquire shinies by trading with others online. The base option is free, but if you want more,  you'll need to pay $16 a year for unlimited storage and full access.

Pokémon HOME

Pokémon HOME

Trade Pokémon between any of your Switch and mobile Pokémon games and even transfer them from one game to another. You can even find other players online to trade with and acquire the rarest Pokémon of them all. 

Download at: Nintendo

Fallout Shelter *

The RPG sim/strategy set in the Fallout universe has made its way to the Switch. Build your underground utopia as you design and populate your very own vault while managing and constructing various things. It employs the Fallout series' iconic art style with a focus on Vault Boy himself. 

Fallout Shelter

Fallout Shelter

Build your very own Fallout vault, choose your dwellers, and assign them roles based on their skills. It can take a lot of thought and planning to keep your vault going successfully.

Download at: Nintendo

Trove *

Trove very much feels like a Minecraft clone down to the open-world sandbox play and blocky art style. You join the many players online to go on quests, create your own world, and more — in cube form! Spend time however you'd like to whether that be hunting for treasure, diving into dungeons, or taking down enemies. 

Trove

Trove

In this Minecraft-like open-world RPG, there are quests you can go on, or you can build in your own space. Have fun interacting with others or keeping to yourself while doing whatever you want. 

Download at: Nintendo

Crush Crush *

This idle dating sim game has a lot of girls to flirt with! Interact with any of the ladies that catch your interest, take them on dates, get them gifts, and spend time together. You can even impress them with your job and by earning promotions. But be careful as some will become your frenemy or lover depending on what you do. 

Crush Crush

Crush Crush

Get to know a few girls, take them on dates, and choose one to impress in this cute dating sim. You might find yourself with a frenemy depending on how things playout. 

Download at: Nintendo

Island Saver *

The inhabiting creatures on a string of islands need your help as there is tons of waste and pollution destroying their habitats. You'll clear out the clutter of trash and goop. These creatures are called bankimals and carry coins. The more bankimals you save the more money you have to spend on improving your new islands!

Island Saver

Island Saver

Help these cute creatures by saving their island and making it beautiful. You'll earn money as you do so and can improve the habitats for your bankimal friends. 

Download at: Nintendo

Jump Rope Challenge *

This Switch fitness game allows players to set a daily jump rope goal to stay in shape.  Just hold the Joy-Con controllers in your hands as the rope and jump away to get that heart pumping! 

Since this game relies on motion controls and Joy-Con controllers, it won't work with the Switch Lite unless you have extra controllers about. 

Jump Rope Challenge

Jump Rope Challenge

Keep your body moving with daily challenges using the Joy-Con controllers as a jump rope. Your heart is sure to get pumping if you stick to this and do it regularly. 

Download at: Nintendo

Tennis 1920s *

In this cute 1920s-style 3D tennis game, take over the tournaments and bring home the trophies. You can even join a private club and bring home prizes for your accomplishments. Gameplay is pretty similar to Mario Tennis Aces, but without the Mushroom Kingdom-themed challenges to explore. 

You can either use your Joy-Con controllers or the touchscreen controls to swing at the ball. Pay attention to timing and character placement to perform your very best. 

Tennis 1920s

Tennis 1920s

Tennis tournaments in a cute 1920s theme. Perfect your timing and various abilities to do your best and bring home the trophy. 

Download at: Nintendo eShop

Knockout City

This free EA game is the ultimate dodgeball tournament! Learn trick shots and use them with your customized character to come out the dodgeball master while playing against others online. If you plan and work together with your teammates you'll find yourselves performing a whole lot better. 

Knockout City

Knockout City

In a new kind of video game tournament, you will make your own character and try to be the last person standing in a match of dodgeball. Coordinate efforts with your teammates to come out victorious.

Download at: Nintendo

Rebecca Spear
Gaming Editor

Gaming aficionado Rebecca Spear is iMore's dedicated gaming editor with a focus on Nintendo Switch and iOS gaming. You’ll never catch her without her Switch or her iPad Air handy. If you’ve got a question about Pokémon, The Legend of Zelda, or just about any other Nintendo series check out her guides to help you out. Rebecca has written thousands of articles in the last six years including hundreds of extensive gaming guides, previews, and reviews for both Switch and Apple Arcade. She also loves checking out new gaming accessories like iPhone controllers and has her ear to the ground when it comes to covering the next big trend.