Best Mature game
Despite what many people think, Nintendo isn't all bright colors and rainbows. There are plenty of awesome, Mature-rated games on Nintendo gaming systems.
1. Bayonetta 2
Nintendo has, somewhat understandably, a reputation for mostly providing family-friendly content, games that are suitable for most, if not all, ages. Bayonetta 2 takes that idea, puts it in a catsuit and whips it while pole dancing and licking a lollipop. With this game, Nintendo backed a title that is quite clearly intended for mature audiences. Just look at Bayonetta herself, who manages to be the embodiment of the words "sexy" and "female empowerment" at the same time. That never detracts from the incredible combat or art direction that PlatinumGames implemented; it just enhances it. How Bayonetta qualified to be in Super Smash Bros. and was thus fine for "good boys and girls of all ages" we may never know, but in her own game, she gets to let loose and be what she is: the most powerful witch in Earth, Heaven, or Hell. -Samuel Tolbert
2. Doom
Doom is a classic. It's a game that put first-person shooters in the mainstream, a futuristic, horror-twisted adventure that can satisfy any player's need to vent frustration. With brutal kills, horrific enemies, and a killer soundtrack, this game is definitely not one for the kids. Players take on the role of the Doom Slayer and must travel back and forth through portals to Hell to stop an invasion of demons on the Mars research facility owned by the Union Aerospace Corporation. From tearing creatures in half to beating them to death with their own arm, it doesn't get more bloody than this... except maybe in Doom Eternal. -Sara Gitkos
3. The Witcher III
I'm still not sure if releasing the Witcher 3 on the Nintendo Switch was a good idea. The game is visually intensive and doesn't look especially great on the smaller console, especially in handheld mode. However, if CD Projekt Red wants to get this game to as many audiences as possible, I'm all for that. The Witcher 3 is one of the most memorable games of the past decade and for good reason. It presents a sprawling world that's filled with lifelike characters and story bits that can be engaging, sometimes hilarious, and even heartwarming or tragic. The main character, Geralt, is the right combination of gruff and sympathetic, and he gets the job done. I would still recommend getting this on another platform if you can, but if the Switch ends up being your console of choice, please give this a shot. -Carli Velocci
4. Resident Evil 4
I remember the first time I completed Resident Evil 4 on the GameCube way back before the Wii was even in the picture. It may be simplistic to say, but it's a satisfying experience. Everything just works together. The set pieces are bombastic, the gameplay is challenging but fair, there's a whole lot to do, and in the end, you feel like a hero. The Resident Evil series has had its ups and downs over the past decade, but you can always rely on Resident Evil 4 to provide a good time. The franchise has also always had a home on Nintendo consoles, and the Switch is no exception. Best of all, the game is just old enough that it meshes perfectly with the Switch's power capabilities. I call that a win all around. -Carli Velocci
5. Outlast: Bundle of Terror
I'll be the first to admit that I haven't been able to handle these horror games well — there's definitely a lot of screaming when I play. What makes this game so terrifying is that it requires you to run around a demonic asylum trying to avoid criminally insane abominations and your only course of action when something attacks is to hide. There's plenty of jump scares and creepy-looking enemies that you have to escape from. This game isn't a Nintendo exclusive, but it's the only version of the game that lets you play in handheld mode. If you're clutching your Switch in a dark room, it sure makes you feel vulnerable when you lift your eyes away from the screen and listen a little too intently to the silence of your home. It's the perfect game for any horror enthusiast. -Rebecca Spear
Bonus: There are mature Nintendo games?
Whenever I mention Nintendo, there's inevitably someone who's unaware of the fact that mature games are available on the gaming company's hardware. I can't say I completely blame them considering that Nintendo has dominated the family game section of the market. Still, other players are fully aware that they can play mature content on the Switch but prefer the happy, lighthearted games Nintendo offers. There's no right or wrong way to play. As long as you're enjoying the games you're playing, it doesn't matter if they are "kid-oriented" or "adult-oriented." -Rebecca Spear
