The top action video games for 2024

Which action games are the best? Action is a genre that appears often in videogames, particularly because it may be found in games that aren't strictly classified as "action" or that belong to another major genre. For example, many role-playing games may also be classified as ARPGs. However, we're willing to go even farther, so get ready for our selection of the greatest action games for the Nintendo Switch and mobile devices.

We have guidelines for Mario games, Zelda games, Pokémon games, The Witcher games, and Candy Crush games if you're looking for a certain genre of games. You may also read our articles on adventure games, ARPGs, and Switch RPGs to get a flavor of the genres that often accompany action games.

The top action games available for mobile and Nintendo Switch are listed below:

Switch version of Dark Souls Here in Lordran, the activity never stops. Welcome. As an action role-playing game, Dark Souls offers every kind of combat you could want, letting you take a fresh approach to the game every time you play through it. I like using a long, sharp sword to swoop over my adversaries, but I don't advise novice players to follow that strategy, particularly because it takes a lot of work to get the Dark Souls ring you need to dodge.To put it plainly, Dark Souls is among the greatest role-playing games ever made, and its popularity almost launched a whole new genre. Even though there is a lot of action in this game, it is on our list of difficult games because you will die in this one, and then die again. Nevertheless, the intricate knowledge you must put together on your own to really understand the happenings in this universe makes it worthwhile. Since the world is in such chaos and is desperately clinging to its age of fire, our Dark Souls Gwyn guide is the ideal place to start if you want a head start on studying the mythology.You may level up and gain a variety of stats in this RPG, just like in most others. These dictate the kind of build you have; you may choose to have a mix of dexterity, strength, pyromancy, miracle, and sorcery builds. Though magic is undoubtedly a great option, I would like engage in close-quarters physical combat. You may customize your Dark Souls experience to fit your play style, but no matter what you do, the Dark Souls bosses will undoubtedly give you a hard time.Dark Souls bonfires are your only hope for survival in this world, but you need also get familiar with Dark Souls' holy weapons, which may save your hide in the Tomb of the Giants and Catacombs. If you'd want to learn more about any of the characters in the game, we also offer Dark Souls Gwyndolin, Dark Souls Artorias, and Dark Souls Sif tutorials. Check out our listings of the top Soulslike games and games like Dark Souls for more videogames similar to this one.

Mobile Genshin Impact

How could we write a list of action games without include the enormously popular role-playing game HoYoverse? In 2020, Genshin Impact swept the globe, and there's no indication that it will soon slow down. The Hoyo crew is undoubtedly kept busy by the frequent updates and livestreams, as our Genshin Impact Sumeru review attests. If anything, things are becoming busier yet.It should come as no surprise that Genshin offers a ton of action for you to get your teeth into, given that it is an RPG. You are thrust into the realm of Teyvat and, having been split apart upon your arrival, you must travel across its seven countries in pursuit of your twin. Fortunately, you will encounter a lot of mysterious folks, however this does imply that you will often be doing errands or lending a hand to different people.The Genshin Impact banners allow you to call out characters to assist you in battle. Notably, each character in Genshin Impact has an affinity with one of the seven elements (one for each country), which grants them access to special attacks during combat. Each character's preferred weapons varies, which influences both how well they perform in combat and whether or not they make the greatest members of your squad.Our Genshin Impact codes guide may provide you with a significant increase in primogems, adventurer's experience, and fine enchantment ore if you want to dive into this expansive role-playing game. If you're looking for comparable experiences, we also have a list of the top games like Genshin Impact and a Genshin Impact tier list with the greatest characters.

Switch, Bayonetta 3

Today's hair is gone tomorrow. That pretty much sums up the Umbra Witch. Trust us when we tell that action game enthusiasts should not miss this exciting third installment in the series; to be honest, it doesn't get much more action-packed than Bayonetta 3 or any of her prior adventures.In Bayonetta 3, the title heroine has to preserve the universe, thus the stakes are bigger than ever. Indeed, we are aware. Although it seems like every series is embracing several dimensions these days, we assure you that Bayonetta 3 pulls it off well, providing a wonderful tale that will keep you interested all the way through. Good news for those who dislike storylines in video games: the hack 'n slash adventures of the Umbra Witch are among the greatest action games available, not just on the Nintendo Switch but also in general.You're in for a treat if you're already acquainted with the series from the first two Bayonetta games since some of the returning cast members will be known to you. You'll also be aware of what to anticipate in terms of improving Bayonetta's tools, skills, and other attributes. When the need arises, she uses her witchcraft abilities to use both gunplay and physical attack to charge into combat. One glance at our Bayonetta 3 review reveals that Bayonetta 3 has some of the most fluid fighting available. We heartily recommend it.If you would want to express your affection for the Umbra Witch, we have a guide with Bayonetta figures; nevertheless, be ready. A few of these are expensive and difficult to get. Alternatively, read our Bayonetta Origins review to learn more about Cereza, the girl who becomes Bayonetta.

Mobile – Call of Duty

Is it really necessary for me to explain why one of the finest action games available on Switch and mobile devices is a Call of Duty title? This excellent mobile shooter is as action-packed as they come, but believe me when I say that not everyone will like it. You shouldn't play Call of Duty: Mobile if you like to stay away from online combat because of the sometimes brutal difficulty spike. War is terrible, and although it may be entertaining to take against AI in the main game's campaigns, you should really avoid it.On the battlefield, you must be able to hold your own because your allies cannot help you. If you don't carry your share, they may even use you as cannon fodder. It is true that you should ideally be matched with players that possess a comparable skill level to your own, and this does serve to maintain some kind of fairness across the several game types. Though I do like the traditional team deathmatch, I really prefer dominance.Similar to mainstream games like Modern Warfare and Black Ops, you may modify the effectiveness of your equipment with different attachments, which lets you personalize your guns. For example, you could have poor precision, but if you believe you have the talents to counter the sway of your firearms, that's a worthwhile trade-off for more damage.Check out our Call of Duty: Mobile download instructions if you feel like you have what it takes to join the world of Call of Duty: Mobile online. On our Call of Duty: Mobile codes page, you may also get skins, blueprints, weapons, in-game money, and other items. No love is lost in battle, therefore soldier, be ready.Switch for

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

See, I never need a reason to discuss The Witcher. It's up there with Dragon Age and Mass Effect as one of my all-time favorite franchises, but since EA seems bent on making sure I can never talk about those because there aren't any Dragon Age Switch and Mass Effect Switch ports available, I'll just keep gushing about and applauding this masterpiece.It's easy to see why The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is regarded by many as one of the greatest role-playing games ever made. I'm getting ahead of myself, but it also has two of the finest DLC expansions I've ever played. You may still follow The Witcher 3's Geralt in Wild Hunt as he sets out on a quest to locate and rescue The Witcher 3's Ciri as the Wild Hunt pursues her. Fortunately, Ciri is loved and cared for by two beautiful sorceresses, Yennefer and Triss from The Witcher 3; as a result, you get assistance on your mission.If you like action packed games with well-designed characters, Wild Hunt has a large cast of The Witcher 3 characters that all blend in well with the environment. But since you came for the action games, let's examine what makes The Witcher 3 stand out among the others. You're in a fantasy realm full with fierce creatures like dragons, werewolves, vampires, drowners, griffins, and more, so there will be enough of fighting to do in addition to eliminating the bad people who roam the area.Different metrics that indicate your level of experience may be unlocked. For example, you may concentrate only on a melee combat build, utilize your signs more wisely, and craft potions to increase your fighting prowess, but it might have unintended consequences.If you need assistance getting ready, we can advise you where to get the greatest The Witcher 3 armor and how to obtain The Witcher 3 Viper armor. But why end there? Allow us to guide you through certain quests with our The Witcher 3 High Stakes and The Witcher 3 Family Matters articles since they may be complex or challenging to complete for the best outcome. Oh, and we can even explain how to get the different The Witcher 3 endings, provided spoilers don't bother you.Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is available for mobile devices.Before we get started, let me just say that the reason we are making this a mobile game rather than a Switch option is because we cannot in good conscience recommend that you play that flaming pile of dog poop; the Switch version is so horrible that it makes CJ's day seem a lot better in contrast, and that guy has some serious family issues. To understand what we mean, just read our GTA The Trilogy – Definitive Edition Switch review.If you haven't played San Andreas, you've probably heard of it at least since it's regarded by many as one of the greatest Grand Theft Auto games ever made. You must commit every crime you can think of in order to build your gang's reputation and get more street cred, as one would anticipate from a title like this. You play as CJ, a poor man who, when his mother dies, returns to his village. It doesn't take him long to revert to his previous way of life.You are armed with more weapons than we can count, including baseball bats, firearms, knuckle dusters, and rocket launchers. All of which you may use to explore San Andreas and its three cities, causing suffering and mayhem. Here's a fun tidbit before we continue: Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Las Vegas served as the inspiration for Los Santos, San Fierro, and Las Venturas, respectively.Check out our list of the top games similar to GTA to discover what other crimes you may do if living the life of a gangster is for you.

Switch – Resident Evil 2

I adore the game Resident Evil. One of my favorite franchises, it offers an amazing collection of exciting action games that are also horror games. Though RE3, RE7, Village, and RE4 are all excellent games, my all-time favorite Resident Evil game is Resident Evil 2, and that's saying a lot since Resident Evil 4 Remake is a very close second. Hey, Village is too. Alright, I have to finish this before I start having second thoughts.Because of its scary setting in the Raccoon City Police Department, sewers, and lab—all of which are well crafted and leave you wondering what's around the corner—Resident Evil 2 is one of the finest videogames I've ever played. Beyond that, the creatures available here are exceptional in the most hideous sense – the first appearing in this game, Resident Evil Lickers are still among the most well-liked Resident Evil monsters to this day.Naturally, having a gun is necessary to survive such atrocities, which is why RE2 is an action game. While each of Leon and Claire's weapons in Resident Evil is distinct, they are all capable of defeating the zombies and other creatures. Leon can only wield a pistol and shotgun, whereas Claire from Resident Evil may also carry a revolver and grenade launcher.Regarding Leon and Claire, Resident Evil 2 has two campaigns—technically, four—because every character experiences the RCPD in a way that is uniquely terrible. You may access Leon's "B" narrative and vice versa if you decide to play as Claire first. Exploring both will reveal Resident Evil 2's real conclusion.If you need further help, we can provide you with the Resident Evil 2 safe codes, which may actually save your life when Mr. X, the massive monster from Resident Evil 2, is pursuing you. If you'd ever want to join Resident Evil's Jill and see how her stay in Raccoon City is going, we also happen to have a guide to the Resident Evil 3 safe codes.Even though we don't yet know much about the upcoming Resident Evil game, all this buzz about RE2 is making me eager for it. Is it going to be a remake or Resident Evil 9? Time will tell. Oh, and don't forget that the Nintendo Switch is home to a number of additional Resident Evil titles, such as Resident Evil 3 and Resident Evil Village, all of which are deserving of a spot on a list of the greatest action games on their own.

Mobile version of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

One of the most beloved videogame series ever is Castlevania, which comprises half of the critically praised Metroidvania subgenre. One of its most beloved installments may be found on mobile devices. Despite having little sales when it was first released in 1997, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night became a surprise success and eventually developed a cult following. That is, incidentally, the reason this is such a unique PS1 game.This game is an action RPG, which makes it a great option if you're looking for one. Anyone who is acquainted with the series knows this. Symphony of the Night is essentially a follow-up to the 1993 game Castlevania: Rondo of Blood, however it's not a must to have played PC Engine Super CD-ROM to enjoy Symphony of the Night.You take on the role of Alucard in Symphony of the Night, a character who makes a comeback from Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse from 1992. In addition, he is Dracula's offspring, but since his mother is human, he is a dhampir rather than a vampire. Alucard is determined to demolish Dracula's castle when he arrives. Naturally, it's much easier said than done, so in order to put a stop to this evil once and for all, you'd better be ready to battle through a lot of opponents.Since SotN is an RPG, it should come as no surprise that you must kill foes and bosses in order to increase your different stats as you go through the game. Fortunately, you can use both physical and magical assaults to make this action game unforgettable.Check out our Castlevania: Symphony of the Night review to see just how amazing this game is—we call it "a solid port of one of the greatest games ever made." Enough said.Switch version of Tomb Raider I–III, remastered Since Lara Croft has returned with remastered versions of her first three adventures, we would be negligent if we did not rank the Tomb Raider I-III Remastered collection as one of the finest action games available for the Nintendo Switch.When Lara's adventure proved to be so successful, development on a sequel to Tomb Raider, which debuted on the PlayStation in 1996, got underway right away. This resulted in Tomb Raider II in 1997, Tomb Raider III in 1998, and Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation in 1999, though the latter isn't included in the remastered collection.You probably played all three of these games on their original platforms if you've been a lifelong fan of Lara Croft, so you know exactly what to anticipate in terms of gameplay, riddles, and fighting. If you've never played a game in the series before, Tomb Raider takes you on adventures with archaeologist Lara Croft, with each of the three games telling a unique tale.The best parts of the gameplay are the puzzles, traps, and battles as you seek for relics in various parts of the planet and make sure they stay out of the wrong hands. Check out our Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Switch review to learn more about what makes this trilogy so famous—many consider the first game to be among the greatest videogames ever made.Undoubtedly, the discussion around Lara Croft is making us eager for a new Tomb Raider game. The question that remains is how long before an announcement is made.Brawlhalla - Switch and mobile]This fighting game from Ubisoft is a great option if you want action on the go. If you'd rather play it on a hybrid system, it's also playable on the Nintendo Switch. Here, the game's objective is straightforward: eliminate all of your rivals from the arena to stand as the last player.I couldn't think of a better parallel than Super Smash Bros., where you can utilize your abilities and attacks to knock them off the platform and then do your hardest to keep them from safely returning to the combat zone. It goes without saying that the further you fall when knocked out of the arena, the weaker you are, making it more difficult to get back to safety.Similar to Super Smash Bros., random objects might appear during a battle and help tip the odds in your favor. Swords, katars, spears, blasters, arrows, scythes, and other weapons might be among them.I strongly advise you to consider a character's strength, dexterity, defense, and speed numbers while deciding which Brawlhalla character to choose. These traits affect how a character performs in combat.

Switch – Crisis Core

While Switch players are not able to play the Remake trilogy, you can still enjoy Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion, a remake of the FFVII prequel that Square Enix only releases for the PSP (which, surprisingly, is also on our list of the best PSP games). Many people consider Final Fantasy VII to be the best Final Fantasy game ever made.As you get control of Zack Fair, Aerith, Tifa, Cloud, and Sephiroth all make appearances. You will undoubtedly remember some of the other Crisis Core characters. Zack is a SOLDIER, as fans are well aware, and in Crisis Core, he discovers information that will permanently alter the course of events.There is a ton of action packed fighting throughout the tale, which takes place during the conflict between Shinra and Wutai. Turn-based combat is absent from both Crisis Core and its remake in Final Fantasy VII. Rather, you have complete control over Zack, depending on your buster sword's powerful blows in addition to casting magic with the help of materia.You can find out more about this fantastic action game by reading our Crisis Core: Final Fantasy Reunion Switch review.Switch the Astral Chain (

)

Astral Chain, the second PlatinumGames title on our list, is a must-have for every action game enthusiast who owns a Switch. You can only play it on the Nintendo system, and we strongly advise you to do so. It is unique to that platform.In this dystopian future filled with interdimensional monsters eager to wreak havoc, you get to play a detective from the Neuron special police task team. It's noteworthy to notice that the plot focuses on two twins who utilize the "Astral Chain" like its name to combat the beasts.Many role-playing game aspects can be found in Astral Chain, and players who like playing detective will undoubtedly enjoy the gameplay segments when you take on the role of a detective by carrying out investigations. Even if everything there is fascinating, I know you're truly interested in the fighting since that's what makes a game a "action" game. Here, you may engage in thrilling hack 'n slash action as you take on a variety of adversaries. It's fast-paced, full of fantastic combinations that will have you going back for more.

Zero Stress Zone

How do I put it? When it comes to action games, Hoyoverse is unmatched, and while ZZZ is a Hoyo title, it provides a somewhat different experience than Genshin Impact and Honkai Star Rail. Don't get me wrong, there are still a variety of characters in this gacha game, each with unique fighting skills. You can maximize their potential by using our Anton build, Grace build, and Ellen build recommendations.Unlike Genshin and HSR, Zenless Zone Zero has a more metropolitan atmosphere and even provides a life-simulation experience similar to Persona games. You may find out what makes Zenless Zone Zero one of the finest action games and have a good time by reading our review of the game, which calls it "an electrifying urban ARPG fuelled by fluid, fast-paced combat, quirky characters, and gripping gameplay."We also happen to have a Zenless Zone Zero codes guide so you can gain some additional aid in New Eridu, and a Zenless Zone Zero tier list if you want to know who the strongest characters are.That brings an end to our list of the top action games available on the Nintendo Switch and mobile devices, my friends. Accept our choices? Do you believe a different game belongs here? Inform us. See what mayhem and havoc you can create in the meantime by perusing our lists of the top FPS games and Hard games.