Over its long life span, the Nintendo Switch has become a versatile platform for gamers, offering a huge library of games with numerous titles covering various genres and styles. Basketball games didn’t disappoint on the platform offering a limited yet amazing selection of titles for Basketball enthusiasts.
Whether you’re looking for a hardcore simulation with real-life teams and events or an exaggerated arcade version of Basketball, this list has something for every type of gamer. In today’s list, we are going to dive deep into the world of Basketball games on the Nintendo Switch covering well-known classics and as always some amazing forgotten games. so without any further delay let’s start our list!
Table of Contents
NBA 2K22 / NBA 2K23 / NBA 2K242021 / 2022 / 2023 |
| About | |
|---|---|
| Full Name NBA 2K22 | |
| Release Date September 10, 2021 | |
 | Developer Visual Concepts |
 | Publisher 2K |
 | Franchise NBA 2K |
| Genre Basketball | |
| Graphics 3D | |
| Perspective Isometric | |
| Interaction Real-Time | |
| Players 1v1, Single Player | |
| Monetization Buy to Play | |
| Country of Origin United States |
| Switch Releases | |
|---|---|
| 2021-09-10 |
|
| About | |
|---|---|
| Full Name NBA 2K23 | |
| Release Date September 09, 2022 | |
| Developer Visual Concepts |
| Publisher 2K |
| Franchise NBA 2K |
| Genre Basketball | |
| Graphics 3D | |
| Perspective Isometric | |
| Interaction Real-Time | |
| Players 1v1, Single Player | |
| Monetization Buy to Play | |
| Country of Origin United States |
| Switch Releases | |
|---|---|
| 2022-09-09 |
|
| About | |
|---|---|
| Full Name NBA 2K24 | |
| Release Date September 08, 2023 | |
| Developer Visual Concepts |
| Publisher 2K |
| Franchise NBA 2K |
| Genre Basketball | |
| Graphics 3D | |
| Perspective Isometric | |
| Interaction Real-Time | |
| Players Single Player | |
| Monetization Buy to Play | |
| Country of Origin United States |
| Switch Releases | |
|---|---|
| 2023-09 |
|
The NBA 2K series has become the gold standard for basketball simulation games, offering a full-depth simulation experience with a huge roster and numerous content to explore. Despite the graphical downgrade, all three games on the Nintendo Switch offer an amazing experience. Players can build their dream team and participate in various competitions as well as compete online with hardcore players and gain fame and prizes.
While all games maintain the same general structure later games introduce some new elements such as improved AI, new game modes, and updated rosters. As I previously stated NBA 2K on the Nintendo Switch offers a huge step down compared to PC and other consoles but still offers a fine experience, especially for players who are looking for a portable experience. As a whole NBA 2K series on the Nintendo Switch offers the best realistic simulation basketball experience on the console combining both great gameplay with huge content.
NBA Playgrounds / NBA 2K Playgrounds 22017 / 2018 |
| About | |
|---|---|
| Full Name NBA Playgrounds | |
| Release Date May 09, 2017 | |
 | Developer Saber Interactive |
| Publisher 2K |
| Franchise NBA 2K |
| Genre Basketball | |
| Graphics 3D | |
| Perspective Isometric | |
| Interaction Real-Time | |
| Players 1v1, Single Player | |
| Monetization Buy to Play | |
| Country of Origin United States |
| Switch Releases | |
|---|---|
| 2018-01 |
|
| About | |
|---|---|
| Full Name NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 | |
| Release Date October 16, 2018 | |
| Developer Saber Interactive |
| Publisher 2K |
| Franchise NBA 2K |
| Genre Basketball | |
| Graphics 3D | |
| Perspective Isometric | |
| Interaction Real-Time | |
| Players 1v1, Couch Co-Op, Online Co-Op, Online PvP, Single Player, Team-Based PvP | |
| Monetization Buy to Play | |
| Country of Origin United States |
| Switch Releases | |
|---|---|
| 2018-10-16 |
|
NBA 2K Playgrounds offers an energetic and lighthearted take on basketball throwing players into miniature basketball matches with wacky controls and arcady gameplay. As a spiritual successor to titles like NBA Jam and NBA Street, the game focuses more on fun allowing players to perform flashy dunks, exaggerated moves, and crazy passes. The core gameplay revolves around 2v2 matches where players can choose from over 400 current and legendary NBA players.
As previously stated the game trades realism with over-the-top gameplay allowing players to participate in fast matches with fun and over-the-top overcomes. Visually the game can’t get any better offering a wacky cartoony art style with smooth framerates and flawless gameplay even on the undepowered Nintendo Switch. The multiplayer adds more to the player’s plate allowing up to four players to join in locally and online for more fun. If you’re looking for an easy pick-up-and-play basketball game with simple controls and fun gameplay I hugely recommend picking up both games.
 | Basketball Club Story2019 |
| About | |
|---|---|
| Release Date July 03, 2019 | |
 | Developer Kairosoft |
| Publisher Kairosoft |
| Genre Sports Management | |
| Graphics 2D | |
| Perspective Isometric | |
| Interaction Auto-Play | |
| Players Single Player | |
| Monetization Buy to Play | |
| Country of Origin Japan |
| Switch Releases | |
|---|---|
| 2021-06 |
|
Basketball Club Story offers a unique spin on the basketball formula allowing players to focus on basketball management rather than the court itself. The game throws the player in the shoes of a basketball team manager where he must make crucial choices to keep the team running. First of all the manager needs to look for talented players recruit and train them to gain their full potential. Additionally, the players must manage the team’s finances by attracting fans, securing sponsorships, and improving facilities to keep the club thriving.
While on the field you can’t control the players directly but you can successfully tweak formations, issue commands, and set strategies to outmaneuver opponents. On the visual side, the game also takes a unique approach offering a classic pixel art style reminiscent of old-school 16-bit titles and offering a fresh breath of air compared to your typical 3D games. As a whole, Basketball Club Story is a solid basketball management game offering both fun gameplay and a ton of content to keep you busy for hours to come.
 | Dunk Lords2020 |
| About | |
|---|---|
| Release Date March 18, 2020 | |
 | Developer Story Fort |
| Publisher Story Fort |
| Genre Basketball | |
| Graphics 3D | |
| Perspective Isometric | |
| Interaction Real-Time | |
| Concept Cartoon | |
| Players Online PvP, PvP, Single Player | |
| Monetization Buy to Play | |
| Country of Origin United States |
| Switch Releases | |
|---|---|
| 2021-06 |
|
Dunk Lords offers a unique experience blending elements of Beat Them Ups and Basketball. The game is fairly simple you get to participate in various 2v2 basketball matches with the goal of bringing the ball and dunking it into your opponent’s goal but brute force is just as important as basketball skills. Each character offers a unique experience with different skills and attacks making each game into a strategic showdown. The player needs to skillfully juggle between dribbling and attacking in order to reach the opponent side and score goals.
The court adds more to the gameplay elements surprising players with various hazards, like exploding floors, and power-ups that give players temporary boosts. The visuals go well with the wacky gameplay offering an exaggerated cartoony art style with surreal chatters like Frank the strawberry and Slice the wacky ninja. In addition to the arcade mode, the player can also engage in story mode offering a great introduction to the roster and a humourous story to explore. Overall, Dunk Lords is a fun arcade basketball game that blends multiple elements into one entertaining, well-rounded package.
 | RoboDunk2023 |
| About | |
|---|---|
| Release Date May 15, 2023 | |
 | Developer Jollypunch Games |
| Publisher Jollypunch Games |
| Genre Basketball | |
| Graphics 3D | |
| Perspective Isometric | |
| Interaction Real-Time | |
| Concept Sci-Fi | |
| Players Online PvP, PvP, Single Player | |
| Monetization Buy to Play | |
| Country of Origin Italy |
| Switch Releases | |
|---|---|
| 2023-09 |
|
RoboDunk cleverly blends NBA Jam gameplay with Roguelike elements. The player gets to control robots in a 2v2 basketball match where the goal is to ram your way through victory performing over-the-top dunks and tackling your opponents to death. The game features a mix of basketball mechanics and combat, with players having access to shields, dashes, and powerful special abilities.
As previously stated the game also includes rogue-like elements making each playthrough different with unique powerups and different nemesis to conquer. Visually, the game stays on the simple side not offering anything fancy but still delivers a solid 3d look with smooth animation and solid performance both docked and portable. Players who enjoyed the NBA Jam formula should look no more as RoboDunk offers the same fun aesthetics and more.
