Kirby and the Forgotten Land. Just the textbook definition of a game that knows exactly what it wants to do and does it really really well.

Arceus is runner up. Glad to see two prominent Nintendo franchises get big shake ups in their designs.

I have Splatoon 3. Bayonetta 3, and Pokemon Violet in my library, but I have yet to give any of them a fair shake.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is seems to be the popular winner, with 9 people picking it so far.

It's #2 of the year for me; a significant step up from Xenoblade 2 in basically every way, with special mention going to the main cast who are the most well rounded in the series to date, and the typically fantastic music. I love that Monolith don't let the hardware discourage them from making big, ambitious games.

While I did pick Xenoblade Chronicles 3, the game I played most this year on Switch was Witcher 3. Witcher 3 is now my most played game on the console, passing Breath of the Wild, aside from Mario Kart 8… Mario Kart 8 doesn’t really count in the same way as mostly I’m playing it out of a workplace lunchtime tradition rather than a game I play on my own.

Wreckfest for me. great fun! Certainly can highly recommend that title. Just pipped Legends Arceus for my gaming enjoyment this year.

Harvestella.
First you think it is just a farming sim. Which it is. But a good one. Infinite water without needing to ever refill is fantastic.
Then it feels like a little bit Metroidvania. You "fix" ladders which you can use as shortcuts. You fix bridges (but need an item), you can bomb places for treasure (again needing an item). And later you need level 2 repair, level 2 bomb.
Then you get some RPG in there. You get different skills, different classes, different team mates etc. Accessories, guests etc.

You are going through the chapters. Unlocking various things etc. Following a story line that is okay and you don't expect much. Then you get slapped with a twist. The twist, combined with the music, the layout etc you scream (if you've played) wtf is this Chrono trigger? And then the story completely opens up and you realize there is WAY more to it.

I should have clarified, for the purposes of the thread, games that came out in previous years elsewhere but Switch this year are eligible, such as Nier Automata, It Takes Two, Wreckfest, etc, but only if they first released on Switch this calendar year.

If I had to choose one, it will be definitely Nier: Automata; it's the first time I play one game of this franchise, but it has been a great discovery.
The combat it's flawless, and playing it on Portable Mode on OLED Switch is incredible. But, above all, the way that this game tells you it's story, it's marvelous.

I will place second Xenoblade Chronicles 3. Overall, the game it's very good. But, imo, the story it's not as good as XC2. A bit boring imo. In the rest of aspects, such as the combat, the world and graphics it has been a big improvement over XC2. My Xenoblade saga top is like this: XC2 >> XC3, XCX >>>>>XCDE

We had so many games this year on the console, it's unbelievable.

Bayonetta 3 was my favorite, but not by far, as Kirby and Legends Arceus were close second. And the surprise timed console exclusive Return to the Monkey Island was fantastic.

Would've voted Xeno 3 probably but I don't like JRPGs.

And didn't play Mario + Rabbids nor Pokémon Violet and Scarlet yet so can't vote them.

Xenoblade 3 is the best rpg ever for me. Perfect story, lovable main cast, awesome open world, great ost, best main villain I've seen in a long time...

It's just a masterpiece. Hell, I like it even more than BotW which is now my 2nd favorite Switch game.

I bought the special collectors edition a good while ago and, since I already had it on PC, I never opened it, even though I still have to play it on any of the platforms. Now I don't feel like ripping the package open. XD