While the Age of Empires series is a beloved staple in the real-time strategy (RTS) genre, it is not yet available for the Nintendo Switch. However, strategy fans need not fret! The Nintendo Switch offers a wide range of games that capture the essence of empire-building, resource management, and tactical combat, much like Age of Empires. Whether we’re expanding our kingdoms, leading armies to victory, or managing vast empires, the best Age of Empires game for Switch games will satisfy our strategic cravings on the go.
The Best Age of Empires Alternatives for Nintendo Switch: Strategic Delights on the Go
1. Civilization VI
Let’s start with the heavyweight of strategy games on Switch, Civilization VI. In this turn-based strategy game, we guide a civilization from the ancient era to the modern age, making key decisions on diplomacy, warfare, technology, and culture. The game offers immense depth, allowing us to control every aspect of our empire’s growth. With intuitive controls optimized for the Switch, Civilization VI delivers a rich, Age of Empires-like experience, with its focus on empire-building and strategic expansion.
2. Northgard
Next up is Northgard, a game where Viking clans vie for control of a newly discovered continent. This RTS offers a mix of resource management, exploration, and military strategy. We build settlements, gather resources, and fend off harsh winters and mythical creatures. Northgard’s depth and its emphasis on survival and conquest make it a great Age of Empires alternative for Nintendo Switch players who love balancing multiple aspects of strategy.
3. Bad North: Jotunn Edition
Bad North is a real-time strategy game that’s perfect for short bursts of intense strategy on the go among the best Age of Empires games for Switch. We command small armies to defend our islands from Viking invaders. The game’s minimalist aesthetic and straightforward controls make it easy to pick up, while its tactical depth keeps us hooked. The key to victory lies in positioning our units smartly and managing our troops as waves of enemies approach, reminiscent of the tactical warfare found in the Age of Empires.
4. Into the Breach
Even though Into the Breach is more of a tactical game, its position of focusing on unit control and effective strategies against the opponent can’t be omitted. In this game, we play as squads of Mechs to guard humanity against aliens within enclosed geographical territories that are represented on the grid system. They don’t say that every decision matters in the game and every turn is a decisive one, just as it is in Age of Empires. The ability to play anytime and anywhere also the fact that it can be repeated over and over again makes it a great strategy game for the Nintendo Switch.
5. Tropico 6
Tropico 6 – a game in which by choice we become the dictator of a tropical island. Moving forward, our control will range from political decisions all the way through to economic, construction, and even population satisfaction or dissatisfaction. Still, what it does is channel a city-building strategy game with its layers of resource management and the empire expansion to feel like Age of Empires. The political strategy gives the concept a new spin which at the same time is familiar to lovers of strategy games.
Read More: Best Civilization Game For Switch
6. Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus
So, for a flavor of tactical warfare set in the grim dark future of Warhammer 40,000, you have Mechanicus in the best Age of Empires game for Switch. As the other fan of turn-based strategy games and tactical battles, I am glad with this game where we have to control Adeptus Mechanicus, the tech-priests with a lot of impressive technologies. In fact, it comes with very many mechanics and secrets which make it a strategy game like Age of Empires but in space. These choices and management of the squads retain the battle’s anticipation and reimbursement satisfaction.
7. Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Fire Emblem: Three Houses is a tactical RPG that offers deep strategic gameplay. While it’s not an RTS like Age of Empires, the game’s focus on unit positioning, managing resources, and making critical decisions during combat gives it a similar tactical feel. We also engage in a rich story where our choices shape the narrative, providing an extra layer of immersion. It’s turn-based combat and strategic planning makes it one of the best strategy games on the Switch.
8. WarGroove
If we’re looking for a game that captures the spirit of real-time strategy, WarGroove is a colorful, turn-based strategy game that offers deep tactical battles. We can command armies, capture strongholds, and engage in warfare with our friends or the AI. The game’s retro pixel art style may differ from Age of Empires’ historical realism, but its strategic depth and army management make it a worthy alternative for strategy enthusiasts on the Nintendo Switch.
Read More: Best Kingdom Games For Switch
9. Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle
Combining strategy with humor within the best Age of Empires game for Switch, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle brings tactical gameplay to the colorful world of Mario. While it’s more lighthearted than Age of Empires, its focus on positioning, using cover, and outsmarting the enemy with clever tactics offers a surprisingly deep strategy experience. We control a team of characters, each with unique abilities, in turn-based combat. It’s a delightful mix of fun and strategy, perfect for Nintendo Switch players.
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle on Nintendo
10. Kingdoms: Two Crowns
In Kingdoms: Two Crowns, we take on the role of a monarch seeking to build and expand a kingdom. It’s a minimalist yet engaging strategy game where we manage resources, construct buildings, and defend our kingdom from nightly attacks. The game’s side-scrolling perspective adds a unique twist to the genre, and its focus on growth and defense against threats makes it a worthy option for Age of Empires fans looking for something different on the Nintendo Switch.
11. Dungeon of the Endless
Last but certainly not least is Dungeon of the Endless, a game that combines elements of roguelike, tower defense, and strategic resource management. As we explore procedurally generated dungeons, we manage resources and defend our team from waves of enemies. Its tactical depth and emphasis on resource balancing and survival feel similar to the challenge of managing a growing empire in the Age of Empires. It’s a perfect fit for Switch players who enjoy a mix of strategy and action.
Dungeon of the Endless on Nintendo
Conclusion
While Age of Empires hasn’t landed on the Nintendo Switch just yet, the best Age of Empires game for Switch provides an exciting mix of empire-building, resource management, and tactical warfare. From historical conquests in Civilization VI to defending Viking islands in Bad North, there’s a strategic adventure for every type of player. The portability of the Switch makes it a fantastic platform for strategy fans, allowing us to take our empires and armies with us wherever we go.
Are there any real-time strategy games like Age of Empires on the Switch?
Yes, games like Northgard and Bad North offer real-time strategy experiences with elements of resource management and tactical combat similar to Age of Empires.
Can I play multiplayer strategy games on the Nintendo Switch?
Absolutely! Many of the games listed, such as WarGroove and Civilization VI, support multiplayer modes, allowing players to compete or cooperate with friends online or locally.
Is there a city-building game for Switch that resembles Age of Empires?
Yes, Tropico 6 is an excellent city-building game available on Switch, where players manage resources, expand their empire, and engage in political strategy much like the city-building aspect of Age of Empires.
