If there’s one travel companion you can always rely on, it’s a Nintendo console. Whether you’re carrying a Switch or a 3DS, Nintendo games have a way of making hours disappear, perfect for when you’re crammed into an airplane seat or stuck in the back of a car.
The right game can turn turbulence into triumph, and layovers into legendary adventures. Below, we’re rounding up the best Nintendo titles for long flights and road trips, the ones that make time feel less like a drag and more like a journey of its own.
What Are the Best Nintendo Games for Long Flights or Road Trips?
Animal Crossing: New Horizons – The Perfect Escape
No Wi-Fi? No problem. Animal Crossing: New Horizons isn’t about beating a level, it’s about creating your own island paradise, one bug catch and flower arrangement at a time.
On a long flight, that kind of slow-burn progression is exactly what you need. Hours pass quickly when you’re fishing by the ocean or customizing your dream home. It’s cozy, stress-free, and endlessly replayable.
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The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Adventure Without Borders
Imagine being stuck in a middle seat but still feeling free. That’s what Breath of the Wild delivers. With its massive open world and hundreds of secrets to uncover, you can spend hours experimenting with shrines, hunting for Korok seeds, or just gliding across the sky.
It’s the kind of game that makes a 12-hour flight feel like a quick hop across the map. Better yet, its portable-friendly design means you don’t need internet to explore. Just pack your charger and let Hyrule handle the rest.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Racing Through the Miles
When your trip starts dragging, nothing beats a round of Mario Kart. The beauty of the Switch is local multiplayer, so even if you’re traveling with friends or family, you can pull out a Joy-Con and turn the backseat into a racetrack.
From Rainbow Road to Coconut Mall, this game never fails to inject energy into the journey. If you’re solo, don’t worry. There’s plenty of single-player content, with cups and time trials that’ll keep your focus locked until you land.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses – Strategy for the Long Haul
Not every travel game has to be fast-paced. Sometimes, slow and methodical gameplay is exactly what keeps you hooked. Fire Emblem: Three Houses delivers deep, turn-based strategy mixed with a rich narrative. Each choice matters, whether it’s in battle or in how you spend your free time with students.
Flights and long drives give you the uninterrupted space to dive into those 80+ hours of content without distraction. By the time you’ve reached your destination, you might just be halfway through your campaign.
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet – Catching ‘Em Never Gets Old
Pokémon has always been the ultimate portable franchise. The latest entries in the series add open-world exploration to the mix, making it easy to sink countless hours into training, battling, and catching.
It’s the kind of comfort game you can pick up and put down between boarding calls or rest stops, but also one you can lose yourself in for hours at a time.
Bottom Line
Travel doesn’t have to be boring, especially with Nintendo’s library of immersive, portable games. Whether you’re raising an island paradise in Animal Crossing, strategizing in Fire Emblem, or racing in Mario Kart, there’s a title to suit every kind of trip.
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