So the Switch has just reached its first birthday, and before we blow out the candles we’re spilling the beans on which cartridges you need to shove into your console right now to celebrate.

Zelda: Breath of the Wild
There’s not much to say that hasn’t already been written about Zelda: Breath of the Wild. This game sold us the console, it literally takes your breath away and can reinvigorate even the most cynical gamer’s love of running around fields, riding a horse and climbing mountains all while stabbing at monsters and humming along to the soundtrack.

Mario Odyssey
Mario Odyssey had some big shoes and moustaches to fill…but it captures that child like obsession with jumping on monster shells and leaping as high as you can on endless platforms and colourful worlds. The hat body possession mechanic sounds a bit like a Cronenberg film, but don’t worry it’s more PG than 18 rated and adds an inspired spin on the Mario formula.

Mario Kart
Vroom vroom! The long-running (or driving) magic kart game is back in a deluxe version of the Wii U game with added touchscreen and extra DLC built in. It’s simple, yet devilishly tactically, and you’ll also end up shouting at the screen when a big blue shell descends to ruin your race. Get the extra wheel add ons to really feel like a speed racer.

Bayonetta 1+2
Being able to slice mutant angels in two with giant whips and shotguns in slow mo all while being soundtracked by the classic 1950s crooner “Fly me to the moon” is what did it for me! Surreal setups and comic humour galore, get your button mashing skills on for this epic tale of heaven, hell and high heels.

Xenoblade Chronicles
Giant worlds in the sky which are actually massive monsters?! Yep it’s bonkers crazy but it works – the imagination is off the scale in this latest RPG epic from Monolith. The characters look cartoony but there’s serious philosophical questions and drama by the bucketload. And not forgetting giant fire swords!