Image: Nintendo LifeThe second wave of savings has landed in the European eShop Holiday sale including little-known curios like Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe so we have updated this list with the very best of 'em.The latest additions have a slightly different end date and will only be on sale until 6th January. Pay attention to all those flagged with the new date in the list below so you don't miss out!Nintendo has officially kicked off its Switch eShop Holiday Sale in Europe, bringing beefy discounts to thousands of games until 12th January 2024.Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube789kWatch on YouTube And yes, we said "thousands". Indeed, there are so many games currently seeing a price cut on the eShop that it can be difficult to know where to start, but that's where we come in. Below, we've laid out every game in the Nintendo Holiday Sale that we've awarded 9/10 or higher, so you can filter through to the cream of the crop in no time.The list may seem a little shorter than usual for now, though Nintendo has announced that more games will be added to the sale on 24th and 30th December, so keep an eye out for more discounted delights in the coming weeks.Note. We've given sale prices in GBP followed by the percentage discount, but commensurate EUR savings can be found across European eShops.If you want to pick up some credit to assist in your eShop purchases, you can head over to the Nintendo Life store or see all available options in the links below.Buy Nintendo eShop CreditUSACANUKEURJPNSo, let's dive into some of the top discounted picks, presented below in alphabetical order...A Short Hike (Switch eShop)Publisher: Whippoorwill / Developer: Adam Robinson-YuRelease Date: 18th Aug 2020 (USA) / 18th Aug 2020 (UK/EU)3.77 (-40%)A Short Hike is a fat-free experience from top to bottom or should we say bottom to top? It's the kind of game that makes us sigh with happiness when we recall our time with it, and even having played it through to its ostensible conclusion multiple times, we know for a fact there are still things to see and do on that mountain.It's something of an apotheosis a milestone in indie games akin to Cave Story or Spelunky. The very best bits of multiple game genres, stripped of all padding and bloat, mixed perfectly into a delicious video game stew that only gets richer the more you play.An exploration in every sense of the word, A Short Hike is cute without being twee, challenging without being obnoxious, and emotional without being cloying. A landmark game for all ages. Don't miss this one.Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown Deluxe Edition (Switch)Publisher: Bandai Namco / Developer: Project AcesRelease Date: 11th Jul 2024 (USA) / 11th Jul 2024 (UK/EU)32.99 (-34%)Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown is the absolute pinnacle of the series and despite coming to Switch over five years after other platforms, this 'impossible' Switch conversion does very little to degrade the experience. Long-time franchise players and military aviation enthusiasts will be overwhelmed by the fan service at every turn, from craters on the ground to airplanes, liveries, callsigns, and emblems shouting out to previous entries.We understand the genre is uniquely niche, but if this is your first foray into the franchise, this conversion is a perfect gateway into this rich, revered series. You get tons of content and an epic single-player campaign wrapped up in triple-A presentation that delivers the most comprehensive portable experience ever from Project Aces.Please note that some external links on this page are affiliate links, which means if you click them and make a purchase we may receive a small percentage of the sale. Please read our FTC Disclosure for more information.Alien: Isolation (Switch eShop)Publisher: SEGA / Developer: Creative AssemblyRelease Date: 5th Dec 2019 (USA) / 5th Dec 2019 (UK/EU)9.99 (-33%)Alien: Isolation is a survival horror masterpiece and straight-up one of the very best horror video games ever released. It's a nerve-wracking affair a slow, methodical game of cat and mouse against a brilliantly clever recreation of one of cinema's most infamous killers but if you're up to the task you'll find one of the most satisfying gameplay experiences in the genre; a brilliant and beautiful homage to one of the greatest Sci-Fi movies of all time. Feral Interactive has done a stellar job with this Switch port and the excellent motion controls and inclusion of all previously-released DLC only go to sweeten the deal. This is essential stuff for survival horror fans.Alisa Developer's Cut (Switch eShop)Publisher: Top Hat Studios / Developer: Casper CroesRelease Date: 6th Feb 2024 (USA) / 6th Feb 2024 (UK/EU)12.14 (-25%)Alisa Developer's Cut is an excellent homage to classic survival horror that can easily stand toe-to-toe with the likes of Resident Evil and Alone in the Dark. From the tank controls to the cheesy voiceover work, it nails almost every aspect, providing an experience that feels like it was ripped straight from the '90s. Its overall appeal will likely be limited to those who are intimately familiar with survival horror, but if that's you, then strap yourself in for one of the best examples of the genre to date.Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Switch)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: NintendoRelease Date: 20th Mar 2020 (USA) / 20th Mar 2020 (UK/EU)33.29 (-33%)*Sale ends 6th JanuaryAnimal Crossing: New Horizons improved upon every single facet of the series imaginable. There's more to do, more to see, more to change, more to mould, and more to love; fans and first-time players can find themselves losing hours at a time gathering materials, creating new furniture, and making their island undeniably theirs.Every moment is unashamedly blissful, with excellently written characters that truly feel alive and an island paradise that gives back infinitely more than you put in. Back when Animal Crossing: New Leaf hit the shelves all those years ago and created a whole new generation of fans, many people were wondering how Nintendo could possibly top it, but here we got our answer.This is a masterpiece that's worth buying a Switch (or two) to play.Armello (Switch eShop)Publisher: League of Geeks / Developer: League of GeeksRelease Date: 27th Sep 2018 (USA) / 27th Sep 2018 (UK/EU)7.99 (-60%)While this turn-based affair might look, move, and feel just like a real board game, Armello is actually a completely original creation and one that does more than simply doff its cap at the world of tabletop gaming. From the deep tactics of its living board game gameplay to the sheer charm of its worldbuilding and animal character designs, it's a quest filled with back-stabbing, political power plays, and rampaging monsters thats different each and every time you play. Its at its absolute best when played in multiplayer, that human factor making for an even more unpredictable battle for the corrupted throne. The Switch version has had its ups and downs since launch, with some updates making things worse, but it's apparently back to being in a playable state on Nintendo's console. As such, youd be doing yourself a disservice not to add this anthropomorphic tale to your wishlist.Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key (Switch)Publisher: Koei Tecmo / Developer: GustRelease Date: 24th Mar 2023 (USA) / 24th Mar 2023 (UK/EU)27.49 (-45%)Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key ends Ryza's three-game run on a high note, serving up a heady mix of exploration, crafting, and combat that benefits greatly from a narrative arc that's had time to develop and grow. The new key mechanics add more depth to combat, synthesis, and exploration, the world is more seamless and diverse than ever before and the whole thing comes together to form a satisfying end for this hugely popular protagonist. We did have some issues with small text, no English dub, and a little fussiness in how information is relayed, but overall this is Gust's finest adventure to date and a JRPG experience that long-term fans and newcomers alike will find plenty to delight in.Blazing Chrome (Switch eShop)Publisher: The Arcade Crew / Developer: JoyMasherRelease Date: 11th Jul 2019 (USA) / 11th Jul 2019 (UK/EU)4.58 (-70%)For those longing for a time when side-scrolling shooters ruled the roost, Blazing Chrome is exactly what you're looking for. Perfect for short sessions, its slick gameplay and old-school art direction make for an astonishingly fun game full of explosions, epic set pieces and spectacular boss battles. Its brutal difficulty may not be for everyone, but if you're up for the challenge, then get ready for one of the most accomplished 2D action titles in years.BLUE REFLECTION: Second Light (Switch)Publisher: Koei Tecmo / Developer: GustRelease Date: 9th Nov 2021 (USA) / 9th Nov 2021 (UK/EU)19.99 (-60%)Blue Reflection: Second Light improves on almost every aspect of the original, with a mystery that feels more personal as the characters become closer. The relationship between the girls as they seek to discover why they were brought to this strange world is the star of the show; though the combat is fun, it is always a vehicle to get you more story rather than the driving force of the game. Second Light is a fantastic-looking anime adventure that you'll love, so long as you can accept that combat isn't the focus.Chicory: A Colorful Tale (Switch eShop)Publisher: Finji / Developer: FinjiRelease Date: 15th Dec 2021 (USA) / 15th Dec 2021 (UK/EU)8.54 (-50%)As an adventure game, Chicory: A Colorful Tale is quite sincerely up there with the very best of the genre. Theres plenty to see and do and a full completion run will probably take you 25-30 hours. The characters and their travails are rich and likeable, the games sense of humour is generally inspired, and its all very sweet without being sugary-twee and talking down to the player. Its also an affecting little tearjerker that will definitely strike a chord if you make art, and almost certainly will even if you dont so long as youre capable of pretty basic empathy. Chicory is simple to play but impressively long and complex, with perfect controls, performance and visuals. Throw yourself into painting the world and youll be left with a game thats very much your own and speaks to you directly a beautiful marriage of mechanics, themes and visuals.Crawl (Switch eShop)Publisher: Powerhoof / Developer: PowerhoofRelease Date: 19th Dec 2017 (USA) / 19th Dec 2017 (UK/EU)2.59 (-80%)We really like Crawl, and wed bet our collected stash of gold and wrath you will, too. A dungeon-crawling hack-and-slash affair with roguelike elements, one player is the hero trying to get through a dungeon and the others play as monster-controlling ghosts attempting to kill said hero and take their place.It's an everyone-for-themselves free-for-all, yet there are opportunities for frantic 3v1 co-operative play a necessity when all the non-hero ghost characters must take joint control of bosses the hero faces. Its great fun in single-player thanks to some aggressive AI, but that consistent danger takes on a new dimension when you and three of your friends are jostling for XP and that all-important killing blow.Competitive couchplay doesnt get much better than this on Switch.Crypt of the NecroDancer (Switch eShop)Publisher: Brace Yourself Games / Developer: Brace Yourself GamesRelease Date: 1st Feb 2018 (USA) / 8th Feb 2018 (UK/EU)3.59 (-80%)A roguelike at heart with a rhythm-game soul, Crypt Of The NecroDancer is a sublime experience thats a must-play for fans of the genre(s). Its upbeat, uptempo take on dungeon crawling is infectious, and theres enough content here to last even the savviest of spelunkers for many, many dance-fuelled dives into the depths if youve never tangoed with the NecroDancer, this fully-featured Switch edition is the perfect way to jump in. For anybody who never played this but loved the Zelda spin-off Cadence of Hyrule (and was left wanting more), what are you waiting for?Devil May Cry 3 Special Edition (Switch eShop)Publisher: Capcom / Developer: CapcomRelease Date: 20th Feb 2020 (USA) / 20th Feb 2020 (UK/EU)7.99 (-50%)Even so many years after its 2005 debut, Devil May Cry 3 remains one of the very best action games ever made. It may have aged in places, but that turbo-charged, combo-heavy action feels as fresh today as it did back in the mid-noughties. The new Freestyle mode which lets players swap combat styles on the fly at any point during the action is a genuinely excellent addition to the package, and the ability to play Bloody Palace in local co-op is the cherry on top of a Switch port that should appeal to anyone interested in sampling the devilish delights of this all-time classic.Disney Illusion Island (Switch)Publisher: Disney Games / Developer: Dlala StudiosRelease Date: 28th Jul 2023 (USA) / 28th Jul 2023 (UK/EU)24.49 (-30%)*Sale ends 6th JanuaryWhile you could certainly argue that Disney Illusion Island is perhaps more of a Metroidvania than it is a straight-up 2D platformer, we reckon it strikes a wonderful balance between the two genres that it could honestly fall into either category. Its focus on combat-free exploration makes this a great gateway into the genre for younger audiences, and its ability to support up to four players via local co-op means that it's an excellent option for families who want to spend a bit of time with some of the most iconic Disney characters imaginable. You can also hug each other to regain health. What more could you ask for?Dragon Ball FighterZ (Switch)Publisher: Bandai Namco / Developer: Arc System WorksRelease Date: 28th Sep 2018 (USA) / 28th Sep 2018 (UK/EU)7.99 (-84%)Dragon Ball FighterZ on the Switch is, simply put, one of the best fighting games we've seen on the system. Arc System Works went the extra mile in capturing the essence of the source material and distilled it into an incredible brawler that has lost nothing in the transition to Nintendo's hybrid console. The stunning visuals, intense action, and easy-to-master controls make FighterZ a game all fans of the genre should have in their library. If you only play this kind of game casually, it remains a must-own.Dusk (Switch eShop)Publisher: New Blood Interactive / Developer: New Blood InteractiveRelease Date: 28th Oct 2021 (USA) / 28th Oct 2021 (UK/EU)7.44 (-50%)Dusk is one hell of an impressive piece of software and possibly the single best Unity port to Switch we've ever seen, sidestepping typical performance problems and delivering a brilliant experience of a brilliant game. It's not as good a game as Quake, but almost nothing is. There's a relatively limited arsenal of weapons they're all great, but there's no iconic gun here, just your usual pistol, shotty, assault rifle, explosives, et al. We're being churlish with our criticisms here, though ultimately, Dusk is another absolute cracker in Switch's FPS roster.