Nintendo Switch 2 Games: Best Launch Titles and Coming Soon
Best Switch 2 Games at Launch
The Nintendo Switch 2 games lineup is a mixed bag of bold reinventions of familiar series, remastered Switch 2 editions of some of Nintendo’s best games, and innovative indies featuring inventive controller use.
Mario Kart World
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Developer: Nintendo
- Players: 24 (online)
- Price: $79.99 / £74.99 (physical), $69.99 / £66.99 (digital)
Getting the most obvious candidate out of the way, Mario Kart World promises to be a huge step up compared to even Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, which remains one of the best Switch games. Offering 1080p, 60fps visuals when played in handheld mode, zooming through this newly interconnected world map across all kinds of madcap circuits gears this one up to be the best Mario Kart entry yet.
Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Developer: Nintendo
- Players: 1
- Price: $10 / £4.99 (converted from Yen)
Easily the oddest of the first-party offerings releasing on day one is Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, being a showpiece title of sorts aimed at highlighting all of the new console’s fancy features. In it, players can expect to explore a shrunken-down version of the Nintendo Switch 2 as its own interactive exhibit, engaging in a series of fun mini-games that includes the likes of quizzes, golf simulation, and tech demos that challenge you to guess the framerate.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Developer: Nintendo
- Players: 1
- Price: TBC
An enhanced, improved version of the original Nintendo Switch launch title from 2017, Link’s first open-world outing is back to dazzle and charm again on Nintendo Switch 2 – this time with an improved framerate and resolution in both handheld and docked mode. Admittedly, there is something alluring about the prospect of enjoying this mysterious version of Hyrule at a silky smooth 60fps in the palm of your hands.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Developer: Nintendo
- Players: 1
- Price: TBC
Link’s most recent open-world adventure is also set to receive a glossier upgrade in the form of the snappily titled The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. Offering quicker load times, an improved resolution, and the ability to ride and glide through this unwieldy version of Hyrule at 60fps in handheld mode, this Switch 2 exclusive iteration will no doubt serve as the best way to get to grips with powers like Fuse, Recall, and Ultrahand either for the first or fiftieth time.
Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition
- Publisher: CD Projekt Red
- Developer: CD Projekt Red
- Players: 1
- Price: $69.99 / £59.99
When you consider how well the Nintendo Switch version of The Witcher 3 previously worked (despite its inherent impossibility) it wasn’t surprising to learn that CD Projekt Red’s next RPG masterpiece was set to launch on the Nintendo Switch 2. Developer CD Projekt Red has confirmed "fully cross-progression compatible" with other versions, as well as teasing performance on the game’s social account, stating it will be "1080p docked and 720p in handheld mode" with the game running between 30-40 FPS "depending on the mode" (the dev is promising Performance and Quality modes).
Split Fiction
- Publisher: Electronic Arts
- Developer: Hazelight Studios
- Players: 1-2
- Price: TBC
Although veteran Nintendo fanatics will be able to get their futuristic racer fix with the return of F-Zero GX as part of the Nintendo GameCube back catalogue, much like it was with the original Nintendo Switch, the Fast series arrives on Nintendo Switch 2 on day one with its latest high-speed competitor. Offering a smooth 60fps experience in both handheld and docked mode with 4K HDR on the latter, Fast Fusion is a great-looking antigravity racer that serves as the perfect anti-programming to Mario Kart World.
Deltarune Chapters 1, 2, 3 and 4
- Publisher: Toby Fox
- Developer: Toby Fox
- Players: 1
- Price: $24.99 / £19.99
For as beautiful and smooth AAA games can look on Nintendo Switch 2, there’s no denying the platform’s excellent ability to play host to so many excellent indie games. Arguably one of the biggest examples was quirky pixelated RPG Undertale, which was swiftly followed up on by the free first chapter of spiritual sequel Deltarune. (The sequel was made using GameMaker, proof great games don’t need expensive tech.) Solo developer Toby Fox has already teased a room that will specifically cater towards the Switch 2’s mouse controls, rendering Nintendo’s sequel hybrid instantly the best console to play this collection on.
Nintendo Switch 2 Games: Coming Soon
These games may not be released on the Switch 2 launch day, but during the ‘launch window’ and definitely in 2025.
Donkey Kong Bananza
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Developer: Nintendo
- ETA: 17 July
Donkey Kong Bananza bursts with vibrant chaos and mixes classic platforming, wild banana chasing, and charming retro vibes. The nostalgia is backed by cutting-edge tech – the 3D world is fully destructible.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Developer: Retro Studios
- ETA: 2025
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond may be coming to current Switch as well as Switch 2, but on the console you’ll get ‘mouse controls’ as well as 1080p at 120fps in docked TV mode. It’s set up to be one of 2025’s best shooters – read my opinion on Metroid Prime 4’s art direction.
The Duskbloods
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Developer: FromSoftware
- ETA: 2025
The Duskbloods, FromSoftware’s online multiplayer game, caught everyone off-guard at Switch 2’s launch, and is already being called Bloodborne 2 by fans. Featuring the elegant dark fantasy art direction the developer is renowned for, The Duskbloods looks destined for cult and commercial success. (Read our Elden Ring review, a game from the same dev, to see what’s in store.)
Professor Layton and the New World of Steam
- Publisher: Level-5
- Developer: Level-5
- ETA: 2025
Professor Layton and the New World of Steam is the latest in the successful Professor Layton puzzle games, and like those games this one features clever puzzles mixed with refined steampunk illustrated graphics and deft storytelling.
GameCube Classics
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Developer: Various
- ETA: 5 June
This vibrant cel-shaded masterpiece leads the launch day lineup for GameCube Classics coming to Nintendo Online, the subscription service for Switch and Switch 2. The Wind Waker is the one Zelda game fans have been demanded for years to have a remaster (it did get a HD relaunch on Wii U), so this is an eye-catching freebie for subscribers. Also coming to Nintendo Online GameCube Classics are iconic racer F-Zero GX and 3D fighter Soul Calibur II, featuring a guest appearance from Legend of Zelda’s Link.
Conclusion
The Nintendo Switch 2 games lineup is a mixed bag of bold reinventions of familiar series, remastered Switch 2 editions of some of Nintendo’s best games, and innovative indies featuring inventive controller use. Whether you’re a fan of Mario Kart, Zelda, or something new, there’s something for everyone at launch. Let us know in the comments below which games you’ll be playing at launch (or later in 2025 if you missed the preorder).
FAQs
Q: What are the best Nintendo Switch 2 games at launch?
A: Mario Kart World, Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition, Split Fiction, and Deltarune Chapters 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Q: What are the coming soon games?
A: Donkey Kong Bananza, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, The Duskbloods, Professor Layton and the New World of Steam, and GameCube Classics.
Q: Can I play Metroid Prime 4: Beyond on the original Switch?
A: Yes, but it will not have the same features as the Switch 2 version, including mouse controls and 1080p at 120fps in docked TV mode.
