Why buy Switch 2: taking a look at the game list

Nintendo Direct on April 2, 2025, not only delighted us with the announcement of Nintendo Switch 2 which we discussed in this article but also with a large number of games. A total of 60 games are expected on the console at launch, including studio exclusives, major projects, and numerous indie games.

In this article, we will list them all and look at the biggest releases on the console.

Exclusives

Mario Kart World

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According to official data, Mario Kart 8 (and the Deluxe version) is the most popular game on Nintendo Switch and ranks in the top 5 best-selling games overall. Its successor, Mario Kart World, becomes the first and main exclusive for Switch 2. The console even comes in two bundle options: the standard one and a bundle with a download code for the game. The official release of Mario Kart World is June 5, 2025.

The tracks have become larger and support up to 24 players at once (previously, there was a 12-racer limit). You can also plan routes consisting of several tracks and travel to them on your own in an open world. In addition, you will be able to drive along special rails and walls and even leave the track. There is also a dynamic day-night cycle and changing weather conditions.

Donkey Kong Bananza

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In this installment, Donkey Kong finally transitions to 3D. The main focus of this platformer is on environmental destructibility: you can literally pull a stone out of the ground and throw it at an enemy. Break obstacles, smash everything around you, and discover new routes.

Also, for the first time in a long while, Donkey Kong has undergone significant design changes. Now he wears pants with suspenders. There may even be a costume change system, as implemented in Super Mario Odyssey. The game becomes available on July 17, 2025.

Kirby Air Riders

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This game brought tears of joy to many Nintendo fans. If you watched TikTok videos about the Nintendo Direct, you probably saw the excited reactions from various streamers and regular users.

The reason is that the first installment, Kirby Air Ride, was released back in 2003 on the GameCube. It wasn’t a huge hit, but it was innovative because it was the first game to support local area network connections and allowed 4-player lobbies on GameCube systems. After Air Ride, Masahiro Sakurai left HAL Laboratory and did not work on Kirby games. Only in 2025 did he return to the project and create Kirby Air Riders.

They did not show actual gameplay during the presentation. It is only known that there will be different versions of Kirby and a choice of vehicles. There is no exact release date yet.

Drag x Drive

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This game is unique in that it fully realizes the potential of Joy-Con 2. The idea is 3-on-3 team matches in which players play basketball using a wheelchair-like vehicle.

Using mouse mode, you will control the character by turning the vehicle’s wheels. The gyroscope is responsible for aiming and shooting the ball. There is no exact release date; they only announced that Drag x Drive will come out in 2025.

Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

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This tutorial game lets you get acquainted with the console’s main features in a playful format. The only downside is that Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour will be a paid title.

The game itself is something like an isometric platformer, where you’ll move between the console’s components to learn more about their functions and features. It is expected to be released at the same time the console goes on sale.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment

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The new installment in the Hyrule Warriors series focuses on events that took place before Tears of the Kingdom. According to information circulating online, this game is officially considered canon and its storyline can be viewed as a bridge in the narrative between Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. It will reveal more about the ancient sages and their confrontation with Ganondorf.

Nintendo and Koei Tecmo joined forces to let fans play as iconic characters from the universe. Judging by the trailers, Zelda, Rauru, and Mineru will be playable, and we can also expect to play as Sonia.

The Duskbloods

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Another Switch 2 exclusive is The Duskbloods, a spiritual successor to Bloodborne. The game is developed by From Software, and in terms of gameplay it’s a PvPvE action title with a strong focus on multiplayer. Players become Bloodsworn—vampire-like characters who possess special blood that grants them power.

The game supports multiplayer with up to 8 players, where you’ll fight bosses in PvE modes and battle each other. There will be 10 characters to choose from, each with unique roles and values. They can be customized and finely tuned. The game is expected to release in 2026, with no specific release date yet.

Survival Kids

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Originally, Survival Kids was released on Game Boy Color in 1999. In 2025, a new installment of the series will appear on Switch 2. Again, there are no exact details about the game so far.

Popular Ports

Cyberpunk 2077

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The main statement regarding Switch 2’s power was the announcement of Cyberpunk 2077 for the console. CD Projekt Red’s game is known for requiring high-performance devices, and based on the first videos and journalists’ feedback, Switch 2 handles it well. It will be released on the console’s launch day—June 5, 2025.

According to the developers, the game will run at 720p in handheld mode and 1080p in docked mode. They promise 30 FPS in graphics quality mode and a stable 40 in performance mode, and thanks to VRR technology, it will be as close to 60 FPS as possible.

Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition

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Another major port on Switch 2 is Elden Ring. It will be released in 2025, but there is no exact date.

There are also no definitive reviews on how well the game performs on the console. It is only known that it will use a new type of cartridge—Game-Key Cards—which does not contain the actual game but provides access to a key for downloading it. There is no information about DLC releases yet.

Street Fighter 6

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The fighting series has already appeared on Switch before. At Nintendo Direct, they announced the release of Street Fighter 6 on Switch 2. The release will happen on June 5, 2025, along with a set of amiibo figures for the game.

Additionally, according to journalists, Street Fighter 6 on Switch 2 has less input lag than on PS5. This means characters can respond more quickly to player actions, which is crucial for professional players and e-sports competitors.

Borderlands 4

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This is an upcoming first-person shooter from Gearbox Software. The fifth installment in the Borderlands series will be released on Switch 2 on September 23, 2025. On other platforms, the release is scheduled for September 25.

Hollow Knight: Silksong

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People have been waiting for the sequel to the cult Metroidvania Hollow Knight for years. It was announced back in 2019, but since then there has been no information about when to expect Silksong.

At its Direct presentation, Nintendo finally provided some news. Silksong is announced for release in 2025. There is no exact release date yet, but the long wait is finally nearing its end.

Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion

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This is the sequel to the popular 2020 action game Daemon X Machina. Information about its development has been around for quite some time, but no one provided an exact release date. Nintendo was the first to reveal it: Titanic Scion is officially launching on September 5, 2025.

Final Fantasy VII Remake: Intergrade

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The legendary series from Square Enix has appeared on Nintendo Switch before, but now it’s time for the remakes. Final Fantasy VII Remake: Intergrade is announced for release on Switch 2 without a specific date. Remember that the Intergrade version includes several additional story missions.

Hades II

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In 2025, Switch 2 will also receive the sequel to the popular roguelike Hades. Again, there is no exact release date, so we expect it to arrive by the end of the year, and we’re gearing up to explore the underworld as Melinoë.

Star Wars Outlaws

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Star Wars fans can celebrate too: Star Wars Outlaws is officially announced for Switch 2. The game’s events take place between the fifth and sixth episodes of the original film series.

No exact release date yet, but the game should be ported by the end of 2025. We await more information.

Split Fiction

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The creators of It Takes Two, Hazelight Studios, have also joined in on the announcements. On June 5, 2025, Switch 2 will receive Split Fiction—an adventure for two in which two writers will constantly travel between fantastical and fantasy worlds.

Deltarune

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At Nintendo Direct, they showed an exclusive Deltarune trailer. But that’s not all. While Chapters 1 and 2 have already been shown and players are long familiar with them, Chapters 3 and 4 will release on all platforms on June 5.

Yakuza 0: Director's Cut

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Previously, Yakuza Kiwami—a comprehensive remake of the first Yakuza game—was released on Switch. Now Nintendo’s hybrid console will get Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut—an improved and refined version of the original game. This version will come to Switch 2 along with the console’s launch on June 5, 2025.

Upgrades

Some games will receive upgrades for Switch 2. Most of them will be paid, but a few will get free enhancements.

Paid upgrades:

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Here’s the list of games with free upgrades:

Image: nintendo.com

Other Projects

In this section, we’ve gathered games that previously came out on Switch, or whose announcements didn’t generate as much buzz on social media. Nonetheless, we can’t overlook them.

Image: store.steampowered.com

Below is a list of 33 more games that will also be released on Switch 2:

At the moment, this is all the information available about the games coming to Switch 2. We look forward to upcoming announcements and prepare for the console’s launch.

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