We’re now full steam ahead into year two of the Nintendo Switch, which means that our list of the best Nintendo Switch 2 games looks quite different compared to a month ago.
After the disaster that was the Wii U, Nintendo rebounded quite well with the original Switch, delivering an impressive lineup of first-party games. That trend has continued with the Switch 2, but now it’s been joined by an equally impressive selection of third-party games as well, notably Resident Evil Requiem and Pragmata.
That’s not to say that Nintendo has been slacking. Yes, they’ve relied heavily on upgrades to base Switch games, but there’s still plenty of great Switch 2 exclusive gems that have blessed the system.
Before long, it’ll be the holiday season, so let’s get a head start on things and review 15 of the very best Nintendo Switch 2 games, ranked in no particular order.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
I’m still not sure how they were able to pull this game off on the original Switch’s hardware.
By 2023, it was definitely showing its age, continuing to fall behind other modern gaming consoles. Most third-party developers had completely abandoned ship at this point, but Nintendo was able to get the most out of their little console.
In many ways, Tears of the Kingdom is a celebration of gaming’s biggest trends. Its world is eerily reminiscent of Eden Ring, and it borrows so much from the burgeoning crafting and survival genres.
Yet despite ultimately being a hodgepodge of ideas, everything comes together, as if it’s all neatly wrapped and topped with a bow. Best of all, it runs like a dream on the Switch 2 hardware.
Donkey Kong Bananza
After the breakout success of Super Mario Odyssey, one of, if not the, best 3D platformer ever made, it was hard to see how Nintendo would top itself.
Odyssey addresses every concern I have from past Mario games, giving players an unprecedented amount of freedom. Then along came Donkey Kong Bananza and showed us what’s really up.
While Mario Odyssey hinted at a true open-world platforming experience, Bananza delivers it in spades. There’s so much fun to be had venturing off the beaten path and exploring for the sake of exploring.
Sure, you’ll find some hidden goodies and collectibles, which gives you the dopamine rush that makes these games great, but most of the fun to be had here is just aimless exploring and controlling DK and Pauline. It feels a lot like how we spent hours as kids exploring the castle courtyard in Super Mario 64.
Split Fiction
It’s still hard to believe that It Takes Two, the co-op platformer made by the guy who ranted at The Game Awards, won Game of the Year in 2021. That’s the beauty of the modern era of gaming, though: the best titles are coming from the most unexpected places.
To be perfectly honest, in any other year, Split Fiction would be a shoo-in for Game of the Year; it’s just going against some real heavy hitters, including the previously mentioned Donkey Kong Bananza.
Split Fiction takes the co-op platformer and kicks it up a notch. There are so many ideas and genres being thrown at you, all of which blend seamlessly together. You’re never being overburdened or confused. In many ways, this feels like the quintessential Nintendo game: always throwing new ideas at the player and, somehow, they all work so well.
Mario Kart World
Yes, Mario Kart World is not without controversy; that $80 price tag still feels awkward in the eyes of many.
If you can look past that, or you picked up the Switch 2 bundle that came with Mario Kart World for $50, then you’re in for a real treat.
It took me a while to get used to the open-world design here. Not that I’m not happy it exists, but the races work differently: it’s not three laps, but traveling from one course to another. I can see why people don’t like it, but once it grows on you, it allows the 24-player races to feel a little less chaotic.
The real start of the show, though, is the Knockout Tour. It’s without a doubt the best Battle Royale I have ever played.
Deltarune
Following the massive success of 2015’s Undertale, one of the best RPGs ever made, Toby Fox has been hard at work on Deltarune, his episodic RPG experience.
Finally, after seven years, we’re four chapters in with one more to go.
While waiting for every chapter, including the upcoming fifth, which hopefully releases next year, has been difficult, at least each entry has been worth it. Deltarune proves that Undertale was no fluke, and that these are some of the very best the indie world and gaming as a whole can offer.
Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut
It’s pretty remarkable to see how popular the Yakuza series has become over the years. It began way back in 2005 for the PS2 as what felt like a pretty generic beat ’em up.
Over time, though, they’ve morphed into something more. Something that can only be described as a celebration of everything that makes video games great.
Now we’re at the point where the Nintendo Switch 2 launches with the timed exclusive release of Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut, featuring new cutscenes, English voiceover, and more.
At its heart, though, it’s still the same game that features an emotional, impactful main narrative that’s supplemented by some of the wildest, craziest, and funniest side quests you’ll ever see in a video game.
Here’s all you need to know: there’s a side quest that lets you obtain a chicken by throwing three strikes in a row in bowling. Said chicken can then be a manager for your real estate empire. Seriously!
Cyberpunk 2077
There’s been a lot of talk about third-party games running poorly on the Switch 2. Ironically, the one that runs well is the game that had one of the worst launches of all time.
Cyberpunk 2077 continues to be one of the best stories in video games. The way CD Projekt RED has revived the game from its deathbed after its disastrous release in 2020 should be studied by every developer.
Now, they’ve brought their futuristic sci-fi RPG to the Nintendo Switch 2, allowing players to explore Night City wherever they are. Sure, you could have done that before with a Steam Deck or a similar device, but there’s something about the comfort of the Switch 2 that can’t be beat.
Plus, not everyone can afford such a device; some people are only buying a Switch 2, so to see them be able to play one of the best games of the decade, and also to see it perform well, is a delight.
Hollow Knight Silksong
It was a long time coming, but in the eyes of many, Silksong was well worth the wait.
On the surface, Silksong is more of the same, but it’s not like that’s a bad thing. Silksong is the perfect example of how a sequel can deliver a bigger and better gameplay experience while keeping true to what made the original great.
It’s harder, yes, but Hornet controls differently from the original’s protagonist, making players better equipped to handle the challenges that await.
Ironically, it’s not the only Switch 2 indie game that accomplished this feat.
Hades II
You know, I guess that it’s okay to deliver more of the same when you’re delivering a flawless gameplay experience.
Like Silksong, Hades II doesn’t stray too far from the original formula that made its predecessor great, instead focusing on expanding its scope while polishing the gameplay to an immaculate shine.
As much as I love Hades, there are some awkward pacing issues at times that make certain parts of the gameplay loop a bit of a downer. That’s not the case here; it’s excellently paced from start to finish, even if the original ending is a letdown.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
It’s hard to say if there was a Nintendo mascot that needed a rebranding more than Kirby. Not that there’s anything wrong with Kirby; I love Kirby! However, the games were starting to get a certain stigma around them of being overly accessible and lacking any real challenge.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land took that accusation to heart. It’s an excellent platformer that combines the trademark features of the Kirby franchise (swallowing up superpowers to progress through a stage and solve puzzles) with a more action/adventure feel than ever before.
The boss battles were a pleasant surprise, not just in terms of how they felt, but also how difficult they were at times.
The Switch 2 Edition also offers more than a facelift, as it now comes complete with several hours of new gameplay.
Kirby Air Riders
Never in my wildest years did I expect Kirby Air Riders to rank among the best Nintendo Switch 2 games of 2025.
That’s not to say I’m a doubter of the franchise; I’m a staunch defender of the original GameCube game. The issue, though, is that Kirby Air Ride is, admittedly, a divisive game. Kirby Air Riders instead embraces its “party game first” roots to deliver a chaotic, over-the-top, and non-stop fun game.
City Trial remains a blast, but I was really blown away by how much fun the traditional racing “Air Ride” mode is. Add in an impressive amount of collectibles, and you have a game that’s still keeping us busy today.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
On paper, Metroid Prime 4 was going to be the bigger game last holiday season. That didn’t happen, with Kirby Air Riders stealing all of its thunder.
That’s not to say that Metroid Prime 4 is a bad game, because it’s not. Despite not living up to all expectations or the legacy of its predecessors, there’s still a great time to be found here. It feels quite familiar and absolutely nails the presentation the franchise is known for.
I can’t help but wonder how the game would have turned out with a smoother development cycle, and I hope Retro Studios gets the chance to deliver a sequel. Even with its flaws, it’s easily one of the best Nintendo Switch 2 games you can play today.
Star Fox
It’s Star Fox 64, but looks better than ever! That alone is enough to entice many, myself included, on the long-awaited return of Star Fox.
Would I have liked a new adventure? Yes, but hey, one step at a time. Thankfully, the newest remake of the Nintendo 64 classic is as fun as ever.
While the new voice acting is hit or miss, the visuals are stunning, and the gameplay is as thrilling as ever. There’s also the fact that its online multiplayer mode is surprisingly addictive. Does that make this the definitive version of Star Fox 64? Honestly…it just might!
Resident Evil Requiem
I cannot believe that this game was released on the Nintendo Switch 2. I cannot believe it was released on the same day as other platforms.
This is the same Resident Evil Requiem experience you see on other platforms. It’s just as frightening, just as beautiful, and just as thrilling. Best of all, Nintendo fans aren’t missing out on what may be one of 2026’s best games.
Is it as good looking as, say, PC/PS5/Xbox? No, but it’s still Resident Evil, and that’s all that matters.
Pokémon Pokopia
There’s no denying the massive popularity of the Pokémon franchise, even with all the recent faults and issues in the mainline games. So to see Pokémon Pokopia come along and become a smash hit isn’t too surprising.
Yes, interacting with all of the Pokémon is beyond adorable, but the most impressive feat here is how well it adopts the Animal Crossing-esque gameplay with the twist of terraforming the world.
To be perfectly honest, between this and Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, I’m not sure how we can go back to Animal Crossing. Pokopia, in particular, is the perfect blend of Pokémon, city-builder gameplay, and crafting.
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