The Nintendo Switch 2 is a brilliant follow-up to the original hybrid Nintendo Switch. With 4K graphics support, a more powerful processor, new Joy-Con controllers, the GameChat feature and more, this is the most versatile console on the market that you can play both docked on your TV, and in handheld mode.
While it supports the entire game library backlog of the original Switch, the list of dedicated titles for this console (taking advantage of its full capabilities) is smaller. Fortunately, we’ve tried out some of the best titles for this brand-new console – from family favourites such as the latest Mario Kart, to grittier games such as Yakuza.
Whether you want fast-paced fun, a story you can sink your teeth into or just a cosy title you can chill out and play, this list has something to suit you, with a range of price points. Rest assured, every entry on this list has been played by our editors. And yes, that includes Donkey Kong Bananza, which Tech Advisor received an early copy of.
If you’ve not yet got your hands on a Switch 2, you can read our unboxing diary , full review and find out why old Switch Joy-Cons work with this new console .
Best Nintendo Switch 2 games
1. Mario Kart World – Best Switch 2 Game Overall
Most people buying the Nintendo Switch 2 this close to launch will do so for the latest Mario Kart game, and it’s obvious as to why.
Mario Kart World is the perfect title to take advantage of this console’s new technical abilities, with stunning, vibrant graphics and several new features that make this game a big step up from the previous generation. This includes the Knockout Tour mode, a new continuous form of racing that gets the heart pumping. There’s also Free Roam, a more chill exploration of the world this game is set in, littered with challenges and things to find (plus a great way for practising shortcuts and tricks).
Other touches, such as a day-to-night cycle and weather patterns, make this game feel incredibly alive and immersive. Some elements could be improved, such as creating your own custom cup routes and having more Battle modes, but those sorts of things may land in a future DLC.
None of these downsides take away from this being the best game on the Switch 2 right now, especially for multiplayer fun, where you can add a layer of chaos with GameChat. You won’t regret investing in Mario Kart World.
2. Donkey Kong Bananza – Best Platformer
While we don’t have a new 3D Mario platformer game for the Switch 2 yet, Donkey Kong is here to save the day, one rock punch at a time.
Donkey Kong Bananza is addictive fun, filled with several surprises. This is a great title for younger players, as it requires a lot of slugging your way through stages and enemies.
However, there’s also plenty for seasoned 3D Mario fans, especially for completionists, with many items to collect in the expansive map. Plus, despite this game being centred around bananas (lots and lots of bananas) and pop music, it has a surprising amount of charm and heart, with twists that will have the Nintendo lore fans in discussion for years to come.
The camera work could do with some refining, especially when you’re smashing through walls and below ground. More advanced players may also find the bosses a bit too simple. Nonetheless, we’re convinced that Donkey Kong will be a… smash hit.
3. Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Best RPG
The first 3D Pokémon game made specifically with the Switch 2 in mind puts a few twists on the iconic formula that makes the action faster-paced, while also taking full advantage of a tighter, urban environment.
Fans of X and Y will recognise the Parisian-inspired streets of Lumiose City, which is set in the present day rather than the ancient times of Legends: Arceus, the first game in this spin-off series that launched back in 2022. However, it does retain the chaotic Wild Zones for catching Pokémon, along with the gigantic and terrifying Alphas.
Our hero is recruited to take part in the Z-A Royale. This occurs every night after dark in a sub-section of the metropolis, and the player must either challenge or be challenged by anyone they encounter in the designated ‘zone’. Think The Purge, but make it Pokémon. Moves are selected in real-time rather than being turn-based, allowing everyone to roam the battlefield freely, even dodging attacks when needed, or choosing more powerful moves but risking being hit at close range.
Alongside the competition, there’s a mysterious phenomenon of Rogue Mega Evolutions, a familiar face from a previous game and bizarre mafia plot. That said, the world itself is a tad dull and repetitive, making it easy to get lost, and the dialogue has that classic cheesiness that might make your eyes roll. Nonetheless, you’ll have hours of fun exploring Lumiose and its fresh battle system.
4. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – Best Shooter
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond isn’t your run-of-the-mill shooter, as fans of the series will know. With plenty of puzzles, collectibles and lore to sink your teeth into, this latest instalment of bounty hunter Samus Aran’s story offers a lot.
While some Metroid purists will be put off by the quippy side-characters and the new psychic abilities, I mostly found them to be charming and complimentary to the game, especially when you take into account that fans have waited patiently for 18 years for this new instalment.
With three levels of difficulty, you can choose how much of a challenge you want – many bosses will certainly test your skills. On the Switch 2, you also have the option of pushing the graphics to 4K, or prioritising responsiveness with that 120fps refresh rate.
But the icing on the cake is the stunning world of Viewros – even the first full map you explore is a lush, otherworldly forest inhabited by strange, alien creatures. It’s delight to explore, and the punchy sound design just kicks up the immersion a notch. If you want a single-player adventure game with a detailed narrative, this is one not to miss.
5. Fast Fusion – Best Graphics
If you’re missing the anti-gravity element of Mario Kart World, then Fast Fusion is for you, especially if you’re a fan of old-school high-speed racers like F-Zero X and Wipeout.
It’s the latest in the popular series, exclusive to Switch 2, and so far, it’s the most visually impressive game on the console. The stunning graphics, especially in 4K/60fps when docked, really show off how far the console has come from the original.
The soundtrack is equally impressive, creating an immersive game. Combined with the fast pace, you’ll struggle to blink.
Track design is varied and there are a number of different ships to choose from, which you’ll need to buy with credits you earn. Sadly, this is true for unlocking new tracks, which is a bit of a pain.
The new jump ability doesn’t add a whole lot either, but for under £15/$15, Fast Fusion is a no-brainer for your Switch 2 library if you like fast racing and need a slightly more affordable title.
6. Rune Factory Guardians of Azuma – Best Cosy Game
If you’d prefer something that’s a bit slower paced than the titles listed above, the latest Rune Factory will scratch that itch. Guardians of Azuma combines meditative simulations such as Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Stardew Valley with JRPG mechanics and relationship building.
When you first step into the game, your character has lost all their memories. They awake in a Japanese-inspired village and are told that they are the ones who must help revitalise the community and restore it to its former glory after a disaster.
Despite the gameplay including elements such as farming and construction, it doesn’t feel like a slog, with the ability to completely transform a town within a matter of virtual days. Plus, there are four areas to work on themed after each season, giving you a lot to tackle.
Add to that a fun battle system, many romance options with fully voiced cutscenes (though one character may grind your gears) and a rather detailed plot, and you’ve got a cosy game that will keep you entertained for a long time. If you already own the Switch 1 edition, you can purchase an upgrade pack for $10 if you’re in the US.
7. The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom – Best Switch 2 Edition Upgrade
While the open-world sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is not a new release, this was one of the titles that received some visual overhauls for the latest console – a sort of semi-remaster, if you like. It now looks so beautiful that you’ll be tempted to play it all over again, if you’re revisiting it.
If this is your first rendition of Tears of the Kingdom, strap in. This game takes all the best elements of Breath of the Wild and adds a huge map expansion in both the Sky Islands and the Depths, meaning you’ll be exploring Hyrule in a whole new way.
Link’s new abilities allow you to build all kinds of bizarre contraptions (please don’t be that player who builds a Korok torture device), giving you multiple avenues and routes to completing quests; from speed boats and flying machines, to giant flaming catapults.
This Switch 2 upgrade adds 4K, 60fps and HDR support, making the graphics crisper than ever and gameplay remarkably smooth and satisfying. If you already own TOTK, then you can just purchase the upgrade pass for £7.99/$9.99. Alternatively, the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack Membership includes upgrades for this and the marvellous predecessor, Breath of the Wild.
8. Split Fiction – Best Co-op Game
Top-tier co-op games are hard to come by, so it’s great that Split Fiction has landed on Switch 2. It’s from the studio behind It Takes Two and sees you take on the roles of two aspiring writers who end up in each other’s stories after being hooked up to a machine at a futuristic publishing company with ulterior motives.
You end up jumping between their sci-fi and fantasy stories in a combination of puzzle solving, platforming and sometimes just straight up running from baddies to figure out how to escape the world they find themselves trapped in.
It’s a compelling concept and the difficulty level will work for a wide range of players. Sure, the English character is ‘I could really do with a cup of tea’ over the top, but it gets less incessant after the opening scene.
A bonus is that with the ‘ Friend’s Pass ’, only one player needs to own the game, or you can play split-screen on the same console.
9. Super Mario Party Jamboree + Jamboree TV – Best Party Game
If you want to get your friends and family involved in playing this console, Super Mario Party Jamboree is a brilliant title for that. Choose from an array of Mario characters and go head-to-head in a series of challenges to determine the ultimate winner. Plus, the Switch 2 Edition includes some key upgrades to expand this title even further, especially if you have the accompanying camera accessory.
CameraPlay means that your feed pops up above your character, capturing your live reaction as your closest loved ones stab you in the back by stealing your stars and besting you in the mini-games. It’s wildly entertaining, especially on replays – and parents, rest assured that screenshots and screen captures are banned when the camera is in use.
The mini-games have been expanded with 20 more that use mouse controls, the built-in microphone and more, while Tag-Team and Frenzy rules give you new ways to play the main game. Outside of Party mode, the Switch 2 Edition also adds Carnival Coaster and Bowser Live. While both are fun, the latter does encourage players to shout as loud as they can to win… give your neighbours a heads up first so they know someone isn’t dying.
As this is a Switch 2 Edition, you can buy an upgrade pack for £16.99 / $19.99 if you already own the base game. For that price, it would have been nice to see another map added to the world, or for CameraPlay to be implemented in the main section of the game, rather than through the Jamboree TV menu.
But these niggles don’t detract from what a great collaborative game this is, especially if you want the whole household involved.
10. Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S – Best Puzzle Game
Crossovers don’t always work, but puzzle fans should download Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S, where the world of cute blobs meets the iconic shapes of Tetris.
It’s perhaps not quite as cheap as you might expect for a simple puzzle game, but there’s more to it than you might think. There are lots of different modes to try out, including a new Puyo Tetris Doubles Mode, which sees a 2v2 battle on the same board.
You can battle Puyo against Tetris or combine the two and there’s also a story mode if you don’t have a friend round and don’t fancy playing online, though it has way too much chat between levels.
One thing that gives it longevity is the huge roster of 40 characters, including Sonic The Hedgehog, each with different strengths and abilities.
11. Fall Guys – Best Free Game
While Fall Guys doesn’t run as cleanly on the Switch 2 as we’d like, it seems worth including a title that won’t cost you a penny yet provides hours of fun.
This online multiplayer pits you against colourful beans from all around the world in a series of races, survival challenges and more, until you’re the final one standing. The more you play, the more bizarre outfits, emojis, reactions and celebrations you can unlock. While some are locked behind a paywall, they are optional (this editor hasn’t spent anything whatsoever).
Every few months, a new season is introduced, often with fresh tracks and challenges to try out. And of course, plenty more skins and costumes for several makeovers.
With both single-player and team modes available locally and online, this game comes with a warning: you will become addicted to chasing that elusive crown.
12. Kirby Air Riders – Best Kids Game
While Mario Kart World might be the first racing game that comes to mind for the Nintendo Switch 2, Kirby Air Riders may be more suitable if you’re looking for a title for the younger gamers in your house.
This is a sequel to 2003’s GameCube title, Kirby Air Ride, and only uses one joystick and a button to control movement of your vehicle, with players cruising the air propulsions left on the tracks. Combine that with enemies and weapons, and it’s an assault on the senses – frantic in every sense of the word. In fact, you sometimes don’t need to do too much to get first place against NPCs.
In that sense, it’s brilliant for kids who have short attention spans, providing that they’re of the right age (the game is rated PEGI 7 in the UK/Europe and E10+ for Everyone 10+ in North America). That’s doubly so when you consider that online multiplayer modes don’t allow for any voice or text communication – great for safeguarding.
There are many modes to explore, and plenty of characters and flying contraptions to unlock without the need to commit lots of hours and playtime. That said, the loud noises and overwhelming visuals may be a little much for some older players… unless you were a big fan of the original noughties title.
13. Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut – Best Narrative
We’ve heard it mentioned that the Switch 2 has similar processing power to Sony’s PlayStation 4 console, so it makes sense that Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut is such a good fit.
This Switch 2 exclusive (for now) revamps the 2015 PS4 original with new cutscenes and dubs, as well as a fresh online multiplayer mode. It looks and moves beautifully on Nintendo’s new console, with a 4K docked resolution at a locked 60fps.
Yakuza 0 is very much of its time, though – a frenetic ‘AA’ beat-’em-up centred around scrappily entertaining 3D brawls, stitched together with lavish story scenes, entertaining mini games, and sections where you wander around realistic recreations of Tokyo and Osaka entertainment districts.
The story serves as a prequel to the original Yakuza game, and shows series protagonist Kazuma Kiryu relatively early in his career as a gangster. Expect a ripping ‘80s-flavoured yarn, filled with dastardly dealings from larger-than-life criminal elements during Japan’s economic boom.
