The Nintendo Switch 2 builds on what made the original console so popular, giving players a way to enjoy their favourite games both at home and on the go. Whether you're after a lengthy RPG or something you can pick up for a few minutes at a time, there's something here for everyone.
With that in mind, we've picked 10 games that we believe are worth experiencing on Nintendo Switch 2, from new releases to familiar favourites that have found a new home on the console.
10 Nintendo Switch 2 Games You Need to Play
1. Donkey Kong Bananza
DK has starred in plenty of memorable games over the years, but Donkey Kong Bananza gives the big ape a new playground to wreak havoc in. This time, the adventure takes place underground, where treasures are buried beneath layers of rock and seemingly solid walls are little more than obstacles waiting to be smashed apart.
That is what makes Bananza so much fun. You are not restricted to jumping between platforms or following a carefully laid-out route. If something stands between you and your destination, you can just punch your way through it, causing entire sections of the environment to crumble and revealing secrets and hidden paths. The result is a wonderfully chaotic platformer that feels like a destructive take on Super Mario Odyssey.
2. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
If the first game on the list was all about destruction, then The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is the complete opposite. Here, instead of smashing your way through obstacles, you build your own solutions, using Link's abilities to combine objects and create whatever weird contraption you want. Need to cross a gap? Build a bridge. Want to reach a distant island? Put together a flying machine. There's plenty to discover, and the only limit is your imagination.
The original Switch version was already a masterpiece, but playing at 60 FPS with improved visuals makes a noticeable difference. If you missed out on the original, this is a great way to experience one of the best Zelda games in years. And if you've already spent dozens of hours exploring Hyrule, the Switch 2 Edition gives you a good reason to return.
3. Pokémon Pokopia
For a spin-off that takes Pokémon in such a different direction, Pokémon Pokopia has been a remarkable success. Instead of following the familiar formula of catching creatures and battling other trainers, you play as a Ditto that has taken on a human form, exploring a world where humans have disappeared and helping Pokémon rebuild their homes.
In this mix of life sim and Pokémon, you gather materials, craft furniture, and reshape the landscape to attract Pokémon to your growing community. It's a strange concept that feels like a deranged fan's fever dream, yet it has turned into a commercial success. The game is now the highest-rated Pokémon game on Metacritic, which is particularly impressive given that it's a spin-off rather than a mainline entry.
4. Mario Kart World
Every Nintendo console needs its Mario Kart, and Mario Kart World feels like the definitive version of the series on Switch 2. The biggest change is right there in the name: instead of keeping everything confined to individual tracks, the game connects its locations into a world you can drive across. Combined with the new Knockout Tour mode, it gives the series a greater sense of scale and makes this feel like more than another collection of tracks to race through.
That's what makes Mario Kart such an easy game to recommend. It doesn't matter whether you're playing with friends who know every shortcut or someone who's picking up a controller for the first time. Races can go from comfortable victories to complete chaos in seconds, and there's always the temptation to try one more.
5. Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave
Ever since Fire Emblem: Three Houses, fans have been waiting for another entry that captures what made that game so special. While Fire Emblem Engage delivered on the tactical combat, its story and characters left a lot to be desired. The wait is over. Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave is finally here, and it is everything fans could have wanted and more.
The story follows a multi-path system similar to Three Houses. However, you can freely switch between protagonists at any point in the story, allowing you to experience events from different perspectives. All the routes are connected, and the game remembers the interactions between characters, so you are not forced to do a separate playthrough for each route. For a series built around deep stories and challenging combat, Fortune's Weave gives players more freedom to explore both.
6. Stardew Valley
There's a reason people keep coming back to Stardew Valley years after first picking it up. What begins with a run-down farm and a handful of tools quickly turns into the sort of game where you sit down for half an hour and suddenly realise the entire evening has disappeared. Maybe you're saving up for a bigger house, trying to befriend someone in town, or heading into the mines because you really need that one resource. There's always something else worth doing, and there's no single right way to spend your time.
What's better than playing a relaxing, no-pressure game? Playing it wherever you want. Whether you're lying in bed, sitting on the sofa, or travelling on the bus, the portability of the Switch 2 makes it a perfect way to enjoy Stardew Valley.
7. Super Mario Odyssey
Even years after its release, Super Mario Odyssey remains one of Nintendo's finest platformers. The story's still the same: once again, Bowser has kidnapped Princess Peach, and Mario embarks on an adventure across multiple kingdoms. This time, though, he's got a new trick up his sleeve: Cappy, a sentient white top hat that lets him possess enemies and objects in ways that constantly change how you approach the world.
This simple idea gives Odyssey an incredible amount of variety. One moment you're taking control of a T-Rex, the next you're using an enemy's abilities to reach somewhere Mario couldn't manage on his own. With so much to do and discover, it's no wonder players are still picking up the game years after its original release.
8. Hades II
If you enjoyed the firstHades, there's plenty to look forward to in its sequel. This time, you play as Melinoë, the sister of the original protagonist Zagreus, who sets out to defeat Chronos, the Titan of Time. While the two games share the same fast-paced combat and roguelike progression, Melinoë's magical abilities bring a different feel to each encounter.
Even when an attempt ends in failure, you can unlock new upgrades and find new ways to approach the next challenge. Hades II is already an incredibly fun game, and playing it on the Switch 2 makes it easy to squeeze in another run wherever you are.
9. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
With the recent Witcher 3 remaster, now's as good a time as any to revisit , or experience for the first time , one of the most memorable RPGs of the past decade. With so many things to do, choices to make, and people to help, there's content that will keep you occupied for hours on end.
And you can experience all of this on a handheld console. When the original Nintendo Switch launched, the idea of running a massive RPG like The Witcher 3 on it felt almost impossible. Yet here we are, with Geralt's adventure running on the Switch 2 almost flawlessly. The ability to carry a game of this scale around and play it whenever and wherever remains genuinely remarkable.
10. Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen
If you've never played the original Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, now's a good time to give them a try. Originally released for the Game Boy Advance, these games take you back to Kanto, where you set out to become a Pokémon Champion. Along the way, you'll challenge Gym Leaders and take on Team Rocket, just as players did back in the early days of the series.
Part of the appeal is how well the classic Pokémon formula holds up. Exploring new routes and deciding which Pokémon to add to your team makes each step of the journey feel rewarding. While the games lack some of the conveniences introduced in later entries, their straightforward approach is a big part of what makes them so enjoyable.
A Library Worth Exploring
The Switch 2 library brings together games that offer very different experiences, from Nintendo's own adventures to third-party RPGs and indie favourites. It's a mix that gives the console an identity of its own, beyond simply being the next step after the original Switch.
Not every game on this list will appeal to everyone, but that's the point. Whether you're after a new adventure or want to revisit a classic, these ten games are a good place to start.
