The Nintendo Switch 2 is only about six months old at the time of this writing, but the home console/handheld hybrid has already built an impressive library of games. Since launch, the Switch 2 has enjoyed a wide range of titles, including a lineup of nine exclusive games and counting.
Barring any surprise shadow drops, there will be no more new brand-new Switch 2 exclusive games released in 2025, and so now is the perfect time to look back on the first six months of the console and its exclusive titles. As expected, there are some truly excellent Switch 2 exclusives already, but there are also some games that completely flopped.
All Big Upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 Games Releasing In 2025 & Beyond
Fire Emblem, Mario, Animal Crossing, and Elden Ring are just a few upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 games that we cannot wait for.
There will be many more Switch 2 exclusives released in the years to come, but the console is already off to a strong start. I have played all the Switch 2 exclusives released so far, and have decided to rank them so anyone looking to grow their library or who may be new owners of the console knows what to prioritize.
Remasters like Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD and Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S were excluded from this list because I want to keep the focus strictly on pure Switch 2 exclusive experiences. I also did not consider Switch 2 Edition games like Pokemon Legends: Z-A, since those are also available on the Switch 1.
9
Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Even if Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour was a free pack-in game, it would still be a boring slog that I would recommend people avoid. Essentially a mini-game collection that doubles as an interactive museum where players walk around and read tidbits about the Switch 2 console, Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour forgets Reggie Fils-Aime’s golden rule: “If it’s not fun, why bother?” I played through the entire thing on launch day and have no desire to ever play it again.
- Released
-
June 5, 2025
- Developer(s)
-
Nintendo
- Publisher(s)
-
Nintendo
- Number of Players
-
Single-player
- Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date
-
June 5, 2025
8
Survival Kids
Survival Kids is definitely one of the more random games in the Switch 2 launch lineup. A reboot of the Survival Kids / Lost in Blue series, Konami’s new Survival Kids is simply not fun to play. The game marries puzzle game challenges with survival elements, tasking players with hunting down resources and crafting tools to overcome the various obstacles they come across. But part of the reason survival games are so fun is their progression. Over time, players amass better equipment and become significantly more efficient than they were at the start. Each level in Survival Kids basically starts players back at square one, so it’s like replaying the most boring and limiting parts of survival games over and over again.
To its credit, Survival Kids does support co-op for up to four players. It even allows for local wireless play with only one copy of the game. If it were a budget release, its co-op support would make it easier to forgive its shortcomings, but at an eye-watering $49.99, Survival Kids is almost offensive.
- Released
-
June 5, 2025
- ESRB
-
E For Everyone // Mild Fantasy Violence
- Multiplayer
-
Local Co-Op, Online Co-Op
7
Drag x Drive
Drag x Drive is a wheelchair basketball game that utilizes the Joy-Con 2 mouse controls. The controls are a little tricky at first, but it all clicks with enough practice. The core gameplay in Drag x Drive is fun enough, and I didn’t regret my time playing it, but it does have two huge downsides that keep it from being a better game. For one, Drag x Drive completely lacks local multiplayer, so it’s relying entirely on the idea that people will be playing it for an extended period of time, which seems unlikely. And for two, Drag x Drive is criminally low on content. Unfortunately, there’s just not enough to see and do to justify playing it for more than a few brief sessions here and there.
- Released
-
August 14, 2025
- Developer(s)
-
Nintendo
- Publisher(s)
-
Nintendo
- Multiplayer
-
Local Multiplayer, Online Multiplayer
- Number of Players
-
1-6 players
- Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date
-
August 14, 2025
6
Chillin’ by the Fire
Chillin’ by the Fire‘s title says it all. It’s a game where players sit around a campfire, roasting marshmallows and chopping firewood. The “game” part of the equation is mostly about strategically placing wood on the fire to build it up and keep the flame going, but it’s more focused on the social element. Chillin’ by the Fire multiplayer allows players to all join together and chill by the fire, with the option to use the Switch 2 Camera to see everyone’s faces. It’s not a particularly thrilling game and far from an essential must-have, but it is a neat little novelty.
- Released
-
July 31, 2025
- ESRB
-
E For Everyone
- Developer(s)
-
Oink Games
- Publisher(s)
-
Oink Games
5
Fast Fusion
Mario Kart World wasn’t the only racing game available for the Switch 2 at launch. Super fast futuristic racer Fast Fusion also threw its hat in the ring, giving players gorgeous courses to race on and a unique mechanic where cars can be fused together to create entirely brand-new vehicles. The core racing gameplay in Fast Fusion is a blast and the game would have potentially ranked higher if it had online multiplayer matchmaking support. There is local multiplayer, which is definitely appreciated, but the lack of a proper online mode really kills its longevity.
- Released
-
June 5, 2025
- ESRB
-
Everyone
- Developer(s)
-
Shin’en Multimedia
- Publisher(s)
-
Shin’en Multimedia
- Multiplayer
-
Online Multiplayer, Local Multiplayer
4
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment
I have a love/hate relationship with the Hyrule Warriors games. I thought the first Hyrule Warriors was a lot of fun and enjoyed unlocking all the different Legend of Zelda franchise characters to take out on the battlefield, but I was extremely underwhelmed by the follow-up, Age of Calamity. Whereas the first Hyrule Warriors was a bright, colorful hack-and-lash musou game that didn’t take itself too seriously, Age of Calamity was a drab, boring prequel to Breath of the Wild that didn’t even tell a canon story.
For me, Age of Imprisonment lies somewhere in the middle. It’s nice that the Age of Imprisonment story is a canon prequel to Tears of the Kingdom, but the cutscenes go on too long and the early chapters regularly restrict players from playing in co-op, which is the game’s main selling point. It’s disheartening whenever you go to start a mission and are told that it’s single-player only.
All Main Story Missions in Hyrule Warriors Age of Imprisonment (Chapter List)
The story of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is broken up into six chapters and 24 main story missions. Here’s how long it takes to beat them.
That being said, Age of Imprisonment is a significant step up from its immediate predecessor, delivering the same kind of over-the-top musou action that one expects from the Warriors games, but with sharper visuals and much-improved performance. The lag and stuttering that sometimes plagued the Warriors games on Switch 1 are nowhere to be found here, even when playing in split-screen co-op.
- Released
-
November 6, 2025
- ESRB
-
Teen / Fantasy Violence
- Publisher(s)
-
Nintendo
3
Mario Kart World
The crown jewel of the Switch 2 launch lineup, Mario Kart World is a huge open world racing game with series-best graphics and performance. It features dazzling courses, brilliant new movement mechanics that make the minute-to-minute racing more exciting, and a suite of multiplayer modes that should keep players engaged for a long time. Some of the open world elements are disappointing, particularly the lack of direction when exploring solo, but Mario Kart World is still a must-have for any Switch 2 owner.
- Released
-
June 5, 2025
- ESRB
-
Everyone // Mild Fantasy Violence, Users Interact
- Developer(s)
-
Nintendo
- Publisher(s)
-
Nintendo
2
Kirby Air Riders
I did not expect to like Kirby Air Riders as much as I do, but here we are. Having never played the original Kirby Air Ride on GameCube, Kirby Air Riders has been a totally brand-new experience for me and I have been completely blown away. A fast-paced racer with a roster of memorable characters and wild vehicles, Kirby Air Riders is chaotic in the best ways. In typical Sakurai fashion, Kirby Air Riders is absolutely stuffed with content, with the game utilizing an achievement system and plenty of worthwhile unlocks to encourage players to keep with it. The online multiplayer is fun, the offline options are plentiful, and it’s really hard to stop playing. Even if you think you might not like Kirby Air Riders, I highly recommend giving it a try for yourself.
- Released
-
November 20, 2025
- ESRB
-
Everyone 10+ / Fantasy Violence
- Publisher(s)
-
Nintendo
1
Donkey Kong Bananza
Game of the Year-nominated Donkey Kong Bananza is easily the best Switch 2 exclusive on the market to date. A huge 3D platforming adventure where players can destroy basically everything they see, Donkey Kong Bananza is an absolute joy from start to finish. I didn’t stop playing until I got 100% completion, and I still feel the urge to go back to the game occasionally. Those that don’t want their Donkey Kong Bananza adventures to end can consider picking up the Emerald Rush DLC, which gives players the chance to explore DK Island and tackle new roguelike challenges for a significant replay value boost.
- Released
-
July 17, 2025
- ESRB
-
Everyone 10+ / Fantasy Violence, In-Game Purchases
- Developer(s)
-
Nintendo EPD
- Publisher(s)
-
Nintendo
