Okay, so you’ve got your Switch 2 pre-order in. Years of speculation, months of hype, and it’s all over. Sitting in your hands right now is the latest Nintendo console, and the upgrades are incredible. But buying a new console isn’t just for the technology, or for the aesthetics. It’s for the games. So what games can you expect to be playing on Day One of the Nintendo Switch 2?
Arcade Archives 2: Ridge Racer
Arcade Archives 2: Ridge Racer is a home release of the original arcade Ridge Racer. It’s the game that spawned a series that has games across seven different consoles, and one of the most important racing games of all time. It’s also the first in the Arcade Archives 2 series, a series that seeks to re-release classic games in new forms for preservation purposes.
Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster
Bravely Default was first released on the 3DS in 2012, and was critically acclaimed on launch. But that was over a decade ago – and since then a sequel was released on the original Nintendo Switch. But that original game, the one from 2012? That’s still stuck on the Nintendo 3DS, in glorious 240p.
Or at least, it was. The Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster is coming to Nintendo Switch 2, and not only increases the visual quality of the game, but also adds new content to the title.
Civilization VII (Nintendo Switch 2 Edition)
Civilization VII is one of several games that are receiving Nintendo Switch 2 upgrades. These upgrades do what you’d expect – they improve the performance of the game, add new features and increase the resolution of the game. But Civilization VII is also taking advantage of the mouse controls for the Joy-Con 2 – meaning that it’ll be able to be played just like the original PC version of the game.
Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition
I think that anybody who is interested specifically in the performance and technology of the Nintendo Switch 2 will be looking to this game as a benchmark. After all, the original Cyberpunk 2077 release had trouble running on PS4 and Xbox One – it’s only after several patches that the game became at all playable.
The Nintendo Switch 2 release includes both the original title and the expansion, Phantom Liberty. What’s curious is that the PS4 and Xbox One releases of the game didn’t get the expansion, due to apparently being underpowered. So exactly what power does the Nintendo Switch 2 actually have? That’s going to be the question that everybody wants answered.
Deltarune
Honestly one of my most anticipated games of the year, Deltarune is Toby Fox’s follow-up to Undertale, one of the most popular indie games of all time. While technically the game has been out for a while now (Chapter 1 and 2 of the game were released for free), this is the actual paid release for the game – it comes with Chapters 3 and 4, and when Fox finishes the rest of the game, they’ll be added to the game totally for free.
The game is also cross-buy between Nintendo platforms, so if you don’t upgrade but still want to play, then you can buy it on your original Nintendo Switch and when you eventually get a Nintendo Switch 2, you’ll get that version for free.
Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time (Nintendo Switch 2 Edition)
Fantasy Life i is a sequel to the 3DS RPG Fantasy Life, and sees you living on an island and getting a job. Think Animal Crossing, but it’s a bit weirder. This version of the game has time travel that lets you see the past of the island, adding a whole new map to look around.
The upgrade if you already own the game is incredibly cheap, clocking in at $2.59, and adds a higher resolution, better frame rate and faster loading times.
Fast Fusion
Fast Fusion is the latest in a line of racing games from German developed Shin’en, and is the fourth game in the ‘Fast’ series of games, following Fast Racing League, Fast Racing Neo and Fast RMX. Fast Fusion features split-screen local multiplayer, and a racing experience inspired by Wipeout and F-Zero that’s running in full 4K with HDR support.
Fortnite
I mean, yeah. Is anybody surprised by this one? Really? Epic Games has ensured that Fortnite is available on basically every single system, and now there’s another one to add here. There’s no real information on how the game will run, but smart money is on the bet that the game will perform better on the original Switch (that version of the game is capped at 30 frames per second, so it’d be nice to see this game run at 60FPS on the Nintendo Switch 2).
Hitman: World of Assassination – Signature Edition
Hitman: World of Assassination is one of the best stealth games of all time. Three separate campaigns all combined into one game, dozens of maps to explore and learn the ins and outs of.
The Signature Edition is the first native release for these games on the Nintendo Switch family of systems – and this version of the game includes a lot of DLC content that adds hours and hours to the game. Oh, and there’s even the Freelancer mode, which could hypothetically have you playing this game forever.
Hogwarts Legacy (Nintendo Switch 2 Edition)
Hogwarts Legacy is a higher resolution version of the original game with HDR and upgraded graphics. Like all of the other upgrades to Switch games, an upgrade for an existing owner of the game will cost $9.99.
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess came and went in 2024 without so much as a whimper – but the game currently has a pretty great Metacritic score, so if you’re interested in action strategy games, then you should absolutely check it out.
The game never actually launched on the Nintendo Switch, so the Nintendo Switch 2 release is the first Nintendo release for the game, and this version of the game has mouse controls and new content.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Nintendo Switch 2 Edition)
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild will now be available across three consecutive generations of Nintendo consoles, and who can really blame Nintendo for this decision? The Switch 2 version, a $9.99 upgrade (free if you subscribe to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pass), has a higher resolution, HDR support, a better frame rate and also adds support for an app called Zelda Notes on your phone, which adds a ton of new features to the game.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Nintendo Switch 2 Edition)
Obviously, Tears of the Kingdom is also getting an upgrade. Exactly the same stuff as Breath of the Wild’s upgrade is applicable here – you’re getting support for the Zelda Notes app, a higher resolution, HDR support, a better framerate. And, if you subscribe to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack then you get the upgrade for free (otherwise it costs $9.99).
Mario Kart World
This is the big one. The first mainline Mario Kart game in over a decade. A game that is going to sell systems. This title, exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2, features the typical Mario Kart goodness – racing your friends around familiar locales, using items on them to slow them down. But now, there’s a massive open-world that players can explore with friends, there’s a 24-player Knockout Tour, there’s dozens upon dozens of characters.
There’s so much here – so much that Nintendo is making this their big selling point of the entire system. It’s going to be fascinating to see how it all works, but that’s part of the Nintendo charm.
Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
The Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is akin to the Astro Bot tech demo that came with the PS5, except this one costs money. It’s essentially designed to explain how the Switch 2 works – how the mouse controls change the way that you play games, how the better resolution improves your experience, the way the new magnets work. It’s a very simple experience, but one worth getting if you want to see everything the Switch 2 has to offer.
Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening Complete Edition
Nobunaga’s Ambition is the latest in a series of Koei Techmo strategy games, and is the 16th game in the series. It sees players choosing a warlord and taking over as much of Japan as they can.
The Switch 2 version for the game has a 4K resolution, improved performance and support for the mouse controls, as well as all previously released DLC and six brand new pieces of content.
Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S
Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S is exactly what it sounds like – it’s a mash-up of Tetris and Puyo Puyo, two of the biggest puzzle games of all time. Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S is essentially a improved version of Puyo Puyo Tetris 2- it has a new game mode and joy con mouse support. Though, it is worth noting that there’s no upgrade path for this game – you’ll need to buy it again.
Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma (Nintendo Switch 2 Edition)
Rune-Factory: Guardians of Azuma is a day and date release on both the original Switch and the Nintendo Switch 2, and is a spin-off of the Story of Seasons series that is a farming and social sim title that’s ALSO a fantasy RPG.
The Switch 2 version of the game has a higher resolution, a better frame-rate and support for mouse controls.The upgrade for this title is $9.99.
Shine Post: Be Your Idol!
Shine Post is the major game here that might cause issues for most of our readers. It’s exclusive to Japan, and is a management simulator where you run an idol management office. The problem, though, is that the game is strictly japanese-only and text-heavy; so if you want to play this, you’re going to want to learn the language.
Sonic X Shadow Generations
Sonic X Shadow Generations is one of the best Sonic games in years. It’s incredible fun, and exactly what 3D games in the series should be. But the original Nintendo Switch version of the game was by far the least impressive version of the game, something that the Nintendo Switch 2 version looks to fix. It promises better performance, better frame rate and a higher resolution.
Sonic X Shadow Generations also doesn’t have an upgrade path, sadly, meaning that you’ll need to repurchase the game if you want to experience it on a new system.
Split Fiction
Split Fiction is a no-brainer release on a Nintendo system. It’s a co-op game on a system that is known for family play. It’s also one of the best reviewed games of the year so far. But it’s a pretty hefty game – and it needs the extra horsepower that the Nintendo Switch 2 affords to run.
It’s also the perfect way to play a game with friends online if they can’t afford the game – the game has a ‘friends pass’ system that means only one person needs to buy the game. Oh, and it has cross-play too!
Street Fighter 6
Street Fighter 6 is one of the finest fighting games to launch in the last generation, and there’s two different versions available for Switch 2 – one with only the original game, and one with all DLC so far. It’s the perfect genre for handhelds – a genre designed entirely for playing short matches that you can pick-up and play.
Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars
The Suikoden I and II remasters were announced years ago, but kept getting pushed back further and further, to the point that fans were wondering if it was ever going to actually release. The HD remasters have improved visuals, a higher resolution, and a better frame-rate; but it’s worth noting that yet again, there’s no way to upgrade from the Switch version. If you want to play the Switch 2 version, you need to buy it outright.
Survival Kids
Survival Kids is a Switch 2 exclusive that may be familiar to some players – it’s actually not the first game to carry the title. The first was released on the Game Boy Color.
The game itself is all about four children who work together to solve puzzles and get off an island that they find themselves stranded on. It has local co-op and online co-op, meaning it’s a perfect game for families.
Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut
Yakuza 0 is a game that Yakuza fans always point to as one of the best ways to get into the series, and now the Nintendo Switch 2 is receiving an exclusive version of it. This version of the game has brand-new cutscenes and a English dub (the original game was exclusively in Japanese), in addition to the more traditional improvements (better resolution, better performance, higher framerate). There’s also new content – a new mode called ‘Red Light Raid’ that allows four players to choose from up to sixty different characters.
