2025-05-28
Best Nintendo Switch 2 Games At Launch (Based On What We Know So Far)
Nintendo Switch 2 is nearly here, and exciting as new hardware is, it's ultimately all about the games. Given the reality of the launch lineup, the best Switch 2 games on launch day are likely to feature a lot of familiar names. Thanks to a combination of backwards compatibility, free enhancement patches, and Switch 2 Editions of hit games, we already have a pretty good sense for what we'll be playing.Mario Kart World is by far the biggest of the brand-new games coming to Switch 2 on day one, and we've enjoyed what we've played of it so far. But we're confident enough in the quality of certain other games--which look to only be getting better on Switch 2--to weigh in with some early picks for the platform's best games.This list will evolve over time, both as we spend more time with Switch 2 and as more games make their way to the platform in the months ahead. Take these picks with a grain of salt for now, given that we're still waiting to get our hands on Switch 2 and sink meaningful time into all of its games. But we know the question of what to play on Switch 2 is one people are demanding an answer to, and we do feel comfortable highlighting a small selection at this point. There are other games we expect could end up on here--Cyberpunk 2077, Hitman, Split Fiction--but we want to test these first to ensure that the Switch 2 versions are a good way to play them (particularly Cyberpunk, which is a demanding game from a hardware perspective).For now, here's an early look at what we feel are the Switch 2 games you might want to play at launch. With most Switch games also being supported (even if they aren't getting Switch 2 enhancements), you can also consult our picks for the best Switch games to play in 2025. For the purposes of this list, if an original Switch game doesn't feature some kind of enhancement on Switch 2, we won't be including it below. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Switch 2 EditionArguably the best game on Nintendo Switch will be even better on Switch 2. Nintendo says it will feature both higher-resolution visuals and improved performance, which hopefully means some of the frame-rate hiccups will be ironed out while allowing a gorgeous game to shine even further, with HDR support also being added.Both Tears of the Kingdom and Breath of the Wild's Switch 2 Editions incorporate support for the Zelda Notes section of the Nintendo Switch mobile app (formerly known as the Switch Online app). This includes a bunch of new features: progress-tracking and voice guidance for hunting down things like shrines and Koroks; the ability to share Autobuild blueprints or items with other players; commentary from characters (including Zelda) when visiting certain locations; and more.Beyond what's new, Tears of the Kingdom is also just a spectacular experience that you can sink a huge amount of time into as you explore its expansive open world, which takes the Hyrule of Breath of the Wild and adds new underground and sky areas to venture through. See at Walmart The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Switch 2 EditionBreath of the Wild presents a similar argument to Tears of the Kingdom. All of the same improvements to Tears of the Kingdom 2's Switch 2 Edition are present here (save for the Autobuild sharing, given the building feature is exclusive to the sequel), providing even die-hard players a reason to re-explore Hyrule with the new commentary. The frame-rate improvements also stand to be a meaningful enhancement here--just imagine if you can finally visit the Korok Forest without the frame rate tanking.While Tears of the Kingdom introduced a number of steps forward for the foundation BotW built, the older of the two games is still very much a worthwhile experience. It has a demanding combat system that forces you to constantly weigh the choice of what weapons to use, rewarding exploration, and creative tools to use to solve puzzles. Both of these Zelda games received a rare 10 in GameSpot's respective reviews, and with good reason. See at Walmart Mario Kart WorldWith this being a game we haven't played in full, unlike the Zelda games, we will put an asterisk on this recommendation. That said, we have already spent some time with Mario Kart World and were struck by it being such a bold sequel, especially given how Switch 2 itself feels like a conservative, iterative follow-up to its predecessor. It was also just plain fun in our time with it, and if there's a safer bet in gaming than "a new Mario Kart game will be enjoyable," we'd like to see it.The inclusion of Cow as one of Mario Kart World's characters might be reason enough to put the game on this list, but the new open-world format looks to be a breath of fresh air for the series without jeopardizing the core experience. The racing itself feels largely unchanged from Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, albeit with some new forms of variety like the ability to race across water, a day/night cycle, an increase to the number of competitors in a race, and a Free Roam mode that lets you explore. There look to be a ton of tracks and new items, too.But, again: Cow. 'nuff said. See at Walmart Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD RemasterA remaster of a great RPG from 2013, Flying Fairy HD Remaster looks promising based on our time with it so far. This version rescues the original from being solely available on 3DS and gives it a great-looking new coat of paint, while maintaining the excellent combat system. There are some modern conveniences added and some new minigames that leverage Switch 2 mouse controls, but all of that takes a backseat to HD Remaster simply providing a better-looking, easier way to spend some time with a quality RPG. See at Walmart
