The Switch 2 is fast approaching its first anniversary. Nine months later, how is the game library of Nintendo’s new flagship console evolving? Alright. What it lacks in the big exclusives we saw in its predecessor’s first year, it makes up for with excellent releases of some of the best big-budget games on the market, as well as perfectly timed sequels to legendary indie franchises. If you’re considering buying a Switch 2 or already own one, here are the 12 best games to enjoy on Nintendo’s latest portable hybrid.
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade One of the best RPGs ever made got one of the best remakes of all time and it’s finally on Switch 2. Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade preserves the irresistible blend of sinister and zany that seared the original into so many people’s brains while elevating its story and gameplay to new heights with gorgeous cinematic set pieces and solid real-time hybrid action combat. Everything from the original’s incredible soundtrack to its story’s most unforgettable moments is reimagined and expanded in service of a journey that’s both epic and compact. The Switch2 port offers all of this with even fewer compromises than expected, making Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade the biggest, most rewarding big-budget RPG adventure on the platform to date. -Ethan Gach
A good match for: brooding eco-terrorists who love the city in Blade Runner and collect crystals.
This is not a good match for: gamers who hate it when games pause the action during many cutscenes.
Kirby Air Riders Kirby Air Riders is a tricked-out hotrod that’s as fun to tinker with as it is to drive. It’s packed with systems, mechanics, and elegant details, all packed into fun, manageable bites. What Smash Bros. is in fighting games, Air Riders is to racing games. It’s primarily a board game that you’re supposed to spend time in and play. The competition and heated rivalries are secondary to frenetic moment-to-moment action and a fundamentally satisfying gameplay feel that makes every spin, boost, and attack so good, you forget that beneath all the ostentatious ornamentation, there isn’t a ton of depth. Who cares? Splashing in puddles can be just as fun as riding the waves. -Ethan Gach
A good match for: people who wanted to go karting were more interested in smashing gumball machines.
This is not a good match for: anyone who likes to be near a real race track.
Star Wars Outlaws from Ubisoft Star Wars scoundrel simulation Outlawlike so many of the company’s big open-world games, feels a bit clunky and unrefined in places. Enemy behavior can be overly simplistic, and some of your tricks for manipulating them can make you feel more like a Jedi than a smuggler. But, in the immortal words of Han Solo, “she’s where it counts.” Outlaw puts you in the world of Star Wars like few games do, allowing you to soak up the atmosphere of isolated canteens and the busiest urban bars, achieve victory at sabacc tables around the world against some of the steeliest players in the Outer Rim, and climb the ranks of the underworld by assembling a team for the one big job that will prepare you for life. It’s also one of the most impressive games on Switch 2, where a masterful port makes it look and run great with few visible compromises. —Caroline Petit
A good match for: people who want to soak up the ambiance of every bar and canteen, from Tatooine to Toshara.This is not a good match for: people looking for Hitman Or Metal gear-level stealth gameplay.
Hades 2 Hades 2 feels less like a sequel and more like a standalone expansion. It will never escape the shadow of the first opus. But it’s more Hadesa roguelike action-RPG that still sets the bar in each of these genres. It doesn’t feel as warm, personal and accessible as the original, but it’s expertly balanced, beautifully presented and still hard to put down. -Ethan Gach
A good match for: fans of Greek mythology who think it needs more construction.
This is not a good match for: people who hate playing the same levels over and over again.
Pokémon Legends: ZA After a year or two, each Pokémon The game inevitably reaches a point where the community looks at it fondly. So even though there are a lot of people still angry about this one, I’m just going to forgo the waiting period and say that Pokémon Legends: ZA is one of the best and boldest games in the long-running monster taming series. The single-city setting lets you hang out with one of the series’ best actors for far longer than any of the previous games, and its real-time combat system is full of new nuances and strategies that you won’t find in an average turn-based game. Pokémon game. After two matches, we know the Legends The subseries has become Game Freak’s home for experimentation, so it’s entirely possible that the next one won’t look or play anything like FORbut it would be nice if these action systems were integrated into more games. They’re too good to throw away after just one entry. -Kenneth Shepard
A good match for: people who want a Pokémon an experience that no longer feels the same.This is not a good match for: people who want windows to be lovingly rendered.
Hollow Knight: Song of Silk There are no half measures in Hollow Knight: Song of Silk. The exploration is carefully designed and uncompromisingly demanding. Boss fights will force you to learn and improve before unlocking your path. The music is excellent, the little sound effects incredible and every part of Song of SilkThe Gothic underground labyrinth of is full of rich veins of lore and characters of mine. It’s a game that thrives in the tension between limitation and mastery and never fails to reward those who persevere, even if their efforts and ambition are momentarily sidelined. -Ethan Gach
A good match for: Metroidvania nerds who love exploring dangerous tunnels.
This is not a good match for: Anyone who hates dying in Soulslikes.
Cyberpunk 2077 CD Projekt Red’s open-world RPG is one of the most impressive technical showcases for the Switch 2 so far. Cyberpunk 2077 once broke PlayStation 4 and Xbox One worldwide, but it works fine on Nintendo’s console. Driving around Night City is still a dream, and the Switch 2’s optional mouse controls are quite intuitive in the game’s shooting segments. There are certainly better ways to play Cyberpunk 2077but seeing it running on a Switch 2 is a reminder that while the system may seem like a fairly understated upgrade over the original, playing console-quality games on the go remains a novel experience eight years later. -Kenneth Shepard
A good match for: fans of story-driven RPGs.
This is not a good match for: people with weak stomachs for a difficult subject.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild And Tears of the kingdom It’s no surprise that the original Switch’s two best games are vastly improved in their Switch 2 incarnations. Breath of the Wild And Tears of the kingdom running at a smooth 60fps on the Switch 2, and if seeing these games running on a device that doesn’t feel like it’s struggling to keep them afloat isn’t enough, the Switch 2 editions come with new content thanks to the Zelda Notes app that adds new challenges and lore to two already dense games. If you’ve played them before, they’re worth revisiting. If you’ve never touched Link’s open-world adventures, they’re even more essential on Switch 2. — Kenneth Shepard
A good match for: people who want the top.
This is not a good match for: people who are overwhelmed by dense systems.
Mario Kart World Nintendo’s biggest launch title for the Switch 2 remains arguably the best game the console has to offer. Mario Kart World is a sublime addition to the long line of quality board games in the Kart Racer series. Although it is not without frustrations, World presents the chaotic, exhilarating fun of throwing a blue shell down a track or charging into your enemies like Bullet Bill at his best. The open world is a bit empty, but it’s a fun playground to practice all the cool stunts you can do now, like wall climbing and grinding on rails. Mario Kart World The goal is to give you the freedom to race the way you want, which means giving you more tools, more players on the track at once, and more annoying objects to throw at your enemies. This is just the beginning and Nintendo will likely update the game in the coming years. Mario Kart World will undoubtedly be a staple in the life of the Switch 2. -Kenneth Shepard
A good match for: everyone, really.
This is not a good match for: anyone looking for something cool.
Divided fiction Hazelight’s cooperative platformer Divided fiction doesn’t seem designed for the Switch 2. Its split-screen format makes it difficult to play in tabletop mode, so it’s really best played on a TV like you would on PS5 or Xbox. But once you throw it on the big screen, the game is still just as fun. While its cheesy writing leaves a lot to be desired, as a cooperative platformer with a ton of mechanical and environmental variety, it’s easily the best in Hazelight’s long line of cooperative games. That last level still whips ass too. -Kenneth Shepard
A good match for: someone with a friend to play with.
This is not a good match for: someone who doesn’t have a friend to play with.
Street Fighter 6 Fighting games were always going to be one of the biggest tests of the Switch 2’s technical capabilities, and Capcom fortunately managed to bring one of the best genre entries in recent years to the system without too many compromises. Street Fighter 6. Some of its Switch 2 features, like amiibo support and motion controls with Joy-Cons, feel like nice nods to the system’s original features rather than something that fundamentally changes the game, so you’ll probably be returning to the standard game before long. Once you do, you will discover a very good th version of an already stellar game running at a smooth 60fps. Sure, it probably won’t be the version people play on EVO, but it’s more than good enough for attending the party and playing with friends. -Kenneth Shepard
A good match for: the sick fighting game.
This is not a good match for: people who don’t like memorizing combos.
Donkey Kong Bananza Donkey Kong and Pauline’s latest adventure is one of the Switch 2’s most impressive technical achievements. Its breakable environments are so malleable that they’re a a little distractionbut its tight platforming, creative problem-solving, and booming personality currently make it one of the most joyful games on Switch 2. Is it the cultural moment the system needed to get people in the door? Maybe not. But it’s still an absolute delight in its own right. -Kenneth Shepard
A good match for: people who wanted King Kong to have a happier ending.
This is not a good match for: people who can’t advance without finding all the collectibles in a level.