The Switch 2 launched in June, and it already has an impressive lineup of first-party and third-party games. One of the more surprising ports was Cyberpunk 2077, which runs very well on the portable. For a console’s first year around the block, the Switch 2 has certainly impressed a lot of fans.
There are some games that have appeared on both the Switch and Switch 2, but for the most part, the biggest games have been exclusive. Let’s go through the games only Switch 2 players have been able to enjoy in 2025, noting that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Kirby Air Riders are right around the corner and will hopefully also be amazing.
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Mario Kart World
Racing Like You’ve Never Seen Before
Mario Kart World
- Released
- June 5, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Everyone // Mild Fantasy Violence, Users Interact
- Genre(s)
- Racing, Open-World
Mario Kart World was a launch game for the Switch 2 and the number one reason to buy the system. It’s the first game in the Mario Kart series to feature an open-world environment to explore. While the open-world area wasn’t as vast as other games released on the original Switch, it proved to be fun to just drive around to explore, play mini-games, or collect costumes.
As for the core game, it is the best racing game in the series to date. All the characters ooze personality, their alternate costumes are cute, and the additional modes are fun too. There’s a Battle Royale-inspired mode that is particularly fun to play. Whether players are racing alone or with friends online, Mario Kart World is a good time to return to.
Donkey Kong Bananza
One Of The Best Of 2025
Donkey Kong Bananza
- Released
- July 17, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
Donkey Kong Bananza was the next big game developed by Nintendo to hit the Switch 2. It was the Donkey Kong franchise’s return to 3D in one of the most impressive comebacks ever. Not only is it a solid 3D platformer carrying on the DK name, it also expands DK’s powers immensely. His fists can now crash through boulders, metal, and more in the most destructive Nintendo game to date.
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Players can explore various open-world biomes from relaxing seashores to dark caverns, and raze them completely. DK is joined by a younger Paulina on this adventure, who can be controlled in a limited capacity in co-op. Beyond the destructible environments, players can level up and give DK skills, along with customizing both DK’s and Pauline’s style. The best part of the game is the ending, which would spoil things too much to mention, but it is worth seeing through.
Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster
A Classic JRPG Returns
Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster
- Released
- June 5, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
Bravely Default: Flying Fairy started as a 3DS game, and remained an exclusive until this remaster was released exclusively for the Switch 2. With improved visuals, a different control scheme, and additional mini-games, this is the best way to play the game for those who missed out on the original. It’s also the best exclusive JRPG on the Switch 2 so far.
It was created as an homage to the older Final Fantasy games, complete with a story about Crystals, four characters, and a deep Job system that would put any other JRPG to shame. Unlocking skills and new Jobs are the best things about the game, which will easily hook players in. A newer entry may have been more impressive to get at launch, but Bravely Default: Flying Fairy is still great over a decade later.
Survival Kids
Island Life Can Be Hard
Survival Kids
- Released
- June 5, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
Survival Kids, while not perfect, is secretly one of the best exclusives on the Switch 2, and it kind of came out of nowhere. The Survival Kids series, or Lost in Blue series, is not one of Konami’s biggest franchises, but it does have a cult following. This game is a reboot of the original Game Boy Color adventure featuring kids trapped on an island. Alone or with friends online, players must forage for food and shelter.
As a survival game aimed at kids, it’s not a bad one. It may not be as deep a survival game as Rust, or even Minecraft, but Survival Kids should hold players over until Nintendo releases its next Animal Crossing game.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World
An Icy Bridge
Kirby and the Forgotten Land - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World
- Released
- August 28, 2025
- ESRB
- E10+
- Developer(s)
- HAL Laboratory
Kirby and the Forgotten Land is the best Kirby game on Switch, and so far, its expanded remaster, Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World, is the best Kirby game on Switch 2, not that there’s much competition. It’s one of the few Switch 2 editions of previously released Switch games that actually got new content via the titular Star-Crossed World section. There are remixed levels in each world, which add an ice overlay, making the platforming a bit more difficult.
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What made the original game fun is still silly today, as Kirby can swallow enemies and take their powers, along with gaining temporary forms by swallowing inanimate objects. Cars are one example, and it is still fun to play and see each new odd form Kirby can take. New powers are added in the expansion too, like a gear that Kirby can swallow to get around the ice more easily. While not a new Kirby game, this enhanced version is a good one to get for anyone who missed the original on Switch, thanks to the new content, improved visuals, and boosted performance.
Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV
Mousing Around
Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV
- Released
- July 24, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Everyone / Mild Fantasy Violence, Users Interact, In-Game Purchases
- Genre(s)
- Party Game
Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV is another repackaged game Switch title. The base game offered players a good variety of mini-games in a board game-like format to play with friends as an essential party game on the Switch, for anyone who enjoys the Mario Party series. The Jamboree TV part of the expansion is a good way to put the Switch 2’s new camera and mouse controls to the test.
Unlike Kirby’s remastered adventure, there is no performance boost for the base game as the original and enhanced versions of Super Mario Party Jamboree are separated. It’s a bit strange for a remaster, but the bottom line is that what was good before is even better now with the additional content. It may be hard to set up cameras and use the mouse controls in all party formats, but kids and adults alike can have fun being silly with their favorite Mario characters. From singing with Bowser to stacking blocks, this is Nintendo at its most creative.
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