Two of Nintendo Switch 2's July Games Aren't Like The…

Despite all the hype generated by leaks and rumors in the months leading up to its release, the Nintendo Switch 2 has gotten off to a bit of a slow start. The Nintendo Switch 2 Direct in April didn't reveal quite as many first-party launch titles as one might have hoped for, given Nintendo's history of acclaimed console launch titles like Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Mario Kart World for Nintendo Switch 2 has made its mark on the console's launch, but it hasn't had much first-party backup. Thankfully, Nintendo has a couple more games of its own coming down the pipeline in July.

For one, the Switch 2 will get an expanded port of Super Mario Party Jamboree, the youngest of the first Switch's range of Mario Party games. Jamboree was a hit late in the Switch's life, so it makes sense to prop up the game again on the Switch 2. For another, Donkey Kong will finally get to star in a new singleplayer game again by means of Donkey Kong Bananza. It's a bit of a shame that neither of these games were available for the Switch 2 on day one, but they'll still be invaluable to the console this July.

Donkey Kong Bananza is the Best of Both Worlds From the Nintendo Switch Era

At the start of the Nintendo Switch 2 era of games, Donkey Kong Bananza might take inspiration from some surprising past successes.

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By Justin Skiles

Donkey Kong Bananza and Super Mario Party Jamboree are Just What the Doctor Ordered

Third-Party Games Can't Carry the Switch 2 Alone

An early sales report for Nintendo Switch 2 third-party games suggests that these games are struggling to move units; Cyberpunk 2077 seems to be getting by, but lots of other games just aren't. This isn't necessarily surprising, since many of the Switch 2's third-party games, like Street Fighter 6 and Yakuza 0, are ports of relatively old games that are already available elsewhere. It's not easy for Nintendo to encourage fans to pick up the Switch 2 when so many of its games are reruns.

Super Mario Party Jamboree Expands the Switch 2's Party Game Options

That's why July will be such a valuable month. First of all, Super Mario Party Jamboree will offer a multiplayer alternative to Mario Kart World. It may be another port, but it comes with a handful of enhancements, ranging from improved performance to new game modes and minigames that make use of the Switch 2's mouse controls and other new features. Admittedly, Jamboree's Switch 2 edition has its own hill to climb, since some of its functions rely on the Switch 2 Camera peripheral that not every console owner opted for, but it still looks like a solid upgrade.

Donkey Kong Bananza Looks to Break Through

Donkey Kong Bananza, meanwhile, could be a huge possible draw for the Switch 2. In many ways, its 3D platforming format and emphasis on exploration feels much like a spiritual successor to the acclaimed Super Mario Odyssey -- in fact, thanks to a young Pauline playing a supporting role, it may even be a canon prequel to Odyssey. Donkey Kong Bananza looks like exactly the kind of game any console needs in its early life: a massive evolution for an established franchise that's still full of love for what came before.

Donkey Kong Bananza features an asymmetrical multiplayer mode similar to the Super Mario Galaxy games, where a second player can support Donkey Kong by firing projectiles as Pauline using mouse controls.

The Switch 2's July Games are Only the Beginning

These two games aren't the only notable July releases for the Switch 2; the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 remake launches early in the month, and Spike Chunsoft will add a new entry in the popular adventure game series AI: The Somnium Files later on. Still, first-party games are critical for any console, so Super Mario Party Jamboree's enhanced edition and Donkey Kong Bananza could make a big difference. These kinds of games will establish Nintendo's vision for the Switch 2 and can best prove what the console is capable of, since they're specifically build with this platform in mind. Here's hoping that both Super Mario Party Jamboree and Donkey Kong Bananza stick the landing in July.