These must-play Switch 2 games are top of my list at launch
From new Nintendo titles to many links to the past (with new bells and whistles)
Were you one of the 3.5 million eager gamers that bagged a Switch 2 on launch day? Once the exciting of fondling the first shiny new Nintendo console in a decade has worn off, you’re probably wondering what you should play. There’s a healthy line-up for early adopters, as well as the option to transfer your back catalogue if you also owned its predecessor.
A lot of it does seem to be looking back to the past, with ports of older titles that struggled to run smoothly on the OG Switch’s rapidly ageing tech. But more than just a new lick of paint, you’d be surprised how many of ‘em have been given new exclusive features and enhancements; it’s enough to make games you’ve played before feel like new.
The lack of a game-changing new Zelda adventure or an exciting new Mario game on the near horizon might be a tad disappointing, but with the return of a redesigned Donkey Kong this summer, along with a new Metroid and Pokémon titles due later this year, there are still some very iconic Nintendo franchises to look forward to.
In the meantime, from classic Nintendo hits to big-hearted indies and powerhouse ports, here’s our pick of the ten best games for your Switch 2 to get you started on what’s hopefully another long and fruitful generation for the gaming giant.
Mario Kart World
The most ambitious and best-looking Mario Kart to date, featuring an open world design, 24-player races, a free-roam mode, offroading and plenty of new raceway tricks. There’s also a fiendishly addictive new mode, Knockout Tour, which apes the wildly popular battle royale-style elimination games where those who can’t stay with the pack are booted off the race. Players get to boost around a huge number of tracks in cars, motorbikes, boats and even planes.
All this lovable racing action is presented in the Switch 2’s sublimely smooth 120Hz refresh rate and a vibrant colour scheme that’s synonymous with House Mario.
A new feature is the ability to gurn at your rivals’ real faces in real time, with the use of the optional Switch 2 Camera pack. And you can capture the look on a cocky player’s face when they’re inches from the checkered flag before being blasted by that nefarious blue shell. With so much packed in, MKW will keep players busy for months.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
That the sequel to one of the greatest games of all time managed to completely outdo its predecessor in every way while making a familiar open world map feel fresh again is already remarkable. But playing its upgraded edition (included with NSO expansion pack memberships) is blistering 4K, HDR and 60 FPS is pure magic. Compared to the Breath of the Wild upgrade, this one also miraculously manages to load up Hyrule’s expanded world (including the skies and depths) even faster, though it’s new abilities like Ultra Hand and Ascend that make it so much harder going back to its predecessor.
It also makes smart integration with the new Zelda Notes feature on the Nintendo Switch app with comprehensive guidance for helping you 100% the game, as well as new voice memories that flesh out the world. It might not be a new instalment, but it’s more than an appropriate excuse to play through the GOAT again.
Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition
There was much talk of ‘impossible’ ports on its predecessor but Switch 2 has very capable ports of current-gen blockbusters, and CD Projekt Red’s open-world RPG is the best example yet. Set in a dystopian city full of darkness, violence and corruption, as mega-conglomerates, heavily modded street gangs and AI entities wrestle for power.
It’s certainly the best way to experience Night City (and Dogtown, as this also includes the excellent Phantom Liberty expansion) on the go, with a smoother 40FPS option, and a number of ways to play including mouse, motion and gyro controls. Returning chooms can even carry over their progress from other consoles.
Phantom Liberty, is one of the finest post-game additions in recent years, with an emotional tale revolving around a hacker turned rogue and several gut-punch endings. Plus, you can hang with Idris Elba. Idris Elba, people.
Street Fighter 6
Considering the original Switch was charging full price for Street Fighter 2, getting the latest instalment in this celebrated fighting game series – with all its new fighters in the two years since launch – is a tremendous step up.
SF6 will have blister-afflicted players juggling both their opponents and their characters’ drive meters, which allow for devastating moves right from the outset, though over-egg it, and you risk making your fighter weaker and more vulnerable. It’s as much a cerebral and tactical experience as it is a test of your coordination, muscle memory and move set.
Nvidia’s Super Resolution works its magic to ensure fights pop while running frame-perfectly smooth. Joy-Con gyro battles might be a cursed addition but plug in a USB converter and you can use your favourite arcade stick even when taking this on the go.
Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Being charged for a glorified interactive instruction manual may not sound like a fun time, but there’s a similar energy to Labo or Game Builder Garage as you walk around a virtual museum learning about the literal ins and outs of your new console.
Tech demos, including a mind-boggling maracas-shaking test of the new HD rumble, provide a playfulness to proceedings, while some surprisingly challenging minigames put the Joy-Con’s mouse controls through its paces.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
With Breath of the Wild such an unmitigated success, Tears of the Kingdom doesn’t stray too far from this winning formula, serving as a direct sequel rather than the traditional blank slate that most Zelda titles are. However, it adds two major gameplay mechanics. Link can now skydive off the world’s various floating islands and enter a subterranean region known as the Depths, giving TotK an unprecedented amount of verticality and tasty exploration. There are also Zonai devices, part of a building sandbox system that lets you put together any monstrous vehicle or construct to solve physics-based puzzles or traverse entire areas with ease.
Enemies are also much more refined and varied, while some of the boss encounters are hulking creations that fill the screen, demanding a hefty amount of resources to down. And while Tears of the Kingdom pushed the poor Switch to its absolute limits, Switch 2 players can enjoy a higher resolution, improved frame rates, and HDR, lending for a smoother and more refined gameplay experience. Plus, base jumping off Great Sky Island and hurtling towards the rolling greens of Hyrule never gets old.
Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut
This 80s-set prequel to Sega’s longest running crime series is rightly regarded as the best entry, following Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima as ex-yakuza gangsters looking for a way back into the life. Like any Yakuza game, there are more twists, betrayals, and loyalty changes than a Spanish telenovela, as the pair find themselves in the middle of an intense land war within the seedy district of Kamurochō.
You’ll be getting into brawls using Kiryu and Majima’s unique fighting styles, trying to solve a convoluted mystery, building a real estate empire, become a cabaret king, and more. The director’s cut includes extra cutscenes, an English dub for the first time, as well as an online raid mode if you can’t get enough of kicking seven shades out of ruffians for money.
Sonic X Shadow Generations
Back in the 90s, you’d blow minds if you’d foretold a Sonic title would be playable on a Nintendo console. While the franchise has enjoyed (and endured) mixed successes over the years, we’re pleased to report that Generations remains a solid outing for the Blue Blur. Not a standalone title but a remaster of 2011’s excellent Sonic Generations bolted onto newer title, Shadow Generations, this platformer incorporates dizzyingly fast 3D and side-scrolling action that puts Sonic rival Shadow front and centre of his own story.
Sonic Generations’ levels are refreshing to revisit after all this time following a fresh graphical overhaul, while Shadow’s campaign, albeit fairly brief, offers new gameplay elements with powerful new abilities, which he’ll need to navigate some of the most creative and dynamic stages we’ve seen in a hedgehog game. A must for Sonic fans.
Deltarune: Chapters 1-4
A spiritual successor to modern indie cult classic Undertale, this weird, inventive, hilarious and heartwarming tribute to classic pixel-art RPGs takes you on a rabbithole of a journey that combines traditional turn-based battles with bullet hell, but with a refreshing focus on finding a peaceful means to resolving conflict, all while making you laugh out loud.
While there’s still three chapters to go, once you buy Deltarune, subsequent episodes will be free updates.
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet
Okay, so this is actually a Switch 1 game that’s received a free update to run better on the new hardware. But what an update, given how poorly the games ran on the original hardware, undermining its first attempt at making the series go open-world.
Being able to run around the Paldea region and battle with your cute critters in glorious 4K resolution, super smooth 60 FPS and drastically reduced loading times, it’s almost like a remaster.
Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma
This action RPG blends a cosy farming and town-building sim with fast-paced combat, all set against a Japanese-inspired backdrop. The region of Azuma has been beset with a deadly corruption known as the Blight, and it’s up to you to put an end to it, using your village’s resources and people as well as a diverse set of weapons.
The graphics might not be cutting edge for this gen, but Rune Factory offers an engaging story, a resource-gathering system that respects your time and a compelling relationship system that sees you cosying up to certain allies before leading them into battle. Great if you’re after a heady blend of Stardew Valley with slashy combat sensibilities.
Split Fiction
With Split Fiction, Hazelight Studios reaches even newer heights after their successes with co-op titles A Way Out and It Takes Two. In this action adventurer, players have to communicate, work together and time every action with pixel-perfect precision. Caught in sci-fi and fantasy worlds of their characters’ making, Zoe and Mio need to escape by braving unyielding yet diverse challenges, thrilling pursuits and devious bosses.
A perfect riposte to lazily hashed out open world titles, Split Fiction features unique gameplay mechanics throughout, meaning the action never gets to comfortable or staid, while the puzzles and enemies are as inventive as ever. It’s one of the best couch co-op games of all time, and a great reason to invest in a pair of Pro Controllers to engage in the dual-player mechanics with ease.
Hitman World of Assassination: Signature Edition
Slip into the immaculately tailored suit of Agent 47 and un-alive your poor victims with all manner of grisly deaths too extreme for a Final Destination movie.
Hitman: WoA retitles the third in the latest trilogy and offers up the previous two games on a platter, packing 25 locations to explore and create carnage in. And that means a litany of Rube Goldberg-esque demises to concoct as the barcoded, deadlier version of Pitbull. You’ll crash an F1 race party, cause havoc at a fashion show, and murderize your way through a British manor through any means necessary. Those approaches might involve wearing disguises, slipping into areas unseen, a liberal dose of rat poison and your classic Silverballers. In short, no two missions will go the same, and you’ll be replaying its many levels for their variety and sheer murder-y mayhem until social services want a word.
Nintendo GameCube: Nintendo Classics
Adding further value to the Switch Online expansion pack is being able to finally play GameCube games, starting with Wind Waker, Soulcalibur 2 and F-Zero GX, with a boost in resolution, though you can still have a classic CRT filter. For a more authentic experience, you can also get a wireless GameCube controller, and if you hold down a direction on the analogue stick when you start it up, it’ll even play the console’s iconic start-up screen.
Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S
You can’t have a new handheld without a puzzle game, so you can’t go wrong with a sequel mash-up of the two best drop puzzlers. PPT2 already exists on the OG Switch though, while this new version only adds a smattering of new features like a doubles mode and take-or-leave functions like having your face on the board via GameChat. Still, being able to challenge a friend to a quick game via GameShare is a great addition.
Matt Ng
With contributions from
