The Nintendo Switch 2 launches on June 5, 2025, bringing enhanced graphics, faster loading times, and new features like GameChat and GameShare. In this comprehensive guide, you'll find:
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Major Switch 2 Exclusive Titles: All confirmed first-party and exclusive games coming to the system
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Switch 2 Editions: How the upgrade system works for existing Switch games
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Retro Gaming: Everything about GameCube games on Nintendo Switch Online and backward compatibility
Browse by category below to easily find games that match your interests, with clear release dates for all confirmed titles.
Nintendo Switch 2 Exclusives
Mario Kart World
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Release Date: June 5, 2025
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Features: Open-world experience where courses are all connected in a vast world. Players can zip around tracks that seamlessly flow into each other, creating a massive interconnected racing environment. The game introduces new power-ups and vehicle customization options that affect performance across different terrain types.
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Note: Launch title exclusive to Switch 2
Donkey Kong Bananza
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Release Date: July 17, 2025
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Features: Explore a vast underground world by smashing your way through it. This 3D adventure puts players in control of the iconic gorilla as he ventures through cavernous environments filled with secrets and collectibles. The game introduces a new barrel-powered drill mechanic that lets Donkey Kong burrow through walls to discover hidden areas.
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Note: Switch 2 exclusive
Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
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Release Date: June 5, 2025
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Features: A virtual exhibit that offers an inside look at the Nintendo Switch 2 system. This interactive showcase demonstrates the console's capabilities through mini-games and tech demos. Players can experiment with all the new features of the Joy-Con 2 controllers in guided experiences designed to highlight the system's innovations.
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Note: Launch title
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment
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Release Date: Winter 2025
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Features: The newest title in the Hyrule Warriors series, developed by Koei-Tecmo Games with support from Nintendo. Set during a dark period in Hyrule's history, players command armies against overwhelming forces while controlling heroes from across the Zelda timeline. The game features a deeper strategic element with army management alongside the signature hack-and-slash combat.
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Note: Switch 2 exclusive
Kirby Air Riders
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Release Date: 2025
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Features: Directed by Masahiro Sakurai, creator of the original GameCube classic. This high-flying racing game puts Kirby on various air-riding vehicles with transformative abilities based on copy powers. The game includes both a story mode following Kirby's adventures across Pop Star and beyond, plus competitive multiplayer modes for up to eight players locally or online.
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Note: Switch 2 exclusive
Metroid Prime 4
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Release Date: 2025
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Features: The galaxy's greatest bounty hunter, Samus Aran, must explore the mysterious planet Viewros to find a way home. This first-person adventure continues the Prime series tradition of isolation and exploration with new scan visor capabilities and weapon systems. The game features an interconnected world with dynamic environments that change based on Samus's actions and abilities.
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Note: Switch 2 exclusive
The Duskbloods
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Release Date: 2026
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Features: A brand-new multiplayer title from FromSoftware (creators of DARK SOULS and ELDEN RING). This challenging action RPG introduces a unique "moontear" resource system that affects both combat and world state. Players can form covenants to protect or invade other worlds while battling through a gothic fantasy setting with FromSoftware's signature intricate level design and demanding combat.
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Note: Switch 2 exclusive
Nintendo Switch 2 Editions (Upgrade Packs)
Nintendo Switch 2 Editions offer enhanced versions of popular Switch games with improved graphics, performance, and new features that take advantage of the new hardware. If you already own the original game, you can purchase just the upgrade pack at a reduced price rather than buying the complete game again. These upgrades apply automatically when playing on Switch 2 hardware and include higher resolution textures, 60fps gameplay, reduced loading times, and support for new Switch 2 features.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Switch 2 Edition
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Release Date: June 5, 2025
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Improvements: Enhanced visuals with improved texture resolution, lighting effects, and draw distance across Hyrule's vast landscape. The game runs at a stable 60fps with faster loading times when teleporting or entering shrines. New features include a photo mode with advanced camera controls and filters to capture your adventures.
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Note: Upgrade available separately for original game owners
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - Switch 2 Edition
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Release Date: June 5, 2025
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Improvements: Visual enhancements with more detailed sky islands, smoother particle effects for Ultrahand creations, and increased environmental density. The performance mode maintains 60fps even during complex physics interactions with multiple objects. Loading times are significantly reduced when traveling between sky and surface.
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Note: Upgrade available separately for original game owners
Nintendo Switch Online Classic Games
The Nintendo Switch 2 expands the Nintendo Switch Online service with:
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GameCube Games: Available June 5, 2025 - First-time official availability through Nintendo's subscription service. The initial lineup includes beloved classics like Super Mario Sunshine, Luigi's Mansion, and Pikmin, with more titles added monthly. Games feature enhanced resolution, stable frame rates, and Joy-Con 2 compatibility for authentic control schemes.
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Continued Support: Games from NES, SNES, N64, Game Boy, and Game Boy Advance with expanded libraries. The service includes over 200 classic titles spanning Nintendo's hardware history, including previously unreleased games and international titles. Each platform's collection receives quarterly updates with community-requested additions.
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Performance Enhancements: Classic games with improved resolution and frame rates plus modern features. The emulation offers various display options including CRT filters, widescreen adjustments, and save state functions. Additional features include online multiplayer for games that originally supported local multiplayer and achievement systems for classic titles.
New Switch 2 Features for Enhanced Gaming
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GameChat: Play games and hang out like you're all in the same room, even miles apart. Fire up a chat with friends, share your screen in real time, and coordinate strategies during gameplay. The system supports both voice and text chat with customizable privacy settings, plus innovative features like automatic game highlights sharing and spectator mode for watching friends play.
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GameShare: Share a portion of compatible games with friends and family. Just one person needs to own the game for everyone to play together. This feature allows limited-time game sharing where friends can play specific modes or limited sections of your purchased games. For party games, only the host needs to own the full title for everyone to enjoy multiplayer sessions.
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Virtual Game Cards: Managing your digital games across more than one system—and sharing them with the family group—just got easier. The system organizes your game library with customizable collections, playtime tracking, and achievement integration. Family sharing allows parents to control which games are accessible to child accounts while enabling seamless play across multiple Switch 2 consoles in the same household.
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Game-Key Cards: Some physical games are available as a game-key card. Insert a game-key card to download the full game to your system. You can play the game by starting it like a standard physical game card. These eco-friendly cards reduce plastic waste while providing a physical item for collectors and gift-giving. The cards include special holographic artwork and unlock exclusive in-game bonuses not available with standard digital purchases.
Jump Into the Games
Want to be among the first to experience these titles? Head to Nintendo's official website to pre-order the Nintendo Switch 2 and its launch games.
Looking to enhance your current Nintendo Switch gaming experience in the meantime? Check out Hand Held Legend's extensive collection of Switch accessories and parts, including custom upgrades for the original Switch, Switch Lite, and Pro Controller. From replacement parts to performance mods, we have everything you need to take your gaming to the next level. The future of Nintendo gaming starts here - don't miss out on being part of gaming's next evolution!
