The Switch 2 launched just over a year ago, and we’ve already gotten our hands on some excellent games. If you’re looking for recommendations of what to play on the newest console, we’ve compiled every Nintendo game that we’ve given a review score of 8 or above.
While there are tons of amazing games that have already been released on or ported over to the Switch 2, we’re setting some limits by sticking to Nintendo exclusives. These are predominantly first-party games published by Nintendo for either just the Switch 2 or both Switch consoles.
Let’s get into it.
10/10 – Masterpiece
Donkey Kong Bananza
From IGN’s Review: “The leader of the bunch is finally back to kick some tail in Donkey Kong Bananza, a brilliant successor to Super Mario Odyssey and a smashing return for a classic Nintendo character. It was a bold choice to build the Switch 2’s first 3D platformer around Donkey Kong instead of Mario, but it’s proven to be the best decision Nintendo could’ve made. DK’s satisfying, expressive movement and powerful, dynamic abilities create a truly groundbreaking adventure.” – Logan Plant
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Switch 2 Edition
From IGN’s Review Update: “Not only does The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom still hold up as a game I can’t wait to lose a few dozen more hours in, the updates and additions made to the Switch 2 Edition make it feel like this is the way it was always meant to be played.” – Tom Marks
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Switch 2 Edition
From IGN’s Review Update: “This Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is of course an enhanced version with visual upgrades, faster loading times, and support for the Zelda Notes service via the Nintendo Switch App on your mobile device. It’s admittedly a fairly modest upgrade in terms of actual new features or content, but a welcome one, and it makes this undoubtedly the best way to play a sprawling epic that still stands tall as one of the greatest achievements in Nintendo’s iconic adventure series.” – Tristan Ogilvie
9/10 – Amazing
Splatoon Raiders
From IGN’s Review: “Splatoon Raiders is an amazing action RPG with an expertly executed loop. It has fantastic new powers with crazy upgrades that are worth chasing, tough battles that force you to put care into your build in order to overcome them, and a huge variety of fun level types to jump between. The pacing, balance, and difficulty curve are very impressive: I always had to work to get better, but none of the campaign ever felt like grinding or needless padding.” – Logan Plant
Pokemon Pokopia
From IGN’s Review: “Pokémon Pokopia is a real treat: an enjoyable building and town simulator that capitalizes on the charming personalities of its monsters in a way that appeals to both the creative and collector alike. It’s packed with fun things to do and worthy rewards for doing them, and strikes a healthy balance between freedom and suggestion in its building mechanics (despite a few precision nitpicks).” – Rebekah Valentine
8/10 – Great
Mario Kart World
From IGN’s Review: “The first brand-new Mario Kart in a decade makes huge changes to the established formula, but ironically, the best parts about it closely follow the blueprint of every entry that’s come before: unbeatable local multiplayer racing on well-designed tracks that more than live up to the series’ legacy. World’s tight controls, celebratory soundtrack, and universal polish marvelously complement the action, and I can’t wait to see how top players will take full advantage of its exciting parkour mechanics in the months and years ahead.” – Logan Plant
Star Fox
From IGN’s Review: “Despite knowing nearly all Star Fox 64’s shortcuts and secrets for close to 30 years now, this remake’s impressive coat of paint and compelling new cutscenes made me smile like I just did my very first barrel roll. Finding hidden routes to unlock different stages or small optimizations to push my score sky high is still much deeper than it first appears, keeping the brief campaign runs fun across multiple playthroughs.” – Jada Griffin
Kirby Air Riders
From IGN’s Review: “I’m not sure what’s crazier: the fact that Kirby Air Riders exists, or the fact that it’s this great. It’s a blast in local or online multiplayer during its traditional races and unique battle mode, and its frankly absurd amount of fun achievements to chase, meaningful unlockables, and deep customization makes it great for solo players, too.” – Logan Plant
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
From IGN’s Review: “It nails the essential elements of a Prime game that remain special decades later: tense exploration through haunting locations highlighted by amazing worldbuilding, breathtaking art direction, new twists on classic abilities, and flawless technical performance. Even though a few underdeveloped elements keep it from feeling as cohesive as its predecessors, Prime 4 reaches heights worthy of the Metroid name.” – Logan Plant
Super Mario Bros. Wonder + Meetup in Bellabel Park – Switch 2 Edition
From IGN’s Review: “It sands off the rough edges of the original version while adding a fantastic lineup of boss battles, endgame challenges, and cooperative levels that each make use of Wonder’s excellent platforming in entirely different ways. The local and online competitive minigames are pretty bland, and I wish it’d gone just a bit further in getting the most out of its exciting new Dual Badge idea, but the rest of this expansion is so polished and inspired that it more than makes up for any shortcomings.” – Logan Plant
Blythe (she/her) is an Audience Development Coordinator at IGN who spends way too much time in character customization screens and tracking down collectibles.
