The Nintendo Switch 2, launching June 5, 2025, packs a custom NVIDIA Tegra X1+ chip with DLSS, delivering 1080p/60fps handheld and 4K docked. Its 8-inch 120Hz OLED and boosted RAM/storage ensure sharp visuals and fast loads.
Here are the top five new titles to grab at launch, each designed to showcase the Switch 2’s capabilities.
1. Mario Kart World
This brand-new Mario Kart redefines the series with an open-world hub where players can explore a vibrant, interconnected Mushroom Kingdom to unlock tracks and challenges. It supports 24-player online races, introducing chaotic cross-country elimination modes where racers compete to avoid being knocked out across sprawling landscapes.
The game leverages the Switch 2’s power for 1080p/60fps in handheld mode, with dynamic weather effects and a day-night cycle that alter track conditions, adding strategic depth. New characters, customizable karts, and motion controls optimized for the Switch 2’s upgraded gyro make it a showcase for the console’s visual and performance capabilities.
Price: $66.99 (digital), $74.99 (physical)
2. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
After years of anticipation, Samus Aran returns in a first-person adventure that expands the Metroid formula with massive, interconnected sci-fi worlds. The game introduces new suit upgrades, such as a cloaking module for stealth and enhanced scanning for environmental puzzles, all rendered with crisp detail thanks to the Switch 2’s improved graphics.
The DLSS technology ensures smooth performance during intense battles against alien creatures and robotic foes, with fluid transitions between exploration and combat. A revamped multiplayer mode allows co-op bounties, where players team up for missions. The Switch 2’s faster load times make planet-hopping seamless, cementing this as a must-play for action-adventure fans.
Price: ~$69.99–$79.99 (estimated)
3. Pokémon Legends: Z-A
Set in an open-world Lumiose City in the Kalos region, this Pokémon title weaves a time-travel narrative that lets players explore historical and futuristic versions of the city. New mechanics include a dynamic capture system where Pokémon react to player actions in real time, and a crafting system for items like lures.
The Switch 2’s hardware delivers lush visuals, with detailed environments like bustling city streets and glowing Prism Tower, all running smoothly at higher frame rates. A new “Mega Evolution” focus introduces exclusive forms for Kalos Pokémon, and online features let players trade and battle across time periods. This ambitious take on Pokémon is perfect for fans wanting a fresh adventure.
Price: ~$69.99–$79.99 (estimated)
4. Super Mario Odyssey 2
The sequel to the acclaimed Super Mario Odyssey brings Mario back for a new 3D platforming adventure across diverse open-world kingdoms, from neon-lit cyber cities to ancient ruins. Cappy returns with new possession mechanics, allowing Mario to control enemies and objects like flying drones or massive statues for creative platforming and puzzle-solving.
The Switch 2’s enhanced visuals deliver vibrant, detailed environments at 1080p/60fps handheld or 4K docked, with the 120Hz OLED ensuring fluid animations during acrobatic moves. New multiplayer features include online co-op and competitive mini-games, like capture-the-flag in shared kingdoms. The game’s expansive scope and polish make it a flagship title, leveraging the Switch 2’s power for seamless exploration and stunning set pieces.
Price: ~$79.99 (estimated)
5. Splatoon 4
The latest in Nintendo’s ink-based shooter series introduces a new hub city, Inkspire, with a single-player campaign exploring an underground resistance against a rogue faction. New weapons, like dual-wield ink pistols and a paint roller with combo attacks, add depth to multiplayer battles.
The Switch 2’s hardware supports 60fps online matches with minimal lag, and the OLED screen makes the colorful ink effects pop. Expanded customization options let players design their own gear, while new modes like territory-control battles with dynamic objectives keep matches fresh. With crossplay support and gyro aiming refined for the Switch 2, it’s a multiplayer standout.
Price: ~$69.99 (estimated)
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