As of late 2025, the Nintendo Switch 2 has seen an incredible first year, blending massive first-party sequels with long-awaited indie masterpieces and high-performance “Pro” editions of classic titles.
Based on critical reception and player data from 2025, here are the 11 best Nintendo Switch 2 games we played this year:
1. Mario Kart World
The flagship launch title for the Switch 2, Mario Kart World didn’t just add new tracks—it introduced an open-world “Knockout Tour” mode. Racing across a seamless, interconnected world in 4K (docked) proved that Nintendo’s new hardware is a significant leap forward.
2. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
After years of silence, Samus returned in December 2025. Beyond is a visual powerhouse, utilizing the Switch 2’s power to deliver 60fps gameplay with atmospheric lighting and textures that rival modern high-end consoles.
3. Hollow Knight: Silksong
The legend finally became reality in September 2025. While available on multiple platforms, the Switch 2 version became the definitive way to play thanks to its ultra-fluid 120Hz support in handheld mode.
4. Donkey Kong Bananza
A surprise 3D platformer that filled the “Mario” gap in the launch lineup. Developed by Nintendo EPD, Bananza features incredibly creative level design and a vibrant tropical art style that showcases the console’s improved HDR capabilities.
5. Pokémon Legends: Z-A
Released in October, this entry took the Legends formula to the urban sprawl of Lumiose City. The increased hardware power finally allowed for a Pokémon game with a stable frame rate and high-density environments.
6. Hades II
Supergiant Games delivered a sequel that many argue surpasses the original. The fast-paced roguelike action feels perfectly at home on the Switch 2, with the new hardware eliminating the minor slowdown seen in the busiest rooms of the first game.
7. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Switch 2 Edition)
While originally a 2023 title, the paid upgrade for Switch 2 is transformative. Running at a locked 4K/60fps with vastly reduced loading times and the new “Zelda Notes” companion app, it felt like playing the game for the first time all over again.
8. Kirby Air Riders
A surprise Masahiro Sakurai project, this sequel to the GameCube cult classic arrived in November. It’s a “Smash Bros.-level” celebration of Kirby, packed with modes, unlockables, and chaotic multiplayer.
9. Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition
Perhaps the biggest “specs flex” for the Switch 2. Seeing Night City run natively on a Nintendo handheld—with surprising stability—was the moment many realized the Switch 2 was a serious contender in the “pro” gaming space.
10. Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles
A dream come true for strategy fans, this remaster of the classic tactical RPG features updated HD-2D visuals and new story content, making it one of the highest-rated titles on Metacritic this year.
11. Split Fiction
From the creators of It Takes Two, this co-op only title became a viral sensation in the summer of 2025. It uses the Switch 2’s unique local wireless features to create mind-bending puzzles that require two screens.
