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There is no single delayed exclusive named here, so the best stopgap depends on what you want to play: a big adventure, solo shooting, multiplayer racing, or a story-heavy RPG. These recommendations span native Switch 2 releases and games with Switch 2 editions; check your regional store for current availability.
Choose by the kind of game you want
| Game | Best for | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Donkey Kong Bananza | Exploration and action-adventure | Destruction, collectibles, and secrets. |
| Splatoon Raiders | Solo shooting and progression | A mission-based solo take on the Splatoon series. |
| Mario Kart World | Racing and multiplayer | A racing pick suited to social play. |
| Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave | Tactical RPG and branching story | Turn-based combat, exploration, and a multi-path narrative. |
| Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter | Story-led RPG | A narrative-focused adventure with a deeper combat system; confirm Switch 2 availability in your region. |
| Hollow Knight: Silksong | Action-platforming | Combat and exploration that reward patience; confirm current physical or digital availability locally. |
TechRadar’s list includes both Switch 2 titles and enhanced older games, and its rankings are editorial opinions rather than an objective order. The recommendations below are therefore grouped by play style, not ranked as universally “best.” TechRadar’s Switch 2 game guide describes Donkey Kong Bananza as a standout action-adventure, while its reviewer Harry Padoan calls Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave “a masterful tactical RPG” combining a multi-path narrative, turn-based combat, and exploration.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Mario Kart™ World (Nintendo Switch 2) | $79.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Star Fox™ - Nintendo Switch 2 | $59.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Donkey Kong Bananza (Nintendo Switch 2) | $69.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Pokémon Pokopia - Nintendo Switch 2 | $69.00 | Buy on Amazon |
For an adventure built around exploration: Donkey Kong Bananza
Choose Donkey Kong Bananza if you want a substantial action-adventure rather than a short diversion. Its central appeal is the freedom to smash through environments, explore, and hunt for collectibles and secrets. TechRadar’s reviewer called it the best Switch 2 title to date; that is a review judgment, not a measurable ranking.
Nintendo Australia lists Donkey Kong Bananza in its Switch 2 game catalog. The catalog distinguishes games marked “Out now!” from titles with future dates, so use the regional listing to verify status where you live.
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- Race from one course to another through interconnected paths that span the world
- Traverse mountains, forests, cities, and more—with shifting weather patterns and a day/night cycle
- Ride on rails, jump off walls, skim across water, and more as you race for the finish line
- Take on the adrenaline-packed Knockout Tour—a fierce 24-driver elimination mode
- Explore courses at your own pace and wander the world to discover fun surprises in Free Roam
For solo shooting: Splatoon Raiders
Splatoon Raiders is the fit if you want shooting with missions and progression but prefer a solo experience. TechRadar describes it as a solo reinvention of the series, a meaningful distinction from choosing a game primarily for multiplayer. Nintendo Australia also lists it as a Switch 2 game; check the catalog for the current regional release label.
For multiplayer sessions: Mario Kart World
Mario Kart World is the straightforward choice when the wait is easier to fill with races and social play than with a long solo campaign. TechRadar highlights it as a standout launch title, and Nintendo Australia includes it among featured Switch 2 games. Its appeal is the multiplayer format, so it is less suitable if you specifically want a story to follow alone.
Rank #2
- Blast off on a high-octane adventure to save a star system from invasion
- Tear through space, soar across planets, and shoot loads of foes out of the sky at every step of the way
- A cinematic take on the Star Fox 64 story, featuring fully voiced dialogue, an epic orchestral soundtrack, and a complete visual overhaul for the Nintendo Switch 2 system
- Enter first-person mode to experience the action from inside the cockpit, and even use mouse controls to fly
- Invite a second player* to join you as a gunner using Nintendo Switch 2 mouse controls
For tactical combat and branching story: Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave
Pick Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave if you want turn-based tactical battles tied to a multi-path narrative, with exploration between encounters. TechRadar’s Harry Padoan, Senior Reviews Writer, praised its combination of narrative, combat, and exploration. This is a more deliberate choice than a quick multiplayer game: it suits readers looking for a story and tactical decision-making.
For a story-led RPG: Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter
Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter is the story-first option among these recommendations, with TechRadar’s editorial coverage emphasizing its deeper combat system. Switch 2 availability can vary by region, so confirm the platform edition in your local Nintendo eShop or retailer listing before choosing it.
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- Explore a vast underground world—by smashing your way through it!
- A brand-new 3D platforming action adventure starring Donkey Kong and Pauline
- Bash through just about anything in groundbreaking exploration! Crash through walls and carve tunnels—the more you smash, the more areas open up to you
- Pair up with Pauline to use Bananza Transformations: smash through obstacles with the raw strength of Kong form, gallop with incredible speed as a Zebra, and more
- Team up with a friend in two-player co-op as Donkey Kong and Pauline! Blast foes and terrain alike with Pauline’s voice as you explore together
For action-platforming: Hollow Knight: Silksong
Hollow Knight: Silksong suits players who want demanding action-platforming and exploration, and who are willing to be patient with its combat. TechRadar presents it as a lower-priced option, but price and edition availability are regional and can change; check the local listing rather than assuming the same physical or digital release everywhere.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Check edition and release details before buying
Nintendo says packaged and digital games offer the same experience. However, a digital price does not necessarily match a physical price: for new Nintendo-published digital games exclusive to Switch 2, Nintendo says differing MSRP can apply, beginning with preorders for Yoshi and the Mysterious Book in May 2026. Compare the exact edition and format in your region before purchase. See Nintendo Support’s guidance on Switch 2 game pricing.
Rank #4
- Shape the world and build a cozy new life with Pokémon as a Ditto transformed to look like a human.
- Use other Pokémon’s moves, like Bulbasaur’s Leafage, to revitalize and navigate the world around you.
- Meet and befriend more Pokémon as you help nature flourish.
- Gather materials to create items and furniture, till the fields to grow delicious crops, build homes for the Pokémon you meet, and more—there’s so much to do!
- Experience a world with varied weather, real-time days and nights, and other surprises.
Release schedules also change. As of Nintendo UK’s October 2026 guide, Resident Evil 2, 3, and 4 collection was listed for October 16; Nintendo Switch Sports Resort and FINAL FANTASY RESONANCE for October 22; Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 for October 23; and Minecraft for October 27. Those were upcoming dates in the guide, not confirmation that the games had already released by October 7. Nintendo says its dates are accurate at publication, so check the current regional calendar: Nintendo UK’s October 2026 upcoming-games guide.
Do not assume which game was delayed
The phrase “a delayed exclusive” does not identify a specific title. One reported example is Borderlands 4: GamesRadar said its Switch 2 release had been delayed and that no replacement date had been announced in that report. That report concerns the Switch 2 version; it does not establish that Borderlands 4 is exclusive to Switch 2. Check the latest status before planning around it: GamesRadar+’s upcoming Switch 2 games guide.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
