Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchThe best Nintendo Switch 2 game depends on what you want to play. For platforming, start with Donkey Kong Bananza; for racing and group sessions, choose Mario Kart World; for a large role-playing adventure, look at Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition or Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition. Horror fans have Resident Evil Requiem, fighting-game players have Street Fighter 6, and strategy fans have Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave.
This is a curated 2026 shortlist rather than an exhaustive ranking. “Best” is subjective, as Tom’s Guide notes, so the useful question is which game fits your genre, difficulty tolerance, multiplayer needs and preferred format. The list also separates Switch 2-focused releases and editions from original Nintendo Switch games played through backward compatibility.
| # | 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 |
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
What are the best Nintendo Switch 2 games?
These 12 games cover the clearest reasons to own or use a Switch 2 right now: first-party platforming, large-scale role-playing games, demanding action, portable horror, competitive multiplayer and traditional Japanese RPGs. Tom’s Guide recommends the platforming, racing, Pokémon, role-playing, action and horror selections; GamesRadar recommends the fighting, Metroidvania and strategy selections.
Use the table as a map, then read the individual entries for the important edition details and trade-offs. A game can be a strong recommendation without being a universal fit: some are punishingly difficult, some are primarily social, and some are ports whose value depends on the included content and the Switch 2 version.
#1 Best Overall
- 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
Switch 2 games worth playing at a glance
| Game | Best for | Genre and play style | Edition or platform note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donkey Kong Bananza | Platforming and a Nintendo-led showcase | Action platformer | First-party recommendation; Tom’s Guide calls it a potential system seller |
| Mario Kart World | Local and online racing | Kart racer with social play | Major series entry with an open-world area |
| Pokémon Legends: Z-A | Pokémon fans wanting a different battle system | Action RPG | Also on the original Switch; Switch 2 version is the preferred experience in Tom’s Guide’s assessment |
| Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition | A large sci-fi RPG in portable form | Open-world action RPG | Includes the expansion |
| Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition | Exploration and high difficulty | Open-world action RPG | Includes Shadow of the Erdtree and two new starting classes |
| Lies of P: Complete Edition | A focused Soulslike challenge | Action RPG | Includes the Overture expansion |
| Pragmata | Science-fiction action with puzzle pressure | Action adventure | Combat uses a short hacking puzzle to expose enemies |
| Resident Evil Requiem | Portable survival horror | Survival horror | Portable version has visual compromises compared with competing consoles |
| Street Fighter 6 | Competitive and local fighting | Fighting game | Large roster, multiple modes and Switch 2-specific modes |
| Hollow Knight: Silksong | Demanding exploration | Metroidvania | GamesRadar praises its world-building and Switch 2 performance |
| Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave | Turn-based tactics | Strategy RPG | First Switch 2-exclusive Fire Emblem; adds tactical features |
| Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster | Classic-style JRPG systems | Turn-based role-playing | Remaster of the 2012 game |
Platforming and Nintendo-first adventures
Donkey Kong Bananza — best for expressive platforming
If you want a game that immediately demonstrates Nintendo’s action-design strengths, Donkey Kong Bananza is the shortlist’s clearest starting point. Tom’s Guide describes it as a delight and a possible system seller, making it the recommendation for players who want movement, discovery and a strongly Nintendo-shaped adventure rather than a long statistical role-playing game.
Its main caveat is one of audience: an action-platformer is a better match for players who enjoy precise traversal and exploration than for someone seeking online competition or a party game. Treat the “system seller” description as Tom’s Guide’s editorial judgment, not a sales statistic or a guarantee that it will appeal to everyone.
Racing and social play
Mario Kart World — best for local and online groups
Mario Kart World is the natural pick when the Switch 2 will be shared among friends or family. Tom’s Guide calls it a major entry in the kart series and highlights its changes, so it suits players who want familiar racing with a substantial new structure rather than a small roster update.
The meaningful qualification is the open-world area. Tom’s Guide notes that it can feel sparse. That makes the game easier to recommend for races and social sessions than as a destination for players who expect a densely populated free-roaming world. Check which multiplayer modes and controller setup you need before buying if local play is the main reason for the purchase.
Role-playing games and long-form adventures
Pokémon Legends: Z-A — best for Pokémon fans open to real-time battles
Pokémon Legends: Z-A changes the usual formula with an urban setting and a shift toward real-time battling. It is available on the original Switch as well as Switch 2. Tom’s Guide says the Switch 2 version offers the best experience and the most stable frame rate; that is the publication’s assessment, not a universal performance guarantee for every display or play situation.
Choose this version if you want Pokémon with more active combat and plan to play primarily on Switch 2. If you already own the original Switch edition, compare the exact upgrade or edition terms before paying again, because backward compatibility and an enhanced version are not automatically the same thing.
Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition — best for a portable science-fiction epic
Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition targets players who want a large, story-heavy science-fiction action RPG that can be taken on the go. The Switch 2 edition includes the expansion, and Tom’s Guide describes it as a strong portable way to play. Confirm that a listing is the correct “Ultimate Edition” and the intended Switch 2 format before ordering; no universal physical stock or price is established in the listing.
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
This is a poor fit if you want a short, tightly directed campaign or a low-pressure game. Its appeal is the scale of the role-playing experience and the convenience of portable play, while the edition’s included expansion is central to its value.
Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition — best for demanding open-world exploration
Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition is for players who want an open world built around discovery, difficult fights and experimentation. The Switch 2 edition includes the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion and two new starting classes, so it is the version to examine if you want the major expansion content bundled with the base game.
The difficulty is the defining filter. Expect to learn enemy patterns, accept failed attempts and explore for solutions rather than follow a frictionless progression path. Do not choose it solely because it is a high-profile Switch 2 release if you are looking for a relaxed or primarily social game.
Lies of P: Complete Edition — best for a concentrated Soulslike
Lies of P: Complete Edition serves the same audience as other demanding action RPGs but offers a more focused Soulslike premise. Tom’s Guide says the Switch 2 edition includes the Overture expansion, which matters when comparing a complete package with a base-game listing.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Its caveat is also its appeal: the combat challenge is not a side mode. Players who enjoy deliberate timing, repeated attempts and learning from failure should put it high on the list; players seeking an easy portable RPG should look elsewhere.
Pragmata — best for action built around a hacking puzzle
Pragmata stands apart through its combat loop. Tom’s Guide describes encounters in which you solve a short hacking puzzle to expose enemies, then continue the action. The publication also praises the story, making this the choice for someone who wants a science-fiction game with a mechanical idea beyond standard shooting or melee attacks.
The puzzle requirement is the practical caveat. If you want uninterrupted action, repeatedly switching attention to a hacking challenge may interrupt the rhythm. If you enjoy systems that make you think under pressure, that same structure is the reason to choose it.
Rank #3
- 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
Action challenge and exploration
Hollow Knight: Silksong — best for a demanding Metroidvania
Hollow Knight: Silksong is the recommendation for players who want interconnected exploration, precise combat and the satisfaction of finding their own route through a hostile world. GamesRadar praises its world-building and performance on Switch 2, supporting it as a strong portable Metroidvania choice.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsThe difficulty and structure narrow its audience. Progress depends on observation, navigation and repeated combat practice, so it is better for players who enjoy being challenged than for someone wanting a guided tour or a quick session with obvious objectives.
Survival horror
Resident Evil Requiem — best for portable horror
Resident Evil Requiem is the shortlist’s dedicated survival-horror option. Tom’s Guide calls the portable version robust, which makes it relevant to Switch 2 owners who value playing horror away from a television.
There is a clear trade-off: Tom’s Guide also points out visual compromises compared with competing consoles. Choose the Switch 2 version for portability and convenience, not on the assumption that it will match every competing console’s presentation. Horror players who prioritize the strongest possible visuals should factor that compromise into the buying decision.
Fighting games and repeatable multiplayer
Street Fighter 6 — best for competitive sessions
Street Fighter 6 is the most direct recommendation for fighting-game fans. GamesRadar highlights its large roster, multiple modes and Switch 2-specific modes, giving it both a serious competitive path and options for players who want variety between matches.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fighting games reward practice more than passive progress. Before buying, decide whether you will play locally, online or alone; the value of the roster and modes depends on using the parts that match your preferred way to play. The Switch 2-specific modes are a reason to check the exact edition rather than assuming every platform release contains identical features.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Strategy and classic JRPG systems
Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave — best for tactical RPG players
Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave is described by GamesRadar as the first Switch 2-exclusive Fire Emblem. It also adds tactical features, so it is the clearest pick for players who want turn-based planning that is designed specifically for the new system rather than an older game running through compatibility.
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.
Its caveat is genre-specific: battles ask you to plan several moves ahead and manage the consequences of mistakes. It is a better fit for methodical players than for someone seeking real-time action or a short arcade-style session.
Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster — best for a traditional JRPG
Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster revisits the 2012 game for readers who prefer a classic-style Japanese RPG. GamesRadar identifies it as a remaster, making it the choice for turn-based battles, party-building and a deliberately traditional structure.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →The remaster label is the important qualification. This is a refreshed version of an older design rather than a ground-up modern action RPG, so choose it for classic systems and presentation, not because it follows the real-time direction of newer role-playing games.
Which Switch 2 games are worth playing right now?
Use this decision path if several recommendations appeal to you:
- Choose your session type. Pick Mario Kart World or Street Fighter 6 for repeatable multiplayer; choose one of the RPGs, Silksong or Resident Evil Requiem for primarily solo play.
- Set your difficulty expectation. Start with Donkey Kong Bananza or Mario Kart World for a more approachable entry point. Select Elden Ring, Lies of P or Silksong only if demanding combat and exploration are part of the appeal.
- Decide whether included content matters. The Ultimate, Tarnished and Complete editions bundle major additional content, while Pokémon Legends: Z-A has a Switch 2 version and an original-Switch version that should not be treated as identical without checking the listing.
- Check whether you are buying a Switch 2 game, an enhanced edition or an original Switch release. The product page should state the platform and edition clearly.
Backward compatibility: expand the library, but verify each game
Nintendo Support says Switch 2 can play Nintendo Switch games, while warning that some titles may be unsupported or not fully compatible. Nintendo directs owners to its compatibility information and advises contacting third-party publishers for game-specific questions.
That means your library is larger than the Switch 2-exclusive catalogue, but backward compatibility is not a promise of enhanced resolution, frame rate or features. Only claim an improvement when the game’s publisher or a reliable current guide identifies one. For third-party games, check the exact title, edition and compatibility status before purchase, especially when accessories, online functions or unusual control schemes are involved.
Physical versus digital: compare the current listing
Nintendo Support says that, beginning in May 2026, new Nintendo-published digital titles exclusive to Switch 2 have an MSRP different from their physical versions. Nintendo also says packaged and digital versions provide the same game experience and that the difference reflects the costs of producing and distributing each format while giving players more choice.
Do not assume that a digital copy and a packaged copy cost the same, or that a listing includes the same edition as another listing. Prices, stock and promotional terms change. Before checkout, verify four details:
- the platform label says Nintendo Switch 2 when that is the version you want;
- the edition name is correct, such as Ultimate, Tarnished or Complete;
- the listing is physical or digital as intended; and
- the current price and any required download or storage information are shown by the retailer or Nintendo.
Release-date and availability caution
Nintendo Australia’s 2026 roundup includes titles such as Resident Evil Requiem, ELDEN RING Tarnished Edition and PRAGMATA, but the page was published on December 30, 2025 and states that its dates were accurate at the time of publication. Treat that page as release context, not as a guarantee of the current release state. Confirm availability, edition naming and date information on the current Nintendo or publisher listing before buying.
Quick Recap
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.
