The Nintendo Switch 2 release date is almost upon us. The latest console from Nintendo will be available on the 6th of June in Australia (the 5th of June for you Yanks and Brits), alongside a decent batch of games with more to come in the release window. With all these options, deciding which games to play on your shiny new console can be a nightmare. I’ve been having this issue myself, constantly adding and removing games from shopping carts and second-guessing all of my impulsive financial ideas. So, in order to help myself (and you, I guess) figure out which games to get, here are 5 Nintendo Switch 2 games I can’t wait to play.
This is the obvious choice, and the game I’m certain every Nintendo Switch 2 owner will be playing on launch day, Mario Kart World. World is the latest entry in the Mario Kart franchise, and it looks like it could be the best game in the series (I said as much here). With every new piece of info released for this game, I get more and more excited. All the new courses, new characters, new modes, and the ability to free roam around the entire map is something I never imagined could happen in a Mario Kart game. The feature I’m most intrigued by is driving between courses during a Grand Prix. It’s a cool idea, and I’m curious if this will be something I get annoyed with after the first Grand Prix, or if it remains engaging every time. Regardless, I’m gonna have so much fun playing as a Dolphin, Cow, and Penguin the entire time (they’re gonna be my mains).
Donkey Kong Bananza isn’t releasing the same day as the Nintendo Switch 2. Instead, it’s releasing a month later on the 17th of July, but that doesn’t mean I’m not keen as a bean to play it. The return of a 3D Donkey Kong platformer wasn’t on my bingo card, but that announcement trailer caught my attention. The redesigned Donkey Kong initially didn’t sit right with me, but I’ve grown to like it. The game looks like it’s taking inspiration from Super Mario Odyssey with the overall vibe, but Donkey Kong Bananza is bringing its flair with so much destruction. Being able to smash apart the environment to solve puzzles and traverse the environment is a cool idea, and I’m curious how they’ll mix things up throughout the game. While we do have to wait a little longer, I’m fairly certain Donkey Kong Bananza will be an absolute banger.
I’m a big fan of Cyberpunk 2077. I’ve got the platinum trophy on the OG PS4 version, and have devoured the Phantom Liberty expansion on the PS5 (will get that plat at some point). It’s a visually stunning game with fun gameplay and an engrossing story. So to see that it’s coming to the Switch 2 on launch with the full game on the card, I’m flabbergasted. Cyberpunk 2077 is a behemoth of a game, and the fact that, from early previews, the game runs and looks great, I’m excited. Being able to explore Night City anywhere is a novel idea, and I can’t wait to give it a shot come release day.
Ok, so technically, Pokémon Legends: Z-A doesn’t come out until the 16th of October and is well outside the launch window, but it is coming to the Switch 2 this year, so it counts. I’m a massive Pokémon fan, and I’m incredibly excited for Legends: Z-A. Exploring Lumiose City, the new battle mechanics, and the return of Mega Evolution have me hyped to the bloody Moon and back to get this game in my hands. I’m curious how the story will play out, assuming it takes place after Pokémon X and Y, and if any old Pokémon will get new forms (regional or Mega Evolutions). If I had to guess, I’d say the starters, Chikorita, Totodile, and Tepig, will get regional forms for their final evolutions and the Kalos starters might get Megas. Outside of new forms, I’m also really interested in how the introduction of real-time battles will go and if they’ll be any fun. From the trailers, it reminds me of Final Fantasy VII Remake and Rebirth, but I’ll have to wait until later this year before these questions are answered.
Was this my favourite game last year? Yes. Have I already unlocked the platinum trophy? Yes. Have I put in way too much time replaying this game over the past several months? Yes. But am I gonna do it all over again on the Switch 2? You bet your fucking ass I am, and I’m not ashamed about it. I love Sonic X Shadow Generations and will take any excuse to play through this fantastic game again. I’m fairly certain there will not be much difference between this version and all the others, but I don’t care; I will sink another full month minimum into this game on Switch 2.
These are the games I’m most anticipated to play on the Switch 2. I’m very excited to play these games and see what sort of experiences the Switch 2 will provide in the years to come. The only downsides to all these games coming to the console are the lack of time I have to play them and the fact that they’re all $100 in Australia (cries in inflation). But it’s fine, because I’ll be able to play Mario Kart as a Dolphin.
What games are you getting with the Switch 2? Did we miss any? What are your hopes for the new console? Let us know in the comments where we can talk all things Nintendo Switch 2.
They should just make Mario Kart the default game pre-installed on the switch. Just give me TOAD and let me battle on day 1!!! That’s what everyone wants. No serious gamer is going to be like; let me play Cyberpunk on this Switch when they probably already have a PS Portal or Steam Deck that will likely play it in better quality at a higher frame rate.