Getting your hands on a Nintendo Switch 2 is currently harder than catching 100 fish in a row on Animal Crossing. If you’re one of the chosen few with a year’s worth of Switch Online and 50+ hours logged you may be in luck, otherwise you’ll need to keep an eye on our Switch 2 pre-order stock checker. However, while the console itself often remains locked behind digital velvet ropes and “invite-only” buttons, the games? The games are up for grabs.
And not just any old titles. Nintendo’s stacking the launch day deck with remastered classics, new exclusives, and a few surprise third-party entries you’d never have guessed would show up this early. Think Mario Kart World, Tears of the Kingdom: Switch 2 Edition, and Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition, because nothing says “family-friendly launch title” like cybernetic implants and moral collapse.
Whether you’ve already secured your Switch 2 (congratulations, no mean feat) or you’re optimistically browsing while staring longingly at your inbox, here’s every confirmed Switch 2 title available to pre-order now, plus a peek at what’s coming next.
All-New First-Party Exclusives
NintendoNintendo’s biggest new exclusive is ready to take a victory lap on day one. Mario Kart World is the first-ever fully open-world entry in Nintendo’s iconic racing series, and it’s the Switch 2’s crown jewel at launch. With sprawling cityscapes, chaotic weather zones, and a surprisingly deep single-player mode, this is the biggest shake-up to the series since blue shells. It’s got local co-op, online play, and more karts than a Shy Guy garage sale. You can grab the physical edition solo or snag it as part of the official Switch 2 bundle. It’s the must-have of the year, so either jump in or may Kamek curse your console with eternal stick drift.
NintendoDonkey Kong barrels back with his first proper 3D outing since the N64 days, and Bananza goes full chest-thump. You’re smashing through mines, ruins, and collapsible jungles in a platformer that’s equal parts chaos and craftsmanship. There are ancient secrets, bananas with lore, and a villainous tech cult called VoidCo stirring up trouble. It’s shaping up to be a heavyweight for DK loyalists and anyone still dreaming about Mario Odyssey‘s level design. It drops just over a month post-launch on 17 July, marking Nintendo’s first major follow-up for the Switch 2.
Launch Day & Third-Party Titles
NintendoBack in Hyrule, but now in sharper detail. This upgraded version of the original game supports higher frame rates, a fresh map-notes companion app, and better textures across the board. DLC sold separately.
NintendoSame massive adventure, slicker visuals. And yes, there are new Amiibo: Tulin, Yunobo, Sidon, and Riju are joining your shelf (and your game). Breath of fresh Hyrule air.
NintendoGet all the bruisers, past and future. This edition includes 8 new characters, multiple new stages, and enough DLC to keep you fighting until the next console cycle.
NintendoAn underrated classic, now in HD. Turn-based RPG fans can expect smoother menus, faster cutscenes, and all-new side quests, plus the same clever combat system that made the original a cult hit.
Releases June 5
NintendoCDPR’s sci-fi RPG hits the Switch 2 with everything. Base game, Phantom Liberty, and yes, it’s all on the cart. No downloads, no waiting. Just plug into Night City.
NintendoEvery mission, every expansion, every disguise. Agent 47’s full trilogy gets the deluxe treatment, with Mario/Luigi-themed bonus outfits if you pre-order. It’s murder with a moustache.
NintendoA co-op narrative puzzler that lets two players explore storybook realms together, even if only one of you owns the game. The physical edition is a download code (in a box) not a cartridge.
NintendoThe Switch debut of Yakuza 0 includes extra story scenes, a full English dub, and an online co-op mode called Red Light Raid. A caveat: the physical version uses a Game-Key Card, so you’ll need to download it first.
NintendoOld-school Sonic meets moody Shadow in this expanded double-header. Pre-order bonuses include a journal, reversible cover, and a legacy skin that calls back to Sonic Adventure days.
Part farming sim, part fantasy RPG, now prettier than ever. There’s also a Limited Edition with extra goodies and a £10 upgrade path if you already own the original Switch version.
Beyond Launch Day
NintendoOne of Shin Megami Tensei’s most stylish spin-offs, back with a facelift, voice acting, and added lore. The Launch Edition includes Raidou’s signature glasses as a pre-order bonus.
NintendoMore boards, sharper visuals, and mini-games that make full use of the new Joy-Con‘s mouse controls and optional camera. Likewise, GameShare support means your friends can jump in without needing their own copy.
Nintendo
NintendoExpect MUT’s Cover Athlete Elite Player, coach upgrades, and a Super Star XP boost in Madden NFL 26. There’s also a Deluxe Edition on the way.
NintendoFarm life gets a glow-up with sharper visuals and thoughtful tweaks. If you’ve already tilled the soil on the Switch 1, there’s an upgrade path waiting. There’s also a Premium Edition floating about, complete with a huggable sheep and an art book that smells like rainy Sundays and fresh-baked bread.
NintendoKirby’s post-apocalyptic picnic returns for seconds, because one end-of-days buffet just wasn’t enough. This spruced-up edition bundles the full Forgotten Land quest with a shiny new side dish: the cosmic chaos of Star-Crossed World.
Giant mechs. Faction wars. Endless customisation. Titanic Scion cranks the Daemon x Machina formula up to eleven with full offline and online co-op. There’s also a Limited Edition packed with extras for anyone who wants their mech warfare served with flight tags, an acrylic stand, and an art book worth saluting.
When does the Nintendo Switch 2 launch?
The Nintendo Switch 2 is available to pre-order now and launches worldwide on 5th June, 2025. That’s when you’ll be able to get your hands on the console, day-one games, and their shiny new lineup of accessories.
What about backwards compatibility?
For those who don’t know, backwards compatibility means last year’s best games and your old favourites will still run on the new console – no need to buy new versions. That said, while there are new versions (as above), Nintendo’s made it clear: these won’t just be more of the same. You can pre-order “Nintendo Switch 2 Editions” of games like Tears of the Kingdom, Breath of the Wild and Metroid Prime 4 for higher resolution and smoother frame rates, but others – like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza – are Switch 2 exclusives.
Equally, titles like Super Mario Party Jamboree and Kirby and the Forgotten Land are getting additional content (Jamboree TV, Star-Crossed World), including new game modes, features, and side quests. So, the perfect excuse for diehard Kirby fans to dive back in, or a greater jumping-in point if you’re new to the game.
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Here’s the confirmed Switch 2 launch day line-up:
• Arcade Archives 2 Ridge Racer
• Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster
• Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition
• Deltarune
• Fast Fusion
• Fortnite
• Hitman World of Assassination – Signature Edition
• Hogwarts Legacy
• Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess
• Mario Kart World
• Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
• Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening Complete Edition
• Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S
• Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma
• Sid Meier’s Civilization 7 (Nintendo Switch 2 Edition)
• Split Fiction
• Street Fighter 6
• Survival Kids
• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Nintendo Switch 2 Edition)
• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Nintendo Switch 2 Edition)
• Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut
Post-launch, Donkey Kong Bananza swings in on 17th July, with Kirby Air Riders and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment coming later in 2025, while FromSoftware’s The Duskbloods arrives in 2026.
What accessories are available for the Switch 2?
If you’re not already in the pre-order game, now’s the time to snag some must-have accessories for your Switch 2. For an elevated racing experience, the Joy-Con 2 Wheel Pair is your trusted companion. The Pro Controller brings comfort, mappable buttons, and a handy GameChat feature to the table. If you’re the type to treat your Switch like Toad treats his kart, the Carry Case is a must. It comes with a screen protector and plenty of space for all your essentials. For co-op chaos, the Switch 2 Camera is a potential game-changer. For those spontaneous big-screen sessions, the Portable Power Dock is perfect when you’re short on space for the included docking station. And for long days out, the Power Bank will keep you entertained for hours.
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Harvey Isitt is a Tech Writer and Reviewer for Empire, What’s The Best, and other brands. He specialises in soundbars, speakers, TVs, cameras, and home cinema setups – if it makes your movies look or sound better, he’s tested it. From Dolby Atmos sound systems to multiroom audio, he’s all about finding the best setups for film lovers.
Besides reviewing tech, Harvey is a devoted cinephile with an ever-growing movie collection and a borderline reckless number of streaming subscriptions. He runs @filmsyoushouldbewatching on Instagram, where he shares his love of film with over half a million followers.
