The Nintendo Switch 2 hardware has been officially revealed in yesterday's Nintendo Direct along with a host of games coming to the new console.
As you might expect, there were some familiar faces, some enhanced versions of Switch 1 games, some remasters, a few new IPs and a couple of genuine surprises. Perhaps crucially for Nintendo, several blockbuster third-party titles were confirmed for the console alongside Nintendo's first-party favorites.
The Nintendo Direct kicked things off with Mario Kart World, a brand new take on the popular kart racer that allows players to go off-road and explore the wider world for the first time. It followed up with a new three-on-three wheelchair basketball game called Drag x Drive (with strong Rocket League vibes) to showcase the Switch 2 Joy Con's new mouse mode.
From there we went into a string of notable third-party releases including the likes of Elden Ring, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4, Madden, Street Fighter 6, Hogwarts Legacy and more. There was also the announcement that I/O interactive's upcoming James Bond game, titled simply "Project 007", will be coming to Nintendo's console.
The stream finished on some big-hitters; a new game from FromSoftware called Duskbloods which will launch some time in 2026 and a new 3D Donkey Kong platformer called Donkey Kong Bananza which is clearly meant to fill in for the lack of a new Super Mario platformer at launch.
Suffice to say, there's plenty for players to get excited about when the Nintendo Switch 2 touches down on June 5. The Nintendo Direct gave us specific launch dates for some games, and just vague release windows for others. If you're already sold on the new device, here's all the pre-order information for how to get hold of it.
Let's break down exactly what was announced and when it'll be released for Nintendo Switch 2.
We'll start with some of the games we're most excited for, but if you want to just see everything that was announced, you can skip down to the relevant section.
Nintendo Switch 2 — the biggest games
Mario Kart World
Mario Kart World will be available on launch day. You can expect the familiar Mario Kart mayhem but now with a new open-world driving mode that lets you explore the scenery.
Races will also now feature up to 24 characters and some brand new powerups. Mario Kart World will also be available as part of a Nintendo Switch 2 hardware bundle for $499 / £429.
Drag x Drive
Drag X Drive is a brand new game for Nintendo Switch 2 that looks like a combination of NBA Street and Rocket League. Players engage in 3-on-3 matchups in souped-up wheelchairs trying to a score hoops on a basketball court.
This game was revealed as a way of demonstrating the new mouse mode available on the new Joy-Cons.
Donkey Kong Bananza
Donkey Kong is stepping back into 3D platformer territory (remember Donkey Kong 64?) as Nintendo's big first-party follow-up to Mario Kart World.
Donkey Kong Bananza will launch on July 17 and allow DK to literally smash his way through (and down into) the surrounding terrain. He can punch his way through mountains or head underground in search of collectibles. Oh, and he's wearing pants now.
Split Fiction
Split Fiction is a co-op adventure from the same team as It Takes Two and tasks players with taking the role of two authors: one specializing in fantasy while the other writes sci-fi. When a machine brings their stories to life, the players have to work together to escape.
An early contender for Game of the Year, Split Fiction has been getting some strong reviews and it's exciting to see how it fares on the Switch 2 platform.
Project 007
There's not much to go on here, other than the fact IO Interactive's upcoming James Bond adventure will launch on Nintendo's platform. The game has been in development since 2021 and will feature a brand new and original Bond story.
Cyberpunk 2077
The original Switch brought CD Projekt Red’s The Witcher 3 - Wild Hunt into the handheld realm and cemented the console's ability to bring in big, third-party titles. Switch 2 is looking to do the same thing with Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition.
It's a critically acclaimed sci-fi action RP that lets you play as a mercenary named V in the neon-lit and crime-riddled Night City. While the RPG systems are a little lacking, it’s packed with well-written quests and a sizeable open world worth exploring.
Elden Ring
Elden Ring has been captivating players on PC, PlayStation and Xbox for the last three years and is considered among the best video games ever made. Nintendo scored a big hit with the news that Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition will come to Switch 2 later this year.
This portable version of the game includes the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC too as well as new armour and a new Torrent appearance customisation feature.
Hyrule Warriors Age of Imprisonment
The closest we got to a new Legend of Zelda game for the Nintendo Switch 2 was the announcement of Hyrule Warriors Age of Imprisonment. The game's story directly precedes Tears of the Kingdom and it seems that Princess Zelda herself is the main character here.
As with the Switch 1's Hyrule Warriors game, it will likely involve mass battles with hordes of enemies. The game is set to arrive in the winter.
The DuskBloods
This brand new IP from FromSoftware is going to be a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive when it arrives next year. You play as part of the Bloodsworn, a group that "transcended human strength thanks to their special blood."
Expect the classic gothic tone and gory combat from the Bloodborne developer which confirmed it will be a player versus player versus enemy (PvPvE), online multiplayer game.
Hades II
Hades II, the roguelike sequel to the addictive original is set to launch as a timed exclusive on Nintendo Switch 2. Since the first game was such a massive hit on the first Switch, this makes some sense, although the game is already available on PC early access.
It's unclear exactly when Hades II will arrive on Switch 2 as only a "2025" release date was given during the stream.
Nintendo Switch 2 — Every game announced
- Mario Kart World (June 5)
- Drag x Drive (Summer 2025)
- Elden Ring Tarnished Edition (2025)
- Hades 2 (2025)
- Street Fighter 6 (June 5)
- Daemon X Machina (September 5)
- Split Fiction (June 5)
- EA Sports FC (TBA)
- Madden NFL (TBA)
- Hogwarts Legacy (June 6)
- Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4 (Summer 2025)
- Hitman World of Assassination Signature Edition (June 6)
- Project 007 (TBA)
- Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster (June 6)
- Yakuza 0 Director's Cut ( June 6)
- Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment (Winter 2025)
- Deltarune (June 6)
- Borderlands 4 (2025)
- WWE 2K (2025)
- NBA 2K (2025)
- Survival Kids (June 6)
- Enter the Gungeon 2 (TBA)
- Starseeker Astroneer Expeditions (2026)
- Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition (June 6)
- Final Fantasy VII Remake (TBA)
- Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess (June 6)
- Hollow Knight: Silksong (2025)
- Goodnight Universe (2025)
- Two Point Museum (2025)
- Wild Hearts S (July 25)
- Witchbrook (Winter 2025)
- Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S (June 6)
- Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma (June 6)
- Marvel Cosmic Invasion (Winter 2025)
- Star Wars Outlaws (2025)
- Nobunga's Ambition: Awakening Complete Edition (June 6)
- Fast Fusion (June 6)
- Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army (June 19)
- No Sleep for Kaname Date (June 25)
- Reanimal (2025)
- Fortnite (June 6)
- Professor Layton and the New World of Steam (2025)
- Human Fall Flat 2 (TBA)
- The Duskbloods (2026)
- Kirby Air Riders (2025)
- Donkey Kong Bananza (July 17)
Nintendo Switch 2 — Enhanced editions
Nintendo confirmed that several Switch 1 titles will be available on Switch 2 as "Nintendo Switch 2 Editions" with improved graphical fidelity, HDR support and frame rate improvements.
These can either be bought outright or, if you already own them, upgraded through the purchase of an "upgrade pack" from Nintendo.
Here's the full list from yesterday's Direct:
- Super Mario Party Jamboree
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
- Kirby and the Forgotten Land
- Metroid Prime Beyond
- Pokémon Legends ZA
- Civilization VII
- Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar
- Shadow Labyrinth
- Tamagotchi Plaza
Price and features
Of course, these are just the games Nintendo showed off today — there are likely to be many more announced in the coming months.
Nintendo has also confirmed the Nintendo Switch 2 pricing starts at $449 and the console brings a load of new features to the table.
Here's the 13 biggest upgrades you need to know about and if you want to know our early take on the console itself, you can find our hands on review here.
