Our Nintendo Switch 2 review in-progress
TechRadar Gaming has now gotten our hands on Nintendo Switch 2, and w’ve been busy testing it since launch. You can read our final Nintendo Switch 2 review to see what we think of the new Nintendo console. At present, there’s a brand new Mario kart game to dig into, and a 3D Donkey Kong on the way later this month.
Upcoming Switch 2 games include a brand new 3D Donkey Kong platformer, a sequel to a cult classic Kirby racing game, and even a Nintendo-exclusive FromSoftware game. Judging by this year’s line-up, the new Nintendo console is off to a very strong start indeed.
And whether you managed to get ahold of a Nintendo Switch 2 yet, you’ll be able to play a lot of these games on the original Nintendo Switch. Still, it’s clear that Nintendo Switch 2 is the best place to play, with a whole host of Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives lined up over the next year or so, each looking like a true next-gen experience.
We’ve been busy playing Nintendo Switch 2, testing out the new Pro Controller, publishing a Mario Kart World review, and using our knowledge to compare the Switch vs Switch 2 specs. Over the last eight years, TechRadar Gaming has covered the full lifecycle of the Switch, and we’re all very excited to apply our expertise to its successor into the next generation.
For now, here’s every confirmed Upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 game, so that you can see what you’ll have the option of playing in the near future. As new release dates are unveiled, this page will be updated.
Upcoming Switch games 2025: this year’s biggest games
- Donkey Kong: Bananza – July 17, 2025 (Switch 2)
- Borderlands 4 – September 23 (Switch 2, XSX|S, PS5, PC)
- Kirby Air Riders – TBC 2025 (Switch 2)
- Pokémon Legends Z-A – October 16, 2025 (Switch 2, Switch)
- Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – TBC 2025 (Switch 2, Switch)
Now, let’s go deeper into some of the biggest games planned for Switch 2.
Donkey Kong Bananza is a brand new 3D platformer that stars the titular ape as he tries to fend off a greedy mining corporation called Voidco. You see, they’re after golden bananas, which just so happen to be Kong’s food of choice, so he’ll punch, smash, stomp, and grab anyone who gets in his way. You’ll explore a sprawling underground world filled with colorful locales, filled with treasure and secrets to find.
Donkey Kong Bananza launches July 17, 2025, only on Nintendo Switch 2.
Now onto Borderlands 4, which first launches in September for PS5, XSX|S, and PC. This one’s a great example of how the newer console is able to play third-party titles in a way its predecessor simply couldn’t. The Switch 2 version launches sometime in 2025, meaning that you’ll be able to take your vault-hunting action on the go in handheld mode. Details are a little scarce at the moment regarding the game’s story, though we do know there are four new playable characters to choose from.
Borderlands 4 launches in 2025 for Nintendo Switch 2.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is the long-awaited return of the 3D Metroid series. It’s still set for 2025, and it’ll release on both Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch. The gameplay revealed so far points to this being faithful to the original trilogy, with platforming, puzzles, and first-person shooting action. Samus has psychic abilities this time around, and players can use the new Joy-Con mouse functionality to aim.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will launch at some point in 2025. Once we hear a more precise release date, we’ll update this section.
Drag x Drive arrives August 14, 2025, and looks set to be the biggest proof of concept for the new mouse mode yet. Using both Joy-Con’s in mouse mode, you’ll drag across a surface to power your character. With a flick of the controller, you can line up shots in this high-octane sports title.
This one launches August 14, 2025 only for Nintendo Switch 2.
Pokémon Legends Z-A takes players back to Lumiose City to take part in a program to make the place more suited to Pokémon and people living in harmony. There are dynamic battles, city-wide exploration, and three starter Pokémon in Totodile, Chikorita, and Tepig. Mega Evolution is back too, adding a new layer to combat, and giving Pokémon like Charizard and Lucario new forms.
Pokémon Legends Z-A will launch October 16, 2025 for Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch.
The Duskbloods was perhaps the biggest surprise announcement of the Switch 2 reveal event. It’s a multiplayer online action game from the creators of Elden Ring, Dark Souls, and Bloodborne. Crazier yet, it’s only launching on Nintendo Switch 2, something that’s very unexpected indeed. There’s still a lot to learn about the game, but we do know that players will engage in PvPvE combat, taking on the role of “The Bloodsworn”. These vampiric characters possess superhuman abilities, which can be used to hunt down and eliminate foes.
The Duskbloods is set for a 2026 release on Nintendo Switch 2. So far, a more precise date hasn’t been given.
Nintendo Switch 2 games release schedule
Now, onto the full Nintendo Switch 2 release schedule. The games below will release on Switch 2, and some on Switch as well. We’ll indicate where this is the case, and will continue to update release dates as they’re unveiled.
July
Now onto July, which sees a new Donkey Kong game launching exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2.
- Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 – 11th July (PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch)
- Donkey Kong Bananza – 17th July 2025 (Switch 2)
- Shadow Labyrinth (Switch 2 Edition) – July 18 (Switch 2)
- Super Mario Party Jamboree (Switch 2 Edition) – July 24 (Switch 2)
- No Sleep For Kaname Date – July 25 (Switch 2)
- Wild Hearts S – July 25 (Switch 2)
- Tales of the Shire – July 29, 2025 (Switch 2, Switch, PS5, XSX|S, PC)
- Ys X: Proud Nordics – July 31 (Switch 2)
August
August brings a new version of an excellent Kirby 3D platformer:
- Drag x Drive – August 14, 2025 (Switch 2)
- Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar (Switch 2 Edition) – August 27 (Switch 2
- Kirby and the Forgotten Land (Switch 2 Edition) – August 28 (Switch 2)
September
Players will be able to jump into Star Wars Outlaws on Switch 2 in September:
- Star Wars Outlaws (Switch 2 Edition) – September 4 (Switch 2)
- Dæmon X Machina: Titanic Scion – September 5 (Switch 2)
Watch On
Rest of 2025 and TBC
Finally, here’s a list of Switch 2 games that have been announced, but either don’t have more than a release year attached to them yet, or are much further out. For now, they’re simply TBC, but once each game does receive a release date, this page will be updated.
- Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment – Winter 2025 (Switch 2)
- Borderlands 4 – TBC 2025 (Switch 2)
- Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition – TBC 2025 (Switch 2)
- Hades II – TBC 2025 (Switch 2)
- Hollow Knight: Silksong – TBC 2025 (Switch 2)
- Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – TBC 2025 (Switch 2, Switch)
- Pokémon Legends Z-A – October 16, 2025 (Switch 2, Switch)
- Professor Layton and the New World Of Steam – TBC 2025 (Switch 2)
- Reanimal – TBC 2025 (Switch 2)
- Two Point Museum – TBC 2025 (Switch 2, Switch)
- Witchbrook – TBC 2025 (Switch 2)
- Yooka-Replaylee – TBC 2025 (Switch 2)
- Marvel Cosmic Invasion – TBC 2025 (Switch 2)
- The Duskbloods – TBC 2026 (Switch 2)
- Enter The Gungeon – TBC 2026 (Switch 2)
- Splatoon Raiders – TBC (Switch 2)
- Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade – TBC (Switch 2)
- Human: Fall Flat 2 – TBC (Switch 2)
- My Time at Evershine – TBC (Switch 2)
- PowerWash Simulator 2 – TBC (Switch 2)
- 007 First Light – TBC 2026 (Switch 2)
New Switch 2 games FAQ
What games are coming out for Switch 2?
There are many games coming out for Switch 2 over the next year or so. The biggest ones are Donkey Kong Bananza on July 17, and then Metroid Prime 4 at some point in 2025. We’ll also get Pokémon Legends: Z-A in October, as well as Hades 2 as a console exclusive.
Is the Switch 2 better than Switch 1?
The Switch 2 has better specs than Switch 1, with a larger screen, the capacity to output games at up to a 4K resolution, and support for 120 frames per second modes. We’ll have to wait for launch to see how it stacks up against its predecessor, though for now, it’s looking like Switch 2 could be a much better console than Switch 1, with better third-party game support and an improved Pro-Controller featuring back paddles.
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