Explore the Horizon: Top Gaming Experiences on the Nintendo Switch 2
A Fresh Start: Initial Impressions of the Switch 2's Game Library
The Nintendo Switch 2 is just beginning its journey, and like any new console, it faces the challenge of building a robust game catalog. While core franchises such as Mario Kart, Donkey Kong, and Pokémon are gradually appearing, Nintendo has already delivered a strong lineup of compelling titles from its secondary tier. These include fan favorites like Kirby Air Riders, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, and Mario Tennis Fever. Additionally, a standout re-release, the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, serves as a powerful draw from the console's past hits.
Backward Compatibility and Enhanced Classics: Expanding Your Play Options
Beyond the new releases, the Switch 2 offers the advantage of near-complete backward compatibility with the original Switch library. Gamers can revisit their favorite Switch titles, and some older games have even received free updates specifically for the new console. These updates provide valuable enhancements, ensuring a smoother and more immersive experience on the Switch 2, bringing renewed life to cherished classics.
Curating Excellence: How We Select the Best Switch 2 Games
Our team at Polygon is deeply immersed in the world of video games, and every recommendation on this list comes with a personal endorsement from at least one of our experts. When determining which titles deserve a spot among the best Switch 2 games, we prioritize not only the inherent quality of each game but also the diversity and breadth of the selection. Our goal is to ensure that every player, regardless of their preferred genre, available playtime, or desired atmosphere, can find a game that genuinely resonates with them and provides hours of enjoyment.
Reimagined Island Life: Animal Crossing: New Horizons on Switch 2
The game that captivated millions during the pandemic has returned with a significant update and an official Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. This revitalized version introduces numerous features designed to entice players back to their virtual islands. New additions include a charming hotel and various slumber islands, alongside crucial quality-of-life improvements like bulk crafting—a long-awaited feature. Collaborations with iconic franchises like Zelda and Lego further enhance the experience. The Switch 2 Edition also boasts exclusive features, such as mouse control, but its true appeal lies in vastly improved load times and significantly reduced pop-in, making it an essential upgrade for dedicated Animal Crossing enthusiasts.
Vintage Racing, Modern Platform: Arcade Archives 2: Ridge Racer on Switch 2
Is it unconventional to utilize a cutting-edge gaming handheld to enjoy a 32-year-old title? Perhaps. However, there's an undeniable joy in revisiting this faithful adaptation of Namco's groundbreaking 1993 arcade classic. This version offers the purest racing experience: just a car, the track, the clock, an unparalleled drifting mechanic, and a dynamic field of brightly colored opponents. It's a truly exhilarating and timeless experience. Hamster's renowned Arcade Archives series is celebrated for its commitment to authentic coin-op recreations, meaning this release prioritizes fidelity over expanded features. While it features a single playable car and track, it maintains a purist appeal. Its primitive charm is beautifully rendered, incredibly smooth, and remarkably crisp on the Switch 2, preserving a true classic as it was meant to be played.
Epic Stealth and Samurais: Assassin's Creed Shadows' Debut on Switch 2
A significant benchmark for the Switch 2 lies in its capacity to handle demanding, next-generation AAA titles. Ubisoft's answer to this challenge is a resounding affirmation. Following an impressive port of Star Wars: Outlaws, the publisher has successfully adapted its latest expansive open-world adventure for Nintendo's handheld within a remarkably short nine-month window. While there are some visual adjustments and occasional frame rate dips in densely populated areas, this version remarkably mirrors the performance of its PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X counterparts. The game itself, though not a revolutionary entry in the series, offers a competent and beautifully crafted historical journey through 16th-century Japan. With two distinct protagonists—the nimble ninja Naoe and the formidable samurai Yasuke—the game's varied playstyles reward players who navigate its initial slower pace. For those seeking a grand-scale epic on the Switch 2, this title is a definitive choice.
Night City on the Go: Cyberpunk 2077's Arrival on Switch 2
Expansive open worlds, such as the one found in Cyberpunk 2077, are best savored at one's own pace, making the Switch 2 version of CD Projekt Red's urban RPG an ideal way to explore the captivating vistas of Night City. The game's primary narrative, though at times leaning into the grim cynicism of its setting, ultimately conveys a profound and moving message about finding purpose against all odds and the perils of unchecked corporate influence. This depth is largely conveyed through Cyberpunk 2077's exceptional side quests and character storylines. Despite the game's hardware demands, it performs remarkably well on the Switch 2. While performance in the Phantom Liberty expansion experiences some minor issues, the core game remains stable with crisp resolution. The Switch 2's added control options are a welcome bonus, with motion controls proving surprisingly effective in mitigating the challenges of playing an FPS with an analog stick. For even greater precision, the Joy-Con 2's mouse controls can be utilized in tabletop or docked mode.
A Heartfelt Journey: Deltarune's Unique Narrative on Switch 2
Undertale's lasting appeal lies in its touching character interactions and smaller narratives, often woven into Toby Fox's broader, sometimes heavy-handed message about the merits of harmony over conflict. Deltarune, its spiritual successor, leans heavily into these intimate moments, transforming into a creative playground rather than a conventional narrative. This approach significantly enhances the experience. Kris, Deltarune's protagonist, becomes entangled in a supernatural saga involving Dark Worlds, each populated by distinct civilizations struggling with real-world issues like public image obsession or the denial of mortality. The game's boundless creativity allows Deltarune to delve into a wider spectrum of emotions, storytelling techniques, and character development methods than its predecessor. While Toby Fox's characters and whimsical worlds are charming, Deltarune's true brilliance lies in its ingenious battle system, which offers a tailored alternative to Undertale's fight-or-pacify choices. Players navigate a small heart through barrages of enemy projectiles to protect their party, and Fox skillfully integrates story elements into most encounters. This forces players to adapt, whether by maneuvering around an elderly character's walking stick or by altering the battle's progression based on their responses to a narcissistic TV host's twisted quiz. While Deltarune may not garner the same widespread attention as some high-profile releases, it quietly boasts one of the most compelling turn-based combat systems available.
Jungle Beat: Donkey Kong Bananza Unleashes Primal Fun on Switch 2
Banana bonanza! Nintendo took an unexpected path by delaying the release of what many considered the system's first essential title until six weeks post-launch. This isn't the only surprise surrounding Donkey Kong Bananza. Many fans anticipated a new 3D Mario adventure from the Super Mario Odyssey development team, but instead, they received a revival of the plumber's original companion, marking the first in-house Donkey Kong game developed by Nintendo in two decades. In most other aspects, Bananza delivers everything expected from a Nintendo platformer, solidifying their mastery of the genre. However, unlike Mario's emphasis on precision, this iteration of Donkey Kong revels in delightfully chaotic brute force as he smashes through environments. It offers a deeply satisfying tactile experience, starting with an accessible difficulty curve and gradually escalating to a spectacular conclusion.
A Classic Reimagined: Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined on Switch 2
Square Enix's remake of the 2001 PlayStation role-playing game truly lives up to its subtitle. This iteration is a remarkably thorough reimagining, featuring strategic cuts and reordered sequences that significantly accelerate the pacing of what was once a notoriously slow-moving game. The character class system has been revamped, and the visual style has undergone a subtly controversial transformation, presenting doll-like interpretations of Akira Toriyama's timeless character designs within lush, miniature dioramas. Nevertheless, Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined serves as an ideal entry point into the Dragon Quest series and the world of classical turn-based RPGs. Every aspect, from the combat mechanics to the narrative, is crafted with exceptional clarity and engaging simplicity. Over the course of the game, these elements progressively deepen and enrich the experience. The game's visual presentation is stunning, and it seamlessly integrates with the Switch 2, making it the perfect portable companion for this vacation-like gaming experience.
Life's Little Luxuries: Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time on Switch 2
Level-5, renowned outside Japan for its Professor Layton puzzle series, also excels in creating engaging gameplay loops and charming world-building, a tradition evident since its PlayStation 2 RPGs like Dark Cloud. Fantasy Life i continues this legacy. A sequel to a 2014 3DS title, it masterfully blends RPG and life-simulation mechanics into an almost irresistibly engrossing experience. This adorable, cozy, and utterly captivating game offers over a dozen "Lifes"—essentially interchangeable professions—to delve into, encompassing combat, crafting, and gathering. These roles are simple yet ingeniously designed, offering boundless opportunities for personal development. Cooking alone can become an all-consuming passion in Fantasy Life i. Until a new Animal Crossing arrives, this stands as the ultimate comfort-gaming experience on the Switch 2.
Reunion in Midgar: Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade on Switch 2
Even more peculiar and captivating than the Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined project, Final Fantasy 7 Remake is a metatextual reinterpretation of an iconic, sprawling RPG into three grand blockbusters. The initial installment debuted on PlayStation 4 in 2020, though the Switch 2 receives a port of the enhanced PS5 version, Intergrade, released in 2021. The second chapter, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, is scheduled for June 2023. Remake is a distinctive project spearheaded by key members of the original development team, including Kingdom Hearts' Tetsuya Nomura. It's an unconventional yet delightful fusion of classic Final Fantasy elements, modern action gameplay, and postmodern narrative revision. While this first part isn't the strongest, it remains a lavish and surprising experience, and the Switch 2 handles it remarkably well.
Blazing Trails: Fast Fusion's High-Speed Thrills on Switch 2
At first glance, Fast Fusion appears deceptively straightforward, resembling a legally distinct F-Zero experience. Players pilot sleek, futuristic vehicles at unimaginable speeds—where 400 mph is considered slow—across tracks that frequently defy gravity. Well-timed speed boosts are crucial for gaining an advantage over opponents. While F-Zero relies on pit stops for boost recovery, Fast Fusion demands players earn it by collecting coins, which establishes its unique identity. Most boost-recovering coins are strategically placed above the track or in hard-to-reach areas. This means that in addition to mastering sharp turns at 500 mph, players must plan jumps and balance speed boosts with calculated risks to maintain momentum. The experience is both exhilarating and strategic, and the seamless integration of sci-fi futurism with rich, natural environments is visually stunning on the Switch 2.