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There’s Nothing Wrong With the Switch 2 Launch Games Library
Whenever a new system launches , debates also ensue about if it’s worth buying right away. Partially due to the quality of the console itself. But the titles that launch alongside it can also make or break a debut. While the Switch 2 launch library might not seem as exciting in some ways, I think it ended up being a really solid collection of games you can play for weeks , months, and in the case of some years to come.
One criticism going in to the Switch 2 is the flagship launch title is Mario Kart World . As of March 31, 2025, the Nintendo IR site noted Mario Kart 8 Deluxe sold over 68.2 million units on Switch 2, Mario Kart 8 sold 8.46 million on Wii U, Mario Kart Wii sold 37.38 million on Wii, Mario Kart 7 sold 18.99 million on 3DS, and Mario Kart DS ended up at 23.6 million on DS. Financially, it makes sense. Over multiple console and handheld generations, we see the demand at a glance. Also, given what happened with the Switch installment and room for growth, I think we’ll absolutely see a Booster Course Pass or some other sort of ongoing update schedule. This is the company coming in with a title that will be huge at launch, enjoyed alone or with others, and probably supported for a few years.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QeqO0kFz-E
Next is that we actually do have some entirely “new” launch window games for the Switch 2 that add incredibly lengthy experiences to the library. I played Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma . That could easily be a 30-40 hour game just from the campaign and before you get into the daily life, find a partner and settle down, enjoy the post-game with a virtual family experience. Moreover, the Switch 2 experience even without the upgrade pack is making me reconsider only giving it an 8 when I wrote the Switch review, because it’s closer to a 9 on the new system. Deltarune Chapters 3 & 4 is something I’m going through now, and it’s also a solid commitment. FAST Fusion ended up being a great budget racer in the series with a lot of replayability and, honestly, the kind of challenge is that is sort of missing in Mario Kart World single-player sometimes. While I’m sure it won’t be game of the year material, Tamagotchi Plaza is going to fill that launch minigame collection hole that folks invest in when they want something silly and short to play with others. Even though Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time came out on other platforms a bit ahead of Switch 2, this is a 10/10 game that makes you feel like you’re only scratching the surface after 100 hours. It’s a huge “get” for a new console.
Besides, we also need to consider the value of the HD remasters and definitive editions of games coming to the Switch 2 at launch. While these are returning titles, I think three are exceptionally valuable here. Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster is an updated release of one of the most creative JRPGs Square Enix released in the last 10 years, and it is still absolutely captivating. It looks fantastic with the updated graphics. The single-screen version works great! Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut ’s extra story and multiplayer modes are pleasant extras for what I consider my favorite entry in the series. (The story is so much fun.) Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army is going to bring an underrated Shin Megami Tensei spin-off to modern systems for the first time so soon and, as I said in my preview , it’s a wonderful game that deserves this second change at a wider audience.
Even the bad games in the Switch 2 launch library offer their own type of value. Survival Kids isn’t a good Lost in Blue installment, but it is the type of title adults or older kids could play with younger children to get them adjusted to the console. It’s also one of the first examples of the GameShare mechanic, offering a bit of a proof of concept to show how sharing one game among multiple local consoles could work in a low-stress, no-consequence environment. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour isn’t all that much fun and should have been either $5 or free, but it does offer a lot of insights into why the company made certain design decisions via quizzes and tech demo minigame examples.
Image via Marvelous
Image via CD Projekt Red
Image via Sega
As for the ports, they represent a really well-rounded bunch of genres. Whenever a new Nintendo console or handheld’s shown up, it’s often been accompanied by versions of titles that past systems couldn’t. With the Switch 2 launch games, we are both seeing that and getting titles that might’ve had issues on other handhelds like a Steam Deck getting a specific version tailored to this type of experience. Street Fighter 6: Years 1-2 Fighters Edition does that! It looks fantastic, even with compromises. Plus, it involved the motion control mode that could provide a workout. Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition is something of a wonder. It runs way better than I expected. Sid Meier's Civilization VII - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition fits the bill with integrated mouse controls. And, like many of the new titles, they’re lengthy games that take up dozens of hours.
I’d even consider all of the upgrade pack games valuable members of the Switch 2 launch library. In each case, titles are running better than ever. For those who might’ve skipped the Switch 2, it’s a wealth of proven games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom , Pokemon Scarlet and Violet , Super Mario Odyssey, and Xenoblade Chronicles 3 that will work better than before. With upcoming paid expansions for Kirby and the Forgotten Land and Super Mario Party Jamboree , it’s adding major content updates with more to do. These are opportunities to maybe see how great games become even more wonderful with added power and adjustments behind them.
The Switch 2 launch library is packed with great games. There might not be as many first-party endeavors immediately available, beyond Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, and Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour , but every other element is filled with lengthy, well-executed, and meaningful games that showcase the system’s capabilities and could keep us occupied for hundreds of hours.
The Switch 2 is available now worldwide.
The post There’s Nothing Wrong With the Switch 2 Launch Games Library appeared first on Siliconera .
Jun 11
2025 Nintendo Switch 2 Game Release Schedule<p><img loading="lazy" src="https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2025/05/12/34d3f6a7/Switch2Releases2025.jpg" width="800" height="450" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" class="image-style-body-default" /></p>
<p>After years of speculation and rumor, Nintendo's Switch 2 is finally, nearly upon us. The console exists (or will exist soon) and with it will come a collection of games. Some will be available on launch day, others will be available in the console's launch window in the following weeks and months. And for the To Be Announced section below, know that while we don't have exact dates for those games yet, we do know they will be releasing in 2025.</p><p>To help track what Switch 2 games will be available when, we've made a dedicated Switch 2 version of our <a href="https://gameinformer.com/2025">2025 Video Game Release Schedule</a>. You can find the list of launch games and beyond below, and rest assured that we will update this list throughout the year. If you're planning on getting a Switch 2 when it launches on June 5, we look forward to you revisiting this list to see what you will be able to play on it. </p><p class="toc-anchor">Launch Day</p>
<img loading="lazy" src="https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/2025/05/12/a85c79ad/mariokartworld.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" alt>
Mario Kart World
<h2>Launch Day</h2>
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/bravely-default-flying-fairy-hd-remaster" hreflang="en">Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster</a>
– June 5, 2025
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/cyberpunk-2077-ultimate-edition" hreflang="en">Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition</a>
– June 5, 2025
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/deltarune-chapter-1" hreflang="en">Deltarune: Chapter 1</a>
– June 5, 2025
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/deltarune-chapter-2" hreflang="en">Deltarune: Chapter 2</a>
– June 5, 2025
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/deltarune-chapter-3-4" hreflang="en">Deltarune: Chapter 3 & 4</a>
– June 5, 2025
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/fast-fusion" hreflang="en">Fast Fusion</a>
– June 5, 2025
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/fortnite" hreflang="en">Fortnite</a>
– June 5, 2025
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/hitman-world-of-assassination-signature-edition" hreflang="en">Hitman World of Assassination - Signature Edition</a>
– June 5, 2025
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/hogwarts-legacy" hreflang="en">Hogwarts Legacy</a>
– June 5, 2025
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/kunitsu-gami-path-of-the-goddess" hreflang="en">Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess</a>
– June 5, 2025
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/mario-kart-world" hreflang="en">Mario Kart World</a>
– June 5, 2025
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/nintendo-switch-2-welcome-tour" hreflang="en">Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour</a>
– June 5, 2025
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/nobunagas-ambition-awakening-complete-edition" hreflang="en">Nobunaga's Ambition: Awakening Complete Edition</a>
– June 5, 2025
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/puyo-puyo-tetris-2s" hreflang="en">Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S</a>
– June 5, 2025
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/rune-factory-guardians-of-azuma" hreflang="en">Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma</a>
– June 5, 2025
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/sid-meiers-civilization-vii" hreflang="en">Sid Meier's Civilization VII</a>
– June 5, 2025
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/sonic-x-shadow-generations" hreflang="en">Sonic X Shadow Generations</a>
– June 5, 2025
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/split-fiction" hreflang="en">Split Fiction</a>
– June 5, 2025
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/street-fighter-6" hreflang="en">Street Fighter 6</a>
– June 5, 2025
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/suikoden-i-ii-hd-remaster-gate-rune-and-dunan-unification-wars" hreflang="en">Suikoden I & II HD Remaster Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars</a>
– June 5, 2025
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/survival-kids" hreflang="en">Survival Kids</a>
– June 5, 2025
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/the-legend-of-zelda-breath-of-the-wild" hreflang="en">The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild</a>
– June 5, 2025
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/the-legend-of-zelda-tears-of-the-kingdom" hreflang="en">The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom</a>
– June 5, 2025
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/yakuza-0-directors-cut" hreflang="en">Yakuza 0 Director's Cut</a>
– June 5, 2025
<p class="toc-anchor">June</p>
<img loading="lazy" src="https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/2025/05/12/4447e94c/tamagotchiplaza.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" alt>
Tamagotchi Plaza
<h2>June</h2>
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/raidou-remastered-the-mystery-of-the-soulless-army" hreflang="en">Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army</a>
– June 19, 2025
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/tamagotchi-plaza" hreflang="en">Tamagotchi Plaza</a>
– June 27, 2025
<p class="toc-anchor">July</p>
<img loading="lazy" src="https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/2025/05/12/afff3a49/donkykongbananza.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" alt>
Donkey Kong Bananza
<h2>July</h2>
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/donkey-kong-bananza" hreflang="en">Donkey Kong Bananza</a>
– July 17, 2025
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/shadow-labyrinth" hreflang="en">Shadow Labyrinth</a>
– July 17, 2025
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/super-mario-party-jamboree" hreflang="en">Super Mario Party Jamboree</a>
– July 24, 2025
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/no-sleep-for-kaname-date-from-ai-the-somnium-files" hreflang="en">No Sleep For Kaname Date - From AI: The Somnium Files</a>
– July 25, 2025
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/wild-hearts-s" hreflang="en">Wild Hearts S</a>
– July 25, 2025
<p class="toc-anchor">August</p>
<img loading="lazy" src="https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/2025/05/12/3e302ad5/kirbyandtheforgottenland.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" alt>
Kirby and the Forgotten Land
<h2>August</h2>
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/madden-nfl-26" hreflang="en">Madden NFL 26</a>
– August 14, 2025
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/inazuma-eleven-victory-road" hreflang="en">Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road</a>
– August 21, 2025
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/story-of-seasons-grand-bazaar" hreflang="en">Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar</a>
– August 27, 2025
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/kirby-and-the-forgotten-land" hreflang="en">Kirby and the Forgotten Land</a>
– August 28, 2025
<p class="toc-anchor">September</p>
<img loading="lazy" src="https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/2025/05/12/2de78b43/starwarsoutlaws.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" alt>
Star Wars Outlaws
<h2>September</h2>
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/star-wars-outlaws" hreflang="en">Star Wars Outlaws</a>
– September 4, 2025
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/daemon-x-machina-titanic-scion" hreflang="en">Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion</a>
– September 5, 2025
<p class="toc-anchor">October</p>
<img loading="lazy" src="https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/2025/05/27/8c5f83b7/dragonquest1and2.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" alt>
Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake
<h2>October</h2>
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/pokemon-legends-z-a" hreflang="en">Pokémon Legends: Z-A</a>
– October 16, 2025
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/dragon-quest-i-ii-hd-2d-remake" hreflang="en">Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake</a>
– October 30, 2025
<p class="toc-anchor">To Be Announced</p>
<img loading="lazy" src="https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/2025/05/13/df788780/witchbrook.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" alt>
Witchbrook
<h2>To Be Announced</h2>
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/borderlands-4" hreflang="en">Borderlands 4</a>
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/drag-x-drive" hreflang="en">Drag x Drive</a>
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/elden-ring-tarnished-edition" hreflang="en">Elden Ring Tarnished Edition</a>
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/goodnight-universe" hreflang="en">Goodnight Universe</a>
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/hollow-knight-silksong" hreflang="en">Hollow Knight: Silksong</a>
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/hyrule-warriors-age-of-imprisonment" hreflang="en">Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment</a>
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/kirby-air-riders" hreflang="en">Kirby Air Riders</a>
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/marvel-cosmic-invasion" hreflang="en">Marvel Cosmic Invasion</a>
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/metroid-prime-4-beyond" hreflang="en">Metroid Prime 4: Beyond</a>
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/professor-layton-and-the-new-world-of-steam" hreflang="en">Professor Layton and the New World of Steam</a>
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/tony-hawks-pro-skater-3-4" hreflang="en">Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 </a>
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/two-point-museum" hreflang="en">Two Point Museum</a>
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/virtua-fighter-5-revo" hreflang="en">Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O.</a>
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/witchbrook" hreflang="en">Witchbrook</a>
May 29
2025 Nintendo Switch 2 Game Release Schedule
After years of speculation and rumor, Nintendo's Switch 2 is finally upon us. The console is in our hands with it will come a collection of games. Some were available on launch day, others will be available in the console's launch window in the following weeks and months. And for the 'To Be Announced' section below, know that while we don't have exact dates for those games yet, we do know they will be releasing in 2025. To help track what Switch 2 games will be available when, we've made a dedicated Switch 2 version of our 2025 Video Game Release Schedule . You can find the list of launch games and beyond below, and rest assured that we will update this list throughout the year. If you acquired a Switch 2 when it launched on June 5, we look forward to you revisiting this list to see what you will be able to play on it. Launch Day
Mario Kart World
Launch Day
Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster
– June 5, 2025
Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition
– June 5, 2025
Deltarune: Chapter 1
– June 5, 2025
Deltarune: Chapter 2
– June 5, 2025
Deltarune: Chapter 3 & 4
– June 5, 2025
Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time
– June 5, 2025
Fast Fusion
– June 5, 2025
Fortnite
– June 5, 2025
Hitman World of Assassination - Signature Edition
– June 5, 2025
Hogwarts Legacy
– June 5, 2025
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess
– June 5, 2025
Mario Kart World
– June 5, 2025
Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
– June 5, 2025
Nobunaga's Ambition: Awakening Complete Edition
– June 5, 2025
Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S
– June 5, 2025
Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma
– June 5, 2025
Sid Meier's Civilization VII
– June 5, 2025
Sonic X Shadow Generations
– June 5, 2025
Split Fiction
– June 5, 2025
Street Fighter 6
– June 5, 2025
Suikoden I & II HD Remaster Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars
– June 5, 2025
Survival Kids
– June 5, 2025
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
– June 5, 2025
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
– June 5, 2025
Yakuza 0 Director's Cut
– June 5, 2025
June
Tamagotchi Plaza
June
Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army
– June 19, 2025
Tamagotchi Plaza
– June 27, 2025
July
Donkey Kong Bananza
July
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4
– July 11, 2025
Donkey Kong Bananza
– July 17, 2025
Shadow Labyrinth
– July 17, 2025
WWE 2K25
– July 23, 2025
Super Mario Party Jamboree
– July 24, 2025
No Sleep For Kaname Date - From AI: The Somnium Files
– July 25, 2025
Wild Hearts S
– July 25, 2025
August
Kirby and the Forgotten Land
August
Drag x Drive
– August 14, 2025
Madden NFL 26
– August 14, 2025
Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road
– August 21, 2025
Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar
– August 27, 2025
Kirby and the Forgotten Land
– August 28, 2025
September
Star Wars Outlaws
September
Star Wars Outlaws
– September 4, 2025
Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion
– September 5, 2025
NBA 2K26
– September 5, 2025
Final Fantasy Tactics – The Ivalice Chronicles
– September 30, 2025
October
Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake
October
Little Nightmares Enhanced Edition
– October 10, 2025
Little Nightmares III
– October 10, 2025
Pokémon Legends: Z-A
– October 16, 2025
Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake
– October 30, 2025
To Be Announced
Witchbrook
To Be Announced
Borderlands 4
Dear Me, I Was
Elden Ring Tarnished Edition
Goodnight Universe
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment
Kirby Air Riders
Marvel Cosmic Invasion
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection
Professor Layton and the New World of Steam
Two Point Museum
Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O.
Witchbrook
May 29
The game with 8/10 points in Steam is now coming to VR!The legendary Civilization series steps into virtual reality. 2K and Firaxis Games announced Sid Meier's Civilization VII VR. The game, which will offer a simulation experience at VR, is specially developed for Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3s. Accordingly, in the spring of 2025 ...
Feb 9
Sid Meier’s Civilization VII Has Officially Gone Gold, Firaxis ConfirmsSid Meier's Civilization VII has officially gone gold, developer Firaxis and publisher 2K have confirmed, check out the details here.
The post Sid Meier’s Civilization VII Has Officially Gone Gold, Firaxis Confirms appeared first on PlayStation Universe .
Jan 20
Bahamut Reviews "Civilization VII": Numerous Highlights and a Return to Realistic GraphicsBahamut Reviews "Civilization VII": Numerous Highlights and a Return to Realistic Graphics
Jan 20
Can't Wait! "Civilization VII" Verified for Steam Deck: Playable on HandheldsCan't Wait! "Civilization VII" Verified for Steam Deck: Playable on Handhelds
Jan 20
Sid Meier's Civilization VIIThe award-winning strategy game franchise returns with a revolutionary new chapter. Sid Meier's Civilization® VII empowers you to build the greatest empire the world has ever known!
