After years of leaks and rumors, Nintendo has finally revealedthe Nintendo Switch 2. Even though it was only through a short teaser trailer showcasing the system in comparison to the original Nintendo Switch–and a brief look at a newMario Kartgame–it still feels good to finally have a face and name to put on to the Switch successor. TheNintendo Switch 2was officially announced without a name in 2024 due to all the public buzz, and a later Game Freak leak revealed its internal name to the relief of fans.
More news is still to come, but at least fans finally have a time frame. The Nintendo Switch 2 will launch in 2025, and a Nintendo Direct focused on it will air on April 2. Rumors ofthird-party games launching on the Switch 2have built up over the last few months, and a handful of upcoming Nintendo titles likeMetroid Prime 4: BeyondandPokemon Legends: Z-Amay have Switch 2 versions, but the list of announced games is small. As of Jun 15, 2025, it consists of the newMario Kartand eight indie games, already offering a glimpse of the gamee variety that Switch 2 owners can expect.
Untitled Mario Kart Sequel
The only game that Nintendo has personally confirmed as coming for the Nintendo Switch 2 is the next mainlineMario Karttitle. This was revealed somewhat indirectly, as only a few seconds of the game were shown in the Switch 2 reveal trailer and no other information was released. Analysis of the footage reveals 24 starting spaces on a new track and a redesign of Donkey Kong that merges his recent appearance with older artwork. That’s all for now, but withMario Kart 8 Deluxebeing the original Switch’s best-selling game, this new entry is bound to get more news soon.
Bestiario
Despite being the first Nintendo game confirmed for the new Switch hardware,Mario Kartwas not the first title explicitly announced for it. Who got there first is unknown, but a likely suspect isBestiario, courtesy of its February 2024 Kickstarter campaign run by Wiggin Industries.Bestiariois a Spanish turn-based RPG that includes social sim elements inthe same vein as thePersonaseries. It is set in a version of Spain drenched in the supernatural, pulling many references to real Spanish folklore and culture into its adventure-based narrative. It’s on every other platform as well, so anyone interested should be able to giveBestiarioa shot.
My Time at Evershine
The next blunt Switch 2 announcement came later in 2024 fromMy Time at Evershine. As the latest game fromMy Time at PortiaandMy Time at Sandrockdeveloper Pathea Games,My Time at Evershinewill retain theAnimal Crossing-likesocial elements and cozy RPG features of its predecessors. It’s unknown when the game will be out, especially since its Kickstarter indicated it would have an alpha period on Steam. Most likely, despite being one of the first games announced for it,Evershinewill fall outside the release window of the Switch 2.
Yooka-Replaylee
BestiarioandEvershineraised some eyebrows, but Playtonic Games’Yooka-Replayleewas probably the most noticeable title slated for the Switch 2 pre-announcement. Part remaster and part reimagining,Yooka-Replayleeaims to be a significant improvement over theoriginalYooka-Laylee3D platformer from 2017. It’s an odd move considering that the series has already moved on toYooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair, a better-received 2.5D game, but there’s still ample room for a greatBanjo-Kazooiesuccessor to emerge.
Littlelands
While the remaining Switch 2 games are less recognized than the prior few, they still have points worth considering. For example,Littlelandstakes strong gameplay and visual cues fromThe Legend of Zelda, using its version of theLink’s AwakeningandEchoes of Wisdomchibi art style. There is also a farming element when players aren’t out exploring, though the balance of the game’s different aspects isn’t clear yet. For those hankering for a classicZeldaearly in the Switch 2’s life, Martin and Kyle Creamer’sLittlelandscould be worth a shot.
Synth Beasts
For those looking for a more novel form of adventure,Synth Beastsmay have them covered. Creator Radhood Advance describes this game as a top-down action RPG Metroidvania, but it has much more going on. For one, aPokemon-like monster collection elementseems tied to the game’s progression, with the player switching to certain beasts for their special abilities. Combat is also atypical, as it mixes shmup elements like a lighterEnter The Gungeon.Synth Beastsis an experimental project, and time will tell if its efforts pay off.
Aurascope
On the other side of that coin, there’sAurascope. It’s not trying to reinvent the wheel, but it is trying to be the best pixelated platformer it can be. Developed by Nick Oztock, this collectathon adventure includes some puzzles and RPG mechanics in a fast-paced 2D platformer best described as aSonicgame with Mario’s classic dive. There’seven a split-screen battle mode–a rarity in the modern landscape.Aurascopehas a demo, and a Kickstarter planned for early 2025, so interested players can check it out immediately.
Secret Forest
Unique among the Switch 2 games announced thus far,Secret Forestis an MMORPG. Developed by Zelcar Games, this open-world title is being made in Unreal Engine 5 for all current-gen platforms except for the old Switch. Featuring a variety of races and classes to pick from,Secret Forestadvertises a vast and mysterious world for players to explore, with various challenges and minigames to tackle along the way. It’s planned to have a closed beta in early 2025, which should provide a more in-depth look at the game before it and the Switch 2 are out.
LUCID
Although a developer-made mockup of their game running on the Switch 2 isn’t technically a skew announcement, this combined with social media posts from The Matte Black Studio sounds like a statement forLUCID’s future. This fast-paced action-platformer looks to combine theprecision platforming ofCelestewith some combat and bullet hell elements, all while being a stylish throwback to old 2D sidescrollers. Published by industry veteran Apogee Entertainment,LUCIDis worth keeping an eye on even if it will likely land on Steam before it reaches theNintendo Switch 2.
