Nintendo Switch 2 First Party Looks Strong for 2025

Written by Brandon Hofer on April 02, 2025

News: There are a number of first party Nintendo games coming to Switch 2 with some of them arriving on launch day and the rest at some point in 2025.

Nintendo recently unveiled when fans will be able to get the Switch 2 and how much it will cost. During the Direct presentation they also revealed a number of new games that will be arriving on their new hybrid platform. The Nintendo Switch 2 seems like it will have a strong launch lineup, headlined by Mario Kart World. Other games include a new Donkey Kong, upgrades to existing games that were on the original Switch console, a new Kirby game, and more.

Mario Kart World

Mario Kart World introduces the open world concept to the long running racing franchise. You can race seamlessly across connected courses that deliver a brand new experience to the iconic series. Twenty four drivers can compete in a race. There is also the new Knockout Tour Mode,where you will race through back-to-back courses and checkpoints, with no pit stops along the way. If a player does not make it to each checkpoint at a high enough placement, they will be eliminated from the race. Mario Kart World is also introducing Free Roam. This is where Mario Kart meets Forza Horizon, allowing you to go off the racetrack drive anywhere you want. Explore areas that you think are interesting and find the perfect spot for that group photo. More details will be revealed in a Mario Kart World Direct presentation on April 17 at 06:00 PST / 09:00 EST.

Mario Kart World will be available as a launch title on June 5, 2025. The digital version will cost $80 but you can save $30 by getting the Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundle for $499 USD (base model without a game is $449 USD).

Donkey Kong Bananza

Donkey Kong is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 with a brand new 3D platforming action adventure title. In Donkey Kong Bananza players will crash, bash, and climb through nearly everything in Donkey Kong’s path. Players will tear off chunks of terrain to swing around and throw in exploration that is literally groundbreaking. The more that is demolished with powerful punches, the more areas open up to discover.

Donkey Kong Bananza will be available exclusively on the Nintendo Switch 2 on July 17, 2025.

Super Mario Party Jamboree - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV

Super Mario Party Jamboree - Nintendo Switch 2 edition will feature unique new modes and minigames that showcase some of the new features of the console. These new modes and minigames will take advantage of the Switch 2’s mouse control options, the system’s built-in mic, and the Nintendo Switch 2 camera (sold separately). You can invite friends to join Bowser Live, a game show-themed experience with 2v2 team battles and physical challenges. Losing teams might have to answer to Bowser himself though so be careful.

Super Mario Party Jamboree - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV arrives on July 24, 2025 for Nintendo Switch 2.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition & The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition

See the Kingdom of Hyrule in a whole new way with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, available with performance upgrades on Nintendo Switch 2. Smoother frame rates, faster load times, and better graphics will make for a fresh experience when revisiting these adventures, and now players will also have a little extra help. Also on the way is an update to the Nintendo Switch App (previously known as the Nintendo Switch Online App), called ZELDA NOTES. This game-specific service is exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2 Editions of the games and helps players navigate to various locations, like that difficult-to-find shrine or hidden Korok, and will even feature commentary from Princess Zelda herself that was not part of the original games.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition & The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition arrive on launch day on June 5.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World. Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World

Kirby’s 3D platforming adventure gets an extra Nintendo Switch 2 boost in Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World. A mysterious meteor crashes in the world of Kirby and the Forgotten Land, revealing a new story for Kirby. He must use his abilities, including new Mouthful Modes, to clear a trail through uncharted territory. The upgrade pack will include this new content which can be played in single-player and local co-op, as well as improved performance for the entire game.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World. Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World launches on August 28, 2025.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

The galaxy’s greatest bounty hunter Samus Aran returns in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. This title will release on both Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, with the latter allowing for both standard controls and Joy-Con 2 mouse controls as players wield Samus's arm cannon with more precision, plus enhanced visuals and performance. Choose between Quality Mode and Performance Mode, both of which support HDR, based on your preference and playstyle. Explore the immersive world in 4K at 60 fps or enjoy smoother action in full HD at 120 fps on compatible displays.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is set to arrive in 2025.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition

In Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, you can enjoy your adventure in Lumiose City on Nintendo Switch 2 with enhanced resolution and frame rates.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is set to arrive in 2025.

Kirby Air Riders

Kirby Air Riders, a brand-new title originated from the Nintendo GameCube classic racing-action game Kirby Air Ride, and Masahiro Sakurai, the director of the Super Smash Bros. series, was announced for release this year. The trailer revealed a dramatic introduction of Kirby on his Warp Star machine and other Kirby air riders on a variety of unique machines, as they joined together on a racetrack.

Kirby Air Riders will arrive on Nintendo Switch 2 sometime in 2025.

Drag x Drive

Use the Joy-Con 2 mouse controls and enjoy a new experience by strapping into Drag x Drive. A new online 3v3 game experience, Drag x Drive (pronounced “Drag and Drive”) challenges players to use the mouse controls with both Joy-Con 2 at the same time to intuitively steer, speed up, perform tricks and make plays such as dunks.

Drag x Drive arrives on the Nintendo Switch 2 this summer.

Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

Players can enter a virtual exhibition with Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour and gain insights into what makes Nintendo Switch 2 such a unique gaming experience. Through tech demos, minigames and other interactions, players will get to know the new system inside and out in ways they may never have known about otherwise. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour will be available to buy from Nintendo eShop from Nintendo Switch 2 launch day, June 5.

Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour will be available to buy on the Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch 2 on launch day, June 5.

**Please note: At the time this story was published, Nintendo did not have a separate trailer for Welcome Tour. Therefore we linked the full presentation but the video will start right at the beginning of the Welcome Tour segment.

What do you think about the initial first party offering from Nintendo for the Switch 2? Tell us what you think.