3 Upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 Games I Can't Wait to Play – And One Might Surprise You
The Nintendo Switch 2 has arrived, and with it comes one of the most exciting software lineups a Nintendo console has seen at launch and beyond. Whether you were first in line to grab the hardware or you're still on the fence about upgrading, there's one thing that might push you over the edge: the games. And not just any games — we're talking about a mix of long-awaited blockbusters, beloved franchise revivals, and at least one title that nobody saw coming but everyone is now talking about.
Below, I've picked three upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 games that have me genuinely excited — and yes, one of them might raise an eyebrow or two. Let's get into it.
1. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – The Return We've Been Waiting Two Decades For
If there's one game that has defined patient fandom, it's Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. Announced all the way back in 2017, this long-gestating sequel to the beloved GameCube trilogy went through a very public restart when Nintendo handed development off to original series creator Retro Studios. The result of that reset? A game that now looks absolutely stunning on Nintendo Switch 2 hardware — and one that fans of the franchise have been dreaming about for the better part of twenty years.
What makes Metroid Prime 4 so compelling isn't just nostalgia. It's the promise of a full-blown, first-person action-adventure set in a universe that Nintendo rarely gives enough attention. Samus Aran is one of gaming's most iconic protagonists, and the original Metroid Prime trilogy defined what atmospheric, exploration-driven gameplay could feel like in a 3D space. The Switch 2's enhanced processing power and improved controller inputs set the stage for what could be the most immersive Metroid experience ever made.
Early footage has shown lush, alien environments, slick scanning mechanics making a return, and combat that looks fluid and responsive. For longtime fans, this isn't just a game — it's a vindication. And for newcomers, it could be a perfect entry point into one of Nintendo's most underrated franchises.
2. Donkey Kong Bananza – A Franchise Finally Getting Its Moment
Speaking of long-overdue attention, Donkey Kong Bananza has quickly become one of the most talked-about Nintendo Switch 2 titles since its reveal. Developed internally at Nintendo, this isn't a simple Donkey Kong Country-style sidescroller. Instead, Bananza takes DK in a bold new direction — one that emphasizes 3D platforming, physics-based destruction, and a wild, comedic energy that feels fresh while staying true to the character's roots.
What's immediately striking about Bananza is its mechanical ambition. Players can literally tear apart the environment, punch through terrain, and reshape the world around them. It's chaotic in the best possible way, and it positions Donkey Kong as more than just a platformer mascot — it shows that Nintendo is willing to invest real creative energy into evolving him as a franchise lead.
The game's visual style is vibrant and expressive, drawing on the exaggerated physicality that has always made DK so endearing. And the prospect of co-op multiplayer adds another layer of appeal for families and friend groups looking for something to play together on the new hardware.
If you've ever thought Nintendo didn't give Donkey Kong the same care it gives Mario or Zelda, Bananza looks like the apology letter you've been waiting for — and it looks spectacular.
3. The Surprising Pick: Mario Kart World – And Why It's More Than You Think
Here's where things get interesting. Yes, another Mario Kart. I can practically hear the sighs. But hear me out — Mario Kart World isn't just an incremental upgrade to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. It represents a genuine philosophical shift in what a Mario Kart game can be, and for that reason alone, it belongs on this list.
Mario Kart World introduces an open-world traversal system between races, meaning the game world itself is now a connected, explorable space rather than a collection of isolated tracks. You drive through a living Mario universe, discovering shortcuts, collectibles, and surprises between competitions. It's a concept that sounds small on paper but fundamentally changes the rhythm and feel of playing a Mario Kart game.
The track roster is enormous, the visual polish on Switch 2 is genuinely impressive, and the new gameplay wrinkles — including knock-out-style battle formats and dynamic weather across stages — breathe new life into a formula that admittedly needed freshening up.
The surprise isn't that Mario Kart World exists. It's that it might be the most ambitious entry in the franchise's history, and it has a real shot at being the Switch 2's defining multiplayer experience for years to come. That's not a small statement for a series that already sold tens of millions of copies across multiple hardware generations.
Why the Nintendo Switch 2 Lineup Matters Right Now
What these three games have in common is ambition. Nintendo could have played it safe with its Switch 2 launch window, relying on ports and minor upgrades to move units. Instead, it's releasing titles that signal genuine creative investment in its franchises and in the hardware itself.
For consumers, this is the best possible scenario. Each of the games above offers something meaningfully different — a return to an iconic solo experience, a new direction for a beloved mascot, and a reimagining of a multiplayer classic. Together, they make a compelling case not just for buying the Switch 2, but for being excited about what Nintendo is building toward in the years ahead.
Whether you're a lifelong Nintendo fan or someone who drifted away during the original Switch era, now is a genuinely great time to pay attention. The games are coming — and a few of them just might surprise you.