The Nintendo Switch 2 is here and the launch lineup is stronger than the original Switch’s launch — which had Breath of the Wild, so that is saying something. With limited budgets and a hardware purchase already on your card, it pays to know exactly which games are worth picking up on day one, which ones can wait, and which ones are not worth your money at all. Here is the full breakdown.
Day One Buys — These Are What the Console Is For
Mario Kart World
Nintendo — The next generation of the series
Mario Kart World takes the series into open-world territory for the first time. Rather than discrete cup races, the game now features a connected world that you race across, unlocking tracks by exploring rather than selecting from a menu. The shift feels right — like the series needed this after Mario Kart 8 Deluxe dominated the last decade.
Online multiplayer is as polished as ever and the new vehicle handling system takes some adjustment but ultimately feels more expressive than the previous physics model. If you are buying a Switch 2, this should be in your cart with it.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 3
Nintendo — The third chapter in the open-world Zelda saga
The third game in the open-world Zelda series that started with Breath of the Wild takes Hyrule into a new era with a rebuilt world, a new companion system, and the most ambitious dungeon design the series has ever attempted. The first hour alone demonstrates a clear step forward in scale and environmental storytelling.
The Switch 2 hardware upgrade is most visible here — the draw distances, the dynamic weather, and the particle effects all benefit from the improved processing power. This is the showcase title for what the hardware can do.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
After years of development limbo, Metroid Prime 4 is here and it fully justifies the wait. The first-person perspective returns to the atmospheric isolation of the original trilogy while the combat feels more fluid and responsive than ever. A triumph for patient fans.
Donkey Kong Bananza
The Donkey Kong return nobody knew they needed. Bananza uses a fully destructible world — every surface can be smashed, tunneled through, or launched — and builds a movement system around it that feels genuinely inventive. The best new Nintendo IP idea in years.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment
A companion piece to Zelda that focuses on lore rather than puzzle-solving. The musou combat is satisfying in the familiar large-battlefield way and the story expands on the wider Zelda mythology significantly. Solid if not essential.
Wait for Sale — Good But Not Urgent
Skip — Not Worth Your Money Right Now
Complete Launch Lineup Rankings
NerdSnack Verdict
The Switch 2 launch is one of the strongest Nintendo has ever produced. If you are buying the hardware, grab Zelda and Mario Kart World with it — full stop. Those two games alone justify the purchase and will keep you occupied for months.
Metroid Prime 4 and Donkey Kong Bananza are strong additions once you have exhausted the launch pair. Pokemon Pokopia depends entirely on how much you already enjoy the franchise.
Budget wisely. The hardware itself is a significant expense and the top-tier first-party games are all priced accordingly. You do not need everything on day one — the best ones will still be great in six months. But Zelda? Buy that one on day one.
Crunchyroll has every simulcast, classic series, and anime film you could want — in HD, with new episodes every week.