The Nintendo Switch Direct just concluded today, giving us an in-depth look at the console. But a console is just a fancy clock without any games, and Nintendo showed A LOT of games coming to the system this year. We won't go over everything, just the big highlights, but needless to say owners of the new console will be eating well. Don't forget to check out our Bingo board, as well as details about the console itself. Now let's get into it!

Upgrade Paths + Third Party titles

Actually, before we do, let's get some finer details out of the way. First off, no new Mario platformer was announced. No mainline Zelda game either, though Zelda fans do have something we'll get to later. That's highly unusual, as the last console to not have either of those present was the Gamecube, and even that had Luigi's Mansion.

But enough about what's not here, let's talk what is. A number of Nintendo Switch games will be getting Switch 2 enhanced version, with more likely to follow. All these games will have enhanced graphics, and some will either add mouse control or extra content. The games confirmed to get Switch 2 editions are (all games have enhanced graphics and framrates):

  • The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom
    • A secondary save file 
    • Zelda Notes, which give you a ton of bonuses, like: 
      • Navigation to stuff you haven't found in the game
      • Sharing TotK creations with others
      • Sending items to other players
      • Listening to voice lines from Zelda and other characters from the games
      • Photo mode
      • All available via a smartphone app
  • Mario Party Jamboree
    • Jamboree TV, which includes Switch 2 exclusive mini-games
  • Kirby and the Forgotten Land
    • Star-Crossed World, a new adventure set in the world of the game
  • Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
    • Allows for control via the mouse functionality
  • Pokémon Legends Z-A

You'll be able to purchase these games both physically and digitally, and upgrade your existing copy of the Switch game with an upgrade pack. No price on those yet, but it looks like you'll be able to use a Nintendo Switch Online membership (that includes the Expansion Pack) to access those, similar to the Mario Kart 8 DLC courses.

The Gamecube is coming to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, exclusively on the Switch 2. Here's what's coming:

  • At launch:
    • The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker
    • Soul Calibur II
    • F-Zero GX
  • Later down the line:
    • Super Mario Sunshine
    • Fire Emblem: Path of Radience
    • Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness
    • Mario Smash Football
    • Chibi-Robo!
    • Pokémon Colosseum

A Gamecube Controller will also be available exclusively to NSO subscribers.

Finally, third party developers have announced they'll be porting a massive number of games to the Switch at launch or soon after. Here's a somewhat comprehensive list:

  • Elden Ring Tarnished Edition
  • Hades II
  • Street Fighter VI
  • Daemon X Machina Titanic Scion
  • Split Fiction
  • EA Sports FC and Madden NFL
  • Howarts Legacy
  • Tony Hawk's Pro-Skater 3+4
  • Hitman World of Assassination
  • 007 game from IOI
  • Bravely Default Flying Faily HD Remaster
  • Yakuza 0 Director's Cut
  • Deltarune Chapters 1-4
  • Borderlands 4
  • Civ VII (launch title)
  • WWE 2K, NBA 2K
  • Star Wars Outlaws
  • Survival Kids
  • Enter the Gungeon 2
  • Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions
  • Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition
  • Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade
  • Kanitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess
  • Hollow Knight: Silksong
  • Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar
  • Goodnight Universe
  • Two Point Museum
  • Wild Hearts S
  • Witchbrook
  • Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S
  • Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma
  • Marvel Cosmic Invasion
  • Nobunaga's Ambition: Awakening Complete Edition
  • Fast Fusion
  • Shadow Labyrinth
  • RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army
  • No Sleep For Kaname Date – From AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES
  • Reanimal
  • Fortnite
  • Arcade Archives 2 Ridge Racer
  • Professor Layton and the New World of Steam
  • Tamagotchi Plaza
  • Human Fall Flat 2

With all that out of the way, let's get into the big titles!

Mario Kart World

The next entry in the Mario Kart series looks to be BIG! Aptly subtitled "World", the new game will feature up to 24-players, the ability to drive literally anywhere including on walls, grind rails and powelines, and free roam the levels as you see fit. The regualr races will have you drive between courses as part of the race itself, and there'll be a new knockout mode where you'll be eliminated if you fall behind. The game will be a launch title for the Switch 2 and be offered as a bundle, and there'll be a dedicated Direct on April 17th.

Drag x Drive

A new IP from Nintendo made to showcase the mouse functionality of the new Joycons (so this sysyem's Arms). The game is a 3v3 basketball game where you'll drag the joycons across the table to make your character, who is bound to a wheelchair, move and shoot the ball. The game is exclusive to the Switch 2 and comes out this summer.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment 

A new Hyrule Warriors game from Koei Techmo, this installment is to Tears of the Kingdom what Age of Calamaty was to the first game. Fight hordes of monsters as you learn of the war that imprisoned Gannondorf 1000 years ago. The game will launch this winter exclusively on the Switch 2.

The Duskbloods

A new games form From Software, the creators of Dark Souls, Bloodborne and Elden Ring (which is coming to the Switch 2), The Duskbloods is a new IP exclusive to Nintendo's system. All we know about the game for now is that it looks to involve vampires, and some of the architecture and clothing is reminiscent of Bloodborne, so it might be set in the same universe. Coming in 2026.

Kirby Air Riders

Mario's not the only one with a racing game. Kirby's Air Riders is a sequel to Kirby's Air Ride, an unconventional racing game for the Gamecube. The game will be directed by Masahiro Sakurai, Kirby's creator and the one in charge of the Smash Bros games, and will release in 2025.

Donkey Kong Bananza

Closing out the Direct is a new 3D Donkey Kong game! Subtitled Bananza, the game features destructible terrain for the Kong to smash through, an epic story with brand-new characters, and a lot of bananas. Not counting remasters, Donkey Kong hasn't had a new game since Tropical Freeze in 2014 on the Wii U, and no 3D game since 1999 on the N64. Bananza is set to release on July 17.

What do you think of the Switch 2 line-up? Are you excited for the new console, or are you sticking with the current one? Let us know in the comments below!