What’s the use of dropping 12,500 spondulicks on Nintendo’s upcoming Switch 2 without first grabbing a couple of games to go with it? Sure, all your old Switch games will boot up on the new hardware, no questions asked, but we’re looking for the experiences you can’t get elsewhere. What happens once you’re tired of Mario Kart World?
All aboard the Switch 2 hype train
Why, you turn to one of the 23 other launch titles currently slated for release on Thursday, 5 June – the same day as the Nintendo Switch 2. Mario Kart World, being one of the few big-ticket first-party titles, will require a premium sacrifice of R2,000 (R1,000 if you pick up the Mario Kart bundle), so you’ll want to make your decision wisely, and without haste — especially if you’re hoping to snag anything physical.
It’s a relatively sparse selection of games, all things considered. Nintendo is relying heavily on Mario Kart World to make up the bulk of sales for the moment. It’s not that Nintendo doesn’t have good games lined up; it’s just making customers wait a little longer before they can get their hands on them. Donkey Kong Bananza, for instance, won’t hit shelves until 17 July – more than a month after the console’s launch.
Switch 2 games launching 5 June, 2025:
- Mario Kart World
- Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
- Sonic x Shadow Generations
- Split Fiction
- Street Fighter 6 Years 1-2 Fighters Edition
- Deltarune
- Hitman World of Assassination – Signature Edition
- Hogwarts Legacy
- Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition
- Fortnite
- Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster
- Nobunaga’s Ambition Awakening Complete Edition
- Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S
- Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
- Arcade Archives 2 Ridge Racer
- Fast Fusion
- Kunitsu-Gami: Path of Goddess
- Sid Meier’s Civilization VII – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
- Suikoden I&II HD Remaster for Nintendo Switch 2
- Survival Kids
- Yakuzo 0 Director’s Cut
- Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time
That last one was a relatively recent addition to the line-up. According to NintendoLife, Fantasy Life i will get its upgraded Switch 2 edition as soon as 5 June, despite the game’s release on the original Switch only a few days ago on 21 May 2025. Like many of the ‘Switch 2 Editions’, you’ll need to pay to take advantage of the reduced load times and graphic and frame rate upgrades.
It’s in the Game(Cube)
Of course, we’ve yet to mention the selection of GameCube titles that will also be available on launch day – assuming you’re willing to pay the annual fee for a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription. Doing so will give you access to what it calls ‘Nintendo Classics‘, which so far only consists of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, SoulCalibur II, and F-Zero GX.
There may be more to Nintendo’s GameCube ‘Classics’ launch strategy that we’ll only learn about upon the console’s release, but don’t get your hopes up. Like the other consoles available through Switch Online + Expansion Pack, Nintendo will drip-feed titles to ensure you stay subscribed.
We do, at least, have a rough idea of the other titles confirmed to be coming to the GameCube Classics library at some point in the future. Whether these will be up next after the initial three games on launch day, or set to arrive sometime later down the line, remains to be seen.
Confirmed GameCube Classics coming to the Switch 2:
- Super Mario Sunshine
- Super Mario Strikers
- Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
- Luigi’s Mansion
- Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness
- Pokémon Colosseum
- Chibi-Robo
