EVERY Nintendo Switch 2 Exclusive Ranked

#13: “Tokyo Scramble” (2026)

While there are some great exclusives on the Switch 2, something has to be at the bottom. And “Tokyo Scramble” fits there rather comfortably. The survival puzzler thrusts you into a hidden world within Tokyo, populated by ferocious dinosaurs. While that sounds like it could be interesting, and there are a couple of decent ideas, the final product is a mess. Graphical inconsistencies, some truly monotonous gameplay outside of the puzzles, and some clunky controls make it mostly a chore to get through. The story doesn’t do much to keep you engaged either, so it’s no surprise this particular indie didn’t find much of an audience.

#12: “Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour” (2025)

The one game many of you likely expected to be at the bottom, “Welcome Tour” still doesn’t get very far. Most of its issues arose before it launched alongside the system, as nearly everyone had a problem with it being priced at ten bucks instead of being bundled in. It mostly serves to introduce the various upgrades that the new console brought, with different mini-games surrounding them. While there is some light fun to be had here, all of it is pretty simplistic. It’s more of an interactive experience than an actual game. If it had been included for free, we’d probably look back at it more fondly. As it stands, it wasn’t even worth the low price.

#11: “Survival Kids” (2025)

Konami has returned to several dormant franchises in recent years. For the Switch 2, the company brought back “Survival Kids,” part of the “Lost in Blue” series that hadn’t seen an entry since the Wii. The new game attempts to capture the spirit of the originals, with players stranded and having to craft, explore, and problem-solve their way to survival. For players into these experiences, you’ll probably still find some enjoyment here. However, with so many of these types of games available, there isn’t much originality here, nor is there anything that this game does better than its contemporaries. At best, it's a lukewarm revival and at worst, it can be a bit dull.

#10: “Drag x Drive” (2025)

One of the more curious titles showcased during the Switch 2’s reveal Direct, “Drag x Drive” at least deserves praise for being unique. It is far from a typical sports game, focusing on wheelchair basketball, and using the unique capabilities of the new Joy-Con 2s. While you use motion controls to shoot baskets, the mouse controls of each Joy-Con 2 are divided between both wheels. This can be satisfying to master. But beyond an interesting control scheme that we hope to see perfected in other games, there isn’t much depth to be found elsewhere. And players might find that the experience wears thin after a time.

#9: “Mario Tennis Fever” (2026)

Who knows if “Mario Tennis” will ever reach the heights that it once did. Still, “Fever” is a good step in the right direction over previous entries on Switch and especially the Wii U. The core tennis gameplay is snappy and rewarding, and there are a plethora of different modes to jump into, some of which have unique gimmicks, making for an overall varied experience. Sure, it doesn’t reinvent the wheel. But it does have a massive roster of characters and rackets, giving players a bit more customization, as well as crisper visuals, better controls, and smoother online play. It might not be very deep, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t fun.

#8: “Fast Fusion” (2025)

For any players still mourning Nintendo’s own “F-Zero,” we highly recommend looking into the “Fast” series, which has consistently received strong entries from developer Shin'en Multimedia for years. The fourth game, “Fast Fusion,” released alongside the Switch 2, and delivered the same blisteringly fast gameplay we’ve come to expect. The racing is tightly tuned and mechanically demanding, rewarding players who master its mechanics and memorize its tracks. It looks incredible, too, with 4K resolution while maintaining 60 fps as you barrel down each raceway. It may have been overshadowed by “Mario Kart World” at launch. But any racing fan owes it to themselves to try it out.

#7: “Kirby Air Riders” (2025)

Coming as a complete shock to everyone was the announcement of a new Kirby racing game, over two decades after the original. But that long time in between games allowed director Masahiro Sakurai to cook up something truly special. Every single element has been expanded on in really interesting ways. Multiple unique machines to race on and engaging uses of classic Kirby power-ups leads to a surprising level of depth, considering that the first, while certainly entertaining, was a little basic. That’s not to mention some truly stunning visuals that make every single track pop, and some strong online multiplayer with timed events and updates that kept us coming back for more.

#6: “Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment” (2025)

For players wanting both more of Zelda’s time in the past era of “Tears of the Kingdom,” as well as the more action-heavy gameplay that previous entries in this spin-off series offered, “Age of Imprisonment” definitely delivered. With an even broader roster of characters, more dynamic battlefield objectives, and THANK GOD, a much higher framerate, there’s a lot here to enjoy. There’s also a heavier emphasis on story over the non-canonical “Age of Calamity,” so you actually feel the weight of it all. Naturally, the musou-style gameplay isn’t for everyone, and it doesn’t feature the same level of care put into it as a core “Zelda” experience. But it’s a strong enough companion piece for hardcore fans to dive into.

#5: “Yoshi and the Mysterious Book” (2026)

Yoshi’s solo games are always visually remarkable, with different types of handmade aesthetics. The latest adventure is another strong step in this regard, with animation that resembles stop motion and sketches within the titular book’s pages as you progress. While it is gorgeous, the best thing about it is how it taps into the player’s sense of discovery. Every level focuses on a different creature, with Yoshi using each one’s unique abilities to progress and solve puzzles. How you use each creature to interact with the environment never ceases to amaze us. It really makes you feel like an explorer. And it doesn’t hurt that, just like the lead character, “Yoshi and the Mysterious Book” is adorable to boot.

#4: “Star Fox” (2026)

It may have ruffled some feathers at announcement, being yet another reimagining, reboot, or whatever you want to call it for the series. Nevertheless, this remake of the N64 classic is still a genuine thrill. The fresh visuals, the new cutscenes with more voiceacting, and those smooth-as-silk controls make it the definitive way to experience Fox and Co’s finest adventure. It captures the same experience we all enjoyed nearly three decades ago, taking our Arwings across the Lylat System and blasting bad guys out of the sky. Only now, it’s a much closer match to what it felt like. Not only that, but it paints a bright picture for what the future hopefully holds for new “Star Fox” adventures.

#3: “Mario Kart World” (2025)

Despite the very justifiable pricing controversy, “Mario Kart World” is another incredible entry in Nintendo’s premiere racing series. Subtle new mechanics, like wall riding and rail grinding, provide just enough strategy for players to exploit across some of the most impressive track designs in the franchise’s history. More remarkable are the new modes. The single player-driven open world, with its interconnected tracks and landscapes, comes with plenty of hidden challenges to seek out. Knock Out Tour is completely addictive, and comes with even more suspenseful chaos than traditional races, which is saying something. Being both a local and online multiplayer juggernaut, this is a game we’ll be returning to for years to come.

#2: “Pokémon Pokopia” (2026)

Honestly, we were just as surprised as you. “Pokemon” spin offs are hit or miss, usually miss. But “Pokopia” is such a delightful life sim sandbox that legions of fans have flocked to it. As a Ditto in the form of a human, you get to take in needy Pokemon and design biomes that specifically cater to their needs. With DNA from “Animal Crossing,” “Minecraft,” and “Dragon Quest Builders,” Game Freak and Omega Force provided a supremely fun hook that can keep you glued for hours. The warmth and wonder of bonding with Pokemon remains entirely intact, while the new systems layered on top feel meaningfully fresh rather than gimmicky.

#1: “Donkey Kong Bananza” (2025)

After a painfully long hiatus, the franchise that put Nintendo on the map as a gamemaker finally returned on Switch 2. And as of right now, “Bananza” remains the crown jewel of the platform's exclusives. With the same team behind “Super Mario Odyssey,” Nintendo crafted another excellent 3D platformer, just with DK’s more destructive abilities. You can punch and blast your way through nearly every piece of the environment, which is not only a ton of fun, but gives you variety in how you tackle objectives. DK’s animal forms also bring a nice level of variety through their own mechanics. Then there’s the wonderful visuals, fantastic music, and genuinely heartwarming relationship between DK and Pauline. It really does take your childlike sense of joy and wonder, and condenses it into an extraordinary package.

What do you think is the best Switch 2 exclusive? And which upcoming ones are you looking forward to most? Share your thoughts in the comments, and we’ll see you next time!