Nintendo Switch 2 Games: List, Prices, Release Dates & More

The buzz around Nintendo Switch 2 games has reached a fever pitch — but sorting the confirmed titles from the rumors can feel like a side quest. With over 788 games already cataloged on Wikipedia and first-party titles like Mario Kart World leading the charge, this guide lays out what’s real, when it’s coming, and what the fine print means for early adopters.

Confirmed Switch 2 games: 788 (Wikipedia list as of 2025) ·
First announced titles: Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza ·
Top-rated game (Metacritic): The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Switch 2 Edition ·
Upcoming release date (example): Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave – 9/17/2025

Here are the key facts about Nintendo Switch 2 games at a glance.

Will Switch 2 games be playable on Switch 1?

This is the compatibility question many existing Switch owners want answered. So far, Nintendo has not confirmed whether physical Switch 2 games will work on the original Switch. In previous transitions (DS → 3DS, Wii → Wii U), cartridge shape changes often prevented physical backward compatibility. A similar approach here would mean Switch 1 owners need the Switch 2 to play new titles.

What Nintendo has officially said about backward compatibility

• Nintendo has stated that the Switch 2 will play most Switch 1 games, but not the reverse (Nintendo announcement).
• No official statement mentions Switch 2 cartridges being readable in Switch 1 hardware.

Technical differences between Switch 1 and Switch 2 cartridges

Based on leaks and industry patterns, the Switch 2 uses a slightly different cartridge casing to prevent insertion into Switch 1 slots. Nintendo has used this strategy before — it protects the company from confusion at retail and ensures performance requirements are met. The implication: don’t expect your kid to pop a Mario Kart World cartridge into a launch Switch.

The implication: compatibility is a key factor for early adopters deciding whether to invest in the new console.

What is the Nintendo Switch 2 games list?

The Wikipedia community maintains a running list that has grown to 788 entries as of 2025 (Wikipedia list). But not all are confirmed — some are placeholder or rumored. Here’s what the major sources agree on.

First-party Nintendo titles available at launch

• Mario Kart World (price $79.99 per IGN’s games list)
• Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour ($9.99 tech demo/tutorial)
• Donkey Kong Bananza ($69.99, release July 17, 2025 per IGN)
• Pokémon Legends Z-A ($69.99, October 16, 2025 per IGN)
• Kirby and the Forgotten Land + Star-Crossed World ($79.99, August 28, 2025 per IGN)

Third-party and indie games confirmed for Switch 2

• Elden Ring Tarnished Edition (listed at Smyths Toys for €59.99)
• Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition (launch title per TechRadar)
• Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut (launch title per TechRadar)
• Split Fiction, Street Fighter 6 (launch titles per TechRadar)

The following table summarizes prices and release dates for selected Switch 2 titles.

When are upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 games releasing?

The UK Nintendo hardware page lists release dates stretching from June 2025 into early 2026 (Nintendo UK schedule). Here are the key dates.

Confirmed release dates for 2025 and 2026

• June 5, 2025: Launch day — includes Mario Kart World, Switch 2 Welcome Tour, and 21 titles per TechRadar
• July 17, 2025: Donkey Kong Bananza
• August 14, 2025: Additional titles per Nintendo UK
• September 17, 2025: Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave
• October 16, 2025: Pokémon Legends Z-A
• November 6, 2025: Next wave per Nintendo UK
• December 3, 2025: Xenoblade Chronicles 3 – Switch 2 Edition
• February 12 & March 5, 2026: Further entries listed on Nintendo UK

Tentative windows for 2027 titles

Nintendo has not announced a 2027 lineup, but related searches and investor materials suggest a steady cadence of first-party titles through the console’s life. No specific dates are available yet.

The catch: the spaced-out schedule may test patience for those eager for a full library.

How much do Nintendo Switch 2 games cost?

Nintendo broke tradition in 2025 by announcing that digital exclusives could carry different MSRPs from physical versions starting May 2026 (Nintendo pricing policy). For now, prices cluster around $60–$80.

Price range for physical vs. digital copies

• First-party physical games: $69.99–$79.99 (e.g., Mario Kart World $79.99, Donkey Kong Bananza $69.99 per IGN)
• Digital-only titles: Welcome Tour at $9.99 (per IGN)
• Third-party ports: Elden Ring Tarnished Edition at €59.99 (Smyths Toys listing)

Comparison with current Nintendo Switch game pricing

For reference, Nintendo Switch 1 flagship games typically retail at $59.99 physical, $59.99 digital. The Switch 2 generation adds a $10–$20 premium for most new releases, though older ports like Elden Ring stay at the $60 equivalent.

What this means: early adopters face a premium, but the real value may shift with digital pricing changes.

Will the Switch 2 get Netflix?

The original Switch launched without streaming apps, eventually added Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube. The same pattern is expected for Switch 2, but no official announcement has been made.

Streaming apps on previous Nintendo consoles

• Nintendo Switch (2017): launched without Netflix; added it later (2018)
• Nintendo 3DS: had Netflix, YouTube
• Wii U: Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Video

Potential for Netflix and other services

Unconfirmed reports suggest Netflix and YouTube are being tested internally. However, Nintendo has not committed to a timeline. The absence of a streaming app at launch could disappoint buyers expecting a media hub.

The pattern: streaming apps arrive later, so day-one buyers should not expect a media hub.