Upcoming Nintendo Switch Games You Need to Play in 2025

It seems like only yesterday that the Nintendo Switch released to huge acclaim, not only due to its game-changing hybrid functionality as both a handheld and home console but also its award-winning flagship title—The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which was easily one of the very best games of the 2010s. A lot’s happened since the console’s March 2017 launch: both PlayStation and Xbox have released new consoles (themselves now well into the halfway point of their life cycles), there’s now plenty of competition in the handheld gaming space the Switch shepherded, and Breath of the Wild has received an excellent sequel.

Almost eight years to the day, Nintendo is ready to launch into the next era of the Switch. Of course that means a brand-new console—the just announced Switch 2. That also means that the first couple of months of 2025 will be a bit weird for Switch owners looking for new games for their beloved platform.

In essence, there isn’t much on offer in terms of new first-party exclusives for the Switch at the moment, as Nintendo is understandably focusing on new games for the Switch 2 (which we should hopefully learn a lot more about very soon). That said, there is just enough still coming to the Switch to keep players satiated until the next Nintendo console drops.

Here are the big Switch games you need to keep an eye on this year…

Mario Kart World

Nintendo – June 5

The latest edition of Mario Kart will be available for the Nintendo Switch 2 the same day the system is set to launch. Mario Kart World is taking the game off-road for the first time giving players the opportunity to take their vehicles off the track and into an open world that connects the race courses. Grand Prix mode is a race across four courses, with 24 total opponents. Whoever has the most points at the end, wins! There’s also Knockout Tour mode, which is a barrel-run through back-to-back courses with no pit-stops along the way. There are five checkpoints along the way, if you don’t score high enough by the time you reach one, you’re out of the race. With up to four players in co-op or online modes, game nights with friends just got even more exciting.

Donkey Kong Bananza

Nintendo – July 17

Another game coming out exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2 shortly after launch is Donkey Kong Bananza, a 3D platformer starring our favorite gorilla. DK is excited to find an exciting new resource, golden bananas, but after they’re stolen by a mysterious group known as Void Co, he must venture into their lair in the underworld and get his precious bananas back. Like any good Donkey Kong game, there is plenty of punching involved, as certain elements of the environment react to DK’s powerful fists and allow you to carve out paths and explore new areas.

Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings Game

Wētā Workshop – July 26

New cozy game alert! Tales of the Shire is like if Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing took a trip to the Shire of Lord of the Rings. The game lets players live out their dreams of hanging out in the idyllic landscape of the Shire as they create their own character, decorate their own Hobbit hole, make friends in the community, and help the town flourish. We played Tales of the Shire at SGF and were impressed with the amount of care put into creating this version of the Shire. Even though the game isn’t technically canon, there are still plenty of references and easter eggs for Lord of the Rings fans to find. 

Capcom Fighting Collection 2

Capcom – TBA 2025

With a mix of classic 2D and 3D style games, fans of classic Capcom arcade-style games have a lot to look forward to with Capcom Fighting Collection 2. Including titles such as Capcom vs. SNK, Capcom vs. SNK 2, Power Stone, Power Stone 2, Street Fighter Alpha 3 Upper, and more, this game is perfect for anyone looking to recreate the retro-gaming experience. Capcom Fighting Collection 2 also includes an online play mode that allows you to play casual, ranked, and custom matches with other players across the globe. This game is also very beginner-friendly with training modes as well as adjustable difficulty settings and a customizable button layout that allows for one-button special moves in combat. So even if you aren’t an arcade legend, there’s still plenty of fun to be had.

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake

Square Enix – TBA 2025

Game publishers haven’t always done a great job of preserving their own history, but Square Enix absolutely nailed it when it set out to remake the Erdrick Trilogy, the first three games in the classic Dragon Quest series. While Dragon Quest 3, which is chronologically the first title in the trilogy, was released last year, we’ll get the second and third chapters of hero Erdrick’s story in a 2-in-1 package, with modernized visuals but the story and turn-based combat fans already love. If you’ve been waiting for the right time to play these three classic JRPGs, 2025 is the time.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

Retro Studios – TBA 2025

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond hasn’t had the smoothest development journey over the last decade. Originally in development at Bandai Namco Studios, Retro Studios, the original creator of the Metroid Prime series, took over production in 2019 at the behest of Nintendo, which set the game back years. But despite the bumps in the road, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond looks like a spectacular return for the series. What we’ve seen so far from the trailers looks a lot like the classic Metroid Prime experience—lots of first-person blasting, morph ball action, scanning, and Space Pirates to take down—but with shiny new visuals and a new story, which we know will involve the bounty hunter Sylux, who’s hellbent on taking down Samus once and for all.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Game Freak – TBA 2025

Pokémon Legends: Z-A asks the question of what would happen if you combined urban planning with Pokémon. The game is set in the fictional Lumiose City, where an urban redevelopment plan seeks to create a place where both people and Pokémon can thrive. While we don’t know much about gameplay specifics just yet, this looks like it’ll be a fun and interesting entry in the franchise.

Shovel Knight: Shovel of Hope DX

Yacht Club Games – TBA 2025

Shovel Knight fans, rejoice! An updated version of the original Shovel Knight game is on its way with some exciting new features, including 20 playable characters with unique playstyles. Shovel Knight: Shovel of Hope DX calls on you to embark on a quest to save Shield Knight, defeat the evil Enchantress, and take down her Order of No Quarter. The game stays true to its original retro look and platforming game style while also introducing an online multiplayer mode as well as the power of Rewind and Save States to pause the game and plot the best strategy to get through a level. Shovel of Hope DX has a lot to offer whether you’re a long-time fan or a newcomer to the series.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment

Koei Tecmo – TBA Winter

A new Hyrule Warriors game was just announced for the Nintendo Switch 2, and is set to follow Zelda and show what she was up to when she went back in time in Tears of the Kingdom. Set during the Imprisoning War, this prequel will tell the story of how Zelda teamed up with Rauru, Sonia, and the other holders of the Secret Stones to fight against Ganondorf and his forces. While we don’t have a release date yet, this new Zelda adventure is supposed to come out sometime this winter.

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