7 Nintendo Switch 2 Games You Should Try Out in 2026

For a console that hasn’t been out that long, Nintendo’s Switch 2 boasts a game library with more than a few gems. 

The console developers have managed something rare: a catalogue that works just as well for casual players as it does for people who treat gaming as a serious hobby.

There are many great Switch 2 games to choose from, but we decided to look at seven that stand out, each of which shows a different side of what the console does best. 

Animal Crossing: New Horizons 

Few games have had such a cultural impact as Animal Crossing, and the Switch 2 edition most definitely follows this tried-and-tested formula.

The good news is that you can still do the everyday activities that everyone knows and loves, including chatting with neighbours and rearranging furniture. 

However, visual upgrades and better online connectivity make visiting friends’ islands less of a chore and the added camera support leans into the game’s social side. 

In a year filled with loud, demanding releases, this remains a nice, quiet option for you to turn to.

Hades II

As relaxing as the previous game is, Hades II promises a much different experience.

Supergiant Games’ sequel builds on everything that worked the first time around, including fast combat, sharp writing, and a loop that makes even failure feel productive.

Losing a life is not necessarily a bad thing here. Each run adds a little knowledge, a little power, and a reason to try again.

It’s slick, funny, and oddly motivating – the kind of game people open “for ten minutes” and then lose an evening.

Mario Kart World

If you were expecting a Mario Kart update, then Nintendo did much more than that, stretching the series into an even larger universe than before. 

Get ready for some nice new bonus tracks to go with your favourites, plus an injection of surprises that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Fans of online play will love this game, too. There are excellent voice features and smoother matchmaking, so you get some truly rip-roaring races against your mates.

It’s approachable enough for first-time players, yet deep enough to reward people who memorise every turn.

Hollow Knight: Silksong

Sometimes it’s possible to both love and hate a game. Silksong is surely a contender for this bracket – demanding, sometimes brutally so, but it earns your love through design rather than cheap tricks.

Exploration feels tense and deliberate, combat requires patience, and progress is hard-won. It’s not for everyone, but for players who enjoy mastering systems slowly, it’s one of the most absorbing experiences on the console.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land 

If you’ve already played Kirby, you might have fallen in love with it, but the Switch 2 version goes one better with added polish and an extra storyline to keep you guessing what will happen next.

Its creativity is very impressive. Levels change without warning and you may find yourself in completely different surroundings from one moment to the next.

It’s cheerful without being shallow, making it a favourite for families and solo players alike.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom 

Returning to Hyrule, Zelda fans will love this new version of the classic game.

The Switch 2 edition sharpens visuals and performance, but the real draw remains the game’s freedom. You’re encouraged to experiment, to build odd solutions, and to approach problems sideways.

One of Zelda’s strengths has always been the way it gives its players freedom to just… play, and this version is no different. 

Players report finding new routes and tricks months after its release, which goes to show just how deep and entertaining this game is.

Metroid Prime Remastered

Remasters aren’t always popular with gamers. Many of them feel unnecessary, but Metroid Prime isn’t one of them. 

This new version brings many additional details to the tale but still stays true to its original moody and thoughtful sci-fi nature. Switch 2’s hardware brings out features that once hid behind technical limits.

Get ready for slow and atmospheric exploration followed by tense combat that isn’t overwhelming – a game its creators can be proud of.

Why these games matter right now?

We all love flexibility in our games and most modern consoles strive to deliver it. The Switch 2, in particular, lets players move easily between short sessions and long stretches of play – one evening tending a peaceful island, the next pushing through a difficult boss fight.

You’ll see this variety in multiple areas of modern entertainment, not just gaming. Familiar mechanics, repeat visits, and low-pressure engagement are part of why games sit comfortably alongside things like streaming, mobile gaming, and even new online casinos, where users dip in briefly rather than commit hours at a time.

As time goes on and players demand ever more choice, the Switch 2 keeps delivering fun and entertaining games for its audience – the above seven titles are perfect examples of that.