TL;DR
Nintendo released the Switch 2 in June 2025 and a year of releases and upgrades has followed. The Verge highlights 11 must-play Switch 2 titles, including first-party games like Mario Kart World (bundled with the $499 console) and Donkey Kong Bananza, alongside belated third-party ports such as Cyberpunk 2077 and Divinity: Original Sin 2.
What happened
Nintendo’s Switch 2 arrived in June 2025 and quickly accumulated a notable library of titles and updates during the year. The Verge compiled eleven standout games it recommends for new owners, spanning Nintendo first-party releases like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza, the long-awaited Hollow Knight: Silksong, and several late third-party arrivals. Mario Kart World, which the article notes ships in the $499 Switch 2 bundle, adds new characters, an open-world single-player mode and interconnected courses. Hollow Knight: Silksong is praised for its visuals, which benefit from the console’s 120Hz refresh-rate screen. The piece also calls out ports such as Cyberpunk 2077 and Divinity: Original Sin 2, and says classics like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild have received renewed attention on the upgraded hardware. The write-up is presented as a short buyer’s guide for people considering the new console.
Why it matters
- Switch 2’s launch and early library show Nintendo pushing both new first-party experiences and upgraded versions of older titles.
- A bundled flagship title (Mario Kart World) provides immediate play value for purchasers of the $499 console package.
- Hardware upgrades such as a 120Hz screen can noticeably affect how certain games look and feel, per the article’s examples.
- The console’s early year includes notable third-party ports, indicating increased support from non-Nintendo developers.
Key facts
- Nintendo launched the Switch 2 in June 2025.
- The Verge selected 11 games it considers must-buys for Switch 2 owners.
- Mario Kart World is included in the $499 Switch 2 bundle and adds new characters, an open-world single-player mode, and interconnected courses.
- Hollow Knight: Silksong is described as a side-scrolling action‑exploration game whose animations benefit from the Switch 2’s 120Hz refresh-rate screen.
- Third-party titles that arrived on Switch 2 in 2025 include Cyberpunk 2077 and Divinity: Original Sin 2, described as belated ports.
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild received renewed attention on the upgraded console.
- The article was written by Cameron Faulkner and published on December 31, 2025.
What to watch next
- not confirmed in the source
- not confirmed in the source
Quick glossary
- First-party: Games developed and published by the console maker or its internal studios.
- Third-party: Games made by outside developers or publishers that are not owned by the console manufacturer.
- 120Hz refresh rate: A display specification indicating the screen can update 120 times per second, which can make motion appear smoother.
- Open-world: A game design approach that allows players to explore a large, non-linear environment rather than progressing only along set paths.
Reader FAQ
Is Mario Kart World included with the Switch 2?
According to the source, Mario Kart World comes in the box with the $499 Switch 2 bundle.
When did the Switch 2 launch?
The article states Nintendo launched the Switch 2 in June 2025.
Does Hollow Knight: Silksong run at 120Hz on Switch 2?
The source says Silksong’s animations are easier to appreciate thanks to the console’s 120Hz refresh-rate screen, but it does not provide technical performance specifics.
Are new Zelda games included in the list?
The source notes The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild received renewed attention on the upgraded console but does not list a new Zelda game among the highlighted titles.
GAMING ENTERTAINMENT REPORT The 11 best Nintendo Switch 2 games we played in 2025 If you unwrapped Nintendo’s powerful Switch 2 during the holidays, we have opinions on which games…
Sources
- The 11 best Nintendo Switch 2 games we played in 2025
- I Reviewed 25 Switch 2 Games In 2025, And These Are My …
- The Top 10 Nintendo Switch 2 Games
- 14 best Nintendo Switch 2 games of 2025 – CNN
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