I’ve Played All 9 Switch 2 Exclusives Released So Far and Here’s My Official Ranking

As of today, the Nintendo Switch 2 is almost a year old and has quickly become known for its growing collection of games. Since it launched, a diverse selection of titles have been released, including at least 11 games you can only play on the Switch 2, with more on the way.

Unless Nintendo unexpectedly releases something new, the next exclusive game for the Switch 2 will be Yoshi and the Mysterious Book on May 21st, followed by Splatoon Raiders on July 23rd. While a release date hasn’t been confirmed yet, Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave is also expected to launch this summer for the Switch 2, giving owners of Nintendo’s newest console a lot of exciting games to anticipate in the coming months.

The Switch 2 is already building a great library of exclusive games, and more are on the way. I’ve played all the Switch 2 exclusives released so far and put together a ranking to help you decide which ones to play first, whether you’re building your collection or are new to the console.

As a huge Switch 2 fan, I really wanted this list to be all about games you can’t play on any other system. That’s why I left out remasters like Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD and Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S. Plus, even though games like Pokemon Legends: Z-A and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond are getting Switch 2 versions, they’re also on the original Switch, so I didn’t include them either. I wanted to focus only on truly new experiences for the Switch 2!

11. Tokyo Scramble

Tokyo Scramble is a strange game where you sneak around to avoid dinosaurs. Unfortunately, the story doesn’t make much sense, the graphics are poor and don’t showcase the Switch 2’s capabilities, and the gameplay relies on frustrating trial and error. It’s a really annoying experience, and I can’t recommend it to anyone who owns a Switch 2.

10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

Even if Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour was included for free with the console, it’s still a dull and uninteresting experience I wouldn’t recommend. It’s mostly a collection of mini-games that feels like an interactive museum – you just walk around and read facts about the Switch 2. It completely ignores a key principle from former Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aimé: games should be fun! I played it all the way through on the day it launched and have no intention of ever playing it again.

9. Survival Kids

Survival Kids is a pretty unusual title among the games launching with the Switch 2. This new version, a remake of the earlier Survival Kids/Lost in Blue series, unfortunately isn’t very enjoyable. It combines puzzle-solving with survival gameplay, requiring you to gather materials and make tools to progress. However, unlike most survival games where you steadily improve, Survival Kids resets your progress at the start of each level, forcing you to repeat the most tedious and frustrating parts over and over again.

It’s good that Survival Kids lets up to four players team up, and it’s impressive you can play together locally with just one game copy. However, considering it costs $49.99, the game’s flaws are hard to overlook – that price feels excessive for what you get.

8. Drag x Drive

Drag x Drive is a wheelchair basketball game played using the Joy-Con 2 as a mouse. While the controls take some getting used to, they become intuitive with practice. The game itself is enjoyable, and I had a good time playing it, but it’s held back by two major flaws. First, it doesn’t offer local multiplayer, meaning it relies on players staying engaged for a long time – which feels unrealistic. Second, there just isn’t much content. You won’t find enough to keep you playing for more than a few short bursts.

7. Chillin’ by the Fire

As the name, Chillin’ by the Fire, suggests, this game is all about relaxing around a campfire. Players can roast marshmallows and gather wood, but the main focus is on the social experience. You work together to keep the fire burning, and with the Switch 2 Camera, you can even see your friends’ faces. It’s not a fast-paced or essential game, but it’s a fun and unique way to hang out with others.

6. Fast Fusion

When the Switch 2 launched, players had more than one racing game to choose from. Alongside Mario Kart World, Fast Fusion offered a thrilling, futuristic racing experience with stunning tracks. Fast Fusion’s standout feature was its ability to combine cars, creating completely new vehicles. The racing itself was incredibly fun, and the game could have been even more popular if it included online multiplayer. While local multiplayer is available, the absence of a robust online mode significantly limits the game’s long-term appeal.

5. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment

I have mixed feelings about the Hyrule Warriors games. I really enjoyed the first one – it was fun unlocking characters from across the Legend of Zelda series and battling with them. However, I was disappointed with Age of Calamity. The original Hyrule Warriors was a vibrant and lighthearted action game, but Age of Calamity felt dull and uninspired, and its story wasn’t even considered official Zelda lore.

I think Age of Imprisonment is just okay. While it’s great that the story connects to Tears of the Kingdom, the cutscenes drag on, and it’s frustrating that the first part of the game often forces you to play alone when the best part of the game is playing with friends. It’s disappointing to start a mission and find out you can’t play co-op.

Despite its flaws, Age of Imprisonment is a clear improvement over the last game. It delivers the fast-paced, action-packed combat Warriors fans love, but with better graphics and smoother gameplay. Unlike previous Warriors games on the Switch, it runs without noticeable lag or stuttering, even in split-screen multiplayer.

4. Mario Kart World

Okay, so I finally got my hands on Mario Kart World for the Switch 2, and it’s seriously amazing. It’s definitely the game you need to get with the new console. The graphics are the best I’ve ever seen in a Mario Kart game, and it runs super smoothly. The courses are gorgeous, and they’ve added some really cool new ways to move around that make every race way more exciting. Plus, there are tons of different ways to play with friends and family. Honestly, exploring the open world by myself was a little confusing at times – I wish there was more guidance – but even with that, Mario Kart World is a total blast and a must-own for any Switch 2 owner like me.

3. Kirby Air Riders

I was surprised by how much I enjoy Kirby Air Riders. Since I never played the original Kirby Air Ride on GameCube, this game felt completely fresh, and I was really impressed. It’s a fast-paced racing game with a great cast of characters and crazy vehicles, and it’s wonderfully chaotic. Like other games made by Masahiro Sakurai, Kirby Air Riders is packed with content, offering achievements and plenty of unlockables to keep you playing. The online multiplayer is a blast, there are lots of offline modes, and it’s hard to put down. Even if you’re not sure you’ll like it, I definitely recommend giving Kirby Air Riders a try.

2. Pokemon Pokopia

The first Pokemon game designed specifically for the Switch 2 is also a standout title, and arguably the best Pokemon spin-off ever created. Pokopia cleverly blends elements of Minecraft and Animal Crossing with the Pokemon universe, making it a remarkably complete and enjoyable cozy game. In Pokopia, players take on the role of a Ditto transformed into a human, tasked with revitalizing Pokemon habitats. Once you start playing, it’s hard to stop, and it’s a compelling reason to get a Switch 2.

2026-05-02 21:05