The imaginatively titled Nintendo Switch 2, as the name suggests, is the follow up to one of the most successful video game consoles of all time, the Nintendo Switch. Although Nintendo finally revealed its existence after a flurry of leaks, we’re still months away from knowing what the Nintendo Switch 2 release date is or what games we’ll get, outside of an unnamed Mario Kart entry which debuted in the console’s reveal video.
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Also unknown are the Nintendo Switch 2 specifications. It’s reasonable to assume it would be similar to the PS4 in terms of raw power. With the added bonus of portability and of course, Nintendo’s epic franchises in tow such as Mario, Zelda, Kirby, and more. That said, we could see a torrent games that couldn’t make it to the original Switch, which is looking pretty long in tooth since its 2017 launch, make it to the Nintendo Switch 2. With that in mind, here are the games I’d like to play on the Nintendo Switch 2.
Red Dead Redemption 2
This Wild West epic from the makers of GTA 6 is perhaps the most immersive game ever despite releasing in 2018. It does an immense job of bringing 1899 USA to life and its gameplay still holds up to this day. If Nintendo want to showcase the Switch 2 as a powerhouse, Red Dead Redemption 2 would be a fantastic addition to the system.
Marvel Rivals
The hero shooter set in the Marvel Universe has been a treat to play on the PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC. Adding the Nintendo Switch 2 to the mix with support for likely Switch 2 features such as HD Rumble — Nintendo’s take on controller haptics akin to the PS5’s DualSense — would be a fantastic way to play Marvel Rivals on a big screen or on the go.
Halo: The Master Chief Collection
Microsoft’s gaming boss Phil Spencer has said Xbox games would make it to the Nintendo Switch 2. While Microsoft’s yet to announce its existence on platforms that aren’t Xbox or PC, there’s ample industry chatter to make this particular wish list item the most likely from the bunch. After all, the adventures of Xbox mascot Master Chief would be perfect on the go on the Nintendo Switch 2. More so with the Steam Deck version forcing an online connection even when you’re playing any of The Master Chief Collection’s single-player campaigns.
Forza Horizon 5
Sure, the Nintendo Switch 2 will get a new Mario Kart game but for those of us that want our racing games with a side of open-world hijinks, Forza Horizon 5 would be a welcome addition to the Nintendo Switch 2. Particularly since its many events lend themselves well to handheld play.
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Path of Exile 2
This gritty role-playing game blew up on PC at the end of 2024 for its slick gameplay and gorgeous visuals. With the Steam Deck version lacking in both departments, a Nintendo Switch 2 port could give fans of the game a way to play it on the go without sacrificing too much.
Doom: The Dark Ages
Fun fact: Doom 2016 and its sequel Doom Eternal on the original Nintendo Switch were widely regarded as fantastic ways to experience the newest reinterpretation of the series that inspired the shooter genre. Doom: The Dark Ages is skipping the Switch for its May release date. Perhaps the Nintendo Switch 2 version is waiting for the console’s release date announcement before breaking cover? I hope so.
The Legend of Zelda: Windwaker
An entire generation’s first experience of The Legend of Zelda series was courtesy of the 2017 Nintendo Switch launch game The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Its cel-shaded visuals and smart puzzles are a throwback to an era of gaming that was brimming with sheer artistry and delight. The only ways to legitimately play it is on retro hardware such as the GameCube, Wii, or Wii U. And with a lot of games from that period having a resurgence on the Switch, it would great to see Nintendo revisit one of its best with the Switch 2 launch.
Persona 3 Reload
Persona is a series of standalone games that have you attending classes as a high school student by day and slaying demons at night. Essentially: a sharper take on Harry Potter. And while Hogwarts Legacy did land on the Nintendo Switch, it’s nowhere as fun as Persona 3 Reload. Granted, you play it on a handheld PC like the Steam Deck or ROG Ally, but the performance is uneven at best. This along with its emphasis on reading through reams of text would make it deal for the Switch 2.