The next Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive planned for a 2025 release is Donkey Kong Bananza. Now that the console is out, you can check out our Switch 2 restock guide for info on where to pick one up. Elsewhere, there's TechRadar Gaming's live Switch 2 launch day coverage, where we'll be sharing our expert opinions on the new console as we get our hands on it.
Upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives will start to arrive thick over the next few months, with Donkey Kong Bananza kicking things off in style now that the Switch 2 is out. Nintendo fans will have plenty to keep them busy for the rest of the year as well, with everything from a new Metroid Prime game, to a new Pokémon set to come out.
In terms of upcoming Switch 2 titles and Switch 2 launch games the next couple of months are absolutely stacked with Nintendo Switch 2 games. Some are exclusives like Kirby Air Riders, while others are new versions of old games like Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition. One thing's for sure, there will likely be some new contenders for our best Nintendo Switch games list by the end of the year.
Here are the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives to look forward to in 2025 and beyond. We'll only be covering games that have been officially confirmed for release, many of which already have solid release dates locked in. In terms of what games we've chosen to include here, these are either only coming to Nintendo Switch 2, new versions of Nintendo Switch games, or Nintendo Switch 2 versions of upcoming games. We'll indicate where each game sits with regard to these release platforms as we go.
Upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives
There are currently quite a few Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives planned and confirmed for future release on the upcoming console. We've listed them below, alongside their release dates where available.
The games below include those only coming to Nintendo Switch 2, new versions of Nintendo Switch games, or Nintendo Switch 2 versions of upcoming games. We'll indicate where each game sits with regard to these release platforms as we go.
- Donkey Kong Bananza - July 17, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive)
- Drag x Drive - Summer 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive)
- Kirby Air Riders - TBC 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive)
- Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment - TBC 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive)
- The Duskbloods - TBC 2026 (Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive)
- Tamagotchi Plaza - June 27, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)
- Shadow Labyrinth - July 18, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)
- Super Mario Party Jamboree - July 24, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)
- Kirby and the Forgotten Land - August 28, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)
- Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar - August 28, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)
- Hades 2 - TBC (Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch exclusive)
- Splatoon Raiders - TBC (Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive)
Let's kick off this list of Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives with perhaps the most surprising reveal of the latest Nintendo Direct. The Duskbloods is a brand new game from Bloodborne and Dark Souls developer FromSoftware. It's a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive, and it'll launch sometime in 2026. Beyond that, we don't know too much about it, other than it. being described as a PvPvE multiplayer game. Whether this will be similar to how things work in Elden Ring, with players invading your game, or more akin to what Elden Ring: Nightreign is going for remains to be seen.
DK fans rejoice, there's finally a new Donkey Kong 3D platformer, and it looks absolutely beautiful. As Donkey Kong, you'll explore an underground world teeming with enemies to smash and secrets to unveil. Alongside new allies, Donkey Kong works to foil the plans of VoidCo, a mysterious new group that's got its eyes on the Golden Bananas that are buried in the ground. So far, it's looking like a great mix of Super Mario Odyssey, and the mine-cart mayhem of the best Donkey Kong games. We don't have long to wait either, as Donkey Kong: Bananza launches July 17, 2025 exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2.
Drag x Drive is a 3v3 sports game that makes use of the new Joy-Con mouse function. By dragging Joy-Cons up and down a surface, you'll control the character's wheelchair. You can pull off tricks, throw the ball and score points, and even play against other players online. There's no solid release date for this one just yet, only a release window of Summer 2025. Drag x Drive will be exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2 when it launches.
This one makes use of the Joy-Con 2's new mouse mode, which TechRadar's Rhys Wood reckons could be the Switch 2's most exciting feature. In his time previewing Drag X Drive, he found the wheelchair controls to be "intuitive and unique."
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is a third-person action game that serves as a prequel to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. It all plays out in that classic Dynasty Warriors style, with the story set around the Imprisoning War that kicks off Link's journey to save Hyrule with the help of the Zonai. From the looks of things, we'll be able to fight as Princess Zelda against large groups of Ganon's army. There's other playable characters too, like the masked champions from Tears of the Kingdom. This one doesn't have a release date yet, only that it'll launch sometime in 2025, exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2.
Kirby Air Riders, a brand new title originated from the Nintendo GameCube classic racing-action game Kirby Air Ride, is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 this year – directed by Masahiro Sakurai. We don't know much about it yet, though it'll be a flying racing game starring Kirby and his pals for sure. The original featured items that transformed Kirby, giving him abilities like Link's sword. Hopefully this mechanic returns when the game launches some time in 2025.
Nintendo announced Splatoon Raiders via the Nintendo Today App, revealing a short trailer, as well as the fact that it'll be exclusive to Switch 2. Beyond that, we don't know much about it, other than it looks set to be a Splatoon spin-off, possibly with a cooperative survival game focus. We'll have to wait for more details on this one, as currently, it doesn't even have a release window.
Finally, we have Hades 2, which will launch as a console exclusive on Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch. Of course, it's already in early access on PC, but its full version will land first on Nintendo platforms. Aside from that we don't have a launch date, but we've certainly spent a lot of time with the early access version of Hades 2 already, and definitely vouch for it.
Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives - new versions of Switch games
In addition to the Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives listed above, there's also Switch 2 versions of existing and upcoming Switch games to contend with. Here are the games being upgraded and receiving separate Switch 2 editions:
- Tamagotchi Plaza - June 27, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)
- Shadow Labyrinth - July 18, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)
- Super Mario Party Jamboree - July 24, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)
- Kirby and the Forgotten Land - August 28, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)
- Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar - August 28, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)
- Pokémon Legends Z-A - October 16, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)
- Metroid Prime 4: Beyond - TBC 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)
With regards to Switch 2 versions of Switch games, TechRadar had access to Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom a month or so ago, as part of a wider Nintendo Switch 2 preview. Our Hardware Editor Rhys Wood had this to say:
"Playing it (Breath of the Wild) and Tears of the Kingdom at a rock-solid 4K 60fps on console feels like it’s not real. But it is on Switch 2. Both games also have drastically sharper image quality, meaning they’re absolutely the definitive version of each release."
Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives FAQ
Is The Duskbloods only on Nintendo Switch 2?
The Duskbloods is only planned for Nintendo Switch 2 as things stand. This means that it's not likely to arrive on any other platforms, even Nintendo Switch. By the looks of things, this is a collaboration between FromSoftware and Nintendo, so you'll need to pick up the new console to play it in 2026.
Will all new Nintendo games be Switch 2 exclusive?
While some new Nintendo games like Mario Kart World are indeed Nintendo Switch 2 only, there are still games coming to Nintendo Switch. Namely, Metroid Prime 4, and Pokémon Legends Z-A will release on both.
This will likely continue for a while, until eventually, things will move to be Switch 2 only. Even with a new console out now, you'll likely be able to play new games on your old Switch for a while yet, though you will miss out on the bigger titles like Donkey Kong: Bananza, and The Duskbloods.
Will Pokemon Z-A be Switch 2 exclusive?
Pokémon Legends Z-A is not a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive. At launch, there will be separate versions for both Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2. On the new console, it'll run at a better frame rate, and have improved visuals, but the game will be functionally the same on both devices. We now know it's coming out on October 16, 2025. Not long to wait!
You Might Also Like...
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.