Nintendo Switch 2 Reviews: The Best of the Best

The following are the games that are the cream of the crop, the best of the best, the belle of the ball, the you get the idea. These games have been sorted by grade and then alphabetically. Please take a look:

A++

Game	Genre	Grade
Donkey Kong Bananza	3D Platformer	A++
tl;dr Donkey Kong Bananza is the long-awaited return of Donkey Kong in a massive family-friendly 3D Platformer that is one of the best games the genre has ever received, giving players the freedom to go almost anywhere and destroy almost everything, yet this destruction is harnessed with exemplary level design and wonderful gameplay, with a gorgeous presentation that is a showpiece for what the Nintendo Switch 2 can do. This game ain’t perfect – it has a slow start and the performance briefly struggles in places. However, none of this changes that this is an absolute must-have game on Nintendo Switch 2, and a reason to buy the console.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition	Open-World Action-RPG	A++
tl;dr The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is an Open-World Action-RPG that remains one of the greatest games of all-time, and this release is absolutely the best version of this game ever made. It isn’t without its flaws, and many of its new features are superfluous and don’t add much, but even just the improvements to graphics and performance are enough to put this game well beyond the original release of the game. Unless you feel like you already got your fill of the original release, this is an absolute must-have.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition	Open-World Action-RPG	A++
tl;dr The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is an Open-World Action-RPG that remains one of the greatest games of all-time, and this release is absolutely the best version of this game ever made. It isn’t without its flaws, and many of its new features are superfluous and don’t add much, but even just the improvements to graphics and performance are enough to put this game well beyond the original release of the game. Unless you feel like you already got your fill of the original release, this is an absolute must-have.

A+

Game	Genre	Grade
Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition	Management Sim	A+
tl;dr Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a light-hearted, family-friendly, casual Management Sim where the time and date in the game is the same as in real life, and where players perform small tasks and customize their home and their village. This entry is a huge step forward for the series, adding many new mechanics and gameplay systems that greatly improve the game’s customization elements while giving added quality of life enhancements as well. There constantly seems like something new and fun to do, with new surprises seemingly every day, and the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition adds improved resolution and greatly-improved loading times along with a few other more minor updates. Unless you have a problem with more relaxed, slower-paced games, you should consider this game a must-have.
Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition	Open World Action-RPG / First-Person Shooter	A+
tl;dr Cyberpunk 2077 on Nintendo Switch 2 is a powerfully-impressive showpiece that looks absolutely amazing on the new handheld, and this Open-World Action-RPG and First-Person Shooter plays wonderfully, has an outstanding story with wonderful well-voiced and well-written characters, and a fascinating world to explore. This game isn’t without its flaws, but overall unless you’ve had your fill of Cyberpunk on other platforms, you should consider this an absolute must-have game on Nintendo Switch 2.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World	3D Platformer	A+
tl;dr Kirby and the Forgotten Land is a family-friendly 3D Platformer that marks Kirby’s first fully-fledged 3D adventure, and it is an outstanding game that is one of the best titles in the Kirby franchise. While I have a few complaints about the relatively easy difficulty level, overall this game is an absolute blast to play, full of personality and originality, all while drawing inspiration from some of the best Mario and Donkey Kong games, as well as Kirby’s own 2D adventures. What’s more, the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition doubles the framerate and adds a collection of excellent new levels to play through. If you enjoy Platformers, you should absolutely get this game.
No Man’s Sky – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition	Open-World Action-RPG	A+
tl;dr No Man’s Sky is a universe-sized Open-World Action-RPG that is epic in scale and scope, and not only does the Nintendo Switch 2 present players with an uncompromised version of the game, but it does so with a free upgrade for anyone who bought the Nintendo Switch version of the game. Unless you’ve had your fill of this game on other platforms, this is an absolute must-buy.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition	Open-World First-Person Action-RPG	A+
tl;dr Skyrim is an Open-World Action-RPG that gives players a huge, detailed world with an epic storyline, and lets them decide what they want to do in that world. This version of the game includes all of the expansions to the game, adds in a few unique features of its own, such as gyroscopic aiming, and has a curated selection of enhancements from other platforms’ Anniversary Edition releases, but don’t expect anything close to parity with those versions. On Nintendo Switch 2, we have now gotten greatly-improved graphics and performance over the Nintendo Switch release, as well as Mouse Mode features. While I still have a few small complaints, overall this is a wonderful version of one of the greatest games ever made.

A

Game	Genre	Grade
Fast Fusion	Futuristic Racing	A
tl;dr Fast Fusion is a Futuristic Racing game that has an absolutely phenomenal presentation, truly excellent gameplay that improves upon an already great series, and a shockingly low $15 price tag that makes this game an absolute steal. It’s slim on content and the online multiplayer seems limited, but even with these flaws I think this is absolutely a game that should be in your Nintendo Switch 2 library.
Fortnite	Compilation / Open-World Third-Person Shooter	A
tl;dr Fortnite’s early days may have been as a Free-to-Play online multiplayer-focused “battle royale”-style Third-Person Shooter, but it has since blossomed into a massive game platform with a wide variety of different game types to enjoy, and just about all of them are fantastic. It’s intimidating, poorly-organized, confusing, and not very user-friendly to newer players, but none of that changes that this is still a truly must-play game, and the Nintendo Switch 2 is a far superior way to play it compared to the original Nintendo Switch.
Hades II – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition	Action / Roguelike	A
tl;dr Hades II is an excellent follow-up to its predecessor, a fine Action Roguelike with an absolute ton of content, and that follows in the footsteps of its predecessor while changing things enough that this feels like a very different sort of game while still fitting in with the original. The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of the game is a free upgrade if you own the Nintendo Switch version, and the improvements to graphics and performance are absolutely noticeable. If you’re looking to play a truly excellent Action game on the go, this is well worth picking up.
Split Fiction	3D Platformer / Action	A
tl;dr Split Fiction is a 2-player Co-Op-exclusive 3D Platformer and Action game from the folks who made It Takes Two, and this game takes that formula and turns it up a notch with one great action set piece after another, and with an excellent story about two aspiring authors trapped in a simulation together playing out each of their works. This game gives players just about every possible way to play together, and it’s well-worth doing so – this is an outstanding game that you should absolutely play so long as you have someone to play it with.
Stardew Valley: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition	Top-Down Action-RPG / Management Sim	A
tl;dr Stardew Valley is a “Farming RPG” much like Harvest Moon, but there’s a huge wealth of stuff to do here, with a charming presentation, a constant stream of new things to change up the experience, and numerous wonderful co-op options on Nintendo Switch 2. If you want a fun, mellow experience, consider this game a must-have.

A-

Game	Genre	Grade
Balatro	Turn-Based Card RPG / Roguelike	A-
tl;dr Balatro is a Turn-Based Card RPG and Roguelike that starts with a standard deck of poker cards that players gradually trade out and upgrade, aiming to keep racking up increasingly high scores to get as far as they can. While this game has a few rough spots, overall this is a brilliant mix of accessibility and exquisitely-crafted gameplay that puts it on par with the likes of Slay the Spire as the best this genre has to offer. This is an absolute must-play for any fans of this genre.
Core Keeper – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition	Open-World Top-Down Action-RPG / Survival Adventure	A-
tl;dr Core Keeper is an Open-World Top-Down Action-RPG with Survival Adventure elements that has players digging through a vast underground world, exploring and discovering new treasures, mysteries, and dangers. For players who enjoy games like Minecraft and Terraria, this should be considered a must-have, and fans of Action-RPGs in general should give this a look too – its well-crafted and varied gameplay and its wonderful presentation make for something truly special.
Deltarune	Turn-Based RPG	A-
tl;dr Deltarune is a Turn-Based RPG (sorta’) that follows in the footsteps of Undertale but does a few things quite differently, yet is in many ways much the same wildly creative, bizarre, funny, thoughtful and original experience that Undertale was. If you enjoyed Undertale, this is a no-brainer, if you didn’t like it then this probably won’t be any different for you, and if you haven’t played Undertale, then play Undertale before playing this.
Divinity: Original Sin 2 – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition	Top-Down Turn-Based RPG	A-
tl;dr Divinity: Original Sin 2 is a Turn-Based RPG that had to sacrifice couch co-op and a lot of graphical fidelity to fit onto the Switch, but the game retains its massive, deep, well-told campaign, excellent strategic gameplay, absolutely beautiful soundtrack and superb voice acting and writing, and superb co-op play in local wireless and online. Plus, the Switch 2 version has exclusive cross-save support with the PC version on Steam. The result is a version of the game that is one of the best RPGs on the Switch 2, and a must-have for fans of the genre who don’t already own it on another platform.
Dragon Quest VII Reimagined	Turn-Based JRPG	A-
tl;dr Dragon Quest VII Reimagined is a remake of a family-friendly PlayStation and Nintendo 3DS Turn-Based JRPG that addresses all of the complaints I had about that game and adds multiple improvements to boot, as well as a stunning new presentation. As a remake this game is astounding, and as a JRPG it is a game that you should absolutely get your hands on, even if you didn’t enjoy previous versions of Dragon Quest VII. And the improvements the Nintendo Switch 2 version gets to visuals and performance take it a step above the Nintendo Switch version too!
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade	Action-RPG / JRPG	A-
tl;dr Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is a truly ambitious remake of one of the most impactful videogames ever made, reworking it to be a more action-focused JRPG. This is a stunningly-gorgeous game, one of the best-looking games to release on Nintendo Switch 2 so far, in a port that makes shrewd compromises that sacrifice little. And while I have my nitpicks about the story and gameplay, it’s hard to complain about a $40 showpiece title that’s a truly praiseworthy port of such a major game. If you’re a Final Fantasy fan on Nintendo Switch 2, consider this an absolute must-have.
Final Fantasy Tactics – The Ivalice Chronicles Nintendo Switch 2 Edition	Turn-Based Strategy-RPG	A-
tl;dr Final Fantasy Tactics is a genre-naming game for the “Tactics-style” Turn-Based Strategy RPG genre, and for good reason, it’s outstanding, and it is presented here in the best version we’ve ever gotten of the game, albeit not the definitive version, nor one without its own flaws and frustrations. Still, the original game has aged well, and the new quality-of-life improvements and voiced dialogue makes this game even better. If you enjoy Strategy-RPGs, consider this a must-buy.
Hollow Knight – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition	Metroidvania	A-
tl;dr Hollow Knight is a Metroidvania with an absolutely beautiful moody presentation, tons of secrets and things to find, and a punishing difficulty. It’s not without its flaws, but if you like the genre, it’s well worth your time. And on Nintendo Switch 2, the resolution and framerate are noticeably better, making for an overall more satisfying experience.
Hollow Knight: Silksong – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition	Metroidvania	A-
tl;dr Hollow Knight: Silksong is the long-awaited sequel to the original Hollow Knight, and it is a fine successor, with an absolutely beautiful presentation and a fascinating new world to explore. Unfortunately, it still has many of the problems the first game had, including a punishing difficulty level and frustrating design choices. Still, even with these issues, this is a game not to be missed for any fan in the genre who isn’t opposed to a challenge.
Mario Kart World	Open World Kart Racer	A-
tl;dr Mario Kart World is Nintendo’s premier major family-friendly game to kick off the Nintendo Switch 2’s launch, and while it doesn’t make great use of the Open World format, and isn’t as impressive a leap over Mario Kart 8 as players may hope for… and oof, that $80 price tag is nasty… but despite these flaws, it is still a wildly-creative, extremely well-crafted, delightfully varied, and immensely fun Kart Racer. As long as you can get it at an affordable price, I highly recommend it.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition	Open-World First-Person Shooter / Metroidvania	A-
tl;dr Metroid Prime 4 is a First-Person Shooter and Metroidvania with Open-World sections, and it is an audiovisual tour de force on Nintendo Switch 2 that is a showcase for the platform’s capabilities, with a gorgeous world, incredible puzzle design, and some clever gameplay elements. It also disappoints with its underwhelming Metroidvania elements, its half-baked Open World elements, and some truly baffling design choices. The result is a game that, while still outstanding, is a bit underwhelming given the 18 years it took for us to finally see this game release.
Minishoot’ Adventures – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition	2-Stick Shooter / Top-Down Action-RPG	A-
tl;dr Minishoot’ Adventures is a game that combines 2-Stick Shooter gameplay with “2D Zelda”-style Top-Down Action-RPG game structure in a way that absolutely delivers, both on each of its two halves and also on the wonderful combination of those two different types of gameplay. There are perhaps a few areas where it could be improved, but overall this is an outstanding game that fans of either genre should consider a must-have.
Pokemon Pokopia	Action-RPG / Simulation	A-
tl;dr Pokemon Pokopia blends Action-RPG and Simulation genres in a game that combines elements from Dragon Quest Builders, Animal Crossing, Viva Pinata, and of course Pokemon, with players taking the role of a Ditto tasked with fixing and building up the environment to entice Pokemon to return. This is a wonderfully engaging and relaxing “Cozy Game” that gives players plenty of fun things to do, and is only let down by some frustrating design choices and woefully disappointing multiplayer. But despite these flaws, this is still a superb game that every Pokemon fan should consider picking up.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition	Action / Roguelike	A-
tl;dr Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate is an Action Roguelike similar to the Hades series that has players taking the role of one of the four titular Ninja Turtles and fighting through enemies with various random upgrades in each run. While this game doesn’t top Hades, it’s a solid take on that formula with great 4-player co-op that makes this an excellent entry in the genre and a must-have for fans of the Ninja Turtles franchise, with Nintendo Switch 2 bringing better graphics, better performance, and even more multiplayer options.
Wild Hearts S	Action-RPG	A-
tl;dr Wild Hearts S is an Action-RPG that takes the formula established by the Monster Hunter franchise and adds in a building mechanic. It doesn’t truly transform or revolutionize the formula, but it’s an excellent game all the same, with absolutely stunning visuals. If you enjoy this sort of game and missed Wild Hearts when it released on other platforms, now is definitely the time to give it a look.

You can now support this content on Patreon! Please click the link to learn more!