With the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025, it’s no surprise that it was also a big year for Nintendo games. Ready to show off the capabilities of the new console, several major releases took place in the second half of the year, most of which were exclusive to the Switch 2.
That said, a few notable games have also launched for those with the Nintendo Switch. So, whether you haven’t upgraded yet or got your Switch 2 at launch, there’s something for everyone on this list.
6
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
While Metroid Prime 4: Beyond was a heavily anticipated Nintendo release for 2025, it ultimately came up a bit short in terms of delivering on expectations. Since the last Metroid Prime game, various Metroidvanias have done substantial things for the genre, but Metroid Prime 4 appears to have stuck to what it knows best.
A large portion of Metroid Prime 4 is more or less similar to what players are used to from the series, with most of the new aspects being its biggest flaws. However, all that being said, this is still not a bad game. In fact, it’s arguably still a great game, if for no other reason than because all the things that work in Metroid Prime 4 are the things that people know and love about the series.
Yes, it has its flaws, but they’re relatively minor in the grand scheme of things and likely only feel more significant simply because the prolonged wait for the game continued to raise expectations. So, while it’s not the best Nintendo release of 2025, it’s still overall enjoyable and absolutely worth it if you’re a big fan of the series. Plus, it’s available on the original Switch for a lower price point, too.
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5
Hyrule Warriors: Age Of Imprisonment
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is the follow-up to Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, but in direct relation to Tears of the Kingdom as opposed to Breath of the Wild. Both of these games are technical prequels to each mainline Zelda game that launched right before them.
So, with that in mind, while you don’t need to have played previous Hyrule Warriors games to enjoy Age of Imprisonment, you should have at least played TOTK first. As for actual gameplay, Age of Imprisonment is the traditional hack-and-slash style of game in which you’ll battle waves of enemies throughout different points in the timeline and with different characters.
While not every game can be featured on this list for one reason or another, some honorable mentions include: Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, Drag x Drive, and the re-release of Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2.
4
Pokemon Legends: Z-A
In 2025, Pokemon released the second entry into its Pokemon Legends series, an experimental lineup of games that gives The Pokemon Company and Game Freak a chance to try something different, without potentially destroying a mainline game. For this iteration, the major new addition was a real-time battle system that would completely step away from the turn-based combat players are used to.
You do not need to have played Pokemon Legends: Arceus, or even Pokemon X and Y, to enjoy Legends: Z-A. Though it does contain elements of ideas introduced in Arceus, and contains nods to events and characters in X and Y, the story can also just be enjoyed on its own.
Rather than turns, Pokemon are now restricted by cooldowns, and environmental hazards play a much larger role. This forces players to completely change up their approach to battles, all in the beautiful city of Lumiose. With the return of Mega Evolutions for this game as well, Legends: Z-A was stacked with new content that makes it an incredible spin-off from the mainline series.
3
Mario Kart World
As the Nintendo Switch 2’s launch title, Mario Kart World is a game that nearly everyone who bought a Switch 2 has, mostly because it came bundled with the console and also because it was one of the only new games for the console at that time. That said, it thankfully turned out to be a pretty great addition to the line-up of Mario Kart games.
Implementing the first open-world concept in the series, MKW allows you to enjoy a free roam mode where you can complete various tasks and unlock rewards, all in an open space that contains the various tracks in the game. As if that wasn’t enough, MKW also introduced the Knockout Tour, where players would compete online in an elimination race that seamlessly flows into the next track.
New characters, tracks, karts, and concepts were added to MKW, giving it an all-around new feel, as opposed to being the same old thing. If you think you don’t need another Mario Kart game, rest assured, you haven’t played Mario Kart like this. Even MKW’s Rainbow Road is probably the best iteration of it this franchise has ever seen.
2
Kirby Air Riders
Despite coming in at the tail end of the year, Kirby Air Riders is a 2025 release that players certainly won’t forget about anytime soon. After 20+ years of waiting, Kirby Air Ride finally got its sequel, and in even better news, Masahiro Sakurai was still the one behind it. With this long gap between games, there was truly no telling what to expect, but Kirby Air Riders certainly captured the charm of the original game.
If you never had the chance to play Kirby Air Ride, or simply don’t remember, don’t be fooled into thinking this is just a traditional racing game. Kirby Air Riders is utter chaos in the best possible way and features a variety of races and game modes to enjoy. Like Mario Kart, there are several characters and vehicles to choose from, each with its own perks and abilities.
The steadily increasing price of Switch games, especially Switch 2 exclusive games, has been debated for some time now, but if any game on this list is worth $70, it’s this one, if for no other reason than the miracle that this game exists at all.
1
Donkey Kong Bananza
Donkey Kong being the best Nintendo release for any given year probably isn’t what most would have expected, but there’s virtually no question that Donkey Kong Bananza is the best Nintendo game to come out in 2025. Although it wasn’t a formal launch title, DK Bananza came out just a month after the Nintendo Switch 2’s launch and might as well have kicked MKW to the curb in the process.
Since players knew Nintendo had big things in store for the Switch 2’s release, speculation swirled primarily around a new 3D Mario, but more specifically, a sequel to Super Mario Odyssey. Although that’s not exactly what we got, most would agree that DK Bananza is a bit of a spiritual successor to Super Mario Odyssey, with a very similar overall feel in terms of both gameplay and style.
With Donkey Kong and Pauline as the leads, DK Bananza is an incredible 3D platformer that turned out to be more fun and chaotic than anyone might’ve expected, so much so that it has even earned a nomination for not only Best Family Game of the Year, but also overall Game of the Year at the 2025 Game Awards. So go check it out and see what everyone’s going bananas about!
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