Nintendo Switch 2 Arrives with Major Exclusives and Enhanced Classics
By Andrew Votta | Jun 5, 2025
Nintendo's highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 has officially launched, bringing with it a robust lineup of exclusive games and enhanced versions of beloved classics. The new console debuts alongside several major titles that showcase its improved capabilities.
Launch Lineup Highlights
Mario Kart World leads the charge as the system's flagship racing experience. This massive evolution of the Mario Kart series transforms the entire world into interconnected racetracks, allowing players to race seamlessly across new and reimagined courses. The game introduces the intense "Knockout Tour" mode, where 24 drivers compete in a battle royale-style elimination race, alongside a expansive Free Roam mode featuring hundreds of missions.
The Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour serves as an interactive introduction to the system's features, offering tech demos, minigames, and quizzes that reveal the console's capabilities through hands-on exploration.
Enhanced Zelda Experience
Nintendo has released Nintendo Switch 2 Editions of both The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. These enhanced versions feature improved frame rates and resolution, faster load times, and HDR support for compatible TVs. A notable addition is the integration of the "ZELDA NOTES" service through the Nintendo Switch app, helping players track progress and locate Koroks and shrines. Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members can access these upgrades at no additional cost.
Mature Gaming Comes to Nintendo Switch 2
The platform launches with several high-profile mature titles, including Yakuza 0 Director's Cut and HITMAN World of Assassination – Signature Edition. The Yakuza title features never-before-seen cutscenes and a new "Red Light Raid" online multiplayer mode, while the HITMAN collection combines the best content from the entire modern trilogy.
GameCube Classics Return
Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members gain access to a curated selection of GameCube classics, including The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, F-Zero GX, and SOULCALIBUR II. These additions significantly expand the retro gaming library available through the subscription service.
Looking Ahead
Pokémon Legends: Z-A headlines the upcoming releases, launching October 16th with a unique day-night cycle gameplay loop. Players will catch Pokémon during the day and compete in the "Z-A Royale" at night, marking the first time in the Pokémon RPG series to feature real-time catching, battling, and Mega Evolution.
Technical Capabilities
The Nintendo Switch 2 introduces several new features, including dual mouse controls through the Joy-Con 2 controllers, demonstrated in games like BRAVELY DEFAULT FLYING FAIRY HD Remaster. The system also supports GameChat functionality, allowing voice, video, and screen sharing with friends.
Nintendo has confirmed that the system maintains backward compatibility with original Nintendo Switch games, while offering optional upgrade paths for enhanced versions of select titles.
The Nintendo Switch 2 represents a significant evolution of Nintendo's hybrid gaming philosophy, delivering both the portable convenience that made the original system successful and the enhanced performance that modern games demand. With major exclusives already available and a strong pipeline of upcoming releases, the platform appears well-positioned to continue Nintendo's recent momentum in the gaming market.
