So you've finally got a Switch 2 in your hands. Maybe you caved on the one-year-anniversary hype, maybe someone gifted it to you, maybe you just got sick of watching everyone else play Mario Kart World on their lunch break. Whatever got you here — welcome. You picked a good time.
Because here's the thing: a year in, the Switch 2's library has gone from "promising" to "genuinely stacked." The early panic about there not being enough to play? Gone. These days the problem is the opposite — there's too much good stuff, and you've only got so many hours and so much cash.
So let's sort that out. Below are the games actually worth your money right now in 2026, grouped by what kind of player you are. No filler, no "technically it runs on the system" padding. Just the ones people are genuinely obsessed with.
The one everyone's playing: Mario Kart World
If you buy one game, make it this one. Mario Kart World is the Switch 2's best-selling game by a country mile — we're talking nearly 15 million copies — and there's a reason it's permanently glued to people's consoles.
It's not just Mario Kart with prettier tracks. The big shake-up is the open world: between races you can free-roam an entire connected map, pull stunts, grind rails, ride walls, and just muck about. It's basically Mario Kart by way of Forza Horizon, and the online servers are always packed, so you'll never sit waiting for a match.
Best for: literally everyone. Solo, couch co-op, online, your nan — it works for all of them.
The technical showpiece: Donkey Kong Bananza
Want to show off what your new console can actually do? Donkey Kong Bananza is the answer. It's been hovering near the top of Game of the Year conversations all year, and the moment you start tearing the environment apart with your bare ape hands, you'll get why.
The whole world is destructible. Nearly every surface can be smashed, dug through, or demolished to find a new route or a hidden secret, and it never stops being satisfying. It's got that special, hard-to-describe Nintendo magic where just moving around is fun.
Best for: platformer fans, and anyone who wants a game that screams "this is next-gen."
The two best games on the system: Breath of the Wild & Tears of the Kingdom
Bit of a cheat putting two here, but they belong together. Both Zelda open-world masterpieces got proper Switch 2 editions, and they run at a buttery 60fps with extra content layered in through the new Zelda Notes app — voice memories, navigation tools, item sharing, the lot.
If you somehow skipped the last generation, this is the best possible way to experience two of the highest-rated games Nintendo has ever made. Tears of the Kingdom in particular, with its building and Ultrahand chaos, is the kind of game you lose entire weekends to and don't regret a second.
Best for: anyone who wants the absolute peak of what Nintendo does. Maybe skip if dense, systems-heavy games stress you out.
The roguelike that ate everyone's free time: Hades II
Hades II finally hit its full 1.0 release and immediately shot to the top of "best on the system" lists — it's sitting at a near-perfect Metacritic score for good reason. If you've never played a roguelike, this is the one that converts people.
You die, you learn, you get a little stronger, you go again — and the writing, art and combat are so good that "one more run" turns into three hours gone. It's perfect for the Switch 2 specifically because it's brilliant in short bursts on the go.
Best for: anyone who likes a challenge, and players who want something they can dip into for 20 minutes or 4 hours.
The long-awaited indie giant: Hollow Knight: Silksong
The wait was borderline legendary, but Silksong delivered. It's a sprawling, gorgeous, brutally challenging adventure with a map absolutely stuffed with secrets and optional content.
A word of advice going in: take your time and pack your patience. The bosses are tough, but every upgrade you need is out there waiting if you explore off the beaten path. Stick with it and you've got one of the best games on the whole platform.
Best for: players who love a real challenge and don't mind getting a bit lost. Not ideal if you want a chill, hand-holdy experience.
The cosy one: Pokémon Pokopia
Not every night needs to be sweaty and competitive. Pokémon Pokopia is the surprise charmer of the year — a building-and-crafting game where you play as a Ditto rebuilding a world alongside hundreds of beloved Pokémon.
If you've had an Animal Crossing-shaped hole in your heart, this fills it beautifully. Deep customisation, a shockingly heartfelt story, and dozens of hours of gentle, satisfying world-repair. It's the perfect wind-down game.
Best for: cosy gamers, Animal Crossing fans, anyone who wants to relax rather than rage.
The "I can't believe it runs on here" pick: Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition
A few years ago, Cyberpunk 2077 was famously breaking last-gen consoles. Now it runs genuinely well on a handheld you can take to the couch or the train. That alone is a small miracle.
The Ultimate Edition bundles the base game — now polished by years of updates — with the excellent Phantom Liberty expansion. The Switch 2's optional mouse controls make the shooting feel surprisingly sharp, too. It's the clearest "look what this little machine can do" moment in the library.
Best for: open-world RPG fans who want a meaty, console-quality experience to-go.
For the JRPG crowd: Final Fantasy VII (Remake & Rebirth)
Square Enix has been quietly turning the Switch 2 into a great place to play Final Fantasy. The acclaimed Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is here, and the follow-up, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, landed on the system this June — a massive, sprawling middle chapter that gives you the run of the world to explore.
Between the two, that's potentially over a hundred hours of one of the most celebrated RPG reimaginings ever made, now portable.
Best for: RPG fans and anyone who wants a huge, story-rich adventure to sink into for weeks.
A couple of honourable mentions worth a look
Kirby Air Riders — Masahiro Sakurai's passion-project sequel, two decades in the making. The City Trial mode is an absolute riot.
Super Mario Galaxy 1 & 2 — two all-timer platformers, tidied up and looking better than ever. If you never played them, fix that.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond — if you want a proper first-party sci-fi adventure, this one's a treat on the new hardware.
So what should you actually buy first?
If you want the short version: start with Mario Kart World for the fun-with-anyone factor, add Donkey Kong Bananza or a Zelda for a proper single-player adventure, and grab Hades II for those "just five more minutes" handheld sessions. That trio alone will keep you busy for months.
The best part about jumping in now? The library's only getting bigger, and a lot of the heavy hitters are already here waiting for you. Your Switch 2 isn't going to be short on things to do any time soon.
What's the first game you fired up on your Switch 2? Let us know in the comments — and if we missed your favourite, tell us off down there too.