The Best Nintendo Switch And Switch 2 Exclusives of 2025
A concise guide to the five best Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 exclusives of 2025, including Metroid Prime 4 Beyond, Mario Kart World, and Donkey Kong Bananza.
2025 was a landmark year for Nintendo with the arrival of the Nintendo Switch 2 and a slate of high‑profile exclusives that defined the platforms. Many standout titles launched across both Switch generations, but a handful remained exclusive to Nintendo hardware or debuted first on the company’s consoles. Below are the five best exclusives of 2025, chosen for their design, replay value, and how well they leverage handheld and hybrid play.
Metroid Prime 4 Beyond
Platform: Nintendo Switch; Nintendo Switch 2 Why it stands out Metroid Prime 4 Beyond returns Samus to a moody, atmospheric first‑person exploration adventure. The game balances cavernous, solitary exploration with tight combat and a variety of control schemes that suit both docked and handheld play. Its worldbuilding on the dead planet Viewros and the rescue‑driven narrative give longtime fans the sense of discovery they expect while introducing new players to the series’ strengths. The title’s pacing and environmental storytelling make it a must‑play for exploration fans.
Mario Kart World
Platform: Nintendo Switch 2 Why it stands out Mario Kart World reimagines kart racing by turning the Mushroom Kingdom into a contiguous, drivable world. Tracks flow into one another, enabling seamless transitions and new multiplayer modes like Knockout Tour that use the open map to create tense, elimination‑style races. The game’s polished visuals, inventive track design, and playful roster updates make it the definitive kart experience on Switch 2, even if longtime players keep returning to older favorites for their perfected balance.
The Hundred Line Last Defense Academy
Platform: Nintendo Switch; Nintendo Switch 2 Why it stands out A hybrid of visual novel and tactical combat, The Hundred Line Last Defense Academy hooks players with a compelling mystery and a twist that reshapes the entire experience. Its 30–40 hour campaign rewards careful reading and strategic play, and the game’s structure is ideal for handheld sessions. The narrative payoff and the way the story reframes earlier events make this one of 2025’s most memorable and discussion‑worthy exclusives.
Hades II
Platform: PC; Nintendo Switch; Nintendo Switch 2 Why it stands out Hades II continues Supergiant Games’ reinvention of myth with fast, addictive roguelike action and a strong narrative throughline. The game’s pick‑up‑and‑play design suits Switch hardware perfectly, and its character work, soundtrack, and combat depth make it a standout regardless of platform. For players who value replayability and tight mechanical design, Hades II is essential.
Donkey Kong Bananza
Platform: Nintendo Switch 2 Why it stands out Donkey Kong Bananza transforms the franchise into a large‑scale 3D adventure built around destruction and creative problem solving. The game’s joyful tone, massive set pieces, and inventive level design showcase what the Switch 2 can do when a classic IP is reimagined rather than merely updated. It’s a showcase title for the new hardware and a joyful, chaotic experience that rewards exploration and experimentation.
Trends and Takeaways
- Hybrid Design Wins: Games that blend short‑session accessibility with deeper long‑form systems performed best on both Switch and Switch 2.
- Hardware Firsts Matter: Switch 2 exclusives like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza highlight how new hardware can reshape familiar franchises.
- Narrative Innovation: Titles that subvert expectations or reveal new layers on replay earned strong critical and player attention in 2025.
