The launch game lineup for the Nintendo Switch 2 is more thrilling than you might expect.

      The Nintendo Switch 2 was officially revealed on April 2, providing a wealth of details about the console along with several new game announcements. One of the most unexpected highlights is the introduction of a fresh 3D Donkey Kong title as one of the console's main games. Although rumors about this game have circulated for years, its confirmation—especially in lieu of a highly anticipated Mario game—marks a peculiar yet highly appreciated shift in direction.

      If it wasn't already evident, I personally think this change is fantastic.

      The first Switch spoiled us, as it ended its inaugural year with an iconic Zelda game and an outstanding 3D Mario platformer. I'm not sure if we'll ever see a lineup that serendipitous again, and that's okay. We can abandon the quest to recreate that magic and instead aim for something different and possibly better. Observing the release schedule for the Switch 2 throughout 2025, it appears to honor the legacy of the Switch as a landmark console while continuing its tradition.

      Going bananas

      The 2025 release of the Switch 2 will reference many milestones that characterized its predecessor's success. At the forefront is the launch title, Mario Kart World, which clearly follows in the footsteps of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the best-selling game on the original Switch and one of the greatest games ever made. I have previously argued that Mario Kart is just as prevalent as games like Fortnite and franchises such as Call of Duty, which owes its success to the extraordinary popularity of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. This title was a key player during the Switch's launch period, even overshadowing The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which often stole the spotlight.

      By releasing the next Mario Kart along with the Switch's successor, Nintendo is signaling that all the nearly 70 million who embraced the previous console will have a new home on the upcoming system. They will have a new game for game nights, a new cast of characters to engage with, a new world to explore with friends, and new tracks to memorize as they race to the top of the leaderboard. “Welcome to the recurring game you'll be playing for the next few years, and please give us $80 for it.”

      Nintendo

      While the launch lineup shows a noticeable deficit in first-party exclusives, it also reflects the significant brand rehabilitation Nintendo undertook with the Switch. No matter one’s opinion on the game, it’s quite remarkable to see any version of Cyberpunk 2077 available on day one of a Nintendo console, a scenario that would have seemed entirely improbable just a decade ago. Furthermore, the system will debut with the support of indie favorite-turned-maverick Toby Fox, bringing the third and fourth chapters of Deltarune. Street Fighter 6 will also be available at launch, and, crucially, Yakuza 0 (my personal favorite game) will be ported with additional cutscenes and a brand-new multiplayer mode.

      Such a lineup doesn’t emerge randomly; it arises from Nintendo dismantling its own closed ecosystem. Though this also led to a somewhat chaotic eShop filled with lesser-quality content—reassuringly, this too represents progress—the Switch evolved into a testing ground for Nintendo. Consequently, it became the ideal platform for AAA and indie developers and publishers alike. With the Switch 2, it's clear that Nintendo is committed to this strategy, making an effort to attract anyone and everyone interested in gaming.

      Continuing its experimental approach, the Switch achieved an impressive feat: it demonstrated that the Nintendo brand encompasses more than just Mario and The Legend of Zelda. Dormant and overlooked franchises were revitalized, while some well-known niches surged into mainstream popularity, such as Animal Crossing. Interestingly, the same year the Switch launched, Nintendo provided Toad—a long-time side character—with his own charming puzzle game and introduced an unconventional, motion-controlled fighting game called Arms, which sold two million copies—though it ranks low among Nintendo’s offerings, it’s still noteworthy.

      Beneath the facade of an exciting new console, Nintendo redefined itself. Or perhaps it simply returned to its roots. Luigi’s Mansion, a cherished but relatively small series that began on the GameCube, became a blockbuster on the Switch. Metroid seemingly revived from obscurity and, after eight years of anticipation, we are finally set to receive Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. Throughout the Switch’s life, Mario and friends collaborated with the Rabbids and wielded firearms. As recently as last year, the Famicom Detective Club series not only saw a revival but also a critically acclaimed continuation with Emio – The Smiling Man. While I hesitate to say Nintendo got “weird” with the Switch, it certainly regained its boldness. Digital Trends spoke with Bill Trinen, Nintendo’s Vice President of Player and Product Experience, last week, who elaborated on the strategy behind this shift in the Switch era.

      “In some cases, it’s true that when you have a system