2026 is a landmark year for Nintendo. With the powerful Switch 2 building its library and the original Switch still going strong, the gaming giant has delivered one of its most diverse and impressive lineups in years. Here are the best Nintendo games you should be playing right now.
The Must-Have Switch 2 Exclusives
The Switch 2 is already proving its worth with a slate of fantastic exclusives. If you have the new hardware, these are the titles to start with.
Pokemon Pokopia – The Cozy Crossover Hit
This charming town builder from the creators of Dragon Quest Builders is a surprise delight . You play as a determined Ditto on a mission to create new habitats for Pokemon in a world recovering from environmental disasters. It is the ultimate cozy Nintendo experience, blending resource collection, landscaping, and home decoration with the adorable personalities of various Pokemon . With a Metacritic score of 89 and over 2.2 million copies sold in its first week , it is arguably the most charming game on Switch 2.
Donkey Kong Bananza – A 3D Platformer Masterpiece
From the team behind Super Mario Odyssey, Donkey Kong Bananza was the Switch 2’s first must-have exclusive . This 3D platformer is a joy to play, leveraging DK’s brute strength to tear through the colorful, destructible environments of a hollow earth . With world destruction, inventive power-ups, and a lighthearted narrative, it earned personal Game of the Year picks in 2025 and remains a top recommendation .
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – Samus Returns in Style
Samus Aran’s long-awaited first-person adventure is finally here, and it is a visual showcase for the Switch 2 . The game takes full advantage of the new hardware, running at a gorgeous 4K resolution and 60 frames per second when docked. The new Joy-Con mouse mode also allows for PC-like precision aiming, making it the definitive way to experience this polished spacefaring adventure on a Nintendo console .
Mario Kart World – The Ultimate Kart Racer
The latest entry in the Mario Kart franchise is a celebration of the series’ history . Mario Kart World features a massive roster of characters—from franchise staples to a go-karting cow—and introduces the tense Knockout Tour mode, where the worst-performing racers are eliminated at each checkpoint . With up to 24 players competing and an open-world free roam mode, this is the definitive party racing game . It has already sold nearly 15 million copies .
Kirby Air Riders – A Nostalgic Racer Revived
Kirby Air Riders is a nostalgic reimagining of the GameCube classic, marrying childhood memories with updated graphics and expanded scope . It is an arcade racer where Kirby’s signature copy abilities can be used to outrun or take down opponents. With a story mode, cinematic boss fights, and deep vehicle customization, it is a must-have for longtime Nintendo fans and newcomers alike . The game has already sold nearly 1.9 million copies .
The Best Switch Games Available on Both Platforms
The original Switch’s library remains a treasure trove of incredible games. Here are the standouts available on both original and new hardware.
Hades and Hades 2 – Roguelike Perfection
Supergiant Games has delivered two of the best roguelikes of all time. Hades, the original, intertwines fast-paced action with a compelling story about Zagreus’s attempts to escape the Underworld . Its sequel, Hades 2, builds on this prestige with a whole host of new characters, challenges, and legendary weapons, delivering more of the dungeon-crawling mayhem in the rich lore of Greek mythology .
Animal Crossing: New Horizons – The Ultimate Cozy Escape
Even in 2026, Animal Crossing: New Horizons remains one of the most popular and wholesome games on Nintendo Switch . Its relaxing loop of fishing, bug-catching, and home decoration continues to charm players. With robust customization features, including terraforming, and the massive Happy Home Paradise DLC, the game has sold nearly 50 million copies, cementing its place as a generational classic .
Pokemon Legends: Z-A – Real-Time Battles Are Here
This ambitious follow-up to Pokemon Legends: Arceus brings the franchise into a new era with real-time battles . You can command your Pokemon in battles that feel like an anime showdown, with Mega Evolutions adding a strategic layer to combat . While it may not have the prettiest graphics, its innovative battle mechanics have made it a hit, with nearly 4 million copies sold on Switch 2 alone .
Fire Emblem: Three Houses – A Tactical RPG Masterpiece
Fire Emblem: Three Houses is widely considered the most impressive entry in the beloved strategy series . As a professor, you oversee one of three houses at a monastery, cultivating relationships and training your students for tactical combat scenarios. The game offers a wonderful balance of social simulation and deep tactical gameplay, and it encourages multiple playthroughs to experience the full story .
Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age – A Definitive Edition
One of the best modern RPGs, Dragon Quest XI S is a pure, traditional turn-based adventure filled with charming characters and a beautiful world . The Switch version is the definitive way to play, offering quality-of-life enhancements and the ability to switch between modern 3D visuals and a classic 8-bit presentation—a particularly neat feature for handheld mode .
Animal Well – A Refreshing Metroidvania
For those seeking a unique puzzle-platformer, Animal Well is a must-play . It de-emphasizes combat in favor of clever puzzle-solving and an intricately crafted world. The dark, low-fi aesthetic is unlike anything else, and the map is densely packed with secrets, making it a perfect fit for the Switch’s portability .
With such a strong and varied lineup, 2026 is a fantastic year to be a Nintendo gamer. Whether you are invested in the new Switch 2 exclusives or revisiting the classic library, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
