Launch Availability of Certain Nintendo Switch 2 Games Might Take Some by Astonishment
The highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 has officially launched on June 5, 2025, and preorders for the device have sold out across the U.S. and worldwide. The Switch 2 retails for $450, a $150 increase from its predecessor.
At launch, notable exclusives include the headline title Mario Kart World, a blend of classic racing with open-world elements, and the Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut. Other major exclusive games are scheduled for release throughout 2025.
In July, gamers can look forward to Wild Hearts S, an expanded monster-hunting action-adventure, and WWE 2K25. Kirby Air Riders is expected in 2025, though the exact date remains TBD.
August will bring titles like Kirby and the Forgotten Land and sports titles such as EA Sports Madden NFL 26. Witchbrook, a co-op life-sim RPG, is also confirmed for Switch 2, though no exact date has been given yet.
Late in 2025, several high-profile releases are scheduled. Elden Ring – Tarnished Edition and Yakuza Kiwami are both expected in November, while Pokémon Legends: Z-A is slated for October. The highly anticipated Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is still scheduled for 2025, though no specific release date has been confirmed.
Additional exclusives include enhanced editions of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild/Tears of the Kingdom and Hogwarts Legacy, as well as Nintendo collaborations such as Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment and The Duskbloods by FromSoftware.
The bundle with Mario Kart World has proven to be immensely popular, priced at $500. Mario Party Jamboree and Donkey Kong Bananza will be available on July 24 and Aug. 28, respectively. However, Mario Kart World will set gamers back $80 for the privilege.
Market research firm Omdia predicts that Nintendo will sell 14.7 million units globally in 2025 alone. First-party games for the Switch 2 are set to cost between $70 or $80.
Nintendo expects to sell 15 million Switch 2 units and 45 million games this fiscal year (ending in March). Despite a dip in profits leading up to the Switch 2 launch, the company remains optimistic about the device's potential.
The Switch 2's launch lineup includes Mario Kart World, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Cyberpunk 2077, Yakuza 0, Hitman: World of Assassination, Split Fiction, Street Fighter 6, Bravely Default, and Deltarune. The new Kirby Air Riders, Drag x Drive, and the Switch 2 edition of Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition lack precise release dates.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A is expected to arrive in "late 2025," though it lacks a precise release date. Hades II, a Switch 2 timed-console exclusive, is still in early access on PC with no concrete release date.
As the Switch 2 continues to roll out major exclusive games, consumers are left to weigh the cost of $80 games against the option of buying multiple smaller-priced games. Regardless, the Switch 2's launch and upcoming releases have generated significant excitement within the gaming community.
- Gizmodo anticipates a bright future for tech enthusiasts, as the technology sector is set to be flooded with innovative gadgets like the Nintendo Switch 2, featuring exclusive games such as Mario Kart World, Wild Hearts S, and Elden Ring – Tarnished Edition.
- Future technology advancements include the collaboration between Nintendo and FromSoftware, with the release of Witchbrook and The Duskbloods, offering a unique blend of co-op life-sim RPG and action-adventure games respectively for tech enthusiasts.
- In late 2025, the technology market is predicted to witness the launch of several high-profile games like Pokémon Legends: Z-A, Yakuza Kiwami, and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, demonstrating the continued convergence of tech and entertainment in the technology-driven future.
