The next Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive planned for a 2025 release is Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, which comes out in November. Elsewhere, there's TechRadar Gaming's Switch 2 review, where you'll find our final verdict on the new screen, controllers, mouse mode, and battery life.
Upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives will start to arrive thick over the next few months, with Kirby Air Riders kicking things off in style now that the Switch 2 is out. Nintendo fans will have plenty to keep them busy for the rest of the year as well, with everything from a new Metroid Prime game, to a new Pokémon set to come out.
In terms of upcoming Switch 2 titles and Switch 2 launch games the next couple of months are absolutely stacked with Nintendo Switch 2 games. Some are exclusives like Duskbloods, while others are new versions of old games like Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition. One thing's for sure, there will likely be some new contenders for our best Nintendo Switch 2 games list by the end of the year.
Here are the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives to look forward to in 2025 and beyond. We'll only be covering games that have been officially confirmed for release, many of which already have solid release dates locked in. In terms of what games we've chosen to include here, these are either only coming to Nintendo Switch 2, new versions of Nintendo Switch games, or Nintendo Switch 2 versions of upcoming games. We'll indicate where each game sits with regard to these release platforms as we go.
Upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives
There are currently quite a few Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives planned and confirmed for future release on the upcoming console. We've listed them below, alongside their release dates where available.
The games below include those only coming to Nintendo Switch 2, new versions of Nintendo Switch games, or Nintendo Switch 2 versions of upcoming games. We'll indicate where each game sits with regard to these release platforms as we go.
- Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment - November 6, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive)
- Kirby Air Riders - November 20, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive)
- Mario Tennis Fever - February 12, 2026 (Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive)
- Resident Evil Requiem + RE7 & RE8 Gold Editions - February 27, 2026 (Switch 2 exclusive)
- Super Mario Bros. Wonder Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Meetup In Bellabel Park - Spring 2026 (Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive)
- Yoshi and the Mysterious Book - Spring 2026 (Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive)
- The Duskbloods - TBC 2026 (Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive)
- Pokémon Pokopia - TBC 2026 (Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive)
- Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave - TBC 2026 (Switch 2 exclusive)
- Splatoon Raiders - TBC (Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive)
Let's kick off this list of Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives with perhaps the most surprising reveal of the latest Nintendo Direct. The Duskbloods is a brand new game from Bloodborne and Dark Souls developer FromSoftware. It's a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive, and it'll launch sometime in 2026. Beyond that, we don't know too much about it, other than it. being described as a PvPvE multiplayer game. Whether this will be similar to how things work in Elden Ring, with players invading your game, or more akin to what Elden Ring: Nightreign is going for remains to be seen.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is a third-person action game that serves as a prequel to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. It all plays out in that classic Dynasty Warriors style, with the story set around the Imprisoning War that kicks off Link's journey to save Hyrule with the help of the Zonai. From the looks of things, we'll be able to fight as Princess Zelda against large groups of Ganon's army. There's other playable characters too, like the masked champions from Tears of the Kingdom.
This one arrives November 6, 2025, only that it'll launch on Switch 2 only.
Kirby Air Riders, a brand new title originated from the Nintendo GameCube classic racing-action game Kirby Air Ride, is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 this year – directed by Masahiro Sakurai. We just got a full deep dive on the game, and it's packed with the same modes as the original, but expanded massively with new mechanics, Riders, levels and more. It'll arrive November 20, 2025.
Nintendo announced Splatoon Raiders via the Nintendo Today App, revealing a short trailer, as well as the fact that it'll be exclusive to Switch 2. Beyond that, we don't know much about it, other than it looks set to be a Splatoon spin-off, possibly with a cooperative survival game focus. We'll have to wait for more details on this one, as currently, it doesn't even have a release window.
Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives - new versions of Switch games
In addition to the Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives listed above, there's also Switch 2 versions of existing and upcoming Switch games to contend with. Here are the games being upgraded and receiving separate Switch 2 editions:
- Pokémon Legends Z-A - October 16, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)
- Metroid Prime 4: Beyond - December 4, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)
- Stardew Valley Nintendo Switch 2 Edition - Fall 2025
- Overcooked 2! Nintendo Switch 2 Edition - Holiday 2025
- Super Mario Bros. Wonder Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Meetup In Bellabel Park - Spring 2026 (Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive)
- Human Fall Flat Switch 2 Edition - Spring 2026
With regards to Switch 2 versions of Switch games, TechRadar had access to Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom a month or so ago, as part of a wider Nintendo Switch 2 preview. Our Hardware Editor Rhys Wood had this to say:
"Playing it (Breath of the Wild) and Tears of the Kingdom at a rock-solid 4K 60fps on console feels like it’s not real. But it is on Switch 2. Both games also have drastically sharper image quality, meaning they’re absolutely the definitive version of each release."
Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives FAQ
Is The Duskbloods only on Nintendo Switch 2?
The Duskbloods is only planned for Nintendo Switch 2 as things stand. This means that it's not likely to arrive on any other platforms, even Nintendo Switch. By the looks of things, this is a collaboration between FromSoftware and Nintendo, so you'll need to pick up the new console to play it in 2026.
Will all new Nintendo games be Switch 2 exclusive?
While some new Nintendo games like Mario Kart World are indeed Nintendo Switch 2 only, there are still games coming to Nintendo Switch. Namely, Metroid Prime 4, and Pokémon Legends Z-A will release on both.
This will likely continue for a while, until eventually, things will move to be Switch 2 only. Even with a new console out now, you'll likely be able to play new games on your old Switch for a while yet, though you will miss out on the bigger titles like Donkey Kong: Bananza, and The Duskbloods.
Will Pokemon Z-A be Switch 2 exclusive?
Pokémon Legends Z-A is not a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive. At launch, there will be separate versions for both Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2. On the new console, it'll run at a better frame rate, and have improved visuals, but the game will be functionally the same on both devices. We now know it's coming out on October 16, 2025. Not long to wait!
