STACK #247 May 2025

FEATURE GAMING

Third party games A new Nintendo console means new games from more than just Nintendo themselves. Many familiar titles have been earmarked for Switch 2, as well as a handful of new ones. Here’s a taste… Elden Ring, Street Fighter 6, Split Fiction, EA Sports FC25, Hogwarts Legacy, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4, Hitman: World of Assassination, Bravely Default, Yakuza 0, Borderlands 4, Sid Meier’s Civilization VII, WWE 2K25, NBA 2K25, Cyberpunk 2077, Final Fantasy VII Remake, Star Wars Outlaws, and, of course , Fortnite. One of the most exciting reveals was a new FromSoftware multiplayer game, coming exclusively to Switch 2. Entitled The Duskbloods , it’s been directed by From legend Hidetaka Miyazaki, and is set for a 2026 release. It certainly looks classic From and will definitely be very dramatic if our first look is any indication.

SWITCH 2: THE GAMES! As you’d expect, there are some exciting new first-party games coming for Switch 2. Here’s a quick roundup…

recovering banana-shaped diamonds that have been

snatched by VoidCo, a gang of villainous apes. We’re getting serious Super Mario Odyssey vibes from it, and that’s certainly no bad thing. Kirby Air Riders Get ready for an update of the GameCube game Kirby Air Ride. Kirby Air Riders is a sequel, starring everybody’s favourite

Mario Kart World Possibly the biggest game news for Switch 2 is a new Mario Kart, which we’re getting on launch day – yes, June 5 – in the form of Mario Kart World. It’s set to go large, with a massive world where races are held in various regions, and we’ll be able to drive “virtually anywhere”. With changing weather and time of day conditions, plus 24 drivers per race, it’s the first wholly new Mario Kart in 11 years – and yes, we’re excited! Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour Another new first party experience due on release day is Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, which is essentially a gamified guide to the console that will be available separately.

It’s a mixture of tech demos, minigames, and other interactive experiences that will allow players to get to know the new system inside and out. Donkey Kong Bananza Something to look forward to after we’ve played Mario Kart Live t o death is the return of the mighty DK in an all-new 3D platforming

• Nintendo Switch 2 is out Jun 5

globular pink entity in a fun 3D racing game through all sorts of weird, wild, and, of course, cute environments. Drag x Drive Older gamers may recall a killer future sports game called Speedball . Its spirit will live on in Drag x Drive , a split-screen futuristic basketball game that’s

adventure, Donkey Kong Bananza . Set to arrive on July 17, it’s a vast sandbox adventure whereby our favourite ape sets about

designed for use with the Joy-Con 2 mouse functionality.

Bringing new to the old

one, with added mouse controls, audio recognition, more rumble, and camera support – and a bonus Jamboree TV game. These upgrades will come at extra cost, and other titles slated for the treatment include both The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom –

with enhanced 1080p with HDR, plus a dedicated smartphone app for maps, guidance, sharing creations, and more – as well as Kirby and the Forgotten Land . The forthcoming Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Pokémon Legends Z-A will also have enhanced Switch 2 variants.

If you have a decent library of original Switch games, great news is that most of them will be compatible with the Switch 2, and better news is that some of these games will be getting upgrades. Super Mario Party Jamboree is

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