Top 5 Nintendo Switch 2 games ranked and Mario Kart World isn't number 1

Nintendo Switch 2: Highly Anticipated First-Party Games Revealed

In a recent Nintendo Direct presentation focusing on the Nintendo Switch 2, a plethora of new games were announced, garnering considerable excitement. The showcase featured a compelling lineup of first-party titles such as Mario Kart World and Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, alongside notable third-party entries including Cyberpunk 2077, Split Fiction, and Street Fighter 6. Indie gems like Hollow Knight Silksong and Hades 2 further enriched the diverse selection. This article will delve into the most promising upcoming first-party games, ranked based on initial impressions.

It is important to note that this ranking excludes remastered versions of previous hits like Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Party Jamboree for the Nintendo Switch 2. Also omitted are forthcoming first-party games not yet available for hands-on testing at Nintendo Switch 2 Experience events, such as Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment and Pokemon Legends: Z-A.

5. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

Resembling Astro’s Playroom on the PS5, Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour acts as an interactive demonstration of the new Nintendo console’s capabilities. It employs engaging games and experiences to illustrate the system’s functionalities and potential.

Players virtually navigate an oversized Nintendo Switch 2 console, segmented into zones representing different hardware components. For instance, the Left Joy-Con constitutes one area, the dock another, and the display is depicted as a vast ice rink filled with quizzes, mini-games, and fellow explorers to interact with.

The mini-games are designed to highlight Switch 2 features, including a maraca-based experience showcasing haptic feedback. The Joy-Con realistically simulates sensations, shifting from the feel of beads to rubber balls, which is technically impressive, though its long-term replayability remains questionable.

Another mini-game exemplifies mouse functionality, challenging players to evade falling spikes using mouse-like controls. Additional activities include frame-rate guessing quizzes and vibration location challenges.

Achieving objectives and high scores unlocks stamps and medals, which in turn grant access to new games and areas within the Welcome Tour.

While the high-score component offers some replay incentive, the limited selection of games tested so far lacks sustained appeal. Furthermore, for a Nintendo product, it is surprisingly lacking in the characteristic charm and personality typically associated with the company.

Considering the estimated £400 console price and £75 price tag for premium first-party games, Nintendo might be forgoing an opportunity by not offering this showcase for free. As a demonstration of the console’s capabilities, it would ideally serve as a compelling introduction for potential buyers.

Although not disliking Switch 2 Welcome Tour, it currently ranks lowest among anticipated first-party games based on playtesting experience.

4. Drag X Drive

Among the announcements during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, Drag X Drive emerged as a particularly unexpected title.

Drag X Drive is a 3v3 wheelchair basketball game that evokes comparisons to Rocket League, seemingly Nintendo’s interpretation of the popular formula. It also appears to be a demonstration of the Switch 2’s mouse controllers, employing a dual mouse system where each Joy-Con controls a wheelchair wheel.

Simultaneously sliding both Joy-Cons propels the wheelchair forward, while sliding one initiates turns. Lifting a Joy-Con and flicking the wrist executes shots. Mastering sharp turns requires practice, but proficiency develops quickly. Utilizing ramps at high speed even allows for spectacular dunks.

Drag X Drive proved enjoyable and possesses the potential to be a surprise hit, although it might not pose a significant threat to Rocket League’s dominance.

3. Donkey Kong Bananza

While Mario games prioritize fluid platforming and movement finesse, Donkey Kong Bananza emphasizes the exhilaration of destructive gameplay. With the exception of metal structures, Donkey Kong can seemingly obliterate most objects using his fists, a capability utilized for uncovering hidden areas and collecting golden bananas.

Three of the four face buttons are dedicated to destructive actions, with the remaining button for jumping. Players can also uproot massive rocks to hurl at adversaries or ride them down slopes to gain momentum. Combining these abilities and mastering Donkey Kong’s diverse skill set promises a gameplay experience less focused on fluidity than Mario, but with a greater emphasis on impactful action.

The extensive environmental interactivity and destructibility highlight the exploration aspects of the game. The vibrant Lagoon Layer stage was replete with secrets, including a reward-filled cavern and a combat arena requiring players to defeat three enemies within a time limit.

If each stage maintains the expansive and open design of Lagoon Layer, Donkey Kong Bananza could potentially ascend to the top tier of Switch 2 games.

2. Mario Kart World

Boasting an impressive 96 courses, encompassing both classic and new tracks, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe appeared to be a formidable benchmark. However, given its £74.99 price, Mario Kart World might possess sufficient innovation to claim the top position.

Mario Kart World is set within what initially seems to be a substantial open-world map. Freely navigating this environment appears as engaging as similar experiences in games like Forza Horizon, particularly with the introduction of new chat and camera features for multiplayer interactions. Echoes of Tony Hawk’s series are present, enabling players to utilize makeshift halfpipes for boosts and even grind on rails.

Traditional Grand Prix races involve traversing from one map section to another, enhanced by dynamic weather patterns and fresh item additions for heightened unpredictability.

The standout feature is Knockout Tour, an elimination-based race format involving 24 participants.

Incessant racing across numerous courses characterizes Knockout Tour, commencing with 24 racers and culminating in a final four showdown for a single victor. Despite racers being eliminated at regular intervals, the course lengths and frequent item distribution maintain consistent chaos. Players consistently feel within reach of advancing, even when positioned last near checkpoints.

The reappearance of the notorious blue shell ensures that while Knockout Tour may lack absolute fairness, it remains perpetually thrilling.

1. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

Holding the view that the original Metroid Prime is a benchmark title, anticipation is high for the series’ return with Metroid Prime 4: Beyond for Nintendo Switch 2.

From a technical standpoint, Metroid Prime 4 is the most visually striking of the tested games, supporting 60 frames-per-second gameplay in 4K resolution, or 120 frames-per-second in 1080p. Playing at the latter setting revealed exceptionally fluid and responsive gameplay.

The pace was almost too rapid for conventional analogue stick control, making it an ideal showcase for the Switch 2’s mouse input capability. A transformative feature, mouse mode can be instantly activated by placing a sideways Joy-Con on a flat surface, eliminating menu navigation. Sensitivity adjustments and button layout customization options are expected.

Acclimating to the button layout for Samus Aran’s suit abilities requires some familiarization, but the enhanced aiming precision offered by mouse control significantly outweighs any initial drawbacks.

The playable section, set early in the game before Samus loses her abilities, was intensely action-oriented, culminating in a satisfying, albeit straightforward boss encounter that incorporated abilities such as the morph ball and double jump.

The true measure of success will emerge as the game expands to encompass puzzle-solving and exploration elements, but initial impressions are highly favourable. As an enthusiast of single-player adventure games and the Metroid franchise, this title generates considerable excitement, potentially exceeding even Mario Kart World in anticipation.