Should you buy a Nintendo Switch 2 before the price hikes? I played 5 of its biggest exclusives to find out | Tech Radar
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Should you buy a Nintendo Switch 2 before the price hikes? I played 5 of its biggest exclusives to find out
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It’s official. The Nintendo Switch 2 is set to receive a price hike around the world, largely as a result of the ongoing memory crisis.
In the US, the Switch 2 will get a
But is the Switch 2 actually worth spending the (pre-price-rise) price of almost
The 26 best Nintendo Switch 2 games to play right now
Well, I’ve played five of the biggest Switch 2-exclusive games in the console's current lineup to help answer that question, and I’m pretty set on my answer. So, let’s take a look at each of the Switch 2’s heaviest hitters, and find out whether the console is really worth buying sooner rather than later.
Mario Kart World: the series’ most chaotic entry since the Wii era
Let’s start with the Switch 2’s leading launch title, Mario Kart World. It’s proven to be fairly divisive with fans, due to many finding the connections between tracks in Grand Prix and online modes to be uninspired, and the open world mode to be a little plain.
However, I personally find the open world mode to be pretty solid. Could it be improved? Certainly. But roaming around while listening to the game’s masterful and eclectic soundtrack, completing missions, and practicing shortcuts is very enjoyable on the whole. The interconnected sections also got a a revamp in the 1.4 update, and can be avoided in VS mode, which is a big plus.
A lot of this is pretty secondary as well, as the main draw — at least in my view — is the new Knockout Tour mode, where four players are eliminated per lap and only one can take the crown. Knockout Tour is phenomenal with friends, and has led to a lot of highly tense moments, shouting at the TV, as well as some crazy photo finishes.
More generally, Mario Kart World absolutely nails it with smooth controls, an incredible character roster, and beautiful visuals. There are 24 racers now, and items feel a lot more punishing than they did in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, resulting in a more chaotic, action-packed karting experience. Despite some small hiccups, I’d argue that World is the best game that the series has produced since the Wii era.
Donkey Kong Bananza: a great action platformer, but not a true system-seller
Donkey Kong Bananza really doesn't require an introduction. This Game of the Year-nominee was a smash hit with critics — including our very own Dash Wood, who scored the game 4.5 stars out of five.
This title — which is developed by the same team that handled Super Mario Odyssey — is quite unique, in that so much of the game is centered around smashing your environment into smithereens. Doing so can net you hidden collectibles and coins, and help you progress through the game’s story, which has an absolutely iconic ending, I have to say.
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For DK fans, this title is absolutely essential. Everything from the charismatic cutscenes through to the bizarre power-ups and addictive destruction will please almost any Nintendo gamer. Is it a real system-seller? Perhaps not quite. Although Nintendo went in hard on the marketing for this title, everyone’s favorite ape lacks the draw of a 3D Mario game or new entry in the Legend of Zelda series.
The game itself, though, is certainly high in quality. The performance can be a little shaky at times, and I found that some of the layers lacked the raw creativity of the Kingdoms in Odyssey. All in all, though, Bananza is a good time.
Pokémon Pokopia: like Animal Crossing, but better
I don’t think it’s even slightly controversial to say that Pokémon Pokopia is the best exclusive that the Nintendo Switch 2 has to offer.
This social sim, co-developed by Game Freak and Koei Tecmo’s Omega Force, has received many comparisons to Animal Crossing, but for me, is better than just about every game that series has offered. Playing as Ditto, you’ll enter a post-apocalyptic world, where humans are nowhere to be seen. You’ll help to rebuild a fractured environment, build communities of Pokémon, and uncover the mystery of the world’s upheaval.
What really makes this Switch 2 exclusive so special is its charisma. All of the Pokémon are bursting with personality, and come out with hilarious lines. Whether it's Pidgey telling you that it’s “time to lock in” or Bulbasaur exclaiming, "Let’s get this place HUMID,” there’s just so much charm and character to admire.
Pair that with simple yet enjoyable crafting mechanics, varied and vast environments, and a surprisingly dark story (for a Pokémon game), and Pokopia is one of the best games on Switch 2 — and one of the greatest games of 2026 in general.
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book: a charming exploration game for all ages
I recently reviewed this new release, and although I can’t see people buying a Switch 2 for this title alone, it's still a great addition to the system’s lineup.
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book isn’t your typical platformer. It’s not even a typical Yoshi game; it’s something that feels brand new. The whole experience is centered around exploration, with a host of whimsical creatures hiding in the pages of a sentient encyclopedia named Mr. E. Yoshi can hop into each page, learn more about the curious critters inside, and hunt down collectibles like Smiley Flowers.
This game is all about charm and whimsy. I adored the stop-motion animation and hand-drawn characters, and the strikingly vibrant art style instantly hooked me during my play-through.
It’s a game best played in segments rather than long sessions, and some players will certainly want a bit more challenge in terms of platforming and combat. But families and long-time fans alike will certainly find things to love about Yoshi’s latest adventure.
Let’s finish with the weirdest and whackiest title of them all, Kirby Air Riders, which was developed by Super Smash Bros. lead Masahiro Sakurai’s Sora Ltd alongside Bandai Namco Studios.
And believe me, the Smash Bros. influence is clear in just about every way. The sound design, music, visual style, and even UI all have big Super Smash Bros. Ultimate vibes, but I kinda love it. The gameplay also draws a lot from Smash, with fast-paced, all-action racing sprinkled in with combat mechanics that result in an even more chaotic experience than Mario Kart World can provide.
Everything about this game has an oddball vibe, whether that be the strange and sometimes obscure cast of characters, the unconventional control scheme, or the pure disorder of the City Trial mode. There’s even a way to customize vehicles, and as you can imagine, people have created all sorts of cursed, nightmarish designs that will either make you laugh or cry.
Despite wearing its inspirations on its sleeve, Kirby Air Riders really is a gaming experience like no other, and if you want high-octane, full-throttle racing/battling then this one’s for you. Shoutout to the brilliant visuals and technical performance too.
The verdict: buy it now and save your future self some money
There you have it. That’s what I made of my time with the Switch 2’s five biggest exclusives, and as you can probably tell, I’ve had a pretty great time with what the console has had to offer so far.
All of the games above have their flaws — some more than others. But for one year in, the Switch 2 has a really admirable library, with fun racers, a Go TY-nominated 3D action platformer, and one of the best Pokémon games ever made.
There’s a lot of exciting stuff on the horizon too, with The Duskbloods, a new Fire Emblem entry, and Splatoon Raiders all confirmed. There are rumors of a Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake and a new 3D Mario game too — both of which would likely excite those yet to buy into Nintendo’s latest system. Of course, we’ve got Pokémon Winds and Waves arriving in 2027 as well.
So should you buy a Switch 2 before the price hikes? Well yes, I think you should. Sure, the upcoming stuff is exciting, but what’s already here makes the system worth investing in. Beyond the impressive titles, you get 4K capabilities in docked mode, a beautiful 1080p display in handheld mode, 120fps gameplay for select titles, and impressive virtual surround sound.
The system is backwards-compatible, meaning you can use it to play your old Switch games, too. And thanks to a new Handheld Mode Boost, you can enjoy them in 1080p on the go, which is an absolute treat.
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➡️ Read our full guide to the best Nintendo Switch 2 games
- Best overall: Donkey Kong Bananza
- Great for multiplayer: Mario Kart World
- A sequel for the ages: Hollow Knight: Silksong
- A timeless adventure and remake: The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
- Best Pokémon: Pokémon Legends Z-A
Harry is a Senior Reviews Writer for Tech Radar. He reviews everything from party speakers to wall chargers and has a particular interest in the worlds of audio and gaming. Harry has a background in business tech journalism, particularly around the telecoms industry.
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Key Takeaways
- News, deals, reviews, guides and more on the newest computing gadgets
- Start exploring exclusive deals, expert advice and more
- Unlock and manage exclusive Techradar member rewards
- Unlock instant access to exclusive member features
- Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards
