Top 5 Nintendo Switch 2 first-party games ranked and Mario Kart World isn't no. 1

The Nintendo Switch 2 has been around for over a month now, so we've had plenty of time to get to grips with games like Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza and Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour.

We were also lucky enough to play the likes of Metroid Prime 4, Super Mario Party Jamboree Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV, Drag X Drive and more during one of the pre-release Switch 2 Experience events.

With this in mind, we've put together a list of the top five Nintendo Switch 2 first-party games that are available now or launching in 2025.

This is based solely on the games we've played, which rules out Pokemon Legends Z-A and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment.

5. Drag X Drive

Of all the games announced during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, Drag X Drive was one of the most surprising.

Drag X Drive is a 3v3 wheelchair basketball game that feels like Nintendo's answer to Rocket League. It also feels like a showcase for the Switch 2 mouse controllers, utilising a dual mouse system where you use each JoyCon to control one of the wheels on your wheelchair.

Sliding both at the same time sees you charge forward, sliding one turns your wheelchair left or right, while lifting the JoyCon off the mat and flicking your wrist forward is how you shoot. Performing sharp turns takes a little getting used to, but give it a few minutes and you should get the hang of it. You can even dunk the ball if you ramp up the sides with enough speed, something that could lead to some spectacular highlights.

I enjoyed Drag X Drive and think it could be a hidden gem, even if I don't think Rocket League has too much to worry about.

4. Donkey Kong Bananza

If Mario games are about smooth platforming and the joys of movement, Donkey Kong Bananza is about the thrill of smashing things until they break. If it exists in the environment then Donkey Kong can almost certainly destroy it with his fists, a skill that is used to discover new areas and find golden bananas.

Three of the four face buttons are used for destructive purposes, and the other to jump. You can also rip up huge rocks and throw them at enemies, or use those same rocks to surf down hills and gather speed. Combining these abilities and mastering Donkey Kong's different skills leads to a gameplay experience that's maybe not as fluid as Mario, but definitely packs more of a punch.

With the ability to destroy pretty much everything you see, it's the exploration side of the game that is the most fun. The colourful Lagoon Layer stage, for example, has so many secrets that you'll keep coming back for more, especially once you start learning new abilities.

3. Mario Kart World

With a whopping 96 courses both old and new, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe seemed like it would be a tough game to top. Fortunately given the £74.99 price tag, Mario Kart World has enough oomph to give it a run for its money.

Mario Kart World is set in an open-world, which is the game's biggest selling point, but also its main weakness. While the world is vast and filled with challenges, exploring isn't as thrilling as it is in games like Forza Horizon. The open-world element feels a tad underbaked, something that's reflected by the position of Free Roam mode on the main menu screen.

Fortunately, the races are as exciting as ever. Traditional Grand Prix races typically see you race from one part of the map to the next, although dynamic weather conditions and new items make for a more unpredictable experience overall.

The highlight, however, is Knockout Tour, which is an elimination-style race featuring 24 players.

Racing non-stop across multiple courses, Knockout Tour begins with 24 racers, and culminates with four players and just one winner. The length of the courses and regular item placement means that despite losing four racers at every checkpoint, the chaos never subsides. You always feel like you're in with a chance of making the cut-off point, even if you find yourself in last place with just a few corners to go.

And the return of the infamous blue shell means that while Knockout Tour isn't always fair, it is always exciting.

2. Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild/Tears of the Kingdom Switch 2 Editions

If you've never played Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom, then these two can go to the top of the list, as they're both unbelievable games.

Breath of the Wild has a 97% score on Metacritic, while Tears of the Kingdom has a 96% score. Only Ocarina of Time has a better score, which should tell you all you need to know about these iconic open-world adventure games.

The Switch 2 versions come with multiple improvements, including smoother performance, higher resolution graphics and HDR support.

The games are also compatible with the Zelda Notes smartphone app, which serves as a companion to the action on screen. As you play the game, the app provides more detailed map info, helpful hints and voice memories for additional backstory and lore.

Despite already pumping hundreds of hours into both games, it's enough to make me want to jump back in and explore Hyrule all over again.

1. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

I've always been of the opinion that the original Metroid Prime is a perfect game, which is why I'm so excited to see the series return with Metroid Prime 4: Beyond for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2.

Out of all the games I've played so far, Metroid Prime 4 is the most impressive from a technical perspective, supporting gameplay of 60 frames-per-second in 4K, or 120 frames-per-second in 1080p. I played the latter, and was blown away by the fast-paced, responsive gameplay.

It was almost too fast for the analogue sticks to keep up, which makes it the perfect showcase for the Switch 2's mouse functionality. A real game-changer, players can instantly enter mouse mode by placing a sideways JoyCon on a flat surface. You don't need to mess around in any menu screens, although you can change the sensitivity (and hopefully the button layout) if you so please.

Memorising the button layout for Samus Aran's suit abilities takes a little getting used to, but with faster, more accurate aiming, the pros fair outweigh the cons.

Taking place at the start of the game before Samus inevitably loses her abilities, the section I played was explosive and action-packed, culminating in an entertaining though somewhat straightforward boss battle involving the use of abilities such as the morph ball and double jumping.

The true test will be when the game opens up to introduce puzzle solving and exploration elements, but so far, so good. As a lover of single-player adventure games and the Metroid series as a whole, I'm really looking forward to this one.