Nintendo Switch 2
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History Behind Switch 2 Purchase
What lies below is a listing of my Switch 2 collection along with some history behind the system's purchase. Please note that all of the games listed below are physical game cards, physical game-key cards, or digital downloads that I actually purchased.
Like most people, I find it amazing that eight (8) years passed between the launch of Switch 2 and Switch 1. Being that it's Nintendo, you just wanted to know how they might innovate (or how they might mess it up). When the Switch 2 was fully revealed on April 2, 2025, my unfortunate April Fool's Day job situation allowed me to watch the stream live from home. Like many others, I was pleased with what I saw -- similar form factor, better-than-expected power, backwards compatibility, "mouse mode," and some good initial 3rd party support. But, sadly, I also knew that I would not be pre-ordering one for the June 5, 2025 release...
After the Switch 2 launch, it's clear that Nintendo was not kidding when it said that they made a lot of systems, which made it much easier to find in summer 2025. With some good luck, my job situation stabilized. But then we also had a lot of uncertainty related to the U.S. tariffs. So I made the decision to order the Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle for $499.99 from Best Buy on August 21, 2025, especially since Sony announced that it was raising the price of PS5 by $50. It helped that I had $30 in Best Buy rewards certificates, too. I picked up my Switch 2 in-store on Wednesday, August 27.
When it comes to Switch 2, I've noticed a funny pattern emerge. In my adult life, I had a lot of games for my N64, but then not so many for the GCN follow-up. Then I ended up buying many games for the extremely popular Wii and rather few games for the Wii U successor. Like many others, I ended up with a surprisingly massive Switch 1 collection, which means that I expect my Switch 2 library to be much, much smaller. With Switch 2, I made a vow that I am only buying games to play them, not to collect them. (Switch 1 was my collecting console.) And I will not be bankrolling the games that my kids want. It's basically Mario/DK, Mario Kart, and Madden for me, plus a few select other games (Split Fiction, Indiana Jones). I continued to buy my retro games on Switch 1.
After the Switch 2 launch, it's clear that Nintendo was not kidding when it said that they made a lot of systems, which made it much easier to find in summer 2025. With some good luck, my job situation stabilized. But then we also had a lot of uncertainty related to the U.S. tariffs. So I made the decision to order the Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle for $499.99 from Best Buy on August 21, 2025, especially since Sony announced that it was raising the price of PS5 by $50. It helped that I had $30 in Best Buy rewards certificates, too. I picked up my Switch 2 in-store on Wednesday, August 27.
When it comes to Switch 2, I've noticed a funny pattern emerge. In my adult life, I had a lot of games for my N64, but then not so many for the GCN follow-up. Then I ended up buying many games for the extremely popular Wii and rather few games for the Wii U successor. Like many others, I ended up with a surprisingly massive Switch 1 collection, which means that I expect my Switch 2 library to be much, much smaller. With Switch 2, I made a vow that I am only buying games to play them, not to collect them. (Switch 1 was my collecting console.) And I will not be bankrolling the games that my kids want. It's basically Mario/DK, Mario Kart, and Madden for me, plus a few select other games (Split Fiction, Indiana Jones). I continued to buy my retro games on Switch 1.
All-Time Favorite Switch 2 Games
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Switch 2 Game Collection (4 games)
- Donkey Kong Bananzaα + DLC
- Mario Kart World
- Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos (Wii U VC)
- Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 (NS)
plus the following Switch 1 games—DOOM Eternal
, Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 
,and MLB The Show 26
—installed on Switch 2.
Add'l Switch 2 Games and NS1 Upgrades
Random Notes & Thoughts
The following bulleted points are some random notes and thoughts about Nintendo Switch 2. In the list, you will find information about the system and games that I could not place anywhere else.
Otherwise, please click one of the following links to read additional notes and thoughts:
Key/Legend for Physical & Digital games:
Otherwise, please click one of the following links to read additional notes and thoughts:
- GameShare Switch 2 Additional Compatibility:
- Switch 2 Performance Boosts to "Uncapped" Switch 1
- GameShare Switch 1 Game Compatibility:
- amiibo (α) compatibility (i.e., special unlocks)
- TV Settings (120Hz 4K HDR) for Switch 2
Key/Legend for Physical & Digital games:
- ** means either GameShare or 2 copies for LW or Online
- † advertises optional touch screen gameplay controls
- ∏ designates available Joy-Con 2 motion control support
- ¶ indicates accessible mouse mode when using a Joy-Con 2
- α showcases games with special amiibo compatibility
Copyright © Scott McCall. All Rights Reserved. ™ and © for all products, characters, and indicia related thereto which are contained herein are owned by the companies who market or license those products.