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
1. Donkey Kong Bananza
First impressions usually don't fail me. Upon unveiling, Donkey Kong Bananza looked...kind of mid. Only after an overview trailer showcased more depth is when I became more interested. After playing the first hour, however, it still felt kind of bland and boring in the mines. What's the hype about? Well, the longer you play, the more creative the worlds become, the less mindless smashing you have to do (unless you want to), the more abilities you obtain, and the less restrictive it all feels. At some point, you realize that you have just played another all-time Nintendo masterpiece that looks, sounds, and plays fantastically. Oh, Banana!
2. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4
I absolutely loved Tony Hawk 1 + 2 on Switch 1, and I was disheartened to hear that this sequel was cancelled in 2022. Yet, by some miracle, the project was quietly restarted, albeit with some changes, and was released in 2025. Although I did not care about changes to Tony Hawk 4's career mode, I did notice that the sequel was not as smooth or optimized for Switch 1. Fortunately, the Switch 2 launch was supported with a free, separate version of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 that greatly improved the graphics and frame rate. An enjoyable video game during an otherwise unenjoyable period of my life, which also had a nifty Taco Bell promotion.
3. Mario Kart World
Let me start by arguing that Mario Kart 8—the 2014 Wii U original—was a better, tighter kart racing game on launch day than Mario Kart World in 2025. Although some people will undoubtedly enjoy the Free Roam mode, the move to "open kart racing" was at the expense of worse track design, control, balance, and multiplayer options. Simply put, MK World is NOT as good. Furthermore, it does NOT help when you are trying to sell the Switch 2 game for $80 USD when it seems like it has a lot less content compared to Switch's Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. In time, over the years, I am hopeful that Nintendo will steadily improve the Switch 2 game. For now, it's good...but not great.
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Switch 2 Game Collection (7 games)
- Deadzone Rogue
- Donkey Kong Bananzaα + DLC
- Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
- Mario Kart World
- Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos (Wii U VC)
- Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom (Wii U VC)
- Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 (NS)
plus the following Switch 1 games—DOOM Eternal
, Freakout: Calamity TV Show , Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 
, MLB The Show 26 , Pokémon Champions (F & M) , and Pokémon HOME (F & M) —installed on the family's 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.