The Best Nintendo Switch Games Released in 2025
Grenaa Games developed this city building title and Dear Villagers published it on January 30 2025. Players manage a fairy tale kingdom and interact with neighboring realms through diplomacy or romance. The game features a relaxing aesthetic that focuses on growing a small village into a majestic castle. This release offers a charming take on the strategy genre for handheld audiences.
‘Stick it to the Stickman’ (2025)

Free Lives developed this chaotic physics based brawler and Devolver Digital published the title on March 15 2025. Players control a disgruntled office worker who uses martial arts and corporate equipment to fight through waves of coworkers. The game incorporates rogue like elements that allow for diverse character builds and power up combinations. Its humorous tone and fast paced action provide a unique spin on the beat em up genre.
‘Loddlenaut’ (2025)

Moon Lagoon developed this cozy underwater cleanup game and Secret Mode published it on July 18 2025. Players inhabit the role of an interstellar custodian tasked with cleaning up a polluted ocean planet. The core loop involves recycling trash and caring for axolotl like creatures called loddles to restore the ecosystem. This title emphasizes environmental themes and relaxing exploration within a vibrant sea world.
‘Sword of the Necromancer Resurrection’ (2025)

Grimorio of Games developed this action role playing game and released it on November 20 2025. The game is a full remake of the original title with improved graphics and expanded combat mechanics. Players use a magical sword to revive fallen enemies and turn them into allies for future battles. This dungeon crawler focuses on the emotional journey of a character trying to save a lost loved one.
‘The Midnight Walk’ (2025)

Moonbeam Studio developed this dark fantasy adventure and published it on November 25 2025. The game uses a unique hand crafted clay animation style to depict a world filled with shadows and light. Players must navigate treacherous environments while keeping their companion light source safe from monsters. This title emphasizes atmosphere and visual storytelling within a macabre setting.
‘Skate Story’ (2025)

Sam Eng developed this surreal skateboarding game and Devolver Digital published it on December 1 2025. Players control a demon made of glass who must skate through the underworld to swallow the moon. The gameplay combines realistic skating physics with abstract environments and a haunting soundtrack. This release offers a unique artistic perspective on the traditional sports genre.
‘Bubsy in The Purrfect Collection’ (2025)

Limited Run Games developed this comprehensive compilation and published it on January 10 2025. The package includes classic titles from the platforming franchise alongside modern enhancements and behind the scenes content. Players can experience the controversial history of the character through updated controls and save state features. This release serves as a definitive archive for the mascot series.
‘Star Wars Episode I Jedi Power Battles’ (2025)

Aspyr developed this updated port of the classic action game and released it on January 23 2025. Players select from several Jedi characters to fight through levels based on the first prequel film. The game includes local cooperative play and improved performance for modern hardware. It maintains the challenging combat and platforming that the original release was known for.
‘Mina the Hollower’ (2025)

Yacht Club Games developed this top down action adventure and published it on February 5 2025. The game draws inspiration from classic handheld titles while introducing a unique burrowing mechanic for combat and movement. Players control a mouse who must explore a cursed island to stop a rising darkness. Its detailed pixel art and haunting atmosphere provide a fresh take on the gothic fantasy genre.
‘Fatal Fury City of the Wolves’ (2025)

SNK developed this legendary fighting game revival and published it on April 24 2025. The game features a roster of classic and new fighters who participate in a tournament set in South Town. New mechanics like the Rev system allow players to customize their offensive and defensive strategies during matches. This entry continues the long dormant storyline of the franchise with modern visuals.
‘Dynasty Warriors Origins’ (2025)

Omega Force developed this historical action title and Koei Tecmo published it on January 17 2025. The game focuses on a single protagonist navigating the Three Kingdoms period and participating in massive tactical battles. Players can command troops and engage in visceral combat against thousands of enemies simultaneously. This release aims to provide a more narrative focused and grounded experience than previous entries.
‘Mouse PI For Hire’ (2025)

Fumi Games developed this first person shooter and published it on July 1 2025. The game features a visual style inspired by nineteen thirties cartoons and follows a private investigator in a noir city. Players use a variety of period accurate weapons to fight through waves of mobsters and corrupt officials. The fluid animation and unique aesthetic make it a standout title in the genre.
‘Croc Legend of the Gobbos’ (2025)

Argonaut Games developed this remaster of the classic platformer and released it on September 15 2025. The game follows a young crocodile who must rescue his furry friends from the evil Baron Dante. This version features high definition textures and modernized controls to make the movement more accessible. It serves as a nostalgic trip for fans of early three dimensional platforming games.
‘Gex Trilogy’ (2025)

Limited Run Games developed this collection of classic mascot platformers and published it on March 25 2025. The package includes three games featuring a wisecracking gecko who travels through television worlds. Players navigate levels based on different film and TV genres while collecting remotes to unlock new areas. The compilation includes updated graphics and a museum mode for fans to explore.
‘Tales of the Shire’ (2025)

Weta Workshop developed this life simulation game and Private Division published it on March 25 2025. Players create their own Hobbit and live a peaceful life in the legendary village of Bywater. The gameplay focuses on cooking and gardening and building relationships within the community. This title offers a gentle exploration of the Lord of the Rings universe without the threat of war.
‘Tomb Raider IV VI Remastered’ (2025)

Crystal Dynamics developed this collection and Aspyr published it on February 14 2025. The bundle includes three classic adventures featuring Lara Croft with upgraded textures and modern control schemes. Players can switch between original and enhanced visuals at any time during gameplay. These titles focus on puzzle solving and environmental exploration within ancient ruins and modern cities.
‘Capcom Fighting Collection 2’ (2025)

Capcom developed this anthology and released it on February 20 2025. The collection includes several classic crossover titles such as Capcom vs SNK 2 and Project Justice. All games feature online play with rollback netcode and training modes for competitive practice. This release preserves important pieces of fighting game history for a new generation of players.
‘Phantom Brave The Lost Hero’ (2025)

Nippon Ichi Software developed this tactical role playing game and published it on March 6 2025. The story follows a girl who can communicate with ghosts as she sails across an ocean world to find a missing friend. Players use the Confine system to bind spirits to environmental objects and summon them for battle. This sequel expands on the unique mechanics of the original title with new characters and skills.
‘Rune Factory Guardians of Azuma’ (2025)

Marvelous developed this spin off and XSEED Games published it on March 20 2025. The game is set in the eastern inspired land of Azuma and combines farming simulation with action combat. Players take on the role of an Earthmate tasked with restoring the power of ancient gods to a fractured world. It features a new seasonal system and deeper character interactions than previous entries.
‘The Legend of Heroes Trails through Daybreak II’ (2025)

Nihon Falcom developed this epic role playing game and NIS America published it on February 14 2025. The narrative continues the journey of Van Arkride and his companions in the Republic of Calvard. Players engage in a hybrid combat system that allows for seamless transitions between real time and turn based action. The game features a deep political story and a massive cast of returning characters.
‘Atelier Yumia The Alchemist of Memories and the Envisioned Land’ (2025)

Gust developed this alchemy focused adventure and Koei Tecmo published it on March 21 2025. The story follows a young alchemist exploring a ruined empire to uncover secrets of her past. Players can set up camps in the field to craft items and cook meals while traveling across diverse biomes. This entry introduces a more open world structure and real time combat elements to the series.
‘Tales of Graces f Remastered’ (2025)

Bandai Namco developed this updated version of the fan favorite role playing game and released it on January 17 2025. The game follows Asbel Lhant and his friends as they navigate a world caught between three warring nations. This version includes all previously released downloadable content and enhanced resolution for modern displays. The title is highly regarded for its fast paced and strategic combat system.
‘Little Nightmares III’ (2025)

Supermassive Games developed this horror adventure and Bandai Namco published it on June 20 2025. The story introduces two new protagonists who must escape from a distorted world known as the Spiral. Players can play alone with an artificial intelligence companion or cooperatively with a friend. The game emphasizes stealth and puzzle solving within a creepy and atmospheric environment.
‘Donkey Kong Country Returns HD’ (2025)

Retro Studios developed the original and Nintendo published this high definition remaster on January 16 2025. Players control Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong as they reclaim their banana hoard from the Tiki Tak Tribe. This version includes the additional levels from the previous handheld release and features local two player cooperative play. The game is known for its challenging platforming and creative environmental obstacles.
‘Dragon Quest I and II HD Remake’ (2025)

Square Enix developed these classic titles in the HD-2D style and published them on August 15 2025. The games provide the foundational stories of the legendary franchise with beautiful new visuals and orchestral music. Players explore the kingdom of Alefgard and battle iconic monsters in turn based combat. This release completes the Erdrick trilogy alongside the previously released third entry.
‘Civilization VII’ (2025)

Firaxis Games developed this grand strategy title and 2K Games published it on February 11 2025. Players lead a civilization from the dawn of history into the future by managing resources and diplomacy and warfare. This entry introduces new mechanics for leader progression and city building that offer more strategic depth. The game includes a full multiplayer suite and cross platform play capabilities.
‘Hollow Knight Silksong’ (2025)

Team Cherry developed this long awaited sequel and released it on June 1 2025. Players take control of Hornet and explore a vast new kingdom called Pharloom to reach a distant citadel. The game emphasizes fast paced combat and nimble platforming across hundreds of unique environments. It features a new crafting system and a massive roster of enemies and bosses to defeat.
‘Pokémon Legends ZA’ (2025)

Game Freak developed this new entry in the series and The Pokémon Company published it on October 15 2025. The game is set entirely within Lumiose City and focuses on an urban redevelopment plan that bridges humans and creatures. Players explore the city in a style similar to the previous Legends title while discovering new secrets about Mega Evolution. This release offers a fresh perspective on the Kalos region through a more focused and experimental gameplay loop.
‘Metroid Prime 4 Beyond’ (2025)

Retro Studios developed this monumental sequel and Nintendo published it on July 25 2025. Samus Aran returns for a new first person adventure that takes her across multiple planets to stop the Space Pirates. The game features advanced scanning mechanics and visceral combat against massive alien threats in a detailed three dimensional world. This title serves as the culmination of the Prime series and showcases the technical capabilities of the hardware.
Please share your thoughts on these upcoming titles and your most anticipated releases in the comments.


