The Nintendo Switch generation has earned a decent variety of third-party games, like Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age, Doom, and Guilty Gear Strive. Many companies wish to continue supporting the successful hybrid console, though its weaker specs hinder its chances of processing more demanding games. That was the case for its eight-year run until Nintendo finally launched its latest console.
After the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, its library has opened new opportunities with its stronger technical prowess. It has already proven its capabilities with several AAA games like Resident Evil Requiem, Star Wars Outlaws, and Dynasty Warriors: Origins. Its wide array of third-party games isn’t slowing down with several heavy hitters scheduled for 2026.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Shaping a discovery
Date: May 12
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle provides an immersive narrative about Indy traveling around the world to solve a huge mystery behind a stolen artefact. The game is designed not only to feel like an Indiana Jones movie, but also to play like him, especially during highly intense chases.
Certain moments will require Indy to plan around large open areas of enemies with his reliable tools and surroundings. He can use stealthy disguises to get through enemy lines or his trustworthy whip to distract the targets. His whip is also useful to disarm targets and maneuver through environments, especially within certain ruins filled with traps and puzzles. In our Xbox Series X review for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Adrian Cozmuta praised the adventure as “an action adventure classic in the making” and a “masterclass in faithfully adapting and elevating a beloved franchise.” This one is an essential title to pick up for anyone.
Yakuza 3 Kiwami and Dark Ties
Two views of Japan
Date: February 12
RGG Studio continues to remake the Yakuza franchise with Yakuza 3 Kiwami and Dark Ties. There are numerous new additions to spice up Kiryu’s original adventure within Okinawa, Japan, including upgraded visuals, mini-games, characters, stories, and more. Kiryu even learned a new combat style with weapons for better crowd control.
The newest addition is The Dark Ties storyline, which focuses on Yoshitaka Mine surviving through the depths of the yakuza in Kamurocho, Tokyo. He ventures through the city to find the definition of a true bond, which requires him to tackle various quests and challenges. Some resistance will require him to use his new shootboxing fighting style to catch his opponents off guard.
Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage
Setting up the fight
Date: March 26
Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage is the first 3D Virtua Fighter heading to a Nintendo platform. It’s currently the latest Virtua Fighter entry with a huge variety of fighters, new combo routes, the World Stage mode, and more.
Its best feature is the implemented crossplay and rollback netcode in its online play. This is a great benefit for the Virtua Fighter community, allowing for battle across any platform with a more stable online connection.
Fallout 4 Anniversary Edition
The Return of the Wastelands
Date: February 24
Bethesda continues to share the celebration of Fallout Anniversary to the Nintendo platform. Fallout 4 Anniversary Edition will be the first mainline Fallout game available for Nintendo Switch 2.
The anniversary version includes the base Fallout 4 game and multiple official DLCs, including Automatron, Wasteland Workshop, Far Harbor, Contraptions Workshop, Vault-Tec Workshop, and Nuka-World. The port also provides over 150 creation club items for major exploration in the ruined lands of the Commonwealth.
Orbitals
Old school space travel
Date: Summer 2026
Fans of retro, nostalgic ’80s anime and sci-fi stories would love Orbitals’ overall design. It’s a co-op-based sci-fi adventure involving two comrades, Maki and Omura, on a mission to fly through the cosmos to save their home space station from a supernatural cosmic storm.
The duo has to use their given tools and gadgets, like the beam cannon and liquid launcher, to solve puzzles and progress through abandoned locations. Teamwork is essential for them to face whatever danger lies within space, including hostile spaceships. If you like It Takes Two and Split Fiction, Orbitals might be right up your alley.
Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake
Horrifying pictures
Date: March 12
Fatal Frame II Remake retells the story of twin sisters finding themselves in a haunted village. The remake keeps the traditional story to welcome newcomers while enhancing the horror suspense with new additions to freshen the experience for veteran fans, including a new ending.
The remake’s most significant new feature is the sister bond. The sisters bond when holding each other’s hands, restoring their health and willpower to progress through the decrepit village. It also gives direct control for Mio to escort her vulnerable sister from the horrifying wraiths. The original Fatal Frame II is considered to be the best in the series. The remake has the potential to honor that legacy and welcome new players to the series.
The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales
A tale through time
Date: June 18
The original developers of Bravely Default and Octopath Traveler were brought together to create The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales. It’s a new RPG that twists the traditional HD-2D formula by making its gameplay less turn-based and more action-based.
The game has some resemblance to traditional, top-down Legend of Zelda, inspiring exploration and puzzle-solving. Elliot can use different weapons to his advantage, like his sword, bow and arrow, chained sickle, and more. Some situations inspire multiple solutions for Elliot to utilize, especially when dealing with combat and puzzle challenges in the Shrines of Life. This should be on your radar especially if you like HD-2D RPGs like Octopath Traveler.
LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight
LEGO Batman Arkham
Date: May 29
LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight takes a step backward from the franchise, focusing on Batman’s growth as the intimidating Dark Knight. The humorous narrative design is faithfully present, though its gameplay has greatly shifted. Its new battle system resembles the Batman Arkham franchise, making combat more engaging with amusing attacks and combos.
Allies and foes roam the large, open streets of Gotham City, such as Jim Gordon, Nightwing, Mr. Freeze, Penguin, Joker, and many more. Some allies can even assist Batman during his encounters and investigations to provide unique abilities, like Catwoman and Robin. Legacy of the Dark Knight promises to be an absolute blast and a much needed shakeup for the Batman formula.
The Duskbloods
Born to bleed
Date: Unknown, 2026
The Duskbloods was one of the pitches provided by the game’s FromSoftware director, Hidetaka Miyazaki. It’s a new IP designed for Dark Souls fans with its Gothic, Victorian atmosphere that incorporates mysterious backstories in its depressing world.
The main protagonist is a type of Bloodsworn, a vampire-like creature with superhuman strength. It competes with other creatures and Bloodsworns in an online PvPvE battle format for the rewarding First Blood. How the Bloodsworn develops is entirely up to the player when experimenting with different roles and equipment. While a release date is yet to be announced, this may just be the closest we will ever get to a Bloodborne successor and should definitely be on your radar.
007 First Light
An agent’s first step
Date: May 27
007 First Light is designed to bring the most narrative-driven, cinematic experience of James Bond’s growth as an MI6 agent. His journey will take him across the world to investigate and discover certain targets, such as Slovakia and England.
The game is designed to express the feeling of Agent 007 by distributing both stealth and action-based objectives. Stealth missions will provide numerous opportunities for Bond to use his gadgets, key items, or even bluff his targets. The agent can’t kill anyone unless the situation gets too intense, like during car chases, shootouts, or even to catch an airplane. When it gets too dangerous, Bond will acquire his license to kill to eliminate dangerously armed hostiles.
Resident Evil Requiem
Traditional and modern evils
Date: February 29
The Resident Evil series has some representation on the Nintendo Switch, but it has never had any game beyond Resident Evil 6. Ever since the franchise shifted to its first-person gameplay, the games have been too demanding to play on the Switch. This makes Resident Evil Requiem the first modern Resident Evil game for the Nintendo platform, which brings both new and familiar additions.
Requiem features Grace and Leon on a mystery murder case that relates to Raccoon City. The game has many accessible settings to change the in-game experience. It’s possible to play either first or third-person perspective for any protagonist, combining both traditional and modern Resident Evil formulas in one.
Pragmata
Teamwork makes the dream work
Date: April 24
Pragmata is Capcom’s brand new sci-fi IP that focuses on an unlikely duo being trapped in a lunar research station. Its gameplay provides the most unique experience when facing whatever challenges lie in a desolate space overtaken by AI.
Hugh and Diana have different excelling strengths, with Diana’s intelligent hacking and Hugh’s accurate shooting making up the main gameplay of Pragmata. While Hugh is amazing at handling weaponry, he’s helpless at overcoming indestructible robots without Diana’s hacking to expose their weak points. The in-game combat system relies on multitasking and awareness, which is key for the protagonists to survive. Pragmata currently has a free demo on the Nintendo eShop and early reactions look positive on the Switch 2.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Venturing beyond Midgar
Date: June 3
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is the second part of the Final Fantasy VII Remake Project, which continues the reimagining of Cloud’s journey. Similar to the original game, Rebirth opens up its world for Cloud’s party to explore outside of Midgar. The new game does expand its narrative as well, focusing on other characters, like fan favorite Zack Fair.
The game does offer the new Streamlined Progression setting for players who prefer a narrative focus progression. The option allows the main party to max out its stats and resources, including HP, MP, Damage, Materia, and more. It’s even possible to grind levels easier with 2x EXP and 3x AP Gains. The recent Final Fantasy VII Remake port on the Switch 2 has received praise from the community for showcasing the console’s capabilities. We have our fingers crossed that Square Enix can pull off the same magic with Rebirth.
Which Switch 2 games are your most anticipated for 2026? Let us know in the comments and on our social media.
