The Best Nintendo Switch Games Released in 2025

Grenaa Games created this city-building game, and Dear Villagers released it on January 30, 2025. In the game, you lead a fairy tale kingdom, building it up from a small village into a grand castle, and can forge relationships with other kingdoms through diplomacy or even romance. It’s a relaxing and charming strategy game designed for players on the go.

‘Stick it to the Stickman’ (2025)

Developed by Free Lives and published by Devolver Digital on March 15, 2025, this game is a fast-paced, chaotic brawler where you play as an angry office worker. You’ll use martial arts and office supplies to battle through hordes of coworkers. With rogue-like elements, each playthrough offers different character builds and power-ups, creating a funny and fresh take on the classic beat ’em up style.

‘Loddlenaut’ (2025)

Moon Lagoon created a peaceful underwater game where you clean up pollution, and Secret Mode released it on July 18, 2025. You play as a space caretaker responsible for restoring a damaged ocean planet. The gameplay focuses on recycling waste and nurturing adorable, axolotl-like creatures called loddles to bring the ecosystem back to life. It’s a relaxing experience with a strong message about protecting the environment, all set in a beautiful underwater world.

‘Sword of the Necromancer Resurrection’ (2025)

Grimorio of Games created and launched this action RPG on November 20, 2025. It’s a complete reimagining of the original game, featuring updated visuals and more complex combat. Players wield a magical sword that can bring defeated enemies back to life as allies, helping them in later fights. The game is a dungeon crawler with a strong focus on the emotional story of a character trying to rescue someone they care about.

‘The Midnight Walk’ (2025)

Moonbeam Studio created a dark fantasy adventure game released on November 25, 2025. It’s visually striking, made with a special hand-crafted clay animation style that brings a shadowy and atmospheric world to life. Players explore dangerous areas and have to protect their light source – and companion – from lurking monsters. The game focuses on creating a creepy and immersive experience through its visuals and storytelling.

‘Skate Story’ (2025)

Sam Eng created a strange and beautiful skateboarding game, and Devolver Digital released it on December 1, 2025. In the game, you play as a glass demon who skates through the underworld with the goal of eating the moon. It’s a unique experience that blends realistic skateboarding with dreamlike levels and a captivating soundtrack, offering a fresh take on sports games.

‘Bubsy in The Purrfect Collection’ (2025)

Limited Run Games created and released this complete collection on January 10, 2025. It features beloved classic games from the series, now improved with modern features and bonus behind-the-scenes content. Players can rediscover the character’s often-debated past with updated controls and the convenience of save states. This release is the ultimate collection for fans of the series.

‘Star Wars Episode I Jedi Power Battles’ (2025)

Aspyr brought back this beloved action game with an updated version, launching it on January 23, 2025. Players can choose from a variety of Jedi characters and battle their way through levels inspired by the first prequel movie. The new version features local co-op and runs smoothly on today’s computers and consoles, while still offering the same difficult, yet rewarding, gameplay and platforming that fans remember.

‘Mina the Hollower’ (2025)

Yacht Club Games released this action-adventure game on February 5, 2025. It’s inspired by classic handheld games, but adds a new twist: players can burrow underground for both fighting and getting around. You play as a mouse tasked with exploring a haunted island and stopping an approaching evil. The game features beautiful pixel art and a spooky atmosphere, offering a unique take on gothic fantasy.

‘Fatal Fury City of the Wolves’ (2025)

SNK brought back this famous fighting game series with a new release on April 24, 2025. Players can battle with both returning favorites and new characters in a tournament held in South Town. The game introduces a ‘Rev’ system, letting players adapt their fighting style on the fly. It also picks up the story of the series after many years, all with updated graphics.

‘Dynasty Warriors Origins’ (2025)

Omega Force created this action game, which Koei Tecmo released on January 17, 2025. Set during the Three Kingdoms period, the game lets you play as a single hero leading armies in large-scale battles. You’ll command troops and fight intense, real-time combat against huge numbers of enemies. This new installment offers a more story-driven and realistic experience compared to earlier games in the series.

‘Mouse PI For Hire’ (2025)

Fumi Games created a fast-paced first-person shooter, released on July 1, 2025. The game draws its visual inspiration from classic 1930s cartoons and puts players in the role of a detective navigating a gritty, noir-style city. Players battle through enemies – gangsters and crooked officials – using weapons authentic to the era. With its smooth animation and distinctive look, this game really stands out from others in the genre.

‘Croc Legend of the Gobbos’ (2025)

Argonaut Games brought back the beloved classic platformer with a remastered version released on September 15, 2025. Players control a young crocodile on a quest to save his friends from the villainous Baron Dante. This updated release boasts sharper graphics and smoother, more modern controls, offering both a fun experience for new players and a wave of nostalgia for fans of early 3D platformers.

‘Gex Trilogy’ (2025)

Limited Run Games released a collection of retro platformer games on March 25, 2025, starring a funny gecko who jumps and runs through levels inspired by TV shows and movies. Players collect remotes to open up new parts of each level. The collection has been updated with improved graphics and includes a special ‘museum’ mode for fans to enjoy.

‘Tales of the Shire’ (2025)

Weta Workshop created a life simulation game, published by Private Division on March 25, 2025. In the game, you design your own Hobbit and enjoy a quiet life in the famous village of Bywater. You’ll spend your time cooking, gardening, and making friends with the locals. It’s a relaxing way to experience the world of Lord of the Rings, focusing on everyday life rather than battles and conflict.

‘Tomb Raider IV VI Remastered’ (2025)

This collection of classic Lara Croft adventures was created by Crystal Dynamics and published by Aspyr on February 14, 2025. It features three beloved games with updated graphics and controls. Players can easily switch between the original and enhanced visuals while playing. The games emphasize solving puzzles and exploring detailed environments, ranging from ancient ruins to modern cities.

‘Capcom Fighting Collection 2’ (2025)

Capcom created this collection of fighting games, which became available on February 20, 2025. It features beloved crossover titles like Capcom vs SNK 2 and Project Justice. All the games let you play online with smooth, reliable connections thanks to rollback netcode, and they also include training modes to help you improve your skills. This release keeps these classic fighting games alive for both longtime fans and new players.

‘Phantom Brave The Lost Hero’ (2025)

Developed and released by Nippon Ichi Software on March 6, 2025, this game is a tactical RPG where you follow a girl who can talk to ghosts. She journeys across a world of water to find a lost friend. Gameplay revolves around the ‘Confine’ system, letting players connect spirits to objects in the environment and then summon them to help in battles. This new installment builds upon the original game’s interesting ideas, adding fresh characters and abilities.

‘Rune Factory Guardians of Azuma’ (2025)

Marvelous created this new game, and XSEED Games will release it on March 20, 2025. Set in the beautifully designed world of Azuma, inspired by the East, the game blends relaxing farming with exciting action combat. Players become Earthmates, tasked with bringing back the power of ancient gods and healing a broken world. It includes a dynamic seasonal system and allows for more meaningful connections with characters than earlier games in the series.

‘The Legend of Heroes Trails through Daybreak II’ (2025)

Developed by Nihon Falcom and released by NIS America on February 14, 2025, this expansive role-playing game follows Van Arkride and his friends as they explore the Republic of Calvard. Players will experience a unique battle system that smoothly blends fast-paced action with strategic turn-based combat. The game boasts a compelling story centered around political intrigue and includes many beloved characters returning from previous installments.

‘Atelier Yumia The Alchemist of Memories and the Envisioned Land’ (2025)

Gust created this adventure game centered around alchemy, and Koei Tecmo released it on March 21, 2025. The game puts you in the role of a young alchemist who journeys through the ruins of a fallen empire to learn about her history. As you explore different landscapes, you can build camps to create items and cook food. This installment features a more open world design and fast-paced, real-time battles – a new direction for the series.

‘Tales of Graces f Remastered’ (2025)

Bandai Namco released an updated version of the popular role-playing game on January 17, 2025. Players follow Asbel Lhant and his companions as they journey through a world torn apart by conflict between three nations. This new version includes all previously available downloadable content and has been visually improved for today’s screens. The game is known for its exciting, fast-paced battles that require strategic thinking.

‘Little Nightmares III’ (2025)

Developed by Supermassive Games and published by Bandai Namco on June 20, 2025, this horror adventure puts players in control of two new characters trying to escape a strange and unsettling world called the Spiral. You can play the game solo with an AI partner, or team up with a friend. The gameplay focuses on being sneaky and solving puzzles, all within a really creepy and immersive setting.

‘Donkey Kong Country Returns HD’ (2025)

Retro Studios created the original game, and Nintendo released this updated version in high definition on January 16, 2025. Players take control of Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong as they work to get their stolen bananas back from the Tiki Tak Tribe. This new version includes extra levels previously available on handheld systems, and it also lets two players team up locally for cooperative gameplay. The game is famous for its difficult jumps and imaginative level design.

‘Dragon Quest I and II HD Remake’ (2025)

Square Enix brought these beloved classic games to life with a stunning new visual style called HD-2D, releasing them on August 15, 2025. These games tell the original stories of this famous series, now enhanced with gorgeous graphics and a beautiful orchestral soundtrack. Players will journey through the kingdom of Alefgard, fighting well-known monsters in a traditional turn-based combat system. This release, along with the previously available third game, finishes the complete Erdrick trilogy.

‘Civilization VII’ (2025)

Firaxis Games created this expansive strategy game, which 2K Games released on February 11, 2025. In the game, you guide a civilization from ancient times to the future, focusing on managing your empire’s resources, building relationships with other civilizations, and waging war. This latest version features improved leader development and city construction, adding more layers of strategy. It also offers a complete set of multiplayer options and allows players to compete across different platforms.

‘Hollow Knight Silksong’ (2025)

After a long wait, Team Cherry released the sequel to their popular game on June 1, 2025. Players now control Hornet as she journeys through the expansive new kingdom of Pharloom, aiming to reach a faraway citadel. The game is known for its quick, action-packed battles and skillful platforming, all set across a huge variety of unique locations. It also introduces a brand new crafting system and plenty of challenging enemies and bosses.

‘Pokémon Legends ZA’ (2025)

The latest Pokémon game, created by Game Freak and released by The Pokémon Company on October 15, 2025, takes place entirely within Lumiose City. The story centers around a plan to rebuild the city, bringing people and Pokémon closer together. Players will explore Lumiose City in a way similar to Pokémon Legends, uncovering mysteries about Mega Evolution. This new game offers a unique and focused experience within the Kalos region, experimenting with new gameplay ideas.

‘Metroid Prime 4 Beyond’ (2025)

Developed by Retro Studios and released by Nintendo on July 25, 2025, this highly anticipated sequel brings Samus Aran back for a new first-person adventure. She’ll journey across various planets to defeat the Space Pirates. The game boasts impressive scanning features and intense combat against huge alien creatures, all within a beautifully detailed 3D world. It’s the grand finale to the Prime series and really shows off what the hardware can do.

Let us know what you think about these new games and which ones you’re most excited to play! Share your thoughts in the comments below.

2026-01-06 02:48