Start with Donkey Kong Bananza. GamesRadar currently ranks it as the best Nintendo Switch 2 game, and its 2025 action-adventure platforming is a natural follow-up to Mario Kart World when you want another first-party showcase rather than another racing game. Its appeal comes from destructive play, varied levels, collectibles and the partnership between Donkey Kong and Pauline.
If you want a different pace, choose by mood: Pokémon Pokopia for cozy building, Hades 2 for repeatable combat, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition for open-world exploration, Street Fighter 6 or Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition for multiplayer, and large ports such as Cyberpunk 2077, Elden Ring, Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond for a longer single-player commitment.
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The quick answer: play Donkey Kong Bananza first
Mario Kart World is built around fast races, open driving and repeatable multiplayer sessions. The most convincing next purchase changes the rhythm without abandoning the sense of movement and discovery that makes a new Nintendo console feel worthwhile. Donkey Kong Bananza does that better than any other recommendation in the current Switch 2 lineup.
GamesRadar’s current ranking puts Donkey Kong Bananza at number one among Switch 2 games. It describes a 2025 action-adventure platformer whose central idea is destructive play: you break through environments, move through varied levels and hunt for collectibles. The DK and Pauline partnership gives the adventure a clear character focus instead of making destruction feel like a purely mechanical trick.
#1 Best Overall
- Explore a vast underground world—by smashing your way through it!
- A brand-new 3D platforming action adventure starring Donkey Kong and Pauline
- Bash through just about anything in groundbreaking exploration! Crash through walls and carve tunnels—the more you smash, the more areas open up to you
- Pair up with Pauline to use Bananza Transformations: smash through obstacles with the raw strength of Kong form, gallop with incredible speed as a Zebra, and more
- Team up with a friend in two-player co-op as Donkey Kong and Pauline! Blast foes and terrain alike with Pauline’s voice as you explore together
Nintendo lists the game in its official Switch 2 catalog. Nintendo Co., Ltd. reported 4.78 million worldwide consolidated lifetime sales as of June 30, 2026, a figure that includes bundled and downloadable software units. Sales do not determine whether a game suits you, but they show that Bananza has become one of the system’s major releases.
Who should choose it
- You want a single-player game after racing: Its levels and collectible hunt give you a clear next objective while still allowing room to experiment.
- You enjoy platforming with a physical twist: Destruction is the defining interaction, so the environment is part of the challenge rather than background scenery.
- You want a current Switch 2 showcase: It is presented as a Switch 2 title in Nintendo’s catalog, not simply an older game with a resolution patch.
Who should choose something else
Bananza is not the right answer if your priority is a quiet building game, a serious repeatable combat loop, a huge open world or a party game for several people in the same room. The alternatives below are organized around those exact needs.
Where to start: the simplest buying path
If you are ready to buy one game and do not want to compare a dozen genres, search your retailer for “Donkey Kong Bananza Nintendo Switch 2 game.” That wording identifies the named physical release without assuming a price, stock status or a particular regional listing. Check that the listing is for your region and that the platform is Nintendo Switch 2 before paying.
For a second purchase, decide whether you want a new game made for Switch 2 or an enhanced edition of a Nintendo Switch game. Nintendo says a Switch 2 Edition bundles the original Switch game with an upgrade pack. Some selected Switch games instead receive free updates that can improve resolution, frame rate or add GameShare support. The edition or update path matters because the box and download requirements can differ from one title to another.
Pick by mood
Cozy building and discovery: Pokémon Pokopia
Pokémon Pokopia is the best fit when you want to replace the urgency of racing with a slower loop of making, helping and exploring. GamesRadar describes it as a 2026 life simulation game in which Ditto rebuilds habitats, helps Pokémon and explores a post-human Pokémon world.
The setting gives the game a different kind of progression from Bananza. Instead of breaking through a level to reach the next objective, you improve places and see how that work supports the Pokémon living there. The premise also makes exploration meaningful: the world is not simply a map of destinations, but a damaged environment that Ditto is helping to restore.
Rank #2
- Embark on a brand-new Donkey Kong adventure exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2.
- Explore the Underground World with dynamic environments and hidden secrets.
- Battle VoidCo and its minions using DK’s signature strength and powerful punches.
- Team up with a mysterious new companion with unique gameplay abilities.
- Recover the Golden Bananas across thrilling, action-packed levels.
Choose Pokopia if you want
- Construction and habitat improvement to be the main reason to keep playing.
- A gentle discovery loop rather than a combat-first challenge.
- A Pokémon setting that reinterprets the series through a post-human world and Ditto’s rebuilding role.
Nintendo reported 3.68 million sales outside Japan, where Nintendo is the publisher, as of June 30, 2026. That regional qualification is important: the figure is not a worldwide total, so it should not be compared directly with Nintendo’s worldwide consolidated numbers for other games.
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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Repeatable combat and challenge: Hades 2
Choose Hades 2 when the best part of a game is learning from each attempt and returning with a stronger, better-informed build. GamesRadar ranks it third among Switch 2 games and describes Melinoë’s underworld adventure, new weapons, new biomes and deeper progression.
That combination points to a game built for repeated runs rather than a one-way campaign. New weapons change how you approach encounters; new biomes keep the route from feeling identical; and deeper progression gives successful attempts a lasting effect. The result is a stronger match for players who want a demanding game they can revisit than for someone looking for a short, purely linear story.
Choose Hades 2 if you want
- A combat-centered game with a reason to try again after a failed run.
- Build and weapon variety instead of one fixed fighting style.
- A challenge that rewards learning patterns and refining decisions over time.
Compared with Donkey Kong Bananza, Hades 2 places less emphasis on environmental discovery and more on combat repetition and progression. It is the better second game if Mario Kart World has made you want something skill-driven rather than relaxing.
Open-world exploration: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is the choice for players who want to decide their own route. GamesRadar highlights its sandbox design and Zelda Notes features, while Nintendo lists the edition in the Switch 2 catalog.
A sandbox structure changes the question from “Which level comes next?” to “What should I investigate now?” You can approach the world through exploration, experimentation and self-directed objectives. Zelda Notes adds a Switch 2-specific layer for players who want to record or engage with information connected to their journey.
Rank #3
![Donkey Kong Bananza Standard - Nintendo Switch 2 [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Xv8olm5RL._SL160_.jpg)
- Uncover a wide variety of environments, like forest, canyon, and lagoon, as you delve underground
- Reshape the world as you tear through it, with the help of…an Odd Rock?
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom also has a Switch 2 Edition. Choose between the two based on which adventure you already own and whether you want to revisit Breath of the Wild or continue with Tears of the Kingdom; both editions belong to the same open-world, exploration-first category.
Choose Zelda if you want
- A large world that supports self-directed wandering instead of a fixed level order.
- Exploration and experimentation to be as important as combat.
- A Switch 2 Edition with the Zelda Notes feature highlighted by GamesRadar.
Competitive or local multiplayer: Street Fighter 6
Street Fighter 6 is the clearest recommendation when “after Mario Kart World” means you still want competition, but you are ready to trade driving for fighting. GamesRadar describes the Switch 2 Edition as having an 18-character roster, an online Battle Hub and Switch 2-specific co-op modes.
The 18-character roster gives a defined set of matchups to learn, while the Battle Hub supports online activity beyond a single isolated match. The co-op modes are the important Switch 2-specific distinction for households that want to play together rather than take turns in a purely solo campaign.
Choose Street Fighter 6 if you want
- Head-to-head competition with a fixed roster that rewards practice.
- Online play through the Battle Hub.
- Switch 2-specific co-op options for local or shared sessions.
It is a better fit than a story-heavy role-playing game when your priority is a game you can pick up for a match, improve at and return to repeatedly.
Local party play: Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is the other straightforward social recommendation. Nintendo lists it among the Switch 2 options, and it is designed for the kind of shared-room play that makes a console useful when friends or family are present.
The choice between it and Street Fighter 6 is about the type of competition you want. Street Fighter rewards mastery of a fighting roster and supports online Battle Hub activity. Super Mario Party Jamboree is the better match for a group that wants a lighter social game rather than a technical one-on-one challenge.
Rank #4
- Donkey Kong, diddy Kong, dixie Kong and cranky Kong return for the franchise's debut on the Nintendo Switch system!
- This title includes all the fun and challenge of the original game, plus a brand-new mode that lets new and novice
- Players Enjoy this critically acclaimed adventure as Groovy surfing simian funky Kong.
- Funky Kong can double jump, hover, perform Infinite rolls and even perform Infinite underwater corkscrews.
- Thanks to his sturdy surfboard, even spikes can't slow him down.
Choose Super Mario Party Jamboree if you want
- A Nintendo party format instead of a dedicated fighting game.
- A title to bring out when several people are playing together.
- A Switch 2 Edition rather than a completely separate series entry.
Long-form RPGs and blockbuster ports
Tom’s Guide highlights Switch 2 ports of Cyberpunk 2077, Resident Evil and Elden Ring, along with Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. These are the recommendations for readers who want a large single-player commitment or a technical showcase after finishing shorter sessions of Mario Kart World.
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The common thread is scale. Rather than selecting a game primarily for local multiplayer or a compact repeatable loop, you are choosing a title that can occupy many evenings. The port-focused games are also useful if you want to see how a demanding third-party or established series translates to Nintendo’s newer hardware.
How to choose among the large games
- Choose Cyberpunk 2077 or Elden Ring when the attraction is a major modern action role-playing experience presented on Switch 2.
- Choose Resident Evil when you want a well-known horror series represented among the system’s larger ports.
- Choose Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition when you want an established long-form role-playing game in an anniversary edition.
- Choose Metroid Prime 4: Beyond when the priority is a major Nintendo-led release rather than a third-party port.
The available material identifies these games as ports or major releases, but it does not establish campaign lengths, frame-rate targets or edition contents for each one. Check the individual product page for those details before buying.
How the recommendations compare
| Game | Core loop | Best match | Format noted in the catalog or coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donkey Kong Bananza | Destructive platforming, varied levels and collectible hunting | First single-player game after Mario Kart World | Nintendo Switch 2 game |
| Pokémon Pokopia | Rebuilding habitats, helping Pokémon and exploring | Cozy building and discovery | 2026 life simulation game |
| Hades 2 | Repeated underworld attempts with new weapons, biomes and progression | Combat challenge and replayability | Switch 2 game ranked third by GamesRadar |
| The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition | Sandbox exploration with Zelda Notes features | Open-world freedom | Switch 2 Edition |
| Street Fighter 6 | Fighting matches, Battle Hub activity and co-op modes | Competitive or local multiplayer | Switch 2 Edition |
| Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition | Social party play | Group sessions in the same room | Switch 2 Edition |
Native Switch 2 games versus Switch 2 Editions
The label on the box or store page tells you what you are buying. Nintendo explains that a Switch 2 Edition combines the original Nintendo Switch game with an upgrade pack. That is different from a title presented as a Switch 2 game from the outset.
When an Edition makes sense
An Edition is useful when you already own the original game and want the Switch 2 improvements, or when you are buying the game for the first time and want the enhanced package. Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom, Street Fighter 6 and Super Mario Party Jamboree are all identified in the supplied Nintendo catalog or coverage as Switch 2 Editions.
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Free updates are a separate route
Nintendo also says selected Nintendo Switch games can receive free updates that improve resolution, increase frame rate or add GameShare support. A free update is not automatically the same as a paid Switch 2 Edition, so read the product description for the specific game you own.
Best Value
- The next evolution of Nintendo Switch
- One system, three play modes: TV, Tabletop, and Handheld
- Larger, vivid, 7.9” LCD touch screen with support for HDR and up to 120 fps
- Explore a vast underground world—by smashing your way through it!
- A brand-new 3D platforming action adventure starring Donkey Kong and Pauline
Compatibility is not universal
Nintendo Support states: “In addition to games exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2 system, Nintendo Switch 2 can also play Nintendo Switch games.” The same support entry cautions that “certain Nintendo Switch games may not be supported on or fully compatible with the Nintendo Switch 2 system.”
That warning matters when you are considering an older physical or digital game outside the catalog examples above. Confirm compatibility in Nintendo’s support information or the game’s current store listing instead of assuming that every Nintendo Switch release works perfectly.
What the sales figures say about the current lineup
Nintendo’s June 30, 2026 figures are worldwide consolidated lifetime sales unless a regional qualification is stated. They include bundled and downloadable software units.
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| Game | Sales reported | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Mario Kart World | 15.39 million units | Worldwide consolidated sales as of June 30, 2026 |
| Donkey Kong Bananza | 4.78 million units | Worldwide consolidated sales as of June 30, 2026 |
| Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition | 3.99 million units | Worldwide consolidated sales as of June 30, 2026 |
| Pokémon Pokopia | 3.68 million units | Sales outside Japan where Nintendo is the publisher, as of June 30, 2026 |
| Kirby Air Riders | 1.90 million units | Worldwide consolidated sales as of June 30, 2026 |
These numbers provide context, not a quality ranking. Mario Kart World is the baseline hit you are moving on from; Donkey Kong Bananza is the strongest-selling recommendation in this list with a worldwide figure; and Pokémon Pokopia has a substantial reported audience even though Nintendo’s figure is limited to sales outside Japan where it is the publisher.
A decision guide for your next purchase
- Want the safest all-around follow-up? Buy Donkey Kong Bananza. It is the top-ranked Switch 2 game in GamesRadar’s current list and combines platforming, destruction, varied levels and collectibles.
- Want to relax and build? Pick Pokémon Pokopia. Its Ditto-led habitat rebuilding and Pokémon-helping loop is the clearest cozy alternative.
- Want to practice and replay? Pick Hades 2. Its weapons, biomes and deeper progression are aimed at repeated attempts.
- Want to wander without a fixed route? Pick Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, or consider the Tears of the Kingdom Switch 2 Edition if that is the Zelda adventure you prefer.
- Want competition with friends? Pick Street Fighter 6 for an 18-character fighting roster, Battle Hub and Switch 2 co-op modes.
- Want a lighter group game? Pick Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition.
- Want one large game to occupy many evenings? Look at the Switch 2 ports and major releases highlighted by Tom’s Guide: Cyberpunk 2077, Resident Evil, Elden Ring, Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.
Buying and compatibility checks
- Confirm the platform label: Make sure a listing says Nintendo Switch 2 game or Switch 2 Edition, not only Nintendo Switch.
- Check the region: Edition names, physical availability and store listings can vary by market.
- Read what is included: An Edition may bundle an original game with an upgrade pack, while another title may rely on a free update.
- Verify current availability: Retail stock and digital listings change, so confirm the product page when you are ready to purchase.
- Check older-game compatibility: Nintendo warns that some Nintendo Switch games may not be supported or fully compatible on Switch 2.
Final recommendation
Donkey Kong Bananza is the best first answer to “What should I play after Mario Kart World?” It is a current Switch 2 showcase with a distinct destructive-platforming identity, enough level variety and collectibles to support exploration, and a clear DK-and-Pauline adventure. Move to Pokémon Pokopia, Hades 2, Zelda, the multiplayer choices or the large ports only when your preferred mood points away from that combination.
Quick Recap
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