The Nintendo Switch 2 has launched with a game library strategy that reviewers are calling a powerful two-pronged attack: a massive, instantly playable back catalog made better than ever, led by a single, ambitious new flagship title. The result is a launch lineup that feels both familiar and revolutionary, offering what critics have called a “staggering” number of games from day one.
Leading the Pack: Mario Kart World
The star of the launch, according to most reviews, is undoubtedly Mario Kart World. It has been described in outlets like Nintendo Everything as a “remarkable masterwork” of presentation and a true evolution for the franchise, with praise directed at its gorgeous visuals, outstanding soundtrack, and deep, high-skill ceiling.
However, the game’s most marketed feature, the open-world “Free Roam” mode, has received a mixed reception. While visually impressive, some reviewers from outlets like Tom’s Guide found it to be a “barren stretch of land that feels hauntingly empty,” serving more as a novelty than a substantial new way to play. Despite these criticisms, the core racing is considered polished to perfection, establishing it as the system’s “must-have ‘killer app'” at launch.
Everything Old is New Again: The Power of Enhancement
Perhaps the Switch 2’s most celebrated feature, cited by nearly every reviewer, is its ability to breathe new life into a beloved library. The console’s backward compatibility means that most of the original Switch’s vast catalog is playable from day one, with many titles reportedly running significantly better even without dedicated updates.
Nintendo has also released dedicated “Switch 2 Edition” upgrades for key titles, which have been met with acclaim. Reviews note that The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom are now playable at a steady (60\text{fps}) with drastically reduced load times. Similarly, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are reported to finally achieve a stable (60\text{fps}), making the games feel fantastic to play. For many critics, these enhancements alone make the Switch 2 a worthwhile upgrade.
A New Era for Third-Party Support
The Switch 2’s increased horsepower is already showing dividends with third-party support, according to launch-day coverage. The release of Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition has been highlighted as an “Oh, wow” moment, with reports claiming it runs at a solid (40\text{fps}) and visually “outclasses even the game on the Steam Deck.” This is bolstered by other strong third-party releases like an overhauled Fortnite and a highly-praised version of Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut, suggesting a bright future for game variety on the platform.
Not All Fun and Games: Launch Oddities
While the main games received praise, reviewers were almost universal in their criticism of one piece of launch software: the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour. Intended as an interactive tutorial, its (\$10) price tag has been widely condemned, with critics from Destructoid and elsewhere calling it a “tedious” tech demo that “should have been a free pack-in.”
A Foundation for the Future
Ultimately, the critical reception of the Switch 2’s launch library points to a story of immense value and future promise. While some note a lack of brand-new, system-selling exclusives on day one, the combination of a strong flagship in Mario Kart World, a revitalized back catalog, and impressive new third-party capabilities has created what many consider a compelling package. The consensus is that while the console is currently an “awesome addition for enthusiasts,” it is poised to become a “must-buy soon” as its announced pipeline of games begins to arrive.