We have lots of exciting upcoming Switch games to look forward to in the months to come. Whether you're looking for new entries in some iconic series, or some fresh third-party experiences to add to your wishlist, you've come to the right place. Following a year that saw the likes of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Pikmin 4, Nintendo has continued to bring us all manner of delightful adventures, and we happily have plenty more headed our way in 2025.
From big Switch exclusives that will see the return of everything from Pokemon to Samus, there are lots of new games of 2025 that will find a home on the Switch, along with oodles of upcoming indie games set to come. Now's a great time to see what we have in store, especially with rumors continuing to point towards a rumored Switch 2 - but there's still no word on when that might arrive.
From the best Pokémon games to the best Mario games, the Switch has seen some truly spectacular releases, and that's not stopping any time soon. Read on below to find our roundup of upcoming Switch games to look out for.
Recent updates
This living list of upcoming Switch games was updated on December 16, removing recent releases and adding new entries. That means we're well stocked with 2025 Switch games to keep an eye on!
Upcoming Switch games 2025
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD
Release date: January 16, 2025
Donkey Kong Country Returns is back once again and this time it's in high definition. Join Donkey and Diddy Kong in a new version of the title that first released for the Nintendo Wii. Two-player co-op is available locally across 80 levels, and that includes the extra ones from the Nintendo 3DS version of the video game. But you can also go it on your own, if you wish.
The Stone of Madness
Release date: January 28, 2025
This upcoming Switch game doubles as one of the most intriguing new stealth games slated to launch in 2025. Adopting a similar gameplay style to Mimimi Games' Desperados 3 and Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew, Stone of Madness is a horror-tinged stealth game where players must navigate a monastery in 1700s Spain where the characters they control are being held captive. It harkens back to the poor treatment of the mentally unwell, pitting them in a fight for survival against the might of an institution that would rather lock them up and throw away the key.
Hello Kitty Island Adventure
Release date: January 30, 2025
Hello Kitty Island Adventure has been locked behind Apple Arcade since 2023. However, we finally have a release window for PC and Switch now for 2025. This is probably the most anticipated upcoming Switch game for everyone who loves playing games like Animal Crossing or those who prefer to stick to the cozy side of things. You’ll get to befriend Sanrio characters, decorate your home, and solve a variety of puzzles as you explore the adorable-looking island. Hopefully, we get a firm release window for this one soon, so keep your eyes on this page for updates!
Civilization 7
Release date: February 11, 2025
Civilization 7 is coming to Switch in 2025, letting you build up civilizations and dominate the hexagonal tile map on the go. The latest entry in what is arguably one of the best strategy games series, Civ 7, will let players pick a new civilization at the dawn of each era in a first for the franchise and introduce brand new mechanics such as units traveling up streams and more. The Switch game looks marvelous from the trailers we saw at Gamescom 2024. It’s definitely one to keep on your radar.
Date Everything
Release date: February 14, 2025
Ever wanted to be romantically involved with your fridge? How about your laundry? Well, now you can! Date Everything is an upcoming Switch game that lets you start a relationship with close to every object that you find in your house. With 100 fully voice-acted datable characters, three endings per dateable character, and "branching narratives," there is no shortage of replayability in this new dating simulator. It looks to be filled with personality and plenty of puns as well. What more could you want?
Tales of the Shire
Release date: March 25, 2025
When it comes to the best Lord of the Rings games, we’ve had RPGS, Strategy games, and MMORPGs. However, there hasn’t been a cozy game yet, until now. Tales of the Shire will see you live out your Shire dreams as you play as a hobbit who spends their days farming, cooking, and interacting with your hairy-foot neighbors. From teasers we’ve spotted famous Lord of the Rings characters like Gandalf pop up in the game, so there may be some quests or some references to the wider goings on of Middle-earth here. However, that’s just speculation on our part for now. We’ll update you as soon as we know more.
TBC 2025
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound
Release date: TBC 2025
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is coming from Blasphemous developer The Game Kitchen, and is set to bring back the action platformer in a 2D 8-bit style that brings back the NES classics. Said to unite classic lore and gameplay, the pixelated art style certain looks the part.
Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time
Release date: TBC 2025
A new game in the Fantasy Life series is set to come to Switch in April 2025. The last instalment was one of the best 3DS games of all time, and offered up various different job roles with their own set of quests. Fantasy Life i looks set to build on this by letting you create your own city on a ruined island and once again take up an occupation of your choice. With returning characters and the promise of plenty of mystery, it will be interesting to see how this entry shapes up.
Hollow Knight Silksong
Release date: TBC 2025
We know that it's coming, we just don't know when. The wait for Hollow Knight: Silksong has been brutal, but Team Cherry is finally ready to deliver its sequel to one of the best metroidvania games of all-time. The Hollow Knight sequel was first unveiled in 2019, with development reportedly spiralling out of control as the Silksong idea evolved in scope from DLC to full-fledged experience. Here's hoping we get our hands on Hollow Knight: Silksong sooner rather than later.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
Release date: TBC 2025
Metroid Prime 4 has been a long time coming. Announced back in 2017, nothing much was seen of the sequel to Metroid Prime 3: Corruption until June 2024. That's largely because development on the upcoming Switch game was rebooted in 2019, with production shifting to Retro Studios – the team responsible for the original Prime trilogy.
With our first proper look at the game, we now also know that it's Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and is expected to launch for the Nintendo Switch in 2025.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A
Release date: TBC 2025
While not terribly much is known about Pokemon Legends: Z-A at this point, it has been announced that it will release for the Nintendo Switch in 2025. Additionally, it's known that it will take place entirely within Lumiose City, which is in the Kalos region, during a major urban redevelopment plan to bring together people and Pokemon in the same place. We'll keep you updated on the latest news, but fingers crossed that this Pokemon game will join some its predecessors on our list of the best Switch games of all time.
Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma
Release date: TBC 2025
In 2025 we’ll be getting a new Rune Factory game. That news is exciting enough on its own, but what makes this announcement even better is that the upcoming Switch game will be taking the franchise in a fresh new direction as its set on the never seen before eastern land of Azuma. You’ll get to play as an Earth Dancer who’ll work to purify Azuma and fight against the Mystical Blight. Of course, farming and marriage candidates are also in this game, too. Basically, there’s tons to look forward to and we can’t wait to find out more details as more trailers head our way.
TBC
Sonic Racing CrossWorlds
Release date: TBC
It's time to get speedy with the fastest hedgehog around. Yes, Sonic Racing CrossWorlds is a new racer from Sega that will see you hit tracks and choose from a roster of iconic characters from the Sonic universe. We've only seen a brief teaser trailer so far, which features Shadow in a supercar speeding down the highway.
Professor Layton and the New World of Steam
Release date: TBC
During the February 2023 Nintendo Direct, we got a very brief tease of a new Professor Layton game, which at long last signalled the return of the series. While we don't know too much about the new entry coming to the Switch, we do know that we're set to experience a fresh story filled with puzzles in the new setting of Steam Bison, which is home to advanced steam engines. A mysterious incident is said to draw Layton and Luke there for a new adventure.
Yokai Watch 4
Release date: TBC
If you're a Pokemon fan, you probably already know about the Yo-Kai Watch series. It follows a similar format in that you collect critters that also function as your companions as a young kid. In terms of new gameplay features, it introduces a brand new item, called the Yokai Ark, which will let players travel between three worlds that are all set in different time periods, and feature their own protagonist. While it released in Japan back in 2019, there's still no concrete word on a Western release date. We still have our fingers crossed for this one.
While we wait for all these new titles, you can head over to our lists of the best multiplayer Switch games, and the best Switch indie games of all time.
