Talking Point: Does Switch 2 Have Nintendo’s Best Launch Line-Up Ever?
By I don’t know about you, but I’m already eyeing my shelf with optimism as I look forward to the variety of Switch 2 debut titles I wish to obtain.
It has been nearly a week since Nintendo revealed the Switch 2, along with its 21 distinctive launch titles (24 if you include those coming to the NSO GameCube collection), which, upon reflection, is quite an admirable figure. For reference, the earlier Nintendo consoles boasting larger launch collections feature the GBA in Japan (23 titles available at launch) and the North American introduction of the Wii U (29). The major distinction here is that Switch 2 isn’t reliant on movie adaptations to enhance its launch offerings — no offense intended to beloved classics like the Wii’s Happy Feet.
The June 5th release agenda is indeed filled with ports and remasters, yet games such as Cyberpunk 2077, Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess, and Split Fiction showcase what the original Switch could not deliver, featuring expansive worlds, improved graphics, and enhanced controls. And let’s not forget that there will be two upgraded Zelda games to revisit on launch day as well — plus the complimentary upgrades some Switch titles will receive.
Additionally, there’s a collection of recent releases to excite enthusiasts. Everyone and their families will be immersing themselves in Mario Kart World, but other titles like Fast Fusion, Deltarune, Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, and Survival Kids will also be on hand. The assortment is truly remarkable.
All these factors contribute to a fairly strong launch lineup, and while it may be somewhat light on new first-party titles, it genuinely appears to cater to varied tastes.
The real question is, how does it stack up against Nintendo’s previous day-one releases? Console launches aren’t merely about Mario, Zelda, and Wii Sports, and upon reflecting on Nintendo’s historical launches, the Switch 2 may stand out as one of the finest among them.
However, we would love to hear your opinions. We are confident that an informed audience like you remembers each launch title back to the mid-80s, but just in case you need a recap (we certainly did), we have prepared a comprehensive list from the NES to the Switch 2. We have limited the following list to the North American launch titles for clarity but will keep you updated with any significant entries from Europe and Japan as we proceed.
So, which of these stands out as the finest?
Nintendo Entertainment System
- 10-Yard Fight
- Baseball
- Clu Clu Land
- Duck Hunt
- Excitebike
- Golf
- Gyromite
- Hogan’s Alley
- Ice Climber
- Kung Fu
- PINBALL
- Soccer
- Stack-Up
- Super Mario Bros.
- Tennis
- Wild Gunman
- Wrecking Crew
Some noteworthy titles to kick things off include Duck Hunt, Super Mario Bros., and Excitebike. The fact that they all came from Nintendo is quite an achievement. Sure, many of these might not hold up as well today, but it certainly creates a nostalgic and strong foundation.
The Famicom launch in Japan did not feature any of the above games but kicked off with Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Jr., and Popeye, which is worth noting.
Game Boy
A notably smaller and less impactful launch lineup, but it does feature Tetris, which carries significant weight in its favor.
Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Featuring Super Mario World, Pilotwings, and F-Zero at launch is impressive, but the selection is limited otherwise. The European variant also included Super Tennis, though it doesn’t reach classic status.
Virtual Boy
… Maybe we shouldn’t dwell too much on this one. At least Mario Tennis had its beginning here?
Nintendo 64
Remarkably, one of the most pivotal titles in gaming history is… Super Mario 64. Just kidding, but it does highlight that the NA N64 launch lineup was fairly scant. Cruis’n USA almost made it into that launch but was pulled for not meeting Nintendo’s criteria. Thankfully, it arrived later…
Games like Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire and Turok filled out the European lineup, but it still presented a limited selection for one of Nintendo’s most cherished systems.
Game Boy Color
The backward compatibility undoubtedly enhanced the charm of the GBC’s launch selections, as without a revisit to some classics, the new offerings are quite limited.
Game Boy Advance
- Advanced Wars
- Castlevania: Circle of the Moon
- ChuChu Rocket!
- Earthworm Jim
- Fire Pro Wrestling
- F-Zero Maximum Velocity
- GT Advance Championship Racing
- Iridion 3D
- Konami Krazy Racers
- Namco Museum
- Pinobee: Wings of Adventure
- Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure
- Rayman Advance
- Ready 2 Rumble Boxing: Round 2
- Super Dodge Ball Advance
- Super Mario Advance
- Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2
No matter how you look at it, the GBA launch collection is rather commendable. While there are several ports, one cannot overlook witnessing titles like Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 and Super Mario Advance running on that portable device is quite astonishing.
To heighten the thrill, the launches in Japan and Europe also featured Kuru Kuru Kururin, and if you’ve experienced that on NSO, you know it’s a hidden treasure.
GameCube
- All-Star Baseball 2002
- Batman: Vengeance
- Crazy Taxi
- Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2
- Disney’s Tarzan: Untamed
- Luigi’s Mansion
- Madden NFL 2002
- NHL Hitz 2002
- Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader
- Super Monkey Ball
- Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3
- Wave Race: Blue Storm
At the time of launch, Luigi’s Mansion felt like an unusual pick for a new console, but it has since evolved into one of our favorite franchises from Nintendo. A total of six sports games indicates a trend (and points to a changing demographic), but it’s hard to critique too much when our cherished Rogue Squadron II is included.
The European launch also showcased games such as Sonic Adventure 2: Battle, Pac-Man World 2, and ESPN International Winter Sports 2002.
DS
- Asphalt: Urban GT
- Project Rub
- Madden NFL 2005
- Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt
- Spider-Man 2
- Super Mario 64 DS
- The Urbz: Sims in the City
On paper, a new Metroid Prime and a 3D Mario title create an impressive launch roster. However,
In actuality, First Hunt and Super Mario 64 DS do not substantially differentiate themselves as the top contenders in the lineup.
The launches in Europe and Japan additionally included Rayman DS, Pokémon Dash, and WarioWare: Touched!
Wii
- Avatar: The Last Airbender
- Call of Duty 3
- Cars
- Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2
- Excite Truck
- The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy
- GT Pro Series
- Happy Feet
- Madden NFL 07
- Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
- Monster 4×4 World Circuit
- Need For Speed: Carbon
- Rampage: Total Destruction
- Rayman Raving Rabbids
- Red Steel
- SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab
- Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz
- Tony Hawk’s Downhill Jam
- The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
- Trauma Center: Second Opinion
- Wii Sports
Ah, the time of movie tie-ins. While some may have been mere profit seekers, the Wii did debut with Twilight Princess and Wii Sports—both of which could arguably be considered among the most memorable launch titles ever.
3DS
- Asphalt 3D
- Bust-A-Move Universe
- Combat of Giants: Dinosaurs 3D
- LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars
- Madden NFL Football
- Nintendogs + Cats: Golden Retriever & Friends
- Nintendogs + Cats: French Bulldog & Friends
- Nintendogs + Cats: Toy Poodle & Friends
- Pilotwings Resort
- Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 3D
- Rayman 3D
- Ridge Racer 3D
- Samurai Warriors: Chronicles
- Steel Diver
- Super Monkey Ball 3D
- Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition
- The Sims 3
- Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars 3D
- Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell 3D
Although there’s a fair amount of enjoyment among the aforementioned titles, none emerge as a real standout. Fortunately, with the backward compatibility from the DS, right? Or perhaps it is unsurprising that Nintendo swiftly launched the Ambassador Program shortly after…
Wii U
- Assassin’s Creed III
- Batman: Arkham City Armored Edition
- Ben 10: Omniverse
- Call of Duty: Black Ops II
- Darksiders II
- Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two
- ESPN Sports Connection
- FIFA 13
- Funky Barn
- Game Party Champions
- Just Dance 4
- Madden NFL 13
- Mass Effect 3
- NBA 2K13
- New Super Mario Bros. U
- NINJA GAIDEN 3: Razor’s Edge
- Nintendo Land
- Rabbids Land
- Scribblenauts Unlimited
- SiNG Party
- Skylanders Giants
- Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed
- Tank! Tank! Tank!
- TEKKEN TAG 2
TOURNAMENT 2 Wii U Edition
Classic Expanded Mario Bros. U proved to be a fantastic addition, ZombiU effectively demonstrated the GamePad’s potential, and Nintendo Land emerged as one of the simplest games available on the console. Indeed, while the rest may appear somewhat underwhelming, it’s truly regrettable that this positive trend diminished so rapidly.
Switch
- 1-2-Switch
- Fast RMX
- I Am Setsuna
- Just Dance 2017
- Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment
- Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove
- Skylanders Imaginators
- Snipperclips – Cut It Out Together!
- Super Bomberman R
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Even though it features some of the most fascinating games ever created, a handful of quirky mechanics and a respected indie title do not necessarily make for a lackluster launch collection—this is something we can agree on. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Super Mario Odyssey were major successes shortly thereafter, but let’s concentrate on that day one brilliance right now.
Switch 2
- Arcade Archives 2: Ridge Racer
- Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster
- Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition
- Deltarune
- Fast Fusion
- Fortnite
- Hitman World of Assassination – Signature Edition
- Hogwarts Legacy
- Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess
- Mario Kart World
- Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
- NOBUNAGA’S AMBITION Awakening Complete Edition
- Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S
- Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma
- Sid Meier’s Civilization VII – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
- Split Fiction
- Street Fighter VI (digital-only version)
- Street Fighter VI: Years 1-2 Fighters Edition
- Survival Kids
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
- Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut
The launch collection, with its new first-party titles and ‘Nintendo Switch 2 Edition’ re-releases, certainly forms an impressive lineup for day one, wouldn’t you agree?
Now, let’s hear your opinion—it’s time to vote! Which Nintendo console do you think had the most remarkable launch lineup? You can make your selection in the forthcoming poll, but remember to share your insights in the comments afterwards!