The Highest-Rated Nintendo Exclusives for Switch 2 So Far
IGN has compiled a list of Nintendo-published games for the Switch 2 that earned review scores of 8 or higher, focusing exclusively on first-party titles. The roundup includes standout releases like Donkey Kong Bananza, which received a perfect 10, and enhanced Switch 2 editions of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. These selections highlight the strongest exclusive experiences available on the console since its launch.
The list spans three score tiers, with Donkey Kong Bananza as the sole perfect 10, praised as a spiritual successor to Super Mario Odyssey. Both Zelda Switch 2 Editions earned top marks for enhanced visuals and faster loading, though Breath of the Wild's upgrade was described as modest in new content. Splatoon Raiders and Pokémon Pokopia represent the 9-tier, while Mario Kart World anchors the 8-tier with its first major formula overhaul in a decade. All titles are first-party Nintendo releases, either exclusive to Switch 2 or shared with the original Switch.
The roundup reflects the console's first year of first-party output, mixing brand-new IP like Donkey Kong Bananza with enhanced ports of beloved Switch-era classics. Review scores were compiled from IGN's coverage, with quotes drawn from both original reviews and dedicated Switch 2 Edition update reviews. The list notably excludes third-party games and ports, focusing strictly on Nintendo-published experiences.
This curated list may shape early Switch 2 adoption by giving undecided buyers a clear sense of the console's exclusive value proposition. Families and longtime Nintendo fans could use such rankings to prioritize purchases, potentially driving sales of the highest-scored titles like Donkey Kong Bananza. The inclusion of enhanced Zelda ports may also influence how players perceive the upgrade cycle, possibly setting expectations for how Nintendo handles legacy content on future hardware.