August is here, and while Nintendo Switch 2 owners are still blitzing through Donkey Kong: Bananza, the latest Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase gave us a better look at third-party titles coming in 2025 and beyond.
Without DK, August is a tad quieter, but still features a Nintendo first-party exclusive in Drag x Drive, the first Madden game on a Nintendo system in years, and the return of Kirby.
Here are our picks, as well as a little peek into September’s earliest releases. Haven’t picked up a console yet? The Pokémon Legends Z-A bundle is available now, or the console is in stock at Target with Mario Kart World.
Switch 2 Games in August 2025 – At a Glance
EA Sports Madden NFL 26 – August 11
Madden NFL 26
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Another year, another Madden, but this time it’s a little different. EA famously skipped the original Switch with its long-running football franchise, but it isn’t making the same mistake with Switch 2.
At the Nintendo Partner Showcase we finally saw gameplay, and Madden is looking really impressive on Switch 2.
Drag x Drive – August 14
Drag x Drive
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Nintendo’s third first-party exclusive in as many months after Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong: Bananza, Drag x Drive doesn’t have an established franchise or mascot to help it win over fans, but it does have a budget price point.
Could it be Nintendo’s answer to Rocket League? That remains to be seen, but the mouse controls should help it feel fresh.
Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar – August 27
Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar
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There’s no new Animal Crossing for Switch 2 yet, but could Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar fill that void for now?
Marvelous Inc.’s latest colorful, cozy adventure has players growing crops, raising animals, selling produce, and building up the town bazaar.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land + Star Crossed World – August 28
Kirby and the Forgotten Land Switch 2 Edition
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Reviewer Tom Marks gave Kirby and the Forgotten Land 8/10 in the IGN review, but the little pink ball is back already with a Switch 2 version that adds the new Star Crossed World expansion.
This new version adds a fresh campaign and location, and improves the graphics and frame rate across the board. Expect new meme-worthy Moutful Modes, too.
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance – August 29
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance
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Closing out the month, Shinobi makes its return with Art of Vengeance, a hand-drawn side-scrolling action platformer from the studio behind Streets of Rage 4.
Not only does the game look incredible, but it plays just as well, and should be a 2D treat for fans of the genre.
What’s Next for Switch 2?
September is likely to be another big month, with Star Wars Outlaws making its Switch 2 debut and Daemon x Machina sequel Titanic Scion arriving on September 4 and 5, respectively.
The Partner Showcase also confirmed we can look forward to Bloober’s Cronos: The New Dawn on September 5.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A preorders are open, too, meaning you can book your ticket to Lumiose City when the game arrives in October.
We’re still waiting for a Metroid Prime 4: Beyond release date, too. It’s still slated for 2025, and looks as though it’ll push the new console to its limits.
Last Month’s Biggest Switch 2 Games
As we mentioned earlier, Donkey Kong Bananza was the clear highlight for Switch 2 owners in July, with the game feeling like a worthy successor to Super Mario Odyssey.
Donkey Kong Bananza
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Release Date: July 17, 2025.
While we were a little more lukewarm on Super Mario Party’s Switch 2 upgrades and the Pac-Man adventure Shadow Labyrinth, Wild Hearts S brings the Monster Hunter style of gameplay to Switch 2. Tom Marks gave the original version 8/10 back in 2023, and if you’ve ever wanted to construct a comically large hammer to slap down an approaching monster, then you’re in luck.
Lloyd Coombes is an experienced freelancer in tech, gaming and fitness seen at Polygon, Eurogamer, Macworld, TechRadar and many more. He’s a big fan of Magic: The Gathering and other collectible card games, much to his wife’s dismay.
