Key Facts
- ✓ The Nintendo Switch 2 is set to receive a diverse library of games throughout 2026, including exclusives, third-party titles, and backward-compatible releases.
- ✓ February 12, 2026, is a particularly notable date with five different games launching simultaneously for the new console.
- ✓ Resident Evil: Requiem will be available on Switch 2 at launch, representing one of the first major third-party AAA releases for the system.
- ✓ Nintendo is bringing enhanced editions of modern classics to the Switch 2, including Super Mario Bros. Wonder and titles from the Resident Evil series.
- ✓ The lineup features a mix of genres, from cozy simulation games like Starsand Island to action RPGs like Deus Ex Remastered and horror titles like Reanimal.
A New Era for Nintendo
The arrival of the Nintendo Switch 2 marks a significant moment for gaming enthusiasts, but a new console is only as valuable as its library of games. Fortunately, Nintendo has outlined a comprehensive release schedule for 2026, ensuring the new hardware is immediately supported by a wide array of software.
This lineup includes highly anticipated Switch 2 exclusives, major third-party releases, and the benefit of backward compatibility for games still launching on the original Switch. From remastered classics to brand-new adventures, the calendar is packed with titles designed to showcase the new console's capabilities.
Early 2026 Highlights
The first quarter of 2026 kicks off with a strong variety of titles. Dispatch, launching on January 28, is one of the first major releases. This episodic adventure game from AdHoc Studio tasks players with managing a task force of "rehabilitated" super villains. It has been praised as a "true spiritual successor to the Telltale Games of the 2010s," blending television-style storytelling with interactive gameplay.
Following closely on February 1 is Starsand Island, a cozy simulation sandbox game. Players can escape to the countryside to harvest crops, fish, protect local ruins, and befriend neighbors in a relaxing Stardew Valley-esque environment.
On February 5, two iconic RPGs return. Deus Ex Remastered brings the classic action RPG to modern consoles with updated visuals. The original game was lauded for its "deep story, awesome graphics, and intense fun." Meanwhile, Dragon Quest VII Reimagined offers a substantial overhaul of the 2001 JRPG, featuring updated graphics and gameplay mechanics.
"A true spiritual successor to the Telltale Games of the 2010s."
— IGN review of Dispatch
A Massive February Lineup
Mid-February 2026 is shaping up to be an incredibly busy period for Switch 2 owners, with five distinct games launching on the same day.
February 12 features several notable releases:
- Mario Tennis Fever - The first new Mario Tennis title since 2018, featuring a Story Mode and 38 playable characters.
- Blazblue Entropy Effect X - An expanded console version of the mobile and PC action roguelite.
- Reanimal - A co-op horror game from the creators of Little Nightmares, where siblings traverse creepy environments to rescue friends.
- Yakuza Kiwami 3 + Dark Ties - A remake of Yakuza 3 alongside a new companion story focusing on antagonist Yoshitaka Mine.
Shortly after, on February 18, Star Trek: Voyager - Across the Unknown allows players to take control of the USS Voyager, managing resources and crew 700,000 light years into Deep Space.
Major Franchises Arrive
February concludes with one of the year's most significant third-party releases. On February 27, Resident Evil: Requiem launches on Switch 2, marking one of the first major AAA cross-platform releases for the new console. The game features dual protagonists, Grace Ashcroft and Leon Kennedy, each with unique stealth and action gameplay styles. Additionally, Resident Evil 7: Biohazard and Resident Evil Village will be available in "Gold" editions, either separately or as part of a Resident Evil Generation Pack.
March continues the momentum with Pokémon Pokopia on March 5. Revealed as a blend of Pokémon and Animal Crossing, this Switch 2 exclusive allows players to transform as a Ditto to use various skills and build a Pokémon oasis.
Also on March 5, Never Grave: The Witch and The Curse offers a 2D roguelite experience where players harness magic as a hat to help a young witch retrieve her soul. Coffee Talk Tokyo also arrives that day, continuing the cozy cafe series where players manage a venue serving both human and yokai customers.
Spring Releases & Classics
The spring season brings further variety to the lineup. On March 13, Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection launches. This entry follows a civil conflict between the nations of Azuria and Vermeil, threatened by a mysterious "crystal encroachment."
Later in the month, on March 26, Nintendo is bringing a modern classic to the new hardware with Super Mario Bros. Wonder - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. This follows the trend of revitalizing recent hits, similar to the previous Super Mario Galaxy remaster, ensuring players can experience these titles with potential enhancements on the new system.
These releases demonstrate Nintendo's strategy of supporting the Switch 2 with a mix of exclusive content, third-party blockbusters, and enhanced versions of beloved recent titles.
Looking Ahead
The 2026 release calendar for the Nintendo Switch 2 is robust and diverse, catering to a wide range of player preferences. From the narrative-driven Dispatch to the action-packed Resident Evil: Requiem and the cozy Starsand Island, the console's library is being built with both depth and breadth in mind.
With backward compatibility ensuring a smooth transition for existing Switch owners and a steady stream of new exclusives, the Switch 2 is positioned to maintain a strong presence in the gaming market throughout the year. The variety of genres and the inclusion of major third-party titles suggest a promising future for the platform.
"Deep story, awesome graphics, and intense fun. You must play this game!"
— Rick Sanchez, IGN review of Deus Ex (2002)










