Summary of "Nintendo Switch 2 Games Holiday Buying Guide & What To AVOID!"

Nintendo Switch 2 Games Holiday Buying Guide & What To AVOID!

Overview

This is the ninth annual holiday buying guide focused exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2 games available this holiday season. The guide is divided by price tiers and within those, by “must buy,” “maybe,” and “avoid” categories. It also includes notes on physical vs. digital versions, game upgrades from Switch One to Switch 2, and some import recommendations.

Price Tiers & Categories

$60 to $80 – Top Tier Games

Must Buy:

Donkey Kong Bonanza 3D platformer with secrets and hours of fun; best first-party exclusive on Switch 2.
Mario Kart World Highly recommended racing game; cheaper if obtained in Switch 2 bundles.
Pokémon ZA Despite some design criticisms, Pokémon remains a top franchise, great for kids.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment Zelda prequel with hack-and-slash gameplay and large-scale battles.
Metroid Prime 4 Beyond New release with excellent visuals and performance; highly anticipated by fans.
Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition Impressive Switch 2 port with all DLC and updates included.
Story of Seasons Grand Bazaar Farming/life sim with great visuals, voice acting, and gameplay akin to Stardew Valley.
Kronos: The New Dawn Thriller/horror with a fresh story and gameplay.

Maybe:

Kirby Air Riders Mixed reception; some find it confusing and not enjoyable.
Breath of the Wild & Tears of the Kingdom (Switch 2 Editions) Great games but many may already own Switch One versions; $10 upgrade available.
Super Mario Party Jamboree & Jamboree TV Excellent party game with upgrades available.
Kirby and Forgotten Land + Starcross World DLC $20 upgrade for Switch One owners; full $80 for new buyers.
Demon X Marketer Niche game; better to buy if specifically requested.
Super Mario Galaxy & Galaxy 2 (Remastered Wii games) Best versions ever but pricey for older titles.
Dragon Ball Sparking Zero New fighting game in classic style.
Street Fighter 6 Full game on Switch 2; good for fighting fans.
Sports Titles (FIFA 26, 2K26, Madden NFL 26, WWE 2K25) Usually expensive but often on sale; WWE 2K25 is visually impressive and includes game share.
Hitman: World of Assassination Stealth game with multiple ways to complete missions.
Mortal Kombat Legacy Collection Upcoming physical release with many classic games.
Rune Factory: Guardians of Isuma Farming sim with RPG combat; physical cartridge contains full game (not just a key).
Persona 3 Reloaded Remake of PS2 classic with turn-based gameplay.
Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD 2D Remakes Classic NES games revamped with modern HD 2D visuals.

Import Highlights:

Wild Hearts S (Japan physical version) Monster Hunter-style game not physically released outside Japan.
Fantasy Life I, The Girl Who Steals Time RPG life sim with multiple jobs and online play; only digital in the US.

Avoid:

Civilization 7 Poor gameplay changes despite good visuals and mouse support; $70 and digital-only key.

$30 to $50 – Mid-Range Games

Must Buy:

Hades 2 Critically acclaimed game of the year nominee; physical version includes extras but digital is cheaper.

Maybe:

Bravely Default Flying Fairy Remake of a beloved JRPG.
No Sleep for Konami Date Niche escape-room puzzle game.
Octopath Traveler Zero (Releases Dec 4) Likely great for fans of the series.
Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3 & 4 Great visuals and 60fps performance.
Yakuza Kowami & Yakuza Zero Director’s Cut Excellent story-driven action games; the latter has exclusive content.
Split Fiction Co-op game where one copy allows two players.
Star Wars Outlaws Mixed reviews but good for Star Wars fans.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows (Releases Dec 3) Big open-world game; mixed reviews but fun handheld.
Hogwarts Legacy $10 upgrade from Switch One to Switch 2 version.
Pac-Man World Repacked Platformer on sale.
Little Nightmares 3 Mini spooky game.
Sonic X Shadow Generations Affordable and fun.
Spongebob Titans of the Tide Highly rated Spongebob game.
Ryal: Mystery of the Soulless Army Remake of a PS2 game.
Poya Poo Tetris 2 Puzzle mashup game.
Yuka Replay Ukulele-themed platformer.
Good Night Universe (Releases Dec 10) Emotional game from a parent’s perspective.

Switch One Games with Free or Paid Switch 2 Upgrades:

No Man’s Sky Free Switch 2 upgrade.
Dave the Diver Indie game with sushi restaurant and diving gameplay.
Final Fantasy Tactics Buy Switch One physical, play upgraded Switch 2 version.
Kunitsugami: Path of the Goddess (Import) Tower defense with extra depth.

Avoid:

Fortnite Dark Fire and Ice Bundle Free game; buying skins can get expensive.
Shadow Labyrinth Released on Switch One and Two, but poor quality game.

$10 to $20 – Budget / Stocking Stuffers

Must Buy:

Hello Kitty Island Adventure (Switch One version at Walmart for $15) Runs better on Switch 2 without upgrade.

Maybe:

Red Dead Redemption Free Switch 2 upgrade coming Dec 2 with 60fps, DLSS, HDR.

Avoid:

Switch One Christmas-themed games like Grinch and an unknown elf game (poor quality).
Drag X Drive (Switch 2 game) Boring and unengaging; not worth $20.

Additional Notes

Many Switch 2 physical games are “Game Key carts” — cartridges that only unlock a digital download, frustrating some collectors.
The presenter promotes his own accessory, the Beatamups Grip for Switch 2, which improves handheld comfort.
Importing physical versions from Japan can be a way to get exclusive physical editions not available in the West.
For unsure buyers, eShop gift cards are recommended as a flexible gift.

Featured Gamer / Source

The guide and commentary are provided by Beatamups, a YouTube content creator specializing in Nintendo Switch and gaming guides.

Summary

This holiday buying guide provides a detailed breakdown of Nintendo Switch 2 games by price and recommendation level. It highlights top first-party exclusives like Donkey Kong Bonanza, Mario Kart World, and Pokémon ZA, while also recommending notable third-party titles such as Cyberpunk 2077 and Story of Seasons. The guide advises caution on some games due to price or quality concerns and offers tips on digital upgrades from Switch One to Switch 2 versions. Budget options and import recommendations are included, along with a few accessories and gift ideas.