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Welcome to our Nintendo Switch 2 Buyer’s Guide for Christmas of 2025. So you’re thinking of buying yourself, your friend or a family member a (paid link) Switch 2, yeah? Yet, you aren’t sure where to start. That’s why Downs and I are here to give you our opinions on what games you may want to buy, if a (paid link) Pro Controller is worth and other necessities.
As the holiday season approaches, there are a few important things to know about the Nintendo Switch 2 if you are considering it for yourself or as a gift for someone else.
What Is the Switch 2?
The Nintendo Switch 2 is the successor to the original Nintendo Switch. It is a more powerful version of the Switch that can play Switch 1 games with improved performance, while also offering its own exclusive library. Some games are released in editions that work across both systems. Here is a quick breakdown:
Playable on Switch 1 and Switch 2
• Nintendo Switch 1 games
• Switch 2 Edition games with an upgrade pack
Playable only on Switch 2
• Switch 2 exclusive games
• Game Key Card titles
Games
How can we have a Nintendo Switch 2 buyer’s guide without starting with the most important aspect? The games! Downs and I have two that we will each talk about and then one game a piece that we both chose separately.
Mario Kart World
Mario Kart World (paid link) really is a staple to the Switch 2. Being a successful launch title and universally liked by many. However, we both will dive into why we enjoyed it and how it would be a solid choice for a gift.
Andrew
I personally played a lot of Mario Kart World with family and friends. 80% of my time was with someone else and rarely playing single-player. The game offers all the laughs, competition and joy you would find in all Mario Kart titles, with an added special because of Knockout Tour. You can go read our review for a bigger picture of what all this gane has to offers to veterans of the series and new alike.
Downs
Mario Kart World is a strong addition for both local multiplayer and online play, and it should be one of the first games you pick up for the system. As Andrew mentioned, the game is primarily designed as a multiplayer experience. Unlike Andrew, however, I spent most of my time in the Free Roam single player mode.
Free Roam mainly exists as a way to unlock costumes and stickers for your favorite racers. While it is not a deep single player mode, it works well if you are short on time or do not want to commit to multiple online races. It is a good way to make progress toward completion or to have something casual to play between other activities.
Donkey Kong Bananza
Donkey Kong Bananza (paid link) has really came in swinging in 2025 with some great visuals, fun gameplay and some very interesting areas to explore. Downs and I will now talk about why this is a solid choice for any Nintendo Switch 2 owner.
Andrew
This offers a great one or two player experience. As I discussed in my review, I played a majority of this title in multiplayer with myself playing as DK and the other person playing as Pauline. Bananza offers the player skill points to boost DK’S stats, which have a variety of different uses such as increased HP, more powerful punches, etc. I have a guide for what might be most helpful, but anyway.
How can I not talk about this game and the whacky transformations? Similiar the older Donkey Kong Country titles, DK can actually transform into different creatures. How is a mystery, since that’s a big story element. However, if you want spoilers, I ranked the transformations here.
For any DK fan, this is a must have. Donkey Kong’s look has changed a bit but he’s the same banana loving ape that we all love. Plus, he can be very comical. This makes for a perfect gift.
Downs
Donkey Kong Bananza is easily the standout title on the Switch 2. I personally put over 55 hours into the game, including its DLC. What I appreciated most is how meaningful the collectibles feel. In many collect a thon games, collectibles exist just to check off boxes, but in Bananza everything serves a purpose.
Banana gems provide skill points for unlocking new moves and upgrades, banana coins are used to purchase items, and fossils are tied to unlocking costumes. Depending on what you care about most, you can focus your efforts accordingly.
Another standout feature is the destructible world. You are free to create your own paths to objectives, and the damage you cause genuinely alters the environment. This gives the world a lived in feeling and makes it easier to remember where you have been and how you interacted with each area.
Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma
Downs
This is my favorite game on the system by far, with over 100 hours played. If you want my full thoughts, I previously wrote a complete analysis, which I will link here.
At its core, Guardians of Azuma (paid link) is a farming simulator combined with action based combat. The game offers an impressive amount of content, but my favorite elements were traveling between islands and zones to either explore or help rebuild them.
I also really enjoyed the (paid link) Persona like social link system, where relationships with villagers matter and the village itself can be customized to your liking. These systems work together to create a game that feels both relaxing and deeply engaging.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land
Andrew
Kirby’s 3D adventure in (paid link) Kirby and the Forgotten Land is perfect for anyone who enjoys colorful levels, fun gameplay and also co-op. You can easily use two JoyCons to play as Kirby and Bandana Waddle Dee on their adventure. If you have not played a Kirby title in a while, there’s plenty to explore in this title with boss fights, collectibles and hidden areas. This is also a Switch game, so you could also purchase a (paid link) used copy and then buy the (paid link) upgrade if you want a slightly cheaper route.
Controllers
Next up in our Switch 2 buyer’s guide are controllers. Now you get two JoyCons with the system right from the start but there’s more to consider than just that, especially if you have multiple people playing it. Let’s go!
Andrew
The Nintendo Switch comes with left and right (paid link) JoyCons, so you can already play most games multiplayer from the get go by turning them sideways. However, if you want more people able to play, then you very well need to grab an extra set of them. Also, there are games that you need both JoyCons for even one person to play.
Take (paid link) Kirby Air Riders for an example. Normally you would split your controllers and give one to someone else and you turn them sideways. Not this game. You have to have both controllers to play even in singleplayer so you’ll need two sets of them for two people to play.
As for the Pro Controller, I actually can’t talk about this subject given that I rarely have ever used one for neither the Switch or Switch 2. I did own the (paid link) Xenoblade Chronice 2 Pro Conttoller for a while but ultimately sold it since I had no use for it.
Downs
Unlike Andrew, I do not enjoy playing the Switch 2 in handheld mode or using single Joy Cons. For me, a Pro Controller is mandatory.
The official (paid link) Pro Controller 2 is far more comfortable than Joy Cons and offers more precise controls. It includes a headphone jack and an extra set of back buttons that can be fully customized. For the price, it is a very solid controller and well worth the investment.
For a second player, if you want to save some money without sacrificing key features, 8BitDo controllers are a great alternative. They offer most of the same functionality as the Pro Controller, minus the headphone jack, but include exclusive features like turbo controls and additional customizable macros buttons. The 8BitDo (paid link) Ultimate 2 and (paid link) Pro Controller 3 are both good options, with my personal preference being the Pro Controller 3.
Another accessory worth considering is the official (paid link) Joy Con Charging Grip. It allows you to charge an extra set of Joy Cons without plugging them directly into the console and can also be used as a controller. (Please note it does not have a built-in battery. So it will not charge as a standalone charging grip.) It includes additional customizable back buttons like the Pro Controller, at half the cost. Depending on your scenario this might be the device that would compliment an extra set of Joy cons mentioned in Andrew’s section.
Cases
What would any Switch 2 buyer’s guide be without discussing the cases that you can carry the very system in.
Andrew
When it comes to any handheld purchase, a case for it is a must for me. If you’re going to be carrying it around anywhere, you want it protected. Well, this leads me to my case suggestion. Now, this is just a carrying case and is not any typing casing around the system itself. Anyway, I suggest the official (paid link) Mario Kart case.
This has done me very well while traveling. It offers protection, ease to carry and breathing room for the system. Not to mention it bas a foldable flap that can carry multiple Switch and Switch 2 game cartridges.
Conclusion
We hope that whoever is receiving a Switch 2 is happy with their gift and that this Nintendo Switch 2 Buyer’s Guide helped along your path. Make sure to come back for more reviews, news segments and other articles in the future. In the meantime, happy gaming.
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