The Nintendo Switch 2 is getting closer and closer, with Nintendo promising to release more details about it before March 31, 2025. Naturally, fans have been speculating wildly about what kind of features it will have, as well as what games will launch with it. While it is likely to get a number of obvious first-party exclusives to help sell it, there are plenty of third-party games that it should also get.

Of course, fans want a lot of remakes for the Switch 2 of both third-party and first-party games, like The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker and Ocarina of Time. However, so many games have been released since the Switch originally launched that it never got. From epic open-world extravaganzas to cozy games that somehow skipped the Switch, there are so many amazing third-party games that need to come to the Switch 2.

10 Elden Ring (FromSoftware)

It Feels At Home Next To Breath Of The Wild

Elden Ring feels like a no-brainer on the Nintendo Switch, especially considering how Breath of the Wild adjacent it is in both tone and gameplay design. Much of Elden Ring's approach to its open world took inspiration from BOTW's design philosophy - alongside other titles, of course - so for it to appear on Nintendo's hardware only feels right.

Naturally, it is far too graphically demanding for the current model of Switch, but for the Switch 2 - which has been rumored to be as powerful as a Steam Deck where Elden Ring runs flawlessly - it would be the perfect fit. Of course, it would have to come packaged with its phenomenally challenging DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, but that would only help sell the award-winning masterpiece to eager prospective fans.

9 Cyberpunk 2077 (CD Projekt Red)

The Switch Deserves Another CD Projekt Red Miracle Port

Cyberpunk 2077 now feels like the benchmark title when it comes to high graphical fidelity. With its impressively large open world packed with minute details and fantastic character animations, getting Cyberpunk 2077 to run on the Nintendo Switch is an absolute pipe dream. Luckily, at least with some sacrifices, Cyberpunk 2077 runs perfectly well on the Steam Deck, which gives hope for a miracle port on the Switch 2.

Saber Interactive did a phenomenal job porting The Witcher 3 to the Switch, offering Nintendo fans a fairly decent way of playing one of the best RPGs of all time. While its obviously possible to experience Cyberpunk 2077 and its amazing star-studded DLC on handheld PCs or the PlayStation Portal, getting the opportunity to play it on a Switch, even with worse visuals, would be an incredible experience.

8 Red Dead Redemption 2 (Rockstar Games)

Switch Players Need The Sequel

Red Dead Redemption 2 has been one of the most requested third-party ports to the Nintendo Switch for a long time, with Rockstar Games' incredibly immersive open-world adventure offering one of the most compelling narrative experiences available. Naturally, with the first game in the series now being available on the Switch, it only makes sense for Switch players to finally get to play through the entire series.

Red Dead Redemption 2 may be better suited for the big screen, but there is something so immensely satisfying about playing it on the go. Riding across the gorgeous open world on horseback while riding a train is a truly enjoyable experience that would be even better on Nintendo's hardware. Nintendo fans deserve to get one of Rockstar's best games and one of the best games full-stop.

7 Persona 3 Reload (Atlus)

It Would Complete The Modern Persona Collection On Switch

The Persona series has done very well on the Nintendo Switch, with Persona 5 Royal, Strikers, Persona 4 Golden, and the original Persona 3 all available. However, rather surprisingly, Atlus omitted the recent Persona 3 Reload from the Nintendo Switch, meaning hardcore fans locked to the Switch didn't get to experience the incredibly well-reviewed game. It's a great shame, especially as it greatly enhances the Persona 3 experience.

Getting to enjoy all of these improvements as well as the DLC on the Switch 2 would be incredible. It would also allow collectors to have the complete Persona experience on Switch as the Switch 2 has been confirmed to be backwards compatible. Frankly, much like Elden Ring, Persona 3 Reload on the Nintendo Switch 2 feels like a no-brainer.

6 Metaphor: ReFantazio (Atlus)

It Would Make For A Perfect On-The-Go Game

Of course, one can't bring up Atlus games without referencing its latest game, Metaphor: ReFantazio. It expands upon the mechanics established in the Persona series, offering a vastly different experience and world that both fans and newcomers to Atlus' style of game can enjoy. Naturally, it would only make sense for it to come to the Switch 2 if it isn't possible to pop it on the current Nintendo Switch.

Considering how well Persona has done on the Switch, it stands to reason that Metaphor, which has proven to be one of 2024's biggest RPGs, would do well too. It's a sprawling adventure, the kind that playing on the sofa or toilet is a joy to experience, and the additional power of the Switch 2 would ensure that no sacrifices would have to be made.

5 Monster Hunter Wilds (Capcom)

The Switch Needs A Follow-Up To Rise

Monster Hunter Wilds may seem like a bit of a stretch on the Switch 2, but it would be great to see a mainline title on a Nintendo platform after the incredible success of Monster Hunter Rise. It always feels great to hunt down massive monsters while on the go or even relaxing on the sofa, and Monster Hunter Wilds offers the biggest experience in the series yet. Additionally, Wilds promises a number of key changes that would make it the perfect introductory game for newcomers.

Naturally, the more platforms it is on, the bigger the audience will be that gets to experience it. It would be a genuine shame to keep it from Nintendo's staggeringly large player base, especially as many would love to jump in. Of course, considering how demanding Monster Hunter Wilds is, it would take a miracle port to get it on a Switch 2. However, even with many sacrifices, Monster Hunter Wilds has the potential to be the best game on Switch.

4 Assassin's Creed Valhalla (Ubisoft)

The Latest Assassin's Creed Would Be Fun In Handheld

Assassin's Creed Valhalla has one of the most staggeringly beautiful open worlds available, set across the frozen tundras of Norway and the sprawling fields of England. It's a gorgeous game, one that would be impressive to see running on a Nintendo handheld. Of course, many of the best Assassin's Creed games are already available on the Switch, but none of the PS4/Xbox One and onward titles.

It would obviously be great to see all the Assassin's Creed games on the Switch 2 eventually, including the likes of Origins and Odyssey. However, at the very least, Nintendo fans deserve an opportunity to play one of the very best in the series. Its huge scale and improved combat make it an enthralling RPG to get stuck into, and the many changes and added DLC offer even more content for fans to enjoy.

3 The Sims 4 (Maxis)

The Switch Needs A Sims Game

It is still baffling that The Sims never came to the Nintendo Switch, considering that it was available on other consoles and seems perfectly suited to the Switch's handheld format. After all, it is easily one of the most requested cozy games for the Switch. However, while the original Switch may have missed out on The Sims, the Switch 2 could absolutely get it.

If the Switch 2 did get The Sims 4, it would very quickly rise to the top of the best cozy games on Switch.

Of course, now that The Sims 4 is bigger than ever thanks to its DLC and content packs, it is the perfect time for Switch owners to get stuck into it. While it may have been tricky to translate The Sims 4's complex life sim mechanics and ability to build whatever house players want, it is now easier than ever thanks to the fact that it has already been adapted for PlayStation and Xbox controllers. If the Switch 2 did get The Sims 4, it would very quickly rise to the top of the best cozy games on Switch.

2 Baldur's Gate 3 (Larian Studios)

The Previous Larian Games Are Already On Switch

Baldur's Gate 3 was easily the biggest game of 2023, taking home numerous Game Awards trophies and massively building the reputation of CRPGs in general. It is a truly staggering achievement in game design, offering one of the best-written RPGs of all time. Of course, everyone but Switch owners has gotten to try it out, and that has to change with the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2.

Considering Larian Studos' other rather excellent RPG, Divinity Original Sin 2, is available on the Switch and plays perfectly, it would make sense to get Baldur's Gate 3 on there as well. There is absolutely the audience for it and, with some font resizing for the handheld device, it would look phenomenal on Nintendo's more powerful hardware. Baldur's Gate 3, more than most other games, definitely deserves a dedicated handheld port.

1 Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6 (Treyarch/Raven Software)

Xbox Promised COD On Switch

The head of Xbox, Phil Spencer, confirmed a while ago that COD is returning to Nintendo. Nothing was set in stone, and no specific Call of Duty games were mentioned. However, it wouldn't make a great deal of sense to see past COD games with far smaller player bases come to the Switch 2 over the more popular release like Black Ops 6.

Of course, it is a very graphically demanding game, but if the Switch 2's specs are to be believed, it's not hard to imagine it running on the handheld, albeit with some caveats. Black Ops 6 would make for the perfect Switch 2 FPS title and a great way of showcasing just how far Nintendo's technology has improved since the original launch of the Switch. Ultimately, the Nintendo Switch 2 deserves all the very best games that the original Switch simply couldn't handle, whether that's the coziest games or the very best RPGs.

Source: Xbox/YouTube, PlayStation/YouTube