Switch 2: The best games available on launch day, ranked
The much-anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 launched worldwide today. Following the immense success of the first Switch console, which sold 152.12 million units since 2017, gaming enthusiasts are looking forward to getting their hands on the new and improved version.
What's a console without games, though? And Switch 2 has an impressive selection of new games to play. Here, we list some of the most significant game releases, and what fans can expect from each experience.
1. Mario Kart World
The biggest game release alongside the launch of the Switch 2 is Mario Kart World, the first new mainline entry in the Mario Kart series in over a decade. This instalment introduces open-world tracks, off-road mechanics, elimination modes and supports up to 24-player races. It also features unlockable costumes, which offer a fresh take on the beloved racing series.
2. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom Remastered
Both beloved titles from Switch return with enhanced graphics and performance, taking full advantage of Switch 2's upgraded hardware. These remasters provide an opportunity for players to revisit the game's kingdom of Hyrule with improved visuals and smoother gameplay.
3. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
This game marks protagonist Samus Aran's most ambitious adventure yet. Set in the alien world of Viewros, the game adds psychic abilities to her arsenal, allowing for new puzzle mechanics and combat strategies. The storytelling adopts a darker tone, with cinematic cutscenes and dialogue-driven encounters. The visuals are powered by Unreal Engine 5, showcasing realistic environments, particle effects and fluid character animations.
4. Donkey Kong Bananza
In Donkey Kong Bananza, players are treated to vibrant worlds with levels that include jungles, volcanoes and futuristic cities. Each level is fully destructible, offering multiple paths and secrets depending on how the player interacts with the environment. The game supports two-player co-op, with other characters joining the adventure. Kong's new abilities such as wall-climbing and explosive stomps, allow for exploration opportunities.
5. Super Mario Party Jamboree
With more than 200 mini-games and 10 new boards, Super Mario Party Jamboree renews the party game genre. The boards are now interactive with dynamic weather and events that can change the outcome. There's also a 100-player online tournament mode, which adds a competitive experience. Characters in the game now have personal items that allow them the option of strategic plays. The custom mini-game playlists, meanwhile, will let players create their own party experience.
6. Hades II
Hades II is a roguelike action game that follows Melinoe, the immortal Princess of the Underworld and sister to Zagreus, as she embarks on a quest to defeat Chronos, the Titan of Time, who has imprisoned her family. Building on the success of the first game, Hades II introduces new weapons, abilities, and a deeper narrative rooted in Greek mythology. Players can explore expanded realms, engage with diverse characters, and experience dynamic combat infused with dark sorcery and Olympian boons.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
UAE Moments
4 hours ago
- UAE Moments
Next-Level Immersion: LG's 45" 5K2K OLED Gaming Monitor
There are gaming monitors—and then there's the LG UltraGear™ OLED 45GX950A. At first glance, it's easy to think this is just another ultra-wide curved monitor aimed at pro gamers. But spend even a few minutes with this 45-inch OLED beast, and it becomes clear: this isn't just a display upgrade—it's a workspace revolution, a cinematic canvas, and an adrenaline shot of immersion all in one. Let's start with the headline: 5K2K resolution across a dramatic 21:9 ultra-wide canvas. That's 33% more pixels than 4K, but it's not just about the math. It's about how the OLED panel—backed by LG's cutting-edge WOLED and MLA+ technology—makes blacks deeper, whites more radiant, and color saturation feel almost surreal. Whether you're exploring a fantasy universe or grading a 6K video timeline, you're seeing detail and texture in a way that's simply impossible on a traditional screen. Then there's the speed. This isn't just about refresh rates—it's about adaptability. The Dual-Mode function lets you seamlessly toggle between a razor-sharp 165Hz WUHD for visually rich games or workflows, and an insane 330Hz WFHD for lightning-fast FPS or esports moments. And yes, 0.03ms (GtG) response time is real. Blur and ghosting don't stand a chance here. Curved to match your vision, literally. With an 800R curvature, the screen wraps naturally around your field of view—no exaggerated fisheye distortion or cramped vertical limits. It's a display you sit inside, not just in front of. What really sets the UltraGear 45 apart, though, is how it straddles both work and play with effortless grace. Multitasking across a 5K2K screen is like unlocking a second brain. No bezels interrupting your thought process, no external monitor juggling. Just one seamless, immersive view where your editing timeline, reference windows, and browser tabs all live in harmony. And of course, LG didn't forget about sound. With 10W x 2 rich bass speakers and support for DTS Headphone:X, this monitor doesn't just look amazing—it sounds like a high-end gaming rig even when your headset's off. For creators, gamers, and hybrid professionals who demand the best from every pixel, the LG UltraGear™ 45GX950A isn't just a monitor—it's a mindset shift.
The National
2 days ago
- The National
Honda revs up space race after reusable rockets test success
Japanese car manufacturer Honda is hoping to join an elite club of companies that launch reusable rockets after carrying out a successful test. During a one-minute flight on Tuesday, an experimental rocket reached an altitude of 271.4 metres before descending within 37cm of the target point. The successful test places Honda in a small but increasing group of companies, such as SpaceX, Blue Origin, Rocket Lab, China's iSpace and Europe's PLD Space, that regularly launch or are actively developing reusable rockets. Honda said its programme was still in the research phase and that no decisions have been made for commercial operations, but the short-term goal was to carry out suborbital flights by 2029. Sahith Madara, founder of advisory firm Bumi & Space, said the company could tap into the growing market for small satellite launches, including suborbital and low-Earth orbit missions for observation satellites and technology testing. 'It's about getting small satellites up quickly, reliably and affordably,' he said. 'And if Honda brings the same reliability to rockets as they do to their cars, we might be looking at the first launch provider where everything runs exactly on schedule.' From cars to rockets Honda's entry into space flight may seem unexpected but it builds on decades of engineering expertise. 'What makes this interesting is that Honda isn't starting from scratch,' said Mr Madara. 'They already know how to build robots, engines and autonomous systems at scale, which space start-ups often struggle with. 'So, while others are still proving they can launch, Honda is already thinking about how to land, recover and repeat. That kind of thinking matters as Japan ramps up its space ambitions, aiming to double the size of its space sector in the next decade.' The test took place in Taiki Town, a growing hub for aerospace research in Hokkaido where the Japanese space agency Jaxa and companies test latest technology. Japan has been encouraging industry leaders like Honda and Toyota to play a larger role in its space programme. Toyota, for example, is working with Jaxa to build a crewed lunar rover. 'We are pleased that Honda has made another step forward in our research on reusable rockets with this successful completion of a launch and landing test,' said Toshihiro Mibe, global chief executive of Honda. Reusable rockets SpaceX pioneered reusable rockets with its Falcon 9 system, transforming the space industry by lowering launch costs and increasing the frequency of missions. Blue Origin, founded by billionaire Jeff Bezos, has successfully flown and landed its New Shepard rocket several times on crewed suborbital missions. It is also looking to start commercial operations of its much larger orbital vehicle, New Glenn. In China, iSpace became the country's first company to reach orbit and is now developing rockets with vertical landing capabilities, as Beijing encourages its private sector to compete globally in the growing launch market.
Khaleej Times
4 days ago
- Khaleej Times
Fortnite leak hints at 'Squid Game' crossover map for Reload Mode
Fortnite is no stranger to high-profile collaborations, but its next rumoured additions may be among the most ambitious yet. According to a well-known Fortnite leaker, the popular Fortnite Reload mode could soon receive a brand-new map inspired by the global phenomenon Squid Game. The leak comes just days ahead of Fortnite's major June 18 update, which will also introduce a slew of fresh content, including a new Blitz Royale mode and LEGO Fortnite features. The scoop comes from prominent leaker Loolo_WRLD, who shared a dozen images on social media showcasing unfamiliar locations that appear to be tied to a Squid Game -themed map in Fortnite Reload. While Epic Games hasn't officially confirmed the crossover, the company did announce at the State of Unreal earlier this year that Squid Game creation tools will be coming to the Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN) on June 27. These tools will let players build and play custom Squid Game -inspired experiences using official assets—marking one of the most interactive licensed crossovers to date. Reload, a mode that leans into fast-paced action and traditional battle royale mechanics, could be the perfect home for a tense, elimination-style experience like Squid Game. While no launch date for the Reload crossover map has been confirmed, fans are already speculating how games like 'Red Light, Green Light' could be reimagined in Fortnite's creative engine. Adding even more fuel to the hype train, another leak hints that Epic Games could be working on a Fortnite x The Simpsons crossover. According to insiders, a new limited-time map modeled after Springfield—the iconic hometown of the yellow-skinned family—may be in development. While details are scarce, leakers suggest that the map would be smaller than Chapter 6's main island, indicating it could serve as the backdrop for a mini-season or special mode, similar to how the Star Wars -themed Galactic Battle mini-season played out earlier this year. If true, this could mark the first time The Simpsons enters the world of Fortnite, expanding the battle royale's appeal to nostalgic cartoon fans. From Squid Game tension to Simpsons satire, Fortnite's ever-evolving ecosystem shows no signs of slowing down. With new modes, maps, and collaborations arriving nearly every week, players old and new have a reason to drop back onto the island.
