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TheNintendo Switch 2has just started to write history. While relatively small, the console’s library is slowly starting to take shape. With each passing week and month, more releases will find themselves competing for attention, and the field is not evenly stacked.Open-World Switch 2 gameswill hog the limelight to an extent, and their lengthy content allows them to consume a substantial portion of a player’s free time.
Compared to its predecessor, the 2025 system has enough horsepower to welcome more open-world projects, an element emphasized by theSwitch 2’s launch line-upfocusing on the genre. Let’s go through all theopen-world games confirmed for the Switch 2.
Some criteria and qualifiers:
The Nintendo Switch 2’s big launch-day exclusive,Mario Kart Worldwas likely most people’s first game on the system, and it serves as afantastic entry point. For the most part, this is moreMario Kart, which is generally a great thing. However, the sequel’s big new feature is Free Roam, which lets players explore the tracks in an open-world-type structure. This mode can be accessed easily by solo players, although it shines brighter in multiplayer.
A statement of intent by Nintendo, seemingly designed to showcase the Switch 2’s capacity for adopting massive third-party games,Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Editionis a brilliant version of CD Projekt Red’s controversial but nowadays great open-world sci-fi epic. This iteration comes with the base content and the Phantom Liberty expansion, making it the ideal compilation for newcomers who have yet to try out this title. While 100% playable with a controller,Cyberpunk 2077also supportsthe Switch 2’s mouse controlsfor anyone who prefers to go down that route.
Level-5’sFantasy Life ionly debuted a few weeks before the Switch 2’s launch, so an edition designed for the new console made complete sense. This iteration providestechnical improvements by boosting the framerate, resolution, and load times, and the Switch 1 version can be upgraded for $2.59.The Girl Who Steals Timeis an ambitious open-world game that combines action RPG and life sim elements, striking a middle-ground that surprisingly satisfies both genres.
The fact thatHogwarts Legacyworked on the Nintendo Switch was a borderline miracle, although the port needed to make quite a few concessions to reach that point. Unsurprisingly, the game is far more at home on the Switch 2, making this edition a more like-for-like alternative to the PS5 and Xbox iterations. While garnering some criticism,Hogwarts Legacyimmerses players in theHarry Potteruniverse through great visuals and detailed environments, particularly for the eponymous school and Hogsmeade.
Surviving three console generations,The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wildhas proven itself to be timeless. Now, the standard Switch version works on the Switch 2 without requiring any additional investment; however, people who want to take full advantage of the new console can upgrade their version by paying $9.99. TheSwitch 2 edition offers improved performanceand a new feature called Zelda Notes.
Like its predecessor,Tears of the Kingdomhas also received a Switch 2 edition, which can be purchased straight-up for $79.99. The upgrade route is $9.99. Even more so thanBreath of the Wild, the sequel really benefits from the console’s more powerful hardware, as the open-world game does at times struggle on the original Switch. Along with theintegration of Nintendo Switch App features,TOTKcomes with more stable performance.
No Man’s Skyhas had such a great turnaround following its polarizing start. In 2016, nobody would have predicted that the project would still be around to qualify as anopen-world Switch 2 gamein 2025. This new edition is not just for show, either, as it offers arguably the most substantial leap forward in quality of these types of releases. The Switch 2 version has multiplayer, crossplay support, and huge technical improvements. The Beacon update is also out. Admittedly,some features had issues at launch, but Hello Games is a reliable developer.
Street Fighter 6has made its Nintendo debut, as Capcom’s fighting game was not a viable option for the original Switch. While not a traditional open-world,SF6’s World Tour is essentially a large hub area that allows players to explore relatively freely and interact with recognizable characters, some ofwhom serve as Masters. In due time, most players will likely focus on multiplayer and leave behind World Tour, but it is a fun enough way to spend a few hours.
Yakuza 0has been around for roughly a decade, but Sega’s open-world masterpiece is still as brilliant as the day it debuted. TheDirector’s Cutcomes with a technical boost, but its value lies in other areas. The Switch 2 version has a new multiplayer mode, Red Light Raid, that has four players battling off waves of enemies. Co-op has never been a focus of the franchise, so this mode is pretty exciting. Story-wise,Director’s Cutalso has new cutscenes.
Except forMario Kart World,Donkey Kong Bananzais the Switch 2’s most significant “very early” system seller, with the game hopefully serving a similar role asBreath of the WildandSuper Mario Odysseydid for the 2017 console. Donkey Kong makes his big comeback in a 3D platformer that features an underground open-world map, with exploration and destruction taking center stage. This is by far one of the most exciting2025 Switch 2 open-world games.
Star Wars Outlawsreportedly failed to meet commercial expectations when it launched in 2024, but Ubisoft’s game could find a second wind thanks to itsupcoming Switch 2 version. As Kay, players get to visit a variety of planets that are fairly open and explorable, all the while dealing with four factions.Star Wars Outlawsmight not be the most beloved open-world game ever, but it should be a pretty good addition to the Switch 2 library.
By far the biggestupcoming Switch 2 open-world game,Pokemon Legends: Z-Awill almost definitely hog the limelight throughout October 2025, despite its pre-launch life being marred by polarizing trailers. Regardless of the online discourse,Pokemonis an institution that rarely falters in its main releases, andZ-Ashould benefit from a lack of direct competition on the Switch 2 (not counting backward-compatible Switch titles). Set inKalos' Lumiose City, the RPG will feature an urban setting, differentiating itself from 2022’sArceus.
Yes,Elden Ringis making its way to the Switch 2, instantly establishing itself as one of the most exciting open-world titles on the console. A 2025 release seems to be on the cards, and theTarnished Editioncomes with the base game and Shadow of the Erdtree, along withnew content like the possibility to customize Torrent. FromSoftware does not have a long history with Nintendo, but that might be set to change with this release and the upcomingThe Duskbloods.
Astroneeris a great sandbox sci-fi game that, for the most part, delivers a relaxing and tranquil experience. System Era Softworks is working on a new project set within the same universe, andStarseekershould land on the Switch 2 in 2026. Co-op seems to be at the heart of the gameplay, with players forming part of a space station’s crew.
While set in the same universe,Starseekeris not a sequel toAstroneer, so please do not go in expecting something very similar.
My Time at Evershine’s Switch 2 version is not quite as set in stone as other upcoming open-world games, but the FAQs section on the project’s Kickstarter page states “While there’s no guarantee for the current Nintendo Switch, if new Nintendo models are released in time for Evershine’s launch, we’ll aim to support them. We’re also exploring the possibility of a mobile version in the future.”
A sequel toMy Time at SandrockandMy Time at Portia,My Time at Evershineshould continue down the same road as its predecessors. The open-world RPG will likely focus on life and farming simulation, including a romance system with 10 potential partners. Players will be cast as Evershine’s governor, and their goal will be to help the settlement flourish.
Japanese Switch 2 Release Date:July 27, 2025
So far,Ys X: Proud Nordicsis only confirmed for Japan, and there is no guarantee that the Switch 2 version will come to North America. That said, the franchise is popular enough to suggest that a Western port could come to fruition. While not the biggest or deepest open-world by any stretch of the imagination,Ys Xshines in its fast-paced and satisfying dual-protagonist combat. It is also a rare open-sea game, with players captaining a ship as they explore a variety of islands.
