There's no denying Mario Kart World is one of the Switch 2's biggest games, but we can't help but feel that the pre-release hype made it sound like it would be a genre-defining game. Don't get us wrong — we love the larger world and the many new mechanics, but ultimately, the races still follow the familiar formula we've been used to for many years. As a whole, the game is certainly polished and entertaining, but it doesn't exactly reinvent the series as dramatically as some players might have hoped for it to be. | © Nintendo
Hogwarts Legacy gives players the chance to finally explore an open-world version of the Wizarding World. However, once the novelty of exploring Hogwarts wears off, the side activities become repetitive, and the familiar open-world formula becomes harder to overlook. The Switch 2 version improves the technical experience, but it doesn't fundamentally change some of the game's underlying issues. | © Avalanche Software
Kirby Air Riders brings the classic Kirby Air Ride formula to the Nintendo Switch 2, but with a much bigger focus on fast-paced multiplayer action. While the game has plenty of charm and some genuinely fun moments, its unusual controls and chaotic gameplay can take some getting used to. The game may not be the best fit for players who hope for a more traditional racing experience. | © Bandai Namco Studios/Nintendo
Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster is a welcome return for fans of the classic 3DS RPG, as it features an excellent job system and turn-based combat. However, the game hasn't aged perfectly, especially when it comes to its pacing and somewhat repetitive sections. The HD presentation makes the game look so much better on the Nintendo Switch 2, but it can't hide some of its dated design choices underneath. | © Cattle Call
Civilization VII's ambitious changes to the long-running strategy formula aren't guaranteed to appeal to everyone. Some of the new systems in the franchise's latest installment can make the game feel more complicated than its predecessors. Longtime fans may prefer the structure and mechanics of earlier entries. As a whole, the game's depth is impressive, but it can also make the experience feel slightly overwhelming. | © Firaxis Games
Mario Party Jamboree has plenty going for it. It has a massive selection of boards, minigames, and multiplayer modes. However, more content doesn't necessarily make every part of the experience better. Some of the game's additions can feel unnecessary, and the familiar Mario Party formula may leave some players wanting something more substantial from the series. | © Nintendo
It's great to finally see modern Madden on Nintendo hardware again, but Madden NFL 26 doesn't escape the criticisms aimed at its console counterparts. Incremental gameplay improvements and familiar game modes make it feel more like an annual refresh rather than a major leap forward. Football fans will still have fun, but the excitement doesn't last for long. | © Electronic Arts
Many players praised Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma for blending farming, combat, and life simulation, but its many features can sometimes spread the experience too thin. None of its individual mechanics reach the depth found in other RPGs on the Nintendo Switch 2. The game is still charming and relaxing, though perhaps not quite the farming masterpiece it's often described as. | © Marvelous
The combination of Sonic and Shadow made Sonic X Shadow Generations one of the most anticipated platformers on Switch 2 in 2024. By right, it should have been a good game. It is, but only to a certain extent. Although we loved Shadow's campaign, we couldn't help but feel that the remastered content of Sonic Generations showed its age compared to newer releases. The package is strong overall, but the hype occasionally oversells its consistency. | © SEGA/Sonic Team
NBA 2K26 does a great job of delivering polished basketball gameplay, but the series suffers from the same problem many games in the sports genre experience: small, modest improvements with each new update. This means that NBA 2K26 doesn't feel that different compared to previous versions. On top of that, microtransactions continue to dominate, which makes progression feel slower than many would like it to be. | © Visual Concepts/2K
RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army is a remaster of 2006's Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. the Soulless Army. We're glad this cult classic finally landed on modern platforms like the Nintendo Switch 2. Still, nostalgia can sometimes inflate expectations. The combat mechanics and dungeon design still reflect the era in which the game was originally launched. While the atmosphere remains fantastic, not every aspect has aged gracefully. It's definitely a throwback worth revisiting if you're a big fan of the original. | © Atlus/SEGA
Years of updates have transformed No Man's Sky into an impressive action-adventure sandbox game, but the core gameplay experience may not be for everyone. Mining resources, crafting equipment, and hopping between planets can become repetitive at times despite the game's enormous scale. The game has a remarkable comeback story, but that narrative sometimes overshadows the game's slower pacing. | © Hello Games
Pokémon Legends: Z-A pushes the beloved series forward in several ways, but it still carries many of the franchise's familiar shortcomings. Performance can occasionally dip, exploration doesn't always feel rewarding, and some mechanics feel underdeveloped. It's certainly an enjoyable Pokémon adventure, just not the revolutionary leap many fans, including us, had hoped for. | © Game Freak/The Pokémon Company
The promise of exploring the Star Wars galaxy as an outlaw sounded like a dream come true for many fans. While Star Wars Outlaws offers plenty of memorable moments and lore-accurate details, we found its open-world structure fairly conventional. Don't get us wrong, it's still impressive, but we expected more, especially since Star Wars Jedi: Survivor came out a year before. We were huge fans of that game, so we had hoped for the momentum to continue with Outlaws. The Star Wars name arguably generated more excitement than the gameplay alone. | © Massive Entertainment/Ubisoft
To the hardcore soccer fans, we're sorry we had to include EA Sports FC 26 in this list. But deep down, we're sure you agree with us on some level. Every annual sports release arrives with promises of better graphics, smoother gameplay, and major mechanical improvements. While the latest version introduces several welcome refinements, they're largely small, incremental upgrades rather than something transformative. Personally, we only ever get this game for the updated squads and team cosmetics. Gameplay-wise? We rarely feel the difference between versions. It's also a bit of a bummer that EA Sports FC 26 is one of the heaviest games on the Nintendo Switch 2. | © Electronic Arts
The Nintendo Switch 2 has already built quite an impressive library of games since its release in 2025. There are genuinely some amazing sequels, remasters, and brand-new releases. But some games were hyped to incredible heights, only to fall short of expectations. That said, here are 15 Nintendo Switch 2 games that turned out to be a little overrated.
