WRITTEN IN PLAIN AMERICAN ENGLISH.
About
CLAY TRIBUNE.
ShopCartAccount
Advertisement

Polygon’s Top Nintendo Switch 2 Games of 2026 Include Splatoon Raiders, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Big Walk, and Orbitals

A survey of the finest games upon the Switch 2, from Splatoon Raiders to Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, each praised by a critic.

By mitch·3 min read
A gathering of game controllers and consoles arranged in a bright display.

Polygon’s latest update to its list of the 25 Best Nintendo Switch 2 Games in 2026 adds four new entries: Splatoon Raiders, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Big Walk, and Orbitals. The update arrives over a year into the Switch 2’s life, and the software library is looking strong. Nintendo has kept up a steady stream of second-tier titles like Splatoon Raiders and Switch 2 Editions of past classics, plus Nintendo 64 remakes like Star Fox. Third-party support is almost unanimous among indies, with major publishers like Square Enix and Capcom bringing big titles to the console.

Here is how the list breaks down:

Four New Entries

Splatoon Raiders is the biggest surprise. It started as a minor co-op spinoff of the paintball series, an extended take on Splatoon 2’s Octo Expansion campaign. But it turned into Nintendo’s first full looter shooter, a deep action-RPG that holds its own against Borderlands and Diablo. The campaign escalates wildly, and the endgame is murderously hard.

Advertisement

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth follows the series’ remake, which arrived in January. Rebirth came out in June, and the final chapter Revelation is due on day one in April next year. Square Enix has been moving fast, and Rebirth is even more impressive than Remake, based on a PS5 game of vast scale. It is stuffed with sidequests and activities, though it can feel overwhelming at times.

Big Walk is a co-op puzzle adventure from Australian studio House House, makers of Untitled Goose Game. It fits the friendslop genre — anarchic, physics-based hangout games that do well on Steam — but with more artistry and mystery. It is an exploration game, a puzzle game, and a beautiful journey through the wilderness for families and friends.

Orbitals is a co-op adventure for two players in the style of Hazelight’s It Takes Two and Split Fiction. Its Tokyo-based developer, Shapefarm, was set up by a Hazelight veteran. The design is constantly inventive, and the 1980s anime presentation is gorgeous. It is extremely solid fun if you have a regular playing partner.

The List’s Range

The full list includes Resident Evil Requiem, a near-uncompromised version of Capcom’s hit, and Super Mario Bros. Wonder + Meetup at Bellabel Park, a Switch 2 Edition expansion of the 2D platformer.

Title Developer Genre
Splatoon Raiders Nintendo Looter shooter
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Square Enix Action RPG
Big Walk House House Co-op puzzle adventure
Orbitals Shapefarm Co-op platformer

Why the List Matters

The list is personal. Every title comes from a Polygon staffer who played it themselves. The criteria include quality, breadth, and variety, so there is something for every player, no matter what genres they like or how much time they have.

The update shows a growing library. The Switch 2 continues to offer a mix of second-tier titles, Switch 2 Editions, and third-party ports.

“Improbably, it’s Nintendo’s first full-blown looter shooter, an ebullient action-RPG of surprising depth.”

The list also points to trends. Square Enix’s rapid rollout of Final Fantasy games suggests the company sees the Switch 2 as a priority. Capcom’s Resident Evil Requiem arrived day-and-date with PS5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X, which suggests a new trend for the platform.

The Bottom Line

The list is a snapshot of a healthy market. The Switch 2 has a mix of big hits and small discoveries, and the new additions show the platform is still growing.

The four new entries are proof of that. Splatoon Raiders took a spinoff idea and made it a proper game. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is a huge adventure from a PS5 game. Big Walk is a fresh puzzle game from the makers of Untitled Goose Game. Orbitals is a clever co-op platformer with a strong pedigree.

The list is not exhaustive. It is a guide to the best of what is available, updated regularly as new games arrive. For anyone wondering what to play next, this is a good place to start.

The Notebook

Get the Notebook.

The day's best stories and every fresh verdict, in plain English, in your inbox by seven. One email a day, no more.

We send one note to confirm. Every issue has a one-click way out.

Advertisement

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

As an Amazon Associate, Clay Tribune earns from qualifying purchases.