The 10 Best Ports On The Switch 2
A few years back, we put together a series celebrating some of the best ports on the original Switch, and it became a great way to discover games that played beautifully on Nintendo’s hybrid console. Now, six months into the Switch 2’s launch, the platform has started to show its true potential, with some genuinely impressive ports making their way to the system. A few of the titles on this list have even had a chance at redemption, thanks to updates and gameplay changes that help them run and feel better than ever on Nintendo’s latest hardware. From timeless classics to ambitious open-world adventures, these games highlight just how strong the Switch 2 has become as a home for great ports.
This isn’t a ranked list. Instead, these are simply ten of the best ports currently available on Switch 2, each included for how well it plays, how it performs, and how naturally it fits the system.
Civilization 7
Civilization 7 felt like a welcome change when it first arrived on Switch, even if some of its design choices were a little divisive. Shifting civilisations at the end of each era and the abrupt conclusion to the modern age were decisions that caught long-time fans off guard. While those changes did not land for everyone, they showed a willingness from Firaxis to shake up a formula that had remained largely familiar for years.
Since launch, Firaxis has been actively listening to player feedback, delivering regular updates focused on quality of life improvements and overall polish. Those updates already helped the original Switch version feel better over time, but the Switch 2 port is where Civilization 7 truly comes into its own. Updated visuals, noticeably smoother performance, and the addition of mouse mode make a huge difference, transforming how the game feels to play on a console.
Civilization 7 has been a staple for me ever since I first picked it up on the original Switch, but the Switch 2 version improves on that experience in every single way. It feels faster, clearer, and more intuitive, making it one of the strongest and most satisfying ports available on the system.
Two Point Museum
Two Point Museum perfectly captures how I imagined being a museum curator would feel when I was a kid. Its addictive gameplay loop of bringing in tourists, sending out expeditions, and uncovering new exhibits never grows tiring, making it a standout entry in the management genre. There is always something new to tweak or improve, and that constant sense of progression makes it very easy to lose track of time.
The Switch 2 port allows players to manage their museums on the go, bringing the world of museum curation right to the palms of their hands. While the game does not take advantage of Switch 2 features like mouse mode, the intuitive controller scheme makes placing exhibits, managing staff, and keeping profits in check feel smooth and effortless.
Here’s hoping we see more Two Point games arrive on Switch 2 in the future, because the old school gamer in me is still searching for a true spiritual successor to Theme Park.
Dragon Ball Sparking Zero
Dragon Ball Sparking Zero is one of the more recent Switch 2 ports I have had the pleasure of playing, and it served as a great introduction to the world of Dragon Ball. Its story mode guides players through the series while branching off into fun “what if?” timelines that deliver exactly the kind of fan service longtime fans have been asking for.
The gameplay feels tight and responsive, successfully translating the fast-paced combat seen in FighterZ into a fully realised 3D space. Matches are energetic, easy to pick up, and packed with spectacle, making them just as enjoyable to watch as they are to play.
On top of that, user-generated content and the ability to create your own story beats, dream team matchups, and epic rivalries give the game impressive longevity well beyond the final credits. It is not the only fighter on this list, but Dragon Ball fans will not want to pass this one up.
Red Dead Redemption
Red Dead Redemption first made its debut on Nintendo consoles back in 2023. While the core single-player experience remained intact, with both the main campaign and the outstanding Undead Nightmare DLC, the multiplayer was completely cut. The Switch 2 port is still missing the ability to posse up with friends, but it delivers a significantly sharper resolution, smoother framerate, and mouse controls, giving cowboys and cowgirls a much more complete experience on the system.
Red Dead Redemption is one of those games that has truly withstood the test of time, much to Rockstar’s credit. The controls feel finely tuned, gunfights and physics are satisfying, and there is a genuine sense of discovery even when wandering through a largely empty desert. Here’s hoping the heavily rumoured Red Dead Redemption 2 Switch port is truly in the works.
Super Mario Galaxy 1 & 2
Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2 are, without a doubt, two of Mario’s grandest adventures. Featuring mind-bending gravity puzzles, unique worlds, and platforming perfection, these games are considered some of the best in the series. With the recent HD release of both titles, and Galaxy 1 previously only available in the now-discontinued Super Mario 3D All-Stars, Switch gamers can finally experience the joy of these incredible games.
Although the Switch 2 ports are mostly straightforward, with redone textures and higher resolution, both Galaxy games look absolutely stunning on the new hardware. They remain essential experiences that no fan of Mario should miss.
Dave the Diver
Dave the Diver Switch 2 edition was a surprise drop during a week full of Switch 2 upgrades, giving me the perfect excuse to revisit one of my favourite games from the original Switch. I initially grabbed the Switch 1 version to fill content in between Borderlands 3 and Hogwarts Legacy, but I immediately fell in love with Dave and his friends at Bancho Sushi.
Diving during the day for stock and managing a sushi restaurant at night creates an insanely addictive gameplay loop. That loop is further expanded by deceptively deep management systems when it comes to veggie and fish farming, franchising, and upgrading gear.
Dave the Diver was already a sublime game, but the Switch 2 version, with its increased performance and sharper visuals, makes it worth diving into all over again.
Street Fighter 6
Can you play a hardcore fighter on the go? Capcom says “Shor-you-ken!” and delivers an outstanding port featuring cross-platform battling and content parity with other versions. Despite the odd choice of locking the Street Fighter World section to 30 fps, the main fights and battles run at a silky smooth 60 fps, looking just as good as they do on other platforms.
Street Fighter continues to be one of the leading fighting games in the world, and with the new movie slated to release sometime this year, I expect Street Fighter 6 will only grow in popularity. Now, where are my Ken mains at? Hadouken!
Star Wars Outlaws
Star Wars Outlaws is, in my opinion, the first of the three “impossible ports” on this list and also the most technically impressive. Despite rumours that the game would run at less than 15 frames per second right up until launch, Ubisoft and Massive Entertainment showed what Switch 2 ports can achieve, locking the game to a visually impressive level of detail while maintaining a consistent 30 frames per second.
The port itself is impressive, but what stands out even more is how Massive Entertainment reworked the game’s stealth systems. Previously, being detected would force a checkpoint restart, but now players can fight their way out of danger. This change has been widely praised, giving the Switch 2 version of Outlaws critical acclaim and a chance at redemption. I highly recommend Star Wars Outlaws not just for fans of the franchise, but for anyone looking for a swashbuckling open-world adventure on the Switch 2.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is yet another impressive “impossible port” from Ubisoft, bringing the popular franchise to the Switch 2. Shadows may have been divisive among internet commentators, but going hands-on with the game had me hooked. The story takes place in feudal Japan and features a dual protagonist system, offering two very different approaches to gameplay.
The ninja Naoe moves stealthily through the shadows, taking down foes silently with scalpel-like precision. Yasuke the samurai, on the other hand, plays like a freight train of power, smashing through enemies with minimal resistance. While it might seem like a no-brainer to play as the powerhouse, the game encourages experimentation, switching between characters for a more varied and engaging experience.
Much like Star Wars Outlaws, Shadows is also a technical achievement on the Switch 2. It features incredible visuals and gameplay locked at a consistent framerate. The sheer scale of Shadows, combined with its brilliant narrative, makes it an easy recommendation for gamers looking for their next big AAA adventure.
Hitman: World of Assassination
I’m saving my personal favourite for last with Hitman: World of Assassination, a sandbox playground where you can approach taking out your targets in any way you see fit. Hitman rewards reconnaissance and patience, encouraging you to eavesdrop on NPCs and uncover potential paths to achieve your goals. The more you play a mission, the more the world opens up, unlocking a wider range of options like sniper rifles or gadgets to tackle the same mission in a completely new way.
The Switch 2 port features content parity with other platforms, including timed events like the 007 Casino Royale event and the recent Eminem vs Slim Shady mission, which adds a clever twist to the formula. There are also engaging sniper challenges, originally offered as DLC on other platforms, giving players even more ways to enjoy this content-rich package.
Hitman: World of Assassination on Switch 2 is a technical marvel, bringing three outstanding games and hundreds of hours of gameplay to a portable device while looking incredible and running at a consistent framerate. Don’t miss this one, 47.
There you have it, these are some of the best ports on Switch 2 so far, and there is plenty more on the horizon. I’ve really enjoyed revisiting games I missed the first time around, and it’s been great to see titles like Shadows and Outlaws get a chance at redemption with a new player base on the system.
What has been your favourite port on Switch 2 so far?
Enjoyed The 10 Best Ports On The Switch 2 list?
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