Mid-Year Gaming Reflections: A Look at the Best Titles of 2025 on Nintendo Platforms

Unveiling the Year's Top Gaming Experiences on Nintendo

A Mid-Year Assessment of Switch and Switch 2 Gaming Excellence

With half of 2025 now behind us, it's an opportune moment to reflect on the outstanding gaming titles that have emerged on both the Nintendo Switch and the recently launched Switch 2. While the arrival of the new console has certainly generated excitement, the original Switch continues to offer a wealth of captivating experiences. Many players find themselves with an ever-growing list of games to explore, from expansive worlds to intricate narratives.

Alana Hagues' Journey Through Time and Mystical Blooms

Alana Hagues, the deputy editor, expresses her recurring challenge of dedicating sufficient time to Switch games, a sentiment amplified by her extensive engagement with remakes and remasters, including hundreds of hours spent in beloved titles. Her current obsession is “Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time,” a game she finds meticulously crafted to her preferences, leading her to lose track of hours. Additionally, she praises “Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist” as a significant improvement over its predecessor, highlighting its refined mechanics, engaging combat, and superior map design as prime examples of an almost flawless Metroidvania.

Gavin Lane's Explorations: From Vast Worlds to Intricate Art

Gavin Lane, an editor, confesses to prioritizing the Switch 2 in anticipation of its performance enhancements for older games. Despite this, he celebrates “Xenoblade Chronicles X,” noting its eventual captivating pull after a slow start, and commends “Please, Touch The Artwork 2” as a delightful, albeit smaller, puzzle game. He also gives a special mention to “Welcome Tour,” defending it as an interactive interview experience that should appeal to fans of Nintendo’s “Iwata Asks” series.

Gonçalo Lopes' Definitive Choice in a Transitional Year

Gonçalo Lopes, a contributor, acknowledges the challenges of a hardware transition year for new game releases. His Game of the Year (GOTY) selection is “Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition.” He champions this decade-old title for its comprehensive quality-of-life improvements and a satisfying new conclusion to its story, arguing that it eclipses other Nintendo releases in the first half of 2025. He anticipates potential future GOTY contenders later in the year, but “Xenoblade Chronicles X” has made an undeniable mark.

Jim Norman's Deep Dive into Narrative and Emotional Resonance

Jim Norman, a staff writer, admits to largely focusing on his backlog rather than 2025 releases, but “Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector” stands out as a powerful exception. He missed the first installment but found himself deeply engrossed in the sequel due to its exceptional writing, captivating music, and emotionally charged final act. The game’s flexibility in narrative progression and its memorable cast of characters made it an unforgettable experience, positioning it as a strong contender for his year-end GOTY list.

Kate Gray's Praise for an Expansive Fantasy World

Kate Gray, a contributor, already has multiple strong contenders for GOTY, signifying an excellent year for gaming. Her current frontrunner is “Fantasy Life i,” a game she previously reviewed highly and now finds even better due to resolved issues. She describes it as three distinct games seamlessly integrated into one, commending its ability to be “everything” without feeling overstuffed, solidifying its place as a standout title.

Ollie Reynolds' Affinity for Robots, Time Travel, and Strategy

Ollie Reynolds, a staff writer, acknowledges the impressive launch of the Switch 2 but finds his personal GOTY outside of its initial lineup. He highlights “I, Robot,” a psychedelic arcade remake that completely engrossed him with its unique experience, and “Capcom Fighting Collection 2,” particularly “Capcom vs. SNK 2,” for its intricate fighting mechanics. However, his ultimate pick is “The Hundred Line - Last Defense Academy.” Despite not being a strategy game enthusiast, he was continually surprised and delighted by its memorable characters and compelling combat, making it a powerful contender.

PJ O'Reilly's Return to Hyrule and High-Speed Racing

PJ O'Reilly, a staff writer, surprisingly bypasses “Mario Kart World” despite its quality. Instead, he finds himself captivated by “Breath of the Wild” once more on the Switch 2. Having rushed through it on Wii U, he’s now committed to a thorough playthrough, appreciating the enhanced frame rates and new features. He also champions “Fast Fusion,” an anti-gravity racer that offers significant depth and has replaced “Redout” as his favorite in the genre on Switch consoles, praising its speed and challenge.

Community Engagement and Continued Gaming Discoveries

The gaming year is far from over, with many more titles slated for release that could reshape these early rankings. The passion and diverse preferences within the gaming community continue to drive the conversation, making each passing month an exciting period of discovery and debate. Players are encouraged to share their own favorites and predictions, contributing to the ongoing discussion about the best of Switch and Switch 2 gaming in 2025.