5 Must-Play Nintendo Games for This Weekend (Starting July 18)

Sure thing, let’s dive into this…

So, the Switch 2—it’s been around for like, what, six weeks now? And folks are still losing their minds over it. Not even a boatload of games yet, but who cares, right? Biggies like Kirby Air Riders and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond are dropping in 2025, so hang tight. And yeah, it’s backward-compatible with the OG Switch. So while we wait for those newbies, there’s still heaps to mess around with.

Anyway, as the sun turns up the heat and the great outdoors starts feeling like a frying pan, who wouldn’t want to stay cozied up with some new Nintendo gems, right? I mean, sifting through the eShop can be a chore, but hey, got some picks for you to chill out over the weekend. One of ’em’s a Switch 2 game that’s already topping the charts for 2025. Kinda wild.

Donkey Kong Bananza

Look, I can’t even. Donkey Kong Bananza just HAD to kick off this list. Seems like Saturday and Sunday are gonna be booked solid with DK. Since the reveal way back in April? People were floored. Reviews? Through the roof. Sitting with a 91 on OpenCritic or something. Think crumbling landscapes, a storyline that’s got its hooks in ya, and just oodles of stuff to snag up. Perfect summer vibes, right? But hey, let the big guy do the exploring while you sip on something tropical. Sorry though, original Switch peeps, this one’s a Switch 2 exclusive. Bummer, I know.

Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time

Ah, good old cozy RPG land. Switch and Switch 2 folks both get to flirt with this one. Dropped in May by Level-5, and people just got stuck in. Jobs, vast world, too many side quests to shake a stick at. Set on this island, Revaria, 14 different life paths like Paladin to Cook—whatever floats your boat. Time travel’s a thing too. Rebuild an island a thousand years down the line. Want a magical break this summer? Fantasy Life’s gonna be your jam.

Survival Kids

Okay, gotta be honest—Survival Kids? Not everyone’s cup of tea. Solo mode’s kinda meh and gets tiring fast. But co-op with friends? Pure gold. Also, a decent excuse to try out the Switch 2’s GameChat. Picture this: you and the buds, kicking back, trying to escape from some deserted island. So if life’s a bit too serious, who says you can’t just hit pause and go on a no-drama adventure this weekend?

Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars

Calling all nostalgia hunters! Suikoden 1 & 2 getting that HD shine? Yes, please. Available for both Switches, mind you. Updates like HD backgrounds, fast battle forwarding, and a list of improvements longer than my grocery list. If you missed hopping on this RPG train back in ’95, now’s your chance. Who knows, if it does well, more Suikoden goodies might be heading our way. Time to get your homework done on this series.

Tamagotchi Plaza

Got a soft spot for pastels and nostalgia overload? Check out Tamagotchi Plaza. For the first time in 20 years, stepping out of Japan is no small deal. Run shops in Tamahiko Town, dive into mini-games, and if you’re good, rake in cash to boost your rep. Multiplayer? Yeah, it’s got that too. Plus, Switch 2 has some extra shops using Joy-Con 2’s mouse thingy. Maybe not for everyone, but its charm might just be the weekend balm you need.