It feels fair to say that the Nintendo Switch 2's launch has been a successful one. Though the launch line-up could have been much stronger, what was there on day one was still quite impressive. Mario Kart World is another great entry in the franchise, and seeing third-party games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Street Fighter 6 on the Switch 2 proved the console's technical prowess off the bat. But there are plenty of Nintendo fans who haven't been won over just yet.
The Nintendo Switch 2 has a hefty price tag, and even some die-hard Nintendo fans might find it difficult to justify dropping the cash right now. But those who are still using the original Nintendo Switch aren't being forgotten about. There are eight big games set to release on the original Switch this July.
Super Mario Strikers' Arrival on Nintendo Switch Online is Hopefully Just a Warm-Up
Super Mario Strikers joining the Nintendo Switch Online's Gamecube title library feels like the next step in a longer game plan by Nintendo.
Games Releasing on The Original Nintendo Switch: Patapon 1 + 2 Replay
Release Date: July 11
A remastered collection of the 2007 and 2008 PSP exclusives, Patapon 1+2 Replay hits the original Nintendo Switch on July 11. These incredibly colorful rhythm games see players using a set of mystical drums (assigned to the D-Pad) to command their little Patapon armies in battle. As players progress through each game, they'll unlock a variety of items and weapons they can use to upgrade their adorable Patapon warriors.
- Released
- July 11, 2025
- Developer(s)
- SAS CO., LTD.
- Publisher(s)
- Bandai Namco Entertainment
- Multiplayer
- Local Co-Op
- Franchise
- Patapon
WHERE TO PLAY
Games Releasing on The Original Nintendo Switch: Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4
Release Date: July 11
The long-awaited follow-up to its 2020 predecessor, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4 remakes the 2001 and 2002 skateboarding classics. Along with 4K resolution, all new textures, state-of-the-art lighting effects, and performance upgrades across the board, Pro Skater 3+4 is adding a wealth of new content to the original experiences, including new maps and new playable characters. Pro Skater 3+4 will also land on Nintendo Switch on July 11.
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 83 /100 Critics Rec: 88%
- Released
- July 11, 2025
- ESRB
- Teen / Lyrics, Mild Blood, Mild Violence
- Developer(s)
- Iron Galaxy
- Publisher(s)
- Activision
WHERE TO PLAY
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
- Genre(s)
- Sports
Games Releasing on The Original Nintendo Switch: Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Release Date: July 17
Set for a worldwide release on July 17, Hunter x Hunter: Nen Impact is a 3v3 tag fighter based on the long-running anime and manga of the same name. Developer Eighting has a long history of working on both fighting games and projects based on popular IP, with some of the studio's back-catalog including Marvel vs. Capcom 3, the Naruto: Clash of Ninja series, and a wealth of Kamen Rider video games.
- Released
- July 17, 2025
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Blood and Gore, Language, Partial Nudity, Use of Tobacco, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Bushiroad Games, Eighting
- Publisher(s)
- Bushiroad Games, Arc System Works
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Anime, Fighting
Games Releasing on The Original Nintendo Switch: Shadow Labyrinth
Release Date: July 18
An intriguing experiment from Capcom, Shadow Labyrinth is an upcoming action-adventure game that puts a dark twist on the Pac-Man mythos. As "Swordsman No. 8," players will need to follow the mysterious glowing yellow orb that's leading them through this hostile industrial maze. While most of Shadow Labyrinth's gameplay seems to revolve around 2.5D exploration and melee combat, there will be challenge levels that convert the game into a more traditional top-down Pac-Man experience.
- Released
- July 18, 2025
- ESRB
- Teen // Blood, Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
- Bandai Namco Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Bandai Namco Entertainment
- Engine
- Unity
WHERE TO PLAY
Games Releasing on The Original Nintendo Switch: Ratatan
Release Date: July 24
Releasing just two weeks after Patapon 1+2 Replay, Ratatan is a spiritual successor to the PSP rhythm game series being developed by many of Patapon's original creators. Ratatan's Kickstarter was a resounding success, having met its pledge goal in just 47 minutes when it first went live back in August 2023, and fans will finally get to see the fruits of that campaign in just a few weeks when it launches on Nintendo Switch and other platforms.
- Released
- 2025
- Developer(s)
- Ratata Arts, TVT Co. Ltd.
- Publisher(s)
- Game Source Entertainment
- Engine
- Theory Engine
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Rhythm, Action, Roguelike
Games Releasing on The Original Nintendo Switch: No Sleep For Kaname Date - From AI: The Somnium Files
Release Date: July 25
The third entry in the AI: The Somnium Files visual novel series, No Sleep for Kaname Date - From AI: The Somnium Files will launch on Nintendo Switch on July 25. This entry will once again follow titular Tokyo-based detective Kaname Date as he investigates mysteries in both the real world and dream world, known as Somnia. Though it's the series' third release, No Sleep for Kaname Date will be set between the events of the first two games.
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 80 /100 Critics Rec: 73%
- Released
- July 25, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Violence, Blood, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Spike Chunsoft
- Publisher(s)
- Spike Chunsoft
WHERE TO PLAY
- Engine
- Unity
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Puzzle, Mystery, Visual Novel
Games Releasing on The Original Nintendo Switch: Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings Game
Release Date: July 29
After a few lengthy delays, Tales of the Shire is finally set to release on Nintendo Switch on July 29. In this cozy Hobbit life-sim, players will garden, grow, harvest, cook, socialize, and customize their Hobbit home. Along the way, they might meet some familiar faces pulled from the wider world of Middle-earth, such as The Lord of the Rings' Gandalf.
- Released
- July 29, 2025
- Developer(s)
- Wētā Workshop
- Publisher(s)
- Private Division
- Franchise
- The Lord of the Rings
- Number of Players
- 1
WHERE TO PLAY
Games Releasing on The Original Nintendo Switch: Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound
Release Date: July 31
A fast-paced side-scrolling action game, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound will hit original Nintendo Switch consoles on July 31. Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is being developed by The Game Kitchen, the studio behind the well-received Blasphemous duology. Its story will see players take on the role of Kenji Mozu, a ninja tasked with protecting Hayabusa Village against an army of demons.
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound
- Released
- July 31, 2025
- Developer(s)
- The Game Kitchen
- Publisher(s)
- Dotemu
- Franchise
- Ninja Gaiden
