The Nintendo Switch 2's 2026 Release Calendar Is Officially Stacked

Summary

• Nintendo’s Switch 2 release schedule for 2026 is rapidly filling up with an impressive mix of first-party exclusives, long-dormant revivals, and major third-party ports

• Highly anticipated first-party titles include Yoshi and the Mysterious Book (May 21), a highly anticipated Star Fox remake/reboot (June 25), and a single-player-focused Splatoon Raiders (July 23)

• Third-party developers are bringing serious heat to the new hardware, with games like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (June 3), IO Interactive’s 007 First Light, and Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition rounding out the year

Nintendo has officially lifted the curtain on what fans can expect for the Switch 2 in 2026, and the lineup is nothing short of spectacular. Between long-awaited first-party revivals, ambitious new directions for established franchises, and massive third-party blockbusters, the upcoming slate is shaping up to be one of the most exciting launch windows in recent console history. If your wallet wasn’t already hurting from the initial console launch, the sheer volume of high-profile games dropping from May onward will certainly do the trick.

Starting in May, Nintendo is bringing out the heavy hitters with Yoshi and the Mysterious Book releasing exclusively for the Switch 2 on May 21—marking the first new Yoshi game since 2019’s Crafted World. The momentum only builds as we head into a deeply stacked June, starting with the arrival of Square Enix’s sprawling RPG epic Final Fantasy VII Rebirth on June 3. However, the crown jewel of the early summer might just be the surprise return of Star Fox on June 25. Serving as both a reboot and an expansive remake of the beloved Star Fox 64, it is the franchise’s first major release in a decade.

The mid-summer schedule proves that Nintendo is willing to take risks with its established heavy-hitters. On July 23, Splatoon Raiders drops as a dedicated Switch 2 exclusive, pivoting the traditionally multiplayer-first shooter into a robust single-player and four-player co-op experience. Fans of cult classics will also be eating well, with Rhythm Heaven Groove ending a decade-long drought for the series on July 2, alongside more unexpected throwbacks like the 3D platformer Bubsy 4D.

Looking toward the back half of the year, major third-party support shows no signs of slowing down. IO Interactive’s highly anticipated James Bond origin story, 007 First Light, is targeting a late summer/fall release on the new console. Meanwhile, FromSoftware fans have an incredibly dense lineup to look forward to, with both Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition and a brand-new multiplayer-focused action RPG titled The Duskbloods officially slated for 2026.

Nintendo is clearly pulling no punches with the Switch 2’s inaugural calendar year, leaning heavily into robust third-party partnerships while giving their own studios the freedom to experiment. With a schedule this dense—and the looming promise of titles like Pokémon Winds and Waves in 2027—the Switch 2 is positioned to carry Nintendo’s dominance well into the future.

May 21, 2026: Yoshi and the Mysterious Book
May 22, 2026: Bubsy 4D
June 3, 2026: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
June 18, 2026: The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales
June 25, 2026: Star Fox
July 2, 2026: Rhythm Heaven Groove
July 23, 2026: Splatoon Raiders
September 2026: 007 First Light
TBA 2026: Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition, The Duskbloods, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered
TBA 2027: Pokémon Winds & Pokémon Waves