Nintendo Switch 2 Games That Prove It's Winning the Console Wars
The console wars have been going on for what feels like forever, and although everyone is entitled to their own personal favorites, it's just difficult to deny that some advantages are better than others. I absolutely…
The console wars have been going on for what feels like forever, and although everyone is entitled to their own personal favorites, it's just difficult to deny that some advantages are better than others. I absolutely agree that PlayStation and Xbox have pretty impressive hardware, which allows people to enjoy games with the best possible graphics and performance.
However, having the most powerful console doesn't necessarily mean that you are getting the best gaming experience, because not everything is about how realistic the world looks. Nintendo is all about flexibility, creative gameplay mechanics, and access to some of the most ambitious titles out there that would have been difficult to imagine on a portable console just a few years ago, so it is time to give Nintendo the credit it deserves.
We won't be focusing exclusively on exclusives.
Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave
A Tactical RPG That Rewards Strategy Over Brute Force
Arguably, one of Nintendo's biggest advantages has always been its exclusive franchises. Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave is one of those examples. The tactical RPG was officially released on September 17, 2026, and it follows four heroes whose stories are connected across four different periods of time. The idea is that you have to travel into the past, recruit allies, and prevent the destruction of the world.
Find the odd one out before the timer hits zero.
Easy (15s) Medium (10s) Hard (5s) Permadeath (5s) Round 1Which one doesn't belong?
0/10Results
0/5Best: 0/5
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More GamesHowever, the story is only the cherry on top, because the game’s mechanics are actually more impressive than what we are used to seeing in many other modern titles. For example, Fortune's Weave introduces the so-called Blaze Arts. When you use the special Blaze Arts abilities, you also fill up the Blaze Gauge. This makes your character stronger, but when you reach 100% completion, you trigger Burst, which removes your bonuses and reduces your maximum HP by half.
In other words, the mechanic acts against the player's habit of filling up bars to their max capacity and forces them to avoid being greedy. This adds another layer of strategy to a game that has an already demanding combat system, but it is exactly the type of depth that Nintendo’s library is always ready to offer. There is also plenty to explore outside of combat, as the game allows players to improve their classes through certification exams, recruit allies, and even research upcoming opponents.
Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave 8/10Released September 17, 2026The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Remastered
Creative Freedom That Makes Hardware Limitations Irrelevant
It goes without saying that The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom makes Nintendo's hardware limitations seem non-existent. Sure, PlayStation and Xbox often surpass Nintendo when it comes to graphical fidelity and raw performance, but Nintendo introduces a world where everything can become part of a creative solution. In The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Link's Ultrahand ability allows players to attach objects together, so, for example, you can combine a few wooden planks with four wheels and create a functioning vehicle.
However, creations don't necessarily have to follow predetermined blueprints, as you can also build flying machines or combat contraptions. The game gives an insane amount of freedom to experiment. What's particularly impressive is that Nintendo managed to introduce this level of creative freedom on hardware that was way less powerful than its competitors. The game now runs at a largely stable 60 FPS with sharper visuals, HDR support, and way faster loading times.
In other words, even though other consoles have quite the advantage when it comes to raw processing power, Tears of the Kingdom proves that Nintendo is capable of delivering a polished experience without having to compromise on almost anything.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Released May 12, 2023Hades 2
Fast-Paced Combat Meets Impressive Performance
Speaking of hardware capabilities, Hades 2 is another great example of how Nintendo Switch 2 can compete with more powerful devices. The game follows the Princess of the Underworld, called Melinoe, as she tries to defeat Chronos, the Titan of Time. Apart from the compelling story, the game introduces quite an interesting combat system.
For example, the princess can use Omega attacks to create more powerful versions of her regular moves, but if you choose to do so, her Magick will be consumed. So, just like in real life, you can't have it all. On top of that, Boons offered by different Olympian gods can significantly change the way weapons perform. To give an example, Poseidon's Boons can add knockback effects to Melinoe's attacks, which allows her to push enemies away and deal additional damage when they collide with different objects.
The combination of all of these features actually makes every run feel different, so if you die, it probably wouldn't feel like a big deal to you either. Of course, these mechanics are not exclusive to Nintendo, but the way the console handles such a fast-paced game is definitely quite impressive. Hades 2 runs at 120 FPS in TV Mode at 1080p, which is very important because the combat relies a lot on precise timing and quick dodges. In Handheld Mode, the game runs at 60 FPS and 1080p, which is a great advantage as well.
Hades 2 Released September 25, 2025Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Bringing a Massive PlayStation RPG to a Portable Console
For those who did not know already, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth was originally designed for PlayStation 5. I can only imagine how complicated it is to bring such an ambitious RPG to Nintendo Switch 2. Unlike its predecessor, Rebirth introduces enormous regions filled with settlements and side activities, as you can explore the Grasslands on a Chocobo, for example, and participate in all kinds of challenges that require experimenting with different party combinations.
The world is constantly processing NPC behavior, small environmental details, and animations simultaneously, so it's easy to see why bringing this entire adventure to a portable console is quite demanding. However, director Naoki Hamaguchi revealed that the team had to be very careful when deciding what absolutely needed to be preserved and what had to be removed to improve performance. For example, the cities of Kalm and Junon were very challenging because of the sheer number of NPCs and all kinds of effects constantly appearing on screen, so instead of sacrificing the atmosphere, the devs optimized how the console processes and displays these elements.
Even riding a Chocobo across the world required special adjustments to the environmental details, and even though Switch 2 had to make some noticeable compromises, it managed to preserve the complete adventure, including all the complex environments and gameplay systems. In other words, even though PS5 and Xbox Series X have better visuals, Nintendo gives players the opportunity to experience this huge RPG in whatever way they see fit without settling for something that is fundamentally different from the original.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth 9/10Released February 29, 2024Hollow Knight: Silksong
Precision and Performance Without Compromise
Hollow Knight: Silksong is proof that a game doesn't need to have the most realistic graphics or the biggest world to compete with some of the most famous AAA releases. Team Cherry decided to focus on something arguably more important than these aspects, which is to make every movement feel intentional and meaningful. If you have never played the game before, it follows Hornet, a princess who finds herself trapped in a mysterious kingdom and has to find her way to the highest point.
However, compared to the protagonist of the original Hollow Knight, Hornet is way faster, so exploration and combat are pretty demanding. For instance, she can attack while dashing or heal in mid-air, but these abilities are helpful not only during boss fights but also when it comes to navigating environments filled with hazards.
The game is available on PlayStation and Xbox as well, but the Nintendo Switch 2 version does not require players to make compromises with the way the title performs in Handheld Mode. Silksong supports 120 FPS at 1080p even when the console is not connected to a TV. Moreover, 4K resolution at 60 FPS and 1080p at 120 FPS are both available options to choose from when playing on a compatible television, which is without a doubt an impressive demonstration of flexibility.
Hollow Knight: Silksong Released September 4, 2025