Nintendo Switch Exclusives Worth Buying in 2025
The Nintendo Switch continues to stand as one of the most versatile and beloved consoles in gaming history. In 2025, it remains a stronghold for exclusives that highlight Nintendo's creativity and commitment to unique gaming experiences. While other platforms may compete in terms of raw power, the Switch thrives by offering games that balance accessibility, innovation, and charm. This year, four titles define what makes Nintendo exclusives worth buying: Mario vs Donkey Kong, Princess Peach: Showtime!, Metroid Prime 4, and the Splatoon 3 DLC. Each of these games represents a different facet of Nintendo's philosophy, from puzzle-solving nostalgia to bold experimentation, all while reminding players why the Switch continues to be indispensable. And in a world where gaming communities often search for free games unblocked to play across devices, these exclusives stand out as premium experiences worth owning.
Mario vs Donkey Kong
Few rivalries in gaming history are as iconic as Mario's battles with Donkey Kong. The 2025 reimagining of Mario vs Donkey Kong revives a puzzle-platformer formula that blends nostalgia with modern design. Players must guide Mario through carefully constructed stages, solving environmental puzzles and outsmarting traps to rescue toys stolen by Donkey Kong. What sets this release apart is the balance of challenge and charm: the puzzles demand careful thought, but the art style and whimsical animations ensure the experience remains lighthearted.
The Switch version also takes full advantage of the console's hardware. Whether playing handheld or on the big screen, the precise controls and responsive design allow players to experiment with creative solutions. The game caters to both longtime fans who remember the original releases and newcomers looking for an approachable entry into Mario's world. Importantly, the cooperative play option breathes fresh life into the game, encouraging friends or family to solve puzzles together, often requiring communication and shared strategy.
This release emphasizes Nintendo's commitment to revitalizing classic formulas for modern audiences. Rather than relying solely on nostalgia, it builds upon the foundation with new mechanics and polished visuals, making it clear why Mario vs Donkey Kong continues to be relevant in 2025. For anyone who loves puzzle-platformers, the game demonstrates how Nintendo still finds ways to innovate within seemingly familiar frameworks.
Princess Peach: Showtime!
Princess Peach has long been a beloved figure in Nintendo's universe, but often in a supporting role. Princess Peach: Showtime! changes that by giving her the spotlight in a performance-driven adventure. The game revolves around a magical theater where each stage places Peach in a new role, from swordswoman to pastry chef to detective. Each transformation brings unique abilities, keeping gameplay fresh while showcasing Peach's versatility.
The theatrical setting allows Nintendo to experiment with bold aesthetics. Every act feels like a stage performance, complete with set designs, dramatic lighting, and whimsical costumes. These elements not only enhance the visual appeal but also create a sense of variety rarely seen in character-driven platformers. The narrative is equally refreshing: rather than rescuing others, Peach takes control of her destiny, embodying empowerment and creativity.
From a gameplay perspective, the constant shifts in mechanics ensure that players never grow bored. One moment you're solving puzzles as a sleuth, and the next you're battling enemies with elegant swordplay. The result is a title that feels as much like an anthology of ideas as a single adventure, keeping players engaged from beginning to end.
For fans of Nintendo's tradition of experimentation, Princess Peach: Showtime! represents a bold step forward. It solidifies Peach not just as a symbol of royalty but as a protagonist capable of carrying an entire game with charisma and charm. In a lineup filled with familiar faces, her starring role feels long overdue and utterly rewarding.
Metroid Prime 4
Few games have carried as much anticipation as Metroid Prime 4. After years of speculation, delays, and silence, the game finally arrives in 2025, reaffirming Nintendo's ability to deliver on long-awaited promises. Building on the legendary Metroid Prime series, this installment thrusts players once again into the boots of Samus Aran, exploring alien worlds, uncovering mysteries, and battling dangerous foes.
At its core, Metroid Prime 4 retains the immersive first-person exploration that defined its predecessors. The sense of isolation is palpable: every corridor, cavern, and ruin tells a story, immersing players in a universe that feels both vast and alive. Enhanced by the Switch's hardware capabilities, the visuals are strikingly detailed, with alien ecosystems rendered in vivid clarity. The soundtrack, atmospheric and haunting, complements the exploration, ensuring players feel both awe and tension with every step.
But what truly distinguishes Metroid Prime 4 is its expansion of combat and exploration mechanics. New abilities encourage experimentation, from advanced scanning systems that reveal hidden lore to upgrades that open previously inaccessible areas. This design philosophy creates a loop of discovery that keeps players constantly engaged.
The release also reinforces Nintendo's commitment to hardcore audiences. While accessible to newcomers, Metroid Prime 4 doesn't shy away from complexity, rewarding patience and skill with satisfying progression. For fans who have waited more than a decade, the game feels like both a culmination and a renewal of the franchise's legacy. In 2025, it stands as one of the most important exclusives the Switch has ever seen.
Splatoon 3 DLC
Nintendo's Splatoon series has always been a colorful twist on competitive shooters, and the Splatoon 3 DLC continues to push the boundaries of what the franchise can achieve. The expansion adds new maps, weapons, customization options, and a narrative-driven campaign that deepens the world of the Inklings and Octolings. For players who thrive on team-based competition, the DLC delivers fresh content that revitalizes the multiplayer experience.
One of the highlights of the expansion is its creative approach to level design. Maps feel dynamic and strategic, rewarding both individual skill and team coordination. The addition of new weapon types ensures battles remain unpredictable, requiring players to adapt their strategies constantly. Beyond mechanics, the visual style remains one of the most distinctive in gaming—bright, energetic, and instantly recognizable.
Equally important is the DLC's single-player campaign, which offers fans a deeper dive into the lore of the Splatoon universe. By blending quirky humor with darker undertones, Nintendo continues to surprise players with storytelling that goes beyond surface-level fun. The narrative layers give long-time fans more reasons to remain invested in the franchise, while also offering newcomers a rewarding entry point.
The Splatoon 3 DLC proves that expansions can be more than just extra content—they can reshape and elevate a game's identity. It underscores Nintendo's dedication to supporting its franchises long after launch, ensuring communities remain vibrant and engaged. In 2025, it is not just an add-on, but a reason to revisit and rediscover Splatoon 3.
The year 2025 highlights once again why the Nintendo Switch remains essential for gamers. With titles like Mario vs Donkey Kong, Princess Peach: Showtime!, Metroid Prime 4, and the Splatoon 3 DLC, the console continues to deliver exclusives that emphasize creativity, depth, and variety. Each game represents a different angle of Nintendo's design philosophy—whether through nostalgic puzzle-solving, bold character reimaginings, immersive exploration, or community-driven competition.
While players may still seek out free games unlocked for quick entertainment, these exclusives demonstrate why premium experiences matter. They are crafted with attention to detail, designed to engage across different playstyles, and built to endure beyond fleeting trends. For those considering what games to buy in 2025, these four stand at the top of Nintendo's offerings.
Looking ahead, fans may also keep an eye on other upcoming or enduring exclusives like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Bayonetta 3, or even future updates to Animal Crossing. Together, they remind us that Nintendo's strength lies not just in hardware but in unforgettable worlds and characters that continue to shape gaming culture.