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

The Switch 2 has been out for about six weeks—feels like forever, right? People are going nuts over it. Sure, the game library’s kinda tiny now, but everyone’s buzzing about 2025 drops. Kirby Air Riders, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond? Yeah, those are on the way. You can still play old Switch games, thank goodness—gives us something to do while waiting.

So, it’s hot as blazes outside. Who wants to leave the AC for that? Seriously. I’ve got some game recs to make this scorcher of a weekend more bearable. One of them is already a top Switch 2 game of 2025. How did that happen so fast?

Anyway—or wait, back up—the weekend’s creeping closer, and I’ve lined up five Nintendo games to fill the hours until Monday crashes back in. Two are for Switch 2 only, but don’t stress if you haven’t snagged one yet; the others work on the original Switch too.

Donkey Kong Bananza

Can’t deny it—Donkey Kong Bananza tops this list. Most Switch 2 owners will be glued to this on the weekend. Saw it first in April, and folks were shocked. Reviews have been killer—like, out of this world—and it’s got a 91 on OpenCritic. The game’s got destructible environments, a gripping story—oh, and collectibles. Lots of them. Feels like summer in the jungles, minus the sweat. Sadly, original Switch players are missing out because this one’s exclusive to the Switch 2.

Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time

This one’s for both Switch and Switch 2 folks. Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time—rolling off the tongue, easy, right? It’s been a huge hit since May. You explore this vast world, switch jobs like it’s a career fair—Paladin, Hunter, even a Cook. And, surprise: you’ve got time travel. You can fix up a rundown island a thousand years in the future. Who knew?

Survival Kids

Okay, hear me out—Survival Kids might not be everyone’s jam. Single-player’s a slog sometimes, and it could really use more stuff. But co-op? A blast. Perfect for chilling with friends, especially if getting to an island in the middle of nowhere with your buddies sounds fun. I mean, who wants a high-stress game when life’s already stressful?

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

Nostalgia alert! Suikoden 1 & 2 are back, and they’re shiny and new-ish. Konami gave these PS1 gems a makeover. Better effects, new sound—I heard even battles are easier to skip through now. If you missed these in the ’90s, now’s your chance. Word is, Konami might do this for more of their games. I guess we’ll see, right?

Tamagotchi Plaza

And now, for something pastel. If you loved Tamagotchis, this is your weekend treat. It’s the first non-Japan release in, like, forever. Manage shops, play mini-games—earn money, up your shop’s rep. If feeling a bit cutesy, maybe too cute? Well, it’s got that cozy vibe. You’ll see.

There you have it—a chaotic, tangled up list of games. Think that should cover your weekend plans and help dodge the heat. Keep cozy and game on!