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

So here we are, staring at the shiny new toy everyone’s talking about: the Switch 2. Nintendo’s latest gizmo is fresh on the scene, about six weeks old and already causing quite the ruckus. I mean, the buzz is loud—like having a dozen cicadas on a hot summer night outside your window kind of loud. And sure, while it doesn’t have a million games yet, just you wait. Come 2025, we’re looking at big hitters like Kirby Air Riders and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond throwing their hats in the ring. Thank goodness they let us play our old Switch games in the meantime, right?

The sun’s being a jerk lately, isn’t it? So much so that leaving the comforting chill of the AC feels like a heroic act. Hanging indoors and getting lost in some Switch adventures is where it’s at. The digital aisles of Nintendo’s eShop can be a tangled web of gigabytes and graphics, but hey, I got you. I’ve wrangled a few gems to make your game night something to write home about—or, you know, tweet about at least. One of these picks? Already smashing charts in 2025, like wow.

Let’s talk weekend plans, shall you? I’ve lined up five Nintendo titles to dive into as you sidestep Monday’s clutches. Two are Switch 2 exclusives, but don’t sweat it if you haven’t snagged the latest model. The rest are good ol’ regular Switch friendly. So, let’s buckle up and dive in.

Donkey Kong Bananza tops the list because, well, how could it not? This one’s a Switch 2 exclusive, though, so sorry, original Switch amigos. Folks have been waiting for this one ever since its surprise reveal in April—yes, I remember the collective gasp. A wild roller-coaster of 3D platforming madness with destructible environments and a story that apparently grips you tighter than your grandma’s hugs. Oh, and the collectibles—so many shiny things. Sit back, let DK handle the jungle business, and perhaps sip on something tropical. Sounds like bliss, doesn’t it?

Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time is an RPG delight, weaving coziness and adventure across both the Switch and Switch 2 landscapes. Level-5 weaves some kind of addictive magic here. You can be anything from a Paladin stomping the lands to a Cook simmering up a storm. And there’s time travel! Forget the mundane—it’s all about hopping a thousand years forward and sprucing up a run-down island. I swear, if I could do that, my living room might look less like a ramshackle disaster zone.

Survival Kids. Hmm, this one’s a mixed bag. Solo play? Meh. But throw in some pals, kick back in co-op mode, and that’s where the fun brews like a campfire coffee. Who wouldn’t want to tackle an island adventure without breaking a sweat? Switch 2’s GameChat gets its moment to shine here. Grab some friends, embrace the chill vibes, and float on into the weekend. No brain strain, just low-key shenanigans.

For the nostalgia buffs out there, Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster is bringing PS1 classics into the now. Both Switch and Switch 2 users can get in on this. The polish job on these old gems is like someone buffing an old Mustang till it gleams. New effects, richer sounds, and a snazzy fast-forward feature for when you’ve seen one too many enemy slaps. With Konami hinting at more remasters, maybe it’s time to brush up on your RPG history for that inevitable pub quiz.

Lastly, Tamagotchi Plaza calls out to the pastel-loving bunch. It’s been ages since Western shores saw a Tamagotchi game, and this one’s landed with a cute thud. Running shops, haggling with pixel patrons, it’s got mini-games galore and local co-op to boot. Even toss in some extra goodies for Switch 2 players. Who knew running a virtual store could be this soothing? Like a digital spa day, sans the cucumber slices.

Anyway—oh wait, yeah—I think that’s all I’ve got. So, whether you’re deep diving into jungles or rewinding centuries, this lineup’s got a little something for your gaming soul. Go ahead, grab a title, and let the weekend gaming marathon commence. Cheers!