Since launch back in June 2025, Switch 2 has steadily accrued a solid library of games that take advantage of the system's improved specs and features. While many titles are also available on Switch 1, perks like better frame rates, sharper visuals, and easy chat and screen-sharing, not to mention game-sharing, make it hard to go back after the upgrade.
With the $80 Mario Kart World pushing the upper end of game pricing, we thought it was worth highlighting some more affordable options. Enter our lovely video team — Alex Olney and Mai Ladyman — with their picks of the best Switch 2 games under $25.
These aren't the cheapest games of Switch 2, not by a long shot, but they are some of the best value thanks to their quality. And remember, we've listed the RRP in the UK, US, and Europe, but you'll often be able to find these games significantly cheaper on sale.
BALL x PIT is a tremendous brew of so many ideas it ought to collapse under the confusion. However, it operates in such perfect balance that it appeals both to the one-more-go instinct and to more cerebral planning and creativity.
Kenny Sun Studios set itself a heck of a challenge but, fortunately, didn’t drop the ball.
Gavin first wrote for Nintendo Life in 2018 before joining the site full-time the following year, rising through the ranks to become Editor. He can currently be found squashed beneath a Switch backlog the size of Normandy.
The best thing about cheap games on Switch 2 is that the Switch 1 has a lot of cheap games, so backwards compatibility hooray! It’s easy to make a top 21 games with the Switch 1 in mind, so thank you for differentiating because, frankly, it IS hard to figure out the best Switch 2 games at the moment.
I do love that Kuukiyomi 4 is in a list like this too. It’s honestly one of my son’s personal favorite games.
Yesterday was the first time, that I visited Dekudeals. It felt like some of the big games were basically given away for free. Thanks for going so low with the prices!
If whoever is reading this is on the fence about the hollow knight games or ball x pit, I can personally vouch for them as they are some of my favorite games of all time. Genuine steals, and you can buy them all together for less than the price of any first party game!
Decent list but i can't help but notice some weird choices.
Welcome tour for example isn't considered by anyone to be up there with the best games in the under 25 pricerange.
Basicly any game with either a sw2 patch or upgrade would be a better pick.
And people are saying that games are unaffordable these days. There's so many gems and if you're on the lookout, you can get many games for a tenner or less during sales! Looking at my Deku Deals I saved myself thousands of euros by simply shopping smart. But these games listed here deserve being bought at full price, if only to support indie studios for their excellent work!
Great choices Alex and Mai in general and also personally as I'm looking forward to playing most if not all of these myself (some I've already got and in the case of Welcome Tour played and loved) - hope those going for any of these will have fun as well... and glad both the article and comments mentioned discounts and/or Deku Deals, you can get so many more games at low prices thanks to those!
thanks, this list confirms that I still do not need to shell out money for a switch 2. I usually only buy games on sale, and most of these are available on the first one.
Comments 28
The best thing about cheap games on Switch 2 is that the Switch 1 has a lot of cheap games, so backwards compatibility hooray! It’s easy to make a top 21 games with the Switch 1 in mind, so thank you for differentiating because, frankly, it IS hard to figure out the best Switch 2 games at the moment.
I do love that Kuukiyomi 4 is in a list like this too. It’s honestly one of my son’s personal favorite games.
I have 9 of these games already with Skate Story on my wish list, just waiting for a sell.
Cool, thanks for this! Seems like a pretty great list of games.
@CurryPowderKeg79 Hahaha, I know what you mean.
Yesterday was the first time, that I visited Dekudeals. It felt like some of the big games were basically given away for free. Thanks for going so low with the prices!
If you haven't played Deltarune yet, what are you even doing?
Great list of games, but squirrel with a gun seems a bit out of place?
@UpsideDownRowlet seconded. Chapter 4 alone is genuinely one of my favourite RPGs of all time, even if it’s only a few hours long
I’m surprised Minishoot Adventures didn’t make the list!
If whoever is reading this is on the fence about the hollow knight games or ball x pit, I can personally vouch for them as they are some of my favorite games of all time. Genuine steals, and you can buy them all together for less than the price of any first party game!
Some great games on that list. Dave the Diver is a personal favourite of mine.
Although... Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, huh? Slim pickings? 😏
@solarwolf07 I didn't get on with Hollow Knight, but I fully acknowledge that it's an impeccably made game. Maybe I'll give it another go someday.
Balastro missing....
This list is fake news. Switch 2 is expensive and bad.
Most of these are just Switch 1 games, lol.
Decent list but i can't help but notice some weird choices.
Welcome tour for example isn't considered by anyone to be up there with the best games in the under 25 pricerange.
Basicly any game with either a sw2 patch or upgrade would be a better pick.
I have zero interest in any of these but thanks anyway
I've seen the headline three times this evening and keep thinking it says $5. Can you do that article please. TY in advance.
Wow, that's 21 more good games than Nintendo themselves will release again for less than double that price. :V
@kkslider5552000 Nintendo will rerelease Welcome tour?
@IronMan30 Brokeboi comment
Squirrel with a gun? Why am I only hearing about this now? That title just prints money!
And people are saying that games are unaffordable these days. There's so many gems and if you're on the lookout, you can get many games for a tenner or less during sales! Looking at my Deku Deals I saved myself thousands of euros by simply shopping smart. But these games listed here deserve being bought at full price, if only to support indie studios for their excellent work!
@IronMan30 not bad, evil…Yakuza Kiwami is in that price bracket too, you’ll definitely get your money’s worth with it…
Great choices Alex and Mai in general and also personally as I'm looking forward to playing most if not all of these myself (some I've already got and in the case of Welcome Tour played and loved) - hope those going for any of these will have fun as well... and glad both the article and comments mentioned discounts and/or Deku Deals, you can get so many more games at low prices thanks to those!
@WiltonRoots Pfft, Switch 2 is evil and the cause of all my problems. A YouTuber told me so, so it must be true!
@IronMan30 did they use a puppet instead of showing their face and sound like they were talking out of their nose? I would be outraged too I think.
thanks, this list confirms that I still do not need to shell out money for a switch 2. I usually only buy games on sale, and most of these are available on the first one.
@WiltonRoots as a matter of fact, they did!
Show Comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...