When a new console comes out, fans usually get excited about the big, familiar games. For Nintendo, those franchises includeMario Kart, and indeed,Mario Kart Worldis one of the most talked-about titles for theNintendo Switch 2. And for good reason — the game takes the classicMario Kartseries and gives it a big twist with an open-world design and huge 24-player races. Racing through large, connected areas instead of traditional tracks sounds like a fun new change. Still, even with all these exciting features,Mario Kart Worldisn’t the Switch 2 game I’m most excited about.

That might seem controversial, especially with the new modes like Knockout Tour and Free Roam, which offer new play modes. WhileMario Kart Worlddefinitely has a lot of potential,there are other games on the Nintendo Switch 2 that catch my attention more.

Zelda and Rauru as they appear in Hyrule Warriors Age of Imprisonment.

Hyrule Warriors Age Of Imprisonment Looks Even Better Than Mario Kart World

Sorry Mario Kart, Hyrule Warriors Has My Heart

I’m a hugeZeldafan, so it’s no surprise that I’m more excited forHyrule Warriors: Age of ImprisonmentthanMario Kart Worldon the Switch 2. I’ve always preferredZeldaoverMario, and while I enjoyMarioplatformers and the occasional race inMario Kart,Zeldahas always held a special place in my heart. The deep stories, the adventurous spirit, and the feeling of exploring new worlds are what really draw me in. WhileMario Kartis fun, fast-paced, and allows me to play with friends,Zeldaoffers an experience that feels more personal and meaningful.

Hyrule Warriors Has The Perfect Blueprint For Other Franchises

Hyrule Warriors brought Toei’s Warriors formula to the Zelda series for a winning combination. Other series could benefit from the same decision.

That’s whereHyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonmentcomes in. The newest addition to theZeldafranchise brings something fresh and exciting. WhileMario Kart Worldadds new open-world features and multiplayer fun,Hyrule Warriorsoffers an experience I can really sink my teeth into. The game lets you dive into theZeldauniverse, with exciting combat, character growth, and a story that fits right into theZeldatimeline. For me,Mario Kart Worldjust doesn’t offer that same depth or connection. It’s a fun racing game, but it lacks the rich story and character growthZeldagames are known for.

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Why Hyrule Warriors Age Of Imprisonment Could Be An Amazing Switch 2 Exclusive

Mario Kart Isn’t The Only Worthy Nintendo Switch 2 Exclusive

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonmenthas the potential to be one of the best games for the Nintendo Switch 2. As a hugeZeldafan, I’m excited to see how this game explores theZeldauniverse and to learn more about these characters that I’ve grown up with.

What makesHyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonmentso exciting is the story. It dives deeper into Hyrule’s past, showing events that lead to the imprisonment of certain characters, and giving usmoreTears of the Kingdomlore. This look at theZeldalore adds new layers to the world we already love. Players will meet new characters and experience new parts of the story, while still enjoying familiar elements from theZeldaseries.

Zelda, Rauru, and the ancient sages in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamitybecame the best-sellingWarriorsgame of all time, shipping over 3 million copies worldwide in just four days. DLC for the game was released in 2021, including new playable characters and weapons for Link and Zelda.Age of Imprisonmentwill likely follow the same path.

If you’ve played otherHyrule Warriorsgames, you’ll recognize the basic gameplay. You control a character on a large map with thousands of enemies and allies. The goal is to use different attacks, combos, and special moves to defeat enemies and take control of the map. Each character has their own set of moves and weapons, which keeps the gameplay from getting boring.

Mario chasing his hat in Super Mario Odyssey.

So far,we’ve seen King Rauru, Mineru, and Zelda as playable characters, and expect even more to join the roster. The previous games also included RPG elements like leveling up characters and upgrading weapons, so we can expect that here too. It’s exciting, especially sinceAge of Imprisonmenttakes place shortly after the prologueofTears of the Kingdom.

Combat is one of the best parts ofHyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment. I love being able to control different characters and take down enemies. Thanks to the Switch 2’s power, the battles will be more intense and visually stunning than previousHyrule Warriorsgames.

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The game might also include new puzzle-solving elements fromTears of the Kingdom. There was a hint that we might be able to control a construct,andZelda appears to use the Recall ability. The game also promises to let players explore between battles, which is a nice touch for the adventure junkies among us.

Multiplayer options could makeHyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonmenteven more fun. With local and online multiplayer, players can team up to tackle big battles together, which would add a lot of replay value to the game.

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Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonmentlooks like it could be a standout title for the Nintendo Switch 2. With its exciting combat, deep story, exploration, and multiplayer features, this game has everything it needs to be a must-play for fans ofZeldaandWarriorsgames.

Mario Kart Isn’t The Only Great Nintendo Franchise

Nintendo Has A Lot Of Fun Franchises

Mario Kartmay be one of Nintendo’s most popular titles, but it’s far from the only franchise worth getting excited about on the Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo has a long history of creating fun and unique games, and there are plenty of other franchises that deserve attention.Kirby’sadventures are always fun, and then there’s the action-packed world ofDonkey Kong. Let’s not forget the fun that isPokémon. There is so much more to look forward to than just a racing game.

Nintendo Switch players will be getting a newKirbygame to look forward to. This could be a true contender toMario Kart, especially if you’re into the racing aspect.Kirby Air Riderstakes Kirby into a whole new adventure, combining his ability to float with flying and racing mechanics. I am not too big into Kirby myself, but I know many are, and this game is sure to appeal to both Kirby andMario Kartfans.

Nintendo Switch Poster

Another big return isDonkey Kong Bananza. We haven’t had a newDonkey Konggame in a hot minute, and I’m excited to see what this new game has in store. With classic jungle environments, tricky platforming, exciting combat, anddestructible environments, it’ll definitely hold its own.

Donkey Kong Bananza Looks Great, But Nintendo Should’ve Made Super Mario Odyssey 2

Nintendo Switch 2 missed an opportunity to give fans a new Super Mario Odyssey and instead focused on Donkey Kong Bananza, which is disappointing.

Fans ofPokémonwill be especially excited aboutPokémon Legends: Z-A, which is set to be released later. Next toZelda,Pokémonis my second favorite Nintendo franchise. The game will continue the open-world style ofPokémon Legends: Arceusand allow players to explore new regions, catch more Pokémon, and battle in a dynamic world. I can’t wait for this one, and fortunately, we won’t have to wait long after the Nintendo Switch 2 is released. It promises to be one of the most exciting titles in the series, with new features and improved graphics for the Switch 2.

Nintendo has plenty of amazing franchises, and each one brings something special to the table. WhileMario Kartis a fan favorite, it’s just one of many great games that make theNintendo Switch 2an exciting console for gamers. There’s truly something for everyone, and for me, personally, that something isHyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment.