Following a teaser trailer earlier this year, we’ve finally got all the key details surrounding the Nintendo Switch 2. The latest Nintendo Direct revealed all the information on the much-hyped console, including the Switch 2 release date, how the new Joy-Cons work, some launch titles, and what you can expect from the hardware. In this guide, we’ve got everything you need to know if, like us, you’ve been waiting for this moment for years.
For those who don’t know, it’s been seven years since the original Switch launched, and we’ve spent almost a year waiting for more details on this follow-up since Nintendo confirmed its existence in mid-2024. Now, the time is nearly upon us, so let’s catch you up on all the highlights and everything new we learned from the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Nintendo Switch 2:
When is the Nintendo Switch 2 release date?
The Nintendo Switch 2 release date is June 5, 2025. Considering we’ve spent the better part of the last two years trying to guess when the console might arrive, it’s a big relief to finally have a confirmed date for our calendars. If you want to secure a unit on the Switch 2 release date, we recommend looking out for pre-order links from this point onward.
When do Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders start?
Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders begin on April 9 in the US and April 8 in the UK, following the Nintendo Direct presentation that gave us a proper introduction to the console.
Where you go to pre-order your Nintendo Switch 2 depends on where you’re reading this from. In the US, we’re expecting Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, and plenty of other retailers to stock the much-hyped console and Mario Kart World bundle, as well as Nintendo itself. If you’re in the UK, you can keep an eye on Amazon, Curry’s, and Game pre-order details.
What is the Nintendo Switch 2’s price?
The Nintendo Switch 2 is launching at $449.99 / £395.99. If you want the Mario Kart World bundle, that’ll cost $499.99 / £429.99. Yes, that’s more expensive than the original Switch, but when you take into account global inflation, a higher demand than the original, and other factors, it doesn’t come as much of a shock.
Besides, the Nintendo Switch 2’s price is still cheaper than some of the other handheld offerings out there, such as the Asus ROG Ally X and the upcoming Lenovo Legion Go S, both of which are more than $700 if you want the best version.
What are the Nintendo Switch 2 launch titles?
During the Nintendo Direct presentation in April 2025, we learned that the Nintendo Switch 2 is launching with Mario Kart World, Deltarune, Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster, Hogwarts Legacy, Survival Kids, Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition, Hitman World of Assassination, Split Fiction, and more.
It’s a pretty exciting lineup, even if not all the new titles are that surprising. The new Mario Kart game makes the most sense, considering that Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was the best-selling title on the original Switch. However, this series entry marks the biggest change in its history, with up to 24 drivers in each race and a whole world of tracks to take on. Outside of Mario Kart World, there are a lot of exciting third-party games coming to Switch 2, most notably Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade and Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition.
As well as completely new games, we learned about Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games during the Direct presentation. Original Switch games, such as Mario Party Jamboree and Kirby and the Forgotten Land, will be getting Switch 2 Editions with new content and features in the future. There are two Switch 2 Edition games coming on launch day in the form of souped-up versions of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. I already can’t wait to visit Hyrule in glorious 4K, assuming it’s supported.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is also launching with the Nintendo Switch Online GameCube library, which includes iconic games such as The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Soulcalibur 2, and F-Zero GX, with more on the way. The GameCube games also have the option to change your control mapping, which is ideal, given that the original GameCube controller had a pretty funky layout.
Are the Nintendo Switch 2’s Joy-Cons different?
Yes, the Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Cons and the original’s detachable controllers are quite a bit different. For a start, the Switch 2’s Joy-Cons magnetically attach to the console, rather than relying on a rail system. They’re strong magnets, but there’s a button on the back to detach. The new Joy-Cons also have bigger analog sticks and SL and SR buttons.
As well as the attachment redesign for the Switch 2’s Joy-Cons, the controllers are now larger to fit the console’s bigger display and feature colorful flourishes on the attachment and underneath the joystick. The left-hand Joy-Con has baby-blue highlights, while the right-hand is a subtle orange.
Still, the biggest upgrade for the Switch 2 Joy-Cons is that you can use both the left and right controllers as you would a computer mouse in compatible games. This makes the console a better fit for point-and-click and strategy games. Trust me, I’ve played Civilization 6 on the Switch, and while it isn’t bad, it’d be a lot better if you could use a mouse rather than relying on button controls.
What are the Nintendo Switch 2 specs?
Despite Nintendo shedding more light on the Nintendo Switch 2, we still didn’t get loads of details on the console’s specs. This isn’t a surprise move from the Japanese gaming giant, as it often chooses to concentrate on the design of a console rather than the specific hardware inside. Fortunately, we did get a bit of new information regarding the display and storage.
The Switch 2 boasts an 8-inch HDR LCD screen, which is significantly bigger than the original’s 7.92-inch 1080p display, with support for 120 fps. It’s a bit of a disappointment that we’re not getting an OLED, as the Switch OLED is much nicer to look at than the original. Still, there’s always room for Nintendo to introduce an OLED model in the future, given that we’re pretty sure the Switch 2 is going to be a success.
The Switch 2 comes with 256GB of internal storage, which is a big jump from the original’s 32GB, but you can still bump up your storage with a microSD Express card. That means you won’t be able to use the same microSD you might have used to store your original Switch games, but you can transfer all your save data and digital games using your Nintendo account, thanks to a new system transfer feature.
To keep your device cool, the new Switch 2 dock has a built-in fan, and if you’re playing docked, you can bump up to 4K resolution in compatible games. Outside of that, it looks pretty similar to the original dock.
What does the Nintendo Switch 2’s C button do?
The Nintendo Switch 2’s C button opens GameChat, a new feature for the console. By pressing the button, you can enter a chat with your friends, which uses a microphone on the Switch 2 to communicate. You can also share your game screen from the GameChat menu, which should help in Mario Kart World if you’re trying to find out if any of your fellow racers are holding a blue shell.
Nintendo Switch 2 design explained
The Nintendo Switch 2 looks similar to the original, with detachable Joy-Con controllers on either side of the device’s screen. The biggest difference is that the Switch 2 is bigger than its predecessor, giving you more screen space for your favorite games.
The Switch 2 also features an extra USB-C port on the top of the device, which should make playing while you charge a little bit easier while offering a way to plug in the optional Switch 2 camera while your console is docked. The stand on the back of the Switch 2 is both stronger than the original and more flexible, giving you more angles to try out when you’re gaming. In general, the Switch 2 is a lot like its predecessor, with some design and quality-of-life updates to make it even more user-friendly.
Is the Nintendo Switch 2 backwards compatible?
Yes, the Nintendo Switch 2 is backwards compatible, supporting both digital and physical Nintendo Switch games. This is one of the few details we already knew going into the latest Nintendo Direct, with the Switch 2 reveal in January 2025 confirming backwards compatibility. There’s a slight catch, though. Not every single original Switch game is compatible, owing to some technical restraints, but we don’t have a full list of what won’t work at the time of writing.
Are there any Nintendo Switch 2 accessories?
What’s a console launch without a few accessories? During the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, we were introduced to a new Pro Controller, which looks like the original but with a headphone jack, the C button, and a couple of extra GL and GR buttons on the back. If you spend a lot of time playing in docked mode, it could be worth picking up the Pro Controller or, if you prefer it, the Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube controller.
There’s also the Nintendo Switch 2 camera, so you can appear on screen while using GameChat. The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition version of Super Mario Party Jamboree includes camera functionality, and we’re expecting to see more of the same in future games. You need a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to use the feature, and the camera accessory launches on the same day as the Nintendo Switch 2, so you can pick it up and play with your friends right away.
There’s our guide to everything we learned about the Nintendo Switch 2 from the April 2025 Nintendo Direct. If you want to make the most of the original Nintendo console before the follow-up arrives, be sure to check out our guide to the best Nintendo Switch games while you’re here. Or, if you’re looking for something old-school to go with your new Switch 2, see our picks for the best retro handhelds.
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