The gaming world is buzzing with excitement as Nintendo has officially revealed the long-anticipated Nintendo Switch 2. The next-gen console is set to launch globally on June 5, 2025, with a starting price of $449.99. Nintendo’s new hybrid console brings major hardware and feature upgrades while maintaining backward compatibility with the original Switch game library.
The Switch 2 features a larger 7.9-inch 1080p LCD display capable of running at 120 frames per second. It retains the beloved hybrid functionality—operating both as a handheld and docked system—but now adds more processing power, upgraded controllers, and expanded storage. The Joy-Con controllers attach magnetically and now include a new “C” button that activates GameChat, Nintendo’s built-in voice and screen-sharing platform.
Nintendo also confirmed the inclusion of 256GB of internal storage and support for 4K resolution when docked. The console introduces an improved microphone, supports split-screen online multiplayer, and will be compatible with a new external camera accessory for livestreaming gameplay. Launch titles include Mario Kart World, which supports up to 24 players, and Street Fighter 6, among others.
Everything You Need to Know About Nintendo’s Next-Gen Console
The Nintendo Switch 2 has finally been revealed, and it’s not just a minor refresh—it’s a bold leap forward that blends everything fans loved about the original with the power and polish needed for the modern era of gaming. Here’s a breakdown of the most exciting details.
Release Date and Pricing
The Nintendo Switch 2 launches globally on June 5, 2025, and it starts at $449.99. For those looking to get even more out of the box, a premium bundle including Mario Kart World will retail for $499.99. Pre-orders are expected to open in mid-April, with strong demand already surging online.
Bigger, Faster, Smarter
Nintendo has clearly been listening. The Switch 2 upgrades nearly every aspect of the original console:
- Display: A larger 7.9-inch LCD screen now offers 1080p resolution and a buttery-smooth 120Hz refresh rate, a massive leap from the 60Hz cap of its predecessor. Whether you’re playing in handheld mode or docked, visuals are clearer and more vibrant than ever.
- Performance: Docked gameplay now supports 4K output at 60fps, made possible by upgraded internals. Nintendo hasn’t officially detailed the exact chipset, but it’s confirmed to be a custom Nvidia solution that vastly outpaces the original’s Tegra X1.
- Storage: With 256GB of internal storage, there’s finally room for more than a handful of AAA titles. It’s a major quality-of-life improvement that addresses one of the biggest complaints from longtime Switch owners.
Redesigned Joy-Cons with Magnetic Snap-On and a New “C” Button
The Joy-Con controllers have been reimagined. Gone are the rail-based attachments—they now snap onto the system magnetically, which feels more natural and secure. The layout is also more ergonomic, and there’s a new “C” button designed specifically to launch GameChat, a built-in platform for voice and video chat.
In tabletop mode, the Joy-Cons can now function as a mouse-like pointer, ideal for strategy games or creative tools. They still detach for co-op play, but the build quality feels more solid, with drift issues hopefully a thing of the past.
GameChat, Microphone, and Camera: A Social Gaming Leap
For the first time ever, Nintendo is bringing fully integrated voice and video chat to its console. GameChat is built directly into the Switch 2 OS. With an upgraded microphone and support for livestreaming via a new external camera accessory, Switch 2 isn’t just a gaming machine—it’s a content creation device.
This also means split-screen online multiplayer is now supported, something that wasn’t possible on the original hardware. Up to 24 players can compete simultaneously in Mario Kart World, thanks to the faster hardware and better network features.
Backward Compatibility and Enhanced Editions
One of the biggest sighs of relief from fans: the Switch 2 fully supports backward compatibility. Your existing library of Switch games will run on the new console, but several of Nintendo’s flagship titles are also getting upgraded editions that tap into the console’s full capabilities.
Expect Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom, and other legacy titles to run at higher resolutions, with improved textures, frame rates, and loading times.
First Wave of Launch Titles
Nintendo isn’t holding back when it comes to games. Confirmed titles for launch or the immediate release window include:
- Mario Kart World – Featuring dynamic weather, global tournaments, and 24-player races.
- Street Fighter 6 – Fully optimized for Switch 2 with cross-platform play.
- Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment – A new Zelda-themed hack-and-slash spinoff.
- Super Mario Galaxy 3 – Rumored for late 2025, bringing back the beloved space-platforming gameplay.
The Bigger Picture: Nintendo’s Strategy
Unlike Sony and Microsoft, Nintendo isn’t chasing the highest specs or pushing into cloud gaming territory. Instead, the Switch 2 doubles down on what makes Nintendo… well, Nintendo: charming exclusives, unique hardware, and family-friendly innovation.
With mobile gaming and streaming dominating headlines, Nintendo is betting on a dedicated console with character—and it’s working. The original Switch sold over 150 million units, making it one of the most successful systems in gaming history. The Switch 2 is built to continue that legacy, not disrupt it.
Overall
This isn’t just another iteration. The Switch 2 is shaping up to be Nintendo’s most ambitious console yet, offering serious improvements while keeping the magic and flexibility that made the original so beloved. From 4K output and 120Hz handheld play to native voice chat and massive multiplayer support, it feels like Nintendo has finally brought the Switch into the current generation—on its own terms.
The countdown to June 5 is officially on.
Everything We Know About Switch 2
Release Date and Price:
- The Nintendo Switch 2 will launch on June 5, 2025, with a suggested retail price of $449.99 in the United States.
- Pre-orders will begin on April 9, 2025, through participating retailers in North America.
- A Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle will also be available on launch day for $499.99, including the console and a download code for the game.
Key Features and Specifications:
- Larger Screen: The new console features a larger 7.9-inch LCD screen with a resolution of 1080p. It also supports up to 120Hz refresh rates and HDR on a per-game basis.
- Improved Performance: While specific details about the CPU and GPU weren’t fully disclosed, Nintendo emphasized the expanded processing capability, allowing for new types of gameplay. It is speculated to use an Nvidia chip derived from an automotive ASIC, potentially related to their RTX 30-series GPUs.
- Increased Storage: The internal storage has been significantly upgraded to 256 GB.
- Memory Card: The console will use MicroSD Express memory cards for faster data transfer speeds, although older microSD cards will not be compatible.
- Dock: The new dock will support 4K output to TVs and includes a cooling fan.
- Redesigned Joy-Con Controllers (Joy-Con 2):
- They attach magnetically for easier detachment.
- The control sticks are larger, more durable, and offer smoother movement.
- The controllers themselves are slightly larger to match the console.
- They now feature “mouse” functionality.
- New Accessories: A new camera will be available that plugs into the USB-C port. The console also has a new adjustable kickstand.
New Games and Software:
- Mario Kart World: This will be a launch exclusive, featuring a vast, interconnected world where players can drive “virtually anywhere,” even off-track.
- Donkey Kong Bananza: Set to release on July 17, 2025, this game allows players to destroy the environment with Donkey Kong’s strength.
- The Duskbloods: A brand-new multiplayer title from FromSoftware (creators of DARK SOULS and ELDEN RING), exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2, launching next year.
- Hades II: The sequel to the popular rogue-like dungeon crawler will come to both Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, taking advantage of the new system’s higher-definition display and aiming for 60 frames per second.
- Kirby Air Riders: A new title originating from the GameCube classic, directed by Masahiro Sakurai, is slated for release in 2025.
- EA SPORTS Madden NFL and EA SPORTS FC, as well as NBA 2K and WWE 2K, are all confirmed to be coming to the Nintendo Switch 2.
- Nintendo Switch Online Enhancements:
- The service will be renamed Nintendo Switch App.
- GameChat will be available for compatible Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 exclusive games (no app required on Switch 2). A GameChat Open-Access Period will run until the end of March 2026, not requiring a Nintendo Switch Online membership.
- Nintendo Classics will now include Nintendo GameCube games for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members, with titles like The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, F-ZERO GX, and SOULCALIBUR II coming soon.
- Upgrade packs for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom will be available at no additional cost for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members on Switch 2, granting access to the “Nintendo Switch 2 Editions” of these games.
- A new app feature called ZELDA NOTES will support players in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition.
- Users will be able to access their most recent 100 screenshots and video captures via the updated app.
Backward Compatibility:
- While not all original Switch games will be compatible, a subset will be playable on the new console.
Overall, today’s Nintendo Direct provided a comprehensive look at the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, highlighting its enhanced hardware, new features, and a strong lineup of both new and returning game franchises.
Key Takeaways
- Official release date: June 5, 2025, starting at $449.99
- 7.9-inch 1080p LCD display with 120Hz refresh rate
- New GameChat feature with integrated voice and screen share
- Magnetic Joy-Con controllers and new “C” button
- Backward compatibility with existing Switch games
- Mario Kart World and Street Fighter 6 confirmed as launch titles
Core Specifications of Nintendo Switch 2
The Nintendo Switch 2 brings meaningful upgrades to display, performance, and user experience. It runs on upgraded Nvidia hardware with improved processing for larger game worlds, smoother gameplay, and more immersive multiplayer.
Display and Performance
The console’s 7.9-inch screen supports 1080p resolution and 120Hz refresh rate, offering ultra-smooth visuals in handheld mode. When docked, it can output in 4K resolution, making it the first Nintendo console to do so. The Joy-Cons magnetically attach to the main unit and now feature mouse functionality for certain games and modes.
GameChat and Microphone Upgrades
One of the biggest new additions is GameChat—a voice chat and screen-sharing platform built directly into the console’s interface. With the new “C” button on Joy-Cons, players can quickly access voice chat, eliminating the need for external apps. The improved microphone also enables in-game voice features and livestream interactions via a new camera accessory.
Storage, Backward Compatibility, and Online Play
The Switch 2 includes 256GB of internal storage, a massive upgrade from the original’s 32GB. It supports all existing Switch game cartridges and digital purchases. Nintendo also confirmed enhanced online features, including simultaneous split-screen play over the internet and upgraded performance for retro titles on Nintendo Switch Online.
Confirmed Launch Games
Mario Kart World headlines the Switch 2 launch lineup, bringing 24-player racing and dynamic weather to the franchise for the first time. Street Fighter 6 is also confirmed for release on day one. Nintendo teased enhanced versions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, optimized for Switch 2’s improved hardware.
A New Chapter for Nintendo
Nintendo’s decision to focus on innovation, portability, and its exclusive franchises continues to pay off. Despite market trends leaning toward cloud streaming and multi-platform services, Nintendo’s unique hardware and approach remain highly profitable and widely beloved. The Switch 2 looks to build on the hybrid success of its predecessor while adding key features modern gamers demand.
