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There’s no stopping Nintendo’s momentum. Fresh off a Direct showcase last week, the gaming juggernaut is back with a one-hour presentation of all things Nintendo Switch 2, offering a closer look at the highly-anticipated console and its stacked lineup of next-gen titles. Most importantly, a release date was finally revealed: 5 June 2025, with pre-orders going live on 9 April.
First, a look at key specs. The device now sports a bigger screen, measuring 7.9 inches (versus 6.2 inches for the current model), but its thickness remains unchanged at 13.9mm. The LCD panel (sorry, OLED wanters) pairs a 1080p resolution with up to a 120Hz refresh rate, touting double the pixel density of the original console and HDR support. In docked mode, video output is capped at 4K resolution at 60 frames per second (FPS).
As previously teased in a first-look trailer released back in May, the new Joy-Con controllers connect to the main unit magnetically and can be detached by pressing the release button on the rear. Users can also expect bigger joysticks and SL/SR buttons, alongside mouse control and a ‘C’ button on the right Joy-Con that enables them to chat with up to 11 others, share their screen, or activate a video call with a separately sold Nintendo Switch 2 camera accessory or other compatible USB-C camera through the new GameChat online feature.
GameChat will be free for all owners until 31 March 2026, requiring a Nintendo Switch Online subscription for the long term. Separately, a new GameShare feature was also announced, allowing players to share a game with friends who don’t own a compatible title up to three systems at a time.
Back to mouse support, players will be able to slide the Joy-Cons across flat surfaces and use the analog sticks to left or right click as they would with a standard mouse. The controllers can even be used in two different modes simultaneously, with brief gameplay footage of Drag and Drive, styled as a three-on-three basketball game but on wheelchairs, demonstrating the full extent of their capabilities.
Additionally, the Nintendo Switch 2 will have red game cartridges and only works with microSD Express cards, so those used for the current console won’t be compatible. Other notable features include improved speakers with 3D audio, a new stand with adjustable viewing angles, two USB-C ports, an in-built mic, fan ventilation, and 256GB of internal storage.
Taking a leaf out of Astro’s Playroom‘s book, which served as a tech demo for the PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2: Welcome Tour offers players the opportunity to try out and better understand all the shiny new hardware. The online playtest game will be a paid digital-only release, available on the same day of launch on 5 June.
There was no word on pricing during the presentation, but the official press release confirms a US$449 price tag for the long-awaited successor, and US$499 for the Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart World Bundle. It is set to debut with a range of accessories, including a Switch Pro controller (US$79.99) boasting an audio jack, two new remappable back buttons, and the C button, a Nintendo Switch 2 Camera (US$49.99) to be used with GameChat, and the following:
- Joy-Con 2 (US$89.99)
- Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip (US$34.99)
- Joy-Con 2 Strap (US$12.99)
- Joy-Con 2 Wheel (US$19.99 for two)
- Nintendo Switch 2 Dock Set (US$109.99)
- Nintendo Switch 2 Carrying Case & Screen Protector (US$34.99)
- Nintendo Switch 2 All-In-One Carrying Case (US$79.99)
- Nintendo Switch 2 AC Adapter (U$29.99)
Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
With the extra horsepower packed into the next-gen console, some beloved titles are getting a graphical and performance boost. Super Mario Party Jamboree, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, and Pokémon Legends: Z-A will be available as Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games, complete with features that enhance the gameplay experience.
The Zelda duology, for instance, promise improved frame rates and resolution, alongside support for Zelda Notes – which offers navigation aid with voiced directions from the princess herself – via the Nintendo Switch app, while Super Mario Party Jamboree introduces two new modes tailored for the microphone use and mouse control. Similarly, the Switch 2 iteration of Kirby and the Forgotten Land ships with an exclusive DLC called Star-Crossed World, releasing on 28 August.
All six are available as standalone entries or upgraded from the standard edition by purchase an upgrade pack for a reduced price. After upgrading, the original Nintendo Switch title is still playable on the console, though the features and content of the Switch 2 Edition can only be enjoyed on the Switch 2.
Here’s the full list of release date, with more details listed on the company’s website:
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild + Tears of the Kingdom – launch title (5 June 2025)
- Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma – launch title
- Sid Meier’s Civilization 7 – launch title
- Tamagotchi Plaza – 27 June
- Shadow Labyrinth – 18 July
- Mario Party Jamboree + Jamboree TV – 24 July
- Kirby and the Forgotten Land + Star-Crossed World – 28 August
- Metroid Prime 4 Beyond – TBA 2025
- Pokemon Legends Z-A – TBA 2025
All Nintendo Switch 2 Titles + Exclusives
It’s games galore, as Nintendo certainly didn’t waste any time getting into the meat of things. From anticipated drops like Mario Kart World to a surprise entry from Dark Souls and Elden Ring studio FromSoftware, there was no shortage of buzz to soak in.
Mario Kart World kicked the Direct showcase off on a strong note, showcasing an open-world Free Roam mode, dynamic weather effects, a checkpoint race called Knockout Tour, a 24-driver race (the highest in series history), the addition of boats and snowmobiles, and new gameplay mechanics like wall-jumping. The party title will be available at launch, with further details coming by way of a dedicated Direct showcase on 17 April.
The Duskbloods wasn’t in our bingo cards, but we’ll gladly take it – especially with FromSoftware at the helm. Set to release in 2026, it represents the studio’s foray into player vs player vs enemy (PvPvE) territory, and is highly evocative of Bloodborne due to its gothic-flavoured styling.
An unexpected name on the list, Kirby Air Riders marks a return to the GameCube racing game Kirby Air Ride, and original director Masahiro Sakurai (otherwise also known as the creator of both Kirby and Super Smash Bros.) is back to lead development. The sequel will likely retain the same four-player racing format as before, and is scheduled to launch sometime in 2025.
The third Hyrule Warriors game is here, and it tells Zelda’s journey during the events of Tears of the Kingdom. Age of Imprisonment is due to bow in Winter 2025, with the trailer showing off her magic and the abilities of the other champions, alongside a glimpse of the remaining Sacred Stone wielders.
Smashing, crashing, and climbing is all in a day’s work for DK, who’s newly spiffed up in a new pair of paints and suspenders in Donkey Kong Bananza. While primarily a 3D platforming adventure, there seems to be some elements of side-scrolling, which should spice up gameplay for fans. It debuts on 17 July, nearly six weeks after the console’s launch.
Apart from the above exclusives, upcoming titles announced for the Nintendo Switch 2 include (sit tight, it’s a long list!):
- Hogwarts Legacy launch title (5 June)
- Cyberpunk 2077 – launch title
- Deltarune – launch title
- Fortnite – launch title
- Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion – 5 September
- Survival Kids – launch title
- Street Fighter 6 – launch title
- Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut – launch title
- Split Fiction – launch title
- Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster – launch title
- Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess – launch title
- Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S – launch title
- Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening – launch title
- Fast Fusion – launch title
- Arcade Archives 2: Ridge Racer – launch title
- Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army – 19 June
- Wild Hearts S – 25 July
- No Sleep for Kaname Date – From AI: The Somnium Files – 20 July
- Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar – 27 August
- Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 – Summer 2025
- Witchbrook – Holiday 2025
- Marvel Cosmic Invasion – Holiday 2025
- Elden Ring – TBA 2025
- Hades 2 – TBA 2025
- Hollow Knight: Silksong – TBA 2025
- EA Sports FC – TBA 2025
- Madden NFL 25 – TBA 2025
- Borderlands 4 – TBA 2025
- Goodnight Universe – TBA 2025
- Two Point Museum – TBA 2025
- Star Wars Outlaws – TBA 2025
- Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions – TBA 2026
- Reanimal – TBA 2025
- Professor Layton and the New World of Steam – TBA 2025
- Enter the Gungeon 2 – TBA
- Hitman: World of Assassination – TBA
- WWE 2K 25 – TBA
- NBA 2K 25 – TBA
- Human Fall Flat – TBA
Nintendo GameCube Games
In another win for nostalgia, three GameCube games will be available on Nintendo Switch 2 at launch via its online platform – The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Soulcalibur 2, and F-Zero GX. A brand-new controller with the GameChat-friendly C button was also announced, alongside confirmation of more classics to come soon.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
Kevin Low
