With Nintendo's April 2 direct display, we're now more informed about the Switch 2 now, including release date (June 5) and price ($450!).
Thanks to Nintendo's January 16 trailer, we've long known what the Switch 2 looks like, and it's coming in 2025 – within eight years of its predecessor. The Nintendo Switch 2 looks very similar to the original system, despite the larger display, magnetic joy instrument and a sleeker design. The company also reiterated that the upcoming console will be compatible with switch games.
Want to catch up with all the information we know about Switch 2? read.
What are the main new features of the Nintendo Switch 2?
Display and dock
The Nintendo Switch 2 has a 1080p 7.9-inch display with 120Hz refresh and HDR compatibility. When docked, it also supports up to 4K output at 120Hz (with variable refresh rate).
Joy-Con and Pro Controller
The new Joy-Con of the Nintendo Switch 2 connects them magnetically with buttons. They have larger SL and SR buttons (the ones hidden when connecting to Joy-Con), making it more feasible to play multiplayer on a Joy-Con. The simulation stick is no longer a tiny chunk and is closer to the stick you might find on a PS5 or Xbox controller. They have what Nintendo calls “HD Rumble 2” built in, which seems to be an improvement on the original (and still very good) vibration capabilities. Finally, each Joy-Con has an optical sensor that allows you to use it as a mouse and a C button that we will do in one minute.
The new professional controller for the Nintendo Switch 2 comes with everything you expect, based on the refreshed Joy-Con: HD Rumble 2 and C buttons. There are also re-enabled GL/GR buttons on the back, as well as a standard audio jack for connecting the headphones.
Both options come with built-in Amiibo support. The Switch 2 comes with two Joy-Cons with your expectations, and the extra Pairs are priced at $90. The professional controller costs $80.
Button C stands for “Chat”
The new C button is a dedicated method for entering a chat session with friends. In addition to the voice chat you expect, Nintendo has built a Discord-like video sharing feature that allows you to show others how to play the game and see other people’s screens while playing the game.
The chat function can be used with the host's built-in microphone, although headphones are also supported. Nintendo will also sell a $50 camera that plugs into a USB-C port on the top of the console, which will allow you to stream your face with the game.
GameCube Support
Switch 2 will be used with GameCube games through the Nintendo Switch online expansion pack. The three titles available at launch will be F-Zero GX,,,,, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind and Soul Karipur II.
Improved specifications
Perhaps the biggest feature, though, is what you don't see: The Switch 2 has a brand new processor and GPU, and has more storage (256GB vs. 64GB in the Switch OLED), as well as support for faster, more spacious microSD cards. Obviously, this will lead to better first-party gaming and upgraded switch experiences, but more importantly, it means that multi-platform games that have to skip the original, under-functioning switches will be able to port out. With games like Cyberpunk 2077 entering Switch 2 at launch, it seems like a more viable port than the original console.
Another major improvement is the form of the network – Switch 2 supports WiFi 6, which will increase the speed of the original regular glacier downloads. Likewise, the new dock has a rock connection with Ethernet ports.
How much does the Nintendo Switch 2 cost?
The Nintendo Switch 2 will be used standalone for $450, or for $500, with a digital copy of the new Mario Kart game, Mario Karting world. This is much more expensive than the original switch, which was launched for $300 and has remained expensive since then. It is also more expensive than the entry-level current live gaming consoles from Sony and Microsoft.
This comparison looks a little better than Valve's Steam Deck, which costs $400 for the LCD model and $550 for the base OLED model. Steam decks are more affordable than most PC handheld boards.
When will the Nintendo Switch 2 come out?
June 5, 2025.
When will you open your reservation for the Nintendo Switch 2?
Bookings will begin on April 9 from a variety of retailers and Nintendo itself.
How long will the Switch 2 battery last?
Nintendo said Switch 2 will last between 2 and 6.5 hours. This is similar to the original switch, which is rated at 2.5-6.5 hours, although later revisions have greatly increased the number. Company Warning "This time it's an estimate…battery life will depend on the game you play and usage conditions."
When can I try Nintendo Switch 2?
Nintendo plans a roadshow worldwide to enable gamers to practice hands-on with the console. These events began in New York and Paris from April 4 to 6, and other events took place over the next two months.
Many ticket registrations for the Nintendo Switch 2 experience event are closed, but waitlists are available. However, given that Nintendo is doing it on a first come first served basis, if you don’t have a ticket yet (or unless you sign a waitlist right away), your chances of going to the roadshow seem to be small.
The complete list of Nintendo Switch 2 experience dates is as follows:
North America:
-
New York, April 4-6, 2025
-
Los Angeles, April 11-13, 2025
-
Dallas, April 25-27, 2025
-
Toronto, April 25-27, 2025
Europe:
-
Paris, April 4-6, 2025
-
London, April 11-13, 2025
-
Milan, April 25-27, 2025
-
Berlin, April 25-27, 2025
-
Madrid, May 9-11, 2025
-
Amsterdam, May 9-11, 2025
Oceania:
-
Melbourne, May 10-11, 2025
Asia:
-
Tokyo (Makuhari), April 26-27, 2025
-
Seoul, May 31 to June 1, 2025
-
Hong Kong, announced
-
Taipei, announced
Is Nintendo Switch backward compatible?
Nintendo confirmed in November 2024 that the Nintendo Switch 2 will be backward compatible. It will also access Nintendo online, so users will be able to play all these old retro games.
In the initial Nintendo Switch 2 press release, Nintendo reiterated that physical and digital switch games will be used on new systems. However, it points out "Some Nintendo Switch games may not support Nintendo Switch 2 or are fully compatible." Now, thanks to the Nintendo of the Guide, we now have more information on which games are running.
As of April 1, the vast majority of Switch 2 games are marked as compatible, but many popular games are said to have some problems. Nintendo marked most of them “investigated”, which suggests that the solution may be launched in time. Nintendo said it is manually testing each switch game for compatibility.
Only one title is marked as incompatible: Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 04: VR Kit. This is part of the Nintendo Labo game series that Nintendo uses with cardboard accessories, and because the Switch 2 is not suitable for Switch 2 on VR headsets, it is incompatible.
Will the old game be enhanced in any way?
Frankly, the original switches have a hard time running some late software that falls on Parker. Can these games be enhanced to take advantage of the Switch 2's horsepower increase? This is not clear yet. Nintendo said in its “Ask Developer” page on its website that the old games are working through a live translation system, which sounds similar to how Rosetta allows modern Macs to run older software. That being said, the new and old switches are closer in hardware than this.
In the same developer interview, it was said that in compatibility testing of old games, there were occasions where “loading time gets faster, or game performance gets more stable”, but other than that, we have no details.
In addition to backward compatibility, Nintendo offers premium “Switch 2 Edition” upgrades to upgrade some games that improve resolution and frame rates, and (in some titles) certain bonus features and content. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond There will be 4K/60 and 1080p/120 options on switch 2.
For two mainline Zelda games, these games will be free to replace online expansion pack members, while others will be upgraded. So far, the game has confirmed that there is a Switch 2 version that includes:
-
Super Mario Party Jamboree
-
The Legend of Zelda: Breathing in the Wild
-
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
-
Kirby and the Forgotten Land
-
Pokémon Legend: ZA
-
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
Nintendo didn't say how much it would cost to get a paid upgrade.
What will the ink cartridge taste like?
You may remember that the original switch cartridge tasted absolutely horrible. This is intentional, preventing people from putting the game in their mouths. Will the successor follow suit and continue to immerse himself in the bitter coating of the smelly smell? Only time will prove it.
What is a launch game?
We expect this list to change significantly in the coming weeks and months, but the currently confirmed title will be available on day one:
-
Arcade Archives 2 Ridge Racer
-
Brave Default: Flying Fairy Tale HD Repairer
-
Cyberpunk 2077
-
Triangle star
-
Quick integration
-
Fortnite
-
Killer: Assassination World
-
Hogwarts Legacy
-
kunitsu-gami: Goddess's Road
-
Mario Karting World
-
Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
-
Puyo Puyo Tetris 2s
-
Split novel
-
Street Fighter 6
-
Survival children
-
Yakuza 0: Director's cut
This is what we know about the Nintendo Switch 2 today. We will update this article with any information that can be collected directly from the source. Any changes made to the article after this article was initially published will be listed below.
Updated, January 24, 2025, 12:36 PM ET: This story has been updated to include speculation about price, potential game enhancements and cartridge taste.
Updated, February 5, 2025, 9:30 AM ET: The story has been updated to point out when Nintendo Direct will launch on April 2.
Updated, February 24, 2025, 12:30 ET: The story has been updated to include speculation about storage and information about the new MicroSD Express standard.
Updated, March 6, 2025, 2:30 PM ET: The story has been updated to point to recent FCC files to indicate the presence of Wi-Fi 6 and NFC support.
Updated, March 14, 2025, 12:15 PM ET: This story has been updated to include analyst pricing and sales speculation.
Updated, March 20, 2025, 12:45 PM ET: Updated to include notes on the Seattle New Jersey patch for Nintendo and Switch 2.
Updated, March 27, 2025, 3:50 pm ET: Updated to add details about the C button, Nintendo today! and virtual game cards.
Updated, April 1, 2025, 10:16 AM: Updated to add details about the link to the live stream and its length.
Updated, April 2, 2025, 4:40 PM ET: Added details of the April 2 Nintendo Direct event, including specifications, price, release date and release title.
Jeff Dunn contributed to the report.
This article originally appeared on Engadget
