Eight years after the Nintendo Switch console first launched, the following era is sort of right here – the Nintendo Switch 2.
Nintendo launched a primary look trailer on the Switch 2 in January 2025, however unnoticed some huge particulars – particularly the value, key specs and launch date. The Nintendo Direct crammed in these gaps, giving followers a radical concept of what to anticipate.
Pre-orders and now dwell within the UK and US, however the demand may be very excessive, and never everybody has secured a console simply but. Fortuitously, they received’t have to wait for much longer, as inventory hits shelves tomorrow.
Right here’s what you need to know in regards to the Nintendo Switch 2. Our Leisure Editor went arms-on with the console in Paris and obtained to expertise the brand new mouse mode on the Pleasure-Cons, the graphics and a few design tweaks that make it extra child-pleasant.
When will the Nintendo Switch 2 be launched?
Nintendo has confirmed that the Switch 2 will arrive on 5 June 2025.
The Switch Lite launched in September 2019, with the Switch (OLED) following in October 2021.
Nintendo
How a lot will the Nintendo Switch 2 value?
The Nintendo Switch 2 will value £395.99/$449.99 for simply the console, and £429.99/$499.99 for the Mario Kart World bundle – one of many launch titles.
For reference, the unique Nintendo Switch is priced at £259/$299, whereas the OLED model is £309/$349.
Whereas a worth improve on the earlier era just isn’t welcome information, the Switch 2 nonetheless undercuts another handheld rivals such because the Asus ROG Ally and the Steam Deck.
Nintendo
Can I pre-order the Switch 2?
Official Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders at the moment are dwell within the UK and US – they had been delayed in America due to the tariffs introduced by President Trump.
Each international locations have had inventory run out throughout quite a few retailers. Within the US, Walmart is constantly refreshing its inventory in waves, whereas Finest Purchase and Goal inventory will rely in your location. The official Nintendo retailer permits customers to register, however there’s no assure you’ll get a hyperlink.
If you’re within the UK, you can learn our information on how to pre-order the Nintendo Switch 2 for a full record of outlets.
Is there a trailer for the Nintendo Switch 2?
If you’d like a fast have a look at the console, there’s this two-minute trailer from January, which exhibits off some main design hauls, together with a bigger display screen, new Pleasure-Con controllers (one in a contemporary orange color), a U-formed kickstand and a brand new USB-C port:
What are the specs of the Switch 2?
- Bigger 7.9-inch LCD show
- Magnetic Pleasure-Cons
- New C button for GameChat
- 256GB price of storage
The Switch 2 is a bigger console than its predecessor, with a 7.9-inch show – the thickness stays the identical.
The bottom color is black, whereas the controllers provide a splash of color accents. The left is the enduring blue followers will know and love, whereas the appropriate is extra of a peachy orange somewhat than the standard pink.
There’s a way more versatile U-formed kickstand on the again and a brand new USB-C port on the highest of the console, permitting for gaming headsets to be plugged in whereas the console is docked… together with one other piece of {hardware} that relates to the model-new C button on the Pleasure-Con.
Nintendo
This button is used to activate GameChat, a function that permits up to 4 customers to join throughout gameplay, thanks to constructed-in microphones into the {hardware} with noise-cancelling expertise.
This can be utilized each when the console is docked, and in handheld mode. This function can be free to use till the top of March 2026 – after that, you’ll need a Nintendo Switch On-line Membership.
Customers don’t have to be enjoying the identical title when utilizing this function, they usually can choose to broaden their sport display screen on the show, with all the opposite gamers screens proven beneath.
To go with this function is a brand new Nintendo Switch digicam, so you can broadcast your personal feed alongside your voice to your family and friends. It will value additional, however we don’t know how a lot but. Parental controls will be enabled for GameChat by way of the accompanying app, ought to youngsters want to use this function.
Nintendo
The most important query on the specs stepping into April’s Nintendo Direct surrounded the show. We are able to now verify that this can be a 1080p panel, with double the pixels of the OG Switch. Sadly, the panel is LCD somewhat than OLED – however there’s HDR help. It helps up to 120fps, although this will not be in 4K output.
If you use headphones, then you can reap the benefits of enhanced encompass sound for a extra immersive expertise. There’s additionally a model new constructed-in fan to hold this heavier obligation console cool.
The Pleasure-Cons will connect magnetically somewhat than clicking into place, and can be utilized on their sides thanks to mouse help. New titles can be optimised for this function, together with the Switch 2 model of Tremendous Mario Social gathering Jamboree.
We additionally obtained agency affirmation that the console helps backwards compatibility for each digital and bodily Switch video games, so customers can proceed to play their outdated titles in the event that they improve to the brand new mannequin.
Nintendo additionally revealed digital sport playing cards, which permits customers to mortgage digital video games out to family and friends. GameShare can be utilized to share one sport between up to three different techniques, together with older Switch consoles, although solely choose titles can be supported.
The console has a powerful 256GB price of storage at launch for all of your titles – an enormous enchancment from the 32GB seen on the unique Switch. You’ll be able to broaden this, however you’ll need a microSD categorical card – not a normal microSD card.
An FCC submitting has additionally confirmed Wi-Fi 6 and NFC help, and sport playing cards can have sooner knowledge studying speeds.
Nintendo
On launch, customers may also have the ability to buy a brand new devoted Professional controller, in addition to a GameCube-type controller – each embrace that new C button for GameChat performance.
What launch video games are on the Nintendo Switch 2?
The ninth most important line sport within the Mario Kart collection was introduced – that is formally referred to as Mario Kart World. Gamers can drive off-street on this sport, and reap the benefits of a model-new knockout mode.
It will launch on the identical day because the Switch 2.
Nintendo
Each Metroid Prime 4 and Pokémon Legends: Z-A will launch on each the unique Switch and the Switch 2.
Kirby Air Riders can be a model-new title for the Switch 2, as will Donkey Kong Bananza and Hole Knight Silk Tune.
The Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is a digital information that explores a number of the new options particular to this console, such because the mouse management.
There may also be devoted Switch 2 variations of current titles with enhancements. This contains Tremendous Mario Social gathering Jamboree which has three new modes: Mario Social gathering Mode and Bowser Reside Mode that work in tandem with the brand new digicam, and Carnival Coaster, which takes benefit of the brand new mouse mode for the Pleasure-Cons.
Nintendo
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is one other sport that can be tailored for the Switch 2, with improved graphics and a brand new Zelda Notes app that can be utilized to navigate the map and share customized creations resembling autos with pals.
If you already personal any of those video games, then you should purchase an improve pack – no costs had been revealed at launch for this.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment may also be coming to the Switch 2, which ties into the story of Tears of the Kingdom.
Third-get together video games coming to the Switch 2 embrace Elden Ring Tarnished Version, Hades 2, Avenue Fighter 6 and Hitman: World of Assassination.
Xbox CEO Phil Spencer confirmed in late January that Xbox ports can be on the Switch 2 on Gamertag Radio with the next quote: “I’m actually wanting ahead to supporting them with the video games that we now have, and I simply assume they’re such an vital a part of this business”.
Sadly, no details about the following Animal Crossing sport was confirmed, regardless of there being a 5-yr hole since New Horizons.
