Nintendo Switch 2: Everything you need to know—and a little more

At the last Nintendo Direct, a lot of information was officially unveiled about the Nintendo Switch 2. At first glance, this may seem like an ordinary hardware upgrade, but if you delve into the details (which we’ll examine in depth in this article), it becomes clear that the Switch 2 is Nintendo’s most daring project since the Wii.

Nintendo aims for a future where a single platform can connect players into a whole ecosystem. And, although a few solutions look unconventional and some hardware unimpressive, it’s the beaten path for Nintendo that has led the company to breakthroughs in the gaming industry before.

Table of Contents

• Nintendo Switch 2 Launch Timeline
• Nintendo Switch 2 Cost and More
• Nintendo Switch 2 Specs
• Nintendo Switch 2 Games
• Welcome to the Nintendo Ecosystem
• Nintendo Switch 2 vs Nintendo Switch
• A Brief Look at Other Competitors
• Similarities to the Wii Era
• Late Entry into the Current Cycle: Why Now?
• TL;DR

Nintendo Switch 2 Launch Timeline

Nintendo officially presented a new console during Direct (April 2, 2025). Nintendo Switch 2 will launch globally on June 5, 2025, with pre-orders starting on April 9, 2025.

To reduce reselling, Nintendo implements a special anti-scalper plan. Pre-orders will be available only to owners of the original Nintendo Switch (or OLED model) with an active Switch Online Membership for “at least two years continuously by March 31, 2025” and other extra limitations.

Nintendo Switch 2 Experience is scheduled in various cities on different dates, where users can try the new console (registration is required via the Nintendo website, Nintendo Account is necessary), the full list is below.

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

Asia:

• Tokyo, April 26-27, 2025
• Seoul, May 31-June 1, 2025
• Hong Kong, TBA
• Taipei, TBA

Oceania:

• Melbourne, May 10-11, 2025

Nintendo Switch 2 Cost and More

The cost of the basic version will be 449.99$. It comes with:

• Nintendo Switch 2 Console
• Joy-Con 2 Controllers (L+R)
• Joy-Con 2 Grip
• Joy-Con 2 Straps
• Nintendo Switch 2 Dock
• Ultra High-Speed HDMI Cable
• Nintendo Switch 2 AC Adapter
• USB-C Charging Cable

For 499.99$ it will be possible to purchase a bundle with Mario Kart World (which costs 79.99$, so this bundle saves you 29.99$).

And prices on separate accessories are listed below:

• Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller—79.99$
• Joy-Con 2 Pair—89.99$
• Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip—34.99$
• Joy-Con 2 Strap—12.99$
• Joy-Con 2 Wheel Set—19.99$
• Nintendo Switch 2 Camera—49.99$
• Nintendo Switch 2 Dock Set—109.99$
• Nintendo Switch 2 Carrying Case & Screen Protector—34.99$
• Nintendo Switch 2 All-In-One Carrying Case—79.99$
• Nintendo Switch 2 AC Adapter—29.99$

Update note

April 4, 2025. Pre-orders for Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S. are postponed, as Nintendo adjusts pricing due to tariffs. The launch date hasn’t changed.

Nintendo Switch 2 Specs and More

Below are the main technical details of the Nintendo Switch 2 console. This information was officially confirmed during the Nintendo Direct on April 2, 2025.

Display:

• 7.9 inches LCD screen
• Same thickness as the Nintendo Switch
• 1080p with support up to 120 fps
• HDR support in some games

System:

• Significantly improved CPU and GPU performance over the original Switch
• Faster processing speed and loading times
• Improved and more detailed graphics
• DLSS support

Storage:

• 256 GB of internal storage
• Switch 2 will only use micro SD Express cards
• Regular microSD cards for the Nintendo Switch will not be compatible

Audio:

• Better sound quality in handheld mode
• Three-dimensional sound

Joy-Con 2:

• Precise mouse capabilities
• Attach via magnets to the console

Switch 2 Dock:

• 4K support (only for compatible titles)
• HDR support in TV mode
• In-built fan ventilation

Additional systems and software:

• GameShare (local game sharing)
• GameChat (Nintendo’s take on Discord)
• Virtual Game Cards (better game management and availability)

These points give an overview of how the Nintendo Switch 2 differs from its predecessor and competing consoles. But behind the dry facts lies a large-scale platform, and seems like Nintendo plans to implement a single ecosystem of services and exclusive titles.

Nintendo Switch 2 Games

A lot of games were announced and showcased, first-party and third-party exclusive to Nintendo games are listed below:

• Mario Kart World, 79.99$, June 5, 2025. Race across seamlessly connected tracks, with new Knockout Tour and Free Roam modes.
• Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV, 79.99$, July 24, 2025. The party gets bigger, with enhanced controls, new minigames, and camera-based modes.
• Donkey Kong Bananza, 79.99$, July 17, 2025. Smash, throw, and climb through a vast underground world in DK’s new 3D adventure.
• Kirby Air Riders, 2025. Kirby returns to the skies in this brand-new air-racing game directed by Masahiro Sakurai.
• The Legend of Zelda games – Nintendo Switch 2 Editions & ZELDA NOTES, June 5, 2025. Both Switch Zelda epics return with enhanced visuals, frame rates, and faster loading on Switch 2.
• Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World, August 28, 2025. Play a new story chapter and enjoy a smoother performance in Kirby’s upgraded adventure.
• Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, winter 2025. Discover the hidden battles of the Imprisoning War in this new Zelda spin-off.
• Drag x Drive, summer 2025. A fast-paced 3v3 racing battler where both Joy-Cons are used to steer and boost; a showcase of new Joy-Cons.
• The Duskbloods, 2026. A dark fantasy game with PvPvE focus from FromSoftware. Hidetaka Miyazaki looked “for a little multiplayer inspiration” in Escape from Tarkov.

Other supported games:

• ELDEN RING Tarnished Edition
• Hollow Knight: Silksong (release planned for 2025)
• Enter the Gungeon 2
• Hades II
• Street Fighter 6
• SPLIT FICTION
• Hogwarts Legacy
• Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4
• HITMAN World of Assassination – Signature Edition & Project 007
• DELTARUNE
• Borderlands 4
• Sid Meier’s Civilization VII – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
• STARSEEKER: Astroneer Expeditions
• Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition
• Human Fall Flat 2
• And many more, full list here.

A few words about backward compatibility, Nintendo announced support for some games from the first Switch, with the ability to purchase upgrade packs for other games (for example, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition). Not all games will be fully compatible.

Welcome to the Nintendo Ecosystem

If the original Switch is a universal play-anywhere console, then the Switch 2 goes even further—towards a larger ecosystem. Nintendo strives to make the console an integral part of gamers’ lives.

Nintendo Switch 2 GameShare

This is perhaps one of the most attractive features of the new Nintendo Switch 2 console. Nintendo has long been famous for local multiplayer sessions in various games, and GameShare enhances this aspect. Conditionally, if one person in the company owns a copy of the game, then others can join him and play without buying their own copy, even with the previous Switch. However, not all games will support this feature.

Nintendo Switch 2 GameChat

Modern gamers are used to voice chats in different apps and platforms, with Discord being the most popular today. Now Nintendo offers its own solution—a built-in voice and video service that is designed to replace third-party applications. Along with this, text channels and an optional camera (Nintendo Switch 2 Camera) for video chats will be available. It will only be available with a subscription—but if you use the Switch 2 regularly, you will likely already have it for plenty of other reasons.

Account system

Similar to the Nintendo Switch Online, the Switch 2 will offer more flexible pricing plans and, more importantly, a shared ecosystem of accounts. Games can be linked to an account, so switching to another device or even future revisions of the console will become easier.

Backward compatibility

Nintendo confirms that many games from the original Switch will be available on the new platform—partly through free updated editions, partly through the purchase of upgrade packs. Retaining a user base is an important part of the vision to create a continuous ecosystem.

Thus, the Switch 2 is not a simple successor to the old Switch, but an entry point into the updated Nintendo universe, where convenient services and social tools play almost as important a role as the games themselves.

Nintendo Switch 2 vs Nintendo Switch

Let’s look at what’s changed significantly in the new console compared to previous versions.

Display

• Size: from 6.2-inch LCD in original Switch and 7-inch in OLED model to 7.9-inch LCD in the Switch 2
• Now supports 120 fps and HDR in some games
• No OLED in the new console is a letdown

Display resolution

• Handheld: from 720p in old models to 1080p in Switch 2
• Docked: from 1080p to 4K

CPU/GPU/RAM

While both older models use the same NVIDIA Tegra X1 chip (in other words, the OLED model has no computing advantage over the original), the new console features a significantly upgraded CPU and NVIDIA GPU with dedicated RT Cores and Tensor Cores with more raw power, offering faster load times, smoother gameplay, and noticeably more detailed graphics (thanks to the DLSS support). Older consoles featured 4 GB of RAM, and there is no official information about the new console, but it’s definitely higher.

Storage

• Original: 32 GB
• OLED: 64 GB
• Switch 2: 256 GB

The new console supports only microSD Express cards, which means faster storage (close to SSD speed), but also drops compatibility with standard microSD cards used in previous Switch models.

Joy-Cons

Joy-Con 2 features magnetic attachment, additional mouse-style input, a redesigned shape, and a new “C” button for GameChat, while the original Joy-Con used rail-based locking and lacked other features. Legacy Joy-Con won’t work with Switch 2.

Battery life

The original Switch and the Switch OLED share similar battery performance (4-9 hours, depending on usage), while the Nintendo Switch 2 is approximately 2-6.5 hours. One more letdown.

Price

• Nintendo Switch: 299.99$
• Nintendo Switch OLED: 349.99$
• Nintendo Switch 2: 449.99$

Nintendo Switch 2 is a clear upgrade with better performance, visuals, and features that push the platform forward. However, the lack of an OLED display, incompatibility with older accessories, and worse battery may frustrate some users, especially for significantly higher cost.

A Brief Look at Other Competitors

While the Steam Deck and ROG Ally focus on delivering raw PC-level performance with full desktop operating systems, the Nintendo Switch 2 takes a different approach—offering a streamlined, console-first experience built around accessibility, exclusive titles, and social aspects. It may not compete on specs, but it wins on ease of use, battery life, and iconic Nintendo franchises.

That said, a lot of handheld devices still hold the advantage in versatility and game library breadth, supporting everything from AAA PC games to emulators, while Switch 2 carves its own path, rather than trying to be a portable PC.

Similarities to the Wii Era

One of the previous times Nintendo made a global shift was with the release of the Wii in 2006. The console positioned itself for a new audience, broke stereotypes about how games are played, and eventually captured the market due to its simplicity and focus on family and casual gaming.

In a sense, Switch 2 brings it back to the period when unexpected innovations caused the wow effect. Mouse-like magnetic Joy-Con 2 echoes the intuitive charm of the Wii Remote; GameShare brings back the social spirit of classics like Wii Sports (where one game was enough for a whole group); GameChat is another pleasant addition, but one is expected.

Nintendo continues to chart its own course, prioritizing new ideas and accessibility instead of chasing specs. Sony and Microsoft are betting on detailed graphics, high performance, and integration with subscription services—Nintendo is betting on social connections, portability, and unique ways to interact.

Late Entry into the Current Cycle: Why Now?

Since the 2020s, the console market has noticeably simplified and stabilized. Traditionally, success is determined by the number of exclusives, the level of console power, and a pricing policy. However, we are now past the midpoint of the current console cycle—both Sony and Microsoft are actively promoting subscription models, with mid-cycle upgrades already rolled out (PS5 Pro and the improved Xbox Series S).

In this context, the release of the Nintendo Switch 2 late in the current generation stands out as a bold and unconventional move. The release of a full-fledged new device from Nintendo has both risks and opportunities.

Risks

• Releasing a new console when competitors already have stable user bases—to face the simple question: “Why do we need another platform?”
• The price of 449.99$ goes far beyond the usual barrier of 300-350$, where early versions of the Switch and other portable hybrids usually resided
• Not all players are ready for the new microSD Express system, especially since the old microSD cards will not be suitable

Opportunities

• Features like GameShare and backward compatibility make the transition easier and simplify a lot of things for newcomers to get involved
• While Sony and Microsoft iterate on existing hardware, the launch of the Switch 2 opens the door for Nintendo to pursue something more radical

Market practice shows that it is in difficult conditions that Nintendo finds an approach that, at first glance, does not look logical, but then brings success. This was the case with both the Wii and the first version of the Switch.

TL;DR

At first glance, the Switch 2 seems like a logical continuation of the original Switch—slightly more powerful hardware (with DLSS doing the heavy lifting), a bigger screen, and new controllers. But it has the potential to be the beginning of a whole new chapter in the history of Nintendo.

Social focus

The availability of voice and video chat, GameShare, local and online multiplayer, and compatible game upgrades—all increase the value of the console.

Stable ecosystem

The service part (Nintendo Switch Online and various add-ons) no longer looks like a secondary option—now it’s a kind of end-to-end platform that allows gamers to save and drag their experiences between consoles and beyond.

Hardware flexibility

The ability to deliver 4K in dock mode and demonstrate up to 120 fps in 1080p in portable mode (but not in all games) is a synergy of performance and convenience. Nintendo is not catching up with Sony and Microsoft head-on, but it offers a unique combination of features and a flexible control system (Joy-Con 2).

Legacy

The history of Nintendo is full of examples of unexpected experiments that have become global phenomena. The Wii changed how we think about gameplay, the DS changed how we think about portable gaming, and the Switch showed that the hybrid format can be simply awesome. The Switch 2 continues this trend but in a more challenging market environment.

Given the rich line of starter titles and evolved social aspects (especially GameShare, revising the very principle of game ownership in favor of greater freedom and convenience), the Switch 2 may well become a console that will remain relevant for many years. Instead of aging generations, we get a second beginning.

Problems

But there are a few drawbacks in what could be a great release. Nintendo Switch 2’s design choice to exclude an OLED display may disappoint a lot of users. Reduced battery life is a significant drawback for a hybrid console.

But the biggest drawback of all is the price. 80$ for new games, even if justified by higher development costs and inflation, is still a psychological barrier for many users—and most aren’t ready to cross it yet. Yet above all, it’s the 449.99$ price point that raises the most eyebrows, and it will be even higher in the U.S. after the recent news.

Conclusion

Thus, the Nintendo Switch 2 is a platform that combines all the successful developments of the past with the technologies and services of the future. Based on Nintendo’s previous experience, we can expect this console to find its way to the hearts of millions of gamers around the world—if they can afford it. Otherwise, instead of repeating the success of the Wii, the Switch 2 might end up repeating the history of the Wii U.