$450 Nintendo Switch 2 drops June 5, Preorders available April 9

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Summary

At its recent Direct event, Nintendo announced the Switch 2 will launch on June 5, 2025.
The Switch 2 will cost $450, with preorders starting next week on April 9.
Mario Kart World is an exclusive launch title for the Switch 2, and will be bundled with the console at launch.

Nintendo fans, the moment you’ve been patiently waiting for has finally arrived.

At its recent Direct event, Nintendo officially announced that the Switch 2 will launch on June 5, 2025. Nintendo said more information, presumably about its price and pre-order dates, will be revealed “later today,” however in a press release it was revealed that the base model will cost $450, and pre-orders will be available next week, on April 9.

Nintendo showed off some exciting upgrades the Switch 2 has over its predecessor, such as a larger 7.9-inch 1080p LCD display, 256GB of internal storage, and new Joy-Con controllers that magnetically attach to the console. Mario Kart World was revealed as an exclusive launch title for the Switch 2. Nintendo’s hour-long Direct 2 was filled with tons of information, so let’s dive into it.

We finally know what the Nintendo Switch 2 C button does

All about the Nintendo Switch C button.

New features coming to Switch 2

A new C button for GameChat was revealed, and the Switch 2 camera

Nintendo

The Switch 2 features a 7.9-inch LCD display with a 1080p resolution, a significant upgrade from the Switch 1, which has a 6.2-inch LCD screen with a 720p resolution. Additionally, the Switch 2 includes a dock that connects the console to your TV, allowing it to upscale compatible Switch games to 4K. In contrast, the Switch 1 could only play games at 1080p on TVs, marking a substantial improvement in graphics fidelity for many users, especially as 4K TVs have become increasingly dominant and more affordable over the last few years.

Nintendo has redesigned the Joy-Cons for the Switch 2, which magnetically attach to the console instead of sliding on. Both Joy-Cons also support mouse controls, enabling you to use them like a computer mouse in select games. Nintendo also showcased the Joy-Con’s new C button, which allows players to activate GameChat, enabling users to communicate with friends and family while playing a game.

A microphone is built into the Switch 2 console that can pick up your voice from a distance. You can use GameChat in handheld mode, and you can even share your screen with friends while playing. Nintendo also revealed the Switch 2 camera (sold separately), allowing you to video chat with friends while gaming. Nintendo states that a Switch Online membership will eventually be required to use GameChat, but it will be free for all users until March 31, 2026.

This $40 HDMI accessory saved my sanity

Who knew this tiny, relatively cheap device could solve all of my TV connection woes?

The Switch 2 has three different game types

Enhanced versions of Breathe of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom are coming to the Switch 2

Nintendo

The Switch 2 features three game types: Nintendo Switch 2 games, compatible Nintendo Switch games, and Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games. Switch 2 games are exclusive titles for the Switch 2, such as Mario Kart World. Compatible Nintendo Switch games include any older Switch 1 titles that will work on the Switch 2. Finally, Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games consist of remastered Switch 1 titles designed for the Switch 2, offering higher frame rates and improved visuals, like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.

Nintendo showcased a range of third-party games coming to the Switch 2, including Split Fiction, Hades 2, Elden Ring, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 and 4, Borderlands 4, Civilization 7, Cyberpunk 2077, and many more. FromSoftware, the developers behind Elden Ring and Dark Souls, announced The Duskbloods, a new title set to release exclusively on the Switch 2 in 2026.

Nintendo also revealed that GameCube titles will make their way to the Switch 2 through its online Nintendo Switch membership. Classics like The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Soulcalibur II, and F-Zero GX will be available. Additionally, a Nintendo GameCube Controller for the Switch 2 will be released on June 5.