The day is finally here! Nintendo fans have been begging to learn more about the successor to the Switch ever since the device was rumoured to be real. Notoriously tight-lipped Nintendo was reluctant to even acknowledge the rumours, only finally announcing the Nintendo Switch 2 on January 17, 2025. The announcement on Nintendo(dot)com reads simply, “Nintendo Switch 2 to be released in 2025.”
That one sentence leaves a lot to the imagination.
What will the price be?
What are the technical specs of this new device?
What games will be available at launch?
More importantly, when can we play it?!
The answer is this Summer, June 5, 2025!
Here is a summary of what was shown over the approximately 60 minute presentation:
Mario Kart World:
Launching exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2 day one!
Knockout Tour mode has racers going from one race to the other in one long match.
Free Roam mode will allow players to race, explore, and even snap photos with each other.
THE C BUTTON
Finally the mystery is revealed! The C button will be used to access Game Chat!
Players can chat with friends using the microphone located at the top of the Switch tablet. Nintendo claims that although the mic may be across the room from the player, the microphone will be able to pick out chat from regular house noise.
A Nintendo Switch 2 Camera is available to bring Game Chat to the next level. The camera can be used alone or displayed on top of the players screen, because there is also the Game Screen Sharing!
Game Chat will require the user to have a Nintendo Online Membership, although that requirement will not come into effect until March 31, 2026. The parental control app can be used to restrict Camera use.
Game Share support will be included to allow players to share a multiplayer experience with a friend as if they were on the couch beside you. This is promised to be a feature for many (but not all) Switch 2 titles in the future.
Hardware:
The Switch 2 will be slightly larger than the first. 7.9 inches wide, vs 6.2 original Switch.
1080p – 120 Frames Per Second. HDR support.
Joy Con 2 connects to the tablet with magnetic locking to improve comfort. The left and right thumbsticks, and the SL & SR buttons have been made bigger. Both Joy Cons will support a mouse mode.
3D audio support for headphones.
A larger and more stable kickstand.
Two USB-C ports! One for charging and the other on top ro connect the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera.
256GB internal storage. The data transfer speed is also improved.
The Switch 2’s dock has an integral fan to support prolonged use in TV-mode.
Nintendo Switch 2 will use a new form of Game Cards. They are the same size and shape but are much faster than the originals. For storage, there are new Micro SD Express cards. These are also much faster, meaning those old cards will not be compatible.
New Nintendo Switch 2 Pro controller will feature the new C button as well as two new programmable buttons on the underside.
Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour has been introduced. This will be available as a paid digital program. This is a space to learn about the new functions and how to use them.
New Features:
Nintendo Switch Smart app is a game-specific tool for extra guidance on some of the Switch’s updated titles.
Mouse Controls can be used as an option for players that elect to wave their arms around instead of using the thumbsticks. This was shown on Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, easing the concerns around how that game will handle. Dual Mouse Controls can be used is specific games as well!
Gaming on Nintendo’s next Generation
Nintendo Switch 2 upgrade packs can be purchased to update the original Switch titles you already own.
The Nintendo Switch 2 will be getting some major games on the stronger hardware!
Elden Ring Tarnished Edition
Hades 2
Street Fighter 6
Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion
Split Fiction
EA Sports FC
Madden NFL
Hogwarts Legacy
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4
Hitman World of Assassination
Project 007 (IO Interactive’s on-going development)
Yakuza 0: Directors Cut
Nintendo Switch Online Subscription:
Will now include select Nintendo Gamecube titles!
Titles shown off include:
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker (Finally on Switch!)
Super Mario Sunshine
Fire Emblem Path of Radiance
Pokemon XD Gale of Darkness
Super Mario Strikers
Chibi Robo
Luigi’s Mansion
Pokemon Colosseum
& more to be announced.
A wireless GameCube controller is also available on day one. It even includes the new C button!
Just Announced:
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment! A prequel to Tears of the Kingdom.
Third Party Publisher Announcements:
Borderlands 4 will be coming to the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025!
A new version of Civilization 7 will be available when the Switch 2 releases.
Cyberpunk 2077 is coming to Nintendo as well!
Survival Kids (NS2 Launch Day)
Kunitsu Gami: Path of the Goddess (NS2 Launch Day)
Hollow Knight Silksong (2025)
Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar (August 27, 2025)
Goodnight Universe (2025)
Two Point Museum (2025)
Wild Hearts S July 2 (July 25, 2025)
Witchbrook (Holiday 2025)
Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S (NS2 Launch Day)
Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma [NS2 Edition] (NS2 Launch Day)
MARVEL Cosmic Invasion (Holiday 2025)
Star Wars Outlaws (2025)
NOBUNAGA’S AMBITION: Awakening Complete Edition (NS2 Launch Day)
Fast Fusion (NS2 Launch Day)
Shadow Labyrinth [NS2 Edition] (July 18, 2025)
RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army (June 19, 2025)
No Sleep For Kaname Date – From AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES (July 25, 2025)
REANIMAL (2025)
FORTNITE (NS2 Launch Day)
Arcade Archives 2 RIDGE RACER (NS2 Launch Day)
Professor Layton and The New World of Steam (2025)
Tamagotchi Plaza [NS2 Edition] (July 27, 2025)
Human Fall Flat 2 (No date)
Concluding the 3rd Party Partner Announcements was a very dark teaser for Fromsoft’s next game, The DuskBloods 2026
ONE LAST SURPRISE!
Kirby Air Riders!
Out of one of my wildest dreams- A sequel to Kirby Air Ride (2003) has finally been announced! The game will be directed by the creator of Kirby himself- Masahiro Sakurai.
[…] Let us know what you think of this tech demo purchase. You can check out more of our Switch 2 event coverage here. […]