Switch 2 Release Date, Price, Launch Games, And Everything Else We Know

After seven years on the market, 150 million systems, and more than 1 billion games sold for the original Switch, Nintendo is finally ushering in its next console–the Nintendo Switch 2. Following many rumors, leaks, and reports, Nintendo revealed lots of new information about the Switch 2 during a Nintendo Direct on April 2–and it was a beefy broadcast with tons of announcements.

This post covers everything we know about the Switch 2’s price and release date, launch titles, backward compatibility, and lots more. Preorders for the Switch 2 open on April 9.

Switch 2 Price And Release Date

The Nintendo Switch 2 will launch on June 5, and it’s priced at $450 in the US. Nintendo will also offer a $500 bundle that includes a digital copy of Mario Kart World. This bundle seems to represent a good value, as Mario Kart World on its own costs $80. A June launch for the Switch 2 was previously rumored, while the price point is also in the ballpark of what people expected it to cost.

For comparison, Nintendo released the original Switch in March 2017, priced at $300 USD. Most things in life have gotten more expensive since 2017, so it’s not a gigantic surprise to see the Switch 2 carry a higher price point. What’s unclear is whether or not US President Donald Trump’s new tariffs on goods imported from China had any effect on the higher price point for the Switch 2.

Toyo Securities analyst Hideki Yasuda said the Switch 2’s new chipset from Nvidia will cost as much as $150, which compares to $80 per unit for the original Switch. He predicted, prior to the April 2 Nintendo Direct, that the Switch 2 would cost as much as $500 due to this.

The Switch 2 will become available to preorder beginning April 9. Be sure to consult GameSpot’s Switch 2 preorder guide to find out everything you need to know.

What’s In The Box

The Switch 2 includes the following:

• 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

GameShare

During the March 27 Nintendo Direct, the company announced a game-lending program for the Switch and Switch 2 that allows players to share digital games. This is called GameShare.

Buying digital games on Switch consoles will in the future (and on Switch 2) be treated as Virtual Game Cards that can be digitally loaded, ejected, and shared with other Switch consoles. Those who own multiple Nintendo Switch devices will be able to move Virtual Game Cards between accounts on up to two systems as if they were ejecting a cartridge and physically inserting it into another device.

A local connection between the two consoles is required when moving Virtual Game Cards between two consoles for the first time, and an internet connection is required when loading a Virtual Game Card or moving it to another console, according to the Nintendo Direct presentation.

Accounts in the same Nintendo family group, which currently supports up to eight people, can lend copies of purchased games to other members of the same group, although only one game at a time can be lent out to and from a particular person. Lent games are shared via local wireless connection and last for two weeks, after which they will automatically return to the original owner.

Virtual Game Cards will come to Nintendo Switch via a system update in late April, according to Nintendo’s Shinya Takahashi during the Nintendo Direct presentation, and will be included as a Switch 2 feature when the console launches in June.

Size Comparison

The Switch 2 sports a 7.9-inch LCD screen (compared to 6.2 for the original Switch and 7 inches for the Switch OLED) capable of displaying at up to 1080p. The console is the same thickness as the original Switch (.55 inches). With Joy-Con 2 controllers attached, the Switch 2 stands about 4.5 inches tall x 10.7 inches wide. In terms of weight, the Switch 2 is about .88 pounds, or 1.18 pounds with the Joy-Con 2 controllers attached.

Magnetic Joy-Cons And Mouse Controls

The Switch 2’s Joy-Cons, as rumored, use magnets to attach to the Switch 2 console. Switch 2 producer Kouichi Kawamoto said Nintendo originally wanted to use magnets for the first Switch, but it didn’t work out because the controllers “would wobble when attached to the console” due to “the weak connection.” Nintendo said it feared this wobble would make users “uneasy,” so it opted for the “rail” system that ultimately shipped. “But we always wished we could make it easier to attach and detach controllers” with magnets, and the Switch 2 delivers this, he said.

We also learned during the April 2 Nintendo Direct that players can indeed use the console’s new Joy-Con controllers like a computer mouse, opening up possibilities for point-and-click adventures and strategy games to be an even better experience on the system.

In an overview of the Switch 2 hardware, Nintendo confirmed that both the left and right Joy-Cons on the system, which are also bigger and more ergonomic than their predecessors, can be turned on their side and used like a computer mouse. The Direct didn’t expand too much on the mouse functionality, other than noting that mouse controls will only be available in certain games.

Nintendo later demonstrated a wheelchair-sports-inspired game called Drag x Drive designed to make the most of the unique dual-mouse controls, but it will be interesting to see how many developers make use of the unique control scheme. Some of the other games confirmed so far to support these mouse controls include Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster, Civilization VII, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, and Super Mario Party Jamboree.

Switch 2 Specs

Nintendo consoles are historically less powerful than the latest PlayStation and Xbox consoles, and that appears to be the case with the Switch 2 as well. Nintendo said the Switch 2 is capable of outputting at up to 4K with HDR support when docked, and 1080p on the screen itself. The console can provide “vivid, detailed game experiences, as well as smooth graphics showcasing character movements and their rich facial expressions,” Nintendo said.

The Switch 2’s LCD screen has 1080p resolution and supports HDR with up to a 120fps refresh rate with VRR support if your display accommodates it. The official Switch 2 specs site mentions the CPU/GPU is a custom-made processor from Nvidia. The console has 256GB of storage (with a portion of this reserved for the system), along with Wireless LAN and Bluetooth support.

The Switch 2 supports linear PCM output 5.1ch, along with output via HDMI connector in TV mode. The Switch 2 has stereo speakers and a built-in microphone. The console is compatible with microSD Express cards only–up to 2TB. The system also has an accelerometer, gyroscope, and a mouse sensor located in the Joy-Con.

And if you’re taking the console outside, Nintendo said it recommends being within a range of 41 to 95 degrees F, with 20-80% humidity.

As for the battery, the Switch 2 has an internal lithium-ion battery with a “rough” estimate of 2-6.5 hours–this depends on usage, like with any battery. The Switch 2 takes about three hours to charge when in Sleep mode. The system is equipped with two USB-C ports. The top one can be used to attach accessories, although it also allows for easier charging when in handheld or tabletop mode.

Launch Titles

Nintendo has not provided a full rundown of Switch 2 launch titles, but plenty of them have been confirmed so far. Some of the games confirmed for launch include Nintendo’s own Mario Kart World, along with a range of third-party games, including Fortnite, Cyberpunk 2077, Hogwarts Legacy, Split Fiction, Street Fighter 6, and Hitman: World of Assassination. Presumably many more will be announced in the weeks and months ahead. For more, check out GameSpot’s rundown of all the Switch 2 launch titles coming soon.

New Accessories

The Switch 2 will of course have a range of optional accessories, and some of these were revealed during the April 2 Nintendo Direct. Nintendo will sell a Nintendo Switch 2 camera for $50 that players can use in certain games to show their faces to friends as they play games. The Switch 2 will also support a variety of non-Nintendo USB-C cameras. Nintendo is also selling an updated Pro controller for $80, while players can buy an extra set of Joy-Cons for $90, a Joy-Con charging grip for $35, and the Switch 2 Dock Set for $110.

The C Button And Camera

The Switch 2 has a C button, and its purpose was largely a mystery until the April 2 Nintendo Direct. We now know that the C button activates a social hub called GameChat, in which up to four people can link up via voice chat and play together. GameChat also allows for screen sharing, even if everyone is playing a different game. The demonstration of this during the stream showed other players’ broadcasts with a fairly low quality and frame rate, even when maximized to be the most prominent thing shown on screen.

If a Nintendo Switch 2 Camera is connected, each player can also appear in the corner of the shared screen. Third-party cameras are also supported.

Backward Compatibility

On November 6, Nintendo confirmed backward compatibility for the Switch 2. Not only that, but Nintendo Switch Online will work across Switch 1 and Switch 2. Nintendo has said the Switch 2 will play Switch 2-exclusive games and Nintendo Switch games, for both physical and digital. However, Nintendo said “certain” original Switch games “may not be supported or fully compatible with Nintendo Switch 2.” After the April 2 Nintendo Direct, Nintendo published a list of backward compatibility titles that are currently encountering issues. Nintendo said these games are able to start up on Switch 2 but include some “in-game compatibility issues.” Some of the affected titles are Fall Guys, Alan Wake Remastered, Rocket League, and Warframe, among many others. You can see the list of affected titles on Nintendo’s website here and here.

Do Old Controllers Work on Switch 2?

Backwards-compatibility support also extends to original Switch Joy-Cons and the Pro controller–these can be used on Switch 2.

How To Play Switch 2 Early

Nintendo has revealed that fans will get to try the new system ahead of launch through what’s called “Experience events” that begin in April at locations around the world.

The event kicks off on April 4 with events in New York and Paris, before expanding to places like Los Angeles, Dallas, Toronto, London, Milan, Berlin, Madrid, Amsterdam, Melbourne, Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong, and Taipei.

Fans must have a Nintendo Account to participate. Ticket registration opens on January 17 at 12 PM PT / 3 PM ET. Nintendo is expecting a lot of demand, apparently, as tickets will be given out in a free-to-enter drawing, with participants randomly selected.

Nintendo Switch 2 Experience host cities and schedule. All dates are local.

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-June 1, 2025
• Hong Kong, To be announced
• Taipei, To be announced