Nintendo has officially unveiled the Switch 2, its newest handheld gaming console. Set to hit shelves on June 5, the new console features a much more powerful chipset, bigger screen and an additional USB-C port. Here’s a quick look at everything Nintendo announced during the livestream.
While Nintendo did not share details about the chipset, the company said that the Switch 2 will have a 7.9-inch LCD screen with 120Hz refresh rate and HDR support. The much-loved Joy-Con controllers can now be magnetically connected to the console and sport a new button labelled C which offers quick access to in-game and voice chat.
Nintendo also confirmed that the revamped Joy-Cons can double as an optical mouse in supported games and that players will be able to re-map the buttons to their preferences.. And while the new console has the same design language as its predecessor, the Switch 2 will be bigger and come with an additional USB-C port, built-in microphone and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The Switch 2 comes with 256GB of internal storage, but Nintendo says your older microSD cards won’t be compatible with the new console.
Also, the company is yet to share the exact hardware specs and confirm if the new console will use some sort of AI upscaling tech to run games at 4K resolution.
Nintendo Switch 2 price and availability
After the livestream, the company did confirm that the Switch 2 will be priced at $449.99. In case you are wondering, the Switch 2 box will include the console, two Joy-Con controllers, grip and straps for the new controller, a dock, high speed HDMI cable, charging adapter and a USB-C cable. However, the Switch 2 and Mario Kart Bundle will cost you $499. The upcoming console will be available for pre-order from April 9 and hit shelves on June 5.
New games announced
As revealed before, the Switch 2 should be able to run most if not all Switch games. During the livestream, Nintendo mostly focused on new titles coming to the Switch 2. Here’s a quick look at which games will soon be making their way on the second generation Switch.
The livestream kicked off with Mario Kart World, a new game which will be available on the same day as the Switch 2. Unlike previous installments in the franchise, the upcoming game will let players roam in the open world and also see racing in cars, bikes, boats, snowmobiles, and planes.
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Next up is the exclusive Switch 2 title named “Nintendo Switch 2: Welcome Tour”, a digital only paid game which will give players an idea of what the new console can do in a fun way. Nintendo also revealed that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, an upcoming action-adventure game will be getting mouse controls and let players choose between Quality and Performance presets.
The company is also bringing GameCube games to Nintendo Switch Online and a new wireless GameCube controller, but they will be exclusive to the Switch 2. These titles will be available when the new console is up for grabs and include The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.
Nintendo is also bringing a new game this winter called Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, which will most likely be a prequel to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
Known gaming studio FromSoftware gave a quick look at Duskbloods, a new game that will be coming to the Switch 2 sometime in 2026. Another studio named I/O interactive also confirmed that it is working on Project 007, a James Bond inspired game for the Switch 2. A new Donkey Kong game called Donkey Kong Bananza will also be coming to the new console on July 17.
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The Switch 2 will also be compatible with No Sleep for Kaname Date – From AI: The Somnium Files, Monument Valley 1,2,3, Tamagotchi Plaza, Pokemon Legends Z-A and others which were unveiled last month.
Which third party games are coming to the Switch 2?
As for third party games, the Switch 2 is getting Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition. Capcom’s iconic Street Fighter 6, Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition. Hades 2, Hitman: World of Assassination, Hogwarts Legacy, EA Sports FC, Madden, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 and 4, Borderlands 4, WWE 2K, NBA 2K, Star Wars: Outlaw and more.
