What if I told you that Nintendo just hit the reset button on the future of handheld and hybrid gaming—again? That’s right. After years of speculation, leaks, wishlists, and rumors, the Nintendo Switch 2 has been officially revealed in today’s massive Nintendo Direct. From hardware innovations to game confirmations and a new twist on legacy content, the Direct gave us the clearest picture yet of what’s next for the world’s second-best-selling console family. And yes—we’ve got the release date, confirmed pricing, launch games, and much more.
All Announcements
Let’s start with the news everyone’s been waiting for: Nintendo Switch 2 will launch globally on June 5, 2025. The base model will retail for $449.99, and there’s a launch bundle that includes the highly anticipated Mario Kart World priced at $499.99. Pre-orders officially open on April 9, 2025, and Nintendo is taking a few proactive steps to prevent scalping. In a surprising move, early access to pre-orders will be granted to users who have logged at least 50 hours of playtime on the original Switch and have an active 12-month Nintendo Switch Online membership. That’s a smart way to reward loyal players while limiting bot abuse.
Now, what exactly is this new console packing under the hood? On the outside, the Switch 2 looks familiar—but don’t let that fool you. It’s a refinement of everything that made the original great, expanded and supercharged for modern expectations. The handheld features a 7.9-inch LCD screen with 1080p resolution and 120Hz refresh rate, making it a notable upgrade over the original Switch and Switch OLED models. When docked, the Switch 2 supports 4K resolution output, finally bringing Nintendo into the UHD era—something fans have been requesting for years.
Internally, we now know the Switch 2 is running a custom NVIDIA T239 processor, built off the Ampere architecture—the same tech family behind the RTX 30-series GPUs. The CPU is an octa-core ARM A78C cluster, and while Nintendo hasn’t officially detailed all performance metrics, Digital Foundry reports this chip should push performance beyond the PlayStation 4, but shy of Xbox Series X and PS5 levels. There’s 256GB of onboard storage, and it supports microSD Express cards for high-speed expansion—giving digital-first gamers the flexibility they need.
Then there’s the Joy-Con 2 controllers, which got some serious love during the presentation. These new units attach magnetically instead of the old sliding rail system, which was both finicky and fragile. The Joy-Cons also have mouse-like functionality when detached—letting them glide across flat surfaces like PC mice, perfect for strategy games, creative applications, and even some emulated PC ports. A new C Button was spotted on the lower right Joy-Con, though Nintendo didn’t fully clarify its purpose. The current best guess? It’s a shortcut for voice chat and social functions through the new GameChat system.
Speaking of that—GameChat is Nintendo’s long-overdue answer to in-game communication. Integrated directly into the OS, it allows voice chat, party lobbies, and even video calling between Switch 2 players. No more relying on a companion phone app to talk to your friends. You can set up private rooms, leave voice messages, or go full multiplayer hangout—all within the console’s UI. This is a game-changer for how Nintendo users interact online, and finally brings it in line with Xbox and PlayStation standards.
Now, let’s talk software—and wow, did Nintendo deliver. Mario Kart World, launching alongside the console, is the new flagship entry in the series. It’s not just a race around a track anymore—it’s an open-world experience where players race through dynamically generated environments across themed biomes. Weather conditions, terrain changes, and AI traffic alter races in real-time, and up to 24 players can compete in a single online match. That’s right—24.
The Direct also confirmed Donkey Kong Bananza, a brand-new 3D platformer set to launch on July 17, 2025. It’s the first original Donkey Kong 3D game since Donkey Kong 64, and it brings cooperative play into the fold. Think open-world jungle exploration meets chaos-fueled puzzle-solving.
More exciting titles were revealed with launch window dates: Kirby Air Riders, a spiritual successor to the cult classic on GameCube, brings high-speed hover-racing with wild power-ups. Meanwhile, a haunting new IP called The Duskbloods is being developed exclusively for the Switch 2 by none other than FromSoftware. Described as a PvPvE multiplayer experience, players will take on the role of cursed warriors battling both monsters and rival players in a gothic, ruined world. It’s expected in 2026.
And Nintendo didn’t forget its legacy audience. Switch 2 is fully backward compatible with both physical and digital Nintendo Switch titles. More than that, a series of enhanced re-releases are on the way—starting with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. These upgraded editions offer 4K textures, improved framerates, and deeper integration with the new Joy-Con haptics. And if you already own the digital version? You get a free upgrade.
Also announced: the long-rumored arrival of GameCube games on Nintendo Switch Online. Kicking off the new library are F-Zero GX, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, and Soulcalibur II, all playable with a new wireless GameCube controller that ships this fall. These games will be part of an Expansion Plus tier in the Nintendo Switch Online service, though pricing wasn’t detailed in the Direct.
Hardware isn’t the only thing being modernized. A new feature called Virtual Game Card was shown, allowing users to link multiple Switch consoles under a single account and share digital libraries—similar to Steam’s Family Sharing or PlayStation’s Game Sharing features. This is a big step toward treating digital ownership more like real ownership.
As for online services, Nintendo is rebranding its current subscription under Nintendo Online Plus, now with integrated cloud saves, legacy content, and GameChat bundled together. It’s a sign that Nintendo is finally treating its ecosystem as a long-term platform, not a series of isolated generations.
Let’s pivot to the physical build for a moment. The new Switch 2 dock includes two USB-C ports—one on top, one on bottom—and a fan built into the back for cooling. There’s also talk of future third-party docks that support additional HDMI outputs for split-screen streaming or dual-display setups.
The Pro Controller got a refresh as well. It now includes rear paddle buttons, an integrated headphone jack, and dedicated GameChat toggle. For players who prefer traditional gamepads, this one looks built for comfort during long sessions, and seems ready for competitive gaming environments.
Now, let’s take a second to zoom out. Why does this matter?
Nintendo isn’t just launching a new console. They’re building an ecosystem that bridges generations, styles of play, and social interaction. With cloud-based accounts, digital library sharing, and full backward compatibility, the Switch 2 is positioned as a living platform—much like what Microsoft has been building with Xbox. The goal isn’t just to sell hardware. It’s to keep you in the Nintendo world, whether you’re on a TV, handheld, couch, or train.
Of course, challenges remain. The Switch 2 will face serious competition from handheld PCs like the Steam Deck, Asus ROG Ally, and Lenovo Legion Go. These machines offer raw power, open platforms, and wide compatibility—but they lack the Nintendo seal of quality, first-party support, and family-friendly approach. With the Switch 2, Nintendo doesn’t need to win a specs war—it just needs to deliver experiences no one else can. And from what we’ve seen today, they’re doing exactly that.
Recap
So let’s recap the confirmed key points from today’s Nintendo Direct:
The Release date is June 5, 2025.
It will cost $449.99 and with Mario Kart World $499.99.
The Pre-orders open on April 9, 2025.
Confirmed launch games are: Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, Kirby Air Riders and more.
FromSoftware’s The Duskbloods is a Third-party exclusives releasing in 2026.
Key Features: a 1080p handheld display, 4K when docked, magnetic Joy-Cons, GameChat and Virtual Game Card.
It is Backward compatibile.
Some GameCube games are coming to Switch 2 via Nintendo Switch Online like Wind Waker, F-Zero GX and Soulcalibur II.
Pro Controller and GameCube wireless controller will launch alongside.
And with that, we’re just getting started.
Nintendo has promised a second deep-dive Direct in May focused entirely on gameplay demos and third-party reveals. We’ll likely get an update on titles like Metroid Prime 4, Pokémon Legends Z-A, and possibly see the long-rumored Final Fantasy IX remake, which has been teased across multiple Square Enix channels this week.
So buckle up. The hybrid revolution is entering a whole new phase, and the Switch 2 is at the center of it.
