Summary
After years of anticipation and months of rumors, we finally have some concrete information about Nintendo’s follow-up to the Switch. Here’s what we know for sure about the hardware, software, price, and release date for the Switch 2.
A Generational Leap in Hardware
Powered by custom NVIDIA architecture, the Nintendo Switch represents a generational leap forward in terms of performance. Nintendo has not released any charts showing performance or technical information about the chip (as you might expect from Sony or Microsoft), but the new resolution and frame rate targets speak for themselves.
The Switch display is a 1080p HDR-capable LCD panel that runs at 120Hz. It features variable refresh rate (VRR) support so that the frame rate can be matched to the display’s refresh rate, eliminating unsightly screen tearing and masking performance dips.
The Switch console itself is capable of 4K HDR output when docked, and the dock even includes a fan to cool the unit so that it can maintain performance over time. This is a big leap over the previous console’s 720p handheld and 1080p docked performance. Nintendo is finally joining the ultra HD club!
Also of note is a boost to 256GB of internal storage, up from 32GB last time. The new console uses faster NAND-based Universal Flash Storage (UFS), which provides faster performance for loading and saving games compared to the eMMC storage used by the original Switch. It’s a must for the higher fidelity assets that Nintendo will need to push 4K to a TV.
Nintendo also made clear that older microSD cards that are compatible with the Nintendo Switch will not be compatible with the Switch 2, on account of the faster read and write speed requirements for modern games. Instead, the Switch 2 is limited to microSD Express cards of up to 2TB in size.
What’s still not clear, but is ripe for speculation is whether Nintendo is relying on some sort of hardware upscaler to hit these targets. Since the chip inside the Switch is NVIDIA technology, it seems highly likely that some form of the company’s DLSS hardware upscaler is being used to help Nintendo meet its performance targets, especially given the small and portable nature of the Switch 2.
Despite having a larger battery (at 5220mAh), Switch 2 battery life is estimated at only “2 – 6.5 hours” by Nintendo compared with the “4.5 - 9 hours” of the base original console. It’s worth noting that Nintendo refreshed the Switch hardware a few years after launch to arrive at this number, so it’s possible we’ll see some battery life gains in future Switch 2 revisions as hardware becomes more efficient.
A Larger but Familiar Design
The Switch 2 design is not radically different from the original. The console still uses a tablet-like design with detachable controllers, a Game Card slot for physical media, a dock for TV play, a kickstand for playing in tabletop mode, and an almost identical array of sticks and buttons.
The Switch 2 is slightly larger than the original Nintendo Switch, with a design that’s both longer and taller than the previous OLED model. The thickness of the Switch 2 and the original console are the same, though the new console is slightly heavier at 0.88lb (400g) compared to 0.66lb (300g) on the original. The dock is larger to suit and features rounded corners this time around.
A bigger console means a bigger display, with the Switch 2 housing a larger glossy screen that has slightly smaller top and bottom bezels. This has since been confirmed to be a 7.9-inch display, up from 6.2 inches on the original Nintendo Switch (and 7 inches on the OLED model).
Nintendo’s reveal only showed a black Switch unit, with what appears to be a textured finish. The Switch’s signature neon blue and red accents appear beneath the analog sticks and where the controllers connect to the main unit. It looks like the Switch has grown up.
Backward Compatibility With Original Switch Games
One thing that Nintendo confirmed months before launch was thatthe Nintendo Switch 2 would be backward compatiblewith the original Switch console. You’ll be able to play existing Nintendo Switch Game Cards and download original Switch titles from the Nintendo eShop. you may also transfer these titles using the data transfer feature, accessed by logging in to your Nintendo account on the new console.
This means that a rich catalog of existing Switch games should be available on day one. This includes Nintendo’s catalog of Switch Online exclusive retro games on the NES, SNES, N64, Sega Genesis, and Game Boy Advance.
Nintendo has also confirmed that select older Nintendo Switch titles will be able to “take advantage of the system’s new capabilities to bring benefits like improved graphics and faster loading times.” This will depend on titles, and may require software updates. This is great news given that there are a goodnumber of Switch games that could benefit from a performance uplift.
Notably, Nintendo is going the paid upgrade route (like Sony, and unlike Microsoft) for some of its own releases.ZeldatitlesBeath of the WildandTears of the Kingdomwill each get a paid Switch 2 upgrade that improves frame rate and graphics.
Nintendo added a caveat that “Certain Nintendo Switch games may not be supported on or fully compatible with Nintendo Switch 2.” This could be a reference to games likeRing Fit AdventureorNintendo Labothat currently depend on a smaller Joy-Con size for accessory compatibility.
Larger Magnetic Joy-Cons, USB-C Ports, and More
To fit the larger Switch 2 chassis, Nintendo’s detachable Joy-Con controllers are also larger than those found on the original Switch. This should hopefully make the console more ergonomic for those with larger hands (especially when using each Joy-Con as a separate controller).
The layout of the face buttons and analog sticks hasn’t changed, though there is a new “C” button on the right Joy-Con beneath the Home button which activates a new GameChat feature (more on that in a bit). The Joy-Con release button is now larger and moves toward the left or right when pressed.
The biggest change to the new Joy-Con design is a new magnetic attachment mechanism, rather than a sliding rail. The whole length of the Joy-Con now protrudes slightly and fits snuggly into the chassis of the main Switch unit. Nintendo has not yet confirmed that the new Joy-Cons use magnetic Hall Effect analog sticks, despite many hoping that this is the case toguard against stick drift issues that plagued the original Switch.
After a few months of speculation, Nintendo’s April announcement finally confirmed that both Joy-Con controllers feature an optical sensor along the connecting edge of the controller that allows for mouse support in selected titles. Nintendo showed off this functionality in a gameplay clip ofMetroid Prime 4: Beyondrunning on Switch 2, with the right Joy-Con being used to aim just like a mouse on a PC.
The Nintendo Switch 2 kickstand runs the whole length of the main console unit and can be extended so that the console lies almost flat. This should make for a far sturdier kickstand than the one Nintendo used on the original Switch launch unit.
The last notable change is the inclusion of two USB-C ports. There’s one on the bottom, for docking the console, and another on the top. Presumably, this allows for charging the console with either port, though it could also point to future hardware expansion plans.
Launching withMario Kart World,Cyberpunk, and More
Arguably the Switch 2’s big launch title isMario Kart World, the first new entry in the kart racing franchise sinceMario Kart 8debuted on the Wii U (yes, really). The racer goes open world and features 24-player races, plus heaps of customization options. It looks great, and you can even race as a cow (I’m sold).
Other highlights include third-party titles likeSplit Fiction,Cyberbunk 2077: Ultimate Edition,Final Fantasy 7 Remake Integrade,Hogwarts Legacy,Street Fighter 6,Civilization 7,Hitman: World of Assassination - Signature Edition, andPuyo Puyo Tetris 2S. On top of this, an HD remaster ofBravely Default Flying Fairy, a director’s cut ofYakuza 0, andFortnitewill be available on day one.
Outside ofMario Kart,another big deal is the arrival of Nintendo GameCube emulation, which is being added to the Nintendo Switch Online expansion pack tier. Nintendo has rebranded this feature as “Nintendo Classics” and it will featureThe Legend of Zelda: Windwaker,F-Zero GXandSoulcalibur 2on launch day.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, which was initially announced in 2017, restarted development in 2019, finally got a proper trailer in 2024, won’t be launching on the Switch 2 but will instead arrive as a cross-generation title later in 2025.
GameChat, GameShare and a Camera
There’s been a lot of pressure on Nintendo to improve the social aspect of its consoles, particularly following thereliance on a mobile applast time around. With the Switch 2, Nintendo is introducing GameChat which is accessible via the “C” button on the right Joy-Con. This allows you to chat with other players while playing a game thanks to a built-in microphone on the Switch 2 unit.
Nintendo says that the microphone can pick up your voice even from across the room and is capable of removing background noise and game audio. While you’re chatting you’ll get a small preview of what your friends are playing along the bottom edge of the screen. Pressing the “C” button will hide the feature again.
On top of this, Nintendo is now selling a camera that you can plug into the USB-C port on the top of the Switch 2 console. This will display your likeness over the top of whatever you’re playing, so you can play face-to-face over the internet. It looks a bit goofy, but it’s a fun idea. Who knows whether any games will take advantage of the accessory in the future?
Lastly, Nintendo is introducing a feature called GameShare that lets you share your screen with up to three other consoles over a local wireless connection. Only one console needs to own and have the game installed, with the feature appearing inClubhouse Gamesat launch. You can use the feature with original Switch consoles as long as the game you’re sharing is running on a Switch 2.
Arriving July 14, 2025 for $449
The Nintendo Switch 2 will launch on June 23, 2025, at a starting price of $449. Pre-orders are live now on theNintendo website, with Nintendo promising that retailer availability will be updated at a later date with Best Buyannouncingit will start taking preorders on April 9 and GameStop providing an option toregister your interest.
There’s also a bundle that includesMario Kart Worldfor $499, which is a surprisingly good deal given the price hike we’ve seen on game prices from Nintendo.Mario Kart Worldis an $80 title if you buy it on its own, which goes further than the $70 price increase we saw with the arrival of the PlayStation 5.
Nintendo is running in-person events starting on April 4 to April 6 in New York City, with further events taking place around the world. Tickets were available via a “free-to-enter, randomly selected drawing” with other US events taking place from April 11 to April 13 in Los Angeles and April 25 to April 27 in Dallas. If you didn’t get tickets, you’ll just have to wait till launch to play.
Nintendo stated that it has no plans to reduce the original Switch prices in the lead up to the Switch 2 launch, but retailers are often selling the console at a discount (though now might be the worst time to buy, if you’re looking to future-proof an investment). That said, the second-hand market could take a tumble with the arrival of the new model.That $100 Switch Lite handheld bargainmight get even cheaper.
This is likely the last major blast of information we’ll receive before launch, outside of a few trailers and third-party announcements. Nintendo hassome lessons to learn from the original Switch, withmore customizationand areturn to glory for the Miiamong our biggest wants.
