On April 2nd, Nintendo held the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, showcasing the new system and its upcoming library. The Switch 2 is an improvement upon the original Nintendo Switch with its brand new hardware and new features. It will launch on June 5, 2025, retailing for $449.99 USD. They will also be releasing a bundle with Mario Kart World for $499.99 USD on the same day.
The Switch 2’s Features
The Nintendo Switch 2 has a jump in power from the Switch that was released in 2017. The Switch 2 has a 7.9 in. screen running at 1080p and up to 120 FPS. It has a new adjustable kickstand comparable to the Switch OLED model and two USB Type-C ports on the bottom and top of the console. Also on top, is a new, built-in mic for you to speak into. The Switch 2 has 256 GB storage space (for reference, the Switch has 32 GB and the Switch OLED has 64 GB). For external space, it is limited to only microSD Express Cards. In terms of battery life, the Switch 2 will be between 2.5 and 6 hours . As for the dock, it can run at 4K and 60 FPS on TVs and monitors. The dock features two USB ports, a LAN port, and a cooling fan.
The Switch 2 is backwards compatible with most of the Nintendo Switch library, as well as every controller for the Switch. Though, there are some games that the developers of the Switch 2 are having issues with working for the console, since it does not play Switch titles natively. Due to the Switch 2 having no Switch hardware, they are using a mix of software emulation and hardware compatibility to make the Switch titles work. There are a few hundred games with some issues that are still being looked into.
In terms of controllers, the Switch’s Joy-Cons, Pro Controller, NSO Controllers and GameCube adapter will still function with the Switch 2. The Joy-Cons will allow some games to be playable if they use the IR camera. The only title that cannot be used for the Switch 2 is Labo VR: Toy-Con 4, since it was meant for the smaller Switch to fit in the VR set.
As for the Switch 2’s controllers, it will come with the Joy-Con 2 and the Switch 2 Pro Controller. The Joy-Con 2s are larger than the Switch’s Joy-Cons. They have larger L & R sticks, redesigned from the Switch’s Joy-Cons. The right Joy-Con features a new C button, which pulls up the menu for GameChat. They connect magnetically from the side, compared to the rail. They detach from pushing the button in the back and come off easily. The SL & SR buttons on the side of the Joy-Cons are larger compared to the Switch’s and are metal, to connect magnetically. A new function they have is mouse controls when detached. You hold them on by the side and they can be used like a mouse.
The Pro Controller is redesigned with a new white and gray top. In terms of the new layout, it has a C Button on the gamepad, an audio jack at the bottom of the controller, and a GR and GR button on the back. The GL and GR button can be mapped to any button for you to use.
One of the main new features of the Switch 2 is, the previously mentioned, GameChat. GameChat is a way to connect with others online, allowing you to enter a call with up to four people. You can screen share the games you are playing. You can also have video on, using a supported camera. It will be free to use on release, until the trial period ends on March 31, 2026. Afterward, it will be a feature for Nintendo Switch Online membership only.
In addition, there is also GameShare, which allows for people to play games together, with multiple Switch devices and only one copy of the game. Supported games can have the Switch 2 host games locally and share with other Switch and Switch 2 systems. Online GameShare is only supported for Switch 2. Select Switch 2 and Switch titles will feature GameShare, with Switch titles receiving it via a free update, like Super Mario Odyssey, Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, ClubHouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics, and more.
For Switch 2 titles, physical releases have a new design, with a top red header in front of the box and the physical Switch 2 cartridges are red, compared to the dark gray of the Switch cartridges. Regarding Switch titles, some titles will have free updates for GameShare and some improvements. Some titles will have Switch 2 editions, with an enhanced upgrade and sometimes additional content. The Switch 2 will also have GameCube games for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. It will be launching with The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker, F-ZERO GX and SOULCALIBUR II. As always, more titles will be released for Nintendo GameCube Classics. Also releasing on the same day as the Switch 2, is a NSO GameCube controller for Nintendo Switch Online on the Nintendo Store.
Mario Kart World
The first game shown for the Switch 2 is Mario Kart World, the first new console Mario Kart in over a decade since Mario Kart 8 in 2014. Nintendo highlighted the new contents of this Mario Kart, mainly how it is now an open world. All the tracks are connected, allowing for races to include racing between racing tracks in Grand Prix. Two new modes shown for this game are Knock Out Tour and Free Roam. Knock Out Tour is a six race elimination mode where you race for the top spaces to prevent elimination. Free Roam allows you to explore the open world of Mario Kart World.
New things seen from the Direct Trailer, the gameplay showcase shown from Nintendo Treehouse and the footage from the Nintendo Switch 2 Hands-On Experience, a lot of other things were added to Mario Kart World. Many Mario characters that have appeared previously in the Mario Kartseries return, along with many other new characters debuting as playable characters. Brand new tracks were shown along with some returning from previous entries, like Airship Fortress from Mario Kart DS. Vehicle selection returns with prebuilt karts and bikes to choose from.
In terms of gameplay, races will now have 24 racers on the track. Other new additions, such as multi-tricks off of ramps, rail grinding, and vehicle transformation being used for on water and aerial racing were added. It will be released on the same day as the Nintendo Switch 2 for $79.99 USD.
First Party Nintendo Switch 2 Titles
The first new first party title shown was Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour. It is a small game meant to show you all of the features of the Switch 2. From what has been shown and said by journalists and people online, from the current Hands-On Experience, it has a lot of activities, such as minigames that showcase these new features. It is a paid digital-only title, going for $9.99 USD.
Another showcase title is Drag x Drive, a wheelchair basketball inspired game. It makes use of the mouse sensor on the Joy-Cons 2 for movement and actions. It is a 3-on-3 basketball game using automated characters in wheelchairs, with the wheelchairs being how they make the mouse controls used for movements, using both Joy-Cons. There is more to show of this game later this year. The given release window is Summer 2025.
They also announced Kirby Air Riders, a sequel to the GameCube’s Kirby Air Ride . It will be directed by Masahiro Sakurai, making the first Kirby game he directed in two decades. This project was teased late last year on Sakurai’s YouTube channel. In his last video , he revealed how and why he made YouTube videos, and along with it, revealed he had a project proposal for a new title and development started in 2022. Kirby Air Riders has a release window for 2025.
The final game shown in the Direct was Donkey Kong Bananza. This is a brand new Donkey Kong game since Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze for the Wii U and the second 3D Donkey Kong (first being Donkey Kong 64). Donkey Kong is back with a new adventure with a new partner and being able to destroy everything around him. It is set to release on July 17, 2025.
Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Titles
Nintendo also announced Nintendo Switch 2 Editions of Nintendo Switch titles. These involve enhancements to the original titles, and some include extra content. You can buy the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of these games physically or digitally, which includes the original game along with the upgrade pack or, if you already own a copy of the original Nintendo Switch title, you can buy an Upgrade Pack for the title for $9.99 or $19.99 (depending if they additional content or mainly improved performance) and insert your copy in the Switch 2.
Among these titles are The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, both with enhanced resolution, frame rate, HDR support, and use of the Nintendo Switch App (currently titled as Nintendo Switch Online App). From the app are Zelda notes, which guide you toward certain locations, like Korok seeds, and add some notes to locations in-game. In Tears of the Kingdom, you can share QR codes of your saved Zonai builds. Both upgrade packs will be added for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership.
Two other titles getting Switch 2 Editions are Super Mario Party Jamboree and Kirby and the Forgotten Lands. Both feature enhancements with additional content. Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV features updated minigames and new modes and minigames using the features of the Switch 2. It makes use of the Joy-Con 2’s mouse controls, the system’s internal mic and the Switch 2 Camera. Kirby and the Forgotten Lands – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World features a new adventure in the Forgotten Lands: the Star-Crossed World.
Coming later this year, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Pokémon Legends: Z-A will have Nintendo Switch 2 Editions. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will have mouse controls with Joy-Con 2 along with enhanced resolution, textures, load times, and HDR support, as well as Quality Mode and Performance Mode. Pokémon Legends: Z-A will have improved performance with a higher frame rate and resolution. Both are still set to release this year.
Third Party-Developed Titles
Many third party developers were shown in the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, with major third party titles from recent years coming to Switch 2. Major titles arriving for Switch 2 include, but are not limited to: Street Fight 6, Split Fiction, EA Madden, NBA 2K, HITMAN World of Assassination, Cyberpunk 2077, Final Fantasy VII: Remake Integrate, Deltarune Ch. 1 – 4, Hollow Knight: Silksong, Elden Ring and The Duskbloods, a FromSoftware developed game exclusive to the Switch 2. Many of these titles could not run on the Switch, so having these announced shows what the Switch 2 hardware can be capable of with modern games running on it.
Some of these games will be released physically, either with a cartridge or with a Game-Key Card. Nintendo Switch 2 Game-Key Cards are physically bought games that come with an empty cartridge that allows you to access a game you download, digitally.. This is an option for third party developers that have games that are too large for the Switch 2 cartridges and makes slightly more physical than physical boxes with download codes.
The Switch 2 is the next step for Nintendo after the success of the Switch. It is a more powerful console that can match in appearance with the other consoles, along with a significant line up of third party developers having their titles on the console. Despite the current discussion regarding the pricing over the console, the game titles and what that could mean for the industry as a whole, this is a start of a new era for Nintendo, after the eight years of the Nintendo Switch and the legacy it left behind. This is a new console lifecycle to look forward to.
