All You Need to Know About the Nintendo Switch 2 Launch

It’s been the most exciting of times for Nintendo fans, with the Japanese gaming giant revealing more details about the Nintendo Switch 2, including its launch date, price, specs, and the games that will grace it in the coming months. If you haven’t had the chance to catch up, fret not, let us break it down for you.

Nintendo Switch 2 Specifications

Building on the success of the original Switch, the Nintendo Switch 2 will have a bigger screen at 7.9 inches but with the same thickness of 13.9mm. Its LCD panel is now capable of a 120Hz refresh rate with HDR support, and when docked, players can expect up to 4K resolution at 60FPS.

The console will come with 256GB of faster storage, and can be further expanded using microSD Express cards. 3D audio is now possible with the improved speakers, and even the kickstand has been tweaked to provide various viewing angles.

Magnetic Joy-Cons work as advertised, removing the sliding required and easily detachable with just a button press. The sticks are now bigger for better usability; the same goes for the SL/SR buttons. Joy-Cons can also function as a mouse, where moving them on flat surfaces will work like a regular mouse.

There is also the new C button that brings up the GameChat feature. Using this, you can chat with up to 11 other players, share your game screens and even use the separate Nintendo Switch 2 camera for video calls.

Nintendo Switch 2 Price and Availability

The Nintendo Switch 2 is set to launch on June 5, with a standard edition priced at US$449.99. A special Bundle Edition, which includes Mario Kart World will be available for US$499.99. Pre-orders will open as early as April 8 for fans in the US, Europe, South Korea, Hong Kong and Japan.

That’s not all, as there will be more accessories for players to invest in, including:

Joy-Con 2 (US$89.99)
Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip (US$34.99)
Joy-Con 2 Strap (US$12.99)
Joy-Con 2 Wheel (US$19.99 for two)
Nintendo Switch 2 Dock Set (US$109.99)
Nintendo Switch 2 Carrying Case & Screen Protector (US$34.99)
Nintendo Switch 2 All-In-One Carrying Case (US$79.99)
Nintendo Switch 2 AC Adapter (U$29.99)

If you are considering going to Japan to grab a set, be warned. There is a different Nintendo Switch 2 set, which is region locked and priced lower at 49,980 yen (US$340). It will only support Japanese Nintendo accounts, and it seems like the latest move to combat scalpers and resellers.

Fans in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines should prepare for some delays. An official announcement states that the Nintendo Switch 2 will be released between July and September. Online services, including Nintendo Switch Online and the Nintendo eShop, will also be launched for these four countries in due time.

Games

When it comes to games for the Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo is promising upgrades and exclusives for you to enjoy.

Nintendo Switch 2 Editions

For a start, Super Mario Party Jamboree, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, and Pokémon Legends: Z-A will be available as Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games.

For the cross-generational titles, the new editions bring added features and improvements over the base Switch versions. Players can either purchase these new iterations as standalone titles or upgrade them from the Switch versions at a discount.

Launch Games and Exclusives

A big launch deserves games that showcase the console’s capabilities, and Nintendo has already prepared quite a slate for those jumping in as early as possible.

At the head of the line is Mario Kart World, bringing an open world experience to the beloved racing series with more racers than before. FromSoftware also made a surprise appearance with The Duskbloods, a PvPvE multiplayer gothic romp that will launch in 2026.

Masohiro Sakurai is back as well. Kirby Air Riders, which challenges players to more racing with the adorable mascot, is set for a 2025 release. The musou renaissance continues, as Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment arrives in Winter 2025, which covers the timeline of Tears of the Kingdom. Then we have Donkey Kong Bananza, a platformer which comes out on July 17 and provides even more familiar fare for players on the new console.

Aside from the first-party offerings, there are also a bunch of other games coming from partners: