We finally got a true look at the Nintendo Switch 2 during today’s Nintendo Direct!
Centered around the Switch 2, this special presentation covered many important aspects about Nintendo’s new console. We’re talking launch titles, we’re saying price and, most importantly, we’ve got a release date.
So read on for our roundup of all the important announcements from the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct.
Note: This page is a work in-progress. If you come back later, I’ll have more details for you!
Switch 2 release date
The Switch 2 will be released on Thursday 5th June.
Yes – that is the promised day! Make it down on your calendars, definitely don’t skip school (I won’t tell on you) or book the day off work (cos I definitely can’t…). This date also marks the release of the Switch 2 launch titles, which you’ll find listed down below.
Switch 2 price
The Switch 2 will be £395.99 or the equivalent pricing tier in your local currency.
The Switch 2 and Mario Kart World bundle will cost £429.99 or the equivalent pricing tier in your local currency.
Keep in mind that this pricing only covers the base console from Nintendo and the prices listed above are from the official My Nintendo Store. The cost will obviously rise if you purchase games and other additions, like extra controllers. It may also differ between realtors and you should be very careful of scalpers or scams.
Here’s a quick rundown of the prices for the Switch 2 related prices copied verbatim from the My Nintendo Store:
- Switch 2 Console – £395.99
- Switch 2 Console and Mario Kart World Bundle – £429.99
- Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller – £74.99
- Nintendo GameCube (GCN) Controller – Nintendo Classics – £58.99
- Nintendo Switch 2 Camera – £49.99
- microSD Express Card – £49.99
- Digital Mario Kart World – £66.99
- Physical Mario Kart World – £74.99
Switch 2 preorder
You’ll be able to preorder the Switch 2 on Tuesday 8th April.
Pre-orders for Switch 2 digital games, upgrade packs and Amiibo will begin on Thursday 24th April.
If you’re planning on pre-ordering the Switch 2 from the offical My Nintendo Store, then you’ll have to hope you first recieve an email from the My Nintendo Store. This is because, at first, the ability to preorder the Switch 2 from this storefront will be done on an invite-only basis for select Nintendo Switch Online members.
You’ll find the requirements for receiving said invite below and keep in mind eligibility is based upon data as of March 31st 2025:
Nintendo Switch Online Membership Status
- Have been a Nintendo Switch Online member for at least two years continuously by Monday 31st March 2025.
- This membership must be active on the your pre-order is placed.
- For family memberships, the person who purchased the membership will be eligible.
- Other people in the family membership are not eligible.
Play Time
- Spent a certain amount of time playing purchased / paid Nintendo Switch games, prioritising those with more playtime.
- Sharing usage information with Nintendo.
- Opted in to share usage information with Nintendo to customise offers and recommendations.
Receive email messages from Nintendo
- Opted in to receive promotional emails and messages from Nintendo.
- Be opted in on the day the invitation email is sent.
The above criteria thersholds may be lowered over time so more people can pre-order from the My Nintendo Store. Yet, Nintendo will still be focused on priortising the most dedicated Nintendo Switch players and it will depend on stock.
Switch 2 launch games
What’s a new console without launch games? Here’s the Switch 2 launch titles from Nintendo:
- Mario Kart World
- Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Here are the partner games you’ll be able to play on the Switch 2 from launch:
- Street Fighter 6
- Split Fiction
- Hogwarts Legacy
- Hitman Word of Assassination – Signature Edition
- Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut
- Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster
- Deltarune – Chapters 1 to 4
- Civilization VII
- Survival Kids
- Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition
- Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess
- Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S
- Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma
- Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening Complete Edition
- Fast Fusion
- Fortnite
- Arcade Archives 2 Ridge Racer
While I’m excited, I’m a little disappointed that there’s no Doshin the Giant remake… Yet, my GameCube loving heart will be somewhat fed as its been announced Nintendo GameCube games will be available exclusively on the Switch 2 via the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members.
Here are the GameCube games which will be available on the service from launch:
- The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
- Soul Calibur II
- F-Zero GX
Switch 2 partner games
Here are all of the Switch 2 partner games revealed so far listed as they appeared in the presentation, along with any details given about their release dates:
- Elden Ring – 2025
- Hades II
- Street Fighter 6 – Launch title
- DaemonXMachina: Titanic Scion – 5th September
- Split Fiction – Launch Title
- EA Sports Madden NFL
- EA Sports FC
- Hogwarts Legacy – Launch title
- Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 – Summer 2025
- Hitman Word of Assassination – Signature Edition – Launch title
- Project 007
- Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster – Launch title
- Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut – Launch title
- Deltarune – Chapters 1 to 4 – Launch title
- Borderlands 4 – 2025
- Civilization VII – Launch title
- WWE 2k
- NBA 2k
- Survival Kids – Launch title
- Enter the Gungeon 2
- Starseeker: Astronomer Expeditions – 2026
- Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition – Launch title
- Final Fantasy Remake Intergrade
- Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess – Launch title
- Hollow Knight: Silksong – 2025
- Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar – 27th August 2025
- Goodnight Universe – 2025
- Two Point Museum – 2025
- Wilds Hearts S – 25th July 2025
- Witchbrook – Winter 2025
- Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S – Launch title
- Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma – Launch title
- Marvel Cosmic Invasion – Winter 2025
- Star Wars Outlaws – 2025
- Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening Complete Edition – Launch title
- Fast Fusion – Launch title
- Shadow Labyrinth – 18th July 2025
- Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army – 19th June 2025
- No Sleep For Kaname Date – From AI: The Somnium Files – 25th July 2025
- Reanimal – 2025
- Fortnite – Launch title
- Arcade Archives 2 Ridge Racer – Launch title
- Professor Layton and the New World of Steam – 2025
- Tamagotchi Plaza – 27th June 2025
- Human Fall Flat 2
Mario Kart World announced
We all knew it was coming but the Nintendo Direct fully confirmed that Mario Kart World is going to be one of the Switch 2 launch games. Once again you’ll be able to face against characters from the Mario franchise – be it in a kart or on a motorbike. Mario Kart World brings weather conditions and changes to the time of day too! Best of all, you’re no longer subject to the rules of the tracks and even have to drive between the tracks you race on.
There will be a Mario Kart World direct on Thursday 17th April at 2pm (local time).
Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour announced
This game is designed to teach you more about your Nintendo Switch 2. Using it you’ll be able to tour different aspects of the Nintendo Switch 2, learning more about its capabilities and the features it has to offer. There are also some mini-games and tech demos you can play.
Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour will be a digital game and available at launch. (Despite what the name suggests, it won’t be free.)
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment announced
A new Hyrule Warriors game is coming for the Switch 2 – Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment. Much like the previous Hyrule Warriors game, Age of Calamity, this will take a look at events in Hyrule’s past. In this case it will be events Zelda experienced during Tears of the Kingdom as you’ll fight against Ganondorf during his original invasion of Hyrule (at least during this timeline).
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment will be released on the Switch 2 in Winter 2025.
Kirby Air Riders announced
The Switch 2 Direct began with Marion Kart World and, as it came to a close, we got a look at Kirby Air Riders. The sequel to the original Kirby Air Ride (released over twenty years ago) will be released later in 2025.
Donkey Kong Bananza announced
The very last reveal of the Switch 2 Nintendo Direct was the announcement of Donkey Kong Bananza. In this 3D action platforming game, you’ll embody Donkey Kong once again as he hangs out with a sentient purple crystal? Okay…
Donkey Kong Bananza will be released on Thursday 17th July 2025.
GameCube Games for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership
Exclusive to the Switch 2, the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership will see Nintendo GameCube games added to its line up. The selected games will have higher image quality and higher resolution than the original releases. You’ll also be able to customise the controls and, if it’s a multiplayer game, play with up to three friends both online and via local play.
A Nintendo GameCube controller will also be released for this service at launch. It will be able to connect wireless to your Switch 2 and will have a C-Button for Game Chat. Just keep in mind that this controller will be exclusive to Nintendo Switch Online members.
Here are the GameCube games available on the service from launch:
- The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
- Soul Calibur II
- F-Zero GX
More GameCube titles will be added to the service in the future and, from the trailer, we spotted:
- Super Mario Sunshine
- Fire Emblem Path of Radiance
- Pokémon XD Gale of Darkness
- Mario Smash Football
- Chibi-Robo!
- Luigi’s Mansion
- Pokémon Colosseum
Switch 2 system details explained
Here’s everything we know about the Switch 2 system we know so far – from its hardware, controllers and internal software. We wouldn’t be surprised if Nintendo is still keeping some secrets though, so we recommend keeping an eye on our ‘Everything we know about Switch 2 guide’ as we’ll be updating that every time new information is announced.
Switch 2 console details
Here’s a quick rundown of the important facts concerning the Switch 2 console itself. (Don’t worry, the screen has its own section.)
- Plays compatible Nintendo Switch games
- 256 GB of internal storage
- Reading and writing data is faster
- Two USB-C ports – one at the bottom of the console, one at the top
- Improved sound from built-in speakers in handheld and tabletop modes
- 3D audio for selected games
- Built-in mic for Game Chat (voice and video chat)
- Uses noise cancelling technology to filter sounds and remove background noise
- New stand which allows you to freely adjust the viewing angle and doesn’t look like it will snap off at a moments notice
- The Switch 2 is 13.9cm wide (the same as the Nintendo Switch!)
Switch 2 screen details
Here’s a quick rundown of what the Nintendo Direct revealed about the Switch 2’s screen:
- 7.9 inches
- 1080p
- Supports up to 120 fps
- LCD screen
- Supports HDR for selected titles
Switch 2 dock details
We also learnt more about the Switch 2’s dock:
- 4k support for compatible games
- HDR is supported in TV mode
- In-built fan ventilation in stand
Joy-Con 2 details
Here’s a quick run down of all the important details revealed about the Joy-Con 2:
- Attach magnetically
- Detached by pressing release button on the back
- Bigger SL and SR buttons
- Larger control sticks
- Mouse controls
- C-Button for Game Chat (voice and video chat)
Now let’s learn more about the C-Button and mouse controls!
Game Chat and Joy-Con 2 C-Button
The C Button has been a mystery ever since it was spotted during the Switch 2’s reveal back in January, but now its purpose has been revealed.
Pressing the C Button allows you to open Game Chat when playing a game on the Switch 2. It should be able to pick your voice up at a distance and it can also be used in handheld mode. You’ll also be able to share your game screen, which is adjustable. It can even be used when you’re playing different games.
The Right Joy-Con 2 C-Button lets you pull up a chat menu where you’ll find options like mute.
While an Online Nintendo Switch is required to use Game Chat, there will be a welcoming period where the feature will be available for free until March 31st 2026. (You will have to pay once this date passes.) Game Chat will also support Nintendo Parental Controls, including a Game Chat History.
Joy-Con 2 Mouse Controls
The Joy-Con 2 controllers will come with mouse controls, which can be accessed by detaching the controls from the Switch 2 and placing them flat down on a surface. Doing so will let you use them just like a computer mouse! Though, since this is Nintendo, there are some motion controls as well.
During the Nintendo Direct, we got a look at Drag x Drive – a game coming in Summer 2025 where these mouse controllers will be fully utilised. Drag x Drive is a three versus three basketball game.
Switch 2 Camera
The Nintendo Switch 2 Camera is a new accessory coming for Nintendo’s next console. Using it during Game Chat will allow you to video call other players when playing together – whether it’s the same game or not.
This camera will be available from launch and will cost £49.99.
GameShare available for selected Nintendo Switch 2 titles
The Nintendo Switch 2 will support GameShare. Revealed during March’s Nintendo Direct, GameShare, unsurprisingly, allows you to share games with your friends and family using local wireless. One player hosts the game, while up to three other players join in using their Nintendo console. It can also be used online, GameChat and you can even lend players games for a limited time period.
GameShare will be a free update for the Nintendo Switch, but will only be available for selected games, with 51 titles supported at launch. (Don’t worry, we’ll have a guide listing them all). It will also be available on selected Switch 2 titles once the console launches.
Here’s hoping the days pass quickly until it launches, but slowly after the Switch 2 is in our hands!