Switch 2 announced to launch in June, along with fresh details

Today’s Nintendo Switch 2 reveal came along with a lot more than we’d thought, including previously unannounced hardware features.

Switching up the summertime

So, before we get into anything else, yes we have a launch date. Nintendo’s Switch 2 console will be coming to stores this June the 5th. Pre-orders will open up in a few days, on April 9th, and we also know that the console will clock in at $449.99 USD, with a bundle available that’ll include Mario Kart World for $499.99 USD. At that level, the Switch 2 will be tagged significantly higher than anything else that the company has produced in the last two decades, including the original Switch, Wii U, Wii, and Gamecube.

At that price point, you’d probably assume that it’ll be packing some punch in terms of hardware, and it does look like you’d be right. While the company didn’t share specs with us, Nintendo showed off Mario Kart World and the 3D platforming Donkey Kong Bananza, and both games looked tremendous. Add to that a host of announced third party titles like Madden, Cyberpunk 2077, Street Fighter 6, and Borderlands 4, and you’d have to imagine that this little machine can cook.

All of those games will presumably be playable across in the Switch 2‘s collection of modes, be it handheld, tabletop, or TV based. The console will sport a 7.9-inch LCD screen with HDR support, that is capable of full HD at 1080p. Prefer 4K? Well, you can have it by hooking your console up to a compatible TV.

Along with the above, players can expect spatial 3D sound, an extra USB-C port (on top) that’ll even allow for charging when in tabletop mode, and 256GB of built-in storage. One note on that, because you won’t be able to use your old SD card with the new console. According to Nintendo, it’s only compatible with microSD Express cards, due to their zippier read speeds.

Another new feature, Gamechat will allow for chatting with your friends, sans headset. The mic housed on the console will separate your voice from background noises, allegedly even at a distance. We’re a little dubious on how that’s going to work, but it does sound like a cool feature, especially since you don’t even have to be playing the same game to chat, and you can even add video by way of the optional camera accessory.

And then, there’s Gamecube.

Maybe one of the most unexpected moments in the show came by way of the big Gamecube announcement. While you can use an existing Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership to access it, the Switch 2 will have exclusive access to a Gamecube virtual console. It’s starting out with a bang too, as the initial wave of playable games will include the likes of F-Zero GX, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and SOULCALIBUR II. And yes, you better believe Nintendo will be selling a Switch 2 compatible Gamecube controller to go along with it.

You can check out the full presentation in the player below, or scroll down past it for the full details on the new console. There’s plenty of stuff that we couldn’t wedge into what you just read through.

Get ready, a new era of Switch arrives this summer.

GameChat Enables New Ways to Play Socially, All Together

With the new online feature GameChat**, people can play games and talk like everyone is in the same room, even if they are miles apart. Whether sharing a victory or just waving hello, GameChat makes it feel like online friends around the world are on the same couch. Once GameChat is up, players can start a chat with friends anytime by pressing the C Button on the right Joy-Con 2 controller. The system’s built-in mic can be used to voice chat while playing games with up to 12 people in different locations. Up to four friends can share their screen, and if they connect a compatible USB-C camera, such as the Nintendo Switch 2 camera (sold separately), they can also video chat, seeing each other’s faces as they cheer, shout, or laugh while playing. Additional friends can join the chat via audio only. Until the end of March 2026, GameChat can be used without the need to have a Nintendo Switch Online membership. Afterwards, a Nintendo Switch Online membership will be required.

When initiating a GameChat session, the user invites people from their friend list. Safety features are in place to help players have a safe and secure chat experience, such as the ability to report a person while in a chat session. In addition, Nintendo recognizes the important role parents and guardians play in their children’s online experiences, so children under the age of sixteen will need their parent or guardian to approve their use of GameChat with an updated version of the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls App.

A large, vivid screen that allows smooth motion expression

Nintendo Switch 2 has a large 7.9-inch built-in LCD screen that displays in full HD at 1080p while maintaining the same thickness of Nintendo Switch. Even while on the go, Nintendo Switch 2 offers vivid, detailed game experiences, as well as smooth graphics showcasing character movements and their rich facial expressions.

Joy-Con 2 controllers attach to the system with a “snap”

Joy-Con 2, the newly designed Nintendo Switch 2 controllers, magnetically attach to the Nintendo Switch 2 console. In addition, either Joy-Con 2 controller can be operated like a mouse by sliding it on a surface like a table or on a pair of pants. They can be used in multiple ways, including for games that require aiming.

A new freely adjustable stand and a new USB-C port

The angle of the new stable stand on the back of the Nintendo Switch 2 system can be adjusted freely so that players can find their preferred viewing angle. While Nintendo Switch has one USB-C port on the bottom of the system, Nintendo Switch 2 has a port on the top of the system as well, which makes it possible for players to use the included AC adapter to charge the system while playing in tabletop mode. It is also possible to connect a compatible USB-C camera, like the Nintendo Switch 2 camera accessory to enjoy video chat on GameChat.

Powerful processing speed and graphical performance

Nintendo Switch 2 has significantly improved CPU and GPU performance over Nintendo Switch, resulting in faster processing speed and enabling new visually advanced gameplay. It also makes it possible to achieve more detailed graphics and faster loading times.

Crisp audio quality and spatial 3D sound

On Nintendo Switch 2, the sound quality is more natural and clearer with an even more balanced sound range. When playing in handheld mode or tabletop mode, players will be able to experience games with even more immersive, three-dimensional sound.

Internal storage of 256 GB

The internal storage of Nintendo Switch 2, where digital games and save data are stored, is 256 GB, which is 8 times the storage capacity of Nintendo Switch. For additional storage, Nintendo Switch 2 only uses microSD Express cards, which have faster data reading speeds than previous microSD models.

Nintendo Switch games are also playable on Nintendo Switch 2

In addition to Nintendo Switch 2 games, Nintendo Switch 2 can play compatible physical and digital games released on Nintendo Switch. Some Nintendo Switch games may not be supported on or fully compatible with Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo Switch Joy-Con controllers and peripherals, such as the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, will also be usable on Nintendo Switch 2 by connecting them wirelessly to the system. For more information on the compatibility with Nintendo Switch games and accessories, please visit the Nintendo website.

The new Nintendo Switch 2 Dock

By connecting the Nintendo Switch 2 Dock to a TV, users can output video at up to 4K resolution and play games at up to 120 fps, via compatible games and TVs.

Multiple people can play one title with GameShare

With GameShare, a new Nintendo Switch 2 feature, players can share and play the same game with others who do not have the game. If one person has a Nintendo Switch 2 system and a game compatible with GameShare, that person can invite others to temporarily play the same game together via local play with their Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch system. Between Nintendo Switch 2 systems, GameShare can also be used along with GameChat for online play, so that players can chat with others while all of them play the same game.

Virtual game cards add benefits to digital games

With virtual game cards, players can easily manage all their purchased digital games, play games on two different systems, or even lend or borrow games. The virtual game card menu shows all of the digital games purchased with a user’s Nintendo Account, making it easy to access the games and load them on the system. Once a virtual game card is loaded onto a system, it can be played even if the system is not connected to the internet, and other users who are on that system can also play the game. Additionally, digital games can be lent and borrowed among members of the same Nintendo Account family group in the form of virtual game cards via local wireless communication.

Nintendo Switch Online

Nintendo Switch Online** will be available on Nintendo Switch 2. On Nintendo Switch 2, players with a Nintendo Switch Online membership will be able to use features like GameChat along with existing online features. For a limited time, all Nintendo Switch 2 owners can access GameChat without a Nintendo Switch Online membership through the GameChat Open-Access period, which lasts until the end of March 2026. After that time, a Nintendo Switch Online membership will be required to use GameChat. In addition, for Nintendo Switch 2 owners, Nintendo GameCube – Nintendo Classics will be released right at the system’s launch. Players with a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership and a Nintendo Switch 2 system will be able to access a growing collection of Nintendo GameCube games with clearer image quality and higher resolution than the original releases. The classic game lineup available at release will be F-Zero GX, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and SOULCALIBUR II. Along with the classic games, a dedicated wireless controller designed after the original GameCube controller will be available for purchase*** by paid Nintendo Switch Online members.

Variety of accessibility features

In addition to existing accessibility features on Nintendo Switch, to support players’ wide range of gameplay styles, Nintendo Switch 2 offers a variety of new accessibility options including the ability to adjust font size, enable screen reader, and speech-to-text features within GameChat.

Safe and secure game experience on Nintendo Switch 2

With the Nintendo Switch Parental Control app, parents can easily support their children’s gameplay by using their smart device to check what kind of games their children play or set limits on how long the system can be used daily. As for GameChat, children under the age of 16 will need the parent’s or guardian’s approval on the Nintendo Switch Parental Control app to start a chat, which makes it possible for parents and guardians to manage their children’s chat experience securely.

Nintendo Switch 2 will be available for pre-order in North America from participating retailers beginning on April 9, 2025.

Nintendo press release

* Limited time production through Fall 2025 (available while supplies last)

** Internet, Nintendo Switch Online membership and Nintendo Account required for online features, including GameChat. Compatible USB camera required for video features. Not available in all countries. Terms and GameChat requirements apply. support.nintendo.com Games, systems, memberships and some accessories sold separately.

*** Limit one purchase per Nintendo Account with paid Nintendo Switch Online membership. Controller ships to U.S. and Canada only. Offer not available in all countries or for free trial memberships. Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership required to access Nintendo GameCube – Nintendo Classics collection of games. This controller is optional and not required to play the Nintendo GameCube – Nintendo Classics collection of games. System update required.