The Nintendo Switch 2 is poised to revolutionize gaming with its impressive specs, innovative features, and a robust lineup of games. After a highly anticipated wait, Nintendo has finally unveiled the successor to the original Switch, promising enhanced performance, stunning visuals, and a host of new ways to play. A recent Nintendo Direct event and subsequent press releases have provided a wealth of information, leaving fans eager to get their hands on the new console.

Release Date and Pricing

The Nintendo Switch 2 is set to launch on June 5th, 2025. Pre-orders are already available at major retailers like EB Games and JB Hi-Fi. Australian pricing details have been released, giving consumers a clear idea of the investment required:

• Nintendo Switch 2: $699.95
• Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle: $769.95
• Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller: $119.95
• Nintendo Switch 2 Camera: $69.95
• Nintendo Switch 2 – Joy-Con 2 Pair: $139.95
• Mario Kart World: $119.95

New Games and Features

The Nintendo Direct event showcased a variety of new games and features that will be available on the Switch 2.

Mario Kart World

A completely original addition to the Mario Kart franchise, Mario Kart World features 24 drivers and two new modes: Knockout Tour and Free Roam. Knockout Tour challenges players to compete through back-to-back courses and checkpoints, with elimination for those who fail to reach the checkpoint at a high enough placement. Free Roam mode allows players to explore the game's world freely, reminiscent of the Forza Horizon series. A dedicated Mario Kart World Direct is planned for April 17th to reveal more details.

GameChat and GameShare

The Switch 2 introduces GameChat, a long-awaited feature that allows players to communicate with friends without relying on the Nintendo Switch Online App. Up to four friends can connect and share their screens, regardless of the game they are playing. The console also includes a dedicated microphone. GameChat will require a Nintendo Switch Online membership, but it will be available for free until the end of March 2026.

GameShare, a feature reminiscent of the Nintendo DS, allows friends to share and play the same game locally, even if they do not own it. This feature is compatible with both Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch consoles.

Hardware Specifications

The Switch 2 boasts several significant hardware upgrades:

• 7.9-inch LCD full HD 1080p display with HDR support
• 13.9mm unit thickness (same as the original Switch)
• Larger SL/SR Buttons
• Mouse Controls for Joy-Con 2
• Improved Speakers with 3D Audio Support
• Fully adjustable stand
• Two USB-C ports
• 256GB Storage (microSD Express cards only)
• Dock outputting 4K resolution with up to 120FPS

The Pro Controller includes an audio jack and GL/GR buttons that can be mapped to any button of your choosing.

Enhanced Games

Several Nintendo Switch games are receiving Switch 2 upgrades, including:

• Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV
• Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World
• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom
• Metroid Prime 4: Beyond (features Joy-Con 2 mouse controls, Quality Mode (4K at 60 FPS), and Performance Mode (Full-HD at 120 FPS), both with HDR)

A new game, Drag x Drive, utilizes the mouse controls of Joy-Con 2 in a 3v3 wheelchair basketball setting.

Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

Releasing on June 5th, the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is a virtual exhibition that allows players to explore the unique features of the console through tech demos, minigames, and other interactive experiences. Note that this is a paid game.

Third-Party Games

The Switch 2 is attracting significant third-party support, with titles including:

• Elden Ring Tarnished Edition (2025)
• Hades II (2025)
• Street Fighter 6 Years 1-2 Fighter Edition (June 5th, 2025)
• Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion (September 5th, 2025)
• Split Fiction (June 5th, 2025)
• EA Sports FC and EA Sports Madden NFL
• Hogwarts Legacy (June 5th, 2025)
• Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3 + 4 (Winter 2025)
• Hitman World of Assassination – Signature Edition (June 5th, 2025)
• Project 007
• Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster (June 5th, 2025)
• Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut (June 5th, 2025)
• Deltarune: Chapters 1, 2, 3 + 4 (June 5th, 2025)
• Borderlands 4 (2025)
• Sid Meier’s Civilization VII – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition (June 5th, 2025)
• NBA 2K and WWE 2K
• Survival Kids (June 5th, 2025)
• Enter The Gungeon 2 Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions (2026)
• Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition (June 5th, 2025)
• Final Fantasy VII Remake Integrade
• Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess
• Star Wars Outlaws
• Marvel Cosmic Invasion
• Hollow Knight: Silksong (2025)

Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition

Bandai Namco is bringing Elden Ring Tarnished Edition to the Nintendo Switch 2, complete with the original game, the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, a new armor, and customization options for Torrent’s appearance. This release confirms that the Switch 2 can handle 10th generation console games.

Nintendo GameCube on Nintendo Switch Online

The Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack will include a library of Nintendo GameCube games, exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2. Launch titles include:

• The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
• Soulcalibur II (featuring Link)
• F-Zero GX

Additional games are planned for later release, such as Super Mario Sunshine, Fire Emblem Path of Radiance, Pokémon XD Gale of Darkness, Mario Smash Football, Chibi-Robo!, and Luigi’s Mansion.

New Titles and Developer Collaborations

The presentation also highlighted several new titles and collaborations:

• The Duskbloods: A new multiplayer game from FromSoftware, exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2, launching next year.
• Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment: A Koei-Tecmo Games title, supported by Nintendo, showcasing the events leading up to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.
• Kirby Air Riders: A racing-action game directed by Masahiro Sakurai, inspired by the classic GameCube game Kirby Air Ride, coming in 2025.
• Donkey Kong Bananza: A 3D platforming action-adventure game exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2, marking the return of 3D Donkey Kong platforming since 1999.

Technical Analysis and Performance

Digital Foundry has provided an in-depth technical analysis of the Switch 2, discussing various aspects such as HDR, variable refresh rate, 4K display, battery life, storage, and controllers.

Resolution and Frame Rates

Pixel counts for various games have been noted:

• Mario Kart World: 1440P 60fps
• Donkey Kong Bananza: 1080P 60fps
• Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom: 1440P at 60fps
• Elden Ring: 1080P 30fps
• Cyberpunk 2077: 540P to 1080P 30fps
• Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3+4: 4K 60fps
• Final Fantasy VII Remake: 1080P 30fps
• Duskbloods: 1080P 30fps

Notably, analysts have not detected any evidence of DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) being used in the showcased titles, with only Metroid Prime 4 having some form of AA (Anti-Aliasing).

DLSS Speculation

The absence of DLSS has sparked debate, with some speculating that it may not be ready for launch or that Nintendo may have disabled tensor cores for power saving. Others suggest that Nintendo might be reserving tensor core time for system-level functions like voice chat AI noise filtering.

Conclusion

The Nintendo Switch 2 is shaping up to be a significant upgrade over its predecessor, with enhanced hardware, innovative features, and a strong lineup of games. While questions remain about the use of DLSS and the final performance of certain titles, the Switch 2 promises to deliver a compelling gaming experience for both new and returning Nintendo fans.