If you’re a gamer, chances are you’ve heard that the newest Nintendo console is coming out this year. Simply named the Switch 2, it’s obviously the newest iteration of the well-received Switch. So, you might be wondering what it does differently, or hopefully, better than its original.
The Switch 2 comes out on June 5, 2025. Prices are going to vary by each individual store, but according to Nintendo’s website, the suggested retail price of the Switch 2 itself is $449.99. That’s clearly much more expensive than the first Switch was ($299.99 when it first came out). Hopefully though, the higher price will be worth it.
Now, Nintendo also has a Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle for $499.99. This bundle will come with the new Mario Kart game. Apparently, that Mario Kart game will be an open world where all the tracks are connected.
Let’s look at the details for the Switch 2 itself. It has a larger screen than the first one, at 7.9 inches. It’ll have a high definition 1080p LCD screen, or you can connect to a TV with 4K resolution. Its frame rate is up to 120 fps, and it will have support for HDR and VRR.
The Joy-Cons will be a little different this time around. Instead of the way they connected to the first Switch, the Switch 2 will be magnetic. They’ll also have a new feature where they can be used as a mouse. Hopefully Nintendo addressed their stick drift problem with this new console, but Nintendo hasn’t mentioned anything about it yet.
You’ll be able to chat with other gamers you’re playing with by pressing the C button with the built-in microphone. You’ll also be able to use the Nintendo Switch 2 camera for video or buy another compatible USB-C camera. From what it looks like from pictures on their website, this will allow you to see those you’re playing with and their screens below yours.
It’ll also have its own kickstand on the back that you’ll be able to adjust the angle of, so there will be three different ways you can play it: handheld, on a table using the kickstand, or using the docking station to connect to the TV like the first Switch also did. Both the top and bottom will have a USB-C port to be able to plug it into an outlet.
The graphics are supposed to be better than the first Switch. It’ll use ray tracing and DLSS (deep learning super sampling) AI-powered technology to create better quality visuals. It’ll have a custom NVIDIA processor with RT cores and Tensor cores. The internal storage will have a 256 GB capacity. You’ll also be able to buy microSD express cards to add more storage.
You can also game share with others, meaning you’ll only need to own one game for others to play with multiple Switches. You can share them locally with someone else who has the console as well. While only the Switch 2 will be able to do the sharing, the cool thing is that the first Switch can receive the game. You’ll also be able to share the games via the GameChat system as well, but that’ll only be for the Switch 2 since the first one doesn’t have the GameChat ability.
It will be backwards compatible, so you’ll be able to play most of the first Switch’s games. Though, there are a couple of games for the first one that won’t be able to work on the newer console.
I’m sure you also want to know some information about what games will be coming out for the Switch 2. I won’t get into detail about each one, but I will list some of the games Nintendo itself has highlighted already.
- Mario Kart World
- Donkey Kong Bananza
- Kirby Air Riders
- Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment
- Drag x Drive
- The Duskbloods
- Cyberpunk 22
- Borderlands 4
- Hades II
- Street Fighter 6
- Elden Ring Tarnished Edition
- Star Wars Outlaws
And obviously many more.
Nintendo is also offering upgrade packs where you can buy upgraded versions of the Switch games you already have for the Switch 2. They’ll look better and have some other extra features. Unfortunately, the upgrades aren’t free. You are going to have to spend money for them.
They’ll have upgrade packs for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, Super Mario Party Jamboree, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Pokémon Legends Z-A, and more.
Judging from everything I’ve learned so far, chances are I’m going to be getting a Switch 2 sometime in the future. There are some really exciting features, and I know I’m going to be wanting to play the new games they’ll have for it. I’m a little concerned about the increase in prices, mostly regarding the games themselves, because a new console with better features means a higher price is understandable.
Do you plan to buy the Switch 2? What are your thoughts on Nintendo’s new console? Please don’t forget to like, comment, share, and subscribe to notifications!