Following its initial tease back in January 16th, Nintendo has finally unveiled the full details about the Nintendo Switch 2. The Switch 2 will release on June 5th, 2025 with a dual SKU approach. The system will retail for $449.99 while a bundle with the latest Mario Kart game retailing at $499.99.
During their latest Nintendo Direct, Nintendo gave some details for what to expect for the first year of the system. Initially teased on January 16th, the latest entry of the Mario Kart franchise is called “Mario Kart World”, and sports an open world structure and 24-player racing.
Nintendo also detailed some more hardware specifications, including integrated Game Chat and Mouse-style controls for the Joycons. The Nintendo Switch 2 will be as thick as the original Switch and will have an LCD 1080p screen that’s HDR, VRR, and 120fps capable. Nintendo also confirmed the Switch 2 will have output options of 1440p and 4K while docked.
Nintendo also gave some details on the Nintendo Switch 2’s backwards compatibility with 6 games specifically getting a paid upgrade “Switch 2” version with improved framerates, resolution, and HDR compatibility. These games include already released titles like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, and Super Mario Party Jamboree. Upcoming cross-generation Switch games like Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Pokemon Legends Z-A will also have a dedicated Switch 2 version, with Metroid Prime 4: Beyond boasting a 4K60 mode and a 1080p120 mode.
Nintendo also showed the latest addition to their Nintendo Switch Online Game Catalogue. Nintendo Switch 2 has access to the catalogue already available for the Switch, and now will include access to Nintendo Gamecube games like “The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker”, “Soul Calibur 2”, F-Zero GX” amongst others. No details yet on price increase for the service.
Nintendo also showcased extensive third party support for the new system, including a port of Elden Ring, Street Fighter 6, Civilization 7, Borderlands 4, Cyberpunk 2077, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade and more. 46 third party titles have been confirmed to be coming to Switch 2 for 2025 so far, with 17 available for the system’s launch. Nintendo also saved a third party megaton near the end, with FromSoftware revealing “Duskbloods” exclusive to Switch 2.
Nintendo detailed other first party software to be available in 2025, including Nintendo Switch 2: Welcome Tour, a paid demonstration of the hardware’s capabilities; sports game Drag & Drive, a game meant to showcase the Joycon’s Mouse capabilities; a sequel to Gamecube cult hit Kirby Air Ride, and Donkey Kong Bananza, the first 3D Donkey Kong game since Donkey Kong 64 coming on July 17, 2025.
We’ll have a lot more to say on the Nintendo Switch 2 during this weekend’s Bitcast. For now, you can find the full presentation from Nintendo below should you have missed it!
