The Nintendo Switch 2 was announced in an hour-long Nintendo Direct that took place on April 2nd, 2025. Before then, the only official thing we had to work with was a first look trailer, with a release date set for 2025. Following the latest Direct, we’ve learned a lot more about the handheld sequel, and it’s even better than the Steam Deck when it comes to screen size, resolution, and even refresh rate.

We’ve put together everything you need to know about the Nintendo Switch 2 release date, price, and specs, ahead of the launch in June this year. Nintendo has provided a solid generational upgrade, with a bunch of new features to look forward to. If you’re looking to get one as soon as possible, we recommend checking out our Nintendo Switch 2 pre order page.

✓ Nintendo Switch 2: At a glance

• Release date: Nintendo Switch 2 will be released on June 5th, 2025
• Price: $449.99 / £395.99 with pre-orders going live from April 8th (UK); pre-orders in the US and Canada start April 24th
• What is it? The next handheld gaming console from Nintendo following the 2021 Nintendo Switch OLED
• Features: Larger size, bigger screen, magnetic joycons with wireless mouse mode, 2x USB-C ports, new dedicated ‘chat’ button, backward compatibility with select Nintendo Switch games (including cartridges)
• Latest updates: Nintendo has revealed all in an hour-long direct, with pre-orders going live as early as April

Nintendo Switch 2 release date

Nintendo previously only announced that the Nintendo Switch 2 release date will definitely land at some point in 2025, but we can now confirm that June 5th is the date to mark on your calendars.

On top of that, Nintendo has also confirmed ‘Nintendo Switch 2 Experience events, where consumers can go hands-on with Nintendo Switch 2, in cities around the world’ which run from April 4th – June 1st (or possibly slightly later in Hong Kong and Taipei).

Nintendo Switch 2 specs confirmed

We can finally throw speculation out the window, especially following the initial teaser trailer that left us with a little bit of imagining to do. As listed on the official Nintendo website, here are the key specifications for the Switch 2.

Specification	Nintendo Switch 2
Size	~4.5 inches tall x 10.7 inches wide x 0.55 inches thick (with Joy-Con 2 controllers attached)
Weight	~0.88 lbs ~1.18 lbs with Joy-Con 2 controllers attached
Screen	Capacitive touch screen 7.9-inch wide color gamut LCD screen 1920×1080 pixels HDR10 support VRR up to 120 Hz
CPU/GPU	Custom processor made by NVIDIA
Storage & Game cards	256 GB (UFS) Compatible with microSD Express cards only (up to 2 TB) Support for Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 cartridges
Communication features	Wireless LAN (Wi-Fi 6) Bluetooth Wired LAN port available in TV mode
Video output	HDMI 4K at 60Hz / 1440p at 120Hz in TV mode 1080p at 120Hz in handheld and tabletop mode HDR10
Audio	Stereo speakers 3.5mm jack Built-in microphone (monaural) with noise cancellation, echo cancellation, and auto gain control
USB connectivity	2x USB-C ports
Sensors	Accelerometer, gyroscope, and mouse sensor located in Joy-Con 2 controllers Brightness sensor located in console
Battery & Charging	Lithium-ion battery / 5220mAh ~2 – 6.5 hours battery life ~3 hours charge time while in Sleep mode

Switch 2 is larger than its predecessor with a significantly bigger screen, meaning the new Joy-Con controllers are also larger, with bigger shoulder buttons, and now have magnetic snapping onto the main console (as well as the physical connection). On top of that, the new Joy-Cons also function as gaming mice, which have already been shown off in titles such as Metroid Prime 4.

There are two USB-C ports on the new console – one at the top, one at the bottom, plus a larger kickstand that runs most of the length of the console. The new dock also includes a built-in fan designed to keep the console cool while docked, which sounds like it will come in handy now that we know the Switch 2 offers up to 4K output.

The console is backward compatible with games from the original Nintendo Switch, including physical cartridges, however, they do point out in the trailer that ‘certain Nintendo Switch games may not be supported or fully compatible with Nintendo Switch 2’ – so this does not extend to every title.

Nintendo lists a ‘Custom processor made by NVIDIA’ for its CPU and GPU solution, without clarifying exactly what is made of. Previous rumors suggest that, following on from the Tegra X1 in the current Switch model, the Switch 2 will come with a custom version of Nvidia's T234 mobile processor called the T239, according to Digital Foundry. This has a GPU based on the same Ampere architecture as the Nvidia RTX 30 series, plus an octo-core ARM A78C for the CPU. The hope is that this might make the new console capable of more power than a PlayStation 4, with at least the capability of some DLSS upscaling.

On the topic of DLSS, there was no immediate evidence that it was present in the Switch 2 presentation, but a later update, reported by IGN, confirms that DLSS and Ray Tracing support are indeed available on the console.

Nintendo Switch 2 price

When it comes to the price, the Nintendo Direct revealed that you’ll be paying more than initially expected by commentators and industry professionals. The Switch 2 is also $150 more expensive than the original Switch launch price, and $100 more than the Switch OLED. As we described before, Nintendo is selling two different variants at launch: the console alone and a Mario Kart World bundle.

• Nintendo Switch 2: $449.99 / £395.99
• Nintendo Switch 2 & Mario Kart World Bundle: $499.99 / £429.99

What games will be launched with the Nintendo Switch 2?

One of the most exciting bits of the launch trailer for the Nintendo Switch 2 was the tease of a new Mario Kart game, which turned out to be Mario Kart World, a more open-world spin on the popular franchise.

As reported by Gaming bible, on February 4th, during their Q3 earnings call, Nintendo also confirmed the release of Pokémon Legends Z-A and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, both coming in 2025. The latest Nintendo Direct gave us a long list of titles coming to the Switch 2 on launch day (June 5th). These are as follows:

• Arcade Archives 2 Ridge Racer
• Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster
• Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition
• Deltarune (includes chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4)
• Fast Fusion
• Fortnite
• Hitman World of Assassination – Signature Edition
• Hogwarts Legacy
• Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess
• Mario Kart World
• Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
• Nobunaga's Ambition: Awakening Complete Edition
• Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S
• Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
• Sid Meier's Civilization VII – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
• Split Fiction
• Street Fighter 6
• Survival Kids
• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
• Yakuza 0 Director's Cut

The Switch 2 will also feature many more titles coming in 2025, Pokémon Legends Z-A and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond are slated to release in late 2025. Nintendo has also compiled statistics on how many Nintendo Switch games are compatible with Switch 2, which you can find here. The company maintains that it is “continuing to improve compatibility” by working with publishers and developers.

Even more Nintendo Switch 2 features

Aside from all the hardware specifications and mountain of game announcements, there were some other stand-out features of the Nintendo Switch 2 worth talking about.

The first is the new built-in GameChat feature, which seems to function a lot like Discord. This goes hand-in-hand with the new dedicated C ‘chat’ button on the Joy-Con 2 controller, which opens up online communication on the Switch 2. It makes sense that the device also features a built-in microphone. GameChat also supports screen sharing and video calling, the latter of which is made possible by a Nintendo-branded USB-C webcam, sold separately.

Nintendo Switch 2 will also have a digital game sharing feature that allows you to share games across two of your own devices, as well as your Nintendo Account Family Group members. The feature lets you lend out games for a limited time and is compatible with both Switch and Switch 2 systems.