The internet has been abuzz with rumors and speculation about the Nintendo Switch 2 for a while now, and the official reveal finally happened. On January 16, Nintendo threw back the curtains on the follow-up to its wildly successful hybrid console, the Switch. It was about time, too, since the Switch 2 is on everyone’s lips lately. After all, the original Switch is eight years old now. That’s a very long time when it comes to video game consoles.
Admittedly, the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal didn’t bring any huge surprises. Thanks to recent Switch 2 leaks and insight from industry insiders, we already knew a few things about Nintendo’s next console. The reveal confirmed a lot of this information but also raised some new questions. Read on to see everything we know about the Nintendo Switch 2 and what the new console may bring when it’s released this summer.
Also, while you wait for the Switch 2, be sure to check out our roundup of the best Nintendo Switch deals on system bundles, games, accessories, and more. With that out of the way, let’s dive in!
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Everything we know about the Nintendo Switch 2
The Nintendo Switch 2 is coming in June 2025
Early speculation about the Nintendo Switch 2 estimated a 2024 release window, with the actual date likely falling in the third or fourth quarter of the year. Those predictions were optimistic, to say the least. Nintendo fans now look forward to the Switch 2 release on June 5, 2025.
The original Switch dropped in March 2017, so a 2025 Switch 2 launch marks an eight-year run for the Switch! That’s the longest-ever release cycle for a Nintendo console. The second-longest was the seven-year run of the original Famicom, which launched in 1983 and was succeeded by the Super Famicom in 1990.
In May 2024, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa said on Twitter/X that the company would make an official announcement regarding its new console within the next fiscal year. That meant before March 31, 2025. While vague, this was the first official word from Nintendo about the Switch 2.
Later, in December, Nintendo insider Samus Hunter stated on Twitter/X that the company may announce the Switch 2 before the release of Donkey Kong Country Returns, which launched on January 16, 2025. This prediction turned out to be right on the money. The Switch 2 reveal trailer dropped precisely on that day. Finally, the April 2 Nintendo Direct confirmed that the Switch 2 release date is June 5.
Nintendo is sticking to the formula with the Switch 2 design
Another thing we’ve learned from leaks, and which the Switch 2 reveal confirmed, is that Nintendo isn’t shaking up the hybrid formula. The Switch 2 retains the hybrid handheld/console design, albeit with magnetic Joy-Con controllers. Sticking to the convertible design makes sense. The Switch has been an absolute money-printer for Nintendo. Given its versatility and adaptability, that’s no surprise. Nintendo would be foolish to mess up a great thing.
People still love having a console they can play on their TV, but it’s also awesome to pull the Switch off of its dock and take it with you anywhere. Returning to a “traditional” console that’s tied to a TV would feel like a huge step backward. Conversely, going for an entirely handheld device like the Switch Lite makes even less sense. That said, given the resurging popularity of handheld gaming devices, it’s probable that we’ll see a cheaper handheld-only version of the Switch 2 down the line.
In September 2024, we saw a photo of a Switch 2 prototype showing off the purported design. The alleged prototype was incredibly detailed, right down to the battery compartment and PCB, making it unlikely to be fake. Based on these leaks, it appeared as if the Switch 2 would be quite a bit larger than the original system. This was also in line with the rumor that the Switch 2 would come with an eight-inch display. Once again, the official Switch 2 reveal proved that these leaks were on the right track.
The Switch has amassed an impressive catalog of great games, so the Switch 2 featuring a different design would create problems for backwards compatibility. Many Switch games might not be fully playable without the console’s hybrid form factor, removable Joy-Cons, and touchscreen. And speaking of backwards compatibility…
The Switch 2 is backward-compatible with the Switch library
Backward compatibility is a hot topic surrounding any new console, and the Switch 2 is no exception. Much of the appeal of the Switch is its portability. A lack of Nintendo Switch 2 backward compatibility would defeat the purpose of having a console that lets you take all your games anywhere.
Nintendo has a pretty good track record with backward compatibility. Backward compatibility was largely off the table for the Switch, however, as the hybrid console can’t play disc-based games. Support for legacy platforms is limited to Nintendo’s emulators, and select games are provided as part of the Switch Online service. This only includes titles up to the Nintendo 64 era (and for that, you have to pay extra for the Switch Online Expansion). Nintendo’s emulation also isn’t on par with what today’s third-party emulators can do. Still, it’s better than nothing.
The good news is that the Switch 2 is backward-compatible with (almost) the entire Switch library—digital and physical. Many players wanted to see that, considering the Switch’s excellent catalog. However, Nintendo noted that some Switch games may not be fully supported on the new consoles. Many gamers, ourselves included, have built up an extensive Switch library over the console’s long lifecycle.
More good news is that Nintendo is also bringing more games and platforms to its Switch Online service. More specifically, gamers can look forward to seeing GameCube titles playable on the Switch 2 via Switch Online. We’d also love to see emulation for systems like the Wii or possibly even modified versions of DS and 3DS titles, but time will tell.
Nintendo Switch 2 hardware isn’t “next-gen,” but it’s good enough
This one should come as no surprise. Nintendo consoles have never been powerhouses relative to the competition and have been underpowered since the Wii (if not the GameCube). The Nintendo Switch was underpowered even at the time of its 2017 launch. That’s mobile hardware released eight years ago! The Xbox Series X and PS5 are capable of 4K gameplay at 60fps, which is a far cry from anything the Switch can handle.
We now have a better grasp on what hardware the Switch 2 is packing under the hood. Considering its hybrid design, we’re looking at mobile hardware in the Switch 2, which is no big surprise. That’s also not a bad thing. Mobile hardware has become really good in recent years, evidenced by the fact that we have handheld gaming PCs now. One wonders whether traditional gaming consoles will even exist in 5-10 years. (All signs point to “no.”)
The original Switch runs on Nvidia’s Tegra X1 mobile architecture. Nintendo is sticking with this chipmaker for the Switch 2, which packs an Nvidia Tegra T239 chipset under the hood. This chip architecture features an octa-core ARM Cortex-A78C CPU, a 12 SM Ampere GPU, and 128-bit LPDDR5 memory support.
The Nvidia T239 looks to be on par with last-gen consoles like the PS4 on paper, but should offer better overall performance thanks to modern advancements like DLSS and ray tracing. Most gamers will surely be happy with PS4-like graphical horsepower on the Switch 2. The Switch 2 also offers a variable refresh rate in handheld mode thanks to Nvidia G-Sync.
The Switch 2 is getting a notable storage boost, as well. Leaked parts lists indicated that the Switch 2 has 256GB of onboard storage, and that leak turned out to be true. It also supports microSD cards of up to 2TB. That’s a marked improvement over the original Switch, which has an anemic 32GB of onboard storage. That was tight even in 2017 when the console launched!
Expect a LOT more third-party games on the Switch 2
Nintendo’s record of support for third-party developers has been spotty since at least the GameCube era. Third-party support improved a bit with the Nintendo Switch, however, with many great third-party titles coming to the platform. Nevertheless, the hardware capabilities of the Nintendo Switch limited third-party support to indie titles and last-gen games. Still, some impressive AAA titles were ported to the Switch, such as The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.
It’s welcome news, then, that Nintendo is working closely with third-party developers and publishers to bring more games to the Switch 2. Phil Spencer of Xbox has stated that Microsoft plans to bring Xbox games to Nintendo’s platform in the future. There are already some exciting titles gamers can expect to see on the Switch 2, including FromSoftware’s The Duskbloods, Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition, Street Fighter 6, Elden Ring Tarnished Edition, and Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut.
There are rumors that we might even see Halo: The Master Chief Collection come to the Switch 2. Could any gamer alive 20 (or even 10) years ago imagine that one day we might be playing Halo on Nintendo? Well, it looks like it might actually be happening!
Nintendo Switch 2: Specific Details
How much does the Nintendo Switch 2 cost?
Nintendo confirmed in its April 2 Nintendo Direct that the Switch 2 will launch with a retail price of $450 USD. Nintendo usually doesn’t focus on raw power, but on making hardware that’s “good enough” to play games and keeps costs reasonable. That’s been the company’s playbook for decades, and it’s why Game Boy sales crushed the more powerful Sega Game Gear. That strategy has also paid big dividends for the Switch if official sales figures are any clue.
The Switch launched at (and still sells for around) $300, while the Switch OLED will set you back around $350. Compare that to the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5, retailing for $500. Microsoft and Sony consoles may be more muscular, but are much more expensive. Remember when you could get a new PS4 Slim on Black Friday for $200? Pepperidge Farm remembers.
Early predictions placed the Switch 2 price at around $400, and many fans were a bit disappointed to see the Switch 2 get a 50% price increase over its predecessor. Early speculation that Switch 2 games were about to get more expensive also turned out to be correct, unfortunately. Disregarding cheaper indie titles, it looks like Switch 2 games will now be priced between $70 and $80. Switch games were expensive enough at around $60, and discounts aren’t deep for the most in-demand titles. But with game development budgets only getting larger, perhaps it’s just a sign of the times.
What kind of display does the Switch 2 have?
Early leaks suggested that the Switch 2 screen was going to get a size boost, and it definitely did. The Switch 2 display measures 7.9 inches diagonally, which is a welcome upgrade over the diminutive 6.2-inch 720p display of the original Switch. The Switch 2 panel also has a 1080p resolution, 120Hz variable refresh rate, and HDR support, all of which are upgrades over the original Switch display.
We had hoped the Nintendo Switch 2 would have an OLED screen, but no such luck. The Switch 2 display is indeed a standard LCD panel. Hopefully, we’ll see an OLED version released down the line, like Nintendo did with the original Switch. Only time will tell.
But what about the Switch 2’s docked mode? When docked, the Switch 2 can output video at 1080p or 1440p at 120Hz, or you can bump it up to 4K at 60Hz. That means you’ll be able to enjoy those Nintendo games on your big, crispy 4K TV!
What games are coming for the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025?
A slew of new first- and third-party titles for the Switch 2 were announced in the April 2 Nintendo Direct. New first-party games coming to the Switch in 2025 include Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bonanza, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, and Kirby Air Riders. A number of upgraded “Nintendo Switch 2 Edition” version of last-gen games were also announced. These include Switch hits like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, and Mario Party Jamboree.
The April Nintendo Direct revealed a number of third-party titles coming to the Switch 2 in 2025, as well. Along with the games mentioned above, some upcoming Switch 2 third-party games include Hades II, NBA 2K, WWE 2K, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, Borderlands 4, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, among others. One exciting new game that stands out is Project 007, which features an original story about James Bond earning his status as a 00 agent.
Looking for more Switch 2 news? We’ll keep this article updated as new information arises, so stay tuned! Also, don’t forget to check out the best Nintendo Switch deals on console bundles, games, and accessories in the meantime.
