Nintendo Switch 2: $450 Price Tag and June 5 Launch Date Announced; Pre-orders Start April 9
Key Takeaways
- Nintendo officially announced the Switch 2 for $450, launching June 5, 2025; pre-orders start April 9.
- Switch 2 features a 7.9-inch 1080p display (up to 4K docked), 256GB storage, and 120Hz gameplay.
- Joy-Con 2 controllers feature magnetic attachment, steel buttons, and a mouse control feature.
- Switch 2 GameChat enables voice, gameplay, and video chat, requiring Nintendo Switch Online after March 31, 2026.
- "Mario Kart World" announced for Switch 2: larger courses, open world, and 24 racers.
Nintendo Gaming Updates
Nintendo Switch 2: $450, June 5 launch, pre-orders April 9
On April 2, 2025, Nintendo officially announced the Switch 2, launching on June 5, 2025, for $450. Pre-orders begin April 9, 2025, requiring registration and prioritized invitations for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers, with email invites starting May 8, 2025, giving recipients 72 hours to purchase.
Switch 2: 7.9-inch 1080p display, 4K docked, 256GB storage
Joy-Con 2: Magnetic, steel buttons, mouse control feature
Switch 2 GameChat: Voice, screen sharing, video chat
On April 2, 2025, Nintendo announced GameChat for Switch 2, enabling voice chat (up to 12 people), gameplay sharing (up to four), and video chat (up to four via camera accessory). It utilizes a dedicated 'C' button and requires Nintendo Switch Online after March 31, 2026; the demo showed potentially janky screen sharing and video chat.
Switch 2 editions: Zelda, Kirby, Metroid get upgrades
On April 2, 2025, Nintendo announced "Switch 2 editions" of games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond with improved resolution, frame rates, and new features; Switch Online Expansion Pack subscribers get free upgrades if they own the originals.
Switch 2: Backward compatibility, GameShare feature
Switch 2: Supports faster microSD Express cards
Switch 2 supports Wi-Fi 6 and 120 fps
GameCube games coming to Nintendo Switch Online
Metroid Prime 4, Drag x Drive utilize mouse Joy-Cons
New GameCube controller coming with USB-C, wireless
Switch 2 battery life: Estimated 2 – 6.5 hours
Switch 2 won't support HDMI 2.1
Switch 2 Launch Titles
"Mario Kart World" announced: Larger courses, open world, 24 racers
Switch 2 games: Cyberpunk 2077, Elden Ring, more
"Donkey Kong Bananza" announced for Switch 2
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