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The Nintendo Switch 2: Nintendo’s new console

Luuc ten Velde23 JULY 2025
A gray Nintendo Switch OLED console and controller sit on a wood surface. A black television and microphone are in the background.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is coming! On 5th of June 2025, Nintendo’s new hybrid console will be released, marking a significant technological leap compared to the original. Here you’ll find all the essential details you need to know about the Nintendo Switch 2.

What is the Nintendo Switch 2?

A tablet stands on a wooden table beside hands holding game controllers. The controllers are black with colored trim.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is the successor to the Nintendo Switch. Just like its predecessor, you can connect the console to your television or pick it up for gaming on the go. But after 8 years of the Nintendo Switch, its successor brings some innovations as well. Under the hood, the technology has been greatly improved, and the device itself looks noticeably different. The Nintendo Switch 2 features a larger 7.9-inch screen that supports up to 120 frames per second (fps) in handheld mode. The display itself is 1080p and supports HDR (high dynamic range), providing better detail in both bright and dark scenes. When docked, the Switch 2 can run games in 4K with a framerate of up to 60 fps.

To the Nintendo Switch 2

The new features of the Nintendo Switch 2

A hand holds a controller next to a gaming tablet on a stand, displaying an adventure game, with a power cord plugged in.

A new console means new possibilities. On the Switch 2, this comes in the form of mouse control using the Joy-Con 2 controllers. These Joy-Con 2 controllers now attach magnetically to the system, have improved sticks to prevent stick drift, and offer an additional new function. For certain games, you can use the Joy-Con 2 like a computer mouse, simply by turning the controller on its side. The shoulder button acts as a mouse button, while the mouse functionality works on various surfaces, such as a mouse mat or even your trousers.

Another new feature is the C-button, located on the right Joy-Con 2. This stands for GameChat, which allows you to chat with up to 12 people at once. You can also share your screen with others, and vice versa. If you connect the separately available Nintendo Switch 2 camera, you can also show your face as you share your gameplay. You can each play your own game, yet it still feels as if you’re together in the same room.

Later in the year, 3 exclusive Nintendo Switch 2 games are scheduled by Nintendo. Drag x Drive is a wheelchair basketball game focused entirely on mouse controls. By ‘mousing’, you roll forward, quickly dodge opponents, and use the Joy-Con 2 to aim and shoot the ball into the virtual net. Later in 2025, Kirby Air Riders will also be released, a sequel to the racing game for the Nintendo GameCube. And finally, a prequel to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom called Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment will be released in winter, in which you play as Princess Zelda.

Games for the Nintendo Switch 2

A new console means a whole bunch of new games, exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2. The biggest of these is Mario Kart World, an open-world Mario Kart game where you can race with up to 24 players. In addition to the well-known Grand Prix mode, there is a new Knockout mode, which changes the format slightly and makes the tracks much longer. New is the option to drive through the world at your own pace, alone or with friends, and explore it freely. Mario Kart World will be released on 5th of June, alongside the Nintendo Switch 2. On launch day, Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour will also be available, straight from Nintendo themselves. The game helps you discover all the new features and details of the Switch 2, combined with countless mini games that showcase features such as 4K and the 120 VRR screen. A month later, on 17th of July, the 3D action platformer Donkey Kong Bananza is scheduled for release. The game is similar to Super Mario Odyssey in style, but this time you take control of Donkey Kong, who can smash everything with his huge fists and even dig underground for treasure.

Play Switch 1 games on Switch 2 and bring your accessories

Person holding a handheld gaming console with a game displayed on the screen. A black microphone is on a table.

In addition to the big amount of upcoming Switch 2 games, you can also continue to play Nintendo Switch (1) games on the new system. Most Switch games are compatible and playable on the new system, with some games even receiving free updates to improve performance. Examples include Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, and Captain Toad’s Treasure Tracker.

Some games will even receive a special, enhanced version, titled Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Jamboree, and Kirby and the Forgotten World will all get upgraded versions on the Switch 2. In addition to visual improvements and a better framerate, these 3 titles will also feature new extras. If you already own the original Switch games, you can purchase these Nintendo Switch 2 Editions as expansions. If you don’t own the games yet, you can also buy the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition separately.

Finally, all Nintendo accessories you bought for the Switch will also work with the Nintendo Switch 2. Joy-Con, the original Pro Controller, and other accessories are forward compatible and can be connected via Bluetooth. However, due to the magnetic attachment system, you cannot attach the original Joy-Con controllers to the Switch 2 itself.

Nintendo Switch 2 specifications

A person in a striped shirt smiles while holding a black Nintendo Switch console with a connected cable.

The technical specifications of the Nintendo Switch 2 are as follows:

  • Screen: 7.9-inch 1080p LCD display with HDR and 120Hz VRR (variable refresh rate)
  • CPU/GPU: Custom-designed NVIDIA chipset
  • Storage: 256 GB, expandable with microSD Express cards
  • Dock: 4K & HDR support, LAN port
  • Joy-Con 2: Magnetic, mouse functionality, C-button
  • Battery life: Approx. 2 to 6.5 hours, charging time about 3 hours
  • USB ports: 2 USB-C ports

When was the Nintendo Switch 2 released?

The Nintendo Switch 2 was released on 5th of June 2025. This long-awaited successor is also available as a bundle with the new Mario Kart game: Mario Kart World.

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