The wait is finally over, Nintendo has pulled back the curtain on the release date for Nintendo Switch 2, and fans now know what to expect from the long-awaited next-gen console.
With a confirmed launch date of June 5, 2025, the company used its latest Direct presentation to show off a mix of first-party favorites, new features, big third-party titles, and a few unexpected innovations. If you missed the live stream or just want everything in one place, this guide breaks it all down.
Nintendo kicked off the event by confirming that the Nintendo Switch 2 will launch worldwide on June 5, 2025. The system will ship with updated hardware, enhanced Joy-Con controllers, and a beefy internal spec sheet that brings it up to speed with modern expectations.
The new console keeps the hybrid handheld-and-docked model but brings sharper visuals, faster performance, and better audio, everything players have been asking for.
Hardware Specs and Upgrades
This isn’t just a slightly updated Switch, it’s a true next-gen jump.
- Supports up to 4K resolution (docked)
- 120fps in performance mode
- HDR-enabled display
- 256GB internal storage
- New red cartridges
- MicroSD Express compatibility for expanded storage
One standout upgrade: a new Pro Controller with back paddles and a headphone jack, a first for Nintendo. And if you’re someone who likes voice chat, there’s now a “GameChat” feature powered by a new “C button” on the right Joy-Con.
And yes, there’s a camera. A detachable one, designed for players who want to stream or share in-game reactions.
Mario Kart World Is the Headliner
Easily the biggest game reveal of the event was Mario Kart World, a launch title for the Switch 2. This isn’t your standard Mario Kart sequel, it’s being pitched as a semi-open world racing game. Think traditional Mario Kart meets Forza Horizon.
You’ll still get wild tracks and characters, but now players can:
- Explore off-track areas in Free Roam mode
- Compete in Knockout Tour (a Mario Kart-style battle royale)
- Race on land, air, and sea
- Play cooperatively or competitively online with friends
It’s bold, it’s experimental, and it shows Nintendo is thinking big for its flagship franchises.
New Nintendo Originals
Nintendo also introduced Nintendo Switch 2: Welcome Tour, an interactive, paid digital title that walks players through everything the new hardware can do. It’s part tutorial, part tech demo, and a nice nod to Wii-era onboarding.
There’s also a new Hyrule Warriors game called Age of Imprisonment, which serves as a prequel to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Expect another Musou-style hack-and-slash game with beloved Zelda characters and lore-heavy storytelling.
Legacy Titles Get Upgraded
Fan-favorite Nintendo games are getting new editions optimized for the Switch 2:
- Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom with improved visuals
- Metroid Prime 4: Beyond with mouse controls, 4K/60fps or 120fps modes
- Kirby and the Forgotten Land + Star-Crossed World update
- Super Mario Party Jamboree gets expanded with mouse support and voice controls
Nintendo Switch Online Gets GameCube Games
Biggest nostalgia moment? Nintendo Switch Online will support GameCube titles, but only on the Switch 2.
The launch lineup includes:
- The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
- Super Smash Bros. Melee (implied, not confirmed)
- Metroid Prime
To go with this, Nintendo also revealed a new wireless GameCube controller, yes, the same one that Smash fans never let go of.
Major Third-Party Games Confirmed
This time around, Nintendo is going heavy on third-party support, with some major studios showing up:
- Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition
- Hades 2
- Street Fighter 6
- Hogwarts Legacy
- Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 Remastered
- Hitman: World of Assassination – Signature Edition
- EA Sports FC and Madden
- Project 007 (new James Bond game from IO Interactive)
This is arguably the most mature third-party lineup ever announced for a Nintendo console at launch.
The Tech That Matters
Beyond visuals and performance, the Switch 2 is banking on smart user-focused upgrades:
- New GameChat System: Share your screen and voice with friends during gameplay.
- Voice and Face Camera: Optional attachment to show your reactions in-game.
- Enhanced Joy-Cons: Better ergonomics, haptic feedback, and that new C button.
- Digital-only launch option: For players who prefer cloud libraries over physical games.
And it’s worth noting: Nintendo says GameChat will be free until March 2026, before it becomes part of a paid Nintendo Switch Online tier.
Nintendo showed up in full force with the Switch 2 Direct. While the company is often known for its secrecy and slow rollouts, this event felt like a shift, leaning into transparency, tech innovation, and fan service.
There’s something for everyone: legacy game remasters, brand-new IPs, better online features, and, finally, modern graphics. If you’ve been waiting to jump back into Nintendo’s ecosystem, June 5 might be the time.
