VGamingNews

Everything Announced in the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct

3 April, 2025 - 10:46 pm by
About 17 mins to read

There we have it! It’s been a long time coming, but we finally have concrete info on what Nintendo has in store for their next hybrid console. 

We’ve broken down all the talking points from the presentation, along with the thoughts of the VGamingNews team on the really juicy topics. Click on any of the buttons below if you want to jump into a specific section.

Key Points
Hardware
Games
Post-launch plans
Other Interesting Bits

If you didn’t catch the Direct, you can check out the whole thing here.

Nintendo Switch 2 At A Glance

The Nintendo Switch 2 will release on Thursday 5th June 2025, at the price of £395.99 for the console alone, or £429.99 if you want it bundled with a digital copy of Mario Kart World.

From a price perspective, the Switch 2 is almost right in line with the cost of their original hybrid. When it was released back in March 2017, the Switch retailed for £279.99 in the UK – that works out at £367.39 if you adjust the cost for inflation, so the new release doesn’t reflect much of a price increase at all.

Pre-orders go live on Tuesday 8th April 2025, from the My Nintendo Store and are… complicated. In an attempt to see off the greedy scalpers who practically held the PS5 hostage upon its release, Nintendo has decided that pre-orders for their new console will be by invite only.

There are a few criteria that will decide whether Big N is going to offer you the chance to get a pre-order for the Switch 2:

  • First up are Nintendo Switch Online members who have had a continuous subscription for two years by 31st March 2025. They will also have to have an active membership on the day that the pre-order is placed. For those with family memberships, only the person who has purchased the membership will be eligible. Other members of the family will not be considered as eligible.
  • Those who “have spent a certain amount of time playing purchased/paid Nintendo Switch games, prioritising those with more playtime” will also get an invite. Those who choose to share usage information with Nintendo and have opted in to share usage information will also be considered.
  • Finally, those who have opted in to receive promotional emails and messages from Nintendo have a boosted chance of a preorder invite.

Unlike the original Switch, there’s been no mention of alternative colour schemes for the Switch 2 at the moment, with only the single black console and blue/salmon highlighted Joy-Con version available at launch.

Our take

Drew Sherratt, Features Editor
“The console price is right in the sweet spot, I reckon. It’s clearly a more powerful unit than the original Switch and looks to much more well thought out from a design perspective, so to have a price within 10% of the first console (after inflation) is decent.

I’ve got really mixed feelings on the pre-order situation though – perhaps because I’m in a family membership and I’m not the one who pays the bill! I think it’s admirable for Nintendo to put restrictions on pre-orders that would certainly seem to prioritise real players over bots and blaggers, but there’s something in me that doesn’t trust Nintendo to get this right. I foresee a lot of grumpy Nintendo-lifers on release day.”

Nintendo Switch 2 Hardware

The Nintendo Switch 2 may look almost identical in appearance to its predecessor, but there are several key upgrades to find within the hybrid console.

The Switch 2 boasts a 7.9″ LED screen that is capable of outputting at 1080p. With HDR10 support, the Switch 2 has a maximum of 120fps and will offer more eye catching visuals in particularly bright or dark areas on screen.

In addition to the USB-C port on the bottom of the console, Nintendo has learned from their mistakes and have also added another USB-C port to the top of the console. No more fiddling with rickety stands with spaces cut out to accommodate a charger, instead, you can just plug straight into the top port without any fuss. The rear kickstand has also been redesigned; the new stand is entirely adjustable and runs the length of the console, making it significantly more robust than on the original model.

Perhaps the biggest upgrade from the Switch 1 is in the internal memory size, which leaps from a paltry 32GB (64GB for the OLED model) to a much more chunky 256 GB. But if the juiced up internal storage isn’t enough for you, the Switch 2 still lets you add some removable storage too, in the form of a microSD Express Card up to 2TB in size. Sadly, you won’t be able to reuse your microSD from your original Switch, as the Switch 2 only supports Express Cards.

One of the key new features of the Switch 2 is GameChat, a function that lets you voice- and video-chat with other players while you’re gaming. To make this feature useable right out of the box, Nintendo have added a microphone into the top of the console. The Direct made some pretty bold claims about just how effective the noise cancelling aspects are, suggesting it would single out your voice over the top of a blender in the same room… colour me sceptical!

In the box

The Nintendo Switch 2 will come packaged with:

  • Nintendo Switch 2 console
  • Joy-Con 2 controllers (L+R)
  • Joy-Con 2 Grip
  • Joy-Con 2 Straps
  • Nintendo Switch 2 Dock
  • Ultra High-Speed HDMI Cable
  • Nintendo Switch 2 AC Adapter and USB-C Charging Cable

The redesigned dock allows the Switch 2 to plug into the TV and output games in 4K. It also retains the handy ethernet connection from the OLED dock. Using the included high-speed HDMI 2.1 cable, players can get up to 120FPS out of Nintendo’s new hybrid, which is perfect for fast-paced shooters that need precision aiming. Like the Switch 1 dock, two additional USB-A sized ports are tucked away on the side.

The Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con 2 improves on the original controllers rather than reinventing the wheel. The sticks and buttons are larger on the Joy-Con 2, allowing for better control in games. Optical sensors have been added to give each controller mouse functionality and the new ‘C’ button on the right Joy-Con allows players to be able to chat with other players. NFC transmission for scanning amiibo also remains intact.

The Joy-Con grip is included in the box, although it does not offer any charging facility for the Joy-Con 2.

A new magnetic system is employed to keep your controllers firmly in place. The controllers are locked in place with redesigned metallic SL/SR buttons. A button close to the shoulder buttons can be pressed to release the controllers from the side of the console. It remains to be seen if Nintendo has improved the control sticks by eliminating stick drift.

WE THINK

Joe Whitfield, Editor
“I’m a big fan of the larger Joy Con. I don’t like the feel of the original ones due to having hands like Donkey Kong. It’s interesting to see how the mouse functionality pans out. It seems with the focus on 120fps and mouse controls, Nintendo is looking to appeal to the hardcore shooter fans.

The lack of colour bugs me. I can understand Nintendo’s decision to sacrifice colour to make sure the Switch 2 stands apart from the current model, but that was part of Nintendo’s charm. It made the console stand out when placed next to the PS5 and Xbox Series X.“

Accessories

Pro Controller 2

Of course, a new video game console needs a wealth of additional peripherals, and the Switch 2 already has you covered. We have a new pro controller that takes into account the new C button, but also comes with a pair of mappable GL/GR buttons on the rear of the controller and an audio jack too. The RRP is £74.99.

microSD Express Card

Since you’ll need to upgrade your existing microSD to an SD Express card, you might want to look at the Nintendo-branded 256GB SD cards, which will be available for an RRP of £49.99.

Nintendo Camera

For gamers looking to use the new chat functions of the Nintendo Switch 2, the Nintendo Camera is available for £49.99. This USB-C webcam is powered through the top USB port on the Switch 2 and can identify solo players to clip them into the chat or immerse them in certain games.

Joy Con 2 Charge Grip

The Nintendo Charge Grip makes a return for the Switch 2. This Joy-Con 2 grip allows players to charge their controllers without them being attached to the console. This also includes GL/GR buttons that have been added to the Pro Controller. These mappable buttons are not on the standard grip, so could be worth the £25-£30 asking price.

Joy Con 2 Wheel

Joy Con Wheels also make a return, with a set of two costing around £15. The design is pretty close to the original but accommodates the larger controllers.

Carry Cases

Nintendo will also release two carry cases for the Nintendo Switch 2. The first is a slim carry case for the console and Joy-Cons, while a larger, cube-shaped one will be available to bundle up the dock, cables and pro controller along with the console.

Nintendo GameCube Controller

A wireless GameCube controller will also be available to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers so they can get the authentic experience when GameCube games are added to the NSO + Expansion Pass subscription on 5th June. The RRP is set at £58.99. The controller combines the wireless capability of the Wavebird but includes rumble. The controller will be charged via USB-C and includes the Share and C buttons.

Nintendo Switch 2 Games

Now that we’ve got the boring stuff out of the way, let’s dive into the best thing about a new console – the games.

The games releasing for Nintendo Switch 2 on 5th June 2025 currently look like:

  • Mario Kart World (Nintendo)
  • Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour (Nintendo)
  • Arcade Archives 2 Ridge Racer (Hamster)
  • Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster (Square Enix)
  • Civilization 7 (2K)
  • Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition (CD Projekt Red)
  • Deltarune Chapters 1-4 (Toby Fox)
  • Fast Fusion (Shin’en)
  • Fortnite (Epic Games)
  • Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess (Capcom)
  • Hitman World of Assassination – Signature Edition (IOI Industries)
  • Hogwarts Legacy (Warner Bros Games)
  • Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening Complete Edition (Koei Tecmo)
  • Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S (Sega)
  • Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma (Marvelous)
  • Street Fighter 6 (Capcom)
  • Survival Kids (Konami)
  • Split Fiction (EA)
  • Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut (Sega)

Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pass

On 5th June, any Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pass subscribers who pick up a Switch 2 will have access to GameCube games as part of their subscription. The GameCube – Nintendo Classics service will launch with a handful of games with popular hits like Mario Sunshine, Luigi’s Mansion and Pokemon XD later in the year.

The launch line-up is set as:

  • F-Zero GX
  • The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker
  • Soul Calibur 2

Switch 1 Enhanced Games

Nintendo also plans to roll out Upgrade Packs for existing games, adding higher resolutions and frame rates, as well as a host of additional upgrades. For example, Kirby and the Forgotten Land will see a boost to the graphics, along with a new Star Crossed World expansion, which will only be available on the Switch 2.

These games will be available as standalone Switch 2 purchases or paid upgrades if players already own the title. In the case of both Zelda games, if players own the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pass subscription, then the upgrade packs will be included at no extra cost.

  • The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (5th June 2025)
  • The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (5th June 2025)
  • Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV (25th July 2025)
  • Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World (28 August 2025)
  • Metroid Prime 4 Beyond (available when the game launches)
  • Pokemon Legends: Z-A (available when the game launches)

Switch 2 Post Launch Plans

The future of the Switch 2 post-5th June looks a little less pinned down, but there are things players can look forward to.

Third-party support for Switch 2 is also starting strong, with the following games announced for the console:

  • 2K NBA (2025)
  • 2K WWE (2025)
  • Borderlands 4 (2025)
  • Daemon X Machina Titanic Scion (5 Sept 2025)
  • Duskbloods (2026)
  • EA Sports FC (2025)
  • Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition (2025)
  • Enter the Gungeon 2 (2025)
  • Final Fantasy VII Remake: Intergrade Edition (TBA)
  • Hades 2 (TBA)
  • Human Fall Flat 2 (TBA)
  • Madden NFL (2025)
  • No Sleep for Kaname Date – From AI: The Somnium Files (25 July 2025)
  • Professor Layton and the New World of Steam (2025)
  • Project 007 (TBA)
  • Silksong (2025)
  • Sonic x Shadow Generations (2025)
  • Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions (2026)
  • Star Wars: Outlaws (2025)
  • Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar ( 27 August 2025)
  • Tamagotchi Plaza (27 June 2025)
  • Tony Hawks Pro Skater 3 + 4 (Summer 2025)
  • Two-Point Museum (2025)
  • Wild Hearts S (July 2025)
  • Witchbrook (Winter 2025)

Switch 1 Upgrades

Along with the paid upgrades for some games (outlined above), other Switch 1 games will get free upgrades in the coming months. The upgrades will vary from game to game, but you can expect higher frame rates and faster loading times as these titles will make use of the Switch 2’s increased power.

The confirmed list at the time of writing is:

  • Arms
  • Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain
  • Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
  • Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics
  • Game Builder Garage
  • New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
  • Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet
  • Super Mario Odyssey
  • Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury
  • The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening
  • The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

Other bits

There’s a lot of information to take in from the Switch 2 reveal. Here are a few of the nitty-gritty bits that don’t really fit into the above categories.

Backward compatibility

The Switch 2 is backward-compatible with most Switch 1 games both physically and digitally. Currently, the only title that will not work is the Labo VR game. Nintendo is testing all 16,000 games to make sure they have no issues running on Switch 2. Most of the games that have been tested do work, but some encounter some problems, which are being ironed out. It’s best to link out to their website as it’ll be constantly updated, so click here to be taken to the Nintendo Website.

Some games rely on Joy Con 1 features, such as the IR sensor or accessories like the Ring Fit Ring-Con. These will work on Switch 2, but players will have to connect the old Joy Con to make use of these features.

Nintendo Switch Online

Nintendo Switch Online will be available from Day One. The current NES, SNES, Mega Drive, N64, Game Boy and Game Boy Advance apps can be transferred from Switch 1 or downloaded from the e-shop. Nintendo will also release GameCube games as part of the Expansion Pass subscription exclusively for Switch 2.

GameChat

When the ‘free trail period’ for GameChat expires, players will only be able to access the service as part of the Nintendo Switch online service.

Game Key Cartridges

These look set to replace the Code-in-Box titles and offer players a physical Switch 2 cartridge instead. Rather than the game’s data being stored on the cart, a one-time download will be needed when the game is plugged into the console. Once the game is downloaded to the system, players can boot up the game, so long as the cartridge is inserted.

Unlike code-in-box games, Game Key titles are not linked to the player’s profile, meaning they can swap and trade with friends if they no longer want to play the game.

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