After months of speculation following the Switch 2 reveal, Nintendo has shared a flurry of tech specs and explained the console has been “redesigned from the ground up.”
During a special Nintendo Switch 2 focused Nintendo Direct, the company confirmed its new handheld-hybrid will rock a bigger 7.9 inch screen with approximately double the pixels of the original Switch at the same thickness.
The screen will support up to 120fps for smoother gameplay and is billed as a “vivid” 1080p LCD display with HDR support.
New Joy-Con 2 controllers will attach magnetically to the console, which Nintendo says will keep them “firmly attached to the system,” and feature larger SL / SR buttons and analog sticks.
It will also be possible to use both Joy-Con 2 controllers as a mouse to play compatible games.
Nintendo showed that feature in action with the reveal of a new title called Drag x Drive, which will require players to drag both controllers across a surface to move their wheelchair in-game.
The inclusion of two USB-C ports will facilitate charging when in tabletop mode or let players connect peripherals.
The Switch 2 will come with 256GB of internal storage out of the box—eight times more than the original Switch. Reading and writing data is also faster, while an upgraded Nintendo Switch 2 dock will enable up to 4K resolution and HDR support for compatible titles when in TV mode.
The dock features a built-in fan to keep the system “stable.”
Nintendo Switch 2 game cards will have much faster data-reading speeds than their predecessors and sport a bright red color way. It’s currently unclear how they will taste.
‘C’ is for Camaraderie – Camera, Chat, & Controller News
A new Nintendo Switch 2 pro controller is also on the way with additional bells and whistles including an audio jack, ‘C’ button, and extra inputs.
Speaking of the ‘C’ button, the mysterious nubbin will allow players to activate a new ‘Game Chat’ feature that leverages the Switch 2’s built-in microphone.
Nintendo says the mic will filter out background noise and dial in on a player’s voice. It’ll also be possible for users to share their game screen using the Game Chat feature—even while playing different titles—and pull up a chat menu by pressing the ‘C’ button. Nintendo reckons that’ll be useful if people need to mute themselves in a cinch.
A Switch 2 owner using Game Chat / Image via Nintendo
The company also announced the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera, which will let Game Chat users stream their reactions for other players.
Nintendo Switch Online will be required to use Game Chat—although it’ll be possible to test the feature out during an open access period.
The company is also rolling out an expanded version of its online subscription service called Nintendo Switch Online + that will include access to classic GameCube titles such as The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, F-Zero GX, and Soulcalibur II.
Another new feature, GameShare, will let Switch and Switch 2 owners share and play compatible multiplayer titles locally on their individual systems.
What’s in Store for the Switch 2’s Launch Lineup?
As you’d expect, Nintendo will be supporting its new console with a robust first-party software lineup.
Mario Kart World, billed as a more expansive take on the racer, features themed regions with day-night cycles and changing weather conditions. Nintendo said the title will allow up to 24 players to “drive virtually anywhere” in the world—including asking them to drive to the next course as part of the competition.
Kirby Air Riders, directed by Super Smash Bros. creator Masahiro Sakurai, was also announced alongside 3D platformer Donkey Kong: Bananza. Both are due out in 2025.
A screenshot from Mario Kart World showing players racing across an expansive region / Image via Nintendo
Some existing titles, such as Super Mario Party Jamboree, will also receive premium updates to deliver ‘Nintendo Switch 2 Edition’ versions that take advantage of new hardware such as the microphone and camera.
Enhanced versions of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Breath of the Wild will also be rolled out with new features such as voice navigation, HDR support, and more.
Players who have already purchased Nintendo Switch 2 Edition compatible titles on the original Switch will be able to upgrade by purchasing an ‘upgrade pack.’
Upcoming titles such as Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Pokemon Legends Z-A will be launching on both the Switch and Switch 2—but will deliver improved performance on the latter.
Third-party support was similarly impressive, with Nintendo bringing a roster of high-profile titles to the platform including Elden Ring, Hades II, Street Fighter 6, Split Fiction, Madden NFL, Hogwarts Legacy, Hitman World of Assassination, Project 007, Deltarune (Chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4), Borderlands 4, Enter The Gungeon 2, Civilization VII, Cyberpunk 2077, and more.
The Switch 2 will launch on June 5, 2025, for $449.99. Consumers will be able to buy the standalone console or a bundle including a digital version of Mario Kart World.
