Nintendo Switch 2 Weekly Roundup Special!
For those too focused on tariffs to see Switch 2 reveals and announcements.
Nintendo Switch 2 Specs & Features
During the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct on April 2, Nintendo unveiled quite a bit about its upcoming console. It’s official release date is June 2, 2025. Technical specs for the hybrid unit are below, along with some of the features that were introduced:
Technical Specs:
Storage: 256GB
Expandable Storage: microSD Express cards up to 2TB
Size: 4.5 x 10.7 x .55 inches thick (with Joy-Con 2 attached)
Weight: 1.18 lbs
Screen Size: 7.9-inch capacitive LCD touch screen
Resolution: 1920x1080
Refresh Rate: Up to 120Hz VRR
CPU/GPU: Custom NVIDIA processor
Sensors: Accelerometer, gyroscope, and mouse sensor (Joy-Con 2)
Communication: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, LAN port on dock
Video: HDMI connector on dock (up to 3840x2160 @ 60fps)
Ports: 2 USB-C
Battery: Approximately 2 to 6.5 hours
Features:
GameChat: Allows up to 12 people to chat in-game. Supports real-time screen sharing and the official USB-C camera. A built-in microphone will allow chatting with the press of the “C” button on Switch 2. GameChat is included with Nintendo Switch Online membership.
GameShare: With just one cartridge, certain games will allow players to share access. This will allow players to join in on multiplayer games even without purchasing the title.
Joy-Con 2 Mouse: Turns Joy-Con 2 controllers into a PC mouse, allowing players to perform more precise actions. In Metroid Prime 4, it can be used to improve aiming. Mario Party Jamboree: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition and Drag x Drive have been confirmed to utilize the optical sensor.
Virtual Game Cards: Some games will allow players to load digital copies onto a second console that uses the same Nintendo Account. Copies can also be lent to Nintendo Account family group members over local wireless. One game per account can be shared for 2 weeks, but borrowers can return them sooner to try a different game.
Nintendo Switch 2 New Game Debuts
Mario Kart World
Donkey Kong Bananza
Kirby Air Riders
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment
The Duskbloods
Drag x Drive
Other titles announced for Switch 2 include:
+ Hades II
+ Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade
+ Borderlands 4
+ Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition
+ Split Fiction
+ Street Fighter 6
+ Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster
+ Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4
Switch 2 Debuts (Some) $90 Games
Though the Switch 2 Direct should have been an overall exciting time for players and Nintendo, one notable thing undermined the entire event: A physical copy of Mario Kart World will retail for $90. Digital will sell for $80.
It’s worth noting that not all Switch 2 games will have this price point. Donkey Kong Bananza was listed for $70, with many more prices coming closer to the release date.
U.S. Pre-Orders Delayed Due to Tariffs
I haven’t mentioned the price yet because things are currently up in the air, at least in one market. Due to increased tariffs imposed against China and Vietnam, Switch 2’s pre-order date for the United States has been delayed.
Though Switch 2 was revealed at a $450 price point and was scheduled to open for pre-orders on April 9, Nintendo announced it would delay pre-orders until a later, unrevealed date. The implication is that Nintendo expects the price to increase based on the new tariff rate, which could likely bring the console to over $500.
At the time of the Direct, Switch 2 was already going to be $100 less in Japan.
Don’t Call It “Super!”
When it comes to gaming consoles, the name is everything. It’s a lesson Nintendo learned with the Wii U, which many consumers believed to be a simple upgrade to the wildly popular Wii. When it came to naming the follow-up to Switch, Nintendo wasn’t going to make the same mistake.
In a Q&A on the official Nintendo website, Entertainment Planning & Development Department Producer Kouichi Kawamoto revealed that Switch 2 was almost the “Super Nintendo Switch.” However, Nintendo didn’t want consumers to think about how the Super Nintendo wasn’t able to play NES games, as Switch 2 is backward compatible with its predecessor.