Nintendo has revealed the full details of the Nintendo Switch 2 and its features, the successor to the popular Nintendo Switch from 2017 during today’s Nintendo Direct. Launching on June 5, 2025, the Nintendo Switch 2 is classified by Nintendo as the “next evolution” of the Nintendo Switch, with a sharper and bigger screen that supports up to 1080p on handheld mode as well as a built in microphone plus bigger internal storage, a flexible and adjustable stand, 3D audio, an additional USB-C port and a newly redesigned dock with support up to 4K resolution with HDR, VRR and 120p framerates for vivid colors, clarity and smoother gameplay. For extra storage, Nintendo Switch 2 will only support MicroSD EX cards.

The Joy-Con 2 controllers are a big upgrade from the original Joy-Con controllers. The Joy-Con 2 controllers use strong magnets to prevent the console from damaging itself. A release button is located on the back side to separate it from the console. The Joy-Con 2 controllers also utilise mouse functions that will work on select titles. The right Joy-Con 2 has a C button which can be used for a new feature known as GameChat.

By pressing the C button, you can open up GameChat to chat with friends from far while playing games online. With the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera, you can also use video chat to chat during your games. Nintendo Switch 2 also features GameShare in which Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 systems can share supported games, even if they don’t own the game. Nintendo Switch Online will feature GameChat when Nintendo Switch 2 launches with a free open access period available until March 31, 2026.

Aside from the system, Nintendo Switch 2 will have a variety of new games featuring Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive games and Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games. Here’s a few of what was announced.

Coming on launch day is Mario Kart World, the next installment in the Mario Kart series. An open-world racing game, Mario Kart World will feature up to 24 racers racing on the same course at the same time and its the most expansive Mario Kart game yet. The game has three modes to race from, the modes include: Grand Prix, burn rubber as you race against 24 racers as you compete in four-course cups now with a road to jump from one course to the other. Knockout Tour where you become the last racer standing and last but not least is Free Roam as you and your friends take a scenic ride across the world. More details will be revealed during the Mario Kart World Direct on April 17th.

Up next is “Donkey Kong: Bananza”, which takes place in the Underground World as the big guy returns for a new underground adventure. With a pack of new moves, DK must now stop the evil VoidCo from stealing the Golden Bananas and its up to him and a new friend to stop them and take back all of his Bananas. Donkey Kong: Bananza will launch on Nintendo Switch 2 on July 17th.

The Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is a tour of what will you expect when you try a Nintendo Switch 2 for the first time. With exhibits on the system, players will learn all the things that the Switch 2 has to offer including Mouse Controls, the screen as well as the system’s motherboards plus minigames and console trivia. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour will be available at launch as a paid digital game.

Other Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives coming later this year include: Kirby Air Riders, the sequel to the Nintendo GameCube title Kirby Air Ride and directed by none other than Masahiro Sakurai as well as Drag x Drive a new 3×3 basketball game which uses mouse controls and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, the prelude to Tears of the Kingdom coming this winter.

Aside from Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive games, there are also Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games. These are enhanced versions of popular Nintendo Switch titles that will be upgraded to take advantage of the Nintendo Switch 2, these titles include:

In Super Mario Party Jamboree: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, the game expands on what Super Mario Party Jamboree has to offer with new modes such as Jamboree TV, with CameraPlay. Using a compatible USB-C camera, you can step into Bowser’s stage as you participate in Bowser Live and use mouse controls as you ride the Carnival Coaster. All of Super Mario Party Jamboree’s modes will feature upgrades that will take advantage of the Nintendo Switch 2’s power.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Nintendo Switch 2 Edition and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Nintendo Switch 2 Edition not only feature higher visuals but a new feature on the Nintendo Switch app known as Zelda Notes that will act as your guide during your adventures.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World will feature a new story in the game in which Kirby must explore a new and uncharted land, including some new Mouthful Modes.

And last but not least is Metroid Prime Beyond: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, featuring mouse controls as well as a display mode setting with visuals up to 4K 2160p on TV Mode and 1080p on Handheld Mode. An additional title, Pokémon Legends Z-A: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition will also feature higher resolution and upgraded visuals.

All five titles will come with the Nintendo Switch game as well as the game’s Nintendo Switch 2 features and modes. If a user has a copy of the game on Nintendo Switch, they can purchase an upgrade pack as a paid add-on. Nintendo Switch 2 will also feature games from development and publishing partners from the likes of Sega, Bandai Namco, Capcom, EA, Square Enix, 2K, Activision, Epic Games, FromSoftware and many more.

Aside from that, Nintendo Switch 2 will also support Nintendo Switch Online with all of its benefits being carried over to the system, with an extra new member benefit for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members.

Enter Nintendo GameCube: Nintendo Classics. At launch, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, F-Zero GX and Bandai Namco’s SoulCalibur II will be available on the app with more titles being available in the future. Aside from running at a higher resolution, the games will feature button mapping features to customize their settings. The existing NES, Super NES, Game Boy, Nintendo 64 and Game Boy Advance apps will also be rebranded to the Nintendo Classics game libraries. A special Nintendo Switch 2 controller designed after the original Nintendo GameCube controller will also be available at launch on the My Nintendo Store.

Physical games will come in two formats, the standard Game Card games as well as Game-Key Card games. The cover box will feature a clear red color instead of transparent with the Game Cards also being shown in red, instead of black with the Nintendo Switch 2 logo located atop of the card. Game-Key Card games will feature a download of the entire digital game but with a catch, the game-key card must be inserted at all times to play the game and will be also be displayed on the box. Nintendo Switch 2 will also support Virtual Game Cards, the evolution of Nintendo Switch digital games.

The Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app will also get an upgrade as the app will now support GameChat as you can set limits on how younger players can use GameChat including its voice and video functions.

The Nintendo Switch 2 will launch in two bundles: the standard console and the console with Mario Kart World being included as a full game download which will be available for a limited time. For Japanese users, aside from the Multi-language system there is also a budget-heavy Japanese-Language system for use in Japan only which will be available at all regular game stores in Japan with the Multi-language system being exclusive to the Japanese My Nintendo Store.

Find out more as the Nintendo Switch 2 launches worldwide on June 5th, 2025.

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