Pre-order date, value, video games and every part ...

With the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct showcase behind us, we now know extra concerning the console than ever earlier than, together with its launch date (June 5) and value ($450). We’re additionally conserving an in depth eye on how the recently-announced tariffs in america are affecting Nintendo’s launch plans. Pre-orders within the US and Canada at the moment are set to start on April 24.

Due to Nintendo’s January 16 teaser trailer, we have lengthy identified what the Swap 2 will appear to be, and that it’ll arrive in 2025 — over eight years after its predecessor. The Nintendo Swap 2 seems similar to the unique system, albeit with a bigger show, magnetic Pleasure-Cons and a sleeker design. The upcoming console might be backwards appropriate with Swap video games.

Trying to make amends for every part we all know concerning the Swap 2? Learn on.

What are the important thing new options of the Nintendo Swap 2?

Show and dock

The Nintendo Swap 2 has a 1080p 7.9-inch show with a 120Hz refresh and HDR compatibility. It additionally helps as much as 4K output at 120Hz (with variable refresh charges) when docked.

Pleasure-Con and Professional Controller

The brand new Pleasure-Con 2 for Nintendo Swap 2 attaches magnetically with a button to launch them. They’ve bigger SL and SR buttons (those hidden when the Pleasure-Con are connected) to make taking part in multiplayer video games on particular person Pleasure-Cons extra possible. These buttons are additionally made from metal and fasten to the Swap 2’s magnets.

The analog sticks are now not tiny nubs, and are nearer in dimension to those you would possibly discover on a PS5 or Xbox controller. Nonetheless, they do not have Hall effect sensors, using which may decrease the chance of the “stick drift” challenge that plagued the unique Pleasure-Cons.

The Pleasure-Con 2 have what Nintendo is asking “HD Rumble 2” in-built, which appears to be a refinement of the unique (and nonetheless excellent) vibration operate. Lastly, each Joy-Con 2 has an optical sensor that allows you to use it as a mouse, and a C button, which we’ll get to in a minute.

The brand new Professional Controller for the Nintendo Swap 2 comes with every part you’d count on based mostly on the refreshed Pleasure-Con 2: Specifically HD Rumble 2 and the C button. There are additionally remappable GL/GR buttons across the again and a typical audio jack for connecting a headset.

Each choices include Amiibo help in-built. The Swap 2 comes with two Pleasure-Con 2, as you’d count on, and extra pairs are priced at $95. The Professional Controller will price $85.

The C button stands for “chat”

The brand new C button is a devoted option to enter a chat session with pals. In addition to the usual options you’d count on from voice chat, Nintendo has constructed a Discord-like video-sharing function, which helps you to present your gameplay to others and see different individuals’s screens whilst you’re taking part in.

The GameChat function works with a mic constructed into the console, although headsets are additionally supported. Nintendo may also promote a $55 digicam that plugs into the USB-C port on the highest of the console, which is able to assist you to stream your face alongside together with your sport.

GameCube help

The Switch 2 will work with GameCube games through the Nintendo Swap On-line Enlargement Pack. The three titles out there at launch might be F-Zero GX, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and Soul Calibur II.

Improved specs

Maybe the most important function, although, is one you possibly can’t see: The Swap 2 has an all-new processor and GPU and considerably extra storage (256GB vs 64GB within the Swap OLED), together with help for quicker and extra capacious microSD playing cards. It will clearly result in higher first-party video games and upgraded Swap experiences, however extra importantly it is going to imply multi-platform video games that needed to skip the unique, underpowered Swap will be capable to be ported over. With games like Cyberpunk 2077 coming to the Switch 2 at launch, it looks like much more ports might be possible than on the unique console.

One other main enchancment comes within the type of networking — the Swap 2 helps Wi-Fi 6, which is able to enhance the unique’s usually glacial obtain speeds. Equally, the brand new dock sports activities an Ethernet port for a rock-solid connection.

What’s it wish to play?

Nintendo gave the press an opportunity to take a look at the Swap 2 and some of the video games it highlighted. You possibly can learn our impressions of Mario Kart World in addition to extra basic ideas on how the Switch 2 feels in person. Proper off the bat, Mario Kart World appears like an impressive launch title, with extra depth and higher visuals than we have ever seen from a Mario Kart sport. The core system is undamaged, however there are plenty of new options and play kinds to dig into.

As for the Swap 2 {hardware}, it appears like a serious step ahead from the unique Swap — it has grown up lots and feels much more polished and refined. And whereas it might not have an OLED display screen, the 7.9-inch LED show Nintendo did use is excellent.

When will the Nintendo Swap 2 come out?

June 5, 2025.

When do pre-orders open for Nintendo Swap 2?

Pre-orders will go dwell within the US and Canada on April 24. They had been initially set to start on April 9, however on April 4 Nintendo announced it was suspending pre-order plans within the US “indefinitely” in response to a slate of tariffs imposed by President Trump. In any case, Nintendo says that the discharge date for the console is unchanged.

How a lot will the Nintendo Swap 2 price?

On April 2, Nintendo introduced that the Swap 2 would price $450 standalone, or $500 with a bundled digital copy of the brand new Mario Kart sport, Mario Kart World. That’s considerably dearer than the unique Swap, which launched at $300, and has remained at that value ever since. It’s additionally dearer than the entry-level current-gen consoles from Sony and Microsoft.

The comparability seems slightly higher up in opposition to Valve’s Steam Deck, which prices $400 for the LCD mannequin or $550 for the fundamental OLED mannequin. The Steam Deck is extra inexpensive than most PC handhelds.

When Nintendo delayed the pre-orders from the unique date of April 9, it mentioned it was doing so “to be able to assess the potential influence of tariffs and evolving market circumstances.” With heavy US tariffs levied on Nintendo’s Asian production centers, the implication was that may have little selection however to go at the least a few of these prices on to American customers. However Trump’s April 9 tariff pivot — reverting to 10 p.c throughout the board for 90 days for all international locations besides China, which now will get a triple-digit hit — additional muddied the waters. That is as a result of it is unclear how a lot, if any, of the parts and meeting of US-bound Swap 2 consoles will originate in China.

The administration exempted some electronics from reciprocal tariffs, however they’re going to quickly be topic to new levies on semiconductors. Some analysts counsel that Nintendo might be promoting consoles at a loss within the US with even a 10 percent tariff.

Nonetheless, the corporate is conserving the value of the Swap 2 at $450 and the Mario Kart World bundle at $450. Nonetheless, it famous that it needed to enhance the costs of Swap 2 equipment “as a result of altering market circumstances” and added that different value modifications might happen sooner or later for the same cause.

How a lot do the Nintendo Swap 2 equipment price?

When Nintendo introduced the rescheduled Swap 2 pre-order date for the US and Canada, it confirmed value will increase for lots of the console’s equipment. The present US costs for the equipment are as follows:

• Nintendo Swap 2 Professional Controller — $85

• Pleasure-Con 2 Pair — $95

• Pleasure-Con 2 Charging Grip — $40

• Pleasure-Con 2 Strap — $14

• Pleasure-Con 2 Wheel Set — $25

• Nintendo Swap 2 Digital camera — $55

• Nintendo Swap 2 Dock Set — $120

• Nintendo Swap 2 Carrying Case & Display screen Protector — $40

• Nintendo Swap 2 All-In-One Carrying Case — $85

• Nintendo Swap 2 AC Adapter — $35

• Samsung microSD Specific Card – 256GB for Nintendo Swap 2 — $60

The value of the Pleasure-Con 2 strap has gone up by $1, however the costs of different merchandise have risen by between $5 and $10, with the dock set getting the bigger enhance. Fortunately, your Nintendo Swap 2 will include a dock. Nintendo additionally launched a list of accessory prices for Canada.

How lengthy will the Swap 2’s battery final?

Nintendo says that the Swap 2 will final between 2 and 6.5 hours on a single cost. That is much like the unique Swap, which was rated for two.5-6.5 hours, although later revisions upped that determine considerably. The corporate cautions that “this time is an estimate … battery life will depend upon the video games you play and utilization circumstances.”

When can I attempt the Nintendo Swap 2?

Nintendo is internet hosting a worldwide roadshow to let avid gamers go hands-on with the console. These occasions began in New York and Paris on April 4-6, with others going down all through the next two months.

Ticket registration for lots of the Nintendo Swap 2 Expertise occasions has closed, however waitlists are available. Nonetheless, provided that Nintendo is taking a primary come, first served method, your probabilities of attending the roadshow for those who do not have already got a ticket (or except you signed up for the waitlist instantly) appear very small at this level.

The total record of Nintendo Swap 2 Expertise dates is as follows:

North America:

• New York, April 4-6, 2025

• Los Angeles, April 11-13, 2025

• Dallas, April 25-27, 2025

• Toronto, April 25-27, 2025

Europe:

• Paris, April 4-6, 2025

• London, April 11-13, 2025

• Milan, April 25-27, 2025

• Berlin, April 25-27, 2025

• Madrid, Could 9/11, 2025

• Amsterdam, Could 9/11, 2025

Oceania:

Asia:

• Tokyo (Makuhari), April 26-27, 2025

• Seoul, Could 31-June 1, 2025

• Hong Kong, To be introduced

• Taipei, To be introduced

Is the Nintendo Swap 2 backwards appropriate?

Nintendo confirmed in November 2024 that the Nintendo Switch 2 will be backwards compatible. It would additionally function entry to Nintendo On-line, so customers will be capable to play all of these outdated retro titles.

Within the preliminary Nintendo Swap 2 press launch, Nintendo reiterated that bodily and digital Swap video games will work on the brand new system. Nonetheless, it famous that “sure Nintendo Swap video games is probably not supported on or totally appropriate with Nintendo Swap 2.” We now have extra data on which video games are working due to a guide Nintendo put together.

As of April 1, the overwhelming majority of Swap 2 video games are marked as appropriate, however many standard video games are mentioned to have some points. Nintendo has marked most of those as “beneath investigation,” suggesting a repair could also be on the best way in time for launch. Nintendo says it’s manually testing each Swap sport for compatibility.

Just one title is marked as incompatible: Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 04: VR Package. This was a part of Nintendo’s Labo vary of video games that labored with Cardboard equipment, and is incompatible because the Swap 2 doesn’t bodily match within the VR headset.

Will outdated video games be enhanced in any means?

The unique Swap has, to place it mildly, struggled to run some of the late-generation software that is come down the pike. Might these video games be enhanced to make the most of the elevated horsepower of the Swap 2? That’s unclear. In an “Ask the Developer” web page on its website, Nintendo says that outdated video games are working by way of a real-time translation system, which sounds much like how Rosetta permits trendy Macs to run outdated software program. With that mentioned, the brand new and outdated Swap are a lot nearer in {hardware} than that.

In the identical developer interview, it’s mentioned that in its testing of outdated video games for compatibility, there have been some events “the place loading occasions grew to become quicker, or sport efficiency grew to become extra secure,” however we don’t have any element past that.

In addition to backward compatibility, Nintendo can be providing up premium “Swap 2 Version” upgrades for a choose few video games. These have improved resolutions and body charges, and (in some circumstances) bonus options and content material. What precisely which means will differ, however Nintendo did verify that Metroid Prime 4: Past may have 4K/60 fps and 1080p/120 fps choices on the Swap 2.

Video games confirmed to have a Swap 2 Version thus far embody:

• Tremendous Mario Occasion Jamboree

• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

• Kirby and the Forgotten Land

• Pokémon Legends: Z-A

• Metroid Prime 4: Past

Within the case of the 2 mainline Zelda video games, these upgrades might be included with a Swap On-line + Enlargement Pack membership or price $10 every. Upgrades for the opposite video games are additionally paid, however Nintendo has not mentioned how a lot these will price.

What is going to the cartridges style like?

It’s possible you’ll keep in mind that the unique Swap cartridges taste absolutely awful. This was on function, to discourage of us from placing the video games of their mouth.

Equally, the Swap 2 carts are additionally mentioned to style horrible, largely to cease youngsters or pets from by accident ingesting them. It isn’t but clear what substance Nintendo has coated the Swap 2 cartridges in to make them style foul, however Nintendo’s Takuhiro Dohta suggested in opposition to licking all of them the identical.

“We do not need anyone to be vulnerable to any undesirable consumption,” he advised GameSpot. “We now have certainly made it in order that if it enters your mouth, you will spit it out.”

What are the launch video games?

We count on this record to vary considerably over the approaching weeks and months, however the titles presently confirmed to be out there on day one observe:

• Arcade Archives 2 Ridge Racer

• Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster

• Cyberpunk 2077

• Deltarune

• Quick Fusion

• Fortnite

• Hitman: World of Assassination

• Hogwarts Legacy

• Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess

• Mario Kart World

• Nintendo Swap 2 Welcome Tour

• Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S

• Break up Fiction

• Avenue Fighter 6

• Survival Children

• Yakuza 0: Director’s Minimize

That is every part we all know concerning the Nintendo Swap 2 at present. We’ll replace this text with any data we are able to collect immediately from sources. Any adjustments made to the article after its preliminary publishing might be listed beneath.

Replace, January 24, 2025, 12:36 PM ET: This story has been up to date to incorporate hypothesis about value, potential sport enhancements and the style of cartridges.

Replace, February 5, 2025, 9:30AM ET: This story has been up to date to notice the time when the April 2 Nintendo Direct begins.

Replace, February 24, 2025, 12:30 PM ET: This story has been up to date to incorporate hypothesis about storage and details about the brand new microSD Specific commonplace.

Replace, March 6, 2025, 2:30PM ET: This story has been up to date to notice current FCC filings to point the presence of Wi-Fi 6 and NFC help.

Replace, March 14, 2025, 12:15PM ET: This story has been up to date to incorporate pricing and gross sales hypothesis from analysts.

Replace, March 20, 2025, 12:45PM ET: Up to date to incorporate a notice concerning the Seattle Mariners new jersey patches that includes Nintendo and the Swap 2.

Replace, March 27, 2025, 3:50PM ET: Up to date so as to add particulars concerning the C button, Nintendo In the present day! and Digital Sport Playing cards.

Replace, April 1, 2025, 10:16AM ET: Up to date so as to add hyperlink to livestream and particulars on its size.

Replace, April 2, 2025, 4:40PM ET: Added particulars from the April 2 Nintendo Direct occasion, together with specs, value, launch date and launch titles.

Replace, April 4, 2025, 11:17AM ET: Added particulars about pre-orders being placed on maintain.

Replace, April 7, 2025, 1:56PM ET: Added particulars concerning the Swap 2 cartridges nonetheless (reportedly) tasting horrible, the dearth of Corridor impact sensors within the controllers and sport improve pricing.

Replace, April 9, 2025, 5:41PM ET: Added context on how the altering guidelines on the Trump tariffs might or might not have an effect on Swap 2 pricing within the US.

Replace, April 11, 2025, 7:11PM ET: Re-affirmed that Could 8 is when Nintendo is confirming the primary batch of pre-orders by way of its website, after a defective report on-line advised in any other case.

Replace, April 18, 2025, 10:33AM ET: Added particulars concerning the new pre-order date for the US and Canada, in addition to accent pricing.

Jeff Dunn contributed to this report.