Nintendo Switch 2: price, release date, specs, and more

Rumors of a Nintendo Switch 2 have been circulating for years. Whispers of the next-gen Nintendo console first started when The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom was initially teased in 2019, then gained steam when the Switch OLED launched in 2021. There’s no doubt that the Nintendo Switch is a fantastic console — it has a unique and impressive game library (with more upcoming games slated for this year), the number of features included with Nintendo Switch Online is constantly improving, and it’s still our favorite portable console — but it isn’t without its flaws. But there’s plenty of room for improvement in a follow-up console.

After what felt like years of leaks and rumors, Nintendo has finally unveiled the Switch 2 to the world. Here’s everything we know about the system so far, as well as what is still up in the air.

Switch 2 release date

On April 2, Nintendo hosted a special hour long Nintendo Switch 2 Direct where we finally learned the release date for the upcoming console. The Switch 2 will hit store shelves on June 5, with preorders starting on April 9.

Switch 2 Backward compatibility

As part of the Switch 2 announcement, Nintendo confirmed that both physical and digital Switch games will be compatible with the Switch 2. However, there is one asterisk here in that not every game will be compatible. Nintendo hasn’t released that list of games yet, so there’s no telling how extensive it is.

While it isn’t directly related to backward compatibility, we also learned that the Switch 2 will use the new Virtual Game Card system to make sharing digital games between consoles easier. Additionally, several Switch games can be upgraded to Nintendo Switch 2 Editions for a fee, though how much that is hasn’t been disclosed as of yet.

Switch 2 Design

On the surface, the Switch 2 looks almost identical to the original Switch. It retains the same basic form factor and design but with a larger screen and Joy-Con controllers. Otherwise, the only major design change is a more sturdy-looking kickstand for the screen when playing with the Joy-cons detached. Nintendo went with an “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mentality with the console.

The Joy-cons have the most new features hidden inside. First, they are now magnetically connected to the main screen so you no longer have to slide them in and out of position. What is most unique this time, though, is the ability to use a Joy-con similar to a mouse by placing it on its edge on a surface. This could open up a new world of possibilities for how we interact with games on a console. The only game we have seen this in action for thus far is Metroid Prime 4: Beyond but expect it to be an option in more games as they release.

While not specifically tied to design, one interesting thing missing from the Switch 2 is any form of achievements. Speaking to Polygon, Nintendo Vice President Bill Trinen was asked if players could look forward to earning any kind of system-wide achievements on the Switch 2, to which he simply replied, “Nope.”

Price

It’s time to start saving up because the Switch 2 will cost you $499 at launch or $500 for the Switch 2 and Mario Kart World bundle. Considering the original Switch never got a price reduction, don’t expect this system to get any official price cut either.

At least, those are the current prices. Nintendo already delayed Switch 2 preorders due to the announcement of President Trump’s tariffs and there is a good chance the price could change as a result of them as well. Speaking to NPR, Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser said that “What I can share is the $449 for the individual SKU and then the $499 for the hardware SKU plus Mario Kart World. Those were made based on previous tariffs, and there was no impact from previous tariffs on those pricing. More on that pricing, I should say, much like every other company, I think in the U.S. right now, we’re in the process of actively assessing what the impact may be, but we really have nothing further to announce in regards to pricing.”

When asked specifically about what impact the 24% tariff on Japanese exports would have on Nintendo products, Bowser simply said “As I mentioned, we’re just going to have to actively assess what that impact may be. Things may change in the days ahead. So we’re just watching and trying to understand what that impact might be and what actions we might have to take.”

Internal specs

The Nintendo Switch 2 Direct came with a ton of info about what’s under the hood of Nintendo’s new console. Here’s a quick breakdown of all the technical details revealed to date about the Switch 2, though a few details are still question marks for now. We also have comparisons of the Switch vs Switch 2 and Switch 2 vs Steam Deck if you’re on the fence about which one you should invest in.

One aspect that doesn’t fit neatly into that table is DLSS. Nintendo has confirmed that the new system will take advantage of this AI upscaler, as well as ray tracing technology, but it wasn’t willing to share how. This makes sense, given we know that the system uses an Nvidia GPU, but we were told by Tetsuya Sasaki, GM of Nintendo’s Technology Department Division, that “Nintendo doesn’t share too much on the hardware spec. What we really like to focus on is the value that we can provide to our consumers. But I do believe that our partner Nvidia will be sharing some information.”

The company was similarly cryptic about ray tracing beyond the fact that the GPU does support that technology as an option for developers.

Screen quality

Sadly, the Switch 2 will not have an OLED option at launch and will stick to an LCD display. However, it is going to be able to produce far better visuals than the original Switch. While docked, the Switch 2 can output at up to 4K visuals with full HDR depending on the game and whether you pick the performance or quality mode, but it is limited to 1080p in handheld mode regardless.

Controllers

The Switch 2 will use new magnetic Joy-Cons that are slightly larger than the originals but have a few other notable upgrades. For one, they now connect magnetically instead of sliding into place, but the big new feature is the ability to use them similar to a mouse. Certain games will allow you to place one Joy-Con on a flat surface and essentially use it as a pointer, like a traditional mouse for aiming in FPS games or playing strategy games.

The Switch 2 will also come with a new and improved Pro Controller that is a big step up from the original. This new version includes the new C button for the new GameChat feature, an audio jack, and customizable back buttons. This brings it in line with the best PS5 controllers and best Xbox controllers in terms of functionality.

One bit of sad news that Nintendo Life uncovered is in regard to the rampant Joy-con drift issues that were present on the original Switch. Many hoped that the Switch 2 would use hall effect sticks, which are much more durable and less prone to issues, but Nintendo of America’s Nate Bihldorff directly states this is not the case. “Well, the Joy-Con 2’s controllers have been designed from the ground up. They’re not Hall Effect sticks, but they feel really good.”

It is too soon to be alarmed about the return of Joy-con drift, but this isn’t a positive sign.

Preorder

With the launch date revealed, we are all getting ready to preorder the Switch 2 before they sell out. Check out our dedicated preorder guide for a full list of retailers and handy links to specific preorder pages, but the sad fact is that preorders have been delayed from their original April 9 date to an unknown point in the future due to recent tariff announcements. We will keep you updated as soon as we know the new date that preorders will begin.