Nintendo Switch 2 launches June 5 for $450/£396/€470
Free roaming Mario Kart World game is the big launch title
Nintendo Switch 2 will launch on Thursday, June 5 for $450/£396/€470
The new console will come out alongside an open world Mario Kart game called Mario Kart World, which will only be available on Nintendo Switch 2. A bundle with the game will also be released at launch.
In July, Nintendo will follow that game up with a new 3D Donkey Kong game called Donkey Kong Bananza.
The new console features a number of hardware tweaks and upgrades over Switch 1, including 256GB of storage, 4K resolution in docked modes, the option to use the Joy-Con controllers as a mouse, a built-in microphone, magnet connections, bigger buttons, an additional USB-C port, 3D audio and a larger screen.
There was also a number of new software features. It introduced a new GameChat feature, where users can chat to each other online and even use a separate camera for a Zoom-style chat functionality during gameplay.
The additional Camera can also be used for gameplay functions, including with the Switch 2 version of Super Mario Party Jamboree. Alongside Game Chat, the firm also revealed Game Share, where users can share selected games with local users with only one copy of the game.
Hardware launching alongside the console include a new third-party camera, an updated Pro Controller, and a GameCube pad .
Other first-party games include Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, which is basically an interactive manual designed to showcase the new hardware (due at launch). A game called DragxDrive, an on-wheels, basketball-style game which utilises the JoyCon’s new mouse functionality (due Summer). Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, a hack and slash prequel to Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom developed in collaboration with Koei Tecmo (due Winter). And Kirby Air Riders, a new racing game from Super Smash Bros creator Masahiro Sakurai (due 2025).
In addition, Switch 1 games with improved visuals and other tweaks will also be released for Switch 2, including both The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, Super Mario Party Jamboree, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Pokémon Legends: ZA. For Switch 1 owners of these games, players can receive the upgraded versions for a fee.
In terms of third-party games, Nintendo showed a large number of big titles, including Switch 2 versions of Elden Ring, Hades II, Street Fighter 6, Split Fiction, EA Sports FC, Madden NFL, an enhanced version of Hogwarts Legacy, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4, Hitman World of Assassination, Project 007, Bravely Default, Yakuza 0, Deltarune, Borderlands 4, Civilization VII, WWE 2K, NBA 2K, Enter The Gungeon 2, Survival Kids, StarSeeker Astroneer Expededitions, Cyberpunk 2077, Final Fantasy VII: Remake, Two Point Museum, Wild Hearts S, Witchbrook, Puyo Puyo Tetris, Rune Factory, Marvel Cosmic Invasion, Star Wars Outlaws, Fast Fusion, Reanimal, Fortnite, Professor LAyton and the New World of Steam, Human Fall Flat 2, and many more.
It also showcased a major exclusive third-party partnership with Elden Ring developer FromSoftware for a game called The Duskbloods, which is due in 2026.
On top of all this, Nintendo announced that its Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription service will include Nintendo GameCube titles on Switch 2. Launch games include The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker, Soul Calibur 2 and F-Zero GX. Super Mario Sunshine, Pokémon Colosseum, Luigi’s Mansion and more big GameCube titles will be released post-launch.
Stay tuned to tomorrow’s The Game Business Show for a deep dive into the opportunity with Nintendo Switch 2