Nintendo Switch 2 Price, Release Date, Pre-Orders Specs, & Launch Titles

After eight years since the launch of the Nintendo Switch console, Nintendo has finally unveiled the next-generation console – the Nintendo Switch 2. The official trailer for the Switch 2 was released in January 2025, teasing fans with glimpses of the new console. However, details such as the price, specs, and release date were missing from the initial reveal. The recent Nintendo Direct event filled in these gaps, offering a comprehensive overview of what to expect from the Nintendo Switch 2.

Our Entertainment Editor had the opportunity to get hands-on experience with the console in Paris, exploring features such as the new mouse mode on the Joy-Cons, improved graphics, and kid-friendly design tweaks.

When will the Nintendo Switch 2 be released?

Nintendo has officially announced that the Nintendo Switch 2 will hit the shelves on 5 June 2025. Leading up to the release date, Nintendo will be hosting live experiences for fans to try out the console. Interested individuals can register for these events, starting from Paris this week and culminating in Seoul in June 2025.

For context, the Switch Lite was launched in September 2019, followed by the Switch (OLED) in October 2021.

Nintendo

How much will the Nintendo Switch 2 cost?

The Nintendo Switch 2 will be priced at £395.99/$449.99 for the standalone console, and £429.99/$499.99 for the Mario Kart World bundle, one of the launch titles. In comparison, the original Nintendo Switch is priced at £259/$299, while the OLED version costs £309/$349.

Despite the price increase from the previous generation, the Switch 2 remains competitively priced against other handheld rivals such as the Asus ROG Ally and the Steam Deck.

Nintendo

Can I pre-order the Switch 2?

Official pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 were initially set to go live on 9 April 2025 in the US and UK. However, due to new tariffs imposed by President Trump in the US, the pre-order date for America has been delayed. The statement only mentions the US, so international markets are expected to follow the original schedule unless stated otherwise by Nintendo. The release date remains unchanged.

In the UK, pre-orders can be placed on Shopto by paying a nominal amount to secure your console. Alternatively, you can pre-register on Currys by providing your details to receive notifications once the pre-order links are live. If you opt to pre-order through Shopto, the full amount will be charged when pre-orders officially open, with the option to cancel before that.

Is there a trailer for the Nintendo Switch 2?

If you want a sneak peek at the Nintendo Switch 2, check out the two-minute trailer released in January. The trailer showcases significant design enhancements, including a larger screen, new Joy-Con controllers, an improved kickstand, and a new USB-C port.

What are the specs of the Switch 2?

• Larger 7.9-inch LCD display
• Magnetic Joy-Cons
• New C button for GameChat
• 256GB storage

The Nintendo Switch 2 features a 7.9-inch LCD display, maintaining the same thickness as its predecessor. The console comes in black, with colorful accents on the controllers – blue for the left and peachy orange for the right, deviating from the traditional red.

A more versatile U-shaped kickstand is integrated at the back, along with a new USB-C port at the top, allowing for headset connectivity while docked. The console also introduces a new C button on the Joy-Con controllers, serving as a GameChat activation feature. This allows up to four users to connect during gameplay using built-in microphones with noise-cancelling technology.

GameChat is accessible in both docked and handheld modes. The feature will be free to use until March 2026, after which a Nintendo Switch Online Membership will be required. Users can utilize GameChat to expand their game screen on the display, showcasing all players’ screens simultaneously.

Complementing this feature is the new Nintendo Switch camera, enabling users to broadcast their feed alongside voice communication to friends and family. The pricing for this accessory is yet to be disclosed. Parental controls can be set up for GameChat through the accompanying app, offering supervision for children utilizing this feature.

Nintendo

The Nintendo Switch 2 boasts a 1080p panel with HDR support, offering double the pixel density of the original Switch. Additionally, the console features enhanced surround sound when using headphones and includes a new built-in fan for improved cooling.

The Joy-Cons now attach magnetically and support mouse functionality, allowing for new gameplay experiences. The console offers backward compatibility for both digital and physical Switch games, ensuring users can continue playing their favorite titles on the new model.

Virtual game cards have been introduced, enabling users to lend digital games to friends and family through GameShare. This feature allows sharing one game among up to three other systems, including older Switch consoles, albeit with select titles supported.

At launch, the Nintendo Switch 2 provides 256GB of storage for game downloads, a significant upgrade from the 32GB capacity of the original Switch. Users can expand storage using a microSD express card rather than a standard microSD card. The console also supports Wi-Fi 6, NFC, and offers faster data reading speeds for game cards.

Nintendo

At launch, users will have the option to purchase a new dedicated Pro controller and a GameCube-style controller, both featuring the new C button for GameChat functionality.

What launch games are on the Nintendo Switch 2?

Mario Kart World, the ninth installment in the Mario Kart series, will be released alongside the Nintendo Switch 2. Players can expect off-road racing and a new knockout mode in this game. A dedicated Direct for Mario Kart World is scheduled later this month.

date launch Nintendo Preorders Price Release specs Switch titles