Nintendo just dropped the mega Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Direct presentation today, showcasing everything from price points to launch titles.
The Nintendo Switch 2-focused Nintendo Direct has been on the menu for just over a month now, with the announcement of the presentation finally leading to today’s showcase. Nintendo kept its foot on the gas pedal and pumped out two Nintendo Direct presentations in one week, and today’s hotly anticipated Direct presentation opened the door for a fresh look at the new Nintendo Switch 2 console. From a known release date to notable hardware updates and even launch titles, the Nintendo Direct dragged everything Nintendo themselves know about the Nintendo Switch 2 into the light.
With housekeeping out of the way, the Nintendo Direct revealed a torrent of new trailers and information regarding the new console for fans all over the world to see, and all of the announcements from the presentation can be seen below.
Nintendo Switch 2 Hardware Details
The Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Direct launched into a myriad of new features exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2 console, and they’re listed below:
Nintendo Switch 2 Chat Functions
- The right Joy-Con (referred to as a Joy-Con 2) has a C button, and it’s a new feature for Nintendo Switch 2 called GameChat. With GameChat, players will be able to communicate with friends and family while playing. Even with noise around the player, voices will be heard clearly even without a mic (using the Switch 2 built-in microphone).
- GameChat lets you see what everyone else is playing on the same screen, and it works even if players are playing different games. The C button pulls up the chat menu and allows players to mute themselves and use other functionality.
Nintendo Switch 2 Camera Functions
- Fans can connect Nintendo Switch cameras to the Switch 2 and appear on-screen, akin to video chatting with friends, including the player’s face.
- If a player is chatting with four people simultaneously, four boxes showing what each player is playing will be shown on the bottom of your screen, including the player’s face (if they have a camera connected).
- The Nintendo Switch 2 camera will be available on launch day of the Nintendo Switch 2, and GameChat will only be available with an active Nintendo Switch Online account.
Nintendo Switch 2 Features
- Nintendo Switch 2 deploys game share, allowing owners the ability to temporarily share games with up to three other systems at a time. GameShare support is only for select games on the Switch 2.
- Nintendo Switch 2 supports backwards compatibility physically and digitally on select games, and Game Cards will be the same size and shape as the original Nintendo Switch console.
- The Nintendo Switch 2 only works with microSD Express cards, this makes former original Nintendo Switch SD cards incompatible with Switch 2 (no mention of SSD was made either).
- A new pro controller (including the C for GameChat) has been introduced for the Nintendo Switch 2.
- On Nintendo Switch 2 you can play three types of games: Nintendo Switch 2 games, compatible original Nintendo Switch 1 titles, and Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games (upscaled titles).
- Nintendo Switch 2 Edition titles add higher definition graphics to the equation, and upscale existing titles to the Switch 2 hardware. In the event fans own the original title already, there will be an option to purchase an upgrade pack for the Switch 2 edition at a lower cost to the player.
- Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour – a new title that shows fans exactly what the Switch 2 does has been announced. The Welcome Tour includes mini-games and tech demos that showcase the new functionality and will be an extra cost to the player on launch.
Nintendo Switch 2 Hardware & Functions
- 7.9 inch LCD screenwith a 1080p resolution and 120fps display.
- Thickness is the same as Switch.
- Joy-Con 2 controllers connect magnetically, keeping the handles attached securely to the console.
- SL and SR buttons located on the inside of Joy-Con 2 are slightly bigger, making each handle easier to use as a standalone controller. Joy-Con 2 left and right analog sticks are slightly larger as well (it’s worth mentioning hall effects weren’t mentioned during the Nintendo Direct, considering existing Joy-Con susceptibility to stick drift).
- Each Joy-Con 2 controller can be turned sideways into a mouse for compatibility with games, as announced at the Nintendo Direct.
- A built-in mic has been included for GameChat, including noise cancelling for background ambience.
- A larger, sturdier stand is included, as well as 2 USB-C ports on the Nintendo Switch 2. These ports straddle the top and bottom of the console.
- The NintendoSwitch 2 comes with 256GB of internal storage.
- A new Dock with 4K support for compatible games has been revealed at the Nintendo Direct. The Nintendo Switch 2 Dock includes a built-in fan to keep the console cool.
The Nintendo Switch 2 comes with the following:
- Nintendo Switch 2 console
- Joy-Con 2 controllers (L+R)
- Joy-Con 2 Grip
- Joy-Con 2 Straps
- Nintendo Switch 2 Dock
- Ultra High-Speed HDMI Cable
- Nintendo Switch 2 AC Adapter
- USB-C Power/Charging cable
The Nintendo Switch 2 console will launch at a retail price of $449.99 USD/$629.99 CAD. The Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle will be launched for a suggested retail price of $499.99 USD/$699.99 CAD, which includes a system and a download code for the Mario Kart World game as announced at the Nintendo Direct.
The Nintendo Switch 2 launches on June 5, 2025.
Nintendo Switch 2 Game Announcements
Mario Kart World
The Nintendo Switch 2 Direct started hot off the starting line with a brand new entry in the Mario Kart series. In the brief announcement trailer, Karts can be seen grinding on rails, riding along walls, and racers are even seen changing outfits mid-race while still in the driver’s seat. Even a cow is seen behind the wheel in Mario Kart World! Mario Kart 8 Deluxe gliders have seemingly been ditched in favour of wings that expand from the sides of each Kart, making the karts themselves appear like small planes with wheels.
Mario Kart World will launch as a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive, and for the first time in franchise history, racers can drive straight off the racetrack and drive “basically anywhere” in Free Roam mode. Knockout Tour is another new mode where if you cross the next lap as the last-place contestant, you will get eliminated.
A brand new race across the entire world starts with Mario Kart World, and a new Nintendo Direct specific to the Kart racer will land on April 17. Mario Kart World launches as a Day One Nintendo Switch 2 release.
Super Mario Party Jamboree Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV
The Nintendo Direct gave fans information on the backwards compatibility of the Switch 2, and they’ve revealed that certain Switch titles will receive a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. These Editions will come with specific functionality exclusive to the Switch 2 hardware, and will be denoted as a Game Card with a Red border.
Super Mario Party Jamboree is one of these titles. The Switch 2 Edition includes new mouse control functionality, Nintendo Switch 2 camera functions and GameChat so Party-goers can party even if they’re not in the same room. New mini-games have been added using the Switch 2 functions as well! Super Mario Party Jamboree Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV launches on July 24.
Donkey Kong Bananza
The last announcement at the Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Direct paved the way for a new 3D Donkey Kong action-adventure, Donkey Kong Bananza. The newest title in the Donkey Kong franchise sees DK himself don new powers and movement in a 3D sandbox world. Donkey Kong Bananza releases as a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive on July 17.
Other Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Titles Announced
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom will be getting a Switch 2 Edition. A new feature called ‘Zelda Notes’ can be used using the Switch 2 app, and creations can be shared with other players using the app with QR code functionality.
- Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Will introduce an exclusive story for the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, and it takes place inside the Forgotten Land.
- Super Mario Party Jamboree Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Editon
- Kirby and the ForgottenLand + Star Crossed World Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
- Metroid Prime Beyond Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
- Pokemon Legends Z-A Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
- Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
- Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
- Shadow Labyrinth Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
- Tamagotchi Plaza Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pass – GameCube is coming to Nintendo Switch 2!
The Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Direct then unveiled the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack, which will include a new classic game library exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2, the GameCube. On top of adding hit GameCube titles to the library included with Expansion Pass subscriptions, Nintendo Switch Online will also be releasing a licensed (and wireless) GameCube controller exclusive to Nintendo Online. This is in the same vein as the previously released N64 and SEGA GENESIS controllers that launched on the service.
Titles that will launch with the service (and the Nintendo Switch 2 console) are F-Zero GX, The Legend of Zelda: Windwaker and Soul Calibur 2. F-Zero GX and Soul Calibur 2 will also be compatible with Nintendo Switch Online services, allowing players to face each other online. It’s also worth mentioning Nintendo has announced the service will also include select Nintendo Switch 2 Edition title upgrades at no extra cost to the subscriber adding value to the membership.
All Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Direct Revealed Titles So Far
- Mario Kart World – Day 1 Release
- Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour – Day 1 Release
- Super Mario Party Jamboree Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Editon
- Kirby and the ForgottenLand + Star Crossed World Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
- Metroid Prime Beyond Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
- Pokemon Legends Z-A Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
- Drag X Drive
- Elden Ring Tarnished Edition – 2025
- Hades 2 – 2025
- Street Fighter 6
- Arsenal
- United Earth
- Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion – May 9, 2025
- Spit Fiction – Day 1 Release
- EA Sports FC
- EA Sports Madden NFL
- Hogwarts Legacy – Day 1 Release
- Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3-4 – Summer 2025
- Hitman World of Assassination Signature Edition – Day 1 Release
- Project 007
- Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster – Day 1 Release
- Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut
- Hyrule Warriors Age of Imprisonment – Winter 2025
- Deltarune – Day 1 Release
- Borderlands 4 – 2025
- Sid Meier’s Civilization VII – Day 1 Release
- WWE 2K
- NBA 2K
- Survival Kids – Day 1 Release
- Enter the Gungeon 2
- StarSeeker Astroneer Expeditions – 2026
- Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition
- Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade
- Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess – Day 1 Release
- Hollow Knight: Silksong – 2025
- Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar Nintendo Switch 2 Edition – August 28, 2025
- Goodnight Universe – 2025
- Two Point Museum – 2025
- Wild Hearts S – July 25, 2025
- Witchbrook – Winter 2025
- Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S – Day 1 Release
- Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma Nintendo Switch 2 Edition – Day 1 Release
- Marvel Cosmic Invasion – Winter 2025
- Star Wars Outlaws – 2025
- NOBUNAGA’S AMBITION: Awakening Complete Edition – Day 1 Release
- Fast Fusion – Day 1 Release
- Shadow Labyrinth Nintendo Switch 2 Edition – July 18, 2025
- RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulles Army – June 19, 2025
- No Sleep For Kaname Date – From the AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES – July 25, 2025
- REANIMAL – 2025
- Fortnite – Day 1 Release
- Arcade Archives 2 RIDGE RACER – Day 1 Release
- Professor Layton and the New World of Steam – 2025
- Tamagotchi Plaza Nintendo Switch 2 Edition – June 27, 2025
- Human Fall Flat 2 – Coming Soon
- The Duskbloods
- Kirby Air Ride – 2025
- Donkey Kong Bananza – July 17, 2025
That just about wraps up the entire Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Direct showcase! Nintendo Switch 2 and a Digital Version of Mario Kart World Bundle will be available at launch on June 5, as well as the standalone console. The official Nintendo Switch 2 website has opened for business, and fans can head there for extra information surrounding the massive showcase and the massive in-depth look at the new console.
