Nintendo Switch 2 Guide: Ultimate Resource

The Switch 2 is the next console from Nintendo and is a direct successor to the original Nintendo Switch that launched all the way back in March 2017.

The company has announced a Switch 2 release date — it will launch worldwide on 5th June 2025. Nintendo also confirmed the price: Switch 2 will retail for $449.99 / £395.99 / €469,99, with pre-orders going live on 8th (UK/Europe) and 9th April (US/Canada), although they have been popping up sporadically at some retailers.

In this guide, we've assembled everything you need to know about Nintendo's new console. We'll look at the hardware and features — including the specs, screen, and new controller features — and we'll cover announced Switch 2 games, backwards compatibility, and related topics.

Switch 2 Overview (tl;dr)

In a hurry? Here's the confirmed information and main details, including the launch date, pricing, and when pre-orders drop:

• Switch 2 Release date: 5th June 2025
• Switch 2 Price: $449.99 / £395.99 / €469,99
• Pre-orders open: 8th April (UK/Europe), 24th April (US) - Postponed from 9th April
• Key features: 4K, 120fps capable, HDR, 1080p screen, in-built mic
• Key titles: Mario Kart World, Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition, Zelda: Breath of the Wild: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, Donkey Kong Bananza
• Backwards compatible with Switch games? Yes, with exceptions

Nintendo Switch 2 Hardware

Switch 2 builds on the foundation of the original Switch with more power, a larger screen. and other improvements over its predecessor.

It maintains the same basic design as the current console. Detachable controllers attach to the sides of a touchscreen, tablet-like device that's also playable on a TV. The base console is a touchscreen tablet-like device with a kickstand, two USB-C ports (one on top and the standard one below).

Switch 2 Tech Specs

Switch 2's tech specs (technical specifications) are improved over the previous models, making it the most powerful Switch. You can see that from the bigger battery size alone.

Below you'll find a breakdown of Switch 2's hardware components.

Switch 2 New Features

4K Output and Upscaling via the new Dock

Switch 2 has a new dock which can output a 4K signal while docked to your TV, a significant upgrade over the original Switch. Upscaling tech means games should look much better on a 4K display than on a standard Switch.

Here are the dock's basic features and dimensions:

Larger screen, higher resolution and refresh rate

Switch 2's screen is bigger than the original system, measuring 7.9 inches diagonally compared to Switch OLED's 7" and the original console's 6.2" LCD. Switch 2's panel isn't an OLED, though.

Switch 2's panel has a variable refresh rate (VRR) capable of 120Hz - that's up to 120 frames per second. Not every game is going to be capable of that, of course, but technically the system is capable of it.

Switch 2 also supports HDR10 for tighter contrast between light and dark areas.

GameChat

GameChat is a voice chat feature allowing up to 12 people to chat while playing games on Switch 2. The mic is in the console itself and activated by pressing the 'C' button. The mic appears to function similarly to the old Wii Speak accessory for Wii. The feature is also compatible with the optional Switch 2 camera, enabling you to share video.

You'll need a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to use GameChat, although it will be free to anyone with a Switch 2 until 31st March 2026.

GameShare

As the name suggests, GameShare lets you share compatible games with other Switch 2 and Switch 1 systems using just one copy of the game.

There's only a small list of compatible games at the time of writing, but there should be more coming in the future.

Switch 2 UI

The new console features an updated user interface and menu setup, although it's very similar to Switch 1's menu.

More Switch 2 Hardware Articles, Guides, and FAQs

• Dock - Size, HDMI, Connections Guide, 4K Upscaling
• Battery Life - How Does It Compare?
• First Impressions
• Hardware Gallery
• 'GameShare' Brings A New Way To Play Locally On Multiple Systems
• Switch 2 Internal Storage
• Switch 2 Specs Breakdown
• Switch 2 Screen Size, Resolution, Refresh Rate
• System Transfer from Switch 1 to Switch 2
• What Does The Switch 2's 'C' Button Do? We Finally Have An Answer
• What Is DLSS? - Nvidia's Deep Learning Super Sampling Explained

Note. We'll be adding to this guide in the coming weeks - watch this space for more!

Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con Controllers

A new Switch means new controllers. The Switch 2's Joy-Con are a little larger than the previous ones - and hopefully a lot less prone to drift!

Switch 2's controllers feature a bunch of improvements over the old Joy-Con, including magnetic attachment, mouse-like functionality, and a new button which has various functions linked to the new GameChat and GameShare features.

More Switch 2 Joy-Con Guides and FAQs

• Nintendo Switch 2: Joy-Con Differences - How Do The New Controllers Compare?

Nintendo Switch 2 Games

Here are the headline Switch 2 launch games, plus others scheduled to arrive during the 'launch period' and later in 2025:

• Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster
• Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition
• Hitman: World of Assassination - Signature Edition
• Hogwarts Legacy
• Mario Kart World
• Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
• Street Fighter 6: Fighter's Edition
• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Nintendo Switch 2 Edition)
• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Nintendo Switch 2 Edition)
• Yakuza 0: Director's Cut

You'll find the full launch lineup in our guide of all day one releases, and for even more titles heading to Switch 2, check out our rundown of every announced Switch 2 game. We've also got a list of games that are compatible with Mouse Mode.

Backwards Compatibility

Nintendo has built up an impressive library of games for Switch since 2017, and Switch 2 will be backwards compatible with most Switch 1 games, although Nintendo has released official lists of Switch games with issues being investigated.

If you're looking for something to play on the new system, there are loads of Switch 2-compatible options. Our Best Switch Games guides highlight the best of the best - here's a handful of our most popular:

• Best Cheap Nintendo Switch Games
• Best Nintendo Switch Couch Co-Op Games
• Best Nintendo Switch Exclusives
• Best Nintendo Switch RPGs
• Switch Essentials

Switch 2 Edition games

Separate from regular backwards compatibility, "Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games" will also be available, adding new modes, functionality, and generally enhancing select Switch games by taking advantage of Switch 2's extra power.

Announced Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games include:

• Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World
• Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
• Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
• 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 Edition

Game-Key Cards

Essentially, Nintendo's new Switch 2 Game-Key Cards, which you'll purchase in a physical box, are game carts which operate as a 'key' to download the digital version of a game and must be inserted when you want to play that digital game, even though the data isn't stored on the card.

Virtual Game Cards

Virtual Game Cards will allow Switch and Switch 2 owners to more easily share digital games between consoles.

More Switch 2 Game Guides and FAQs

• All Confirmed Switch 2 Games & Release Dates
• Nintendo Switch 2: Launch Games - All Day One Releases
• Backwards Compatibility Guide - What Games Can't Be Played on Switch 2?
• Best Switch 1 Games
• Every Nintendo Switch 2 Game-Key Card Release
• How Do Nintendo Switch 2 Virtual Game Cards Work? - Game Transfer & Lending Guide

Nintendo Switch 2 Accessories

There's a new Switch 2 Pro Controller, a Switch 2 Camera, and there will doubtlessly be many other accessories produced by Nintendo and third-party manufacturers in the coming months - here's where we'll put them.

Something very important to note: standard micro SD cards won't work on Switch 2 - you'll need a Micro SD Express card with faster transfer speeds than the older cards. And if you don't have a 4K TV, you might want to investigate one of those.

• Best 4K TVs For Nintendo Switch 2
• Best MicroSD Express Cards For Nintendo Switch 2
• Nintendo Switch 2 Camera Guide
• Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller - All New Features Revealed
• Switch 2: All New Accessories

Nintendo Switch 2 Online

Nintendo Switch Online is the company's subscription service, and this service will be available on Switch 2 just as the other Switch consoles

• Switch 2: Nintendo Switch Online - New Additions
• Every Game On Nintendo Switch Online

NSO enables online play in games that have that mode, with a variety of games from the NES, SNES, Game Boy, GBA, N64, and Genesis / Mega Drive. Exclusive online multiplayer games such as Tetris 99 and F-Zero 99 are also available.

Nintendo Switch 2 FAQ

Before we wrap things up, let's answer a few common Switch 2 questions.

Will Switch 2 replace the existing Switch?

The current Switch will likely exist alongside Switch 2 for some time, possibly several years. That's not unusual for a new Nintendo console.

The Nintendo Switch has sold over 150 million units, and — as with previous Nintendo consoles such as the Wii and the 3DS — developers will continue to support it for some time following the introduction of a Switch successor.

Backwards compatibility also means that Switch 2 players can still buy and play 'old' Switch games, which should sound good to publishers.

Nintendo has announced two Switch 1 games that will launch in 2026 — Rhythm Heaven Groove and Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream — indicating its plans to support the system beyond Switch 2's release.

Should I wait for the Nintendo Switch 2 to be released before buying a Switch?

Do you already own a Switch? If so, you should wait for the Switch 2 before considering an upgrade.

Now the new Switch has been fully unveiled, you'll have a better idea of the new features and software it will offer and you'll be able to make an informed purchase decision.

If you don't currently own a Nintendo Switch, it's an excellent system with an exceptional library. Nintendo has confirmed that Switch 2 will play existing Switch games, therefore you can start building your game collection now, knowing they will be compatible with the new hardware.

What is the Nintendo Switch 2 codename?

References to the codename 'Muji' were found in software development kits in May 2024, although members of Famiboards suggested in September that 'Ounce' was the Switch 2's codename.

A shipping manifest supposedly listed Switch 2 components using the code 'HGU' and also mentioned 'BEE', which is speculated to be Switch 2's retail product code.

Switch 2 History - A Timeline

Switch 2 was officially revealed on 16th January 2025, yet Switch '2' rumours — and before that, Switch 'Pro' rumours — circulated for almost as long as its predecessor had been on store shelves.

It wasn't until May 2024 that Nintendo announced its intentions to reveal a Switch successor before the end of the 2024/25 fiscal year.

Where to buy Switch 2

Finally, if you're in the market for a new system on launch day, our Switch 2 pre-order guide might come in handy.

And that wraps up our Switch 2 guide. We'll keep this page updated with the latest info as we get it, so be sure to bookmark this page and check back to find out more as Switch 2 details come to light.

Let us know in the comments section below if you've got any suggestions, tips, or questions about the new Switch.