Nintendo has finally given more details about the Nintendo Switch 2, including how much it will cost and when you will be able to buy one. But there’s more to the Nintendo Switch successor, which you might have questions about. While existing Nintendo Switch owners might feel right at home, many new customers might want to know everything about the Nintendo Switch 2.

The Nintendo Switch 2 has a similar design to its predecessor and even has similar features, even though this is the company’s next-generation console. When the Nintendo Switch 2 was initially revealed, not many details were available about the console, including its pricing and new features. However, if you’re on the fence about upgrading from your current Nintendo Switch, here’s every important question answered about Nintendo’s next-generation console.

How Much Does The Nintendo Switch 2 Cost, And When Can You Buy One?

Nintendo Switch 2’s Price & Availability Details

The Nintendo Switch 2’s price has officially been confirmed at $449.99. The console will launch on June 5, 2025, and preorders will be available with participating retailers from April 9, 2025, onwards. Nintendo has not officially revealed every retailer, but you can expect them to go live with retailers such as Best Buy, Game Stop, Target, Walmart, the Official Nintendo Store, and online retailers like Amazon.

The Nintendo Switch 2 will also be bundled with Mario Kart World and will retail for $499.99. Having said that, it would be fair to expect more bundles and even discounts during Black Friday, Thanksgiving, and Holiday 2025 period.

How Much Will Switch 2 Games Cost?

A Pricey Ordeal

Prices for games for the Nintendo Switch 2 can vary; however, some titles like Mario Kart World will cost $80 digitally. Similarly, Donkey Kong Bananza and the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of TOTK will cost $79.99 while the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of BOTW will cost $69.99. Here are some prices of games announced after the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct:

It might also be prudent to mention that not all physical Switch 2 game cards will contain the actual full game; instead, they will have a digital Game-Key and a warning indicating this. However, many games like Cyberpunk 2077 or Mario Kart World will have the full game within the game card.

What Does The Nintendo Switch 2 Look Like?

The Switch 2 Looks Slightly Different

The Nintendo Switch 2’s design is quite similar to its predecessor, albeit with some differences. For starters, the main console unit is slightly larger and has a bigger screen and thinner bezels. The main unit also has a redesigned kickstand that covers the entire back of the console. The new kickstand will enable you to adjust to multiple viewing angles and is also more durable than the first-generation Nintendo Switch’s flimsy kickstand.

The Nintendo Switch 2 dock also looks different, as it is slightly more rounded and bigger than its predecessor. However, the dock will have the same functionality: you will be able to connect your Switch 2 to a television or a monitor.

The button configuration is also similar; however, there is now a new “C” button on the right Joy-Con. This button will be used to communicate with other players using GameChat. Players will also be able to communicate with friends and family via the microphone on the main console unit. The feature can also be used to share your game screen or watch your friends play any game, similar to the Screen Share feature on PlayStation consoles.

What Are The Specs For Nintendo Switch 2?

Nintendo Switch 2’s Technical Specifications

The Nintendo Switch 2 is confirmed to have a 7.9-inch screen with 1080p resolution that can double the number of pixels as compared to the Nintendo Switch. The display also s HDR10 content for vibrant visuals and can run games up to 120 FPS. However, one big disappointment is the type of display Nintendo is using. The Switch 2 will have an LCD screen instead of an OLED .

The Nintendo Switch 2 is powered by a custom NVIDIA SoC and has a battery size of 5220 mAh. The handheld unit's battery life is expected to last between 2 and 6.5 hours. Battery life varies depending on the game and whether it is in performance or quality mode. Games running at higher FPS are expected to drain the battery faster. The battery will also take about three hours to charge if the main console unit is in sleep mode.

The Nintendo Switch 2's dock is also getting some upgrades. It will now be able to output 4K resolution on TVs and external monitors with a refresh rate up to 120 FPS. The dock also has an in-built Ethernet port for a more stable online multiplayer experience and a built-in fan to deliver more consistent performance and better cooling.

The main console unit also has a built-in microphone so that you can use it for GameChat and talk with friends and family while playing. In of internal storage, the Nintendo Switch 2 will now have 256GB storage space and an option to expand it using a microSD Express card. It is worth pointing out that the Nintendo Switch 2 only s the newer microSD Express cards and is not compatible with older microSD Cards.

It is worth pointing out that microSD Express cards are costlier than previous versions and only up to 256GB of storage at the time of writing. However, since the Nintendo Switch 2 is compatible with microSD Express cards only up to 2TB, you can expect cards with more storage in the near future.

What Are The Nintendo Switch 2 Accessories?

What Comes With The Switch 2

The Nintendo Switch 2 ships with the main handheld console unit, a docking unit, a set of left and right Joy-Con 2s, an HDMI cable, an A/C USB-C Adapter, and Joy-Con 2 wrist straps. Joy-Con 2 controllers can also be attached to a charging grip that is sold separately and costs $34.99.

The Nintendo Switch 2 will also an updated Pro Controller that has a "C" button and two new buttons at the back called "Gr" and "Gl."

The new Pro Controller will also have a 3.5mm headphone jack that will work similarly to other controllers, such as the PlayStation Dual Sense controller, i.e., you will now be able to voice chat with other players and hear in-game audio using a wired headphone/earphone. The Switch 2 Pro Controller will be sold separately for $79.99 and available at launch alongside the Nintendo Switch 2.

Like the previous generation, you can also buy a Joy-Con 2 Wheel (set of two) accessory separately for $19.99, which will come in handy when playing games like Mario Kart World. Do note that since the Joy-Con 2 is bigger than the original Joy-Con, previous Wheel accessories will not be compatible.

Other accessories you can purchase for the Nintendo Switch 2 are as follows.

There's also a Nintendo Switch Camera that costs $59.99 and can be used as a webcam to show your camera feed within games using the GameChat feature. The Nintendo Switch Camera connects to the top USB-C port on the main console unit. Additionally, the Nintendo GameCube Controller will also be available exclusively for NSO and will cost $64.99. The GameCube controller for the Nintendo Switch 2 will also have the "C" button, enabling you to GameChat and GameShare with Friends and family.

How Are The Nintendo Switch 2’s Joy-Cons Different?

Similar Yet Different

The Nintendo Switch 2’s Joy-Cons might appear similar, but there are a few key differences in of features and functionality. The Joy-Con 2s are now larger and attach to the main console unit differently. Instead of sliding into railing connectors, the Switch 2 Joy-Cons snap onto the side of the console magnetically and can be detached using the release button. This is far more convenient than before and makes a very satisfying sound when you attach the two Joy-Cons.

Both Joy-Cons can also be used like a mouse for certain games and applications. This means you will be able to drag the Joy-Cons on a flat surface, similar to a traditional PC mouse. This might be handy for certain games like Civilization 7, FPS games like Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, and many other titles.

Is The Nintendo Switch 2 Backwards Compatible?

Do Older Games Work On The Switch 2

Yes, Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa confirmed that the older games have issues running on Nintendo Switch 2 and are being investigated by Nintendo at the time of writing.

Additionally, Nintendo Switch Online (NSO) games will be playable on the Nintendo Switch 2, as the multiplayer live service will also be available on the Nintendo Switch 2. This will enable players to access many retro titles that the company added to the Nintendo Switch’s online service via the Expansion Pack. For the Nintendo Switch 2, NSO + Expansion Pack will also get GameCube titles like The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker, F-Zero GX, and other titles that will be added in the future.

You will also be able to share games with friends and family using the new Virtual Game Card feature. You can transfer games to another Switch using a local wireless connection, which is limited to a maximum of two systems for the same .

Shared games that are lent to friends and family via the Virtual Game Card will have a two-week limitation.

While this makes lending digital games slightly easier, it only works locally and could pose a problem when trying to share games with others who aren’t close to each other. It is also worth pointing out that games that are exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2 can only be shared with other Switch 2 Consoles using the Virtual Game Card feature.

Nintendo also announced a new GameShare feature that will let players share and play the same game temporarily with friends and family who do not have it. This feature will only work with games compatible with GameShare and will work over a local network. The player with the game can invite others to play the title on either the Nintendo Switch 2 or the Nintendo Switch. When using GameShare between two Nintendo Switch 2 consoles, it can also be used alongside GameChat for online multiplayer so that all players can talk to each other while playing the shared game.

Will Older Games Be Enhanced & Do They Have Upgrades?

Play Your Old Games With Updated Graphics & Performance

Older titles like The Legend of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild and Tears Of The Kingdom will have enhanced frame rate and higher resolution on the Nintendo Switch 2. This will result in smoother gameplay with better visuals and frame rate than the Nintendo Switch. These games are referred to as "Nintendo Switch 2 Editions," and you can upgrade the game digitally for a cost via the eShop if you already own the games. However, at the time of writing, Nintendo has not mentioned how much these upgrades will cost.

Some of the games that will get upgrades include: Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, The Legend of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild, The Legend of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom, Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Super Mario Party Jamboree, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, and Sid Meier's Civilization VII.

It is worth pointing out upgrades for The Legend of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild and Tears Of The Kingdom will be free for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack , however you will still need to own the games in order to play the upgraded version on the Nintendo Switch 2. In addition to these upgrades, some other titles are receiving Nintendo Switch 2 Editions free of cost and won't require a Nintendo Switch Online hip. These games include:

• ARMS
• Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
• Super Mario Odyssey
• Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury
• Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics
• The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
• The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
• Game Builder Garage
• New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
• Pokémon Scarlet
• Pokémon Violet
• Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain

Does The Switch Pro Controller Work On The Nintendo Switch 2?

There's Good News & Bad News

Yes, older Pro Controllers compatible with the Nintendo Switch 1 will be compatible with the Nintendo Switch 2 as well. The button placement is nearly identical, apart from the new “C” button and the back buttons found on the new Pro Controllers. It is also worth pointing out that the older Pro Controller does not have a headphone jack, meaning you will not be able to use wired headphones or earphones for GameChat functionality.

What Games Are Confirmed For The Nintendo Switch 2?

Games That Are Confirmed For The Switch 2

A few games have been confirmed for the Nintendo Switch 2, including some first-party and third-party titles. Here's every game confirmed for the Nintendo Switch 2 so far:

First-Party Titles

• Pokémon Legends: Z-A Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
• Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
• Donkey Kong Bananza (Release Date: 7/17/25)
• Mario Kart World (Available Same Day As Nintendo Switch 2)
• Super Mario Party Jamboree Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV
• Kirby Air Riders
• Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

Nintendo Switch 2 Exclusives

• The Duskbloods
• Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment
• Drag x Drive

Third-Party Titles

• Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4
• Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion
• Sid Meier's Civilization VII
• Cyberpunk 2077
• Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade
• WWE2K25
• Survival Kids
• Star Wars Outlaws
• NBA2K25
• Project 007
• Borderlands 4
• Deltarune Chapters 1-4
• Enter The Gungeon 2
• Split Fiction
• Wild Hearts S
• Witchbrook
• Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S
• MARVEL Cosmic Invasion
• Fast Fusion
• REANIMAL
• Hollow Knight 2: Silksong
• Hitman: World Of Assassination
• Street Fighter 6
• Hogwarts Legacy
• Elden Ring
• Hades 2
• Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster
• Aurascope
• Bestiario
• Littlelands
• Yakuza 0 Director's Cut
• My Time at Evershine
• Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar
• Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma
• Shadow Labyrinth
• Tamagotchi Plaza
• Madden NFL
• Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions
• Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess
• Goodnight Universe
• Two Point Museum
• Nobubaga’s Ambition: Awakening Complete Edition
• Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army
• No Sleep For Kaname Date — From AI: The Somnium Files
• Fortnite
• Arcade Archives 2 Ridge Racer (Available Same Day As Nintendo Switch 2)
• Professor Layton and the New World of Steam
• Human Fall Flat 2
• Fur Squadron Phoenix
• Synth Beasts
• Yooka-Replaylee

Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack (Nintendo Switch 2)

• The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker
• Soulcalibur 2
• F-Zero GX

While more games will be revealed in future Nintendo Direct presentations and other live gaming events, this list will continue to be updated as more next-gen titles and Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives are released.

Source: Nintendo