6 days ago
The Nintendo Switch 2 is Out Today: Here's What You Need to Know
By Dean Blake - News
Published: 5 June 2025
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Readtime: 8 min
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The day we've been waiting for is finally here: The Nintendo Switch 2 launches today.
After literal years of leaks, months of waiting since the reveal event hosted in April, and a deluge of information being released by the Japanese company what feels like every day, people will today be able to get their hands on the next-gen handheld-hybrid console. I got the chance to test the console out a few months ago, which you can read about here, but if you haven't been able to try out the device at any of the local showings, it honestly looks and feels great.
That's not a review, though: those are likely to start dropping in the next few days and weeks. Nintendo has made the very-Nintendo decision to send out review consoles this week, rather than ahead of time, due to the fact the console will need a firmware update to operate. Does this mean the console won't work at all without being able to connect to the internet at least once? We honestly don't know yet.
We'll be getting a console and a few games care of Nintendo this week, and getting you some honest thoughts and feedback on the console will be my personal highest priority. For now though, let's review (ha) what the console is delivering in terms of upgrades over the original system, the games you can grab on day one, as well as where you can even buy this thing.
'Mario Kart World' on Nintendo Switch 2 | Image: Dean Blake/Man of Many
How Powerful is the Nintendo Switch 2?
While the Switch 2's reveal event was pretty light on technical details, we've since gotten quite a bit more clarity on exactly what is powering Nintendo's next-gen efforts. Here's what we know, care of the wonderful people over at Digital Foundry for the meaty tech specs.
Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Switch 1 (OLED Model) Price AUD$699 (console only)
AUD$769 (w/ Mario Kart World) AUD$539 Screen 7.9' 1080p LCD screen
279 pixels-per-inch
Up to 120hz refresh rate
HDR capable
10-point multi touch 7' 720p OLED screen
210 pixels-per-inch
Up to 60hz refresh rate
10-point multi touch GPU Nvidia custom Ampere
1007MHz (docked), 561MHz (mobile), Max 1.4GHz Nvidia custom Tegra X1
768MHz (docked), 460MHz (mobile), Max 921MHz CPU 8x ARM Cortex A78C
998MHz (docked), 1101MHz mobile, Max 1.7GHz
1536 CUDA Cores 4x ARM Cortex A57
1020 MHz (docked and mobile), Max 1.785GHz
256 CUDA cores Memory 12GB LPDDR5 RAM 4GB LPDDR4 RAM Battery 5220mAh
Approximately 2-6 hours playtime
Approximately 3 hours to charge to full 4310mAh
Approximately 4.5-9 hours playtime
Approximately 3 hours to charge to full Built-in Storage 256GB 64GB Ports Game Card Slot
2 USB-C ports
4-pole stereo 3.5mm audio jack
microSD Express card slot Game Card Slot
1 USB-C port
4-pole stereo 3.5mm audio jack
microSD card slot Dimensions 166mm x 272mm x 13.9mm
Approximately 401 grams 102mm x 242mm x 13.9mm
Approximately 320 grams What's included – 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 Charging Cable
– Mario Kart World Download Code (in bundle) – Switch OLED Console
– Joy-Con controllers (L+R)
– Joy-Con Grip
– Joy-Con Straps
– Nintendo Switch Dock
– HDMI Cable
– Nintendo Switch AC Adapter
– USB-C Charging Cable
– Pack-in Game (in bundles)
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What does any of that mean? Well, it means many of the rumours, some of which go back to 2021, were spot on, and also that the Switch 2 is going to outclass the original Switch by a country mile. In terms of power, the Switch 2 is already showing off some big power gains on even comparable and competitive hardware, such as Valve's Steam Deck, though I doubt it'll outclass some of the higher-end (and far more expensive) PC handhelds, such as the Lenovo Legion Go or the AyaNeo Kun, in terms of raw power.
It is a much smaller, more portable device than any of those, though, and has the benefit of the Nintendo brand to pull it to success. Yes, the Steam Deck is a very popular console that has sold an estimated 4 million units since its launch in 2022, but compare that to the Switch 1's meteoric 150 million units sold since 2017 and you'll start to see how wide the sales gulf is. We're already seeing lines around the block for the Switch 2's launch, so it's fair to expect the Switch 2 to do well.
What's particularly impressive about the new system is the screen: it's a pretty sizeable bump up in multiple ways. Obviously, it's bigger, but it's also denser: the Switch 2 features 279 pixels-per-inch, which will go a long way in making that larger 7.9' screen pop, especially with the increase in resolution from 720p on the OG Switch to 1080p.
Plus, it's capable of hitting 120Hz, which is nothing to sneeze at. The Switch OLED plays host to a 60Hz screen, the Steam Deck OLED 90Hz, while the ROG Ally X also sits at 120Hz. Only the Lenovo Legion Go beats the pack with a 144Hz screen, but that console is about twice as thick, heavy, and expensive as the Nintendo Switch 2.
Well all know Nintendo consoles tend to sell off the back of solid software, though, so let's take a look at what's coming to the Switch 2.
Confirmed Switch 2 Games
When it comes to exciting launch line-ups, Nintendo really hit it out of the park with the original Switch, which launched with an upgraded version of the now legendary Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. This time around, for the Switch 2, Nintendo is giving us a brand new Mario Kart game in Mario Kart World.
While the game may not tickle the fancy of the most hardcore gamers, it's worth remembering that Mario Kart 8, which launched across the WiiU and the Switch with a Deluxe port, are considered the fourth best selling game of all time. If that's not to your taste, though, there's plenty of other options there for you.
Beyond being able to play compatible Switch 1 games and the addition of a few Gamecube games to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service, here's a full list of everything confirmed to be coming to the Switch 2 this year.
Title Release Date Mario Kart World 5 June, 2025 Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition 5 June, 2025 Fortnite 5 June, 2025 Street Fighter 6 5 June, 2025 Split Fiction 5 June, 2025 Yakuza 0: Director's Cut 5 June, 2025 The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition 5 June, 2025 The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition 5 June, 2025 Arcade Archives 2: Ridge Racer 5 June, 2025 Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster 5 June, 2025 Civilisation VII 5 June, 2025 Deltarune 5 June, 2025 Fantasy Lift i: The Girl Who Steals Time – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition 5 June, 2025 Fast Fusion 5 June, 2025 Hitman: World of Assassination – Signature Edition 5 June, 2025 Hogwarts Legacy 5 June, 2025 Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess 5 June, 2025 Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour 5 June, 2025 Nobunaga's Ambition: Awakening Complete Edition 5 June, 2025 Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S 5 June, 2025 Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition 5 June, 2025 Shine Post: Be Your Idol! 5 June, 2025 Sonic X Shadow Generations 5 June, 2025 Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars 5 June, 2025 Survival Kids 5 June, 2025 Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army 19 June, 2025 Tamagotchi Plaza – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition 27 June, 2025 Tony Hawks Pro Skater 3 + 4 11 July, 2025 Donkey Kong Bananza 17 July, 2025 Shadow Labyrinth – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition 18 July, 2025 Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV 24 July, 2025 No Sleep for Kaname Date – From AI: The Somnium Files 25 July, 2025 Wild Hearts S 25 July, 2025 Ys X: Proud Nordics 31 July, 2025 Madden NFL 26 14 August, 2025 Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road 21 August, 2025 Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar – Nintendo Switch 2 Editions 27 August, 2025 Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World 28 August, 2025 Star Wars Outlaws 4 September, 2025 Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion 5 September, 2025 Borderlands 4 12 September, 2025 Pokemon Legends: Z-A -Nintendo Switch 2 Edition 16 October, 2025 Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake 30 October, 2025 AFL 26 2025 Drag x Drive 2025 Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition 2025 FUR Squadron Phoenix 2025 Goodnight Universe 2025 Hades II 2025 Hollow Knight: Silksong 2025 Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment 2025 Kirby Air RIders 2025 Marvel Cosmic Invasion 2025 Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition 2025 Mouse Work 2025 Obakeidoro 2: Chase & Seek 2025 Professor Layton and the New World of Steam 2025 Reanimal 2025 Two Point Museum 2025 Witchbrook 2025 Yooka-Replaylee 2025
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That is quite a bit, and there's already more in the works for 2026—such as From Software's The Duskbloods, a PvPvE souls-style game somehow echoing Bloodborne, Sekiro, Nioh, and The Surge all at once.
There'll definitely be more games announced as the weeks and months roll on, so if your favourite Nintendo series isn't represented just yet, there's still hope. New Fire Emblem or Legend of Zelda game, please?
Donkey Kong Bonanza | Image: Nintendo
Where can you buy the Nintendo Switch 2
In all honesty, it's not clear yet which retailers will have stock left over after pre-orders have been filled. There have been reports across social media of people's pre-orders being cancelled by retailers, which tends to mean they took more pre-orders than Nintendo sent consoles, and could mean we're looking at a lower stock volume at retailers than anticipated and a 'sold out' situation.
However, if you want to try your luck, you can try purchase the Switch 2 from any major electronics or games store and hope they restock quickly. God speed.
