Biggest Surprises and Highlights
Nintendo just released a massive one-hour presentation with loads of information on the highly–anticipated Switch 2 console. Fans saw new games, major hardware upgrades, and the official release date and price. Preorders are now available, so let‘s summarize it all that was announced!
Switch 2 Launch Details
Mark your calendar—Switch 2 hits shelves June 5 for $450. Purchase a console-only option or the $500 option with Mario Kart World included.
The new game cartridges are the same width as the original Switch cartridges but in red shells with faster read speeds. Need more space? Switch 2 offers high-speed MicroSD express cards as an added storage option.
New Games and Upgrades
The broadcast began with a bang with Mario Kart World unveiled. The launch exclusive has the players departing the conventional race courses and racing pretty much everywhere. It‘s the next-gen Mario Kart everybody’s been hoping for!
Other Big Game Revealings:
- Donkey Kong Bananza: A destruction physics 3D platformer releasing July 17.
- Kirby Air Riders: A follow-up to the cult GameCube racer, due sometime in 2025.
- Metroid Prime 4: Beyond: Optimized for 4K and HDR, 60fps in docked mode and 120fps in handheld.
- Pokemon Legends Z-A: Improved graphics and frame rates.
- Super Mario Party Jamboree: New features and upgrades, releasing July 24.
Third-Party Powerhouses
Nintendo showed a sizzle reel of a stack of third-party games arriving on Switch 2. Some of the highlights include:
- Borderlands 4
- Hades 2
- Elden Ring
- Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition
- Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut
- Final Fantasy 7 Remake: Intergrade Edition
- Hogwarts Legacy
- Star Wars Outlaws
- Street Fighter 6
- Hitman: World of Assassination
And don’t miss The Duskbloods—a fresh steampunk RPG from From Software, exclusive to Switch 2.
Switch 2 Hardware and Accessories
Switch 2‘s new LCD display features 1080p resolution, HDR, and 120fps. When in docked mode, the console displays 4K graphics at 60fps.
The Joy-Con also now acts as a PC mouse when it is held sideways, so a few games become more intuitive. And the new C Button provides access to GameChat and other social features using a built-in microphone that rejects background noise.
For GameChat and streaming, Nintendo is also launching a webcam-like accessory on the same day as the console.
Pro Controller Update
The Pro Controller has remappable back buttons and a C Button for direct access to GameChat.
GameCube Library and Controller
Subscribers to Switch Online will at last get a GameCube library, with titles like The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker, Soul Calibur 2, and F-Zero GX launching first. Best of all, Nintendo‘s bringing back the retro GameCube controller with a bonus C Button.
Data Transfer and GameShare
Switch 2 also supports system transfers from the original Switch so you can transfer game data and bought games seamlessly. And GameShare allows local multiplayer with one copy of the game—on both Switch versions.
Legend of Zelda Optimizations
Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom will be optimized to play with HDR, higher resolutions, and better frame rates on the Switch 2.
Welcome Tour Game
To help newcomers familiarize themselves with the Switch 2 hardware, Nintendo is releasing a digital-only game called Switch 2 Welcome Tour. It‘s packed with minigames that double as tutorials and will be available in stores on day one.
What's Next?
With so much news and surprise crammed into one presentation, it‘s safe to say the Switch 2 is going to be a stunning evolution of Nintendo‘s hybrid console. Get ready to level up your gaming setup this June!
Leave a Reply