Nintendo Switch 2 Event: Everything Announced for the New Console

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The Nintendo Switch 2's console and games were revealed on Wednesday, with Nintendo announcing a June 5 release date along with Mario Kart World as a launch title. Here are the top highlights from Nintendo's console event, and all of our coverage so far. You can also check out our Nintendo Switch 2 live blog for our reporting during the event.

Nintendo Switch 2 console

The Nintendo Switch 2's specs saw a noticeable technical bump over the Switch. The Nintendo Switch 2 has a 7.9-inch, 1080p resolution LCD that supports a 120Hz refresh rate -- matching what we now see on most Android phones. When the Switch 2 is docked, compatible games can run in 4K resolution. The new dock also includes a cooling fan.

The Switch 2 comes with 256GB of internal storage, and the new Switch 2 Game Cards will load games faster. For digital libraries, however, the Switch 2 will only work with microSD Express cards, which are different from the microSD cards that are compatible with the prior Nintendo Switch. Nintendo will have a Software Transfer feature available to help move games and data from the original Switch to the Switch 2.

Watch this: Switch 2 Detailed: What You Need to Know

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The new Joy-Con for the controllers will support mouse controls, and a new C button will be part of a new GameChat communication feature that allows both voice and video chat. There's also a Nintendo Switch 2 Camera, allowing players to see each other.

The Switch 2 also adds a second USB-C port to the top of the system, which Nintendo says can help connect its new camera accessory or charge the console when playing in tabletop mode. Nintendo also revealed a new Switch 2 Pro Controller with the C button and customizable GL and GR buttons on the back.

Following the presentation, Nintendo unveiled the system's price of $450 in the US. It will also sell the Switch 2 bundled with a digital version of Mario Kart World for $500.

Nintendo

Mario Kart World

Mario Kart World removes its traditional boundaries and lets drivers roam freely across an entire world of race courses. The game will get its own Nintendo Direct later this month, where we'll see additional details, but we already know it'll include traditional races and a Free Roam mode, much like in the Forza Horizon series.

Getting the game bundled for an extra $50 on the cost of the Switch 2 might be the move if you are interested in the game, because Nintendo announced on its website that standalone copies of Mario Kart World will cost $80.

closeup of Switch 2 controller showing C button

Joy-Con 2 C button and GameChat

Nintendo's rolling out its new C button across several new Switch 2 controllers. The button will be used for the new GameChat communication features without a headset. The button will be used alongside a microphone on the console itself, which Nintendo says can be used whether it's docked to a TV or in handheld mode.

Watch this: Live Video Chat Comes to the Nintendo Switch 2

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In its teaser video, Nintendo promises the microphone will be able to cancel out loud background noises. GameChat will also work with a Nintendo Switch 2 Camera, which will allow for video chat along with various camera-based game modes in supported titles. GameChat will be free at launch through March 31, 2026.

Some of the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games coming to the console.

Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games upgrade titles

The Nintendo Switch 2 will play three types of games: original Switch games, Switch 2 games and Switch 2 Edition games that will receive substantial enhancements. For many of these Switch 2 Edition games, you'll need to buy an upgrade pack if you own the original for Switch. Many of them will get more than just enhanced graphics in the upgrade, for example, Super Mario Jamboree will get new games that support the new Joy-Cons' mouse controls, audio recognition and video camera gameplay options through the Switch 2 Camera.

Other Nintendo Switch games that are getting Switch 2 Edition options include The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild, The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Metroid Prime 4 Beyond and Pokemon Legends: Z-A. Enhancements vary: The Zelda games will start working with a companion phone app for maps and for sending schematics to friends, while Kirby will get a new story that's exclusive to the Switch 2 Edition. On the third-party side, Civilization 7 will get mouse controls.

Nintendo did not announce what upgrade packs will cost.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is a new game set in the world of Zelda that tells the story that leads into The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. This appears to be similar to how Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity told the story of a war that led to the events of Breath of the Wild. The teaser shows Zelda discovering that she's arrived in the past of Hyrule, and the game will expand on how she gets involved in the corresponding Imprisonment War.

Nintendo Switch 2 games

Several other first- and third-party games took the spotlight during the Switch 2 Direct. These include Donkey Bananza, one of the first 3D platforming games featuring DK since 1999's Donkey Kong 64. Kirby will also return to the racing genre in Kirby Air Riders, which comes over 20 years after the GameCube racer Kirby's Air Ride. DragXDrive will use mouse controls to control a futuristic wheelchair basketball game, in which players will simulate push and pull motions to control their character.

An onslaught of Switch 2 third-party games were quickly shuffled through during the Direct, and include Hades 2, Cyberpunk 2077, Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Street Fighter 6, Split Fiction, EA Sports FC, Madden NFL, Hogwarts Legacy for Switch 2, Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3 and 4, Hitman: World of Assassination, Borderlands 4, WWE 2K and NBA 2K. A James Bond game in development is also on the way from Hitman studio IO Interactive, as is a darker title from Elden Ring creator FromSoftware called The Duskbloods, which will be exclusive to the Switch 2.

The full list of announced Nintendo Switch 2 games includes:

Mario Kart World
Donkey Kong Bananza
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
Kirby and the Forgotten Land -- Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond -- Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
Pokemon Legends: Z-A -- Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
Kirby Air Riders
Drag x Drive
Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
The Duskbloods
Hades 2
EA Sports Madden NFL
EA Sports FC
NBA 2K
WWE 2K
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment
Split Fiction
Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition
Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade
Street Fighter 6
Sid Meier's Civilization 7 -- Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
Hogwarts Legacy
Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster
Borderlands 4
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 and 4
Elden Ring Tarnished Edition
Yakuza 0 Definitive Edition
Fortnite
Enter the Gungeon 2
Hitman World of Assassination -- Signature Edition
Project 007
Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions
Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion
Deltarune
Survival Kids
Star Wars Outlaws
Hollow Knight: Silksong

Nintendo GameCube library coming to Switch 2

The Nintendo Switch Online game library will add GameCube games to the Switch 2. These games will initially include The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, SoulCalibur 2 and F-Zero GX on launch day. Super Mario Sunshine, Super Mairo Strikers and Luigi's Mansion are among the games set to arrive later. Nintendo will also sell a GameCube controller at launch, which will be wireless and include a C button for GameChat.

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