Nintendo has officially pulled back the curtain on the Nintendo Switch 2, confirming the new console will launch on June 5 with a $449.99 price tag. The company also announced a $499.99 bundle that includes Mario Kart World, positioning the racer as a major early system seller.
### A Bigger Switch With New Social Features
At a glance, Switch 2 keeps the hybrid concept intact—portable play with a dock for TV output—but expands the hardware in meaningful ways. Nintendo says the system will ship with a larger 7.9-inch LCD display running at 1080p and supporting HDR, while docked play can reach up to 4K output on compatible TVs. The console targets up to 120 frames per second in supported games, and comes with 256GB of internal storage, a notable jump from the original Switch.
### Joy-Con 2 and GameChat Aim to Modernize Multiplayer
The new Joy-Con 2 controllers attach magnetically and add mouse-style functionality for certain titles, suggesting Nintendo is looking to broaden input options beyond traditional controller layouts. Nintendo is also introducing GameChat, a built-in voice chat system that uses a dedicated “C” button on the controller. GameChat supports screen sharing and party communication, and Nintendo is selling an optional Switch 2 camera for players who want video features. A limited free period is planned at launch, with ongoing access tied to a Nintendo Switch Online membership.
### Backward Compatibility, But With Caveats
Switch 2 will play both physical and digital Nintendo Switch games, preserving player libraries as the platform transitions. However, Nintendo has warned that some existing games may not be fully compatible or may require updates, a familiar reality for cross-generation support—especially when new hardware features and performance targets enter the mix.
### First-Year Games Put the Spotlight on Big Publishers
Nintendo’s reveal also outlined a large slate of games tied to the hardware’s first wave. Alongside Mario Kart World, the lineup includes Donkey Kong Bananza, Kirby Air Riders, and multiple third-party releases such as Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition, Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition, Street Fighter 6, Split Fiction, and Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade. That breadth is a clear signal Nintendo wants Switch 2 to land with more “current-gen” credibility than the original Switch’s early months.
### Why This Matters
At $449.99, Switch 2 is priced closer to the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series family than many expected, but Nintendo appears to be justifying the cost with 4K output, higher refresh targets, stronger storage, and a more modern online/social suite. For players, the key questions will be real-world performance, how many games hit 60–120fps targets consistently, and whether GameChat can finally make Nintendo’s online experience feel seamless instead of optional. Source: |
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