Nintendo has officially pulled back the curtain on its next console: the Nintendo Switch 2 will launch on June 5, priced at $449.99 in the US. Alongside the base model, Nintendo also announced a bundle that includes Mario Kart World for $499.99, positioning the platform’s next big racer as an early system-seller.
### Price, Preorders, and What’s in the Box
Preorders are scheduled to open April 9, with Nintendo confirming the console will ship with the new Joy-Con 2 controllers, a Switch 2 dock, HDMI cable, and updated accessories designed around the system’s revised controller rails and connectivity. In other regions, pricing varies by market, but Nintendo’s messaging is clear: this is a more premium Switch aimed at a longer runway than the original 2017 model.
### What’s New in Switch 2 Hardware
Switch 2 is built around a larger 7.9-inch display and improved performance, with Nintendo highlighting up to 4K output when docked (and up to 120fps support in compatible games). Storage has been expanded to 256GB, and the dock now includes an onboard cooling fan—an unusually direct nod to higher performance targets than the original Switch.
### GameChat, Camera Support, and Social Features
Nintendo is also leaning harder into social play. The new GameChat feature is designed to enable voice chat and screen sharing at the system level, with a dedicated “C Button” on the new controller intended to make jumping into chats simpler. There’s optional camera support for video-based features in compatible titles, marking Nintendo’s most unified chat push since the Wii U era—this time with a more modern, console-native approach.
### Launch Games and Backward Compatibility
Mario Kart World is the headline launch release, joined by a slate of third-party support that includes major franchises traditionally associated with more powerful hardware. Nintendo has also reiterated backward compatibility for Switch games, though it has cautioned that some titles may not be fully compatible or may require updates—important fine print for players with large Switch libraries.
Switch 2’s pricing and feature set underline a clear strategy shift: Nintendo is aiming to keep the hybrid format but close the technical gap that has increasingly defined multi-platform releases over the last few years. If Nintendo can maintain the Switch’s ease-of-use while delivering smoother performance and better online tools, the Switch 2 could land as both an upgrade for existing fans and a more credible known quantity for publishers looking to bring bigger games to the platform.
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