Nintendo has officially pulled back the curtain on the Nintendo Switch 2, confirming a June 5 launch date and a $449.99 price tag in the US. A $499.99 bundle pairing the console with Mario Kart World will also be available at release, positioning the next-gen hybrid as Nintendo’s most premium mainstream system to date.
### Price, Preorders, and What’s in the Box
Preorders are set to open April 9, giving fans a clear runway to lock in hardware ahead of launch. Nintendo says the standard package includes the Switch 2 console, a redesigned dock, Joy-Con 2 controllers with straps, a Joy-Con 2 grip, an HDMI cable, a USB-C charging cable, and the AC adapter.
### Switch 2 Specs and Display Upgrades
On the hardware side, Switch 2 is built around a larger 7.9-inch LCD display that supports 1080p resolution, HDR, and up to 120 frames per second in supported games. Docked, Nintendo says the system can reach 4K output on compatible titles, with HDR also supported—an overdue spec bump that brings the platform closer to modern TV expectations without abandoning the portable-first identity that made the original Switch a phenomenon.
### Joy-Con 2, GameChat, and New Ways to Play
The new Joy-Con 2 controllers introduce “magnetic” attachment, larger control surfaces, and a dedicated C button intended to unlock quick access to a new built-in social feature called GameChat. Nintendo is also leaning into the idea of the controllers doing double duty: a mouse-like control mode is supported in compatible software, potentially opening the door for more PC-style interfaces and genres that were awkward on the original Joy-Cons.
### Backward Compatibility and Expanded Storage
Nintendo is maintaining continuity with the existing Switch ecosystem, with Switch game compatibility supported on Switch 2. The new console ships with 256GB of internal storage, and it supports microSD Express cards for expansion—an important distinction, since the faster standard suggests Nintendo is planning for larger installs and quicker loading as games scale up.
### Why This Matters
Switch 2’s pricing and feature set signal Nintendo’s confidence that the hybrid model can move upmarket without losing its broad appeal. For players, 4K output, HDR, and a higher-refresh handheld screen should translate into sharper visuals and smoother performance, while GameChat and the C button feel like Nintendo finally committing to modern social features at the system level—something the Switch era often handled awkwardly through apps and workarounds.
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