Nintendo’s long-awaited Nintendo Switch 2 has finally been revealed, and it’s aiming to deliver more than just a hardware upgrade—it’s launching an entirely new era for the iconic Japanese game maker. The new console releases June 5, 2025, with pre-orders opening April 9. It’s bringing with it a lineup of flagship titles, including Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bonanza, and a new Hyrule Warriors entry.
The supposed Nintendo Switch 2 Screen – YouTube, Super Nintendo Fan
Though pricing wasn’t disclosed during the morning’s Nintendo Direct, the company confirmed a $500 launch bundle that includes Mario Kart World. The base model without the game will retail for $450. A dedicated Switch 2 website is expected to go live later today with more pricing and pre-order details.
Flagship Titles and First-Party Game Highlights
Nintendo is wasting no time flexing its IP muscles with a slate of exclusives timed for the Switch 2’s launch window—and beyond.
Mario Kart World – Launch Title
Opening the Direct, Mario Kart World took center stage with a massive upgrade over previous titles. The game blends classic kart racing with open-world elements. Players can explore expansive free-roam environments between races, uncover new routes, interact with characters, and take in-game selfies with friends.
Each track includes dynamic day/night cycles and weather effects, with new power-ups and a redesigned Donkey Kong making their debut. The game will receive its own dedicated Direct on April 17.
Donkey Kong Bonanza – July 17, 2025
A long-requested return to form, Donkey Kong Bonanza brings a fresh twist to the genre with morphable terrain, allowing players to reshape the world in real-time.
Environments respond to player input, opening hidden areas or creating new paths on the fly. The visual style leans heavily into a vibrant jungle aesthetic, reminiscent of Tropical Freeze but more interactive than ever before.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment – Late 2025
Omega Force returns with a new installment in the Hyrule Warriors series, subtitled Age of Imprisonment. The story appears to explore the mythic past of Hyrule, tying directly into the Tears of the Kingdom as a prequel.
Expect Dynasty Warriors-style large-scale battles, split-screen local co-op, and an arsenal of new characters with devastating Musou-style finishers.
The DuskBloods – 2026
A surprising exclusive from FromSoftware, The DuskBloods features a gothic visual style more akin to Bloodborne than any of their recent Souls titles.
Nintendo offered only a short teaser, but early footage suggests an emphasis on fast-paced melee combat and grotesque enemy design. The game will be a Switch 2 exclusive when it arrives in 2026.
Kirby Air Ride (2026)
Masahiro Sakurai is officially returning with a reimagined version of Kirby Air Ride, the beloved GameCube racing title.
While few details were given, the updated version is expected to include online multiplayer, customizable air rides, and track-building features, bringing new depth to an underrated Nintendo classic.
Sleek Design and Smart Innovations
The Switch 2 delivers a host of hardware upgrades over its predecessor. The console features a 7.9-inch 1080p IPS LCD screen with HDR, more top vents for cooling, and a pair of magnetically-attached JoyCons with a rounded design for better grip.
The joycons for the Nintendo Switch 2 – YouTube, Super Nintendo Fan
JoyCon sticks can be individually detached using rear switches, and each can charge independently with the new charging grip.
The system includes 256 GB of internal storage, two USB-C ports, and 3D audio support through headphones. The dock supports 4K resolution, HDR output, and includes its own fan system for sustained TV play.
GameChat, “C” Button, and Mouse Controls
Nintendo put a lot of focus on a specific new feature, the “C” button, located under the Home button on the right JoyCon. This activates GameChat, Nintendo’s new social system that allows users to talk with friends through the built-in microphone, view friends’ live gameplay, even if they’re playing different titles, and zoom in on friends’ screens mid-session.
GameChat requires a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, though all new owners will receive a one-month free trial to explore the system. Parental controls were also shown that will allow parents to approve connection requests for their children.
Adding to the experience, both JoyCons support mouse-style controls, which will enhance compatible titles like Civilization VII. Nintendo focused heavily on this feature throughout the Direct. There’s also a camera accessory that centers the user’s face on video feeds, automatically blurring the background—though image quality is still in question based on the Direct footage.
Nintendo Switch Online Expands with GameCube Support
Nintendo Switch Online will now support GameCube titles as part of the Expansion Pack, including Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker, Soul Caliber 2 (featuring the Game Cube exclusive Link) and F-Zero GX. These games will support local and online multiplayer for up to four players.
A new GameCube controller will launch alongside the update, but it will be exclusive to Switch Online members. GameCube emulation is a feature Nintendo fans have been clamoring for in recent years.
Three Tiers of Game Compatibility
Nintendo clarified that Switch 2 will support three types of games:
1. Switch 2 Exclusives – Like Mario Kart World and DuskBloods, built for the new hardware.
2. Upgraded Titles – Older games that gain new features like HDR, mouse control, or camera support (Super Mario Party Jamboree, for instance). These require purchasing an upgrade pack.
3. Cross-Generation Releases – Titles like Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Pokémon Legends Z-A, and the special editions of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, playable on both consoles.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017), Nintendo
These new Zelda titles will also connect to the Nintendo Today! app, allowing players to navigate tricky areas and share in-game content.
Massive Third-Party Support
Nintendo’s Switch 2 reveal included some huge third-party surprises, which shocked many. Nintendo has never been known for its open embrace of third party titles, opting instead to focus on its own IPs. That seems to be changing with the Switch 2.
A scene from Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (2024), Square Enix
During today’s Nintendo Direct, we saw trailers for:
- Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition
- Hades II
- Street Fighter 6
- Hogwarts Legacy
- Cyberpunk 2077
- Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth
- Civilization VII with full mouse support
If Cyberpunk 2077 can run on Steam Deck, Nintendo’s confident it can shine on Switch 2 as well. These ports show a clear push toward bridging handheld convenience with AAA depth.
Looking Ahead
Some features shown—like Virtual Game Cards, which let users transfer or lend games between devices—have already been detailed in past Directs. But today marks the moment Nintendo made it clear: it’s not chasing Sony or Microsoft. It’s carving its own unique path again.
The Nintendo Switch 2 – YouTube, Super Nintendo Fan
Now, all eyes turn to April 9, when pre-orders go live, and to June 5, when the Switch 2 hits shelves.
Are you planning to buy a Nintendo Switch 2 at launch? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
